*****
Liam tossed his groceries in his small fridge and tidied up his flat a bit. He half expected Aislinn to change her mind and not show up, just to show him who was boss. But no; five minutes after they'd talked on the sidewalk, she was knocking on his door.
"Come in.
Aislinn breezed past him, putting her bag of groceries down on the small kitchen table. “Coffee?” he offered.
Aislinn frowned. “Of course not. I'll be gone before you even have a chance to put the water up.”
Liam just chuckled, which seemed to irk her.
“What's so damn funny, O'Brien?”
“Nothing,” Liam replied innocently.
“Out with it!”
“You're so transparent. I know you still love me.”
Aislinn's face twisted in indignation, but before she could say anything, Liam impulsively grabbed her up in his arms, kissing her. She struggled, but there was no denying the heat between them. He could tell she liked it even as she shoved him away.
“How dare you?” she sputtered.
“You loved it.”
“You're losing your mind!”
“Am I?”
“Listen, you.” She came so close they were practically nose to nose. "Don't you ever set foot on my land again, do you hear me?'
Liam just smiled.
“Do you hear me ?”
Liam took a step back. “Did you like the shears?”
“Yeah, they made me want to fly back into your arms and forgive you,” she replied sarcastically.
Liam was undeterred. “You can't claim I don't know you.”
The comment seemed to have a strange effect on her. She made a frustrated, strangulated noise that was accompanied by a look of sheer murderousness.
“Nora enjoying the perfume?” he asked casually. God, this was fun.
“Loves it,” Aislinn retorted.
“Glad to hear it.” Liam lifted his eyebrows questioningly. “Ready to forgive me yet?”
“Are you thick as a bag of hammers or what? That's never going to happen.”
“Yes, it will.” Liam said confidently.
Aislinn clutched her head. “You are the most maddening man on earth.”
“And you're the most maddening woman on earth, which is why we belong together.” He folded his arms across his chest, amused. “You do realize I'm not going to give up, right?”
“Do what you please. It's of no difference to me.”
“You were raised Christian. Don't you believe in forgiveness?”
“If Jesus had had to deal with the likes of you, he would have changed his tune, believe me.”
Liam took a step toward her. “God, I miss your sense of humor.”
Aislinn held up a hand of warning. “One step closer, and you'll feel it in your goolies, so help me God you will.”
“You're all talk.”
“And you're thick as a plank. Stop the gifts. Now. You're wasting your time. And mine.”
“Where are the clippers?”
“Padraig is using them.”
“Convenient, the excuses you have for hanging on to my gifts,” Liam noted.
Aislinn stamped her foot. “God in heaven, you are maddening! You want your stupid gifts back? Right! I'll bring them down to the pub on Friday night! How's that?”
“Keep them, so you're reminded of how much I love you and how I'll do anything I have to, to get you back.”
Aislinn picked up her groceries. “Remember what I said: if you set foot on my property again, you'll feel my wrath. If I have to, I'm even willing to resort to unloading some buckshot into your backside.”
A sheep farmer with firearms, Liam murmured, hooding his eyes. Sexy.
Aislinn ignored him and walked out the door. She was weakening. He could tell. He was going to keep being tenacious, never giving up until he got what he wanted.
That is, if he wasn't killed by Whitey first.
Straight Up
Chapter Twenty-Five
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Liam was shocked when, two nights later. Nora walked into the Royal Oak. As far as he knew, the only transportation up at the farm was Aislinn's truck. She had to be delirious if she let Nora take it into town.
“Hello, Nora dear,” said Old Jack, ever bright as a publican should be. “What can I do you for?”
“Hmm. Got Pimms and lemonade?”
“We do,” said Jack, going to make it.
ZHello. Nora,“ said David. ”What brings you into town solo?"
"A Mercedes, probably. Fergus cracked.
Nora ignored him. “I needed to get out of the house.”
