Catch Me a Catch (2 page)

Annie clenched
her teeth and forced a tight smile. Surely, he didn’t think she was coming on
to him? Sharp fingernails cut into her palms.
I’ve got a job to do, and I
promised Da I’d do my best. Throwing my drink at him isn’t going to get me
anywhere.

“I need
somewhere to stay. Can you recommend a hotel?”

She breathed
in deeply. “You won’t find a hotel, or a B and B. Not while the festival’s on.”

“Hold on a
second, will you?”

He strode over
to the bar while she drained her glass. All the time checking out his jean clad
ass. Perfect. Some lady in the book was going to be very happy. She rubbed the
lingering heat of his fingers from her hand, fighting off a contrary niggle of
regret at the prospect of making a match for him.

In mere
moments, he was back with a frown creasing his forehead.

“You’re right.
The barman says everything’s booked up.” He swallowed the last inch of Guinness
in his glass. “I need a few things for my boat, when’s the Chandler’s open?”

“Uncle Sean’s
closed for lunch, but he’ll open up at two.”

“Uncle Sean?”
Black eyebrows rose.

“Yes.”
Discreetly Annie eased up the cuff of her jacket. One forty. “Whatever you need
he’ll have it, and if he doesn’t he’ll order it in.” But she couldn’t let him
go yet. Da had told her what to do. Despite her disastrous morning, she had to
try to make Jack Miller a match, no matter how uncomfortable it was talking to
him about private stuff.

She squared
her shoulders, and dived right in. “Jack, you sought me out for a reason. I
know I’m not what you were expecting, but I would like you to give me a
chance.”

His eyes
shuttered, and his mouth set in a stubborn line. He was as difficult to read as
a book wrapped in cellophane.

“Devine’s have
been matchmakers of Durna for three generations.”
And I sound like I’m
narrating a documentary.
“We have a tried and tested method. First, we take
a picture of you.” Annie flicked back a couple of pages to show him. “Then, I interview
you to find out what you’re looking for in a partner.”

Surprise
flickered in Jack’s eyes chased by a slow grin.

“Finally, with
my father’s help, I’ll try and make you a match with one of the ladies in the
book. You can meet, have a drink…” Annie’s voice tapered off.

He shook his
head firmly. “No,” he said. “That’s not going to happen.”

Anger took
over at the unfairness of it. Annie clenched her fists into tight balls. Bit
her lip to resist the urge to shout at him.

I’m a
complete washout, and it’s only the first day
. Her shoulders drooped in
dejection.
I can’t even persuade a complete stranger to take a chance and
let me match him. It’s not fair!

Annie rose and
stretched up to her full five foot two.

 “Jack.” She
stood akimbo, hands on hips, like Julian in the Famous Five. A stance she
hadn’t resorted to since she was a kid, and wanted to look ‘plucky and brave.’

I need a
chance to turn this around. I’m going to have to beg for it.
She sucked in
a fortifying breath.
Here goes.

“I understand
you were expecting to meet my father here today, and might prefer to work with
a man.”

Jack was about
to interrupt so she placed a hand on his arm to silence him. It was difficult
enough, having to plead for his business, without his butting in all the time.
His lazy smile vanished.

“My father is
sick, and can’t be here. He’s entrusted me with his
vocation
,” Annie
stressed. “And even though I’d prefer to be in my flat in Dublin, I’m it, for
the next thirteen days of the festival. My father needs me, and I’m determined
to do my very best for everyone who comes seeking his services.”

Jack glanced
at her hand resting on his arm. She hurriedly removed it. “I’m just asking you
to give me a chance.”

“What’s
involved?” His eyes narrowed and her heart flipped over in delight.

She gestured
toward the chair, and joined him when he sat down again. “Well, like I said, we
start with a photo.” Annie scanned his unkempt appearance with a studied eye.
“Although, to be honest, if we’re going to introduce you to a woman you should
clean up a bit first to give you the best chance.”

His faded
jeans could do with a wash. It took a monumental effort of will to ignore the
way his firm thighs filled them.

