Chapter Twenty-Five
Hours later, Aislinn stretched out her legs in the grass of a park and leaned against a tree, enjoying the sunshine that fell across her face. A giggle snorted out unattractively through her nose, and she slapped a hand over her mouth and slanted a look at Baird.
He raised an eyebrow at her, his face set in a scowl.
She hadn't meant to tip the canoe.
The black swans had shocked and excited her. In her rush to get a better look at them…she may have leaned too far from the boat.
Another snort slipped from her and she heard Baird grumble next to her.
"Pizza?"
Aislinn smiled sweetly at Baird and handed him a slice from the takeout box she had grabbed from the pizza joint across from the park.
Baird took the slice silently and Aislinn handed him a napkin with it.
"Probably a far cry from what you had planned for lunch, huh?" Aislinn said easily as she bit into her slice. The heavenly taste of pepperoni and cheese filled her mouth and she groaned around the pizza, losing herself in the taste.
She really needed to eat pizza more often, Aislinn decided.
Baird sniffed and took another bite. "I'd only planned lunch at one of the best restaurants here. Wine, steak, linen tablecloths…"
Aislinn shrugged and bumped his shoulder with hers.
"This is nice." She gestured to the park with her slice of pizza.
"I suppose it is," Baird admitted. "Good pizza."
"It is at that. I try to get to this place once in a while. It's worth a trip."
"I can't believe you flipped the canoe," Baird said indignantly.
Aislinn snorted again and then let the laughs roll from her gut. Bending over, she slapped her sodden jeans and then looked over at Baird. His clothes were a mess, wrinkled, stained, and his hair was all mussed up.
He'd thought to grab his glasses as they tipped. He had good instincts, Aislinn thought. She liked seeing him like this. Mussed, out of his element.
Like a real person.
"I really didn't mean to tip it. You'd think that I'd know better, having been raised on the water. I can get a little exciteable at times," Aislinn admitted.
"I see that," Baird said stiffly and Aislinn laughed at him.
"I like you like this," Aislinn admitted.
"Oh yeah? Then I think you owe me," Baird said. He reached out and snatched Aislinn under the arms and pulled her until she sprawled across his body. Her slice of pizza went flying and Aislinn glared at him.
"Hey! My pizza."
"I'll buy you another slice," Baird said and pulled her tight against him, crushing her lips in a searing kiss. Instant heat shot through her and Aislinn forgot about the pizza, about their wet clothes, and lost herself in the kiss. Baird kissed like he did everything else, with complete concentration on the task at hand, and with a dedication to ensuring their pleasure.
She gasped against his mouth, craving more, wanting all of him.
Baird eased back and held her there, his eyes boring into hers.
"See? I can be impulsive." Baird's lips twitched in a smile and Aislinn's heart cracked open…just a bit more.
"I'm impressed, Dr. Delaney. I wouldn't have expected you to be so brazen in public. In front of children, no less." Aislinn hooted out a laugh as Baird's cheeks pinked and he looked hurriedly around for kids.
"Teasing…" Aislinn said breathlessly, happy to break the intensity of the moment.
Baird reached up and ran a hand down her nose, tracing her lips and then her cheeks.
"Your face. It's so beautiful. Such a contradiction. Much like yourself. Yet it all fits together to make something so unusual and interesting."
Struck by his words, Aislinn eased back from him. Afraid to spill too much, afraid that she would do something impulsive like ask him to be with her. Forever.
"Thank you, I find you handsome as well," Aislinn said and moved to sit next to him.
"Yes, I can see that, since you stalk me and take pictures of me," Baird said and Aislinn groaned and threw her hands up.
"I most certainly did not. I was photographing the village and life in the village. You are alive. In the village. That is all," Aislinn said determinedly and took another piece of pizza from the box.
"Uh huh, you want my body, don't you?" Baird teased her.
