Wild Irish Soul

by O'Malley, Tricia

  Warmth bloomed through Aislinn and the smile stayed on her face.

  "And where would you be taking me for a whole day then?"

  "It's a surprise."

  "What's a girl to wear on a surprise date that will take her away for an entire day?"

  "Something pretty. Wear something that will drive me crazy. But that you can walk in," Baird decided.

  "Hmm, sexy but serviceable?" Aislinn decided.

  "Perfect, I'll be there in a half hour."

  Aislinn shot up in her bed.

  "A half hour? That's not enough time for a surprise date. Hello?" She pulled the phone back and looked at it in awe. A dial tone greeted her and she wanted to throw her phone across the room.

  "A half hour? Has the man gone insane?" Aislinn cursed steadily as she launched herself from the bed and ran to the shower. Pulling the curtain aside, she set the water to hot and ran to get a cup of coffee started. That in place, she whirled to her closet and began to dig.

  Sexy but serviceable…she thought and rolled her eyes. Only a man would ask for something like that.

  Digging deep in a pile of pants on the closet floor, she pulled out her dark gray skinny jeans. Flipping through her hangers, she spied a neon pink tank top with a deep V at the neckline. It fit her well and showed her best assets. The jeans fit like a second skin and left little to the imagination. Nodding, she tossed the clothes on her bed. Running past her coffeemaker, she poured a cup and took it into the shower with her, blowing on the steaming cup as she stepped under the hot water.

  And laughed at the contradiction of her trying to cool her coffee in a hot shower. She shook her head at herself and placed the coffee on the edge of the shower wall and dipped her hair under the spray. It felt heavenly and did more to wake her up than her coffee would.

  Though she wanted a longer shower, Aislinn had little time. Jumping out, she wrapped her sopping curls in a towel and quickly dried her body. She stepped to her vanity and considered her scents.

  What would drive Baird crazy?

  Her eyes settled on her vanilla body oil…the newest product that Keelin had developed for her. Aislinn could swear that she had read somewhere that the scent of vanilla was the most arousing to men.

  She took the bottle and dabbed some oil on her wrists, at her cleavage and behind her ears. It smelled heavenly and made her dream about baking chocolate chip cookies and the scent filling the house.

  Glancing at the clock she swore and quickly brushed on some eye makeup before shimmying into her sexiest bra and underwear.

  No sex, Aislinn reminded herself.

  But, that didn't mean that Baird wouldn't see her underwear, she thought with a smirk and began to imagine all the ways that she could torture him. Aislinn pulled on her jeans just as she heard the knock on the door below.

  "Coming!" she yelled.

  Pulling the pink top over her head, she stood in front of the mirror and flipped her damp curls back. Aislinn ran a quick handful of gel through the curls and then clipped them back from her face, knowing they would take a while to dry. She snagged her purse and her cell phone and then skipped down the stairs.

  Baird stood at her window, looking far more awake and cheerful than anyone should at this hour, and waved to her.

  Of course, he was a morning person, Aislinn thought with a grumble.

  She pulled the door open and squinted at him in the soft morning light.

  "The only thing that I get up this early for is my art," Aislinn said.

  "It's honored I am then." Baird smiled at her and held out his hand.

  Aislinn turned and locked the door, making sure the closed sign was faced prominently in the window. It was too early to call Morgan to come cover for her. Her business would be fine if it was closed for a Sunday.

  And wasn't that the charm and frustration of small towns? Things ran on their own terms, including her shop. Baird would have to get used to that, Aislinn thought as she reached out and took his hand.

  "It's a nice morning," Baird commented as they strolled towards the water.

  "Aye, I suppose it is. Though it would be better with a cup of coffee," Aislinn mumbled. Baird chuckled and brought her hand to his lips to brush a soft kiss over her knuckles. Her skin tingled at the contact.

  Baird tugged her towards his car, the sedan that she had previously rolled her eyes at. Unlocking the passenger door, he held it open to show a steaming cup of to-go coffee and a bakery bag sitting on the console.

  "Nothing but the best for you," Baird said dramatically and Aislinn laughed up at him.

