A Magic Redemption

by Tena Stetler

  “Of course. Bridget just got paid. What else is she going to spend her money on? Food? A roof over her head? Silly things like that?” Katie giggled.

  “No, Quinn has those covered,” Bridget said smugly with a flip of her hand. “Gotta keep him happy and coming back for more.”

  “And you want something to keep Quinn covering you,” Colleen said barely holding a giggle in. “When are you and Quinn going to make it legal?”

  Scalpel sharp, Bridget’s gaze leveled Colleen. “When I’m ready. It’s a big step. Especially with our family’s history of failed relationships. Marriage is forever, not something to take lightly.”

  She glanced from Colleen to Bridget hoping to avoid being drawn into the conversation.

  Chastised, Colleen shrugged. “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything, only teasing.”

  “No…it’s me that’s sorry. Didn’t mean to go off on you. It’s a touchy subject. Quinn is anxious to make it official, me—not so much.”

  “You don’t think he’s the one?” Katie asked in hushed tones.

  “Yeah, I think so. We’ll probably elope, so neither family will have an opportunity to cause embarrassment.”

  “Oh… I remember the scene your brother, Kevin, caused at the Ceilidh Mary and Tim held for Brandy and Hannah and their lads?”

  “How can I ever forget?” Bridget rolled her eyes. “Still, there was something weird about Brandy’s beau. Never saw a man set Kevin back on his heels that easily. Strength of ten men, I tell ya. Anyway, you’ll be the first to know when I decide.”

  “We could have an impromptu celebration at the Shaughnessy’s on a Sunday. Since the pub is closed. That way your families couldn’t interfere and your friends would get a chance to wish you well and celebrate your happiness,” Katie suggested.

  Bridget put her finger to her lips in a thoughtful expression. “That could work. I’ll talk it over with Mary. I’m about ready to tell Quinn yes.”

  “I don’t remember you ever mentioning telling him no.” Katie roared with laughter.

  “Depends on what we’re talking about.” Bridget said.

  She stared, as the friends bantered back and forth, still she couldn’t think of anything to say. Her cheeks were on fire, and this conversation wasn’t helping matters any. Would Gavin like me in something like this? She touched the red silk panties on the counter a matching bra hung next to them. It shouldn’t matter…but it does.

  “Would you like to try those on?” the sales woman asked.

  Relief flooded though Bridget’s voice at the change of subject. “Gavin would love those on that cute figure of yours.” She nodded at her.

  The clerk winked at her. “Don’t let the girls get to you. They’re only having a bit of fun. Is there something I could show you?”

  She shook her head. “No…no…I’m just looking.” Her gaze wandered to the floor.

  Bridget waggled her finger in front of Synn’s face. “I don’t think so.”

  “This lass doesn’t own one set of sexy lingerie. It’s our duty to—”

  “I have one,” she protested. “A lot of my clothes were lost in transit between the US and Ireland.”

  “If that was the case, Gavin would be doing more than undressing you with his eyes,” Colleen snarked.

  “He has—I mean—we used—things are different—” Unable to control her emotions and fearing a magic episode, she rushed out of the store and down the street, her bags banging against her legs making her limp more pronounced. Tears threatened, and she blinked them back. Why can’t I get my footing here? I used to be a feared warrior. Now…I can’t even negotiate a girl’s day out. She leaned her hot forehead on the cold window of a store front and wished she were back at her cottage.

  Suddenly she felt herself floating. No…no…no. She willed herself back to the storefront and looked around franticly. She breathed a sigh of relief when there was no one in sight. The light bounced off the glass as Bridget shoved out the door of the lingerie shop and sprinted toward her.

  “Synn! I’m so sorry. We be only kidding around.” Bridget rushed to her friend’s side. “Mary said you’d had a rough life…but…I…” She slapped her hand over her mouth and her face fell. “I thought getting you out with us girls for a fun time would do you good. I guess we went about it all wrong. Sorry.”

  “Do the other girls know?” Synn asked accusingly.

  “No. I didn’t say a word, and that’s all Mary told me.” She paused. “You don’t hate us, do you?”

