Current Impressions (26 page)

“It’s dinner, Kieran, nothing more. Relax.”
I wrapped my shawl around my shoulders and linked my arm through
his. “Shall we go?”

“In a minute,” he muttered. He took my hand
in his. We were mere inches apart. He held my gaze. “If I sense
anything out of place, even something minor, we’re leaving. If I
tell you we’re going, we go. No arguing. Do you understand?”

“Of course,” I said. “Aren’t you
overreacting?”

“I’d rather be safe.” He tucked my hand back
into the crook of his arm. “Let’s go.”

****

We arrived in the cool darkness of the cove.
The night sky was cloudy, which provided further coverage. Not that
anyone else was out.

“Do you think they’re going to wonder where
our car is?” I asked as I climbed the steps in front of Kieran.

“We’ll say your dad dropped us off,” Kieran
said smoothly. “He’s overprotective and wanted to see the
house.”

I laughed. “Not too far from the truth.”

“Exactly.” Kieran’s voice was soft in the
night. “The strongest lies are based in truth.”

I paused and looked back at him. “Sounds
like you have experience with that.”

He shrugged and motioned for me to continue.
“We don’t want to be late.”

The butterflies whirled in my stomach the
closer I got to the house. Why was I so nervous? Something about
this house didn’t feel right to me. Still, Evan was here, and I
loved him. I shouldn’t worry. What could happen?

I hadn’t realized that I stopped at the
front step until I heard Kieran right behind me. “Having second
thoughts? We could leave and go back.”

I straightened my shoulders and stepped onto
the porch. I heard him sigh. I rang the bell, and there was no
going back. Stonewall opened the door almost immediately.

“Good evening.”

Had he been waiting on the other side?

“Please come in,” he said. “The others are
waiting for you in the parlor.”

Stonewall took my shawl and disappeared down
the hall. Evan sat on the couch, a glass of wine in his hand. Ken
and Ted each held their own glass and sat in the chairs opposite
him. Ken stood when he saw us.

“Welcome, my friends. So glad you could make
it. Please, have a seat.” He motioned to the couch. Evan moved to
the far end. He hadn’t looked at me yet. He was watching Kieran
with undisguised hatred on his face. I didn’t expect them to get
along, but hate seemed unwarranted.

His eyes flickered my way. “You look
nice.”

“Thanks.” I took the seat next to him.
Kieran sat stiffly on my other side.

“Can I offer you a drink?” Ken held out the
bottle of wine for our inspection. It could be a grocery store
label or a high-end winery for as much as I knew, but Kieran seemed
impressed and nodded his consent. Ken turned his gaze to me.

“Sure,” I said. “Thank you.”

The wine sucked the moisture from my mouth.
I smacked my lips and wished I had a glass of water. Ken noticed
and laughed good-naturedly. “Not a fan of cabernet, are you?” He
poured a pale pink liquid in a fresh glass. “Try this one.”

I took a sip and smiled. The new wine was
light and citrusy. “It’s delicious. Thank you.”

We settled back with our drinks, and Ken
started the conversation. He told us about Evan’s internship. They
were studying a portion of the ocean floor off the coast of
Scotland. Ted jumped in with funny stories about their diving
excursions, like Evan’s first time using a scuba scooter. It made
me remember the scene Kieran and I encountered on our swim the
other day. I was about to say something when he spoke in my
mind.

Don’t tell them anything.

I shot him a questioning look, but he didn’t
meet my eyes. He was nodding politely at Ted as if he hadn’t spoken
to me at all.

Meara, stop looking at me. They’re going to
think something is going on.

Oh. Sorry
, I apologized.
Why don’t
you want me to say anything?

I don’t trust them.

I slid my hand over by Evan. We were sitting
close, but not touching. It wasn’t like him. He usually made the
first move and was quick to take my hand, touch my hair, or kiss
me. Tonight, he seemed distant. I placed my hand over his and
smiled at him. He smiled back, but it seemed forced. He patted my
hand with his free one, and then took them both away.

Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his
knees with his hands clasped between them. To anyone else, it must
have looked like he was engaged in the conversation. I knew it for
the rejection it was. Evan never dropped my hand like that. Again I
wondered if I had done something wrong. The absence of his touch
was like a slap. I stared at the back of his expensive suit and
wondered what he was thinking. Why did he invite me only to ignore
me?

