He stared at the two numbers. What is the project? Did you ask?
Its a film about Aileen Quinn.
The writer?
Clare nodded. My favorite writer. Irelands favorite writer.
Thats not the kind of work I do.
That might be a good thing. At least no one would be shooting at you.
Im not ready to go back to work, he said.
But you just said it, Dex. Its who you are.
Hell, Im not sure who I am anymore, Dex whispered, his voice filling with emotion. II just dont know what I want. He shook his head. Wait, I do know. I know exactly what I wantto sleep through the night. Thats my fondest wish.
Claire put her arm around his shoulders and they sat next to each other for a long while. This was the way it had always been between them. They had weathered tough times in the past, but theyd always had each other to lean on.
Their parents had lived a gypsy life, both of them actors whod garnered a fair bit of success in Irelands small film industry. As a family, theyd lived in London, New York City, Toronto and then Dublin again. But when his father had been cast in an American television series, theyd all moved to California, an Irish family living amongst the movie stars and palm trees and the constant sunny weather.
It had been a difficult transition for Dex and Claire, at that point already in junior high, and they hadnt made friends easily, preferring to spend time with each other. So when the series had been picked up for its fourth season and Claire and Dex were ready to enter high school, they decided to return to County Kerry and live with their fathers mother, a woman they affectionately called Nana Dee.
Dierdre OMeara Kennedy had seen them through their teenage years, then sent them off to universityDex to film school at UCLA and Claire to read history at Trinity in Dublin. Nana Dee had provided the only stable home theyd ever really had, and her little cottage on the Iveragh Peninsula was the place theyd always called home. Nana had passed away three years ago, and had left them her cottage filled with memories of her life.
There is something you could do for me, Claire said.
Im not going to help you mark your history exams, he said. Or untangle the mess youve made of your laptop. Or fix that banger of a car you drive.
We still have to clean out Nanas house, she said. I know you considered staying there while you were home, but youve spent every night here. So I thought we could lease the cottage out. But to do that we have to go through everything and decide what we want to keep and what wed like to donate to the parish for their tag sale.
She lived in that house for over fifty years, Dex said.
I know. But I trust you to go through it. It will occupy your mind, she said. And we could really use the extra money. My pittance as a history teacher wont support your taste for beer and whiskey much longer. Claire grabbed the bottle and took a long swig before handing it back to him. Dont misunderstand, Im glad youre here. But youre starting to look a little pale and paunchy. You need to go outside. Get some sun and exercise.
Dex chuckled. All right. I suppose I can do that. What do we want to keep?
Well leave the furniture so we can let it out as a furnished cottage. And the clothes, Ill go through. Theres probably some vintage stuff that I could wear. Sort out the mementos, the old photos and things, and well go through those together.
The idea appealed to Dex. He needed to focus his mind on something other than his lack of a plan for the future. Maybe if he exhausted himself with cleaning out his nanas house, hed finally get some sleepand some perspective.
Actually, I have someone who wants to look at the place tomorrow, Claire said. Shes going to be an exchange teacher at our school next term. Just show her around the cottage and tell her it will be all tidied up before she moves in in January.
I suppose I can do that, too, he said.
Claire rested her head on his shoulder. Good. Would you like me to make some popcorn? Ive got the next series of Dr. Who ready to go. We could stay up and watch it.
Its half past two, Dex said.
And its a Friday night. I dont have to work tomorrow. We can stay up all night if you want to.
All right, Dex said. But Ill make the popcorn. You never put enough butter on it.
Claire laughed, then wrapped her arms around him and gave him a fierce hug. Things will get better, baby brother. I promise they will.
He smiled. Hed been born only six minutes after her, but shed always called him her baby brother. Yeah. I know they will, Dex said.
Yet even as the words passed his lips, he didnt believe there was any truth to them. His life, as he once knew it, was over. And now he was adrift in a dark sea of indecision. Things would never be the same. How could they be?
* * *
MARLENA JENNER STARED down at the road map and then looked at the signpost in front of her. Maybe she ought to just give up and ask for directions. It was nearly dark and shed never find her way once she couldnt see the road signs. There was no shame in admitting that she couldnt navigate her way out of a paper bag. And it seemed as if shed been driving around in circles for hours.
