It was his job to comfort her and help her to feel confident going into the meeting. He needed her focused and sharp. In his mind, he was about to compliment her on her professional appearance and tell her she looked ready to shine in the meeting.
“Wow, you look like you were on the losing end of a fight with the sandman,” is what actually came out of his mouth.
Jennie looked at him with a shocked expression. She was used to him offering charming compliments, even when she didn’t deserve them. She realized that he looked as shocked as she did that he had insulted her.
“Gee, thanks,” she said dryly. “You try staying up most of the night with a two-year-old suffering from stomach flu. I’d like to see how good you’d look.”
“I’m so sorry, Jennie. I don’t know where that came from,” he said honestly. “Who cares if you look like you haven’t slept for days? You’ll do fine in the meeting.”
She could see the look of shock and frustration on his face, as he realized he’d just insulted her again. She rolled her eyes and said, “No more compliments, please.”
He looked like he was going to say something else but decided against it at the last second. She stood up and said, “Maybe I’d better do most of the talking in there, if this is your idea of charming banter.”
Sean was a bit shaken when they entered the luxurious conference room where the property sellers waited. He’d have to make sure that the filter between his thoughts and his words was turned all the way up.
The meeting began very well, with the older couple showing a willingness to follow Sean’s lead on the full value of their undeveloped land. He honestly explained all the risks and costs associated with the project.
Jennie skillfully supported all of his assertions and the couple nodded their agreement when the presentation was complete. It was clear to Jennie and Sean that the deal was going to go through.
The husband and wife stood along with Jennie and Sean. The husband reached out to shake Sean’s hand. Their hands were only inches apart when the seller pulled his hand back and said, “Tell me one more time, Sean. Do you honestly feel that this is the best deal you can offer us on this property? As you know, it’s been in our family for over fifty years. I know it’s time to sell, but I just want to be sure we’re doing right by our kids. When it’s all said and done, this sale is for their future.”
Sean smiled warmly, knowing they would accept his offer as soon as he assured him it was the best he could do. He put his hand on the elderly man’s shoulder and said, “This is the price I’d like to pay for the property, but honestly, I can increase the price by fifty-thousand and still come out just fine.”
The man quickly grabbed Sean’s hand and shook it enthusiastically. “You’ve got yourself a deal, Sean. We knew we were doing the right thing in bringing this land to you. It’s wonderful to work with a company that is grounded in integrity.”
Sean managed to hold the smile on his face, as he realized what he’d just said. When he glanced at Jennie, her smile was almost as big as the sellers. She actually looked pleased that he’d just given away fifty-thousand dollars.
After the elderly couple left, Jennie turned and gave Sean a quick hug. When she let him go she said, “I don’t know what is going on with you today, but I think I like this new side of your personality. Honesty and generosity–who knew you had it in you?”
Sean sighed, while a frown crossed his face. “This is a weird day. I’m thinking one thing, but something entirely different comes out when I open my mouth.”
Jennie’s smile slowly disappeared when she saw that he was serious. “Actually, that sounds a little worrisome,” she said. “Maybe you’ve been working too hard lately.”
He started to say something sarcastic, but this crazy behavior did have him worried. “Maybe you’re right, Jen. It has been a long week. If you can handle things here, then I think I’ll take the rest of the day off and enjoy a long weekend out of town.”
“I think that’s a great idea, as long as your long weekend doesn’t entail searching for more property to buy. We’ve got more work than we can handle already, so go enjoy the weekend and do something fun.”
“Fair enough. I’ll find something to do beside work,” Sean said.
“My cousin’s best friend is single and looking. I could hook you up with a dinner date for tonight,” Jennie said with a mischievous grin. She knew how much he disliked blind dates.
Sean started to answer when the image of the beautiful auburn-haired woman crossed his mind. Her beautiful green eyes sparkled with humor and her soft, full lips were turned up in a half smile.
“She doesn’t have auburn hair and green eyes, does she?” he asked absentmindedly.
“Bleach blonde with brown eyes, but she’s very pretty,” Jennie said hopefully.
Sean shook off the dreamy image and said, “I think I’ll head for the coast for a few days by myself. It’ll give me a chance to clear my mind.”
“Okay, but where’d the auburn hair and green eyes come from? I’ve never heard you mention that before.”
“Just a silly dream I’ve had a few times lately. Maybe someone is trying to tell me something,” he said, smiling.
“Sounds romantic,” Jennie said, returning his smile. “Now get out of here and go see if you can find her this weekend.”
* * *
Sean arrived at the Salmonberry Inn and beach house about four on Friday afternoon. It wasn’t the trendiest or grandest place to stay on the Oregon coast, but it had always been his favorite. It was nestled into tall trees right across the street from the beach and just felt like home away from home.
The atmosphere was cozy and very friendly, and the food was simply the best. It was the perfect place for him to relax and get rid of whatever stress was causing his thoughts and words to be so jumbled. He couldn’t afford anymore lapses, or his next mistake might cost him a lot more than fifty-thousand dollars. He hoped a relaxing weekend would cure what ailed him.
