Wild Irish Soul

by O'Malley, Tricia

  "Come in, let's sit," Aislinn said and gestured to her table.

  Mary surveyed the courtyard and sniffed.

  "Let's go somewhere fun for lunch. Is Flynn's restaurant open for lunch on the weekends?"

  Resigned, Aislinn nodded. That meant she'd have to go put makeup on, and she counted to three in her head.

  "Why don't you go put some makeup on and get ready? My treat," Mary said and smiled brightly at her daughter.

  Aislinn laughed at her and bent to kiss her cheek. Her mother never changed. Always look your best, have fun at everything you do, and be open to meeting new people was Mary's motto. Once Mary had left Sean, it was like her mother had blossomed.

  In her bedroom, Aislinn changed into a turquoise top and skinny jeans. She clipped her curls half-back and added some dangly earrings that she had just made. Pulling out her concealer, she covered the dark shadows that bruised her eyes and put a light dusting of eye shadow on. Slicking on some lip gloss, she grabbed her purse and met her mom down in the shop.

  "There, much better. You're such a pretty girl," Mary said, pride lacing her voice.

  "Good genes," Aislinn said and smiled at her mom.

  "Do you want to call Colin?" Mary asked. Colin and Mary's relationship was still strained even though Mary popped into Grace's Cove a few times a month to visit him and her grandson, Finn.

  "No, let's just do us girls," Aislinn said, not in the mood for a serving of family tension with lunch.

  Mary looped her arm through Aislinn's as they left the shop and walked down the hill towards the harbor. Colorful shops toppled on top of each other down the street and the effect was charming and inviting. Aislinn loved walking through the streets and admiring the eclectic mix of galleries, pottery studios, music shops, and other novelty stores. The tourists loved the charm of the small town and the brightly painted buildings made a perfect backdrop for vacation pictures.

  The street ended in a T at the harbor. Flynn's restaurant, a nondescript building with a nautical design, sat close to the water and Aislinn could almost taste his famous mussels from the scents that wafted their way.

  "God, it never gets old, does it?" Mary said in reference to the mouthwatering smells that emanated from Flynn's restaurant.

  "Not in the slightest," Aislinn agreed and held the door for her mother.

  As Mary breezed past her to go into the restaurant, Aislinn turned to look at Baird's building half a block away. She gasped as she saw him standing in the large picture window on the second floor. Though they were too far apart for her to see his face, she could swear that his eyes bored into hers. Moving quickly into the restaurant, she shook off an involuntary shiver that ran through her.

  Aislinn smiled as the waitress sat them. The restaurant was charming and simple, whitewashed stucco with fishing nets hanging on the walls. A chunky candle sputtered in the middle of the table and the windows were thrown open to catch the breeze off the water. Mary smiled and ordered a glass of white wine. She raised an eyebrow at Aislinn but Aislinn shook her head and ordered an iced tea.

  "Darling, tell me what's wrong. Is it the man in the window?"

  Aislinn laughed. Her mother hadn't even seen Baird and yet she still knew.

  "You never cease to amaze me."

  "Nor do you, my sweet girl. Tell me what's going on."

  The waiter appeared to take their order, which gave Aislinn a few minutes to consider her words. They both ordered the mussels in the cilantro cream sauce. Mary waited patiently until the waiter left.

  "I've met someone."

  "Aha! The man in the window. Details!" Mary smiled exuberantly at her daughter and Aislinn had to laugh. Sometimes it was like they were girlfriends and not mother and daughter. She supposed that it had to do with the divorce as well as their shared mystical ability. Both of those things had drawn them closer together.

  Aislinn looked around and kept her voice low. Small towns were notorious for their gossip and Grace's Cove was no different.

  "His name is Baird. He's thirty-three and works as a psychiatrist. He moved his practice down from Galway and wants to spend some time here. Says he was inexplicably drawn here."

  Mary's eyes narrowed but she said nothing, motioning for Aislinn to go on.

  "He came into my shop and I swear it was like I couldn't even see him! His aura radiated around him and it was like I got punched in the gut. I was totally flustered and awkward. I was certain that he would think that I was ridiculous and instead he asked to have a drink with me."

