How old are you? she asked.
Twenty-six. How old are you?
She tipped her chin up and, for a moment, he thought hed insulted her. Twenty-seven.
He grinned. Ive always gone for older girls. Danny continued his stroll around the room. Instead of books, the shelves were filled with pieces of decorative plaster and wood carvings, doorknobs and ceramic tile, and an entire wall of iron hardware.
Weve collected samples of all the hardware that needs to be replicated, she said. Its on these two bottom shelves. Jordan turned and searched the cluttered surface of the desk, then glanced nervously over her shoulder.
Whats wrong? Danny asked.
Nothing, she murmured with a frown. I just misplaced something.
I can help you look, he said. What is it?
No, she said. Its probably gone.
Danny walked over to the desk. What was it?
An old door knocker, made of cast iron. It was really beautiful. I found it half-buried in the garden. I was hoping that we could make them for all the exterior doors. She sighed, shaking her head as she braced her hands on her hips. I dont know whos been in here, but Im about to put in a surveillance system to find out.
Leprechauns steal things from houses. Brownies like to live with humans and torment them for amusement.
I told you, I dont believe in leprechauns or brownies.
You should. Youre in Ireland, he teased. Youve got to let the country into your bones. After all, with a name like Kennally, Id wager you have a drop or two of Irish blood in you.
Jordan laughed softly. Im a quarter Irish. My fathers father. She shook her head. I probably just misplaced it. Itll turn up later. She picked up a paper from her desk and held it out to him. Heres the inventory of what we need. Theyre numbered to correspond with the samples on the shelf. She opened her mouth, then snapped it shut again.
Danny gave her a curious look. Was there something else?
About what just happened outside in the hallway. I want you to know that that kind of behavior is absolutely inappropriate and Im sorry that I let mymyWhatever. Im just sorry. And it will never, ever happen again.
Jaysus, dont say that. Its really the only thing that makes me want to take this job, Danny admitted. Replicating hinges isnt nearly as exciting as kissing you.
But we cant, she insisted.
Why not? He backed her up against the edge of the desk and braced his hands beside her hips. Once again, he met no resistance when he kissed her. If anything, she seemed to enjoy it even more this time. He took care to make the kiss deliciously tantalizing, invading her mouth with his tongue.
See, he whispered against her lips. Its very simple. I lean forward and you lean forward and it happens.
We cant, she said again.
Yes, we can, he said. Forget the job. I dont need the job if thats whats standing in the way.
But I need you to do the job, she insisted. Much more than I need you to do this. We need to keep it strictly business.
I dont do business, he said. Its art. There are no rules. And I refuse to consider you my boss. You can, however, be my muse.
A smile quirked at the corners of her mouth. Ill be a muse for hinges and gates?
Danny nodded. Ill need one. The job itself promises to be a bit of a snore.
Mr. Quinn, you are completely full of shite.
He stepped back as she fixed him with an irritated glare. I see youve picked up the language, if not the mythology, he said. Sure, hed pulled the last straight out of his arse, but right now, hed say just about anything to get her to kiss him again.
Will you do the job?
Are you going to let me kiss you again?
She shook her head. This project is very important to me, Mr. Quinn.
If you call me Mr. Quinn again, Ill walk out of here and you can get Neddy ODoul to do your work. He usually shoes horses and he makes a hames of that.
Danny, she said. My future depends upon this project. It has to come in on time and under budget. You have no idea how much is riding on this. We cant have any distractions.
He wasnt going to get any closer to Jordan sitting at home. Hed have to take the bad with the good. Ill do the job, he said. You wont have to worry. He pushed away from the desk and saw relief flood her features. All the tension in her body eased. Tell me why this is so important.
I have a lot to prove to my boss, who just happens to be my father. If I do a good job here, then maybe hell finally recognize that Im competent and trustworthy. And as good as any son he has.
You work for your father?
Yes. Ive worked for his real estate development and construction firm since I was in high school. Some day, I plan to run it. Jordan paused, then smiled weakly. Ill just have to find a way to get rid of my four older brothers first, but Im working on that.
Well, Ill have to make sure that you get what you want while youre here, Danny said.
She nodded. Yes. Fine. I suppose we should talk about compensation.
I dont like to talk about money, he said. Thats business. And it will be difficult to know how much this will cost until I buy materials and get started.
But I have to have some idea, she said, concern furrowing her brow.
