The Selkie Enchantress Read Online Free

glances. “I’m sure the Dooley’s can take you in,” he said, reading the question in Tara’s eyes.
    Dominic shook his head. “The Dooley’s are booked this weekend. Their family’s in town from Dublin.”
    Liam’s gaze shifted to Caitlin. She was gathering up her heels. The bottoms of her stockings were covered in mud. A long tear ran up one leg. She couldn’t have gotten dressed up for him. He would have remembered if he had a date with Caitlin. “Are you still fixing up the McFlaherty’s old place?”
    “Yes.”
    “Could Nuala stay there?”
    Caitlin shook her head. “It’s not finished.”
    “But it’s livable, right?”
    “It’s only for three days,” Nuala appealed, her heeled boots clicking against the pier as she walked up to stand beside Liam. “You’ll never even know we were here.”

Chapter 3
     
    Sunlight streamed in her bedroom window and Caitlin blinked, squinting against the bright morning light. What time was it? Her hand pushed out from under the tangle of covers, fumbling over her cluttered night table for the clock and stilled when her gaze landed on the dress and stockings balled in the corner by the door. The dress and stockings she was supposed to wear on her first date with Liam.
    She squeezed her eyes shut. How could she have been so stupid? How could she have actually believed things had changed between them? When nothing ever changed? Kicking at the covers, she swung her feet to the cold wood floor. Well, guess what? She was done with Liam O’Sullivan. If he didn’t want her—if he couldn’t so much as remember their date—then he didn’t deserve her!
    She marched to her closet, tugging an old cardboard box from the top shelf and digging through the contents for a pair of battered sneakers. How dare he lead her on? How dare he call her every night for the past three months and stay up talking until midnight? How dare he get her hopes up like that and then cast her aside as if she was just another one of his women?
    She should have known better! She pulled on a sweatshirt and sweatpants, caught her hair back into a ponytail and spied her reflection in the mirror. Nice, Caitlin. Really nice . She shook her head, turning away from the mirror. What was she thinking getting all dressed up and making a fancy dinner last night? Liam didn’t want a relationship. He’d never wanted a relationship. He dated women for mindless, no-strings sex. He dated women who looked like Nuala .
    Nuala. With her perfect blond hair and perfect blue eyes. Caitlin stalked to the front door and swung it open, letting the bitter winter winds rush into the cottage. Nuala, who could pull a grown man from the freezing November waters without even shivering afterwards. Like she was some damn mermaid.
    She slammed the door behind her and broke into a jog, ignoring the stares of her neighbors. It was time she made some changes— drastic changes. She picked up her pace through the village, her sneakers pounding on the cracked pavement. When the door to the pub swung open and Dominic stepped out with a broom, she groaned. Great. Just what she needed.
    “Caitlin?” Dominic stammered.
    She pretended not to hear him, pumping her arms and running faster. She rolled her eyes up to the sky when she heard the broom drop with a clatter and his heavy footsteps start after her.
    “ What are you doing?” Dominic called, catching up to her.
    “What does it look like?” Caitlin dragged air deep into her lungs. She wasn’t having any trouble breathing. She could do this all day long.
    “It looks like you’re running.” Dominic matched her pace when she tried to pull ahead. They passed the market. Sarah Dooley was writing up the day’s specials on the board outside the shop, but she paused, her jaw falling open as she caught sight of them. “But why are you running?”
    “Cause I want to get in shape,” Caitlin snapped.
    “Since when?”
    “Since now!”
    “Cait.” Dominic blew out a frustrated