by Bianca D'Arc
“Not half as happy as I am to be home. And to have found Ro again.”
“Again?” Kayla looked from him to Roisin and back again. “What do you mean?”
“Oh…uh…” Roisin wasn’t sure what to say, but one look at Jim’s face told her she’d better be the one to do damage control. Otherwise, he might just blurt out the truth about their walk on the wild side last year to his little sister. That wasn’t something Roisin wanted anybody to know about. Especially not Jim’s family. “I played a gig down here last year. That’s when Jim and I first met, but he was on his way overseas, so we weren’t able to keep in touch.” There. That sounded innocent enough.
“You met a year ago? And you remembered each other after all this time?” Kayla grinned, suspicion playing about her expressive eyes.
“Well, you have to admit, Ro’s voice is hauntingly beautiful,” Jim said smoothly. Kayla backed off a bit but didn’t seem totally convinced. She relented in her questioning, however, which was a relief.
“You do have quite a gift, Roisin,” Kayla told her. “I loved the way you adapted some of the old traditional songs. Your voice is lovely, and I’m really impressed that you can play sort of unplugged like that and make each tune as individual and unique as you’ve done.”
Roisin was delighted by the compliment but didn’t have a chance to reply as Jim told his sister all about Roisin’s new recording. He actually sounded proud of her, which lifted her heart. A lot of people didn’t understand how closely Roisin was tied to her music.
It was part of her. It was her family’s business and her life. It was personal and profound. A harsh master and a loving friend. Jim—out of all the men she’d dated—seemed to get it. Which wasn’t something she normally found in people who weren’t professional musicians.
They chatted a bit more, mostly about music, and Roisin mentally made a note to add a few special tunes that Kayla had mentioned into her next set. All too soon, her break was over, and it was time to take the stage again. Jim walked with her up to the bandstand and helped her onto the stage with a steadying hand on hers.
He waited until she was settled to go back to his table, where his brothers were busy destroying a couple of plates of nachos and wings they’d ordered earlier. It looked like the siblings were going to stay a while. That was fine with Roisin. At least Jim would have company, and she wasn’t interfering in what had been planned as family time.
When Roisin played the songs Kayla had mentioned, Jim’s sister smiled and raised her glass in a toast. Roisin smiled back, glad she could make Kayla so happy with such a simple gesture. The rest of the set was spent humoring the older group that kept asking for traditional songs. Roisin was challenged at times by their requests, but she loved a good challenge.
The second set flew by until she was again being helped off the stage by her very own gallant gent. Jim escorted her to the table he was still sharing with his siblings. The place was a bit more crowded now, but it would be starting to empty out during her next set as the old-timers left, followed by those who were moving on to dance clubs for the next part of their weekend’s entertainment.
In fact, Roisin noticed that one old gent who had been requesting Irish traditional melodies all night and presented her with the rose was putting on his coat as the rest of his party was doing the same. He looked around the room until he spotted her, and then, he came over to chat for a moment before he left. Roisin wasn’t sure what Jim or his siblings would make of whatever the old man had to say, but she was always polite and wouldn’t be rude to the man. He’d been very sweet to her all night, and it was clear he enjoyed her music. Still, she braced herself as he walked over.
He placed one arthritic hand on the back of her chair and leaned down a bit to speak. He was positioned between her and Jim. Not trying to be stealthy, he addressed the entire table.
“Pardon the interruption,” he said, his brogue thick and musical. “I just wanted to thank the lass for humoring an old man by playing all his old favorites for him.”
“Not at all. It was my pleasure,” Roisin told him.
“I don’t get out much these days, but I had to come down tonight to hear you. My grandson bought your new CD for me as a gift, and it’s a real treat.”
Surprised by the old man’s words, Roisin smiled up at him. “I’m so glad to hear that.”
“My late wife’s name was Roisin, and she was the fairest of them all. Everybody called her Rosie when we came to the States, for that’s what Roisin means.” He produced another pink rose like a magician, handing it to her. “Rose.”
Delighted with the old man’s sleight of hand, Roisin stood and turned to kiss him on the cheek. “You’re a charmer, for sure. Thank you for the roses.”
“Thank you for the songs, lass. I can’t remember when I enjoyed a night out more.” He stepped back, his companions clearly waiting for him a few feet away. “You might consider recording ‘Wild Irish Rose’. You did a lovely job with it, for all it was meant for a man to sing. It could make a good album title for your next effort.” He grinned as he said it, winking at her as he tipped his imaginary cap before leaving with his party.
Roisin stared after him, bemused. He seemed familiar, yet…
“You have a fan.” Jim’s voice sounded near her ear as he placed his hands on her shoulders. He had stood also, coming up behind her. She felt the warmth of him against her back.
“Unexpected,” she agreed, turning slightly to look up at him. “I thought my music was more suited to a younger audience, but I guess I was wrong. I do take some liberties with the old melodies and arrangements.”
“Not enough to scare off a true music fan,” Jim said. “Besides, what you do to the old tunes makes them fresh and new. It’s nothing too drastic. It just helps keep them current with the times and sounds of today. Your voice is still the pure bell tones of Ireland.”