“It would be
good if you had something a bit better to wear, too.” He was quiet, too quiet.
He was probably insulted. She softened her tone, and tried again. “We need to
present you in your best possible light. There’s a lot of competition during
the matchmaking festival and the ladies can be very discerning you know.”

“The
matchmaking festival.” Jack echoed slowly. “Right. And I’ve always had a
problem attracting the ladies.”

Annie reached
out and patted his bicep.
Good. He’d taken her comments to heart. He was
reaching out and being honest.

“That’s
nothing to feel ashamed about, Jack.” She lowered her voice and leaned closer.
“Lots of men find meeting women intimidating or difficult, and that’s why we’re
here. Just put yourself in my hands, and I’ll set you up.”

Did she really
just tell him to put himself into her hands? Good Lord, why couldn’t she talk
to him without putting her foot in it? She crossed her fingers underneath the
table. Maybe he was going to be a gentleman and not respond to her unintended
double entendre. The corner of his mouth twitched, but he stayed mercifully silent.

Good. I’ve
got away with it.

“Well, I need
somewhere to stay…” Jack’s eyebrows creased.

“I’ll call the
hotel and see if there are any last minute cancellations.” Annie flipped open
her mobile and scrolled through the numbers.

“Hi, I’ve
someone here who needs a room, have you any cancellations?” The answer was
negative. “Thanks anyway, Carly.” Annie closed the phone. “Carly’s parents own
the only hotel in Durna and they’re full.”

She flipped
the phone open again, talking rapidly to the person on the other end. Afterward
she faced Jack. “Right, it’s sorted. During the festival, everyone rents out a
room or two in their house. There are so many people looking for somewhere to
stay, we have to. My mother had a cancellation yesterday. You go and do what
you need to do, Mr Miller, and then meet me back here. You’re coming home with
me.”

A stunned
expression flickered across his features. Then Jack nodded and sauntered out of
the Maiden Arms. Heading out into a brightening sky, and the blue Atlantic
Ocean.

****

The smell of
grilled steak in the air turned first Jack’s nose, and then his whole body
toward it. His stomach growled in anticipation of a non-tin based meal. Up the
hill past a row of houses facing the sea was an Italian restaurant. His pace
quickened.

“Table for
one.” He followed a young waiter to a table.

His hungry
eyes scanned the menu.

Ah, this
was more like it.

“Fillet steak,
hold the pepper sauce, a double order of sautéed potatoes, and a bottle of
Chianti.” The now calming sea was visible out of the large picture window.

What on
earth have I got myself into?
He’d spotted her the moment he walked into
the bar. Couldn’t believe his luck when the barman sent him her direction. She
was really cute when she blushed. He grinned. She hadn’t liked telling him he
was good-looking either.

The waiter
poured a small amount of wine. Jack lifted the glass to his lips, rolling the
rich taste around in his mouth. “Perfect.”

The waiter
filled his glass.

“So, you’re
having a festival?”

“We have the
matchmaking festival here every year.” The young waiter seemed excited.
Maybe
not much else happened in Durna
. “People come from everywhere for it. It’s
world famous.”

“I think I
just met the matchmaker.” Jack lowered his voice to avoid being overheard.
“Annie Devine?”

“Annie’s
father is the matchmaker, but she’s taking over this year. He’s not well so his
wife isn’t letting him out.” The waiter pushed a hand over his buzz cut. “I
think Annie was sort of thrown in at the deep end. She lives in Dublin now but
came up yesterday to take his place.”

“She married?”
Jack held his breath. He couldn’t remember when he was last intrigued by a
woman, but there was something incredibly attractive about Annie Devine. It
would be just his luck if she had a jealous husband tucked away somewhere.

“Annie’s
single. But I’m pretty sure she’s not in the market for a boyfriend.”

Jack blasted
the young man with his most powerful glare. The waiter was talking as if he
owned Annie.

The waiter
fidgeted and glanced away. “I’m sorry. I was rude. We’re all a bit over
protective of Annie.”

No kidding
.
“No harm done, I was only asking.”

