Bittersweet, page 22
Jenna handed her the box, and Sam gasped when she opened it.
“Oh my God, it’s breathtaking. Now help me put it on.”
It was back to reality as they now stood in front of a large, newly renovated Victorian house set against the scenic backdrop of the Dublin mountains on its own large piece of land with a driveway and automatic gates. What was even more breathtaking was the view. The house was situated on acres and acres of greenery, with gardens, colorful flower beds, livestock at the other end of the property, and the spectacular ability to look over Dublin from right where she stood. “This place is amazing, don’t you think?” Awesruck, she gripped the bottle of wine she’d brought from the Wine Rooms.
“It is.” Sam giggled. “But you might want to pick up your jaw up from the floor and wipe your mouth a little bit before we go in.”
“Oh, stop teasing.” She playfully nudged her friend. “It looks like there are quite a few people here already.” Judging by the amount of cars nearby, Cian’s home was party central. “You ready?”
The inside of the home was just as spectacular as the outside, even more so, actually. The modern touches mixed in with the character and charm of the older house was impeccable, from the dark hardwood floors with regal-looking rugs, to the thick oak staircase in the center of the foyer that split on each side, to the pale painted walls down to the white wainscoting at the bottom. There were beautiful flowers arranged to and fro, unique-looking landscape paintings, and personal photos she undoubtedly wanted to take a closer look at once she got the chance. Could her Brady be in any of them?
Deciding that being there was exciting, nerve-racking, and an honor, Jenna almost missed Cian welcoming them. “Ah, ’tis grand ye made it. The pairti is just beginnin’. Jenna and…” He looked toward Sam to catch her name, and Jenna cringed a little, remembering that she’d forgotten to introduce them properly the last time.
“It’s Sam.” Her friend elbowed her in the side to keep her from continually staring awestruck. “Thank you for inviting us today. You have such a beautiful home.”
“Aye, well…” Cian blushed before he bellowed a laugh. “Jenna, Sam, I’d like to introduce ye to me auld segotia, me bhean cheile, Sarah. The reason I breathe, me gra, and the reason for today.”
The curvy beauty beside him blushed at his words and playfully swatted him. “Thank you. Jenna, Sam it’s lovely te meet ch’ya.” Sarah extended her hand to shake and drew them toward the crowd after Jenna gave them their gift and accepted their gratitude.
“Jaysus, I love it when she blushes.” Cian grinned cheekily and winked when his wife replied with “Oh, would ya shtop?” The love they displayed was endearing, and it was nice to see how playful they were toward each other. It was clear to everyone around them that each complimented the other, and her heart broke as she wondered if she’d ever feel the same way again. She’d thought she found perfection in Tyler, but she’d obviously been wrong and now here she was, divorced, and loveless. The hope was there, though, and she was tough enough to find out if her dream man existed. It just wasn’t clicking like she’d hoped, as if the pieces of her future were still scrambled. Join the club, why don’t you? Nobody is supposed to know their future, and it’s not set in stone. Remember the positives. You have a beautiful little boy, loving parents, great friends, you’re on a fabulous vacation, and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Don’t forget, Cian looks so much like Charles, and Sarah is the same name from your visions. Could she be Brady’s mom?
There was only one way to find out, and it was going to take patience before it all fell into place, her life, love—whatever—because nothing worthwhile ever came easily.
After mingling a little, the partygoers drifted outside to the yard, and Jenna leaned against one of the large French doors connected to the house while Sam went to fill her plate with goodies. She took a sip of wine and smiled when their host seated the guest of honor in the middle of the crowd and tapped his glass to gather everyone’s attention.
“We’re here to celebrate the love of me life. Sarah blessed this ol’ heart years ago, and I thank God for her every day. May we drink to celebrate, get drunk to fall asleep, because when we fall we commit no sin, an’ when we commit no sin, we go to heaven. But, before we continue on I’ve got a li’l somethin’…” Cian reached inside his pocket and withdrew the small box with Sarah’s gift. She gasped the moment she laid eyes on the delicate pair of earrings and laughed and cried joyously when he put them on her.
