The Art of Love

by Celya Bowers

  They started out at the Gallery National. As they walked into the lobby of the very old building, Peri was amazed at the beautiful works of art displayed. “How old is the gallery?”

  “I think it was built in the late 1800s. Impressive, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is outstanding! It is so full of history, just like the rest of Ireland.” Peri smiled at him and he returned her smile. Chelsey yawned and tugged at her father’s hand. She looked bored. Before she realized it a few hours had passed by, and Chelsey was asking for food. McDonald’s, to be specific.

  After dinner they headed back to their rooms. Chelsey fell asleep almost immediately. After Brendan put her to bed, he joined Peri in her room and watched TV. Before long, they were in bed and snuggling close.

  “Is it always cold here?” She snuggled closer to him, grateful for his body heat.

  “I guess. I was raised here, remember. It just feels like home to me.”

  They played footsie under the covers. He held her and caressed her. Brendan kissed her neck, trying to find a place on her skin he had not touched already. Peri giggled as Brendan nibbled on her neck, hoping they wouldn’t wake Chelsey. Each kiss he gave seemed to make breathing one of those things she didn’t really need to do. She knew that they really would have to stop soon so Brendan could go back to his room, not wanting Chelsey to wake up and find her father gone. Brendan got up, but to her surprise he went and put on his pajamas and slipped in bed with her. Too tired to argue and also wanting him to be near her, she didn’t object. The next thing she heard was Chelsey knocking on the connecting door the next morning.

  “It’s time for breakfast,” Chelsey announced. “I’m ready to eat.”

  Peri watched Brendan. He had already slipped out of bed and put on his robe. “See, I told you she would knock. She didn’t even come in the room. Get dressed and let’s go eat,” he said as he left her room.

  Peri smiled to herself. Maybe she would just have to trust him about his daughter. Apparently he knew what Chelsey could and could not handle.

  After breakfast downstairs, they went to do more sightseeing. Their first stop was the Guinness Store.

  Brendan had tried to get Peri to try the Irish stout many times before, and she always turned him down. She took the free sample and gave it to Brendan. She noticed how tired he looked. Obviously the effects of the Guinness tour, she thought. “How about some shopping? I still need to ship some more souvenirs home.”

  “How about we head back to the hotel and take a nap?” Brendan pleaded.

  “No!” both ladies said at once. Peri laughed as Brendan realized he had two women that wanted to go shopping. He sighed, shook his head, and led them down the street to the busy shopping district.

  Peri liked the country better than the city. The country seemed peaceful and serene, even with the sheep in the middle of the road. Dublin, on the other hand, seemed busy, almost like going to the West End in Dallas on a Saturday night. Still Dublin did have its concessions, like shopping. She was buying herself an Ireland sweatshirt when she caught a glimpse of Brendan. She watched him yawn for what had to be the tenth time, and she finally gave in. “Why don’t I call your sister? Chelsey and I could meet her for dinner while you sleep off the effects of the tour.”

  “Very funny, but it sounds brilliant.” He grabbed some of her packages, rounded up Chelsey and they headed back to the hotel.

  Later Peri and Chelsey left a sleeping Brendan with a promise to bring him something back. Peri was glad she volunteered to take Chelsey, since Brendan had fallen asleep before they left. They met Emma at a McDonald’s-like restaurant at Chelsey’s request.

  “Are you enjoying Ireland?” Emma asked Peri after the waiter had taken their order.

  “Yes, I wish it were warmer here. The scenery here is beautiful.”

  “Yes,” Emma agreed, “it is. I had moved away, but I came back. Life is so much simpler here. I lived in London for a while and got to be a party girl. I know Brendan told you I recently married and the twins are four years old. I am not married to their father. As luck would have it, I met someone that was from here, and he adopted the boys as his own.”

  Peri thought about her very busy life back in Arlington and let out a sigh. She wondered if Brendan ever got homesick enough to move back. She closed her eyes and tried not to think about that.

