Bryan made it back to his cabin and stretched out on a long brown sofa.
"Aine." He sighed out, a smile on his lips. His plans to stay seemed to be looking up. He would still have to work on getting people to check out his horses. He'd done the extra check on them after his ride, showered and now all he wanted to do was stretch his legs. And think about the beautiful Aine.
The truth was, he still couldn't remember where he'd seen her before, however he was sure he had, her eyes were all too familiar. A sweet memory. He would remember, maybe he could ask his parents. yes, he'd do just that.
He sighed again, got up and stretched, moving to where the light switch was he put off the light in living room, put on the lights on the porch and walked to bedroom where the only light on was from the lamp on the table by his bedside.
He laid on the bed and in seconds he was out, and in dreams he was visited by brown curious eyes that held so much depth, and laughter that rang out like a sweet song.
*****
It had been two days since Aine met Bryan and the encounter still managed to put a smile on her face.
"What are you so smiley about?" Aine was done for the day's job at the shop and got together with branna to grab a bite at a pub, she had left kenell at her parents house.
"Oh nothing." But she still couldn't keep the smile off her face.
"Definitely isn't nothing, since you're smiling into your food and I know it isn't the chips and fish that's doing this to you." A giggle escaped her lips and she looked at her friend in wonder.
"You never know. you see, there are many who can't afford a meal like this, but here we are, eating like queens. Maybe I'm smiling cause I'm thankful."
Branna gave a snort.
"Thankful you are, but I know you, that smile is totally unrelated."
This time Aine laughed and attracted a few glances their way.
"Cut it. Their staring." But she was grinning. "so come on, tell me."
But just as she was catching her breath, as she was about to speak, she caught sight of something at the door that made her stop and her mouth drop a few inches, and following her gaze, branna turned around and looked towards the door, her eyes growing as she turned back to look at her friend, whose expression was now composed, obscuring what was only just a moment ago. A smirk grew across branna's face, and she placed an elbow on the table, resting her chin on her Palm.
"Now, about the real reason for all that smiling."
*****
Bryan noticed her the minute he walked into the pub, it was hard not to. Her eyes all but draw his to hers, and it was like invisible sparks of electricity existed between them. It took him more than he dared to admit to pull his expression away from hers, and after giving her a smile, it was all he could do to keep his wits together. The woman was just so beautiful.
He made his way to the counter and sat on the stool, contemplating ordering and taking his meal to join her at her table or just sitting there. But by all of heaven, he wanted nothing than to be close to her. Memories from the other night flooded him and he was reminded of how much he had felt drawn to her, how much he desired to kiss her, sheer chivalry and willpower that he was sure wasn't his own kept him from doing so.
"What will you be having tonight, good sir." The bartender stood before him wiping a glass with a clothe.
"Chips and fish, and a beer please, thanks." The man gave him a quick nod before turning to go through a door, leaving him once more with his thoughts.
He turned on his spot and watched as her friend said something to her that made her look behind her. In that instant the world shifted, refocused and centered around her, her beauty radiated the divine, God's beauty he thought, in form of a woman named, Aine.
He waved at her, which she returned with a smile, that held a hint of shyness, before returning her attention to her friend. And it hit him at that moment how much he wanted to know her, wanted to understand her. Needed to. Desperately, as much as he needed to take in his next breath.
*****
"Spill it!" Brianna hissed out in a low breath. " have you two met? Is he the reason you're in such a good mood? And don't lie to me, you can save it. I know when you lie."
Aine rolled her eyes, it was all she could do to keep from placing her hand over the mouth of her friend.
"Maybe. Could be."
"Not enough information, my friend. You know a stud like that and didn't tell me?" She was grinning now and Aine couldn't for the life of her seem to be able to understand what all the fuss was.
" I don't know him, we just sort of bumped into each other. I was plucking berries and he just sort of was there." It was the best explanation she could give, her tummy was doing a dance, and she didn't understand why. "He is the Maher's son." She added and watched branna's jaw drop for the second time that night.
"No Way!"
"Yes Way, and his name is Bryan. Bryan Maher."
"Bryan Maher, huh? Why do I get the feeling you two more than just bumped into each other." She made air quotes with her fingers when saying the word 'bumped'
"Fine. We spoke a little." Her friend gave her a quick grin and seemed to focus a space above her head.
"Don't look now, but Maher son is looking this way." But she didn't seem to catch the words 'don't look now.' It was only a few seconds but it felt like a life time. His stare penetrated through her to what seemed Like the deepest parts of her soul, leaving her breathless. She rose her right hand to wave at him, which he returned before turning back to Branna.
" a little huh?"
"Shut up." She said, and went back to what remained of her chips.
It was only a few minutes later when she heard a deep familiar voice speak behind her.
"May I join you? She turned sideways and there he stood standing before her, all lean and muscular and male, his dinner in hands . Her tongue seemed to be caught in her throat and trying to say something seemed impossible.
"Of course. There's enough space." Brianna said, but His gaze was on Aine, as if waiting for her assent.
"Yes, you may." She shifted a little, to make room for him in the small booth. And they sat, hip to hip, his very scent intoxicating her and she wondered just how the rest of the night was going to turn out, and prayed within her, upward to the heavens. Because what started out as a girl's night out was turning into a long night.
