Cait woke early after another fitful night of sleep. Seeing as though she was feeling broody, she knew nothing could be better than some girl talk to kick her out of it. Since Keelin was out of town, Aislinn would be the next logical choice. Checking the time, Cait saw that she had at least an hour before Aislinn's shop opened.

Cait eyed her apartment. She lived a fairly minimalist lifestyle, so there wasn't much in the way of cleaning to occupy her. Picking up a stack of papers, she ran through her list of bills and inventory for the pub. Finding everything up to date, she sighed and eyed the kitchen. She rarely baked, except if she was in a mood. If she baked now, then she would be acknowledging that Shane had put her in a mood, Cait thought stubbornly. Then she thought about Aislinn's lovely homemade tea and knew that her scones would go perfectly with it. Sighing, she rose and walked to her pantry.

An hour later, Cait wiped her brow and stared down at her perfect cinnamon raisin scones. The scent made her mouth water and she was tempted to take a bite now. Instead, she tucked them in a small cloth-lined basket and went to change her clothes. Realizing that her mind was more at ease now, she smiled as she brushed a hint of the wedding makeup on and fluffed her short curls. Cait picked out a bright red tank to lighten her mood and threw on Aislinn's pretty beaded necklace. Checking her watch, she grabbed her basket and left her apartment, her mind already on things to do for the day.

The morning sunshine greeted her and Cait waved hello to a few people on the street. The crisp sea air stole up the road from the water and Cait drew in a big breath. She never tired of this view. She loved her small village fiercely and was determined to hold her own with her pub there for many years to come. Whistling a bit, she strolled down the hill, passing colorful shops and markets along the way. She smiled at the tourists lined up and waiting for their tickets to the harbor cruises. Tourism was good for their village, as were the free drink tickets she gave out to the passengers of the boat cruise. Reaching Aislinn's shop, Cait stopped to admire her most recent window display.

Instead of her usual lace doilies and charming watercolors, Aislinn had lined the window with edgy black-and-white photos of everyday Irish life. Cait had to hand it to her, Aislinn certainly had an eye for catching the heart of Ireland. Seeing a picture of Gallagher's pub with an old man leaning against the building with a pipe, Cait sighed. Of course she would have to buy that for the pub now. A soft tinkle of bells rang out as Cait pushed the door open.

Cait stopped mid-stride as she took in the scene before her. Aislinn was giggling and tucking her hair behind her ear while talking to a man that Cait had never seen before. Cait's mouth dropped open as cool and calm Aislinn all but preened for the gentleman she was speaking to. Aislinn didn't even glance towards the door, so Cait took her time and circled quietly, trying to get a look at the man discreetly. She moved to a stack of hand-painted postcards and peered around it to take in the new visitor that was making Aislinn all aflutter.

Tall, dark, and yum, was all Cait could think as she scanned the neatly dressed man. Brown hair cut close to his scalp accented light gray eyes tucked behind trim wire-framed glasses. Cait gave a soft sigh. There was just something about glasses on a good-looking man. Checking out the rest of the package, Cait determined that though he appeared fairly preppy and orderly, his body filled out his well-cut suit. She would place money that he had at least a six-pack under that prim button down shirt. With no qualms at all, Cait let down her shields and reached out to his mind.

A psychiatrist? Hmm, now wasn't that interesting, Cait thought. She watched as he spoke quietly to Aislinn about a black-and-white photo. Cait didn't have to read his mind to see his interest in Aislinn. Hoping that this could finally be the one for Aislinn, Cait made her way across the shop.

"Hello, there. You must be new in town," Cait said and held out her free hand to the man, who jumped slightly at her words.

"Ah, yes, that I am," the man said as he held out his hand automatically.

"Cait Gallagher, cousin to this beautiful lady," Cait said cheerfully.

"Baird Delaney," Baird said and turned to smile at Aislinn, frank male appreciation in his eyes.

Cait gulped as her mouth went dry. Whoa, boy, if she wasn't already hooked on Shane she would go for the delicious doctor herself.

"I'm Aislinn, nice to meet you," Aislinn said automatically.

"Well, yes, we met a few moments ago," Baird said teasingly and Aislinn blushed.

Cait's mouth dropped open. She couldn't remember ever having seen Aislinn blush before.

"Right, of course," Aislinn stammered.

Cait took pity on her.

"So, Baird, are you visiting from…?"

"I'm in from Galway, but actually, I plan to set up my practice here for a while. I just rented the office building down by the water with the apartment above it." Baird gestured towards the water.

"Ah, yes, a right fine building. Good landlord, as well," Cait said. That building was owned by Shane and Cait had always admired it.

"Yes, he's great. We are going to grab a beer at Gallagher's Pub this weekend." Baird smiled.

