County Carlow was the birthplace of Coleman Kavanagh. It was filled with churches, libraries, museums, gardens and farms. It was home to Ballymoon Castle, Carlow Castle, and the Blackstairs.
He rushed her through the airport in Dublin, his hand around her tiny waist. They didn’t even wait for their luggage. Coleman was texting on his cell phone and walking toward a lot full of cars. A man jumped out of the driver’s seat.
“Cole!” A tall lanky fellow with ginger hair reached a hand out to Coleman.
“This is my brother, Declan.”
Lili extended a hand to shake his, but Declan scooped her into a tight hug. “Hop in Lili,” he opened the car door for her, “we’ve got to meet up with Finn.”
Lili slid into the backseat of the Nissan Qashqai. “What’s a Finn?” She asked Coleman as he slid in beside her.
“My other brother.” he reached for her hand and held it.
“Declan doesn’t look a thing like you,” Lili whispered.
“Aye, not much hope Finn will either,” Declan laughed from the driver’s seat.
One quick jerk of the car and they were in front of baggage claim. Lili watched another tall lanky fellow with ginger hair push a baggage cart right up to the car. Lili could feel every piece of luggage being loaded. The car sank and popped back up. He slammed the trunk and banged his hand on top of the car. Declan hit the gas and took off, leaving Finnegan behind.
Lili looked out the window. “Twin brothers, that’s right.”
She looked at Coleman whose eyes were already locked on her. He wouldn’t blame Lili if she wanted to be a recluse. The rush of information was overwhelming for a Gifted. Crowds were unbearable, silence was imperative, and Lili understood very little why she was this way. Yet, Lili risked the comfort of the brownstone and her friends, and trusted that Coleman Kavanagh was taking her someplace to be nurtured in the Gifts.
Lili stepped out of the car. Once her feet hit the ground, she felt a firm hold rise up from the earth and into her feet and legs. Vast layers with different shades of green surrounded the small farm that Lili stood securely on. This was where Coleman grew up.
His parents came outside to greet them. Anne Kavanagh was tall and thin, with a long face. Patrick Kavanagh had a pile of white hair that couldn’t be controlled with a comb if he tried. It was longer than a man of his age would typically wear, yet it suited him. He was shorter than his wife and not as thin. He wore a woolen vest and a plaid sports coat with a pair of jeans.
The Kavanagh’s lived in a modest stone house on a few hundred or so acres of green pasture. Sheep grazed in one corner with a good portion of the land harrowed and plowed in neat rows. it was filled with green plants. Two shepherd collies playfully jumped around Lili, bidding for her attention, which she willingly gave. Coleman carried Lili’s luggage to the guest room that Anne had thoughtfully prepared for her. A twin bed with a beautiful wrought iron headboard was pushed against the wall in the tiny room. A fireplace sat perfectly between two windows overlooking the grazing sheep. A small writing desk and a large armoire filled the other corners of the room. Coleman watched Lili’s face light up, as she sat on the handmade quilt that covered her bed. Lili felt as though she had been catapulted into a different time. Suddenly, her face sank. It was obvious that Coleman would not be sleeping with Lili.
“It’s not that my parents are old fashioned, luv. You’re going to need your own space and a lot of rest. You can hide away up here anytime. However…”
“Cole,” Lili shook off her disappointment, “it’s lovely. I’ll be fine.” She smiled his favorite gleaming smile, the one that lit up the room and his heart. “I will miss being with you, that’s all.”
“Ah…” he sat down next to her and took her hand. “You’ll forgive me if I take some pleasure in that,” he kissed her hand. “However, Lil, you will be sleeping every night with me in the bedroom down the hall. This place is for you to get away, burn your sage, talk to the angels…
“You know me so well.”
“Lil, I would not have brought you here, to Ireland, unless I knew…” his voice cracked, blocking the desperation in his tone. “I want you to know that there is nothing you will ever see, hear, or feel that you have to hide from me. You can always talk to me about anything. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I didn’t believe that you trusted me with all that is you.”
“I don’t want to be intrusive, but there is a female spirit around you all the time. I saw her for the first time at the brownstone, but since we have landed in Ireland her essence has become much stronger.”
“Aye, that would be my mother,” Coleman said. “I sense her too, actually.”
“Your mother? I thought Anne was your mother.”
“I’m sorry, Lil,” he wrapped his arms around her, “I should have mentioned that sooner. Anne is my stepmother. My mother, Kiera died after Liam was born. Anne came here when I was just two years old to help my father. He hired her to be our nanny.”
Later that afternoon they all had tea. Anne showed Lili her kitchen and the greenhouse that was connected to it. Hints of basil, anisette, and thyme filled the air of the greenhouse. Anne explained she made a proper Irish breakfast for Paddy and all the farm workers every morning during harvest.
The following morning even the wonderful smell of coffee and sausages didn’t get Lili out of bed right away. Lili followed the sounds of laughter to the kitchen. She was shocked to hear the loudest laugh was coming from Coleman. His brothers, Declan and Finnegan were telling him stories.
Lili entered wearing a pair of jeans and an NYFD sweatshirt, her eyes barely open, her hair half pinned up. Coleman jumped out of his chair to greet her with a kiss. Anne poured her a cup of coffee.
“Sleep well?”
“Like a rock,” Lili rubbed her eyes.
“You look a wee bit strung out,” Declan said.
“Lili has a good excuse. What’s yours?” Anne put her hand on her hip.
“I think you’ve just been insulted,” Finn said.
“Lili,” Finn stood and held his hand out, “I didn’t formally introduce myself yesterday. I’m Finn, the better looking and better behaved of my twin brother here.”
