Straight Up Read online

  Aislinn reached the bar first, trying to ignore Liam's penetrating stare. Because she was cursed, she found herself next to Teague Daly.

  “Evening, McCafferty.”

  Aislinn didn't look at him. “Evening. Daly.”

  She felt him looking her up and down. “You look halfway decent tonight. Maybe havin' the sister in town has roused your competitive spark, eh?”

  "You're a baboon's ass.

  “She still married?” Teague asked in a quiet voice.

  “Yeah. But I'm sure she'd divorce her rich stockbroker husband to marry you and live on your mam and dad's couch for the rest of her born days.”

  “Feck off.” Teague snarled.

  “Nora! Darlin'!” Old Jack was beaming as he reached across the bar to clasp Nora's hand heartily. “We'd heard you're back. Is it for good, then?”

  Oh, no, no, said Nora quickly.

  “Too bad.” He looked at Aislinn. “The usual?” Aislinn nodded. "And for you, NoraT'

  “A mojito, please.”

  Jack's face went blank. “A moji - wha?”

  Bloody Jesus, thought Aislinn. What kind of a fool orders a drink like that in a small village pub?

  “It's a drink that's popular in the States, and I guess in London, too,” explained Liam, coming to the rescue. He smiled apologetically at Nora. “Sorry, I've got rum and club soda, but no lime, mint, or sugar syrup. Is there something else we can get you?”

  Nora looked put out. “Can you do a gin and tonic?”

  Of course.

  “Mojito,” Aislinn heard Old Jack repeat to himself as he went to get her whiskey, as if it was some newfangled expression he had to wrestle with.

  Aislinn regarded her sister with disbelief as Liam went to fix Nora's drink. “Earth to Nora. Did you really think you could get a mojito here? At the Oak?”

  “They're very popular!” Nora protested.

  “You're in Ballycraig, remember? According to you, we don't even have a proper supermarket nearby! What made you think you'd be able to get some exotic drink?”

  Nora ignored the question. Her eyes followed Liam. “He's hot.”

  “So are the flames of hell,” said Aislinn, taking her whiskey shot from Jack and putting money down on the bar to pay for both their drinks as Jack gave her a refill. “Thanks.”

  Liam appeared a moment later, handing Nora her gin and tonic. “There you go.”

  Nora extended her hand to him. “I don't believe we've met. I'm Nora McCafferty, Aislinn's sister.”

  "Liam 0 Brien.

  “Nice to meet you.” Nora looked coy as she took a sip of her drink. “I've heard you're a big, bad, dangerous New York outlaw.”

  Liam grinned. “Guilty as charged.”

  “C'mon, let's go get a table,” Aislinn urged, tugging her sister away from the bar. “What the hell was that about?” she snapped as soon as they were out of earshot.

  “What?” Nora asked innocently.

  “Flirting with the Yank!”

  Nora sniffed. “What's it to you?”

  “Might I remind you, you're married?”

  “I know. I just wanted to see if you'd get jealous. And you did.”

  “You sure you didn't steal a few nips back at the house?” Aislinn scoffed. “Seems to me you're imagining things.”

  “You fancy him,” Nora declared with certainty. Her eyes scanned the low-lit, back room of the pub. 'Nowhere to sit."

  “Never is unless you get here at noon and want to hold your seat till nightfall.”

  Aislinn noticed two turf farmers she knew as passing acquaintances motioning her and Nora over. She hesitated. Surely they didn't want her and Nora to join them. Unfortunately, Nora saw them, too.

  “We're being summoned.”

  “I'd rather not,” said Aislinn.

  “Why not?”

  “I can't do small talk, Nora,” Aislinn said desperately. “And I don't think you'd enjoy it much, either, unless you've a hankering to chat about the peat business.”

  “Nonsense. I'm sure we could have a nice conversation. How about this: I'll talk, and you can just sit there and glower?”

  “Fine. Suit yourself.”

  The two men, both in their mid-fifties and slightly hunched from a lifetime of digging in bogs and sod carrying, rose politely when she and Nora reached the table. “Can't have two pretty ladies like you standing all night. Here, take our seats.”

