Cait waited anxiously for her coffee to brew. She'd barely slept the night before and when she had, her dreams had been filled with images of Shane with the blonde. Which was stupid, Cait thought. She didn't even know what their relationship was. It wasn't like he was bringing the blonde flowers. Or was he? Cait thought about it but just couldn't wrap her head around Shane going after two women. And yet… Trying to push her insecurities aside, Cait pulled out a coffee cup and thought about her trip to see the Donovans yesterday.

Cait was filled with a strange mixture of excitement over discovering how her gift could help others and nervousness about what this would mean for her future. If she continued to help others, would the word get out? Would there be people lining up at her door trying to use her as a lie detector in their business dealings? Cait could only imagine the nefarious ways that people would try to take advantage of her. Which was why she'd always hidden her gift, Cait thought.

She went back to thinking about Shane and the blonde dancing at the wedding.

"Sure and he can take every other woman in Ireland out on a date but me," Cait said grumpily. The scent of coffee teased her nose and she breathed a sigh of relief as the pot finished brewing. Pouring a cup, she took it with her to the shower. Since she was up so early, Cait wanted to stop by her mother's for a word.

Cait tried not to let her thoughts stray to Shane during her shower. It was hard not to as the bouquet of flowers was a constant reminder of him. She had placed them by her bed last night and foolishly smiled at the cheerful blossoms each time she looked at them. Cait rinsed her hair and tried to focus on other things. She was dangerously afraid that she was becoming besotted with Shane. Instead, she needed to think about how she would approach her mother.

Sarah Gallagher worked as a cashier at the local food market. She had never traveled out of Grace's Cove, had raised Cait by herself after Cait's father had left when Cait was just a baby, and feared anything that she didn't understand. Sarah's whole world was her job and her TV shows. Cait had always confused Sarah with her need to make something of herself and her business. Cait bit her lip as the old resentment crept in while she towel dried her hair. Until she settled down with a man and did "woman's work" her mother would never approve of her. Cait sniffed. It hurt her heart, just a bit, to know that Sarah and she would never have a friendship.

Cait wondered why her mother had never told her that she had her own special gifts. Did her mother just deny it or did she refuse to talk about it? Cait wondered how Sarah would react when Cait confronted her about it. Maybe, just maybe, this would be the link that finally drew them closer. It would be nice to find something to connect with her mother about.

Mulling over these thoughts, Cait slipped into her uniform of jeans and a stretchy tank top. Usually she flew out of her apartment with wet hair and little to no makeup. An image of Shane's beautiful blonde flashed through her head and with a groan, Cait walked back to her vanity and examined herself in the mirror. The deep purple of her tank was a flattering color for her eyes and skin tone. Cait picked up a pretty beaded necklace that Aislinn had made for her and slipped it over her neck, allowing it to drape over her chest and to dress up her casual outfit. She pumped some mousse into her hands and wound it through her tousled mop of curls, smoothing their wildness. Cait squinted and then with a sigh, added just a hint of eyeliner and some blush for a nice punch of color to her face. Slamming the eye pencil down, Cait decided that was enough, grabbed her messenger bag and left her tiny apartment.

Pounding down the stairs, Cait skidded to a stop to press a kiss to Mr. O'Leary's papery cheek as he gathered his mail by the door.

"You're a good girl, Cait." Mr. O'Leary smiled and waved her on.

Cait smiled and stepped out onto the street, breathing in the morning air that carried a hint of the sea with it. Though she yearned to travel more, Cait had never been one to take for granted the beauty of their tiny village tucked in the hills by the sea. She whistled as she passed the brightly colored buildings that made up the main street and were quintessentially Irish in design. Hodgepodge stores nestled next to the bank and the chemist, each building painted a different color, windows lined with lace curtains and ringed with boxes full of flowers. Cait waved a hand at the banker as she passed his window and turned up the hill to make her way to her mother's tiny apartment building. She knew that Tuesdays were Sarah's afternoon shift so Cait would be able to catch her mother for an early cup of tea.

Cait reached the small white stucco building that housed four miniscule apartments. Though she had a key, she pressed the buzzer to her mother's apartment. They didn't have the "drop in unannounced" type of relationship.

"Yes?"

"Ma, it's me."

The door clicked open and Cait took the smooth wood stairs two at a time before reaching her mother's apartment on the second floor. The door stood open and Cait stepped through into her childhood home, the scent of lemon polish and freshly baked bread enveloping her. A small dining-room table dominated the room. To the right, a low brown couch and recliner lined a wall with windows. A small television sat directly across from the recliner. Cait had spent most of her life sleeping on that lumpy couch. A morose kitchenette with a paned window over the sink completed the main room. A tiny hallway led to her mother's room and a bathroom. As usual, the apartment was immaculate and the television was blaring with the morning talk shows. Sarah stood at the stove with a teapot.