  "Ah, a man who is direct. I like that," Mary said.

  They paused as the waiter brought them their drinks. Aislinn took a sip of the cool tea and tried to center her thoughts.

  "Yes. He's very direct. And analytical. Long story short…I sent him on his way," Aislinn said, glossing over their night of shared passion.

  "Hmm, I imagine that there is quite a bit you aren't telling me. Which is fine!" Mary raised her hand in a stop motion to Aislinn. "Mothers don't need to know every detail to surmise what is going on."

  Aislinn smiled at her mother.

  "Why did you send him on his way, honey? What happened?"

  "I…well, I guess it was a couple things."

  Aislinn waited as their lunch was served. She sighed in pure bliss at the first bite and allowed the rich flavors to melt on her tongue. Mary moaned her appreciation from across the table.

  "Best mussels in the country, hands down."

  "Mum, can I ask you a question?"

  Mary made a go-ahead gesture with her fork.

  "Why did you leave Da? I know of most of the reasons…but I've always felt it was because you were so different. Was that it?"

  "That was a huge part of it. Obviously you know about Margaret as you are friends with Keelin now. Even I knew about Margaret when your father and I first started dating. But, for some reason I felt like I could fix him – like I could fill that hole in his heart. And, we were good, for a while. But soon the novelty of trying to fix him grew old and our differences became more apparent. He's a fine man…just not for me. I would have left him far earlier if it wasn't for you and Colin."

  Aislinn hung her head as the old guilt swept through her. "I know."

  "Oh, stop. It's not your fault. I just needed you to be old enough to understand what was going on is all."

  "I did understand. That didn't make it any easier."

  "I know, sweetheart. I know. But sometimes in life you have to follow your heart. Your father and I continuing to be miserable would have done nothing for you both."

  Aislinn nodded and picked at her food silently.

  "Is that what you’re worried about with this Baird? That you like him too much and it will end horribly?" Mary asked.

  "Well, that’s one element of it. We are just too different. Though my attraction to him was immediate and visceral, he's an uptight, analytical doctor…and I'm me." Aislinn shrugged her shoulders helplessly. "The man wears wire-framed glasses for God's sake!"

  Mary laughed at her and took a long sip of her wine. They sat in silence for a moment and Aislinn waited for the typical Mary response – go on and have fun, girl!

  "I think that you are probably right," Mary finally said.

  "What?" Aislinn leaned back in surprise.

  "I hate to say this, but yes, you may be too different. If you can't find a common ground of similarity, it may be too hard to hold onto the relationship. I know that they say opposites attract but I've only ever seen those types of relationships work when there is a healthy balance."

  Aislinn considered her words carefully. "So, if I find no common ground…run?"

  "Maybe, yes."

  Aislinn sighed and stirred her mussels around in the cream sauce, picking at the shells.

  "He thinks I'm crazy."

  "Well, we are a little out there, Aislinn."

  "No, I mean like really crazy. I told him about my ability and he told me that he believed that I believe that I have power. Which in shrink t
alk means he thinks that I am nuts."

  Mary leaned back and crossed her arms across her chest and sniffed.

  "Well, I never. How could he say such a thing? What with you running a successful business and creating beautiful art? No crazy person would be able to hold down something like that!" Mary's words were indignant and Aislinn smiled at her.

  "Thanks, Mom."

  "Speaking of your art, I ran into the loveliest man in Dublin last week. He's the curator for one of the major galleries. I told him about your work and he asked me to send some pictures of it…maybe set up a show. What do you think?"

  Aislinn's mouth dropped open and a mixture of panic and excitement raced through her.

  "Mum! That's wonderful news. Do you think that my work is good enough?"

  Mary gave her a derisive glance. "Do I think your work is good enough? Please. Your work is outstanding. I brag about you all over Ireland. I hand out your cards constantly. I couldn't be prouder of you."

  Tears pricked Aislinn's eyes, surprising her.

  "Thanks, Mum."

  Mary reached across the table and patted Aislinn's hand.