  “When Bren first moved to America, he came home every year or so, if his schedule would permit. After he and Claire got divorced, he really hasn’t been home. I had gotten pregnant about the same time. Mum and Dad didn’t really accept his divorce. Mum and Dad were more mad at Bren for divorcing, instead of at me for getting up a duff. That’s slang for getting pregnant with no husband in sight. Divorce is still very new here, and they are devout Catholics. They finally did accept it last year, when they realized what their behavior was doing to Bren. Finally, Mum put her foot down, then Dad got sick, and you know the rest.”

  Peri nodded. They were both estranged from their own family, something else they had in common. She and her family went through something similar while she was living with Robert. Thank goodness they were there when she needed them and she was able to patch things up after Robert went to jail.

  She looked at Chelsey as she happily munched on a hamburger. She had come to love her, too. Peri was becoming too involved with his family secrets. In four days, she would be back in the security of her condo.

  “How about going out tonight? You need a night off,” Emma said, interrupting her thoughts.

  Peri agreed. It would be fun to go out with his sister. She imagined Brendan’s face when she sprung the news on him. After they finished the meal, they walked back to the hotel. Emma decided to wait for Peri in the lobby while she took Chelsey upstairs.

  “Brendan might blow his top and I would not want to be a witness to that.” Emma hugged Chelsey and took a seat as Peri and Chelsey walked up the stairs.

  “Are you sure you want to go? You don’t have to,” Brendan said as he watched her get dressed.

  “Yes, Brendan. I’ll be fine. I’ll be with your sister.” She put on a sweater.

  “That is really not helping the situation, Peri.” Brendan looked at her. “Those jeans are too tight. What happens when you sit down? Emma will understand if you don’t want to go. I can’t believe she asked you.” Brendan exhaled and told Chelsey to get ready get ready for bed.

  Peri tried to keep a straight face. “These are the same jeans that you always say look good. I will see you later, okay. Don’t worry and don’t wait up.” She hugged Chelsey and kissed him goodbye at the door.

  CHAPTER 21

  Brendan laid awake in his bed, listening to the steady rhythm of Chelsey’s breathing. It had been over five hours and Peri still wasn’t back. He had hoped that she would get along with Emma, but this was a little too much. He knew that Emma could be wild, but thought she would have calmed down a little since she had gotten married. Brendan had already tried her cottage and her husband said she had not returned yet. He called his brother, but he wasn’t in his room. Brendan would just have to wait it out.

  A little while later, he heard Peri trying to unlock the door to the suite. She muttered a curse when she was unsuccessful. Finally, she was able to open the door. He sat up in bed and watched her trying to tiptoe into the room. He didn’t say anything as she ran into the bedroom door. She opened the door and went inside. Part of him wanted to go in and help her, but the man in him was determined to let her find her own way. A few seconds later he heard a sound of the lamp crashing to the floor. Then he heard the thud of Peri falling on the hard floor. He muttered a curse, threw back his covers and went into the adjoining room. He turned on the overhead light and shook his head. Peri was sprawled face down on the floor. She was snoring. He wrestled her out of her clothes and put on her nightclothes. Then he picked her up and placed her in the bed. He kissed her on the forehead and pulled the covers over her. He turned out the light and left the room.

  * *
*

  “Dad, should we wake Peri?” Chelsey asked as she put on her jacket the next morning. “She may be hungry.”

  “I think she’s still asleep, baby,” Brendan said, opening Peri’s bedroom door. Peri had kicked off all the covers, and had also taken off her pajamas bottoms. He closed the door.

  “She’s still asleep.” He ushered his daughter out of the room. He was going to have some words for his sister when he laid eyes on her.

  They went downstairs and had just taken their seats when he noticed Emma walking into the restaurant. She looked rested, unlike Peri. She hugged Chelsey and sat across from her brother. “Where’s Peri?”

  “Sleeping off the effects of your ‘girls’ night out.’ What exactly did you do to her?”

  “Pub crawl.”

  “You took her on a pub crawl. I should kill you for that alone.”

