Wild Irish Roots (The Mystic Cove Series) (9 page)

"Thank God. I would hate to tell Shirley that her son was a jerk. Now, why are you here in the middle of the day? Shouldn't you be working on an application?" Margaret said. She was referring to Keelin's internship applications. Keelin had been working for the Boston Aquarium for the past few years and had wanted to branch out for a while. Her secret dream was to finish her master's degree in marine biology and to work on a research-and-dive team. She hoped to get aboard a research vessel as an intern over the summer.

Keelin decided to go for impact. She reached into her satchel and withdrew her scarf-wrapped bundle.

"Keelin, when will you get rid of that ugly scarf? It is so Irish," Margaret said, her disdain evident.

Silently, Keelin unwrapped the bundle and placed the book on the table, watching her mother closely. Margaret's eyes widened slightly and then returned to normal.

"Why, whatever is this old book? Is this for school?" Margaret asked. Keelin noticed that her normally cool mother's cheeks were flushed and her hand played a
tap-tap-tap
rhythm on the Eastlake side table.

"Mom. You know what this is. I need answers," Keelin said.

"I have no idea what you mean. It is an old book. Lovely, actually. I see books like this in the antique shops. You should place it on display," Margaret said. She refused to meet Keelin's eyes and glanced quickly at her watch.

"Darling, I am so sorry, but I have to meet Mrs. Thatcher for tea. We are going over plans for the book club's charity fundraiser. I mustn't be late," Margaret said as she stood.

"I don't think so. Sit down," Keelin said.

"Keelin. What is wrong with you? Do not speak to me like that." Margaret stood her ground. You could take the Irish out of Ireland, Keelin mused.

"This is your mother's book. My grandmother. I can feel it. I know it. This arrived today. Does this mean she is dead? Do you even talk to her anymore?" The questions tumbled out. Keelin didn't mean to sound accusatory but the old bitterness welled up in her throat. She'd always hated how Margaret had isolated her from learning about her Irish roots.

Sighing, Margaret walked to the wet bar and poured herself a whiskey, neat. Shocked, Keelin watched as her mild-mannered mother downed it in one gulp.

"I knew that this time would arrive," Margaret said. Her shoulders were tense and she stayed focused on the wet bar.

"Um, yeah. No kidding. The letter said, 'it is time,'" Keelin said. "Care to elaborate?"

"This is the reason that I left your father, the town, and have never returned to Ireland." Margaret's back was still turned. "I had hoped this day would never come."

Wild Irish Eyes is available now on Amazon, iTunes, Nook & Kobo!

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O
n a warm, sunny day last September, my husband and I hiked up The Saint's Path located on Mt. Brandon in Dingle, Ireland. The Stations of the Cross lined the path and led to the highest point of the peninsula. At the top, the winds were fierce and the view almost heartbreaking in its staunch beauty.

Days later, I awoke to the bells of the Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin, in a lovely hotel room. A dream tugged at my mind. So powerful, so insistent, that for the first time in my life, I was compelled to write my dream down, worried that I would lose the threads of the story that had captivated me in my sleep.

Over the last few days of our trip, I babbled incessantly to my ever-patient husband as he politely listened to me play with characters and plot.

Soon, my dream had expanded from one book into a five book series.

Sometimes, you just have to follow that moment. That brief hint of inspiration that lights you up inside. That...something...that keeps niggling at your brain. The Mystic Cove books are those stories. The ones that I think about when I'm doing yoga or in the yard playing with my dogs. The ones that make me ache to return to the shores of Dingle and spend many a day soaking up the beauty and charm that the small village has to offer.

Thank you for taking part in my world, I hope that you enjoy it.

As always, you can reach me at [email protected] or feel free to visit my website at triciaomalley.com.

You can sign up for information on new releases here: http://eepurl.com/1LAiz.

F
irst, and foremost, I would like to thank my husband for his unending support as I pursue this wildly creative career of being an author. It isn't easy to watch someone follow the creative path, and uncertainties are rampant. Josh, thanks for being my rock.

I'd like to thank my family and friends for their constant support and all of my beta readers for their excellent feedback.

Thanks to Emily Nemchick for her excellent editing services and to Alchemy Book Covers for their stunning cover designs.

And last, but never least, my two constant companions as I struggle through words on my computer each day - Briggs and Blue.