  She shook her head. “No… It’s all so different. I’ve never—had friends—I mean like this.”

  “Why don’t you come back to Soft and Silky while we pick out some things. You don’t have to buy. We won’t put you on the spot. Then it’s off to lunch. Okay?” She looked at her watch. “And we still have appointments for mannies and peddies.”

  “And wine?” She straightened her shoulders determined to fit in.

  Bridget snorted a laugh and reached for her arm. “Of course. A day out wouldn’t be complete without wine.”

  “Sure. I’d like to look around.” She grinned.

  Inside the shop, she tried on a couple of matching pantie and bra sets and decided on the red silk, black lace, and an aqua set, because the girls said it accentuated her eyes. This was fun.

  Finished shopping, they dropped their packages off at the car and walked a couple blocks to a pizza place. Colleen yanked the door open and sashayed over to a large table in the corner of the room. She and the other girls followed slipping into the corner booth. The atmosphere reminded her of America. The booths and chairs were upholstered in red with red and white checked table cloths and matching curtains at the windows. After much discussion, Bridget ordered a pizza with everything, extra cheese and sauce, plus a bottle of Albarino wine. At lunch the conversation was light.

  “It sure is nice to be waited on rather than doing the waiting,” Bridget said quietly. The corners of her mouth turned up in a wide smile.

  The establishment wasn’t busy, and she was surprised how quickly the waitress brought the extra-large pizza along with plates, a bottle of wine, and five glasses. Katie poured the wine, and Colleen placed slices of pizza on plates and passed them around. Gale picked up her wine and drank deeply, nearly emptying the glass. At the other woman’s surprised expressions, she shrugged. “What? I was thirsty.”

  “Guess we better order another bottle.” Bridget teased, pouring more wine into Gale’s glass then motioned to the waitress.

  Colleen took a bite of pizza and blurted, “Synn is there any truth to the tales that Brandy and Stefan had something to do with breaking the curse and allowing Tiarnan, King of Faeries’, wife, Erin to walk with him at dawn in the sunlight? Have you ever seen Tiarnan or Erin?”

  “Colleen!” Bridget scolded, dropping her piece of pizza onto the plate. “We agreed not to put Synn on the spot.”

  “I wasn’t—” Colleen argued taking another bite, “—just making conversation. The Shaughnessys know.” A hush fell on the table.

  She nearly choked on her bite of pizza and set her fork down. Glancing from one face to the other, her lips set in a thin line she waited a beat, eyed her pizza, and burst out laughing. In a conspiratorial tone, she said, “I have no frigging idea. I wasn’t privy to that information, but something sure happened that night. Have any of you seen Erin walking the beaches in the sunlight with Tiarnan? It’s not just folk lore, is it?”

  Relief flooded over the faces of her new friends as she grinned holding up her wine glass. We’re going to need more than two bottles. She swirled the light amber liquid in the glass, sniffed, and closed her eyes. The wine had a bouquet of lilies and orange blossoms. Taking a sip, she let it grace her tongue with a flavor of bone-dry limes and peaches. She took another sip and sighed, opening her eyes to find the others staring at her. “What?”

  “You ask questions like that then appear to enjoy your wine waaay to much,” Bridget squeaked. “I think we need another bottle of
wine.” She waved to the waitress and pointed to the bottle.

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a great light wine. Sorry. If my questions are out of line? I apologize.” The corners of her mouth turned up in an uncertain smile.

  “No, not out of line, but you act as if it’s normal everyday conversation, faeries, witches, magic, curses.”

  The error of her ways became immediately apparent. Pausing she said, “We are in Ireland, right? Land of the magic, folk lore, myths, and legends galore?”

  “Oh sure to hear Brandy, Mary, or Tim tell it. The Shaughnessys are full of blarney.”

  “Are you sure… now?” She grinned mischievously and sighed at being able to tease her new friends. So this was what it was like on a girl’s day or night out. Not so bad. Maybe Gavin was right. The thought surprised her. Perhaps things weren’t as dire as I envisioned after all. Still I need to find out about Gale. She’d noticed Gale had remained quiet during the conversation involving magic.