“The McCafferty driving you mad?” Teague asked.
“Excuse me. what?” Nora asked uncomprehendingly.
“The McCaf - never mind,” Teague covered hastily.
Nora looked angry. “I better not ever hear you call her that again. Got it?”
“Right, right,” Teague grumbled. “No need to bite my head off like a bloody praying mantis.” David looked at him with pity. “Ever notice you're always putting your foot in it with the ladies?”
“That's about all he'll ever put in the ladies, I'm thinkin',” cracked Fergus.
Everyone at the bar laughed loudly, especially Liam.
“You know,” said Teague, glaring at David and Fergus as he gave Liam the two-fingered salute, “for two people who are supposed to be my mates. you treat me like shite.”
David clapped him on the back affectionately. “Lighten up. It's all in good fun.”
Teague muttered something into his drink, while David turned his attention back Nora. “So what brings you into town?”
“I told you: I needed to get out of the house. I've been cooped up for hours in front of a computer, and I need a break.”
“I can't believe she let you take the truck,” Liam marveled.
“I know. She must really want me out of her hair. That truck is on its last legs, if you ask me. She needs to buy a new one.”
“Well, you're rich, aren't you?” said Teague snidely. “Why don't you buy a new one for her?” Nora ignored him as Jack handed her her drink. “One Pimm's and lemonade for the lovely Nora O'Brien.”
“Thank you.” She put her money down on the bar. “Can I borrow Liam for a minute, Jack?” “Sure, but just for a minute. It'll be getting busy soon.”
Puzzled. Liam went to stand with Nora at the counter lining the opposite wall, resting his foot on the brass railing.
“What's up?”
“Two things,” said Nora, taking a sip of her drink. “Not bad. It's better with fizzy lemonade, though.”
Then you should have asked for fizzy lemonade.
I just assumed -"
“We're bartenders,” said Liam wearily, "not mind readers.
Liam could see why she sometimes got on Aislinn's nerves. One minute she was down-to-earth, the next judgmental and imperious
“What do you want to talk about, Nora?” “Your stupidity.”
“That could take hours.”
"What the hell were you thinking, coming up to the farm when she told you not to? She thought I gave you permission! I got quite the tongue-lashing!
Liam winced. “Sorry. I just figured that if I sent something through the mail again, she might send it back unopened.” He paused. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Certainly.” "Did she give you the perfume I bought for her
“ Nora stared at him like he was nuts. ”Of course she didn't."
Liam slapped the edge of the counter, smiling triumphantly. “I knew it!”
Nora looked astonished. “What, she told you that?”
“Yup.”
“I guess I shouldn't be surprised. She'd never let on that she kept it - or liked it. She sprayed some on her wrists, you know. I could smell it when I went into the sitting room to see what she'd gotten. I've no doubt she's put it away in her dre
sser somewhere. But what were you thinking, giving her a pair of shears?”
“You told me to be creative!”
“There's creative, and then there's stupid. That was stupid!”
“But I thought it would show that I knew who she was. That I cared who she was.” He leaned closer to her. “She kept the clippers, to, by the way,” he confided happily
“I know that. She gave them to Padraig.” “So she says.” “In this case, I believe it.”
Liam was mildly crestfallen. “The point is, she's keeping my gifts. That's got to be a good sign, right?”
“Might be. I don't know.”
Liam glanced behind him. The bar was indeed beginning to fill up; Jack needed him. "What should I do next? Any suggestions?
“For God's sake, think romance,” Nora urged. “Look, I know she still loves you. That's why I'm here: to tell you not to give up and to be patient. You know Aislinn: she's going to make you crawl across broken glass before she takes you back.”
“I'll do whatever it takes.”
“Just don't come near the house.”
Liam just smiled. “There are other ways for me to see her.”
*****
The following week at the farmers' market, Aislinn sent Padraig off on an errand as soon as Alec Fry stopped by her booth. She'd thought long and hard about his invitation to grab a bite to eat sometime and decided there was no harm in it.