  “Oh, no, you don't have to do that, the last thing we want to do is to turn you out of your seats,” Aislinn protested.

  “Not a problem,” said the taller of the two.

  “Are you sure?” Aislinn asked again. She hated the thought of taking advantage of their good natures.

  “More than sure. Please.”

  “Thank you sooo much,” Nora said graciously. “It's grand to know chivalry isn't dead.” The two men looked pleased as they headed toward the bar. “They seem nice,” she added. watching them go.

  “Grand to know chivalry isn't dead.' Good one, that. You're quite the flirt tonight. I suppose that was a test, too, to see if I'd get jealous over one of them?"

  “Just having fun,” Nora said lightly. “Something I sense you are in dire need of.” She took a sip of her drink. “Turf farmers, huh? Did you know I've hated the smell of burning peat ever since I was a little girl?”

  “No, I didn't know that,” said Aislinn, though she wasn't surprised. It was an earthy smell that could sometimes border on acrid. “I don't mind it.” She tilted her head in the direction of the roaring fire. “That bothering you, then?”

  “A bit. But I'll live.”

  “That's a relief,” Aislinn teased.

  Nora smiled at her. “I enjoyed walking the property with you today.”

  “Yes, that was nice,” Aislinn agreed, sipping her whiskey.

  They chatted on for a while. Aislinn was actually enjoying it, until she caught sight of the Yank coming toward them.

  “Shite,” she said under her breath.

  Nora turned to see what she was cursing about, then looked back at Aislinn. “Time for me to make myself scarce,” she said with a sly grin.

  “Don't you dare,” Aislinn hissed.

  “Hey,” said Liam when he reached their table. “Mind if I join you? I'm on break.”

  “Yes,” said Aislinn.

  Nora shot her a “Don't be rude” look as she stood. “Actually, there are a couple of my old friends from school I'm itching to talk to. See you two later.”

  “Yup.” Liam sat down. “How's it going?”

  “Would you mind being a bit more specific?” Aislinn could feel all eyes in the room turning to look at them: she could imagine what they were thinking. What's the Yank doing talking to Aislinn Mccafferty? He must be touched in the head.

  “Did you finish mending your fences?”

  “I did.”

  “And how's it going with your sister?”

  “You're a real nosy parker. Anyone ever tell you that?”

  Liam laughed. “My mother uses that expression all the time.”

  “Well, you are.”

  “Just making casual conversation.” He took a sip of his pint. “The Oak reminds me of the pub my parents own, the Wild Hart.”

  “Oh?” Aislinn tried to look disinterested.

  Liam looked sentimental. “Yeah. It has a real close-knit, family feel.”

  “Miss it, then, do you?”

  “Of course I do.” Liam said quietly. "It's home

  “ Aislinn's gaze was steady as she looked at him over her whiskey glass. 'What did you do that made you leave a home you miss so much?”

  “Who's the nosy parker now?” Liam asked with an amused smile.

  Sorry. I suppose I am.

  “No, it's okay,” Liam assured her. “It's not what I did - it's what a friend did to me. Let's just say he betrayed me.”

  I know all about that, Aislinn thought bitterly. “Betrayed you how?”

  Liam hesitated. “He got me involved in s
omething illegal. When I wouldn't keep quiet, my friend's boss threatened me. So here I am.”

  “For how long?”

  Liam looked pained. “I don't know.”

  “You must be bored senseless in these parts.” What' are you asking him questions for? she chided herself. He's going to think you care, when all you 're trying to do is be polite.

  Liam's gaze pinned her. “No. There are things here that hold my attention.”

  Aislinn stared back at him. “Fascinating.”

  “Your sister seems nice. A lot different than you, though. She older or younger?”

  “I don't really want to talk about Nora.” His curiosity regarding her sister was irksome.

  “Nope, not fair. You asked me questions: now I get to ask you some.”

  Fine, Aislinn said in a bored voice. Fire away.

  “How long has she been away?”

  “Ten years or so. Hopped it over to England the minute she got the chance.” "Didn't want to be a shepherd, huh?