Crumpling the map up and tossing it aside, Marlie shook her head. Just let it go, she said. Ireland is an island. And Im on a peninsula. Sooner or later, Ill find the place or Ill run into water.
Knockaunnaglashy, she muttered, reading the road sign. Where do they find the names for these towns? She put the Fiat into gear and started down the narrow road. After leaving numerous messages with Dex Kennedys agent and receiving an equal number of promises that hed get back to her, shed almost given up and moved to the next guy on her list. But then, to her surprise, shed received a call from Dex Kennedys sister, Claire, who had told her exactly where to find Dex.
When it came to Irish documentary filmmakers, Dex Kennedy was the best. Word was that he was between jobs, recovering from the loss of his friend and partner, Matt Crenshaw, and looking for just the right project. And Marlie had the perfect project for him.
Sure, it wasnt the kind of high-stakes, action-packed story that he usually did, but that didnt mean it wasnt important. And shed found a wonderful angle to the story that she hoped might intrigue him.
Whats the worst he can say? she murmured to herself. No? Shed heard that word plenty of times. And shed learned that when someone said no, you simply had to find a good enough reason for them to say yes. This reason was definitely good enough.
Thanks to her grandmother, shed finally put together the funding to do a documentary on her all-time favorite author, Aileen Quinn. And Aileen had agreed to participate. They were scheduled to start filming in five days. A filmmaker of Dex Kennedys caliber and reputation would legitimize the project to the industry.
With the help of Quinns researcher, Ian Stephens, and with Dex Kennedy as her coproducer, theyd create something that celebrated Miss Quinns long and colorful career and make a film that would be shown all over the worldmaybe even at Cannes or Sundance. She would have proved herself as a producer. No one would be able to doubt her then.
But first she had to find Dex Kennedy. The road wound down a long hill and suddenly the directions made sense. Turn right at the blue cottage with the thatched roof, she repeated, and drive until the bushes come over the car. She bumped along on a rutted road for what seemed like forever, and just as she was ready to turn back, she saw a long line of bushes arched over the lane. Make another right at the stone wall next to the old abbey. And again, the wall and a ruined abbey appeared.
Marlie smiled. Maybe shed been a little harsh on herself. Claire Kennedys directions had been spot-on, once shed actually figured out where she was.
The landscape offered a beautiful view of rolling hills crisscrossed by dry stone walls and the sea beyond. Like every spot in Ireland, the green of the hills here was so vivid that it nearly hurt her eyes to look at it. Perhaps it was the sun, which seemed to hang lower in the sky, always shining from behind fluffy white clouds. Marlie wondered if the landscape would look as beautiful onscreen as it did to her eyes.
She saw the sign for the village before she saw the small gathering of cottages and outbuildings. Though she was only a half hour outside Killarney, this seemed like a place out of another time.
There were no numbers on the cottages, but Claires description of the place was enough to locate it. She pulled up in front of an overgrown privet hedge and got out of the Fiat. The front garden was unkempt, the summer perennials now faded in the early-November chill.
Marlie drew a deep breath and started up the stone walk, running over her sales pitch in her head. She hoped to appeal to his sense of national pride. Who better to film this documentary about a great Irish writer than a great Irish filmmaker? He was the best person to tell this story. And it would be a nice change of pace for him, give him a chance to sleep in his own bed.
Marlie bit back a groan. Was that even a factor for a guy like Dex Kennedy? Hed been to Sierra Leone and Chechnya, Libya and Afghanistan, living in primitive conditions to get the best stories. He probably didnt worry about creature comforts....
Marlie rapped sharply on the front door. A few seconds later, it swung open. Her breath caught in her throat as a tall man stared at her in curiosity. His shirt was unbuttoned down the front, revealing a smooth expanse of skin and muscle. And his raven hair, shaggy and thick, was tousled around his face, as if hed just crawled out of bed.
All she could manage for a greeting was a pathetic squeak. Hi, she said.