  Emma shrugged her thin shoulders. “We had fun, once she loosened up. She can be a lot of fun, Bren. I wanted her to see that not all Irish men have such a horrible jealous streak.”

  The waitress appeared and took their orders for breakfast. Brendan and Emma ordered an Ulster Fry, and Chelsey ordered a continental breakfast.

  Brendan was angered by his sister’s words. His voice was a low, deep growl and he tried hard not to lose his temper in front of his daughter. “I thought you had slowed down since you had the twins, got married and moved back to Ireland. In that order, I might add.”

  “Will you ever let that go? I am married now, Bren. Eric loves the boys as his own and we’re happy. Are you?” She glanced over at Chelsey. She was too involved in her breakfast to be concerned about their adult conversation. “Brendan, Peri is very nice and pretty. Men will approach her, so you will just have to learn to accept it. Anyway, have you told her that you love her?”

  “Of course.” He avoided his sister’s eyes.

  The waitress returned with their breakfast orders, coffee and juice. After she distributed everything, and Brendan assured her nothing else was needed, she left the table.

  “Did you mean it, or did it just slip out?” Emma waited for him to make eye contact with her.

  Brendan sighed and lowered his voice. “It slipped out, but I meant it. Anyway, I said it. I just didn’t want her to know that.”

  “You are really going to have to get over this jealousy thing, or you will lose her permanently. Then you really will be a sourpuss.”

  “I know.” Brendan drank his coffee and looked at his daughter. Chelsey liked Peri more than any other woman he had ever dated. And Peri genuinely liked Chelsey. So what if other men tried to hit on Peri, she always turned them down.

  Over breakfast they chatted about other things and family gossip. Emma leaned across the table in a stage whisper and told Brendan the latest news. “I think Mum wants to have a little girl-to-girl chat with Peri. You know, what are her intentions toward you and Chelsey, that kind of thing. I think, from our conversation, big brother, Mum has got a feeling about your woman.” Emma smiled at her brother, letting the words sink in.

  Brendan smiled. “Yes, Mum has dropped a few hints to that effect. I guess it will make her feel better knowing where Peri and I stand. It will make Peri a nervous wreck. Maybe I will be back in Arlington, before Mum will realize she didn’t get to have that chat with Peri.” Brendan knew his mother. She was stubborn Irish, too, and if she wanted something, she got it.

  * * *

  After breakfast with Emma, Brendan returned to the room minus his daughter. He was hesitant to let her go with his sister, but Chelsey gave him the pouty look and he couldn’t deny his baby a chance to play with her cousins.

  He knocked on Peri’s door and heard something that sounded like ‘come in.’ He entered the room and smiled. Peri was standing in the middle of her room in just her panties and bra.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Tired. That Emma can really put it away.” She walked to her bed and sat down. She reached for a cable knit sweater, but laid down instead. She yawned and closed her eyes.

  Brendan laughed, knowing she was hung over from the night before. “Yes, I know. When we were growing up, she could out drink almost any bloke in the village.” Brendan paused. “A bloke is slang for man. Why don’t you rest up today?”

  Peri shook her head. “No, I want to go out. We only have two days left before going home. I still have more souvenirs to buy and more sightseeing to do.”

  Brendan knew he had to be a little firmer with her. “No, you rest. You wouldn’t make it two feet.”

  Peri yawned again. She struggled to sit up, but that took away all her energy. She plopped down on the bed and got under the covers. “Maybe I’ll take a little nap.”

  Brendan nodded in agreement. Finally, he thought. The more he looked at Peri in bed, the more he wanted to join her. He didn’t get much sleep the night before; a nap wouldn’t hurt. He climbed into bed beside her and was soon asleep.

  * * *

  A ringing phone woke them the next morning. Peri’s body shifted at the interruption, the covers easing down her sleek body. Brendan smiled at his bedmate as he answered the phone. It could only be his mother calling at that early hour.

  “I would like to get to know Peri. I think she is grand,” his mother said. Brendan knew that invitation was not one he could turn down.