“Mornin', Aislinn.”
“Alec.”
“I see you've got your usual array of gorgeous fleeces and wool. You're gonna drive the rest of us out of business.”
“You do all right for yourselves,” Aislinn observed.
“Yeah, but you do more than all right. What's your secret?”
Aislinn grinned. “Can't tell you that. If I did, it wouldn't be a secret.” Alec smiled back at her; then they lapsed into an awkward silence.
"Listen, Alec, about taking you on part-time. I've no need of you for steady work right now, I'm sorry to say. Padraig and I are doing fine.
Alec's face fell. “I thought you might say that. Maybe I could just lend a hand during shearing season? You'd get it done that much faster with three of us.”
“That's true.” She hadn't thought about that. She was about to tell him she'd definitely hire him for shearing and maybe mending the odd fence or two when out of the corner of her eye, she saw Liam striding toward her like the cock of the walk, a big, confident smile plastered on his puss. Oh, Jesus, God, no. He had to be kidding.
“Hey, you,” he said.
“Liam,” Aislinn said sourly. “Alec, this is Liam O'Brien. Liam. Alec Fry.”
Liam looked from Aislinn to Alec. “Nice to meet you,” he said politely.
“You're the Yank,” said Alec, looking him up and down disdainfully. “I've heard all about you.”
“Interesting, because I've never heard about you,” Liam said churlishly.
Christ, thought Aislinn, this is all I need, a bout of “my willy is bigger than your willy, ”and in the middle of the market, too. If this conversation falls on the wrong ears, it'll be all over the county.
“Alec and his brothers own a sheep farm about two miles from me,” Aislinn explained. “They were the ones who helped Padraig when I - we - went to Dublin, remember?”
“Oh, right. Guess you two must have a lot in common, then,” Liam said, mildly sarcastic.
“Guess we do,” said Alec with a cold stare. He turned to Aislinn. “Have you thought about the other thing we discussed?”
He was bringing it up in front of Liam on purpose; any twit could see it. Well, let Liam twist a little, Aislinn thought. Egotistical bastard, always so pleased with himself, with his silly gifts. Let him see that she really didn't give a rat's arse about him. She was moving on.
“I have,” Aislinn said cheerily. “How about Friday night?”
“Grand,” said Alec with a big smile. “I'll fetch you around eight, then.” He winked at Liam. “Nice to meet you, Yank.” With that, he walked away.
Liam looked beside himself. “What the hell was that all about?” he demanded. “Do you have a date with him or something?” None of your business.
“It is my damn business.”
“No, it is not,” Aislinn fumed. “You've no claim on me, Liam O'Brien! You gave that up when you kicked me in the teeth and made me the laughingstock of the town!”
“Oh, I get it,” Liam said smugly, rocking on his heels. “It's spite time. You want to get back at me.”
“That's right; you're the be all and end all of mankind,” Aislinn said with scorn. “How could any woman possibly want to spend time with anyone else? It's one of the great mysteries of the universe.”
“A fucking sheep farmer. You've got to be kidding me.”
“I'm a 'fucking sheep farmer,' or have you forgotten that?” Aislinn snapped.
“Yeah, it's perfect. You two can get married and combine farms and live happily ever after.”
“You couldn't stand that, could you?” Aislinn taunted.
“It would be pitiful,” Liam retorted. “Especially since you love me. You know, I actually feel a little sorry for the guy, being used on the rebound.”
Aislinn felt fury begin to percolate inside her. “I'm not the one at this table who uses people. Enjoying getting double wages at the pub, are you?”
“I'm not. I told Jack I didn't want them.”
“Aren't you noble,” Aislinn mocked. “If you're not going to buy anything, then please move on.”
Liam dug into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “I'd like some fleece, please.”
“I sell it in half-pound bags, a minimum of four bags.”
