Free Wild Irish Heart (The Mystic Cove Series Book 1) by Tricia O'Malley Page B

giggled.
    "Oh, your sister and brother? Yes, I suppose that was a shock if you didn't know," Shane said.
    "Jesus, does anyone not know everyone's business here?" Keelin wondered.
    "Small Irish towns. Long history. You'll get used to hearing the same stories over and over," Shane said with a shrug.
    "I suppose."
    "Say, Keelin." Shane leaned closer and put his hand on her leg. "I'd love to take you to dinner sometime if you'd be interested." He smiled and looked into her eyes. His meaning was clear. Her mind wasn't.
    "Um, sure, maybe. Well, as friends. I'm not really looking to date anyone at the moment." Keelin saw Cait throw her towel down on the bar and storm off. She looked up and saw Flynn glaring at her from the front booth.
    "Friends. Just as friends." Shane smiled. "I'd like that." He leaned over and pecked her on the cheek and Keelin blushed.
    "Time to go, Keelin." Fiona grabbed her hand and helped her up. She was softly singing to the music and entwined her arms with hers as she walked out. Stars pricked the sky and a breeze teased the ocean scent to her.
    "So you like that young Shane, do you?" Fiona asked as she started the car and drove from the harbor and towards the hills.
    "He seemed nice. But I think Cait's into him. He asked me out on a date. My mother would love him – a prosperous real estate owner."
    "Hmm, and will you go?"
    "No." Keelin sighed. "I learned long ago that if my mother would love him then I will hate him. It just doesn't work. Plus, I'd like to be friends with Cait and it seems like the waters are muddy there."
    "That's a good girl."
    Fiona pulled the car into the drive. They chattered about the local gossip on the way into the house. Fiona stopped and gave Keelin a hug in the kitchen. 
    "I'm so happy you are here. It's been lonely." She smiled and gave Keelin a scone, along with a pitcher of water for her room. "Sleep well, dear."
    Keelin wolfed down the scone and then cursed herself. So much for watching the calories. She poured a glass of water and walked to the window, looking out over the cove. It was hypnotizing in the moonlight. The sky spread over the water and the stars looked like someone had tossed a bag of diamonds onto a velvet rug. It was so hauntingly beautiful that she was compelled to go outside to see it more clearly.
    Keelin quietly eased the latch open and snuck out of the house. Not that she had to sneak out, she reminded herself. She was a twenty-eight-year-old woman and she could damn well go outside if she wanted to look at the stars.
    The sound of waves pulled her towards the cove. The sky was stunning and the moon's light sliced a path through the water. Until the cove. It stopped at the cove. Keelin was determined to see why this was and hurried her way across the hills until she reached the edge of the cove. The waters remained dark though the moon shone brightly above them. Keelin rushed down the path to the shore, slipping and sliding on the rough trail, the cider making her clumsier than usual. At the base of the path, she stumbled onto the beach.
    "I don't get it. How does this make sense?" She walked rapidly towards the cove, scanning the cliffs to see where the light of the moon ended. The beach was lit up, yet the water remained dark.
    "This just shouldn't be."
    She walked towards the edge of the water. Was there something in the water that prevented reflection? A type of reverse phosphorous fish that absorbed the light? She reached down at the water's edge to scoop up a handful of water and sand to check if the water held something unusual…perhaps a dark substance of sorts. A huge crash sounded and she was hit hard with a wave. The force of the water dragged her across the bottom of the sand and her leg sliced against coral. Keelin shrieked and closed her mouth against the onslaught of water and held her breath. She was tumbled across the sand of the beach and scrambled to catch her feet in the fierce undertow. Her long skirt wound between her legs and