"I don't know. It's a fair way to travel, I guess."
"I'm taking the train. I've already booked my hotel," Fiona said over her shoulder and turned to look at the canvases lining the walls.
"This one is one of my favorites," Morgan whispered and pointed to one of Aislinn's ocean of fury paintings. Fiona studied it for a while before turning to look at Aislinn.
"You've improved. Considerably. So, you're in love then?"
Aislinn swore that she could feel her cheeks heat.
"Nosy old woman, aren't you?"
Fiona broke into laughter that shook her thin shoulders before sweeping around the room to look at the rest of her work.
"Your show is going to be a smashing success," Fiona decided, circling back to Aislinn.
"Thank you, Fiona," Aislinn whispered, surprised to find that she had wanted Fiona's approval. Maybe even needed it.
"Okay, put me to work then," Fiona declared and turned to Morgan with her eyebrow raised. The girl sprang into action, showing Fiona where they were in the packaging and framing process.
"I'll wrap the finished products and document the list. You finish the frames," Fiona decided.
"Thanks, Fiona," Aislinn said with a smile and bent to grab a roll of the thick paper that would protect her three canvases upstairs. "I've got to finish a project upstairs. I'll be down in a bit."
Fiona turned and Aislinn swore that the old woman was going to insist on coming upstairs to look at her paintings. Instead, she only nodded at Aislinn and began to pepper Morgan with questions. Smiling, Aislinn raced upstairs and began work on the final driftwood frames for her panels.
An hour later, she had just finished wrapping the leather cord around the corners of the frames and pulling the protective sheeting over the large panels when she heard voices downstairs. She'd closed the shop for the rest of the week as there was no way she'd have the time or patience to deal with customers. Hearing Keelin's voice, she paused with her wrapping.
"Aislinn! We're coming up!"
Aislinn swung around to check that her paintings were totally covered and then shook her head at herself. If she was going to be so secretive about her work then why was she even showing them? Maybe she should just keep them for herself. A permanent exhibition of her most inspired work, she mused.
Keelin and Cait all but bounced into the room on a rush of enthusiasm and energy.
"We can't wait for your show!" Keelin crowed, her arms full of shopping bags. Cait followed at a slightly more sedate pace, her arms also full of bags.
"What's all this?" Aislinn asked, gesturing to the bags.
"Outfits!" Keelin sang out.
The blood all but drained from her face.
She'd forgotten to pick an outfit for her show. What had she been thinking? Aislinn rushed over and grabbed Cait, kissing her cheeks enthusiastically before grabbing Keelin and pulling her into an awkward three-person hug.
"I'd forgotten to pick an outfit!" Aislinn exclaimed.
"We figured as much. To the rescue we have come," Cait said with a smile and moved to plop down on the couch. She waved her hand at the large paintings in the corner. "For the show?"
"Yes, my main piece. Nobody's seen it. Well…" Aislinn trailed off.
Cait leaned forward and pounced.
"You and Baird did the dirty! Right here!"
Keelin squealed and grabbed Aislinn's arm, pulling her, shopping bags and all, to the couch. "Tell us everything."
Aislinn glared over at Cait. "Why don't you just ask Cait?"
Cait smiled sweetly at Aislinn. "I'm pregnant. You can't be mad at me. Hormones make me do impulsive things. Like read your mind and find out that you and Dr. Yum had some fun right here on the floor. And that he loves you."
Keelin gasped. "Oh, he loves you! Do you love him? What happened?"
Aislinn glared at Cait. "Why don't you just tell her, Cait?"
Cait held up her hands in defeat. "I don't know everything, not for lack of trying. I could read it in his mind the other night when he came to the pub."
Interested, Aislinn leaned back. "When was this?"
"The night he and Patrick had a pint."
Aislinn raised her eyebrows at Cait. "Then? You're sure? We had a huge fight that night."
Cait shrugged her shoulders. "The worst fights that I've had have been with the man that I love."
Keelin nodded solemnly. "It's true. Myself as well."
