| Was it a feather or a soft breeze? Moire still couldn�t decide. She lay in bed, the sun streaming through the lace curtains of her bedroom windows. Her fingers ran along her lips as she again relived the kiss from the night before. Was it a kiss? He had barely touched her lips but the charge through her body when they touched was no dream. Just thinking about it made her warm all over. She had no recollection of coming home and going to bed and she had only one glass of wine with their dinner. She stretched her arms over her head and a grin played across her face. She glanced at the clock realizing she only had an hour to get ready before she was expected at the hospital. She began humming and got out of bed and headed for the shower. Colin heard her as he passed her bedroom on his way downstairs. There were days he wished she were a child again, when he was her hero instead of the black knight. He had pushed her away though. After Fiona�s death, it hurt too much to even look at Moire, her likeness to Fiona so startling. If not for Kathleen, the child would have fended for herself for months as he wallowed in his grief. And then one day a young woman stood before him and more than ever she was the reincarnation of her mother, not only in looks but she had Fiona�s spirit and independence. Gone was the child who had hung on his every word to be replaced with a woman who had determined her own course in life. So with Fiona gone and Moire challenging him at every turn, he threw himself into his work even more than before. Colin often wondered if he would have pursued the business with such intensity if Fiona were still alive. She never stood in awe of Claddagh and all it encompassed. It was a farm and a house nothing more to her. For even with their position in the racing community on most days Fiona could be found barefoot in the yard planting bulbs or helping Louise with dinner or the dishes. He had given up arguing with her early on in their marriage. She exuded fragility, yet many nights she was able to render him weak as she gave of herself with such abandon. Moire would need someone strong to compliment her. Sean would never have been able to hold her down. She wasn�t suited to spending her days as the lady of the manor. She could hold her own with any of the debutantes, but Colin knew Moire preferred to working with the animals than sitting on some committee or spending hours shopping. His decision to thwart her teaching career may have been a mistake but he had his reasons. And she was making a fine contribution at the hospital. He was constantly hearing of her efforts. Now if he could only find her a husband but alas she didn�t seem interested in the lot he had put in her path over the years. And Colin had to admit they were no match for her. They were either too soft or too callous. He would have to try harder because it seemed that left to her own devices she could end up a spinster! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Moire glanced at the clock again. It seemed like the hands were stuck. She still had two hours and then what? As the morning progressed her eagerness had waned and she was now in a quandary about what she should do. Again she looked at the clock. �Moire,� Kathy intruded, �that�s the third time in so many minutes that you have checked the clock. What�s going on?� Moire placed the books on the shelf and sat on the stool. �It�s not like you to be so distracted. The children even noticed it and commented to me about it.� If the children could tell, she was worse than she imagined. �Kathy,� she looked at her friend and Kathy saw the serious look on her face. �Moire, what is it? Are you all right?� She pulled up another stool and sat down. �Talk to me.� �Have you ever been afraid to do something, but know that if you didn�t take the chance you could regret it for the rest of your life?� �Sure. My ex-husband was one. I should have listened to my inner voice on that one. But I jumped in with both feet and I�m lucky I�m here to talk about it.� They both let out a chuckle, but then Kathy could see her face change again. �So it�s a guy, huh?� Moire nodded. �Physically there is a strong connection but I�m not sure.� �So have a fling and if it doesn�t work out, no one loses.� Kathy grinned at her suggestion. �I don�t want a fling Kathy. The thing is I can�t stop thinking about him.� �So that should tell you something. Look Moire, you�re not a kid, you�ve seen what�s out there. So you know that finding a good man is a rarity. If you think he might be worth pursuing go for it.� �It�s not that easy. It could get complicated.� �I see. So what is it, an ex-wife?� Moire shook her head. �Domineering mother?� Again Moire indicated no. Then it dawned on Kathy. �Your father?� Moire closed her eyes. Kathy took her hands. �Moire, he hated that rocker you dated, but it didn�t stop you. So why all of a sudden do you want to play it safe?� ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ At the sound of the car engine Brian perked up but as Matt�s truck approached the corral a frown clouded his face. It was mid afternoon and his hopes of Moire showing up were beginning to fade. He knew her work at the hospital would take up her morning but Brian had set the table on the back porch for lunch in anticipation of her coming straight to the farm. However, he wound up eating alone. He continually watched the drive all afternoon expecting to see a trail of dust billowing out from behind her little red car. But now with the afternoon waning he had to admit he was doubtful. Maybe Moire was heeding the words she had used to try and persuade him to let this attraction between them die. He wondered also if his dream of early this morning was some kind of omen that he should back off and leave her alone. Once Moire left the evening before, there was no way Brian could even think about sleep. He had been very reluctant to let her go home. But logically he knew that he should not push the issue. So after their brief kiss under the pin oak he returned her to the car and watched as she drove from his sight. He sat on the porch for a long time letting the image of Moire in his arms play over and over. That one small kiss did nothing but increase his desire to taste her lips again and it was well after midnight before he dragged himself off to bed. But his sleep was fitful as Moire floated in and out of his dreams. Until finally she gave into him. They were on the sofa in the den and he was kissing her and Moire was more than accommodating. With each kiss Brian pushed a little further until she was pinned under him on the cushions. As his fingers slid under her shirt and brushed the lace fabric of her bra, Colin stormed into the house. He lunged across the room and pulled Brian off the sofa and flung him to the floor. Moire began to cry and her father hastily escorted her out of the house brandishing an oath at Brian that he would never be worthy of his daughter. Brian woke with a start, his body coated in a thin layer of perspiration. And now as his hopes dwindled he wondered if that dream wasn�t his common sense telling him to leave Moire Fitzgerald to the racing gentry. The stalls needed freshening and Brian headed off to the stables. There was no point in waiting any longer. She wasn�t coming. He took the pitchfork off the wall and started at the far end of the building. Disappointment and anger coursed through him as he spread the fresh, sweet straw on the floor of the stalls. He worked hard and the rage within him dissipated until he wiped the sweat from his brow, his job complete. Hanging up the pitchfork he headed up to the house. As he rounded the pin oak, he was taken back as his heart skipped a beat and his step quickened. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Moire sat in the car still not sure she had made the right decision. The whole afternoon she weighed the pros and cons of driving out here. And as again she felt her resolve melt, Moire went to turn the key in the ignition only to look up and see Brian walking towards her. It was too late to retreat now. His appearance was disheveled and his hair was wet as tiny ringlets curled around his face and collar. She had to admit his clothes, no matter what they were, never detracted from his good looks. �I had given up hope that you would come,� he said as he stepped closer to the car. �This was a mistake,� Moire countered as she turned the key. Brian reached in the car and covered her hand with his. �No it�s not. Get out of the car.� He took the keys from her and opened the car door holding out his hand. Moire shook her head but Brian took her hand and coaxed her from the car. �Brian, this is�� He put his fingers to her lips. �I know what you are going to say, and I�ve said it to myself a thousand times already. It�s just us right now, you and me. No one else exists. So come with me.� He took her hand again and started towards the house, but Moire held back. He tugged on her hand but she held her ground. He pulled again and again she fought back. �You are stubborn Moire Fitzgerald. Don�t make me carry you. I�m hungry and we�re going to have some dinner. Now come on!� Again he urged her and when he felt the strain he went to gather her in his arms when she yelled at him. �No! Wait!� Brian stopped and crossed his arms. �Okay, I�m listening.� �Do you know how many times I started out here today and stopped?� He didn�t respond. �Too many. But the funny thing is that as much as I rationalized why I shouldn�t I knew I would regret not coming.� �Is that it?� He sounded impatient. �I guess but there are no expectations right?� She bit her bottom lip and Brian felt an urge to go and take her in his arms right then. �Expectations?� She looked at him shyly. �No,� he answered simply, �just some dinner.� He held out his hand again and this time Moire took it. They walked around the house and entered the kitchen. For a man living alone in a large house, the place was immaculate. Moire had no idea how he could work with the live stock and keep the farm running and have the time to keep the house so neat. Brian went straight to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of wine. Uncorking it, he poured one glass and handed it to Moire. �Sip on this while I get cleaned up. I have some chicken and fresh corn on the cob to grill. I won�t be long.� He brushed his fingers along her cheek and she nodded and then he was gone. Moire didn�t move. It was like he had cast a spell on her and she was fixed to the spot. She wet her lips with the wine and set the glass on the counter. He had mentioned chicken and fresh corn. He didn�t say she couldn�t help. Twenty minutes later the chicken lay skinned and marinating while the corn had been shucked and cleaned. Moire found the fixings for a salad and was just garnishing it with some tomato when Brian walked into the room. �What�s all this?� Brian said as he walked up and took a piece of tomato and popped it in his mouth. Moire shrugged. �I thought I could help a bit.� �Oh, you did?� He turned her around. �You�re my guest.� He touched the tip of her nose with his finger. �No. I�ve been your guest too many times. I just wanted to do my part.� He gave her very little room to maneuver out of his way. He lifted her chin. �You don�t have to prove anything to me. You know that don�t you?� She dropped her gaze. �And from the looks of things I would say my doubts about your abilities in the kitchen are unfounded.