Aislinn groaned and turned and stuck the piece of pizza in Baird's laughing mouth. They both convulsed in laughter at their actions. Leaning companionably back against the tree, Aislinn interlaced her fingers with his.
"Thanks for bringing me today, I needed some time away," Aislinn said.
"You're welcome. Tell me what you see," Baird demanded, spreading his arm out to the park.
She'd been giving him a run-down all day long of what she sensed and felt and the more in depth she had gotten, the more Baird had seemed to listen and care about what she said.
Aislinn focused on two businessmen walking by in suits.
"See those two? They are both anxious about something. Maybe a business or realtor deal. You can tell by the way they walk, but it is more in the vibe that I get from them. Something is wrong in their world."
Aislinn turned and watched a young family stroll by.
"The parents? They've just had a fight. Their energy shows that there is a lot of anger and frustration at the surface, but underneath, a really strong love. The love is already overtaking the frustration and I bet by the time the walk is over it will be gone. The dad is really proud of his little boy and the mom has a special love for her baby in her arms. The baby is still really connected to her so their colors mingle in a maternal bond kind of way."
Aislinn shoved away the thought of having a child. She hadn't realized that she had maternal urges, especially coming from the messed up family that she had come from. But, every once in a while, it was there. Just a hint of it, poking through, tweaking her heartstrings.
"And what about them?" Baird gestured to an old man and a woman that sat on a bench, holding hands.
"Well, aren't they just a sweet picture?" Aislinn said.
"Aye, they are."
Aislinn turned to look at him.
"What do you see?" Aislinn asked him.
"I see love. A love that doesn't care about looks, that has survived battles, that has seen hardships and troubles, that has been tested and grown stronger for the testing, and one that will last on…into the grave." Baird spoke softly and Aislinn felt tears prick her eyes at his words.
"Aye, you don't need me to tell you those things," Aislinn whispered.
"Tell me anyway," Baird said.
"They are the same. It isn't often you see a bond like theirs. Their colors and energy have blended and become interwoven until they are like a braid or a chain. This strong, pure love runs between them, and it has connected them forever. They're soul mates," Aislinn said simply.
"What happens when one goes?" Baird asked.
"The other follows quickly. They are for each other," Aislinn said and shrugged her shoulders.
"Do you believe in that? In afterlife? Ghosts and such?"
Aislinn tilted her head up to look at the fat cottonball clouds that chugged through the crystalline blue sky. It was a perfect day, a little slice of heaven on earth.
"I do. But, probably in a different way than most. Because I can feel the energy of the earth…of this day." Aislinn swept her arm around to the park. "And I've been exposed to some of the mystical workings of those that have gone before us. Yes, I do. I believe in an afterlife, just as much as I believe that there are spirits and ghosts."
"Hmmm," Baird commented.
"You don't believe in ghosts?" Aislinn leaned forward and looked at Baird in disbelief. "Why, that's positively un-Irish."
Baird laughed at her and she sat back against the tree, the bark scratching lightly into her back.
"There's an energy to everything. I don't know if you want to call it a universal force or call it God, but it's there. In the way
the trees pulse with movement to the way that love flows around that couple. It's there."
"I suppose that there is something to all of it, of course," Baird said.
"Baird…how can we ever really date if you don't believe in what I am?" Aislinn asked, a little hitch in her voice.
"It's not that I don’t believe in what you can do. I just don’t understand it. Why can one person have this ability but another doesn't? I'm of a skeptical mind, Aislinn, so when science can't prove something…then what am I supposed to think?"
"Do you believe in God?"
"Of course," Baird answered automatically.
"But science can't prove that he exists," Aislinn said.
"That's where faith comes in," Baird said, his years of being an Irish Catholic showing through.
"Exactly," Aislinn said quietly.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Baird thought about her words on the drive home. The sun was setting on the edge of the countryside and pink rays shot up into the clouds, looking as heavenly and majestic as a picture could get.