"Well, long story short, he's decided to accept my abilities though he still seeks answers about them, and came over to tell me he loves me."
Keelin leaned back and looked at her. "What do you mean he still seeks answers?"
"Dr. Yum is a skeptic, Keelin," Cait said.
"Oh, so, what does that mean for you?" Keelin said, a worried line creasing her brow.
"It means that I just have to accept that he has the insatiable need for answers and once he finds out that there is no science behind our extra abilities, he'll have to calm down." Aislinn shrugged her shoulders as Keelin turned a steely gaze on Cait. A look passed between the two and Aislinn held up her hand to stop them.
"Look. We're dating. Exclusively. That's it."
"Have you told him that you love him?" Cait asked.
"Of course…" Aislinn stopped. Had she? "Um, actually, I don't think that I have."
"Good. It gives you leverage." Cait nodded her approval and Keelin frowned at her.
"Don't you think that you should tell him?"
"I'm sure that he knows. But I will. I can't believe that I didn't say it to him," Aislinn murmured.
The bags made a crackling sound as Cait dug in them and pulled out a bright red sheath. "This is a great dress. Go on, try it on."
Keelin clapped her hands. "Yes, model for us. Dress up time!"
Aislinn laughed, grateful for the both of them. She really couldn't believe that she had forgotten about what she was going to wear.
Aislinn took an hour to model for her friends, pawing through dresses, pants, and accessories and dancing around the room, pretending to be a snobby artist for the girls.
"Okay, I think we have a final two choices, yes?" Cait asked.
"Yes," Keelin said.
The first option was the deep red sheath that hugged her body like a second skin and made her look like a flame. She had a silver chain link bib-necklace that was perfect for the ensemble and if she left her hair in a riot of curls, she would give off a wild, yet sensual look.
The other option was a deep purple dress that had bright red accents at the trim and collar. It fell in a column straight to the floor and was made of thousands of tiny beads that moved with her body as she walked. For this, she'd pull back her hair and let the dress speak for itself.
"I like the red," Cait decided.
"I don't know. They are both great," Aislinn said.
"I don't want to look like a small-town artist. I want to look edgy and sexy," Aislinn decided.
The girls looked at each other before both turning to Aislinn and chorusing, "Red!"
"The purple really is great though," Keelin amended, running her fingers over the dress. "All that beadwork."
"I'll bring both and decide the day of," Aislinn decided. "Thank you so much for bringing these dresses for me. I don't know what I would have thrown on at the last minute if you two hadn't remembered!"
"We can't wait to see the show," Cait said.
"You're coming?" Aislinn asked, surprise evident in her voice.
"Sure and you don't think that we would miss your big debut show?" Keelin asked, aghast.
Aislinn shrugged her shoulders. "I guess, I just didn't expect people to travel all that way for my work. I mean, they can see it all right in my store."
"But not like we can see it at a big fancy gallery in Dublin now, can we?" Cait asked.
"We are so proud of you," Keelin followed up.
"Thanks, ladies. I'm so glad you came today. I needed this. I don't think that I realized how much I needed all of thi
s support. Fiona, too."
"You're family," Keelin said simply and they crowded around Aislinn to give their well wishes before they clattered down the steps, chattering about what they were going to wear in Dublin.
Aislinn shook her head in surprise at herself. Sometimes she was so caught up in her art and managing her shop and her life on her own that she forgot to look to her support system. It had been stupid of her not to invite everyone to the show. She should've known that they would come anyway.
It felt good knowing people had her back.
Stretching, she walked to her paintings and finished with the final tape up.
"Morgan? Can you come help me?"
Together, they brought the wrapped canvases down to the main floor. Aislinn turned and surveyed the rows of wrapped paintings, amazed at how much she had produced in such a short time.
"I'll be ready with my van first thing in the morning," Morgan promised.
"Thanks, Morgan. Um, Baird wants to drive up with us, but he may take his own car."
"Go with him. I'll follow right behind you." Morgan waved a hand at her.