  “Come on, girls, we don’t want to miss our nail appointment.” Bridget smiled, collected the check from the waiter, and held out a credit card.

  The waitress took the card. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

  “What do I owe you?” Synn asked pulling out her wallet.

  “Nothing, our treat,” Bridget said.

  “No. I pay my own way,” she insisted. “You don’t even know…”

  “We all agreed on the way to your house. Our treat for the new lass,” Gale piped up.

  She shook her head. “I’d really rather—”

  “Call it our way of making up for being so pushy in Soft and Silky.” Bridget waved her hand at the other women. “We’ve been friends for so long—”

  Katie chimed in interrupting, “Yeah, since we were in nappies. Anything kinda goes with us.”

  Bridget glared at her for a beat then continued. “We didn’t consider you don’t know us well enough to tell when we’re kidding. Now unless you want to make us late arguing a point you won’t win. Let’s get a wiggle on.” She led the way out of the pizza place, rushing down the sidewalk. “Good thing it’s only half a block down.”

  “Thank you!” she said following as fast as possible behind the others.

  “We’ll let you pay next time.” Katie winked at her. “Only kidding. Hey Bridg…slow down. We’ve time.” Katie and Gale kept pace with her.

  “I’ve never had a mannie or a—peddie. I think I’ll pass.”

  “Oh no you don’t. It will be fun. You can pick out your polish and nail art,” Katie said. “I go to this place all the time. We’ll get our hair fixed too.”

  “I’m not sure we have time for all that. Synn and I have to work tonight.”

  Relief flooded over her, until—

  Katie piped up, “A trim and blow dry won’t take long.” She pointedly rolled her eyes toward Synn.

  “I like my hair the way it is. Tobi at the Wycked Hair Salon styled it for me before we returned to Ireland.”

  “Ooooo… I’ve heard of that salon—it’s in one of the fancy style magazines I have. Caters to the rich and famous in America,” Colleen said. “How’d you manage to get an appointment there? Somethin’ you not telling us?” She raised her eyebrow in question.

  “Friends in high places?” Katie teased.

  “That’s enough.” Bridget said shoving the glass door open to the salon. “We really don’t have time. Besides I’m not going to pay to look good for only a couple hours. It’ll be busy in the pub tonight. By night’s end I’ll need… I’d rather wait till I have a couple days off. You know what I mean.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know—” Katie grinned at Colleen then they chorused “—to look good for Quinn.”

  Gale dissolved into a fit of giggles.

  Bridget narrowed her eyes at Katie, who waved her off. “Next time.” She turned her attention to the red-haired woman who greeted them. “Hi, Rita.”

  “Ready for you.” Rita pointed to four empty chairs. “Who’s the new girl?

  “Our new friend from across the pond, Synn.”

  Rita’s eyebrows rose nearly to her hairline before she smoothed her expression.

  Katie continued. “You know the Yanks revel in strange names. Anyway, she’s settled in Ballycotton. Works at Shaughnessy’s with Bridg.”

  “Oh she does—does she?” Rita looked thoughtful. “You know Gavin?”

  She sucked in a breath. Everyone seems to know him. That thought made her a little uncomfortable.

  Chapter Six

  A Surprise Rescue in the Pouring Rain

  After his escapades on the beach, Gavin returned home, showered, and glanced at the clock. Three hours until Synn’s shift began at the pub. He needed to talk to her about his dream, hell, nightmare, about the feeling of being watched. Warn her to be on the lookout. He shoved an arm though his shirt with more force than necessary tearing the cloth. A large rip with frayed edges spread across the arm hole and stretched across the shoulder seam. That’s a bloody shame. Wadding the shirt up in a ball, he threw it violently across the floor.

  Catching a glance in the mirror, his face reddened, and he kicked the ruined shirt. Bad temper seemed to follow him around of late. He had no idea why. Taking a deep breath, he picked up the material and shoved it into the trash. Yanking open his closet, he searched for something else to wear. Deciding it would be best to walk off this mood before reporting for work, he donned a pair of sweats and pulled on his sneakers.