Whats your budget?
Thirty thousand plus materials, she stated.
Materials. Theres where the budget could go to hell. Youll have to decide if you want iron or steel.
Whats the difference?
Iron is authentic to the time period but very expensive. Steel is cheaper, but it doesnt have the same look.
Iron, she said. When aesthetics make a difference. Steel, when practicality is important. This has to be an authentic restoration.
The labor budget sounds more than reasonable, he said. In truth, it was enough to live on for a good year. Once he completed this job, he could spend the next twelve months working on his art instead of working in the smithy. Youve got your man.
She relaxed and smiled. Good.
Now, why dont you show me where Im going to live and where Ill set up the forge.
They made a quick tour of the house, upstairs and down, then walked outside to tour the collection of stone buildings that surrounded the manor. There was a stable, a barn and a huge garden with a newly restored drystone wall. Youll need a gate for this? he asked, peering over.
An elderly man and woman were inside, wearing wide-brimmed hats and wellies, standing among huge piles of earth. They stared down into a hole in the ground, not noticing Danny and Jordan. What are they doing? he asked.
Thats Bartie and his friend, Daisy. They run the garden club in Glencairn. They showed up one morning and volunteered to do the work for free if I paid for the plantings. Bartie claims that he played in the garden as a child.
Folks around the county werent very happy to hear that an American bought this place, he said. Theyre kind of suspicious of outsiders.
I know. But Im employing a lot of local craftsmen and once they find out who bought the place, theyll be fine. The person is of Irish descent. In fact, she can trace her family back to the original builders of the castle.
I know. But Im employing a lot of local craftsmen and once they find out who bought the place, theyll be fine. The person is of Irish descent. In fact, she can trace her family back to the original builders of the castle.
Are you going to tell me who it is, then?
You have to promise not to say anything. Until she moves in, shed like to avoid publicity.
Jordan leaned forward and whispered a familiar name into his ear. There werent many actors living in County Cork, and now they were about to gain a certified American movie star. Holy Mary, now theres some news.
She pressed her finger to her lips and shook her head. Dont tell.
He pressed his own finger to his lips. Silent as the grave, Ill be. Danny glanced back inside the garden. So, what are they doing in there?
Some Irish thing. Purifying the soil, I believe he calls it. Something about the peat and the sea air and leachings from limestone. I dont really understand it. But he promises Ill have a beautiful rose garden in the end.
Where do I stay? Danny asked. And where do I set up the forge?
Jordan pointed down the path as they continued on. Theres an old laundry cottage back there with an existing hearth. I think that will do for the forge. And theres the cottage you can use for your living quarters. It was the first place we renovated, Jordan explained. I used it as my home and office until the manor house had a decent roof and plumbing. Its very comfortable.
She unlocked the door and walked inside. Danny followed her to find a cozy place not much different from his cottage in Ballykirk, a bedroom on one end and a kitchen and bath on the other, with a large living area in between.
I hope its all right. Jordan motioned to the bedroom. The bed is brand-new. Theres electric heat and a shower in the bathroom. And a functioning kitchen.
This will be fine, he said. I can start moving in tomorrow.
Good, she murmured.
He reached out and took her hand in his, weaving their fingers together. So, I guess that would be it, Miss Kennally. Everything is settled between us?
Yes, she said, watching him play with her hand. II look forward to working with you, Mr.I mean, Daniel. Danny. Dan?
Danny, he said. He took her hand and turned it over, then placed her palm on his chest, covering her hand with his. He wanted to do so much more. I would kiss you, but now that weve come to an agreement, well have plenty of time for that later.
Well, you got what you wanted, she said. And I got exactly what I wanted. Thats what makes a good business deal, dont you think?
I got the first thing I wanted. But theres always room for renegotiation. With that, he let her hand drop and turned to the door of the cottage. It took all his willpower to walk away. Ill see you tomorrow, Jordan.
He left her standing in the center of the room, her green eyes wide, her lips parted. As Danny strode back to his car, he couldnt help but wonder if all that had happened between them had simply been a way to secure his services. When shed come to the smithy that morning, shed been determined to convince him to work for her and here he was, ready to drop everything and move into her caretakers cottage.
No, Danny thought to himself. He knew how to read women and she was just as attracted to him as he was to her. There was a lot about this job he was going to like, Danny mused. And spending more time with Jordan Kennally was top on the list.