  "Okay, so you covered the bases. You get points for coffee," Aislinn said and trailed her hand down his chest to his hard abs and toyed with his belt buckle as she passed him and slipped into the car.

  "You smell good," Baird breathed as she settled into the car.

  "To drive you crazy, remember?"

  "Mission accomplished," Baird mumbled and closed the door, coming around to the driver's side.

  Aislinn snagged the bakery bag and opened it, sniffing at its contents.

  "Cinnamon muffins?"

  "I asked the bakery what your favorite was," Baird said with a smile.

  "Aye, and set the whole town to talking, I'm sure."

  "So?" Baird said and started the car, directing it out of Grace's Cove.

  "So? You don't care that people will be in your business?"

  "As I'm not embarrassed to be dating you, I don't see what the issue is," Baird said smoothly.

  Aislinn shoved a piece of muffin in her mouth to keep from answering.

  Baird smiled at her and reached over to flip the radio on. A bluesy sort of soul music came piping out of the speakers and Aislinn found herself instantly mellowed. At the very least, he had good taste in music.

  "Do you not date a lot? Here?" Baird asked casually.

  Aislinn choked on her muffin and reached for her coffee to clear her throat.

  "Um, it's not so much that. I've just learned to keep things under wraps in a small town until…you know." Aislinn shrugged.

  "Until what?" Baird asked smoothly.

  "Until, you know…things are official. That you're a couple, is all."

  "And what would happen if people knew you were dating someone casually?" Baird asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

  Aislinn shrugged and tore off another piece of the cinnamon muffin.

  "I suppose that nothing would happen, not really. Certain people in town might suggest that I have a reputation for being fast, is all," Aislinn said.

  "And that bothers you," Baird stated.

  "Yes, Dr. Delaney. Am I in a session right now?" Aislinn asked. She turned to raise her eyebrow at him and caught a quick flash of his grin.

  "Not in the slightest, though you do sound rather defensive, if you'd like my professional opinion."

  "Seeing as how I haven't asked for it…no, I don't at that," Aislinn said and crossed her arms over her chest.

  "I like your outfit," Baird said, smoothly changing the topics.

  "Do you?" Aislinn pushed her arms under her breasts so her cleavage pushed up against the pink shirt and angled herself so he'd have a good look. The car jerked as he lost himself in the view for a moment. Aislinn laughed as he swore and righted the wheel.

  "Trying to get us killed?" Baird asked.

  Feeling like they were back on even ground, Aislinn reached in the bag and handed him a muffin.

  "Here, have a muffin. You must get cranky when you don't eat," she said generously.

  Baird's faced looked thunderous for a moment and then he broke out in a loud chuckle, the sound bouncing around the car over the music.

  "I must, at that," he concurred and snagged the muffin from her hand.

  Their banter continued over the hour as the sea disappeared behind them and they cut over the hills towards central Ireland.

  "And where are you taking me?" Aislinn asked.

  "Killarney," Baird said.

  "Killarney? Why?"

&
nbsp; "Because I've never been and I've heard it's lovely."

  Aislinn twisted to look at him. "You've never been to Killarney?"

  "No, but I've been to the States several times. Does that make up for it?"

  "Where?" Aislinn asked immediately, pouncing on the question.

  "New York City," Baird began and Aislinn cut him off, clutching at her chest.

  "Ugh, just ugh. I'm dying to go to New York City!" Aislinn gushed.

  "Really? Why? I'm surprised at that…small-town girl such as yourself," Baird said.

  "Small town doesn't mean small minded, might I remind you," Aislinn said. "I could lose myself in the galleries alone."

  "I suppose for an artist it would be wonderful," Baird admitted.

  "I've always wanted to visit the Guggenheim," Aislinn admitted.

  "It is amazing. The building itself is a sculpture, the way the floors circle up. When I went they had four of the Terracotta Warriors there. It was phenomenal to see."

  Aislinn's mouth dropped open.

  "You like art?"

  Baird shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, who doesn't? What…you thought that I couldn't understand art?"