  He bent and touched his toes, then leaned from side to side before jogging down the path and along the beach keeping an eye on the building clouds across what was a blue sky this morning. Turning around and heading for home, he’d only gotten about half way there when large rain drops splashed on his face and body. He quickened his pace.

  Thunder shook the foundation and lightning followed him as he jerked open the door to his home. Shit. Didn’t realize I’d been gone so long. Felt good though. Better take the truck to the pub. He glanced out the window. “Looks like it’s going to be an all-nighter.” His concern for Synn ratcheted up another notch. Was she all right? What if something happened…because the women were with her? They had no idea… “Oh for god sakes. Stop it,” he growled out loud climbing up the stairs to take a shower.

  A few minutes later, he jumped into the truck and slammed the door. He’d seen the clouds building this morning. It’s nothing more than a thunder storm. Torrents of rain streamed down his windshield as he turned the wipers on, to no avail, they couldn’t keep up with the torrential downpour. Pounding the heel of his hands on the steering wheel impatiently did nothing. He was forced to wait out the storm.

  Forty-five minutes later, his truck bumped down the dirt road throwing rooster tails of mud and water in its wake. He took the long route to work, driving by Synn’s cottage. It was dark. They evidentially weren’t back yet. The knot in his stomach tightened. Did the storm impede their way home? Why did he encourage her to make friends, get out and enjoy life? Because it was the right thing to do.

  As he arrived at the pub, the rain had slackened up a bit. Bridget’s car was already there. A knot of people were gathered in the pouring rain outside the pub door. Synn was on her knees in the middle of the group. He slammed on his brakes in the middle of the road and jumped out rushing toward her. “What’s going on? Are you all right?” he bellowed shoving his way through the people. He reached for her arm, started to pull her up—she twisted away from him and hunkered over something. Leaning in to get a better look, he saw a wet ball of fur.

  “I’m fine. That’s more than I can say for this poor little soaking wet mop of a puppy.” She got up from her knees holding the tawny colored ball of fur close to her chest. “Can we get a blanket or towel, please?” Synn started to pull the door to the pub open.

  “You can’t bring—that inside.” No sooner than those words flew from his mouth, he regretted them. The door banged closed.

  She whirled on him, her eyes blazed with anger. “You
expect me to leave this poor creature out here where it’ll surely die?” Her voice stung as she continued glaring at him.

  “Animals are not allowed in the pub. Health regulations. Not mine.”

  The door creaked open. Mary stood in the door way, one hand fisted on her hip, the other holding the door open. “What’s all the commotion out here?”

  “He wants me to leave this helpless creature out here to die.” Synn accused staring pointedly at him.

  “Drama queen,” he said under his breath but held his hands out in front of him in a gesture of surrender as the rest of the crowd looked from him to Synn then to Mary. “Not true.” Gavin knew the soft heart of his mother and the trouble he was already in. “I merely stated that she couldn’t take that creature inside the pub.”

  “Awww—” Mary untied her apron and wrapped it around the shivering bundle of fur, handing it back to Synn. “Take it around back. I’ll unlock the storeroom. Sure we got a box for a bed, blankets to warm the pup and dry her off. Then we’ll see what we see. But it can’t stay here.” She looked over the crowd. “Anyone know where this poor puppy belongs?”

  Several heads shook back and forth. “No. Maybe a stray,” a gruff man’s voice said.

  “Too young for a stray. Why it’s no more than a few weeks old.” Mary glanced at Synn holding the pup and clicked her tongue. “You’re going to need a change of clothes too.”

  She looked down at her soaking wet shirt streaked with muddy paw prints and hugged the pup. “I’ll take it home,”

  He grunted. “What do you know about raising a puppy?” Again, his damn mouth opened before engaging his brain. Water trickled off his hair and ran down inside his collar. He wiped his face with his hand. “Com’on. I’ll show you around back where we can put the puppy and get out of this rain.” His voice had an edge to it, and his ma glared at him.

  “I’ll meet you two in the storage room. The rest of you quit standing around.” She held the door open, motioning them in. “You’re gonna catch ya death of cold. We’ll open the pub early.” Shaking her finger at some of the regulars, she said, “Don’t you be expecting to be served right away.”