Jim wrapped his arms around her middle and kissed her ear and temple. She felt a little conspicuous, knowing his siblings could see them—as well as everyone in the pub. She also felt cherished in a way she never had before. Nobody had been so openly affectionate with her in too long to recall. She found she liked the easy way he handled her, as if they had every right to cuddle up to one another. Nothing unseemly, but still openly declaring that they were together. It made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
“What are your brothers and sister going to think about us?” she whispered the thought uppermost in her mind.
“They’re probably thinking that I’m one damn lucky son of a gun.” He kissed her one last time on the cheek and let her go. He pulled out her chair for her and waited until she was seated once more before taking his own seat again, right next to her.
Just where she wanted him. For as long as they both shall live.
Hmm. Where had that come from? Maybe the old man’s devotion to his late wife had made her think of marriage and forever, but it was way too soon to think of such things with Jim. Wasn’t it? They’d only known each other for two days…well…a year, really, but they’d only been together on two occasions during that year.
But she’d thought about him for that entire year. Every day. That had to count for something, right?
“So, why didn’t you two stay in touch while Jim was away?” Kayla leaned in to ask Roisin.
“I didn’t know how to find him, and I promised myself I wasn’t going to act like a stalker.” She wasn’t sure why she’d said that last part except that Kayla’s manner invited confidences. She was easy to talk to and super friendly. Plus, she laughed easily—as she was doing now.
“I know he’s my brother and all, and I probably shouldn’t be saying nice things about him because he teased me mercilessly when we were kids, but if ever there was a man worth stalking, it’s probably big bro. Some woman will be lucky to bag him.” Kayla looked sideways at Roisin, their conversation kept in low tones while the men seemed engrossed in basketball once again. “The more I see of you, Roisin, the more I kinda
hope you manage it.”
Pleased with Kayla’s revelation, Roisin smiled. “I kinda hope so too,” she admitted before peeking over at Jim, who was watching some key play on the television along with his brothers. “I really like him.”
That was the understatement of the millennium, right there, but she couldn’t really say more to Kayla before Jim heard it. Maybe. If Roisin worked up the courage to tell him what was starting to bloom in her heart.
It was too soon to start thinking about the L-word, wasn’t it?
Chapter Seven
Jim was well aware his sister was having what she thought was some kind of clandestine conversation with Roisin, but he let it be. Kayla wouldn’t deliberately hurt his chances with Ro. She wasn’t a mean girl, and she loved him. Of that he had no doubt. Even if she was his pesky little sister, and still acted like it on occasion.
When Roisin rose to go back to the stage, Kayla told her she had to leave soon, so she’d say goodbye to Roisin now, rather than interrupt her set. The boys did the same, which meant they were being discreet. They were giving their older brother a bit of breathing room with his date, which he appreciated. Of course, they could just as easily have stuck around all night long making nuisances of themselves, but Kayla’s nod of approval meant the others had to follow her lead.
Jim would have to thank his sister later. He suspected he’d also have to undergo her interrogation about his relationship with Roisin, but he’d mentally signed on for that when he’d invited his siblings to join him here.
He still wasn’t totally sure why he’d done that. Part of him wanted to keep Ro to himself, but another part wanted to show her off to the people who mattered most in his life. Their night together last year had been like a dream. A phantom experience for which he had no proof but a dazzling memory. He didn’t want that to happen again.
No, this time, he wanted to be able to talk about her. To know she hadn’t just been a figment of his imagination. She was real, and his sister and brothers knew her name and had heard her talent for themselves. They’d seen him with her, and her with him. He had proof this time.
And maybe a little hope for the future?
“She’s really something,” Jeremy said, his voice deeper than Jim remembered it being.
Jim had been away from his family too long. That was one big factor in his upcoming decision. He’d really like to spend more time with his siblings, but that couldn’t be the only reason he left the military. He knew there had to be something more.
Jim looked to where Jeremy’s gaze followed Roisin as she picked up her guitar and began to strum a few delicate chords. He was right. She really was something.
“You’ll get no argument from me,” Jim said, both of them still watching Roisin as she prepared for her next set.
“I didn’t expect to like her style of music, but it’s really pretty cool,” Nolan added. “The girl’s got a real gift.”
Kayla put her phone down on the tabletop. “I just downloaded her new album.” That statement caused Jim to look over at his sister in surprise. She was grinning from ear to ear. “I really like her sound, plus, now I can tell all my friends that my big brother is dating a musician. They’ll never believe it.”
“Why not?” Jim wanted to know.
All three of his siblings just looked at him like he was nuts. It was Kayla who took pity and explained.
“Seriously, Jimmy? You’re the most buttoned-down of all of us. You’re a lawyer, for goodness’ sake. Everybody expects you to fall in love with an accountant or a Sunday school teacher, and here you are, inviting us to a pub, of all places, to meet your main squeeze. You have to admit, it’s out of character, counselor.” Kayla lifted her drink and toasted him before taking a swallow. She put the glass back down and continued, “That’s not to say that I’m not totally impressed and happy for you. She’s perfect. Just what you need, I think.”
