The Art of Love

by Celya Bowers

Still Peri said nothing. She was probably just as curious about his family as they were about her. “The trip is on me, of course. We will stay in town. I mean Dublin. My parents’ cottage is small. Funny, growing up, it never seemed small. But when I was home, it was small, especially with all us kids, and their kids, running around. You will need to get your passport pretty quickly.” Brendan watched her face to judge her reaction. Nothing.

  “I already have one,” Peri said in a quiet voice. She didn’t face him.

  “That’s great, honey!” He leaned down to kiss her.

  She avoided his lips. “That doesn’t mean I’m going! I really need to think about this, Brendan. I will have to see if I can get off. When exactly are you thinking of going?”

  Brendan smiled, and kissed her. She was on the verge of saying yes, but he needed to play it cool. “The week after Thanksgiving. Peri, just think about it, okay?”

  Peri lay there for a moment. “I will.”

  He rolled off Peri and turned out the light. He snuggled up next to her and kissed her on the neck. “When did you go out of the country?” His hand somehow found hers under the covers. He squeezed it tight.

  “I haven’t. I always wanted a passport. When Robert finally left courtesy of Tarrant County, it was one of the first things I did. He thought I was crazy for wanting to get one, one of his more stupid ideas. Why did I ever think he had any brains at all?”

  * * *

  Peri didn’t sleep much that night. Brendan, however, had no problem sleeping. He was snoring softly in her ear. Peri thought about the trip and all its implications. What would she tell her family? Her boss? Kyla? For every argument she had for not going, she thought of Brendan, and she knew she would go. She turned over to tell Brendan of her decision, but he was sleeping deeply. She laughed to herself and decided to wait until morning.

  She didn’t tell him the next morning, either. He was gone by the time she woke. He had to leave early to pick up Chelsey; they were spending the day together. Peri decided to break the news to her parents first. She drove to her childhood home and found her mother in the kitchen. Sonia greeted her daughter with a smile. “Hello, dear, what brings you by on this bright Saturday morning?”

  Peri kissed her mother on the cheek. “I can’t come see my parents?” Peri teased. She sat at the kitchen table. “I need to run something by you.”

  “Oh, this sounds juicy.” Her mother sat at the kitchen table. “What is it, dear? That evil man isn’t out already, is he? Your father said he’d heard something about a new release program and hoped it didn’t include him.”

  “Unfortunately, it did, but that isn’t what I came to talk to you about.”

  Her mother gazed at her for a long time. “Okay, where is my daughter? The Peri I know would be cowering in a corner ’cause they let that fool out of jail.”

  That was pre-Brendan. “I’m not a victim anymore, Mom. I will deal with Robert when the time comes. What I need to discuss is that I’ve been dating Brendan about six months and he wants me to go to Ireland with him and his daughter to meet his parents and I’m thinking about going.”

  Her mother was silent. “I don’t understand why you’re here, Peri. You’re a grown woman and can make your own decisions.”

  “Mom, I’m also the same woman who let Robert run her life for five years because I thought he was my last chance at happiness.”

  “I understand, Peri. Since you’ve been dating this man, I have noticed the differences in you emotionally. He’s given you confidence. Would it matter if I said not to go?”

  Peri shook her head. “No. While I would consider your argument, I don’t think it would deter me from going.”

  Her mother smiled at her. “Well, you have your answer. I would like to meet this man and his daughter before you leave. How about tomorrow?”

  Peri had opened this jar of embarrassment and now there was no way out of letting her family meet Brendan. “I’ll check with him and let you know. Don’t get your hopes up, it may be next Sunday instead.”

  Her mother nodded. “Either is fine. Ask him today, so we can make a menu.” She patted Peri’s hand. “Don’t worry, dear. The very fact that you came here and discussed this with me shows you’re thinking in the right direction. You never discussed Robert with us at all.” She rose from her seat and began making her father’s lunch.

  Peri would never understand her mother. The one time she thought her mother would rip her a new one for thinking about leaving the country with a man she barely knew, she flipped the script. Peri rose from her seat and kissed her mother on the cheek. “You’re the best.”