"Well, then, I certainly hope you enjoy the experience. Best pub in town," Cait said and smiled widely at Baird.

Aislinn elbowed her.

"It's her pub, so of course she'd say that," Aislinn said.

"Is it? How interesting. I had assumed that a man owned it. Now it is even more appealing," Baird said with an easy smile for Cait.

"That's right. I run a fine establishment. As does Aislinn. Isn't her work lovely?" Cait wanted to shift the conversation back to Aislinn as she could tell that Aislinn was getting jealous.

"It is. I was hoping to purchase a few of these prints for my new office," Baird said as he gestured to several of the prints that he had picked from the walls.

"Right fine choices you've made there," Cait said as she admired the pictures.

The conversation stalled for a moment. Cait cleared her throat.

"Um, I'll just be putting these scones back in the courtyard. Would you like to join us for tea, Dr. Delaney?" Cait said.

"Baird, please. Some other time; I need to get unpacked," Baird said.

"Ah, well then, I'll be seeing you this weekend for a pint then," Cait said with an easy smile and swung the basket jauntily from her elbow as she moved into Aislinn's small courtyard that was tucked behind her shop. Cait found herself humming as she set up plates on the long picnic table in the middle of the yard. Well, wasn't this interesting? It would be fun to watch Aislinn in a romance. She'd yet to see her cousin truly open her heart to anyone.

At home in Aislinn's space, Cait stepped into the kitchen to set water to heat before taking cups and napkins back to the table. Sitting down, Cait stretched her legs out and leaned back to let the sun warm her skin, knowing that Aislinn would bring the water and tea to meet her shortly.

"I'm dying." Aislinn's voice broke through Cait's relaxation. Cait smiled up at her cousin as she hurried to Cait with a teapot.

"Dying to jump him? Yummmm," Cait said with a laugh.

"I can't even…I've never been so flustered before," Aislinn said with real concern on her face. Cait sat up and studied her face.

"I thought that you liked him?" Cait said.

"I…I do. I’ve just never felt such a powerful attraction so quickly," Aislinn said as she poured tea into the cups.

"But, isn't that a good thing?"

"Not with a psychiatrist! Could you imagine? Me…constantly scatterbrained and lost in my art and him all precise and wanting to analyze things?" Aislinn visibly shuddered. "It would be hell."

"Come on now, you don't know that. He seemed nice," Cait said and scooped some fresh cream onto her plate before uncovering her scones and placing them on the plates.

Aislinn grabbed her scone and bit into it distractedly.

"I don't know, Cait. It was like…I couldn't even read him, I was so blinded by his aura. There was no objectivity at all." Aislinn gestured with her scone.

"Hmm, sounds hot," Cait said jokingly.

"It's not. It's scary. I don't know how to handle that type of feeling," Aislinn admitted worriedly.

"Have you ever been in love before?" Cait asked.

"No, not really. Passionate relationships? Yes. But never love, not really." Aislinn shrugged her shoulders and stared across the courtyard.

"I think that I might be," Cait whispered.

Aislinn perked up immediately.

"Shane? Yes!"

"Well, yes, who else?" Cait said.

"So, did you sleep with him yet?"

"What? No, not yet, at least. I think that he is dating someone else," Cait admitted and filled Aislinn in on what had happened yesterday. Aislinn fanned her face mockingly.

"Wow, that's some hot stuff, Cait. It doesn't sound like the blonde is in the picture; why don't you just read his mind?" Aislinn said.

"Well, that's my other problem. Fiona wants me to tell him about me," Cait said.

"Oh," Aislinn said quietly.

"See! I knew that you would get it. Fiona thinks it is no big deal and that he'll love me anyway. I think it's a really big deal," Cait said as she brandished her scone in front of her face.

"Well, sure. He might not want you knowing his every thought," Aislinn said.

"Exactly."

"Can you tell him that you put blocks up so you don't hear everything?" Aislinn knew how Fiona had trained Cait to survive with her ability years ago.

"Ha…right. He'll already be halfway out the door by then," Cait said bitterly.

"I don't know. I don't think so. Shane is pretty levelheaded. I think that he would hear you out," Aislinn said.

"I don't know what to do. I'm not used to being this torn up."

Aislinn reached out and squeezed her arm.

"I know, I can see it all over you. And, you didn't even tell me about your mom but I can read it a mile away. Bad?"

"Bad. We are done," Cait said softly.

"Well, good riddance to that crazy old bat," Aislinn said firmly, startling a laugh from Cait.

"Thanks, Aislinn. This is exactly what I needed. Now, promise you'll come to see me this weekend when Dr. Yum comes to visit," Cait said.

"Maybe. I don't know," Aislinn demurred. The tinkling of her front-door bells stopped her from saying more and she stood to go greet her new customer.

"Saved by the bell!" Cait yelled after her and stood to clear the table.