Lili glanced at Coleman. “You do realize you look exactly like your brother, though, right?” she sipped her coffee.
“We do have one distinguishing feature,” Finn said.
“Yea, I’ll show you,” Declan stood up and began to unbuckle his belt.
“You’ll do no such thing!” Anne yelled. She smacked his backside with the wooden spoon she was holding. Coleman burst out laughing, again.
“Ouch, Ma! Easy woman…I was just jokin’.”
Lili was happy the birthmark would remain a mystery.
“Settle down boys,” Paddy said, as he took a seat at the head of the table.
“So, Lili, has Cole taken you to the museum yet?” Declan asked.
“We just got here yesterday. Could you give me some time?” Coleman gave a cross look.
“No library then, either, I guess,” Finnegan said.
“Wow, museums, libraries…I’m looking forward to it.”
“Yeah? Well, when ya finally reach the brink of your sanity and are looking for some real craic, Finn and I will take ya to the pubs.”
“You’ll do no such thing!” Annie smacked him with her wooden spoon, again.
“Jaysus, Ma!”
“Paddy…” Annie looked at him for support.
“Stay out of the pubs, son. That’s no place for a respectable Irishman.”
Declan laughed. “That’s the only place for a respectable Irishman!”
“Not the way you drink, son. Ease up before trouble catches you.”
“So, Lili, you’re a gifted,” Finnegan leaned in. “Can you read my mind?”
Lili smiled.
“Aw, come on, don’t be shy. What am I thinkin’ right now?”
“Nobody wants to know that, especially Lil,” Coleman said.
“Oh, come on, Ma’s a gifted, too. Don’t be shy,” Declan said.
“I would have liked to share that information myself,” Anne said. She turned back toward the sink to resume washing the dishes. Declan rose from his chair and wrapped his arms around his mother’s waist and kissed her cheek, repeatedly.
“Ya can’t be mad at me forever, Ma. I’m the best lookin’ son you got.”
“You most certainly are not,” she said firmly.
“He does realize he’s a twin, right?” Lili whispered to Coleman.
“Ma, I promise to stay out of the pubs. Now, don’t be mad at me,” Declan pleaded.
“You worry me, Declan. I’ve seen a lot in my lifetime. Drinkin’ leads to no good. You’ll never find a wife at the rate you’re at.”
“Do I want a wife? I thought I was playing the field.”
“Ha!” Lili burst out a laugh and ended it as quickly as the sound left her mouth. Everyone stared at her. “I’m sorry,” she cleared her throat.
“Listen luv, there is never any reason to be sorry with this lot,” Coleman pointed at his twin brothers.
“Hey, I’ve done nothin’ wrong,” Finnegan defended himself.
“Yeah, today.” Coleman raised a brow.
Declan pulled a chair close to Lili and stared dead into her eyes. “Go ahead, then. Whatcha got?”
“Nothing,” Lili deflected.
“He’s given his permission, Lili,” Anne said. “Go on, then.”
“Are you sure, Declan? In front of everyone?”
“That bad?”
“It’s not bad. It just feels…private.”
Anne tapped her husband’s shoulder and the two left the kitchen.
“Go on,” Declan said.
Lili sighed. “She’s beautiful, Declan.” Lili shook her head, “but you’re going about it all wrong.”
“What does she look like?”
“Dark hair, mid length. She carries a leather bag over her shoulder,” Lili paused, “with a camera inside of it.” Lili rubbed her eyes and yawned, “Attraction isn’t going to be enough. You’re depending on it. That’s your mistake,” Lili shook her head. “I mean that’s where you’re messing it all up.” Lili paused again and asked Declan a serious question that made Coleman laugh. “You really do think you’re that good looking, don’t you?”
Declan shrugged as if she stated the obvious. “Well, I mean, come on,” Declan ran his hand through his thick red hair.
“For her it’s all about trust, dependability. For some reason…she needs you to prove her wrong.” Lili opened her eyes, “What does that mean?”
Declan looked down.
“Why would you sabotage this relationship?”
“She’s the coolest girl I know,” Declan mumbled.
“So what’s the problem?” Lili asked confused.
Declan leaned back in his chair; his heart slammed against his chest. Disappointment, bitterness even anger, Lili read it all. “She’s an Atwood,” he said.
Lili could see Coleman’s jaw clench, his body followed, edging in his seat just before his shoulders sank. This was obviously not good news.
“I’m sorry,” Coleman said, sympathetically. “You’ll have to get over her.”
“Easy for you to say,” Declan mumbled.
“There’s been nothing easy about it,” Coleman responded.
Declan didn’t look happy. “What if it was Lili? Aye, what then? What if Lili was an Atwood?” Declan asked.
Coleman sat up straight. His eyes softened around the edges. “Are you telling me she’s the one?” he asked.
Declan didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t taken the time to think through his feelings. His breathing increased. “What’d be the point if she was? You saw to that now, didn’t ya?”
“You think long and hard about what you’re doing. Mr. Atwood is not a tolerable man.”
Lili knew the roots of this mystery ran deep. Coleman sounded unapologetic, and for some reason she thought he should be. Or at least Declan thought he should be. It was complicated for her to sort out. The information she was getting was sketchy and confusing, with bits and pieces of emotions that ranged from desperate love to pure hate.
“Well then,” Lili stood up, “this has been…enlightening…and exhausting,” she took a last sip of coffee. “I’m going back to bed.”
“Nice to meet ya!” Finnegan yelled as she walked out of the kitchen. Lili could hear Coleman continuing his conversation with his brothers.