Annie was
getting more interesting by the minute. Her long hair, unflattened by a hair
straightener, tumbled in soft waves to just above her breasts. He didn’t ever
think he’d seen hair such a fascinating color. It was a mass of different
shades; like the burnished walnut dash of the boat. Unlike most of the women he
knew, she didn’t plaster herself with make-up either. Her skin was clear and
luminous, only lightly tanned, rather than fake baked. When she’d smiled, a
dimple had teased in her cheek. He hadn’t even known he loved dimples before then.
Her eyes were the color of rich chocolate. When her gaze fixed on his he’d
blazed to his shoes.

The waiter
brought his steak. Jack closed his eyes and bit into the tender meat. The
flavor rushed over his starved taste buds. If the restaurant were empty, he
would have moaned aloud.

One thing
at a time.

****

Surely it was time to go home?

Annie rubbed her throbbing
forehead. In the past couple of hours, a sea of people had drifted to her
table; her face ached from smiling. So many people looking for love, all of
them terrified of rejection. Well, it made sense really. With her history, she
couldn’t blame them. Rejection sucked. And in such a close knit community it
was a very public humiliation. She hated being the focus of gossip. The last
thing she needed was a love affair, but Jack Miller was tempting her away from
that point of view.

“Oh, thanks, Niall.” Yet another
cup of coffee. She would be buzzing all night.

“How’s it going?” After a quick
glance to make sure he had no customers waiting, Niall sat down.

“Not too well.” Disappointment
clawed at her insides. “I’ve done the interviews and taken their pictures, but
they’d all be much happier talking to my father.”

“I suppose they’re used to
talking to a man.” He patted her hand. “They’ll come around.”

An aging farmer paused mid-step
when he spied Annie in Bull’s usual chair. Indecision flickered and for a moment
it looked like he was going to run, but he clenched his jaw and kept walking
steadily towards her.

“Give it your best shot,” Niall
whispered. “That’s all you can do.”

Half an hour later, Annie shook
the balding farmer’s hand.
It’s difficult to know who’s more relieved that’s
over.
Suddenly, the hairs on her nape stood up, and her body hummed in
awareness as a familiar figure strode toward her.

“I’m back.” Jack slid into the
seat opposite. “Are you still offering me a room, or am I going back to the boat?”

“You’re coming home with me. I
told you; it’s all arranged.” Annie closed the book and snagged her jacket from
the chair back. “I’m finished for the day. Are you ready to go?”

“Yes. I’ve brought a few things
from the boat. I was hoping to find a launderette.”

“You can use the washing machine
and dryer at home.”

He followed her out.

“My car’s over here.”

Jack folded his long frame
awkwardly into the passenger seat. There was a scant inch above his head. He
wasn’t built for a Mini.

Potholes littered the road on the
way to the little house facing the sea where she’d grown up. She bounced up and
down on the hard seat as the Mini bounded over them. The suspension was so hard
it was like being on a space-hopper built for two.

“Sorry about the potholes.” She turned
off the road and parked behind her parents’ house. He was asleep. Sooty lashes
brushed his cheeks. His hair stood up at the back as though stiff with salt.
The magic paintbrush of sleep had erased the wrinkles around his eyes, making
him look younger, more vulnerable somehow.
How can he affect me so strongly
even when he’s asleep?
Her libido ran riot imagining his firm lips teasing
hers. Her core heated and her hand moved of its own volition to stroke his
cheek.

“We’re here.” Her heart
fluttered, caught in a sensuous spell. Electric-blue eyes opened slowly, their
sleepy expression sharpening into instant desire. His gaze fell to her mouth.

Heat blazed as she pulled in a
shaky breath. His shoulders were too close in the narrow seat. His thighs too
close to hers. The heat was suddenly stifling.

She pulled her fingers away from
his face, and gripped them in her lap. They tingled with the imprint of warm
skin and whiskers. An electric current arced between them as he leaned closer.
The air between their lips sizzled.

A door slammed loudly. Annie
jerked away from the lure of Jack’s warm mouth, eyes wide with shock.

“We’re here,” she croaked. “Come
and meet my mother.”

She jumped out of the car before
he had a chance to react.

Chapter Two

Jack rubbed gritty
eyes with his fingers.

What the
hell?

The small,
dark haired seductress was hugging her mother so he stayed where he was. He
scratched his jaw to banish the buzz of Annie’s warm fingers on his face.