"Tea?"

"Sure, I'll have a cup," Cait said and moved to sit down at the table. It would be useless to help her mother, as Sarah never liked people to do things for her. Sarah brought Cait her tea with just a dash of milk and lemon, the way that Cait loved it. Cait's stomach did a little flip as she thought about how to approach the conversation she wanted to have.

"What brings you here today?" Sarah asked.

"Can't I just stop by to see you?" Cait asked.

"Well, yes, you certainly can, Cait. No need to be rude," Sarah said huffily and eased her thin frame into the chair across from Cait.

Cait studied her mother's face, so much like her own. Deep worry lines etched Sarah's forehead and her shoulders slumped forward, giving her a constantly defeated look. Cait wondered if Sarah had been different before Cait's father had left.

"I'm sorry, I didn't sleep well," Cait said and blew on her tea. Sarah didn't say anything and Cait gave her a small smile. It had always been like this between them. Forced conversations, awkward hugs, and a lot of underlying resentment.

"I…well, I wanted to talk to you about something kind of important," Cait began.

"Oh? Finally giving up on that foolish pub dream of yours?" Sarah asked as she calmly stirred her tea.

Cait felt her breath hitch and she closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her calm. Now was not the time to go over all of the reasons that the pub was the best thing for her. Cait had long since stopped defending her choices to her mother.

"No, actually the pub is doing great and I am making a profit, thanks for asking though," Cait said bitterly. "I have something else to talk about."

Sarah gestured with her mug for Cait to continue.

"Do you have any special abilities that you haven't told me about?"

Cait quickly dropped her shields and reached out to her mother's mind as Sarah carefully composed her face.

"I don't really understand what you mean. Are you looking to hire me or something?" Sarah said deliberately.

Cait shook her head and listened to her mother's mind. Getting what she needed, she put her shields back up and calmly met her mother's eyes.

"You're lying."

"I most certainly am not. What are you talking about? This is confusing, Cait. I don't have time for this, my show is on." Sarah shot a glance to the small television.

Thinking quickly, Cait pulled a Gerbera daisy from her purse that she had foolishly tucked into the outside pocket earlier today. She slid it across the table to her mother.

"Who gave this to me?"

An angry look crossed Sarah's face and she kept her hands on the teacup.

"I have no idea, I'm quite certain one of the foolish lads that sniff around you at the pub," Sarah said and lifted her chin at Cait.

"You could though…couldn't you? If you wanted? You'd be able to touch that flower and tell me who it was from," Cait said stubbornly.

"That's ridiculous."

"Is it?"

Cait met her mother's eyes and held them. She jumped as Sarah stood up and threw her teacup across the room, the cup shattering against the wall. Cait leapt out of her chair and turned between the broken remnants of the cup and her mother. Sarah's hands were trembling and her chest was heaving with emotion.

"Get out. Don't come back," Sarah said, her voice low with menace.

"What? Mother, you can't mean that!" Cait said, astounded at the response.

"This is the devil's work. I knew that you were tainted. As am I. I did something wrong…somewhere along the line. This is my cross to bear," Sarah said quietly. She walked to the kitchen to get a broom, muttering about God and the devil. Cait's body trembled with fear for her mother. It wasn't until now that she realized that her mom had moved past reclusive into crazy.

"Mom, these are gifts. Not the devil's work. You can use it to help others," Cait said gently. She moved towards her mom and Sarah held up the broom in front of her small body.

"Stay away from me, Cait Gallagher. I no longer acknowledge you as my daughter," Sarah said.

"Ma, stop. You are being way too dramatic. Can't we work through this?"

Sarah raised her eyes to meet Cait's. The older woman trembled with emotion and for a moment, her eyes looked through Cait.

"No, I don't suppose that we can. We've always been too different. I don't want what you want. I'm happy with the way my life is. You have delusions of grandeur with trying to be some fancy pub owner. And, if you think that a poor girl like you is going to fit into rich Shane MacAuliffe's life…you're dead wrong. Yes, I know that is who gave you the flower just as I know that he is far too rich for your blood. You'd be smart to settle down with a fisherman or a farmer, make babies, and stop trying to rock the boat. Now, get out."

Cait's heart cracked a bit and her eyes blurred with tears. She'd thought she was past the pain that her mother could inflict on her but it seemed that no matter what, she'd always want that approval. With a small nod, Cait turned her back to her mother and slammed the door, running blindly into the street.