"Are you sure? That's a long drive on your own."
"I'm used to being alone," Morgan said and slipped out of the back door.
Aislinn understood that. She was used to being on her own and doing stuff for herself. But it was nice, wasn't it, to know that people were there when she needed it most? Smiling, she shut the lights off in her shop and hightailed it upstairs. She still needed to pack for the weekend.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Aislinn barely slept a wink.
On her third cup of coffee, she grunted out orders as Morgan arrived at the shop, right on time.
"We need to do this by size," Aislinn said, desperately wishing that she had let Baird come over the night before. He probably would have calmed her enough to sleep. Or kept her mind off the show with other activities. Instead, she'd pushed him away, assuring him that she needed to sleep.
Ha, she thought.
Aislinn brought her hand to the back of her neck to work out a tense muscle as she surveyed her canvases, trying to determine which way to start.
"Good morning," Baird's voice called through the back door.
"We're in the shop," Aislinn called and then stopped when Baird rounded the corner with his hands full of bright red poppies.
Poppies.
Who would even think to pick that flower? It was one of her favorites, as she loved the bright red of the flowers juxtaposed against the green of the landscape. They'd always been a favorite of hers to paint. She didn't even know where one could get poppies in the small town of Grace's Cove.
"For my famous artist girlfriend." Baird smiled at her, handing her the bouquet. She swore that part of her wanted to squeal like a teenaged girl at him calling her his girlfriend, so she buried her face in the flowers before bringing her hand up to touch his cheek. Baird leaned down to brush his lips over hers, lingering for a moment.
"Thank you," Aislinn breathed against his mouth.
"Enough kissing, let's load up." Patrick's voice startled her and Aislinn craned her neck around Baird's arm to see Patrick standing in the back door, a broad smile stretching his handsome face.
Morgan immediately turned her back and began to shuffle through the canvases.
"Patrick! What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to help, Aislinn. I'm coming to the show if you don't mind." Patrick words were for Aislinn but his eyes tracked Morgan.
Aislinn leaned back and met Baird's eyes.
"Let them work it out," he breathed against her lips.
"Sounds great, Patrick. We are just going to step upstairs so Baird can help me with my luggage," Aislinn decided on the spot and pulled Baird's hand to drag him past a smiling Patrick up the stairs to her apartment.
Once there, she gasped as Baird lifted her and swung her around the room, planting kisses all over her face.
"You look tired. Trouble sleeping?"
"Aye. I should have had you come over. I'm sorry," Aislinn said, feeling bad that she had pushed Baird away when she had needed him.
"Next time," Baird said simply and put her down. He turned to look for her luggage.
"That's it?"
A hanging dress bag and one small duffle sat on the bed.
Aislinn shrugged. "Well, it's only a weekend, isn't it?"
"I'm surprised. Typically girls have five more bags, one just for shoes and makeup."
"I've an editorial eye," Aislinn said stiffly and Baird laughed at her.
"It's not a bad trait to have, Ash."
She smiled at him as he picked up her bags.
"Think they've talked long enough to get over the awkwardness?"
"I certainly hope so as he is riding with her in the van to Dublin." Baird grinned widely at her as Aislinn gasped. She wagged her finger in front of his face.
"You're naughty."
"Me?" Baird raised his eyebrows mischievously and they laughed on their way down the stairs. A rush of adrenalin hit Aislinn and suddenly she felt energized and ready to take on the task. Stepping into the courtyard, she found Patrick instructing Morgan on the best way to load the paintings in her big conversion van.
"I want the last three, the biggest ones, on top," Aislinn called.
Patrick turned and nodded. "Aye, I figured they were special ones of sorts. We'll get it taken care of."
And take care of it they did. In under an hour they had the van packed and her little store looked barren. Aislinn looked around briefly before blowing a forlorn kiss to the empty walls. "I'll put something lovely up after I'm back, promise," she whispered to her shop and headed out to the courtyard, locking the door behind her.
Baird's neat sedan was parked in front of Morgan's gray conversion van. The three stood talking easily as Aislinn approached.