  Aislinn snorted. “Nora, a shepherd - that's a good one. No, she's a professor at a university in London.”

  “What's she doing here?”

  “Ask her yourself. Three questions are all you get.”

  “I like even numbers. Let's make it four.”

  “You don't let up, do you?”

  “Let's just say I'm used to getting what I want,” Liam murmured seductively.

  Aislinn stared at him a second, then burst out laughing. "Has that line actually gotten you into womens' knickers? What movie did you steal that from?

  “I didn't steal it from any movie,” Liam replied, looking offended. “It's the truth.”

  Well, how nice for you, then, getting what you want. For the rest of us mortals, it's hit or miss. “Do I get one more question or not?”

  “Since I know you'll continue to be a royal pain in my arse if I don't accommodate you, fine, ask your final question.”

  “Will you go to the cëilí with me next Saturday?” Aislinn peered hard at him across the table. “Is this some kind of joke?” “Why would I be kidding?”

  Aislinn thought this over and could come up with no good answer.

  “Well?”

  “Thanks, but no thanks,” she said politely.

  “Why not?”

  “It's none of your business why not!”

  Liam took a slug of beer. “I disagree. I think the least you can do is tell me why you can't go.” “Hmm, let's see,” said Aislinn, tapping her chin with her index finger thoughtfully. “I have to wash my hair that night.”

  Try again.

  “Final answer.”

  “You want to know why I think you're turning me down?”

  Aislinn yawned. “Not particularly.”

  “I think you like me.”

  “If I liked you, I'd be going with you, wouldn't I?” Aislinn shot back.

  “Not if you're afraid of being vulnerable, you wouldn't.”

  “Vulnerable to what?” Aislinn scoffed. “Your pathetic macho come-on lines?”

  “To feeling.”

  Aislinn stiffened, indignant. “How dare you say I don't feel?”

  “I'm sorry. Bad choice of words. What I meant was -”

  She stood up. “I don't much care what you meant.”

  “Come to the dance,” said Liam. “Come on. You don't have to come as my date. Just come. It'll be fun.”

  “Some of us have to get up before dawn, you know.”

  “You can't stay for an hour? Come on.”

  “Excuse me: I have to go make sure Padraig doesn't get drunk. He's of no use to me when he's hungover.”

  She headed back to the bar, feeling Liam's eyes on her the whole way. Well, let him stare. Arrogant gobaloon. I'm used to getting what I want. Giving her sloe eyes, like he was some sort of romantic hero. Handsome and mildly interesting he might be, but Liam O'Brien wasn't going to get what he wanted this time.

  Straight Up

  Chapter Five

  ************************************************************************************************

  "I can't believe I let you talk me into this. Truly.”

  Aislinn was sitting on the closed lid of the toilet while Nora sat across from her on the lip of the tub, putting makeup on her face. For a week,

  Nora had been haunting her about going to the cëili Don't be such a stick-in-the-mud. You need to get out and start doing things. We don't have to stay long. When's the last time you got out and did anything fun?

  That was a painful question. Fun? The last time she'd had fun was over a year ago, when she and Connor had packed a lunch and hiked up to the top of Murphy's Hill the day before their wedding. They'd spread a blanket on the ground, reveling in the gorgeous, endless green fields below them stretching as far as the eye could see. A warm breeze blew, gently tickling the soft grass, and the sun was in rare form, blazing bright in the cloudless sky. Aislinn had never been happier in her life. At this time tomorrow, she kept thinking to herself, I'll be Gonnor 's wife. She remembered he seemed a bit preoccupied, but she put it down to pre-wedding jitters. Twenty-four hours later, her dream lay in tatters.

  When it became clear Nora wasn't going to let up about the dance, Aislinn capitulated, justifying her submission with the excuse that the dance was for a good cause: Grace Finnegan's husband, Fintan, had been diagnosed with bone cancer, and the dance would help raise money for him to go over to England for treatment at one of the best cancer centers in the world. Even so, Aislinn told her sister, “I'll stay for one hour, and one hour only. After that, you're on your own getting a ride back here.”