� �Really? Now who is being the snob.� She slipped from him and taking her wineglass stood next to the table in the dining alcove. The sarcasm in her voice warned him to tread carefully. He put up his hands in surrender. �Okay, guilty. I don�t want to spar with you. Truce?� He held out his hand to her. Moire looked into his eyes and detected a glint of mischief as they twinkled back at her. She pursed her lips as a grin slowly spread across her face. She extended her hand to his and he took it and slowly brought her closer to him until their faces were only inches apart. �The last thing I want to do is fight with you Moire,� he said softly. He held her gaze in his and like before she was immobile and unaware of anything else but him. �There are many more pleasurable things we could do, but right now dinner is our goal.� He kissed her lips quickly. �I�ll be right back.� He walked out the back door and once again Moire found herself caught up in his charm. Brian channeled the conversation during dinner hitting on various topics and like before there was no mention of her father or his plans. And his seductive gestures and looks were supplanted with a more reserved manner. Moire held back at first but his natural ability to draw her out soon had her challenging him on books, music and finally horseflesh. �How is the colt?� Moire inquired. Their meal done and they were finishing the last of the wine. �Fine now. The first couple of days I thought there might be some problems but it was unfounded.� Moire nodded happy to hear that the horse was doing well. �Want to see him?� �I�d love to.� Brian stood and took their plates to the sink. Moire followed with the wine bottle and salad bowl. They cleaned up quickly, working together like they had been doing it for years. At one point Moire laughed as she closed the cabinet door. �Care to share?� Brian asked as he came towards her drying his hands. �Why do I feel so comfortable here?� She folded her towel and slipped it through the bar of the oven door. Brian placed his towel next to hers and touched her chin with his fingertips. �Maybe it�s because you�re meant to be here.� She shook her head at his comments and tried to move but he held her waist. He was doing it again. These subtle gestures just unnerved her. �I�ve thought the same thing. You suit the house, Moire. You fit in more than anyone else who has ever been here. When I came down from my shower and saw you at the counter, it seemed so natural to have you there. Don�t question why, Moire, I like having you here. Now, shall we go see the colt?� He held out his hand and she laced her fingers with his. It could be so easy, so very easy. By the end of the week they had spent four days together. Each day Moire arrived earlier and earlier. Brian let her help with small jobs around the farm and she spent quite a bit of time with the colt that had taken a liking to her. She observed Brian as he coached the Miller boy, teaching him the basics of riding and caring for a horse. And even though Matt and Jake were very wary of her presence, she showed them warmth and courtesy yet stayed out of their way while they worked each day. Her father was never mentioned and for a few hours each day Moire forgot about the division between their families. But as much as she enjoyed Brian�s company, she held a tight rein on her heart. Their mutual attraction was obvious and she could feel his eyes on her many times during their days together but it couldn�t move beyond that. No matter how comfortable they were together a romance just couldn�t work. ~*~*~*~*~ By midweek Colin noticed the change in Moire. She was still only civil to him and rarely spent any time in his presence but he would catch her humming or see a silly grin on her face. He was curious as to what could have caused this sudden change in her. Every morning she left for the hospital and returned well after dark. The first couple of days she was dressed as she had left in the morning but by the end of the week he noticed she was wearing jeans and boots and looked tired. She would mumble a goodnight and go straight to her room. No one had seen her at the stables or pastures and Colin called some of the other farms to ask if Moire was riding with any of her friends. They all replied the same; Moire hadn�t been by in weeks. He could only wonder where she was spending her days. Colin hadn�t made any more blatant attacks on the farms in weeks. There was still lingering talk about the death of the Wilson mare so he kept a low profile. The fall racing season would be starting in a few weeks and of course the gala at Keeneland the night before the first day of racing was always one of the big social events of the year. Everyone usually turned out just to get the latest news on the field for the season. Colin already had some inside information on the competition and was planning his strategy accordingly to give him an edge. If he couldn�t shut the small owners down with scare tactics, he would blot them out on the racetrack. He was bound and determined to control those acres and the death of one mare was not going to stop him. It took money to stay in this business and without a major win here and there and good stock sales; you could find yourself in trouble with your creditors. He heard the front door slam. Moire was home. Colin glanced at the clock. It was nearly eleven. She was late tonight. He went to the door to say goodnight but he was too late as she retreated behind her bedroom door. They couldn�t go on like this indefinitely. He had to find a way to win back her trust. He closed the door to his office. If Fiona were here she would know what to do. He poured some brandy and stared out the window. |