  "Don't let that Baird get to you, honey. It sounds like you walk two different paths. I would stay far away from him."

  Chapter Eleven

  Baird watched the two women enter Flynn's restaurant. The other woman could only be Aislinn's mother as the resemblance was uncanny. He sighed and turned away from the window, running his hand through his thick hair.

  He already missed her.

  Shaking his head, Baird snagged his coffee cup from the counter and went to sit in front of his streamlined laptop. He'd spent much of the night researching different disorders where people thought they had otherworldly powers. Late into the night, he'd finally succumbed to his curiosity and had started researching intuition and empathic abilities.

  The research had proved to be fascinating and hours later, Baird had made the decision to contact a few colleagues that conducted research on intuitive abilities in Dublin. He'd dashed off a quick email with a few questions and hoped to see a response today.

  As if on cue, his email indicated new mail. Taking a sip of coffee, he opened the mail and perused the contents.

  "Really…" Baird said.

  It shouldn't have surprised him. As someone who studied the human brain he was well aware that there was still much to be discovered about its power.

  His colleagues had sent him pages of research studies documenting various intuitive abilities along with scientific explanations for the reasoning behind them. They also expressed great interest in meeting his "friend" and helping her to understand where her ability came from. Baird wondered if Aislinn would be interested in talking to psychiatrists and scientists about herself. Though she'd been open with him about it, a part of him suspected she would spit in his face if he asked.

  Baird leaned back in the chair and ran his hands over his face. He couldn't stop thinking about her. Her scent, the softness of her skin under his touch, the way her smile changed her face from interesting to beautiful. He wanted to be with her…laughing with her…watching her work.

  Was he scared of her? Of her powers? Or did he think she was a nutter? Baird couldn't quite convince himself that Aislinn was crazy which left him with the distinctly uneasy feeling that he would have to accept her as she was if he wanted to be with her.

  Baird pulled out his map of the village of Grace's Cove. In order to understand all of this, it looked like he needed to go to the source. Examining the map, he made plans to head to the cove the next day.

  Chapter Twelve

  I would stay far away from him. Mary's words echoed in Aislinn's head the next morning. Though her head agreed with her mother, her heart seemed to be of a different mind.

  Traitor, she whispered down to her heart and went to gather her art supplies. She had decided to take the day off and go out of the village to paint the cove. Her mother had come back to the shop yesterday and taken pictures of all of her work. Mary had said that the gallery was looking to feature seascapes and Aislinn knew of few places more stunning than the rocky cliffs that hugged the mystical waters of the cove.

  Aislinn decided that she would pop in on Fiona and put a word in her ear about Morgan and then head down to the cliffs to paint.

  Aislinn went out to load her battered station wagon with her art supplies. Mary sneered at Aislinn's choice of vehicles, but Aislinn secretly loved it. It was serviceable, her easel and paint supplies fit nicely in the back, and she never worried about the wagon getting scraped up on rough roads. Aislinn sniffed. Baird probably drove a fancy sedan that was pristine inside, with one of those little bags for any snippets of rubbish.

  Further convincing herself that they were far too different to be in a relationship, Aislinn pushed Baird from her mind and took the sea road out to Fiona's cottage in the hills. With the windows rolled down to encourage the sea breeze, Aislinn expertly maneuvered the one-lane road that hugged the cliffs. Sunlight cut through puffy clouds that hung over water that seemed a little restless today. Perfect, Aislinn thought. Moody water and sunlight poking through clouds always made for interesting paintings. Aislinn loved to play with light and mood. It showed in her seascapes and allowed her to command a high price for her work.

  Aislinn turned at a hook in the road and bumped up the lane towards Fiona's cottage. Aside from her mother, Fiona was the most important woman in Aislinn's life and she had played a major role in helping Aislinn to navigate the murky waters of being a teenager with an extra-special gift. Aislinn credited Fiona with steering her from trouble and keeping her on the path of art. In doing so, she'd freed Aislinn from any expectations other than to be herself and had given her the true gift of happiness and confidence in her path in life.