She couldn't go to work like this, Cait thought and turning, she ran up the street, away from the town, away from it all.

A late-model sedan slowed by her side.

"You alright there, Cait?"

Shit, shit, shit…was all Cait could think. She would know Shane's voice anywhere. Refusing to look at the car, she continued to walk on the side of the road, hoping he would go away. She sighed as she heard the car stop and the door close.

"Cait, wait," Shane said from behind her.

Cait continued to pound her feet on the pavement and willed herself to stop crying. She stiffened as Shane grabbed her arm and forced her to stop. Cait swallowed and turning, she met his eyes. Instant concern flashed across his handsome face.

"Oh, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" Instantly, Shane ran his hands over her arms, down her waist and over her legs. "Where does it hurt?"

Cait froze as heat trailed down her body wherever his hands touched. A warm ripple of lust tugged low in her stomach.

"I'm not hurt. Just, it's nothing," Cait said.

Shane surprised her and pulled her close for a hug. Cait held her back ramrod straight and struggled to breathe.

"It's okay to lean on someone, you know," Shane whispered. Cait nodded against his hard chest and giving in a little, allowed herself to melt into his hug.

"There you are. Now tell me who I have to beat up," Shane said.

Cait hiccupped out a laugh and stepped back, wiping away her tears.

"Unless you are into beating up old women, I don't think that there is much that you can do," Cait said.

"Your mom again?" Shane asked. He'd watched more than his fair share of Cait and Sarah's battles throughout the years after Cait had opened the pub.

"Aye, though this one was a bad one. I don't suspect we will be seeing much of each other after this."

"No, but she's your mother!" Shane said.

"I know. I…I’m not sure if she is right in her head to be honest. She's always been reclusive but today she kicked me out and ended our relationship," Cait admitted.

Shane stared at her, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.

"Well, that's completely un-Irish," Shane said and teased a laugh from Cait.

"Isn't it just? Ah, well, we've never been your normal Irish family, as you know. I've got Fiona and my friends. I'll be fine." Cait shrugged her shoulders helplessly.

"And me," Shane said softly, his hands still on her shoulders.

Cait nodded softly and lost herself for a moment in his warm brown eyes. Shane glanced around quickly at the street. Finding it empty, he leaned over and brushed the softest of kisses across Cait's tear-stained lips. For some reason, this gentle gesture made tears well up in her eyes again.

"No, no, God, no, please don't cry more. Shit, that is the last thing a man wants is a woman to cry at his kiss," Shane said and awkwardly patted her arms.

A swell of laughter bubbled up through Cait and escaped in a choked gurgle. Too many emotions swarmed through her and, bending over at the waist, she laughed from her gut, unable to stop. Catching her breath, she stood to find Shane with his hands on his waist, a grumpy look on his face.

"Well, I'm glad to see that I was able to cheer you up," Shane said.

"Oh God, I'm sorry, it's just…too much," Cait gasped. Shane nodded and started to turn, hurt in his eyes.

Acting on impulse, Cait wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his face down to meet hers. She pressed her lips to his blindly and prayed that he wouldn't reject her. Shane's arms wrapped around her waist and drew her closer. Cait let out a small sigh and moaned slightly as Shane deepened the kiss, nibbling lightly at her lower lip. Heat shot straight through her core.

A cheerful horn honk startled them apart and Shane waved as a blue van drove past. Cait kept her face averted but she could feel the color creep up her cheeks.

"Well, now, this will be some gossip for the town," Shane said cheerfully. He stepped back and gestured to his car. "Need a ride?"

Unable to speak, Cait nodded. She had no idea where to take this from here.

"Off to open the pub?"

Again, Cait nodded. She stayed silent on the drive to the pub and nodded a few times at Shane's cheerful discussion of the weather and some local gossip. Pulling up to the pub, Cait turned to thank him quickly, meaning to slip hastily from the car.

"Oh no you don't," Shane said and grabbed the strap of her purse, pulling her close for a blistering kiss. Cait gasped into his mouth and closed her eyes with a soft moan. Her body trembled and her mind emptied of thoughts. She jerked as Shane broke the kiss. Cait raised her hands to her lips; they felt like they were on fire. Shane raised an eyebrow at her and gave her a cocky smile before reaching across her and opening the door for her. Cait had never seen this side of Shane before. Deep down, she thought that she kind of liked it.

"Have a nice day, Cait," Shane said quietly and Cait nodded, unable to speak, and ran for the safety of the pub. Her stomach churned and her face flamed as his long, low chuckle floated from the window of his car.