Why could he have faith in God but not faith in the fact that Aislinn was touched with an extra gift?
He shot a glance at her. She leaned against the window, her eyelashes fanning out across gorgeous cheekbones, her chest rising in an even rhythm. Her riot of curls was pulled back in a knot and he wanted to take her hair down and run his fingers through it.
To scoop her into his arms and keep her there forever.
She did something to him. Tested him. Forced him to think outside what he had been taught. Aislinn was a fascinating and multi-talented woman. He wondered how it would work if they were together. Forever.
He thought of her description of the old woman in the park. It hadn't been much different than his, yet hers had been based on what she had felt and his on what he could see.
Was that so bad? Maybe there wasn't anything wrong with someone moving through life reacting to emotions instead of what could be seen on the surface.
It still itched at Baird, though. The why.
He wanted to know more.
Baird thought about his colleagues that he had spoken with in Dublin. Maybe he would drop them another line and dig a little further. He was certain they'd be able to shine a little light on Aislinn's ability.
Or maybe he was barking up the wrong tree.
Did he need to start with Grace O'Malley? The cove was named after her. From whence the light came, he muttered to himself.
The light.
What did it mean?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
"Are we home?" Aislinn asked in surprise as she felt the car come to a stop.
"Aye, we are," Baird confirmed, a smile playing lightly across his lips.
"Gosh, I'm sorry that I fell asleep. I hope that I didn't snore," Aislinn said.
"Great, big snores," Baird confirmed.
"Stop it!" Aislinn squealed and punched him lightly on the shoulder. Baird captured her hand with his, pulling it close to his face to dance a kiss across her knuckles. Aislinn's insides quivered and she lost herself for a moment in his eyes.
"Come home with me," Aislinn breathed.
"I'll walk you home," Baird clarified with a smile.
Aislinn rolled her eyes and pulled her hand away, getting out of the car in a huff. She slammed the door a little harder than necessary and crossed her arms over her chest. She didn't turn when she heard Baird's door close.
"I can walk home by myself just fine," Aislinn said, unaccountably angry.
"Nonetheless, I shall walk you home," Baird said and stepped next to her as she moved up the street.
"I'm an adult, you know," Aislinn said stiffly.
"I'm aware. But I asked you on a date and as such, I will deliver you home."
Aislinn rolled her eyes and pushed her hair back from her face.
"I meant that I'm an adult. I can sleep with whomever I want. Whenever I want," Aislinn said.
Baird turned and met her eyes. "Aye, I'm aware."
"You've heard the adage about a woman scorned…" Aislinn trailed off huffily.
Baird let out a peal of laughter that had people across the streets looking their way.
"Sure, and you don’t think that I'm rejecting you, do you?"
"Seems that way," Aislinn said stiffly as they neared her shop.
"I've a mind to show you just how much I want you, Ash," Baird growled as they got to her shop.
Heat flashed through her and Aislinn pulled him around the corner of her shop, towards her courtyard. Maybe tonight wouldn't be a loss after all.
"Don't touch me!" Morgan's voice shattered her cloud of lust and ice shot through Aislinn's veins. She raced to the fence, but Baird was quicker.
"Hands off, Patrick!" Baird thundered over the fence.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
"What's going on here?" Aislinn shouted over the fence and raced to swing the creaky wooden door open.
"Nothing! I was going to kiss her, that's all!" Patrick held his hands up. He stood away from Morgan, his face pink with embarrassment.
Aislinn flipped her gaze to Morgan. The girl looked like she was huddled in on herself, her hands wrapped tightly over her chest, her eyes on the ground. Aislinn did a quick scan of her emotions.
Shame.
She turned to Patrick and read him too.
"What were you thinking?" Baird yelled and made to move past Aislinn to Patrick. Aislinn blocked his movements with her arm, hitting what felt like a solid wall of muscle.
"Stop," Aislinn said quietly and was glad that Baird responded instantly.