  “Yes, Mum, we’ll be there today.” He looked over at a sleeping Peri. The covers barely covered the bottom half of her body. He felt a tightening in his lower body. He could just imagine her face when he told her. He would have to wake her and tell her the latest and somehow soften the blow.

  “Brilliant, see you at one, Bren,” his mother said.

  After he hung up the phone with his mother, Brendan turned his attention to Peri’s body. She must be adjusting to the temperature, he thought. When they first arrived she would huddle under at least three blankets. Now she lay nude with just one blanket over her and he had managed to pull that one off of her, without her knowledge. He lightly caressed the outline of her body. His hands hovered around her breast. He was aroused instantly. What was it about this woman that set his hormones on fire?

  * * *

  Peri realized as Brendan parked the car in front of his parents’ cottage that this luncheon would be quite different from their previous visits. As they entered the house, Peri expected to see Emma for support, but she didn’t. She was on her own. Chelsey was also helping fix lunch. Peri’s heart swelled at the sight of the adorable little girl. Flour clung to her face and to the miniature apron tied around her small body.

  Brendan’s mother walked out of the kitchen, showing evidence that she had been quite busy as well.

  “Peri, come join me in the kitchen.”

  “Sure, Sarah, I’d love to.” Peri knew this meant girl talk. She wiped her hands on her blue jeans, took a deep breath, and looked at Brendan before walking behind his mom to the kitchen.

  “Why don’t you make the tea?”

  Peri nodded, not knowing exactly what the mature woman wanted. “I’m sorry, Sarah, what do I put the tea in?” She glanced around the small kitchen.

  “The tea pot is in the cabinet in front of you. Don’t forget to warm the pot with hot water before actually putting in the tea bags.”

  “Thank you.” Peri did as she was told and thought she was home free. Almost.

  “Bren tells us that you’re working on your master’s degree. I think that’s wonderful. Chelsey thinks very highly of you. Do you have any children?”

  Talk about a loaded question. “No, I don’t have any children.” Peri’s heart ached for the baby she lost.

  “Do you want children?”

  “I’m thirty-five, my chances are dwindling. I have a niece that keeps me busy.”

  “We never know what lies ahead for us.” She handed Peri three tea bags to put inside the pot.

  “That’s true,” Peri agreed.

  “Bren says you met at the gym? I think he spends too much time there.”

&nb
sp; “Yes, we did. I work out at least three times a week.”

  His mother smiled at Peri. “I just can’t see how people can meet if they are all sweaty.”

  Peri hid her smile. As she guessed, his mother was a romantic. Peri found herself relaxing in her presence and talking to Brendan’s mom just as she would her own. She even found herself telling his mother about some of her past with Robert. That wasn’t good, but she dismissed the thought. She even asked his mom about Ireland and she got a surprise herself.

  “Actually, I have only lived in Ireland since Brendan was born. Glasgow is my ancestral home. Stewart and I met in Scotland. We married and lived there for a while, before coming here. So I know what it is like to be an outsider.”

  “So are you all Scottish or Irish?” Peri asked, not exactly knowing why.

  “Well the kids are both. I am a Scot. When we first came to this village, we weren’t liked very much. Everyone knew I was from Scotland. You know the stereotype… Scots and the Irish hate each other and they both hate the English. They didn’t take the time to realize Stewart was Irish, and born in this village. Stewart’s uncle had passed away and left him this farm and he had grown up here. So we moved here after Sean was born.”

  Peri didn’t know if she could live somewhere, where people didn’t like her just because she was from somewhere different. “How did you handle the hatred?”

  Brendan’s mother looked at her and smiled. “How do you handle the hatred? I have heard horrible stories about the mistreatment of minorities in the US. We have always taught our children to treat everyone the same. Like you, I guess it only makes us stronger.”

  Peri realized they were from different sides of the world, but still the same. She shrugged her shoulders. “A lot of times people have to get to know you for who you are, not what you are.”