  She left her parents’ house to meet Kyla for lunch. She couldn’t wait to see Kyla’s face when she told her about the trip. Kyla would be totally surprised and demand they go shopping immediately. Peri was never more wrong in her life.

  “I don’t think you should go,” Kyla said simply. She avoided Peri’s eyes.

  “Explain, please.” Peri was shattered.

  Kyla looked at Peri across the table at Omar’s and explained. “Peri, you have been dating Brendan a grand total of six months. Now you’re ready to go to a foreign land where there aren’t a whole lot of black people. What happens if you get hurt or something?” Kyla pointed out.

  “I thought you wanted me to date him.”

  “Peri, I can see Brendan has made you happy and you’re more confident. But now you are talking about going halfway across the world with this white man and his daughter.”

  “He wants me to meet his family,” Peri said quietly.

  “Do they even know you’re black?” Kyla asked defiantly.

  Peri didn’t like her inference. “Yes, they know. Why are you being like this? I have always supported you in all your decisions.” Peri suddenly couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.

  “I just want you to be happy, that’s all. I don’t want to see you like you were after Robert. When we met at the gym over two years ago, you were a mouse of a woman afraid of your own shadow,” she reminded Peri.

  Peri had a surge of independence. “Well, it’s my decision and I’m going. I hope one day you will understand how important Brendan is to me.” Peri gathered her dignity and left. She didn’t want Kyla to see her totally break down. She would wait until she got to the privacy of her own condo for that.

  The one person Peri thought would always be in her corner was Kyla. Kyla was the reason she was with Brendan now. Perhaps she was making a huge mistake, and just hadn’t realized it. Perhaps tomorrow things would look better, she thought as she took a bubble bath and drank a glass of wine.

  As she got in bed, she glanced at her bedside phone. She and Kyla always talked every night before going to bed. This was their first real fight in two years. Tears started all over again. The phone did ring, but it was Brendan. The tears came a little faster and harder as she recounted the story to Brendan.

  “I will be over straight away,” Brendan said.

  “That’s really not necessary,” Peri said to the quiet hum of a dial tone.

  Later that night, Brendan held her and did his best to reassure her that she made the right decision. “I want you to be sure you want to go. Not because of what we have, do it for you.”

  His comforting words made her cry all over again. “I want to go. I want to meet your family. I also want to see if all those shows I watch on BBC America are truthful.” She could laugh about the disaster with him.

  Brendan stroked her skin lightly. “My mum said you sound wonderful.”

  Peri knew she was doing the right thing; hopefully Kyla would accept it in time. She would just have to wait and see.

  * * *

  Peri was awakened Sunday morning by voices coming from the kitchen. She knew Brendan was over and might be making one of his enormous breakfasts. Who was he talking to? She hurriedly got up, grabbed her robe and headed into the kitchen. Brendan, dressed in his best Armani suit, leaned against the counter, talking to Kyla! Grinning, he spied Peri at the do
or and winked at her, making Peri’s heart go pitter-patter. He strode over to Peri, greeting her with a kiss. He looked deep into her eyes. Silently, he asked if she wanted him to stay. He had a board meeting in Dallas.

  Peri shook her head. “You’re going to be late.” Looking up into those blue eyes, she knew she would be just fine.

  Brendan kissed her again and hugged her tight. “I will call you later. I will try to leave early. I love you.” He walked out of the kitchen and soon Peri heard the front door open and close.

  Kyla was seated at Peri’s kitchen table with her back to Peri. The silence was deafening.

  “I’m sorry about yesterday,” Kyla finally said in a small voice.

  Peri couldn’t believe it. “Really?”

  Kyla shrugged her slender shoulders. “Yes, I guess I was being selfish and maybe a little jealous.”

  Peri sat down in front of Kyla. To her surprise, tears streamed down Kyla’s face! “I-I don’t understand, Kyla. You just stated your opinion yesterday.”