Jenna smiled wide and wiped a tear of her own when Cian began his speech again. “May God grant us both many years to go on, for sure he must be knowin’ the earth has angels all too few. Slainte chuig na fir, agus go mairfidh na mna go deo. An’ for those who don’t know what I be sayin’…” He held his drink high. “Health to the men, and may the women live forever! I love ye.”
Cheers and whistles erupted, and that might have been why she hadn’t seen him approach until the last second. “The ol’ man sure has a way with words.”
“I think it’s beautiful.” Jenna smiled and turned to face the good-looking stranger. “If only we were all that lucky.” She tipped her drink toward the kissing older couple and then took a sip while she watched him from above the rim. Whoever he was, he was tall, slender, and very pleasing to the eye with his short, tousled dirty-blonde hair and sparkling green eyes. She instantly liked him.
“Aye, if only,” he agreed. “The name’s Callum, and ’tis always a pleasure to meet such a lovely bird.”
“Oh you definitely have to be related to our hosts. I’ve never met a bunch of men with such flirtatious charm. Or maybe it’s just the Irish in general.” She giggled, “Whatever it is, it’s quite refreshing.”
“Oh, well I’m glad ye think so.” He winked.
“Definitely, Callum.” She placed her hand in his to shake, only he had other plans and brought it to his lips for a kiss. She gulped. “M-my name is Jenna, Jenna Baker.”
“So how long will ye be visitin’?” he asked curiously. “Ye gotta love a woman who’s as perceptive as she is stunnin’. Family, they are. They’re like me own ma and da up there.”
“What?” Jenna did a double take. “Your parents are Cian and Sarah? I thought they said their son was in the USA?”
“Aye, that’d be me cousin. Me ma and da died when I was only a boyo, an’ me Aint Sarah and Uncail Cian looked after me after it happened.” He shrugged.
Oh wow! “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize—I mean…” She winced and noticed how she kind of sounded like a fool. “What I mean is I’m sorry for your loss, but from the impression I’m getting, those two would be a fabulous substitute. I can’t even imagine.” She reached forward to touch his arm out of compassion and didn’t want to imagine how hard it must have been. “How old were you?”
“Nine. Now enough of that. I’d much rather hear more about ye, and ye never did answer my question about yer visit.”
“Oh.” She fanned herself to try to hide the flush in her cheeks. “Sam and I will be here for another three weeks.” After gesturing toward the table near which her friend was standing, she bit her lip. What was it with these attractive Irishmen and their wayward charm? It was flattering, fascinating, and a little unnerving. She was here trying to find Brady and was suddenly feeling quite guilty at being attracted to the man standing in front of her who could be his cousin. Gah!
“Please tell me yer pointin’ to the girl and not the guy she’s talkin’ to.” He laughed and gestured toward the portly man her friend was engaged in conversation with.
“Yes, I was, actually.”
“So Jenna, I was wonderin’ if ye might be free tomorrow for a bit? I can show ye how to play hurling, or we can grab a bite or a pint. Can I buy ye a bag of chips, maybe?”
“She’d love to!” Sam strolled up and nudged her shoulder after answering for her, and Jenna went wide-eyed in disbelief.
“Uh, dinner and a drink, then?” Now that Sam had answered for her, she really had no choice without being rude. “Uh, Callum, this is my very helpful friend Samantha.”
“A pleasure.” He locked eyes with Jenna as he gave her friend the same courteous greeting as he had Jenna with a kiss on the top of her hand. “A bite sounds great, then. I can pick ye up around seven if ye’ll tell me where to do it.”
Whether she was ready or not, the date was set for the following night, and she wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Callum seemed really nice, and he was definitely nice to look at, but her heart still longed for her dream man. She shook the thought away. The only difference was that one man was real and the other—well, that still remained to be seen.
It’s one date. What’s the worst that could happen?
***
“So how’dya meet me aint and uncail?”