  Aislinn's mouth opened and closed a few times as she considered her words carefully. "It's not that I thought that you couldn't appreciate art. I guess that I just figured that art wasn't on your radar. That it was something more for the free-flowing, less rigid types."

  "Less rigid?" Baird pounced on her words and Aislinn saw his hands tighten on the wheel.

  "Well, yeah. I mean, you're kind of Type A," Aislinn said.

  "I am not," Baird said stiffly.

  Aislinn felt the laugh bubble up from deep in her stomach and she slapped a hand over her mouth, trying desperately to stop the sound, knowing that Baird would be deeply offended. Her nose squeaked unattractively as she held her hand over her mouth and the sound made her giggle even more.

  "Oh just stop, fine, I'm a little rigid," Baird admitted and Aislinn let out a whoosh of air and giggles as she reached over and ran her hand affectionately over Baird's arm.

  "A little? I'm fairly certain you've ironed those jeans you're wearing."

  Baird looked down at his jeans in confusion.

  "What's wrong with ironing jeans?"

  Aislinn threw up her hands and laughed even harder.

  "And that is why I am quite certain that we can never progress past dating. There are two types of people in the world: those who iron their jeans and those who pull them from a crumpled ball on the floor," Aislinn said, sweeping her hands down to encompass her gray skinny jeans.

  "Those don't look wrinkled."

  "Aye, 'cause they have stretch. But, still," Aislinn said, leaning back into the seat, feeling a little smug that she'd been right.

  "I'm not always Type A. I surprised you with an impulsive trip, didn’t I?" Baird asked.

  "That I bet you have planned to a T," Aislinn followed up smoothly and was rewarded with Baird's mouth dropping open.

  "Simply to make the best use of our time is all," Baird defended himself.

  "Why don't you let me take the reins today, Doctor?" Aislinn asked, testing him.

  "But…I…but," Baird sputtered and then turned to see Aislinn grinning madly at him.

  "Fine," Baird spit out.

  "Oh, boy, this is going to be fun," Aislinn crowed, thinking that 8:00 am on a Sunday wasn't looking so bad after all.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  "Jarveys?" Baird asked in confusion as he eyed up the line of jaunting cars that stood in a row on the street, proud horses stamping their feet, drivers laughing in a group.

  "Yes, a jaunting car. Come, you'll love it," Aislinn said and pulled Baird towards a driver.

  "You all full up?" Aislinn asked.

  "Nope, a slow one this morning. Services." The driver motioned to the church next door where Sunday services were running.

  Aislinn immediately felt the guilt that always came with skipping mass and she said a quick prayer in her head before smiling up at the driver.

  "A quick one, then? Ross Castle?"

  "Sure, and that's an easy drive on a nice day," the driver agreed and motioned to his car. He stood at the side and held out his hand to hoist Aislinn into the cart, and Baird hopped up easily after her. They sat on the long wood bench, nestled against each other, as the driver patted his horse down before hopping into his seat, his back to them.

  "And I'm sure you know the history of Ross Castle, then," the driver began.

  "No, we don't." Aislinn cut Baird off and grinned up at him as the driver launched into a detailed and highly animated story about Ross Castle. Aislinn found herself hooting in laughter at some of his more exaggerated tales.

  The car wound down a lane and towards an old castle tucked on the shores of a still lake that stretched wide, mirroring the trees and the sky. Sweeping trees stood at the back of the castle and Aislinn smiled at the beauty of it. Holding her hands up, she framed the shot for a mental image to paint from later.

  Baird tilted his head at her in question.

  "Just memorizing the picture. I can paint from memory." Aislinn shrugged, feeling foolish.

  "As in you can paint the exact details or a concept of it?" Baird asked, his slate eyes glinting at her in the soft light of the morning sun.

  "Like I can paint exactly…I kind of have a photographic memory of sorts for images," Aislinn said.

  "That's impressive. Why do you paint out in the hills then?" Baird asked. Aislinn leaned her head on his shoulder and thought about it as the cart rolled to a stop.

  "I think because I prefer the mood of being there in person. Though I can remember all the details, I read the colors and energy when I am in a particular spot. It adds a dimension to my painting that isn't always there if I just paint from memory."