Hello, he replied. His gaze fixed on hers and his brow furrowed. Marlie urged herself to state her case as quickly as she could before he tossed her out. But for the life of her, she couldnt think about anything but how incredibly handsome Dex Kennedy was in real life.
Shed seen photos, but they just hadnt done him justice, as hed usually been wearing sunglasses and a cap pulled low over his eyesthe silent partner in the pair. Hed always managed to make himself seem very mysterious...and a little dangerous, too. But now, without cap or sunglasses, she realized he had striking features, high cheekbones and a perfectly straight nose, a strong chin and lips that were...very kissable. She swallowed hard. He was, most definitely, the kind of man who made a girls knees weak and her heart pound.
Marlie searched for a flaw in his face and had almost given up when she noticed the dark smudges beneath his eyes. He looked as if hed been out late the night before. Marlie wondered if lack of sleep might make him more irritable and less likely to listen to her proposal. She decided to proceed carefully.
My sister mentioned youd be calling, he said, stepping aside. Come on in, then. Im Dex. Dex Kennedy.
Oh, that accent. If his looks hadnt unnerved her, then his voice would finish the job. Deep and rich, each word lilted with the sound of Ireland. She thought shed grown used to it over the past few weeks, but obviously she hadnt.
And you might be? he asked. Im sorry, Im afraid Ive forgotten if my sister told me your name.
Marlie. Marlie Jenner, she said.
Well, this was off to a good start, she thought. He hadnt slammed the door in her face. Maybe Claire had decided to pave the way for her.
Come on, he said.
Marlie realized shed been frozen on the front step. She picked up her foot to move, concentrating on projecting a confident air. Thank you, she said.
Its a bit chilly in here, he said. Weve been keeping the temperature down to save on heating costs. Let me show you the kitchen. Its this way. Tea?
Marlie followed him, not sure what there was to see in the kitchen or why it seemed so important to him to show her. Though her job really didnt include fixing tea, she was willing to make quite a few concessions to get Dex to agree to her project. Besides, making tea might give her a little more time to collect her composure.
I could make you some tea, she offered.
Only if youd like some, he said.
Actually, I prefer coffee.
Would you like coffee?
No, Marlie said.
An uncomfortable silence grew between them. Maybe she was a little starstruck. After all, this was Dex Kennedy, award-winning filmmaker. And he was hot.
What do you think? Dex finally said.
About?
I know, its not a very posh setup. But everything works, its just a little old. You have your cooker and your oven. Theres no microwave and not many modern conveniences. I guess some people might find it charming.
Yes. It is that.
I suppose youll want to see the bedrooms? Once again, his gaze met hers, but this time it lingered just a little longer than necessary. Was he feeling the same strange attraction as she was? Or was this all in her overactive imagination?
Theyre this way, he finally said, leading her back out into the living room. She walked behind him, taking the chance to admire the muscular shoulders beneath the faded cotton shirt. Her attention dropped lower and focused on his backside...just as he suddenly stopped and turned around.
His brow rose and she thought she saw a tiny twitch of a smile at the corners of his mouth. Go right in, he murmured. Do you want to test out the mattress?
Marlies heart slammed in her chest. Was this some kind of game he was playing, trying to shake her confidence? Or was it a test to see just how far shed go to get what she wanted? Though it wouldnt be difficult to fall into bed with this man.
Mr. Kennedy, I think
Its not a big bed, he said, pointing to it inside the bedroom door. But I think there would be plenty of room for...whatever. He nodded. Go on, then.
With a trembling hand, she opened the bedroom door and walked inside. What the hell was going on? Mr. Kennedy, Im not sure that
You dont have to call me Mr. Kennedy, he said, his voice soft as he stood behind her. Dex will do.
Marlie pressed her hand to her chest, her heart pounding beneath her fingers. This was crazy! She didnt even know this man, and yet, if hed just give her a tiny little push, shed fall onto the bed, ready to let him...ravish her.
Ah...
Dex, he said, as if she needed a reminder.
In truth, for a moment there, she had forgotten his nameand the reason shed come. Dex, she repeated. Slowly, she turned, determined to face her fears.