  Aislinn smiled at the weathered cottage as she approached it. She always felt good when she came here and even more so now that Ronan was staying with Fiona. Ronan, an Irish setter, was a gift to Keelin from Flynn. Yet, lately, Ronan had been sticking around with Fiona. A cottage out in the wild needed a good dog for protection, Aislinn thought, and smiled when Ronan came bounding around the corner at the sound of a car.

  "Ah, there's the ferocious beast himself." Aislinn called to Ronan and he barked up at her, his tail wagging. Pulling the wagon to a stop, Aislinn bounded out of the car and sunk to her knees to wrap her arms around Ronan's wiggling body. He lapped her face with his rough tongue and breaking away, ran to grab a stick.

  "Aye, it's a game of fetch you'll be wanting then, is it?" Aislinn laughed at Ronan and tossed the stick. He bounded exuberantly through the green field that surrounded Fiona's cottage. Aislinn turned to survey the cottage. It looked like Flynn was keeping up on any repairs needed and Fiona's window boxes bloomed with a happy bunch of flowers. The gray stone cottage mixed perfectly with the surrounding landscape and the view was worth millions, Aislinn thought as she turned to survey the wide expanse of meadow that dropped off into cliffs that soared over the ocean.

  "Ash, dear! What a surprise," Fiona's warm voice called to her from around the corner of the house.

  Aislinn detoured from her path to the front door and around the cottage to the garden that Fiona carefully tended behind the cottage. The old woman wore khaki pants, a men's-style shirt and a large straw hat to shade her from the sun. Her eyes were sharp with intelligence and her face creased with a welcoming smile. Aislinn instantly felt at peace, just watching her gather her herbs in small baskets. Fiona had always had that effect on her. She was the port in Aislinn's storm.

  Careful not to stomp on any of Fiona's plants, Aislinn stepped to Fiona and bent to give her a lingering hug. Pulling back, Fiona eyed Aislinn's face carefully.

  "Hmm, let's take a break. I just made some sun tea this morning. We can sit at the table out here."

  "Sounds lovely," Aislinn said. "Do you need help?"

  "No, please. Just throw the stick for Ronan. He needs a playmate."

  "Where's Teagan?"

&n
bsp; Fiona shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with that dog? She comes and goes as she pleases. Fickle woman," Fiona laughed and went into the cottage.

  Aislinn sat at the small table and chairs that were positioned best to capture the sun without sacrificing a view of the cove. She thought about how Fiona had known who was visiting her without even stepping around the cottage. Aislinn wanted to discuss Morgan with her. Fiona seemed to have a touch of all of the powers…though her healing power was the most powerful. Yet, to Aislinn's knowledge, she'd never seen Fiona move something without her hands.

  "Here we go," Fiona said as she turned the corner of the cottage with a tray full of tea, scones, and a small plate of fruit.

  "This is lovely, thank you," Aislinn said and reached for her glass as Fiona settled into the chair next to her. They both watched as Ronan raced across the field after a stick, tumbling over himself in his excitement.

  "He brings me such joy," Fiona laughed.

  "I know. I've thought about getting a dog. Maybe a cat, instead. I don't know if I am responsible enough for a dog," Aislinn said.

  Fiona leveled her eyes at Aislinn. "Yes, I suppose that you would chaff at the restriction that a dog places on you. You've built yourself a nice little world where you can come and go as you please, haven’t you?"

  Aislinn shrugged against the perceived sting in Fiona's words. "Is that a bad thing?"

  "I didn't say that it was. I just know that being tied down to something for too long, aside from your business, is hard for you."

  Aislinn shrugged and studied the line of where the water met the sky.

  "Things can change quickly. It's easier to be flexible and able to adapt to change, in my mind," Aislinn said.

  Fiona only nodded, not saying anything.

  Aislinn sighed. "Okay, I know that when you stay silent you are trying to get me to talk. You can't pull that on me anymore."

  Fiona only smiled and raised an eyebrow at her.

  Aislinn threw her hands up.

  "Yes, I met a man. And, yes, I don't do attachments well. Okay, happy?" Aislinn huffed out a breath and crossed her arms across her chest.