“You’re living with your father,
correct?”

Evan turned to look at me, and I realized
Ken was talking to me.

“Um, yes,” I said. “I moved in with him this
summer.”

“And where in Scotland is that?” Ken
asked.

Be vague
, Kieran warned.

“Not too far from here,” I said. “About
twenty minutes away.” I didn’t elaborate if it was twenty minutes
by car, foot, or boat.

Ken smiled pleasantly. “And are you planning
to stay in Scotland?”

Why was Ken so interested in me? I glanced
quickly at Evan hoping for a clue, a smile of encouragement,
something. He didn’t look at me.

“I’m not sure,” I said. “I haven’t picked a
college yet.”

“No?” Professor Nolan spoke this time. “Most
universities start in just a few weeks.”

“I’m taking some time off,” I said.

“Her mother passed away last year,” Kieran
said. His voice was firm, but polite. He shot Evan a dirty look. A
wasted effort since Evan was staring straight ahead and didn’t see
it. “She needs a little time.”

“Of course,” Ted murmured. “My
sympathies.”

“Thank you,” I said. What was Evan’s
problem? He hadn’t said two words to me.

Are you okay?
I asked him through our
necklace link.

Fine.
His voice was short.
I think
we should only talk out loud, don’t you? It’s rude to talk this way
in front of others.

I heard the unasked question, “Can you
communicate this way with Kieran?” I felt no need to tell him that
Kieran and I could talk telepathically without jewelry, and
thankfully, Evan couldn’t hear us. That much I knew about the
necklaces. Ula had explained that it only worked when words were
directed at the other necklace wearer. This protected both parties
from sharing unwanted thoughts or words. In any case, Evan’s
attitude was really starting to get to me. If he wanted to break
up, I’d rather he just did it than string me along.

My apologies,
I said, sending plenty
of sarcasm with it. He got the message. His mouth twitched downward
at the corners. Other than that, he didn’t acknowledge me
again.

Ken and Kieran began discussing art. They
appeared to have common interests. Ken seemed pleased and offered
to take us on a tour of the house to see his other paintings. We
followed him out of the room. I was between the professor and
Kieran. Evan seemed content to bring up the rear. He didn’t try to
walk next to me.

What’s going on, Meara?
Kieran asked.
Evan’s being a jerk. Did you have a fight?

Not that I know of.
I blinked back
tears at Kieran’s concern. At least someone cared about me.
I
don’t know what’s wrong with him.

I’m getting a weird vibe,
he said.
I can’t put my finger on it. Remember, if I say we need to
leave, we’re leaving, okay?

I’m ready to go now,
I admitted.
I
don’t want to be here if Evan’s going to ignore me.

Hang in there.
Kieran sounded
sympathetic.
Just act like nothing’s wrong. Don’t let him know
he’s getting to you.

Every room was impressive. Beautiful works
of art by both unknown and famous artists. The famous ones Kieran
announced to me, but even I recognized the Birth of Venus by
Botticelli.

Is it the original?
I asked
Kieran.

Not possible,
he said.
It’s an
amazing replica
.

I studied the painting. “She’s beautiful,
isn’t she?” Ken’s voice came from directly behind me. I hadn’t
heard him walk over. “Some think Venus was the first mermaid.”

“The first?” I asked, turning to look into
his eyes.

His eyebrows rose. “Of course. You of all
people must know that mermaids exist.”

I felt Kieran’s presence in my mind, though
he didn’t say anything. I knew that he wondered, like me, where Ken
was going with this conversation. Dread weighted my stomach, but it
didn’t stop me from asking, “What do you mean?”

Ken held my gaze as if challenging me. I
raised my chin slightly, and I didn’t break eye contact. What was
he implying? What was he trying to get me to say?

He smiled pleasantly. “You’ve been dating
Evan for over a year. Surely, he’s told you many of the myths are
real. I know he’s a fan of ocean lore, sirens in particular.”

Ken winked at Evan. Confused, I watched
Evan’s face turn slightly red. He laughed awkwardly before asking,
“Isn’t it time for dinner, Ken?”