  Kyla took a deep breath and smiled through her tears. “You’re not going to make this easy, are you? I’ll try to explain. When we first met Brendan, I thought great, Peri has someone to share her art interest with, and I would be off the hook for a while. I never dreamed you guys would date, let alone start a relationship. I figured a few months and he would be gone. I thought the color issue would be too much for him to handle, and it would be us again. Then he started showing signs of loving you, and I got jealous. I guess the Ireland thing just compounded my fears. You’re my friend, Peri. I only want your happiness, even if it’s in Ireland.”

  Now Peri had tears in her eyes too. “Are you saying you think I should go with Brendan and Chelsey to Ireland?” Peri smiled through her tears.

  Kyla shrugged her shoulders again. “Does it matter what I think?”

  “I listened to you yesterday, didn’t I?”

  “I think you should go. I also told Brendan I needed phone numbers and addresses before you can even step on that plane. So yes, I think you should go to Ireland. You can show the Irish what a real American looks like.” Kyla attempted to dry her face.

  Peri picked up Kyla’s hand and held it. “Thank you, Kyla. This means a lot to me.”

  “I’m sorry I was such a brat yesterday. Peri, you deserve some happiness, too. How much is this trip going to set you back? I hear it’s cheaper to go out of the country than it is to go from coast to coast.”

  Peri looked at Kyla, watching her reaction. “Brendan is paying for it.”

  She got the look she was looking for. Kyla’s mouth hung open in shock. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No, he’s even booking a hotel suite in Dublin. He’ll share a room with Chelsey and I’ll have the adjoining room.”

  “Why not at his parents?”

  “He said his parents’ cottage is small, and with Chelsey along he wants to do some sightseeing.”

  “Sounds like you guys have passed a huge milestone, since he’s footing the bill for the trip,” Kyla noted to her friend.

  “He paid for my rollerblades as well,” Peri added for no apparent reason.

  Kyla was a little shocked at that. “I did wonder why you bought the top-of-the-line skates when you were just learning. Do you and Chelsey get along? Does she mind that her daddy is dating?”

  Peri smiled, she knew exactly what Kyla really meant. Does Chelsey mind that her daddy is dating a black woman? “We get along well, I suppose, since I’m not really used to children. I have been skating with her and she’s good. She even invited me to one of her piano recitals. I didn’t go, of course, but it was nice to be asked.”

  “Yes, that was nice of her.” Kyla looked at Peri’s new toned and buffed body and smiled approvingly. “Oh, I meant to tell you, your bod looks great. Brendan will have to guard you while you guys are in Ireland.”

  “Thanks. I went past my goal weight and didn’t even realize until the other night. I finally have six-pack abs. I’m so happy thanks to you.” Peri patted her flat stomach with pride.

  “I think a certain Irish man, about forty, six feet, two inches, had a little something to do with it.”

  Peri shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, but she knew Kyla was right.

  Peri and Kyla talked all day Sunday. They both decided to take Monday off in celebration of Peri’s newfound independence, and went shopping to find Peri a coat for Ireland. Brendan told her it would be colder in Ireland than she was used to, since Texas never had a real winter. After a few attempts, she and Kyla found one that suited both her and her price range.

  “How did your family take the news?” Kyla asked curiously.

  Peri snapped her fingers. Her mother was going to kill her. “My mom said it was my decision. She wants to meet him and Chelsey, and I totally forgot to tell him yesterday. Guess it will have to be next Sunday.”

  Kyla laughed. “Oh, I’d love to be there to see that. Elijah is probably ready to do a background check already. Call Brendan now.”

  Peri reached inside her purse for her phone. She punched in his number and glanced around the mall. She had that feeling again. Someone was watching her, and this time she did see him. He looked thinner than he did two years ago in court, but his dark eyes were exactly the same. But this time she was not afraid of him. She listened as Brendan answered the phone.

  “Hey, you,” he said.

  Something about that accent made any problem pale in comparison. “Hey, Brendan. I forgot to mention this earlier, but my family wants to meet you and Chelsey before we go to Ireland. Are you guys free Sunday?”

  “Sounds grand,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to meet them. What time?”

  That hadn’t boded well with Peri. She was fearing a clash of the titans with Brendan and his stubborn Irish personality and her nosy family. “I don’t know, I’ll talk to Mom and let you know.”