“Fine.”
Aislinn could feel Liam positively steaming behind her as she turned from him to weigh the fleece and put it into the bags. “Forty euros,” she said when she was done, shoving the bags across the counter at him and holding out her hand for the money. “Knit yourself a new girlfriend with it.”
Liam carefully laid the money in her palm, his gray eyes pinning her. “I don't want a new girlfriend. I want my old girlfriend, and I'm not giving up until I get her back,” he said stubbornly. “I don't care if Alec” - he spat the name contemptuously - “has decided you're the shepherdess of his dreams. You and I both know there's still a spark between us, Aislinn. Why can't you just forgive me?”
“Why can't you get it through your thick Yankee skull that's never going to happen?”
“Oh, it's gonna happen, all right, even if it takes me years.”
“Yeah, good luck with that.” Aislinn craned to look past him at a slight woman waiting behind Liam to talk to her. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I seem to have a customer.”
*****
Don't do it, Liam told himself, trying to quell fury inside him as he went in search of Alec Fry. He knew he had no right to bother the guy. But he couldn't help himself.
He found Mr. Sheep Farmer at a booth at the far end of the market, chatting with two men who were obviously his brothers, since they were tall and blond like he was. Spotting Liam, Alec's upper lip curled in a sneer as he lightly elbowed one of them in the ribs.
“This is the Yank I was telling you about.”
“The one who did Aislinn McCafferty wrong?” asked the one with a weathered face who was wearing, ironically, a New York, New York sweatshirt,
“Yup,” said Alec. He gestured at the bags of wool in Liam's left hand. “Come to comparison shop, have you?” The brothers sniggered.
“I've come to have a word with you.”
Alec turned up his palm, sweeping his hand in front of him. “Speak away.”
“In private.”
Alec chuckled, smirking at his brothers. '*Won't be a mo."
He followed Liam out into the parking lot. Liam took a deep breath, trying to compose himself as the anger beating inside the walls of his head threatened to explode. He wanted to grab this guy by the throat and throw him against a car, warn him that
if he made a move on Aislinn, he'd be dead meat. But somehow, something entirely different happened.
“What is it you want?” Alec asked, making a great show of checking his watch.
“It's about Aislinn.”
“I've figured that much out.”
“Look, you seem like a nice guy. I just wanted to let you know that if you're planning to make a move on her, you're wasting your time.”
Alec raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
- Yeah. She still loves me."
“You Americans,” Alex sneered. “You're all so bigheaded.”
“I'm only bigheaded where she's concerned.”
“Did you ever stop to think that maybe - just maybe - she's tired of eejits like you? That she's ready for a good man who will treat her right?”
“I am a good man. I just fucked up, and now I'm trying to fix things. Seriously, pal, don't waste your time. You're not going to get anywhere.”
“I should punch your feckin' face in,” Alec growled.
Liam shrugged. “If that's what you need to do to prove what a man you are, go for it.”
“Feck you.”
“Yeah, fuck me. whatever,” Liam said, bored. "Have fun on your date. But don't say I didn't warn you.
Straight Up
Chapter Twenty-six
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God in heaven. Aislinn prayed, I swear to you I will never think ill of another person or be waspish with one of your creatures if you just make
Alec Fry shut his gob. All the way into Crosshaven, she'd listened to Alec rattle on about his bloody tool shed. His favorite pliers. His nail puller. His fence stretcher. She'd smiled and nodded and tried to look interested, but by the time they got to town, it was taking every ounce of strength to keep her eyes from rolling back in her head.
Impossible as it was to believe, dinner was worse. Aislinn thought the expression “a bite to eat,” implied something casual: a café, maybe, where they could have sandwiches or a decent hamburger. But no: he'd steered her inside an elegant, dimly lit place called Le Something or Other, where the waiter looked her up and down as if she were a piece of rubbish just blown in from the street because she was underdressed.
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