Sean enjoyed a very fine meal in the restaurant and was happy to see that there wasn’t a big crowd at the inn tonight. He preferred a quieter atmosphere when he was in a reflective mood.
While he was finishing off an excellent bread pudding smothered in caramel sauce, a familiar, chubby hand rested on his shoulder. He looked up to see Chef Cesare smiling down at him.
“How are you, my friend? It’s been too long since your last visit,” Chef Cesare said.
Sean smiled broadly and patted the chubby hand on his shoulder. He truly liked Cesare very much. He was all Italian—full of warmth—and a four-star chef, in Sean’s opinion.
“It’s good to see you, Cesare,” Sean said sincerely. I see the New York and LA restaurants haven’t yet enticed you away from the Oregon coast.”
“You know me better than that, Sean. They couldn’t pay me enough to live in the big city. I’ll be cooking right here until I’m old and gray.”
“Good to know, Cesare. It’s comforting to see some things don’t change.”
“Was everything to your satisfaction, my friend?”
Sean started to respond with an exaggerated compliment, but then remembered what had happened at the office this morning. Truthfully, the chicken had been the slightest bit dry, but nothing to really detract from a delicious meal.
“Delicious as always, my friend. If I lived closer to the coast, I would have gained twenty pounds just eating your amazing bread pudding,” he finally said.
Cesare beamed from the honest praise and said, “You could use a few more pounds, Sean. You need to get married, so your sweetheart can fatten you up a little.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Sean said, as Cesare waved farewell and moved on to a table across the room.
Sean was relieved that he hadn’t blurted out something that would have hurt his friend’s feelings. He wondered if he would have to spend the rest of his life having to think carefully before he spoke.
As he took a last bite of the decadent desse
rt, Sean was surprised to see someone sit down across the small table from him. Without looking up, he knew it was a woman by the smell of her perfume. The scent seemed familiar somehow. When he looked at her beautiful face, Sean was shocked beyond words to see the woman of his dreams staring back at him.
“Hello Sean. It’s good to see you again,” the beautiful, auburn-haired woman said.
He furrowed his brow and stared at her for a moment before he asked, “Do I know you?”
“Better than you might think,” she said, smiling. Her bright green eyes sparkled, and a wave of feelings struck Sean. She was the beautiful woman who had haunted his dreams for months.
“I…I don’t…” was all he could manage to say.
“This is going to take a bit of time to explain, Sean. It’s not a conversation either of us wants to share with others. Let’s go for a stroll along the beach,” she said, as she stood and stepped away from the table.
He hesitated, realizing that her lovely Irish accent warmed his heart and seemed to fill an empty spot inside him that he just realized was there. Sean stared at her a moment longer while she waited patiently.
Finally, he nodded and said, “I could use a walk to work off that dessert. I’m happy to stroll on the beach with a beautiful woman, but I have to ask you where we have met before,” Sean said.
“Oh, I’m that forgettable, am I, Sean?” she asked with that teasing smile.
“Actually, just the opposite is true. You are literally the girl of my dreams.”
“There goes that silver-tongue of yours again, Sean. You were always quick with the compliments.”
He smiled at what felt like a familiar reference, and said, “No, I think you actually are the girl of my dreams. I’ve been seeing your face in my dreams for months now. May I ask your name?”
“It’s Ashling, Ashling Cahir,” she said, giving him a sincere, lovely smile.
* * *
Ashling took off her high-heeled shoes and carried them as they walked out onto the soft, warm sand. The sun was sitting low over the calm waters of the ocean while seagulls swooped down over the waves, seeking a tasty morsel for dinner.
Sean and Ashling walked in silence, neither of them quite sure how to begin a difficult conversation. For the moment he was content to walk in silence. With this beautiful woman beside him, Sean felt his recent worries slipping away.
After a few minutes passed, she stopped and turned toward him. “Sean, I know things have been difficult for you recently. I was sure that after a month or two you would forget all about your visit to our beloved Rundimahair,” she said.
A confused look crossed Sean’s face, as he said, “That does sound familiar, but I can’t say I recall where I’ve heard the name before.”
Ashling smiled at him and said, “You’ve been dreaming of it almost nightly over the past month.”
His brow furrowed as he studied her beautiful face and warm smile. “I…yes, I have had some strange dreams about a quaint little village, but I don’t know where or even what it is. I don’t even know if it exists in the real world.”
“Not everyone’s reality is the same, Sean. Rundimahair exists, and you spent a fair bit of time there. True, it is that our fair town exists in a slightly different place than you’re used to, but it exists right enough.”
He was quiet for a moment, while he gazed intently into her beautiful green eyes. She seemed satisfied to let him work through his confusion.
Finally, he said, “If that’s true, then why don’t I remember it other than these confusing dreams?”
“Until now, you only recalled me vaguely in your dreams, but I’m real enough, am I not?” she said, with a twinkle in her eye.
He nodded and said, “But if I knew you so well and spent so much time in your little town, why do I only recall it in occasional dreams?”