He’d taken her to the Auld Dubliner for a few drinks and a taste of coddle. It was a delicious, hearty stew made with traditional local sausage, bacon, and potato. It was quite a charming place, and a fabulous spot for tourists to listen to live bands playing traditional Irish music. It was also busy, but they’d managed to get a couple of stools so they could sit and get to know each other while enjoying their surroundings. She was quite charmed, actually, from the moment they’d walked in and loved that he’d taken the touristy route when he chose to bring her here for their date.
“Sam and I were doing some souvenir shopping, and I was fortunate enough to stumble upon Cian as he was searching for his wife’s gift. He was as charismatic as can be and asked for my help to pick something out.” She bit her lip to hold back a smile and shrugged. “I hope those earrings were a big hit.”
“The ol’ bugger always had remarkable taste, and I bet he knew exactly what to get her. Seeing ye just provided him a chance to talk to a beautiful bird. He’s harmless, really, and loves me aint like crazy.” Callum shook his head and chuckled. “Who could blame ’im? And now I get the pleasure of accompanying ye thanks to that friendliness of his, a score for me.” He winked and she blushed.
He was gorgeous. Really he was, with his blond hair, striking light eyes, his easy demeanor, slim, athletic frame, and drool-worthy accent. His respectful behavior also made her completely comfortable. Tall, light, and handsome he was, but the spark just wasn’t there, and she really wished it could be. Her heart, however, belonged to the clichéd Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome from her visions, and that scared her as well, considering they’d never even met before outside of her dreams.
She took a sip of her beer. “It’s a score with me as well. The great company, I mean.” Jenna smiled fondly. “Your aunt and uncle are wonderful people, and I’m always up for making new friends.” She gestured back and forth between them. “I’m having a great time with you, thank you.”
“Ugh!” He smiled and grabbed his chest dramatically. “Ye’re pulling the friend card on me already. I must be doin’ somethin’ terribly wrong.”
“No, not wrong.” She chuckled as he feigned pulling a knife from his heart and acted goofy to lighten the mood, and was grateful he was being such a good sport about it. “You’re an incredible guy, and any girl would be crazy lucky to have you. I can tell that about you already. My heart, however, belongs to another. I’m sorry.”
“’Tis okay, me lovely Jenna.” He winked again. “Or should I say somebody else’s lovely Jenna? If anythin’, I’m still glad to meet ye. Who doesn’t love havin’ a beautiful woman on their arm even only for a short time?”
“Thank you.” She blew out the breath she’d been holding, and a weight lifted off her shoulders. She’d been reluctant to accept this date because she didn’t want to lead him on, but now she was glad for it. Callum was incredible, and she’d love to keep in touch with him even after she went home. He’d be so good for Sam, actually, she thought and smiled at the thought of the possibilities for her best friend currently back at the hotel.
“What’dya say we get to know each other anyway? I’d love to learn more about ye and this other man of yers who’s lucky enough to have yer heart.”
“Well…” She cringed. Get ready for the crazy, mister, ’cause you asked for it. “There’s not much to tell, really. Okay, I lied. There is. So here is the short version of the long story, if that even makes any sense. I’m from Canada, but I currently live in the States with my incredible little boy. He’s my world, and I’m extremely close to my folks. Jayden, my son, is with them as we speak while Sam and I are on this vacation with sort of a good but unusual reason motivating us. My ex and I divorced almost two years ago now.
“You see, I got into a car accident, and it nearly took my life. I was in and out of it for a while, and lost a bit of time, so while I was out of it fighting for my life, Tyler—my husband then—was so overwhelmed with guilt over the accident that he sort of took comfort in the arms of his coworker, and I saw it before actually finding out.” She squeezed his hand and took another sip of liquid courage, aka her beer, before getting to the unbelievable part. ’Cause hey, he asked for it, and for some reason she felt as though it was important for Callum to know…everything. She wasn’t exactly sure why, but there it was. It was as if it was only the two of them in the room suddenly. The background faded, she tuned out the noise, and he seemed to hang on to every single word she spoke. “So anyway, you’re probably going to think I’m a certifiable nut case after this, and I assure you I’m not, but when I got hurt, I hit my head among many other things, and I believe that’s when the visions started.”