Hedid not know what made him do it. Or perhaps he did, but didn't just recognize it yet. But as he took his seat beside her, and felt the warm tender skin of her hand collide with his from time to time, any doubts he had about the move he made fell away. Plus, her friend seemed welcoming enough. "Hello." he stretched out his hand to branna. "I'm Byran Maher." "Branna Sweeney, pleasure." She said, taking his hand. He gave his most charming smile before letting go of her hand and then turning to Aine. "So we see again, Aine." "Small world, Bryan." Aine said, making him chuckle. "I guess it is." he replied. "So, Bryan, you plan to stay?" Branna asked with no preamble, But Byran didn't seem to mind as he took a gulp from his beer and set it down to answer her. "Actually, I do. I have done a lot of roamings, but I guess in the end, nothing beats home." He said honestly, and helped himself to some fries. They w
"Kenell, do you not ever tire of chasing yourowntail?" Aine asked her wolfhound as she sat outside in her backyard, peeling some potatoes to fry chips out of. And of course Kenell paid her no mind, he just kept chasing his rump. It was a breezy day and being out with her dog and her plants felt nice. The dog stopped chasing his rump and laid out in front off her. "Tired, aye?" He just let out a grunt and she could not help but laugh. "Ah, Kenell my love, what would I ever do without you, my precious boy?" She peeled the potatoes for the next few minutes before heading back into the kitchen to slice them up , and was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. "Must be bran wondering about our plans tonight." They were going to have a girl's night out, but they hadn't decided on where. "Hullo," she said into the phone. Not, for some reason, noticing the caller ID. Supporting the phone wit
Hehad her caught up. That's the only way she could describe how he made her feel. It was as though she was floating. She never had floaty feelings around men she was attracted to. He was different. With him, things were different. "You're quiet." He said, drawing her out of her thoughts. They were lying side by side on the cool grass. He had taken her on a picnic in the middle of nowhere.Okay, not in the middle of nowhere.They were somewhere in the woods not so far off from his cottage. He'd planned it. The Woods, picnic, good wine, good food(he cooked!) wonderful array of flowers, and as the moon shone above them, they'd simply lain on their backs admiring the heavens, God's great work. "I'm just thinking about what a nice time I'm having with you. That wasn't in the plan." "Gush, Aine, you're going to make an old man blush." She looked up into his smiling face, and was struck by how handsome he was. "Aren'
"Every time! This happens every time!" Aine rolled her eyes at Branna's tantrum,"If you'd just lower the heat they won't burn when you look away.""They didn'tburn,they just.. I don't even know, you'll eat them still?""You know I will, I love scorched eggs" Branna laughed, Aine smiled, it was their thing."So tell me!! What is he like?" Branna asked as they settled down at the dinning table for breakfast, they'd had their girls night out and had cone to Branna's for the night, kenell was with Aine's parent."He... He is sweet and kind... And puts butterflies in my tummy. No man, no man has done that, the butterflies, really, not even..." She trailed off and Branna's hand covered hers across the table, even as her eyes lit up something fierce."He is history.""I know, I know. I'm just trying to say it's a new feeling. Gentle and soft, with him I have the gentle and soft, and I like it, I like it a lot."B
"Kenelllikeshim." Aine said to her Mother. The sun shone, the birds chirruped, the wind flirted with her skin that was bared, the grass was green and moist beneath her bared feet, she turned her head upward and smiled a little, gratitude in her heart. The creator at work, she thought. Then looked at her mother. "Does he?" "He does." She replied, as she calmly sipped her lemon tea, and she felt a war of emotions stir within her soul. Her mother thought for a moment before she spoke, "And you? How doyoufeel about him?" How did she feel? She felt... Shefelt. "Mama, I don't know how to answer that question. I enjoy being with him, when he's not there I miss him, every time... Every time I think about him I smile." "Except now." "Excuse me?" "Baby girl, you aren't smiling now. But your eyes are a different thing, they're twinkling. He pu
“Take a break,” Bryan said from the other side of the counter. He'd been dogging her all afternoon, Helping around, making somewhat fruitful conversations with Cedric– Cedric liked him, but was trying not to, she could tell– Attending to customers. She thought, with a smile, she just might give him a raise.“ In ten minutes.” she looked at the clock, “make that fifteen ”Bryan lifted his eyes upward which made Aine giggle, and peered down at the book in front of her.“Inventory?”“uh hun.”He looked back at her and got lost in her eyes.“I wonder, ” he started, “I wonder if I distract you, the same way you distract me.”Her smirk came quickly but it soon faded as she began to study him.“you do.” she said honestly, “but today, you've been such big help, you've made up for my shortcomings.”“Good.
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“Goodmorning.” The fair woman said, walking toward the counter. She had an accent Aine noticed, and smiled. The smile the woman returned gave her chills, Aine tried not to let her discomfort show.“Goodmorning, welcome to Caine's Floral shop, How can I help you?” Aine said in her most kind voice, even though she really wanted this woman to be on her way.“I was looking for an orchid, with a vase to go with it. I just moved here you see.” she added the last part conversationally. Aine nodded, she didn't feel conversational, she felt on edge.“we have that, we do. Let me get those orchids for you.” she went around the counter to a tall shelf that displayed really beautiful orchids, they relaxed her by just looking at them, and made her smile. One of the perks of owning a flower shop. You were always around flowers, flowers were good for the soul, at least that's how she viewed it. She turned to the woman who immediat