"I didn't say that out loud, Cait." Keelin moved towards the bar.
"Oh, feck. I should've known you would figure it out." Cait sighed and hunched her shoulders. "Go on, run on. I know you will think I'm a freak."
"What? No!" Keelin was shocked. She hurried around the bar and ducked under the pass-through. She pulled the small woman into her arms. "No, please don't think that. I don't feel that way at all. I'm sorry. I should have just asked you. I shouldn't have pulled that trick on you."
She felt Cait tense in her arms. She shuddered out a deep breath before she gave a small nod. Stepping back, Cait smiled up at Keelin.
"It's okay. I'm just so used to hiding it. Come on, you should really try the soup." Cait ushered her towards a seat.
Keelin let out a breath and pulled up a stool at the bar. She was relieved that she hadn't hurt her friend too badly. She should have thought her plan through. What had she been thinking?
"I said it's okay." Cait laughed at her as Keelin jumped a bit.
"Okay, this will be something that I have to get used to. But, well, you know about me, right?" Keelin asked as she glanced over her shoulder for other patrons.
"Yes, I know. I wondered when you would feel comfortable sharing with me," Cait said as she slid a cup of tea in front of Keelin.
"I guess, I don't know, I guess I am still just trying to figure it all out. How does having this power work for you? I can't read minds but if I grab someone's hand I can get flashes of them or their past. Obviously, if they are sick I can read that." Keelin blew on her tea and idly stirred some milk into her cup.
"I don't know, not really. I had a hard time growing up because it took me a long time to figure out that people weren't always speaking what I would hear from them. Thank God for Fiona. She taught me how to shield myself. Frankly, if it wasn't for her I would never be able to work in a crowded bar. Now, I rarely hear people's thoughts unless I actively tune in or if I am alone and unguarded." Cait wiped the counter down and continued to do the busywork of setting up the bar stations. Keelin sipped her tea and gestured with the cup for her to continue. "Honestly, I think that most people have forgotten that I can read minds or choose to ignore it. But it makes dating difficult."
"I was going to ask about that. So, does Shane really like you?"
Cait threw up her hands. "Ugh, I don't know! I try to be respectful of him and not poke into his brain. Interestinglyenough, he is one of the hardest people to read that I've come across. I think that is part of his appeal."
"He's a kind man, you know. I read him."
Cait nodded. "I know, I can tell. Plus I had Aislinn read his colors. He's a pure one. Unfortunately, my thoughts about him are anything but." Cait grinned at her wickedly and Keelin barked out a laugh.
"Girl, go after him."
"Uh huh. Just like you are going after Flynn?" Cait raised her eyebrow at her.
Keelin gulped her tea. "God, I'm so nervous. What am I doing with that man?"
"I hope it involves handcuffs." Cait shrieked with laughter as Keelin's mouth dropped open. "You should see your face."
"I, jeez." Keelin huffed out a breath and fanned her face. The mental images of Flynn with handcuffs were enough to make her squirm. "Have you ever dated him?"
"Flynn? Gosh no. Not for lack of trying though." Cait smiled at her. "Honestly though, Flynn doesn't date in the village, to the dismay of many a broken heart. He likes to keep his home life and love life separate. So, lucky for you, you'll not have any jealous exes coming after you here."
"Well that's something, I guess. I'm nervous," Keelin confessed in a rush of words. "It's been a long time for me and I just about lose my head when that man is around me. I don't know how it will be."
"Listen to your heart. You'll know if it isn't right for you," Cait said.
"That's what I'm afraid of. Listening to my heart. I feellike I don't know myself and at the same time like I finally know myself." Keelin twirled her spoon in her teacup.
"Well, I know one man who wants to get to know you. Why don't you really talk to him tonight and take some time to get to know him? You might have a better sense of things after that. If he doesn't already have you undressed below deck by then." Cait shot her a smile as Keelin groaned.
"You know, part of that thought freaks me out and the other part really wants it."
"Listen to the part that wants it." Cait raised her glass to Keelin.
CHAPTER 19
Keelin mulled over Cait's advice on the way home to get ready for her date. She was right. Keelin needed to get out of her head and into her heart. She caught herself humming along to the radio as she navigated the cliff roads. It was a strange feeling – this coming into her own. Boston seemed like worlds away. Being out from under her mother's scrutiny and away from the need to finish school had freed her in a way that she may have never known. Under Fiona's tutelage she was slowly learning an entirely new craft that made her soul sing. For that alone she was grateful. For the hunky neighbor next door that she wanted to devour in one gulp? She wasn't sure if grateful was the word exactly. She decided to embrace the evening and listen to her heart and only her heart. Let it lead her where she needed to be.
Keelin laughed as she pulled into the drive. Flynn's dog stood to attention with a basket of flowers in her mouth. That man did not miss a trick, she thought as she bounded out of the car to take the basket in her hands. Asmall card was tucked amongst the wildflower blossoms. Keelin leaned over and rubbed the scruff on Teagan's neck. "Go on, girl. You can tell him that I got the basket." She smiled as Teagan took off over the hills. Just add that to the list of weird things here, she thought. Keelin tucked the basket under her arm and ripped the card open as she nudged the door with her hip.