“Visions?” His eyebrow rose in disbelief, but he seemed interested for her to go on, so she did.
“Yep, visions.” She let go of his hand and licked her lips nervously. “This is the crazy part. You ready?”
He nodded and sat back to make himself more comfortable.
“Okay, so when I woke up from a coma, I was convinced my ex had died and a year had gone by before I’d moved on and fallen in love with this man named Brady who I met here in Ireland. He was amazing, very caring, and sensitive to my needs—a caretaker. Tough on the outside, but on the inside, he was all teddy bear. You know? Gorgeous really, and everything I could ever want. My dream man figuratively and literally. He was tall and muscular with hair so dark it looked black, and he had these piercing, light blue eyes one could get lost in—a real ladies’ man.” She shook her head before going on. “Anyway, it turns out it wasn’t real, at least physically. Tyler never died, and Brady didn’t exist. So I tried to make things work with Tyler. I mean, I loved him. He was my husband, the father of my child. We’d been together for so long. Everything was great too for a while. Tyler took some time off and we spent a lot of time together at first, and I thought we fell in love all over again until I kept seeing him with the other woman in my dreams. It was silly, right? I tried to ignore the sinking feeling he was having an affair, but the visions kept coming to me stronger, so I asked him about it, even going as far as describing the woman he was sleeping with behind my back.”
Jenna laughed without humor, and this time it was Callum who held her hand. “It’s okay, go on,” he said.
“Anyway, he denied it until he was blue in the face, and I got pregnant with our second child in the midst of things. There were complications because of the stress too, but it wasn’t until I walked in on the two of them having sex on our couch that everything went to hell between us. Tyler chased me outside, fell on me, and I lost our baby.”
“I’m so sorry.” He cupped her face and signaled the bartender to bring them another pint. “This is a lot more than I’d hoped to learn. Ye don’t have to go on if ye don’t want to.”
“I appreciate that, but I’ve already gone this far, and it’ll help you understand more about the one I’m in love with. It’s a lot to take for our first outing, huh?” She smiled shyly but still had this crazy need to get the whole story out there.
“Go on.” He nodded in encouragement.
He probably thinks I’m crazy and is suddenly glad I only want to be friends, but I don’t care. “So there I was going through a divorce, trying to get over the loss of losing a child, and trying to keep it all together for my son, and I still kept having dreams of this Brady fellow. He was my shining light in the darkness in my world, and I loved him even more for it. I still do. The problem is, I’m not sure he even exists. Sam thought it’d be great to take this trip since in my dreams-slash-visions, or whatever you want to call them, I’d met him in Dublin, so here we are. You ready to run yet?”
“What?” He looked thoughtful but didn’t even crack a smile. His sincerity was a little surprising, actually. “Of course not. I’m actually fascinated by it all, and yer kind of crazy doesn’t scare me at all.”
“Gee, thanks! I’m glad I could amuse you,” she teased, and a smile came back to both of their faces. “The weirdest thing of all is how real he feels, and Sam seems to think he exists. She wouldn’t have convinced me to come all the way here otherwise. She’s such an amazing friend.”
“Good to know yer friend is here to give ye a little push.”
“There’s that and the fact she’s hoping to meet her own dream guy. I forgot to mention that I had visions of her with someone special as well. He was Brady’s best friend. Silly, right?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Fate works in mysterious ways, Jenna, and ye never do know what she has planned.” He smiled and rubbed his hands together as though he had a plan of his own in mind but wasn’t ready to share it with her. “So his pal was fated to yer friend? Interestin’.”
“I agree. Do you have any insight for me? Does his description sound familiar at all?” she couldn’t help but ask and tried not to get her hopes up too much, but they were a little.
“There are a lot of Irishmen with dark hair and light eyes, love. I know many anyway, so I’m not sure how to answer that. I’ll check into it for ye, though.” His eyes crinkled a little at the sides while he chuckled silently. “Why don’t ye tell me a little more about yer friend, and then I’ll tell ye more about meself? How’s that sound?”