"All set?" Baird asked.
"Aye." Aislinn nodded and moved towards his sedan.
"See you two in Dublin," Baird called over his shoulder.
Aislinn bit her lip and tried not to laugh at Morgan's stricken expression.
"You're coming?" Morgan asked Patrick.
"Aye, want me to drive the first leg?" he asked easily.
"No, I've got it," Morgan said stiffly and hopped in the front seat of the van. Patrick turned and gave Aislinn and Baird the thumbs up and they both laughed at him before he swung into the passenger seat of the van, a huge grin on his face.
"Whoo, boy, wouldn’t I pay to be in that van right now," Aislinn laughed as she buckled herself into the car. Reaching over to run her hand down Baird's arm, she smiled at him.
"Thank you for coming with me. It means a lot," she said.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Baird smiled down at her and a warm glow filled her body and soothed the nerves that ate at her stomach.
Hours later, Aislinn couldn't believe how quickly time had flown for her. Baird managed the curvy roads of the countryside with ease and conversation had never once waned for them. They laughed, argued, and challenged each other over pretty much every topic. Aislinn had never had so much fun on a road trip before.
The landscape coming out of Grace's Cove had been dreamy, but as they drew closer to Dublin, they stayed on the main thoroughfare and cars whipped past them as more city life began to crop up amongst the green landscape common to Ireland.
"What's the plan for when we get there?" Baird asked.
"We'll take the paintings straight to the gallery so they can unload and set up the show to their liking. We'll have almost the full day free tomorrow."
"And what do you have planned for that?"
Aislinn shrugged her shoulders and bit her lip, looking at the buildings streaming past her window.
"I don't know. Probably pace myself into a ball of nerves."
"Want to see where I went to school? I have to stop and pick up a manuscript from a colleague anyways. I've promised to edit a study he wants to publish."
"Sure, that would be nice.
We can walk around the city and I'll play tourist while you show me your favorite college haunts." Aislinn smiled at him and tried to keep her mind from her show.
"You know, Green on Red Gallery is quite famous," Baird said smoothly, glancing over at her.
Aislinn only nodded in response, her mouth having suddenly gone dry.
"I can brag about my famous girlfriend now," Baird laughed. "As long as it doesn't start going to your head."
Aislinn mock punched him in the arm, her grin stretching her face wide. She felt like she could burst from happiness and nerves, all the emotions cluttering around inside her stomach.
"I wonder how Morgan and Patrick are doing." Aislinn twisted to see that the van was right behind them. She could see Patrick talking animatedly but couldn't make out much from Morgan.
"They'll be fine. They'll find their way…one way or the other," Baird said.
Aislinn settled back in her seat as they neared Dublin.
"Are we in the same hotel?" Aislinn asked, realizing that she had completely forgotten to book accommodations for Baird.
Baird only smiled at her.
"I've booked us a room at the Westbury."
"Oh, sounds lovely. Is it?"
Baird laughed. "Yes, the perfect hotel for an up-and-coming hot new artist."
"I'll have to call and cancel my room then. Oh, and ring the girls to see where they are staying."
"I've got them all in the same hotel," Baird said.
Aislinn whipped her head around to look at him in surprise.
"You're paying for all of them?"
Baird laughed. "Like their men would let me pay. No. But I am paying for Morgan, Patrick, and Fiona's rooms. As is my pleasure."
"Gosh, Baird. Thank you!"
"Of course." Baird smiled and then focused as the streets became more crowded. "I've got to slow down a bit to make sure that I don't lose Morgan on these city streets."
Aislinn quieted down and watched the buildings of Dublin pass by her window. She loved coming to the city but would never want to live there. Give her the ocean and small-town shops any day. She smiled at the mix of old and new that populated Dublin. Ancient churches crowded next to banks and pubs, each jostling for a position amongst the crowds that flowed through the streets. Baird flowed into the city center and allowed the traffic to funnel him around Trinity College towards the gallery.
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