"Come, we can put these in the water as well." Fiona held her flowers in front of her and walked softly towards the water, pulling Keelin with her.
The water rippled towards them, coaxing them closer. Fiona laughed freely.
"It has such a mood. A siren's song, if you will. Many who come here are lost to it. It will be nice to us though. We've brought the appropriate gifts and it will be happy that you are home," Fiona said. Together, they flung the flowers far into the water. Keelin felt happiness pierce her heart as she watched the blooms flutter down to the water, where they rested gently on the waves.
Fiona peeled off her boots and, laughing with abandon, ran to the water's edge. She threw another bouquet of flowers into the air and they split, showering down onto a wave that reached up to catch them. Mesmerized by the sight, Keelin stood frozen.
"Come, Keelin!"
Keelin raced to the water. She skidded to a stop next to Fiona and let the water caress her ankles. Grains of sand squished between her toes and the sun warmed her shoulders. The feelings were intoxicating. Keelin never wanted to leave.
"Let me show you my favorite spots," Fiona said, eagerly pulling Keelin down the shoreline. Fiona stopped in front of a small cluster of rocks that formed a tidal pool with about six inches of clear water. Keelin could make out small fish darting between the rocks, and thin strands of a bright green seagrass waved in the water. Fiona bent and culled some of the grass and placed it in a small jar with seawater.
"This is the best stuff for the face creams that I make. Something about this particular seagrass works better than any other I have seen," Fiona explained. Keelin looked at the lines around Fiona's eyes and realized that she really did look far more youthful than her eighty years would suggest.
"I'm allowed to use my knowledge for some vanity, you know." Fiona winked at Keelin and she laughed. Fiona spent the afternoon showing Keelin nooks and crannies, tidal pools filled with interesting sea life, certain seaweeds and moss for healing, and various plants that grew along the water's edge.
"Is it safe to swim? I can't see any undercurrents from the surface," Keelin asked. She was dying to get in the water.
"Yes, it is, but I will wait on the shore for you. I want to tie up the plants that I collected."
Stripping to her bra and underwear, Keelin dove in with abandon. The cool water slipped over her skin and she dove deep, waiting for her favorite part – the feeling of weightlessness. As she hung, suspended, Keelin turned on her back and looked up towards the sky. The salt stung her eyes, yet she could never resist cracking her eyes just once, looking up at the sky and watching her bubbles of air float over her. These moments hung still, almost timeless, and were her favorite part of being in the sea. She swam to the surface and broke free, laughing.
"It's so beautiful here!" She swam in towards the beach and walked out of the water. Her underwear clung to her like a second skin and she bent over and shook out her long hair. Wringing the water out, she stood up in time tosee Fiona waving at something behind her. Keelin jumped and turned in time to see a small boat in the cove and the familiar glint of blue eyes gleaming at her. She saw the flash of a bright smile and heat flushed up her body. Her wet bra and underwear left nothing to the imagination and Flynn made a slow perusal of her body. His dog raced back and forth in the boat with him and barked excitedly as Flynn pulled a net in. Flynn sent her a jaunty wave.
Keelin gave him the finger and stormed back up the beach.
"I thought nobody could come in the cove," Keelin steamed to Fiona as she pulled her t-shirt over her wet clothes. She was furious that Flynn had caught her at a disadvantage again.
"I said people who were searching for treasure or didn't protect themselves. Flynn learned long ago the ways of the cove. His respect is rewarded in the freshest of seafood and he gets premium prices for what he catches from here."
"Hmpf." Keelin glared at him over the water. That man showed up at the damnedest of times.
With a small smile, Fiona hummed a song and gathered her finds for the day.
"Come, let's go eat. I'm famished. Perhaps we can ride into town for a pint."
Keelin nodded her agreement. Quickly, she gathered her goods and refused to look back at the small boat on the cove. She had given Flynn enough satisfaction for the day.
CHAPTER 10
Fiona warmed up an Irish stew and brown bread for dinner. Starving, Keelin found herself asking for seconds. She made a note to pay attention to what she ate here. All this brown bread could not be good for her waistline. She sighed. Not like she had the best waistline as it was, but her soft curves still showed a nice hourglass figure. Keelin blushed at thinking of Flynn seeing her in her underwear. Usually she wore a one-piece and a cover-up at the pool.
"Grandma, can you tell me about my father? Is he still here? Mom won't talk of him."
It had been on Keelin's mind all day and she hadn't known the best way to bring it up. Keelin typically went the direct route with these things so she decided to spring it on Fiona.
"Yes, I know your father. He no longer lives in Grace's Cove. The poor man really struggled after your mother left. He did eventually marry and have children though."
"Excuse me? Children? I have brothers or sisters?"Keelin said. Her hand slammed the plate she was holding to the table and she struggled to take a breath. Her mother had never said a word. Keelin's heart pounded as she thought of seeing siblings that looked like her.
"Well, yes. Did you think that he never moved on? Why hasn't your mother told you this?" Fionatsk-tskedas she cleared the table. "You have a half-sister and a half-brother. Twins. They still live here. Your father lives in Dublin. I suppose it will only be right for me to take you to meet them." Fiona smoothed the cloth that she had dried the dishes with.
"I, I. I don't even know what to say. A brother and a sister." Keelin felt tears prick her eyes at the injustice of not knowing about her family. She had always wanted siblings. Fiona crossed to her and gently rubbed her arm. Keelin could feel a cool balm course through her from Fiona's touch.
"Let's go down for a pint. You look like you need a drink. We can talk more."
Keelin, still reeling from the surprise of not being an only child, stumbled her way into her room to change into fresh clothes. How could Fiona have told her this news so casually? She truly must have thought that Margaret told her about the twins. Keelin made a mental note to have a serious word with her mother. She wondered what other secrets she would uncover during her stay. Keelin glanced quickly at her phone to see that there were no missed calls. Margaret hadn't called yet to check in with her. Keelin sighed and moved to her closet.