She could clearly see the confusion and frustration on his face. Ashling felt guilt creep in regarding the way they’d handled Sean’s unexpected visit to Rundimahair. She sighed deeply as she stepped forward and gently touched her hands to his temples.
Sean didn’t flinch or back away because this felt familiar and very comforting. Suddenly, images of an old, beautiful Irish town began playing through his mind. Instantly, he knew he’d been there before.
While she held her hands gently to his temples, all the memories of his time in Rundimahair came rushing back. He remembered the accident and waking up in Eamon and Ashling’s beautiful old home. Sean slowly began to recall all the good people he met during his stay in their lovely town.
Memories of strange occurrences were also becoming clear in his mind. Other memories of flying dragon-like creatures and little people digging in the back yard were still somewhat muddled.
She finally took her hands off his head and said, “I’m as sorry as a girl can be that things turned out the way they did, Sean. Normally, if I erase dangerous memories, there would be no trace left behind to trouble you.”
“But for some reason, I could still recall some of it in my dreams,” Sean said, feeling surprisingly calm. “Actually, I could only recall your face in the beginning. Then other images showed up. Lately, it has all faded except for the image of your smiling face and sparkling green eyes.”
“Sure and true, you’re still a silver-tongued devil, Sean. I think you recall my face because it was the last thing you saw before I erased your memories and sent you home.”
“Or because I truly didn’t want to forget you, Ashling.”
She started to give him a sarcastic response, but she saw the sincerity in his eyes. Ashling also remembered that he could no longer speak anything but the truth.
“Since your flattering tongue can no longer speak anything but the truth, I’ll take that as a fine and honest compliment, Sean.”
He suddenly gripped her arm and asked, “How did you know about that? That just started happening this morning.”
“I’ve been staying in touch through your subconscious since you left us, Sean.”
“You’ve been spying on me?” he asked incredulously, as he let go of her and took a step back.
“Actually, I’ve been keeping you safe, Sean. I wanted to be sure you readjusted to your life without any long-term side effects troubling you.”
“So, you’ve been watching me for all of these months?” he asked with a furrowed brow.
“Not in the way you seem to be thinking, Sean. I kept a loose connection between our subconscious thoughts and feelings. If it felt as though you were having some sort of difficulty, then I’d connect our mind tracks together to be sure you were fine and dandy.”
“You seem to think that rummaging around inside someone’s mind is just a normal, everyday occurrence, Ashling. Most folks I know wouldn’t feel very comfortable if they knew you were peeking into their private thoughts.”
“It’s not like that, Sean. I only peek in if I feel you struggling with the after-effects of your time in Rundimahair.”
“Still not a good thing,” he said forcefully.
“Bye the bye, Sean, I can see the image in your head of an ugly witch stirring her evil brew in her big black pot. I suppose she’s looking into the future to see what you’re up to. Is that how you see me then?”
“Certainly not the ugly part, but the witch part might well apply,” he said.
Ashling looked as though she was going to lose her fine Irish temper, but she managed to take a deep breath and calm down. “Very well, I see your point and I might feel the same if I was walking in your shoes.”
“You think?” Sean asked sarcastically.
She stepped back closer to him and said, “Perhaps this will help. I’ll let you have a wee peek into my mind, and perhaps you’ll stop being as stubborn as a mule and try to understand.”
“I’m not sure I want to look in there,” he said, staring at her intently.
“Oh, you’re definitely of the Irish blood, Sean Quinn. You’re as hard-headed as me own father, so you are.”
“So, the thought of me as a witch makes you smile, does it? You’re going to see the truth of it whether you like or not!” she said forcefully.
He was mesmerized by the fire in her beautiful eyes and didn’t try to resist when she thumped him hard in the chest with her index finger. Seconds later, Sean realized he couldn’t move. Whatever she’d done to him left him paralyzed from head to toe. He couldn’t even speak.
Once he was immobilized, Ashling put her hands back on his temples and closed her eyes. For a moment, nothing happened. It was the calm before the storm.
Suddenly images began flowing through his mind. He quickly realized they weren’t just images, but also Ashling’s thoughts and feelings. He began to understand that she had only touched his mind when she absolutely had to–only when she thought he was in trouble.
Sean could now see that she’d safe-guarded his privacy as much as she possibly could. Above all, he could feel her genuine concern for his well-being. After a moment, he began to feel another background emotion coming from her. It was deep in the recesses of her mind, but he felt that Ashling was attracted to him. She was actually quite fond of him.
As though Ashling could sense his awareness of her feelings for him, she quickly withdrew her contact with his mind. It took Sean a few moments to recover and realize they were still on the beach in Lincoln City instead of in Rundimahair.
“Wow, that was a very serious rush!” he said enthusiastically. “How in the world do you do that?”
“It’s magic!” she said, as she smiled at him with a sweet, innocent expression. “And I might just add for clarification that I’m not the only one standing here with the gift of magic running through their veins.”
Chapter Seven
A toast to your coffin,
Rundimahair: A new hero for a new adventure Page 8