“You’re right, of course, my boy.” Ken
laughed and patted him on the back. “You’re right. Let’s all head
down to the dining room.”

That was strange,
Kieran said.

You’re telling me. Did you get the feeling
that he wanted me to say something else?

Yeah,
Kieran said.
I did. I don’t
like it.

“Are you two coming?” Ted asked. Ken and
Evan were already on their way downstairs, lost in a
conversation.

“Right behind you,” Kieran said. When Ted
turned and started down the stairs, Kieran rested his hand on the
small of my back, sending tingles up my spine.

“After you,” he murmured in my ear.

The dining room was at the back of the house
behind the living room. Two of the walls were floor-to-ceiling
windows. Although I couldn’t see the cove from this height, I knew
it was below us. During the day, this room would have a specular
view of the ocean.

Half of the long table was set with china
plates, crystal glasses, and gleaming candlesticks. The candlelight
reflected off the windows, making the room glow in an inviting way.
A large arrangement of white roses was the centerpiece. Their
sweet, floral fragrance filled the air.

Ken stood behind the chair at the head of
the table. He gestured for Evan to sit to his right. I sat next to
Evan, and Kieran sat across from me, next to Ted.

“We’re so thrilled you could join us
tonight,” Ken said as he sat down. “It isn’t often that we
entertain guests, and I do like to entertain.”

“Thank you for having us,” I said to be
polite. With Evan staring at his plate and not speaking to me, this
could prove to be one awkward dinner party.

As if on cue, Stonewall entered with a
female servant. Both carried trays with salad plates and dressing.
Strips of grayish meat and small, black eggs covered the bed of
lettuce.

Caviar,
Kieran said.
It’s good.
Try it.

I took a small bite and resisted the urge to
spit it in my napkin. It was salty and slimy. Quickly swallowing, I
washed it down with wine. I pushed the rest to the side of my
plate, along with the gray meat. I wasn’t even going to try
that.

Don’t like it?
I heard the laughter
in Kieran’s voice.
Maybe it’s an acquired taste.

Kieran was very good at conversing this way.
He gave no outward indication with his poker face. I struggled just
to keep from looking at him every time I heard his voice.

“What do you do for a living, Kieran?” Ken
asked. “Are you still in school?”

“I just graduated,” Kieran said smoothly.
“I’m looking for a job.”

“Your accent,” Ted said. “It’s not
Scottish.”

“It’s not,” Kieran agreed. “I’m from
California.”

“Aren’t you American, too, Meara?” Ted
asked.

“Yes,” I said. “I’m from Wisconsin, although
Mom and I moved to Nova Scotia last year.”

The words brought painful memories of the
last year. I missed Mom so much. I thought Evan might show me some
sympathy, but he was looking at Ken. The conversation lulled as the
second course was served.

Ken sat back. Stonewall removed his salad
plate and served a steaming bowl of soup. Leaning forward and
breathing in the steam, Ken smiled broadly. “Stonewall makes the
best seafood chowder. You’ll love it.”

I was used to chowder being white, but this
was a deep red. The broth was thick and spicy. I tasted shrimp,
scallops, lobster, and whitefish. It was delicious.

“How did you two meet?” Ken motioned to
Kieran and me with his free hand.

“Our fathers are friends,” Kieran said. “I’m
just visiting for the summer.”

“And, what does your father do, Meara?” Ken
asked.

“He’s a fisherman.” I said the first thing
that came to mind.

“Ah, yes. A popular trade in this area.”

Evan glanced between us, but didn’t say
anything. He went back to eating his stew. If Ken or Ted found his
behavior odd, they didn’t say anything. Ken did most of the
talking. He told us how his father had been a commercial fisherman
and built his trade to several fleets. Eventually, he owned most of
the marina in Aberdeen. Ken inherited it, but he preferred to let
others manage the docks.

“My love is science and art,” he said. “Some
may find that a contradiction. Not me.”

“Ken has financed several of my projects,”
Ted added. “He’s a wonderful benefactor.”

“I like to think of myself as a partner,
Ted,” Ken said warmly. “We’re in this together.”

They appeared to be good friends. Ted was
uncomfortable and shy. Ken was gregarious and direct. Maybe they
balanced each other out.