  “Okay,” he said. “Talk to you soon.”

  “I love you,” Peri said. She hadn’t meant to blurt it out in the middle of the mall, but it needed to be said.

  “I love you more.” He ended the call.

  Kyla clapped her hands. “Finally, you said it! I’m very proud. I can’t believe the woman you’ve become, but I’m glad.”

  CHAPTER 15

  Sunday afternoon Brendan parked in front of Peri’s parents’ house. The two story house looked very homey, and apparently all of Peri’s family was already there. She was dressed in slacks and a sweater and she was very nervous.

  “Honey, it’s going to be okay.” He looked in the backseat of the Range Rover where Chelsey sat quietly. She was dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. He was dressed in dark slacks, a white shirt, and a tie.

  “I know it will. It’s just they can be overwhelming at times. You don’t know how many phone calls I’ve fielded since I announced I was going to Ireland.”

  “Changing your mind?”

  “No, of course not. I just want you to be prepared.” She unsnapped her seatbelt. “Elijah, my brother-in-law, works for the FBI. He’s the family snoop.”

  He reached over and patted her leg. “Baby, don’t worry. Just wait until you meet my family, it will make today look like a picnic.” He unsnapped his seatbelt and got out of the SUV.

  He opened the door for Peri and Chelsey. “Don’t worry, Peri.” He kissed her lightly on the lips.

  Someone cleared his throat just as the kiss was getting good. Brendan ended the kiss. “See, you got me in trouble already,” he whispered against her lips. What a first impression, he mused. He turned around and faced his accuser.

  “Hi, Dad,” Peri said. “Dad, this is Brendan Donovan and his daughter, Chelsey. We were just coming in.”

  The mature gentleman extended his hand to Brendan. “Edward Reed. It’s nice to finally meet you, Brendan. Please call me Edward.” He looked at Chelsey and shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too, Chelsey. My granddaughter, Dakota, is inside. Would you like to meet her?”

  Chelsey looked
up at her father. “Can I?”

  “Yes, Chel. Be good.”

  “Yes, Dad.”

  Edward smiled at them. “We’ll be inside when you’re ready, Peri.” He led Chelsey inside the house.

  Brendan didn’t quite understand what just happened. “So what was that about?”

  She laughed and grabbed his hand, leading him toward the house. “That’s means the minute you hit that front door the games will begin. I hope you brought your Irish gift of blarney with you.”

  He pulled her closer to him. “Never leave home without it.”

  * * *

  They made it through dinner. Chelsey found a new friend and Peri’s father was impressed with Brendan’s knowledge of investments. And, for once, Peri left her sister and brother-in-law speechless. She exhaled. It couldn’t get much better. She looked over at Brendan as he drove the SUV.

  Brendan chuckled. “I guess that means I passed the test.”

  “Yes, it does. Anyone who can silence Elijah Brown is aces in my book.”

  “I guess that means that you can relax about going to Ireland now.”

  She shrugged. “Probably not.”

  “I can fix that.”

  “I hope so. I could use a little stress relief.”

  * * *

  “Honey, relax about Ireland. Just let it happen.” Brendan told her as they ate breakfast in her kitchen on Saturday morning the following week.

  “Brendan, I don’t know how to calm down. I probably won’t, until we are on our way back to Arlington.” His phone rang, interrupting their conversation. He blew her a kiss, melting her heart. She wished she had some kryptonite to use against him. She saw him smile mischievously and hang up the phone. He sat back down at the table in front of her and resumed eating his breakfast.

  “Anything wrong?” Peri asked after he didn’t volunteer any information.

  Brendan smiled, but didn’t look at her. “No, nothing. What are you doing for Thanksgiving?”

  Peri had forgotten all about Thanksgiving. Their impending trip to Ireland had claimed all of her attention. “Nothing, I guess. Probably eat at my parents.” Brendan picked up her hand and kissed it. He then ran his tongue all over her hand, sending delicious shivers all down her body. She realized that he was trying to seduce her at breakfast! Peri knew he had something up his sleeve and pulled her hand away.