“Yeah, man. You were in total danger of becoming an old fart way before your time,” Jeremy added. “I think Roisin is good for you.”
“Et tu, Nolan?” Jim asked, looking at his other brother.
“Yeah, that right there…” Nolan shook his head, looking down at the table for a moment as if in defeat. “Normal people don’t quote Julius Caesar over beers at the bar. You definitely have major old fart tendencies, Jim. Maybe, if you don’t scare her away, Roisin can help you with that.”
Jim had to give in and laugh at that one. “You might have something there, Nole. Besides, I agree that Roisin is probably the best thing that ever happened to me.” He made the revealing remark while watching her finish tuning her guitar, not really realizing until he said it how true the words really were.
“You say you only met once, a year ago?” Kayla asked.
When Jim didn’t respond, Nolan muttered. “That must’ve been one hell of a first date.”
*
Jim was both sorry when his siblings took off a while later and glad to see them go. He’d been happy to share Roisin with them for a little while, and to spend time with them himself, but he had big plans for the rest of the night. Plans that didn’t include his brothers or his sister, or really, anyone besides Roisin and himself.
Just to two of them. And her hotel room. And the bed. Maybe the shower. Possibly the bathroom countertop, as well. He couldn’t be sure of the exact sequence of events or what locations they’d actually wind up using. They were too explosive together to script, or even anticipate.
Maybe his siblings were right. Maybe Roisin brought out the spontaneity in him. Maybe she made him lose a bit of his normal decorum. If so, he didn’t mind in the least.
She made him feel alive in the most vital, incredible way. She made him want to experience all life had to offer. With her. Only with her.
He’d never felt that way before with any woman. And hadn’t in the year since he’d met her…until he saw her again. Roisin brought something truly special to his life, and he’d be a fool to let it go now. To let her go now.
Roisin saw Jim’s table empty as his siblings left. They waved to her, smiling, and she nodded as they turned to go. She’d enjoyed meeting them. They’d filled in a few of the many blanks about Jim she’d thought about over the past year. She liked his family, and it was clear they were supportive and loving of their eldest brother.
The bar had been hopping when she’d started her last set, but it was starting to thin out a bit now that the evening’s entertainment was drawing to a close. She only had a few more songs left in her set, and the edges of the room were emptying, though the crowd who’d come to watch her were still seated around the stage, enjoying themselves.
She’d fielded a few questions about her new album and even signed a CD cover or two, though mostly her music was downloaded off the net these days. Occasionally, people still went for the actual CD, but that was mostly the older crowd, or those who were really into Irish music and her new interpretations of the old standards.
These past two nights at Pat’s Pub had been very successful, she realized. She’d managed to generate some added interest in her new recording and spread her name a bit farther than her usual metro area. She’d checked internet sales a while ago, and there’d been a definite uptick in downloads of her new album since her arrival in Baltimore. The party she’d played that afternoon had been excellent exposure, and Pat’s Pub—which had a bit of a reputation among music fans since rock star Sky Mitchell had swept Teagan Collins off her feet—was the icing on the cake.
Professionally, the trip had been a total win. Personally? Oh, yeah. Big, BIG win there too. Hooking up with Jim again—even if it was just for this one weekend—had already answered a lot of questions she’d had in her mind for a solid year since they’d parted.
Wicked hot sex, good times spent in his company today and a romantic dinner with him were great memories she would add to the file in her mind labeled Jim. She didn’t know if that file was destined to grow larger or be closed tonight, but either way, she wouldn’t have
missed this time with him for the world.
She was on her last song before she really knew it. Was she ready for their last night together to start in earnest? She wasn’t sure, but it looked like it was about to happen, no matter if she was ready or not.
She finished her last song, and much to her surprise and delight, the crowd demanded an encore. Giving in to their encouraging applause, she sat back down to give them another song. She wasn’t sure why, but something made her want to try ‘Wild Irish Rose’ again. She’d never really played with that tune too much, though she knew it as well as she knew all the standard Irish repertoire. She’d enjoyed playing it for the old man earlier, but she knew she could do better with the arrangement.
The tune was a proven crowd-pleaser, so she sat back down and did her best to come up with some creative flourishes for the small instrumental she introduced. She started the tune low, then modulated not once or twice, but three times, ending the whole thing with a crescendo that nearly brought the house down.
Roisin bounced up from her seat in front of the keyboard, knowing she’d done well with that on-the-fly arrangement. She’d have to remember it, because if she wasn’t much mistaken, she’d just found the title of her next album.
And wasn’t that a surprise? She’d only just finished her first solo recording, and now, out of nowhere, she’d been inspired to start thinking about a second. Pat’s Pub was a magical place, indeed.
As magical as the man who waited at the bottom of the steps to the small stage for her. Jim had gotten up during the applause and come over to escort her down off the small stage. Knowing she couldn’t top that last number at the moment, she declined any further encores, which the crowd took good-naturedly.
Someone had started a tip jar, and when it was passed up to the stage, Roisin was stunned to find it overflowing with larger denomination bills than she ever would have expected. She sometimes got tips—especially for playing requests—but nothing like this. There had to be several hundred bucks in that pitcher.