"What?" He turned to look at her, waiting.
A little sliver of happiness slid through her. Whether he realized it or not, Baird was taking into account her gift.
"He's embarrassed but has no intent to harm. There's something else going on here," Aislinn whispered.
Baird lifted his eyes and scanned the two and then nodded down at her.
"Want me to take him for a walk? Cool him down?"
"Please," Aislinn said.
"Patrick, let's go for a walk. Maybe grab a pint?" Baird asked jovially and Patrick nodded, grateful for the reprieve.
Aislinn moved towards Morgan, patting Patrick softly on his back as he passed her. She didn't touch Morgan, just stood next to her for a moment.
"Some tea?"
"No, I should go," Morgan insisted, finally meeting Aislinn's eyes.
Aislinn felt a lash of pain slice through her and for a moment, she felt all of Morgan's humiliation and anger. The force of it almost brought tears to her eyes but she knew that tears wouldn’t help Morgan.
"Wine, then," Aislinn insisted. Scanning the courtyard, she realized that Morgan needed something else.
"Come on, upstairs." Aislinn motioned to her apartment.
"I…I should go. You're my employer. I'm sorry this happened here," Morgan shuddered out.
"I'm more than your employer, as I've told you many a time. Now, upstairs," Aislinn ordered briskly and Morgan nodded. The girl darted across the courtyard and waited for Aislinn at the door. Fishing her keys from her purse, Aislinn tried to keep her mind off what would have happened with Baird and her.
She led the way up her stairs, flipping the lights on as she went. Aislinn gestured towards her couch in the living room and Morgan fled there to curl up in a ball. Aislinn raised an eyebrow at her but didn't comment. Instead, she moved into her small kitchen and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of Chianti.
"Red okay?"
"Sure," Morgan said quietly and stared down at her hands.
Aislinn moved to her coffee table, a long piece of reclaimed wood that ran the length of her low-slung couch. She nudged a few sketchbooks out of the way and placed the wine in front of Morgan. Aislinn sank back into the couch and studied Morgan for a moment.
She sipped her wine and considered her approach. Morgan had already made it clear that much of her story was off limits, though she'd slowly opened up more over
the weeks of working part-time for Aislinn.
"I don't know how to date guys," Morgan blurted out.
Aislinn raised her eyebrows in surprise and then decided to remain silent. She sipped her wine as she waited for more from Morgan.
"My…my last foster home…before I took off? The son of the house…" Morgan's lip trembled and Aislinn felt her entire body tense.
"Did he rape you?" Aislinn hissed.
Morgan raised shocked eyes to Aislinn.
"No, no, no…nothing like that," Morgan said and reached for her wine. She took a hurried sip and then put it down, wrapping her arms around her legs again.
"I had a crush on him. A huge crush on him. He was older than me and popular. All the girls thought he was so great. I even became a little more popular at school because we lived in the same house."
Aislinn nodded, encouraging Morgan to speak more.
"I'd…I'd never been kissed before him," Morgan explained.
"That's okay, I didn't have a lot of romances as a teenager either," Aislinn said.
"Well, one day, behind school, he pulled me aside and leaned in to kiss me. I closed my eyes and leaned in…and just when I thought he would kiss me…he bent and pulled my skirt down. He hooked my underwear along the way and…I was naked from the waist down."
Morgan gulped at the memory and Aislinn wanted to beat up the little prick that had done this to her.
"I should have seen it coming, but I was so absorbed in the though of him kissing me that I missed his thoughts on what he planned to do. It wouldn't have been so bad. I could have handled it, except he'd called all the popular kids out to watch. I just remember turning and seeing the girls screaming and pointing and laughing and the guys high-fiving him. I ran all the way home." Morgan shrugged her shoulders and took another sip of wine. "School was hell after that. Everyone was mean to me. It was like he'd given them permission to bully me. I took off a few months after that and have been on my own ever since."
Wild Irish Soul Page 10