  Of course, Aislinn's agreeing to go to the dance wasn't enough for Nora. Oh, no. She insisted on rifling through Aislinn's closet to see if she had something “appropriate to wear,” and naturally, in Nora's estimation, she didn't. To get Nora off her back - again - Aislinn agreed to wear a pair of Nora's black jeans (too tight if you asked her), spiked-heel boots (it wasn't as if she'd be dancing), and a crimson scoop-neck shirt, topped with a silk scarf around her neck. She'd also agreed to wear her hair down.

  “You look gorgeous,” Nora declared.

  “I won't look gorgeous when I'm in traction after breaking my neck wearing these ridiculous boots,” Aislinn grumbled. “You sure you didn't borrow these from Catwoman?”

  Nora ignored the crack. “Let's get some makeup on you,” she insisted, and that's when she'd steered a simmering Aislinn into the loo and commanded her to sit down. Aislinn had opened her mouth to protest, then realized it was futil

  “I don't know why I'm succumbing to this torture,” Aislinn lamented as Nora dabbed God knows what on her face. “I hate the feel of this rubbish on my skin!”

  “Don't act like you've never worn it before! You had some on, on your wedding day.”

  “Only because the photographer said I'd look pale in the pictures if I didn't. Why can't I just go as myself?”

  “You are going as yourself, just an enhanced version.”

  Aislinn looked at her sister coolly. “Oh, so I need some enhancement, aye?”

  “Aislinn.” Nora paused, exasperated. “You're a beautiful woman. What's wrong with capitalizing on it?”

  “Because it's not me, Nora,” Aislinn protested. “It never has been.”

  Nora sighed heavily. “Just indulge me on this, okay?”

  “Seems I'm indulging you left and right these days, but fine,” Aislinn muttered. “All this dressing up - it's going to cause trouble.”

  “Close your eyes.” Nora began lining her lids. “Trouble how?”

  “The Yank is going to think I've gotten all turned out just for him. I know it.”

  “Why would he think that?”

  “He asked me to be his date.”

  Nora gasped. “And you said no?”

  Aislinn's eyes flew open. “Of course I said no! Why in the name of God would I want to encourage that egomaniac?”

  "Because he likes you. And he's nice.

&nb
sp; “He's full of himself. You know what he had the gall to say to me at the Oak last week? That he was used to getting what he wanted. His voice went all low and sultry. As if I'd fall for a line of bull like that! What does he think I am, an eejit? He's a horse's arse, and I want no part of him.”

  “Methinks thou doth protest too much,” Nora teased.

  “Believe me, Nora, I know the type.”

  “Do you now?” Nora mocked. “You've only ever been with one man your whole life, and all of a sudden you're an expert on the opposite sex?”

  “I've got eyes and ears, you know,” Aislinn said fiercely. “I meet men like that all the time at the farmers' market. In fact, there's one fella who buys wool who thinks he's God's gift to women. Dad and I used to fall about the place laughing as soon as he'd leave.”

  “I think maybe the Yank was just teasing you a bit, trying to get you to lighten up.”

  “No, he thought he was being charming and seductive. I saw how he was behaving. You didn't.”

  “There's no reason you can't have a little fun with him,” Nora suggested slyly

  Aislinn frowned. “I'm not big on toying with people's emotions, Nora.”

  “There's nothing wrong with flirting.”

  “I'll leave that to you, thank you very much.”

  Nora sighed. “You need to get back on the horse, Aislinn.”

  “Why? So I can get thrown and kicked in the head again? No thank you.”

  "What are you saying? You're done with men?

  Aislinn folded her arms obstinately across her chest. “That is exactly what I'm saying, yes.”

  “So you want to end up like Padraig.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Aislinn asked, trying to keep her temper in check. Bloody Nora! Home only two weeks and already putting her two cents in where it wasn't wanted!

  “Old and alone, with nothing to live for but the farm,”

  “Alone doesn't mean lonely, Nora.”

  Nora stared at her in disbelief. “That's it, then? You've built a fortress around your heart that no man can ever penetrate?”

  “Bingo.”

  "I refuse to believe that you never want to feel a man's arms around you again. You always said you wanted children. What, you've changed your mind?