  Aislinn didn't have to look at Baird's face to feel his disbelief radiating from him. She sat up and turned away from him, smiling brightly to the carriage driver as he held up his hand to help her down.

  "I'll give you a half hour or so to poke around?" the driver asked.

  "That's perfect." Aislinn beamed at him and picked up her pace a little, forcing Baird to catch up with her as they approached the weathered stone castle.

  "Aislinn," Baird said quietly.

  "Yes?" Aislinn turned, a wide smile plastered on her face.

  "You're angry with me," Baird said.

  "Nope, not at all," Aislinn said and took his hand, deliberately ignoring her feelings as she pulled Baird through an arched doorway to a stone staircase that hid a small door in the pocket beneath it. The energy and history of the building pulsed at her and Aislinn found it hard to stay mad at Baird when she wanted to get swept away in the memories of the castle.

  "You are," Baird insisted, pulling her back against his chest for a moment. Aislinn closed her eyes, knowing that she would have to have the conversation with him soon.

  Why not now?

  Turning, she met Baird's eyes.

  "Baird, the natural world has energy that I can feel. Just like I could feel your disbelief in the cart. Just like I can feel the history of this place. I can see it, feel it, paint it…it's all part of who I am. My gift."

  Aislinn watched as Baird's eyebrows rose and a polite smile fell across his lips. This must be his psychiatrist face, she thought. Polite interest when inside he thought she was nuts.

  "Stop!" Aislinn shouted and Baird's hands came up automatically to shush her.

  "Shh, stop what?" Baird asked, his mouth dropping open in surprise.

  "Stop…that look. Your polite doctor look. I know what you feel. I can feel it. Do you get that? I know that you are trying to be patient with me but you completely don't believe in anything that I am saying. It's insulting. You could at least pretend to humor me."

  Baird's hands dropped to his sides. "I…I thought that was what I was doing."

  "You're not doing a very good job of it," Aislinn said and walked away from him, tracing her toe in the
dirt as she thought about how she wanted to handle this situation.

  Handle him.

  Turning, she crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him across the courtyard. Frustration radiated from him. She could see it in the way he stood, all sexy and rumpled and angry. Thrown him off his course is what she'd done, Aislinn thought.

  But underneath it…she could see it.

  He cared about her.

  It wasn't love. Maybe not yet. Maybe not ever. But it was the beginnings. She could see it peeking out beneath all the confusion of his surface emotions. That was enough to make her stop and consider.

  "Here's the deal," Aislinn said, walking slowly back towards him. "Today, I'm going to vocalize everything that I see and feel. I'm used to tuning it out so that I barely pay attention to it that much unless I am immersed in my art. But, today, I'm going to show you all of me. You just need to stop trying to figure me out for the day and listen, okay?"

  Aislinn stopped in front of Baird and tilted her face up to look at him. He seemed to mull over her words for a moment, which she appreciated. He cared enough to take her seriously and to think about his answer.

  "I can do that. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to hurt you. I just have a hard time with all of this," Baird said and ran his hands down her arms. Aislinn tried not to bristle at his words.

  "All of this? This…is me. It isn't a thing that is separate from me that you can analyze. It's just me," Aislinn said, needing him to understand that concept. "It's offensive to me when you refer to my gift…my essence…as "woo-woo" stuff."

  Baird stiffened and Aislinn could feel the shame wash through him.

  "I'm sorry. I am. I wasn't thinking of it like that. I've gone and been right judgmental, haven't I?"

  "A wee bit," Aislinn said, smiling up at him.

  "I'm sorry for that. I'll keep an open mind. Wow me with your gift, oh great one," Baird teased.

  Aislinn laughed and threw her arms around his neck, reaching up to brush a kiss over his lips. She squealed into his mouth as he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her in a dizzying spin, deepening their kiss.

  "Sure and it's nice to see some lovebirds," their driver called to them and they broke apart, laughing at getting caught.

  Love, Aislinn thought. She wondered if she was on the tipping point and then shook the thought from her mind. It wouldn't do to fall for Baird. She'd only get hurt.