"Doesn't sound like a bad problem to have. He's a good guy, you know. He does a lot for the community and he looks after your granny just right."
"He's taking me on his boat Saturday. If I go."
Cait slammed a glass on the bar and stared at her.
"His boat? Like his real boat? Not the fishing boat? He doesn't take anyone on that boat."
"What boat? I have no idea. He said his boat. I didn't get details as I was busy yelling at him at the time."
"Okay, you have to tell me this now." Cait leaned eagerly on the bar and propped her face in her hands.
Keelin told her about their argument and how furious she had been at Flynn for making demands on her, yet not treating her like a lady or courting her. Cait whistled.
"Keelin, he doesn't take anyone on his boat. Calling it a boat is like calling a Porsche a sedan. It is the one real luxury he allows himself. He docks around the side of the cove and we rarely see it. You have to give me full details. Oh, I'm dying to hear what it looks like inside. You have to seduce him below deck so I can get details."
Keelin eyed her balefully.
"Oh, sure, I'll be sure to throw myself at him so you can hear what kind of furnishings his boat has."
"Yes! Do it. I'd do it for you but he treats me like a sister."
"Um, excuse me, what about this Shane guy?"
"Oh, I know, I know. Flynn isn't for me. But I can dream, can't I? Yummy. What are you going to wear? Are you getting your hair done? Maybe not. You don’t want to look like you tried too hard."
Keelin stared at her as Cait chattered on. Nerves started ticking in her stomach. Was this a real date? What was she going to wear? Would he expect her to put out? It was all she could think of anyway. She groaned. She was toast.
"I'm screwed."
"Girl, you are so screwed. Both literally and figuratively. I can't wait for details."
Keelin flicked an ice cube at her and laughed. It was nice to have a girlfriend to gossip with even if the subject matter terrified her. As she drove home that night, she wondered what she would do. Would she sleep with Flynn? She wasn't a virgin, yet her last relationship had been over two years ago. Never one for casual sex, she'd mainly abstained since then. Which was probably why she was ready to explode, she thought. Lack of regular sex could cloud a person's brain. It must just be that. Send the resident fantasy guy in to get her juices flowing. That was all it was and nothing more. And maybe a fling would be good for her, she mused. It seemed like this summer was going to be full of a bunch of firsts for her; she might as well have some fun with it.
CHAPTER 16
Keelin woke after another night of fitful dreams. This time it wasn't Flynn that filled her dreams so much as the visions of trees exploding and a sick child crying. She was going to have to come to terms with this gift of hers, she thought.
Though her date with Flynn wasn't until Saturday, she could hear Cait's voice in her head and buried her head in her closet.
"I have nothing to wear on a boat date. Not a single thing," Keelin declared to Ronan, who watched her eagerly. She knew it wasn't true but, hey, if there ever was a time for vanity – it was now.
She decided that today would be a perfect day to check out the shops in town and she hoped to drop in on her sister. The thought made her nervous but she kept thinking of Fiona's words about her power to heal and how it wasn't just for sickness. She needed to build her confidence if she was to be a healer, she decided. And, what better way to dothat than to stride right into uncomfortable family situations?
Leaving Ronan to play with Fiona in the garden, Keelin drove into town, taking the winding cliff road with the sea views. She turned the radio up and sang her heart out to some bad 80s music. There were only a few near misses with cars when she forgot to drive in the left lane and overall she congratulated herself on a successful trip into the village.I can get the hang of this,she thought.
Keelin made her way to the little downtown, packed with small shops. After maneuvering a parking spot and taking far longer to parallel park on the left side than she prided herself on doing in Boston, she got out and stretched. The fun part first or the unknown? Deciding to tackle the hardest part first, she made her way to Aislinn's shop. It was mid-morning and bound to be open. Keelin approached the shop and eyed it critically. It was small and painted a butter yellow on the outside. Deep brown wood beams crisscrossed the window frames and outlined the thick door. Cheerful window boxes full of red flowers invited people inside and a window display of intricate lace and watery paintings spoke to a passerby's soul. The entire picture was inviting and Keelin smiled. Her sister must have a good head for business. She hung around outside for a bit but, remembering the village's knack for gossip, realized she was probably creating a scene. Briskly, she opened the door and small bells tinkled at her entrance.
"I was wondering how long you planned to stand out there. I've received two phone calls as is." A voice like honey reached out to her from somewhere across the beautiful room.
Keelin didn't know where to look first. From the collection of black-and-white photography framed in driftwood that cluttered the walls to the intricately spun lace that hung from racks throughout the room, talent was evident in the work displayed here. Keelin wound through the racks towards the voice.
Aislinn stood at a workbench with her back to Keelin and hammered a small wooden frame. Satisfied, she put her hammer down, wiped her hands on her work apron, and turned to greet Keelin.
"Hello, sis." Aislinn's mouth quirked. She was a study in contrasts. A strong build, yet not overweight, her trim pants and button-down shirt showed soft curves. Her eyes mirrored the shape of Keelin's, yet the light of the ocean reflected there instead. Her round cheeks contrasted with a wide mouth and a sharp chin. Deep brown hair tumbled in waves over her shoulders and at least two pencils were twined in the mass.
Aislinn held out her hand to greet Keelin. There wasn't warmth here. Yet, there wasn't animosity, either. Aislinn silently measured Keelin.
"Yes, sisters, so it seems. The first I've heard of it." Keelin held out her hand and grasped a strong, yet smooth, hand and shook it lightly.
