by Tena Stetler
Yuck. By the look on Hannah and Mary’s faces, they shared her opinion. Though she didn’t know Brandy well, this wasn’t the type of dress she would even consider. Was this a test? Or an affront to me? Of course not. She shook her head. “I’m not sure what this dress was created for, but it wasn’t for Brandy’s bridal party.” Heat rose in her cheeks when she realized she’d said her thoughts out loud. Her hand flew to her mouth. She mumbled, “I’m sorry.”
Mary burst out laughing. “Leave it to our Synn to tell it like it is.” She leaned over and whispered, “Me thoughts exactly.”
Hannah joined in the laughter. “That dress is just plain ugly.”
She blew out a breath and slid a glance to Mary and Hannah in turn. “Unless it’s for the mother of the bride.” She gulped then giggled at Mary’s expression of horror.
The look disappeared in a second replaced by raucous laughter. “Wow, teasing me Synn. That’s a new one.” Mary couldn’t have appeared more pleased.
With a shrug, she stared at the dress again. “It was the only explanation I could come up with.”
“And a good one it was,” Hannah said still laughing and touched her on the back. “Let’s connect the video conference and see what the heck Brandy was thinking.”
Stiffening, she glanced at the other two dresses. “I haven’t decided which dress.”
“Yes, you have.” Hannah wiped her eyes. “I saw the look of pure desire when you touched the green dress. I like it too. So it’s decided.”
“I like the blue one.” Mary peered at Molly. “Do you have my size?”
“Of course. Brandy thought you’d like it.” Molly walked to the counter, jotted down something on a pad of paper.
“Mary, if you don’t mind my asking, how did you find this shop?” She touched the green dress again and fingered the bride’s dress as Molly whisked them away. A slight feeling of calm flowed over her.
“Oh, I believe it’s owned by a relative of Angie’s best friend. You know Angie—Tristian’s sister, Bruce’s wife.”
“Would that be Willow?” She’d heard Angie talk about her. Met Willow once at the Wycked Hair.
“Yes…yes…that’s the one. Molly created Angie and Willow’s wedding gowns for their double wedding. Angie said Molly’s creations are magic. Brandy was so excited to discover that Molly could make the dress she saw in the magazine. Why?”
“Just wondering. Brandy was lucky.” That explains a lot. Willow’s family are faeries. Bet there is faerie dust in the material. She touched the green dress once more. “It’s settled then. Better call her.”
Hannah took out her cell phone and touched in Brandy’s number. A few seconds later, Brandy’s face appeared on the screen. “Hey, girl. We’re at the bridal shop. Your dress is perfect. The lace is soft.”
Brandy’s face split into a wide smile. “I’m so glad. Angie said Molly was the best. What about the bridesmaid dresses?”
Hannah shifted the phone so Brandy could see the green dress on the rack, then without warning handed the phone to her.
“Uh… If it’s all right, we decided on the emerald green dress.” She held the phone out toward Hannah.
“Perfect. I thought you and Hannah would love that dress. What about fittings?”
Molly returned with pad and pen in hand. “Oh, honey, I guarantee my dresses will fit. Don’t worry about it until you get here.”
“It could be as late as January,” Brandy said. “I hope not, but…”
“No problem. The dresses will be ready. Be sure and let me know the wedding date as soon as you can.” Molly smiled.
“What about veil and shoes?” Mary asked.
“Oh, I’ve already settled on those with Molly.” Brandy turned her head on screen as someone walked into the office. “I gotta go. Thanks, everyone. We’ll talk soon.”
“Bye.” Mary blew her daughter a kiss.
“Don’t worry. We’ll see to everything,” Hannah promised and disconnected the call.
She blew out a breath. “That wasn’t so bad.”
“See, I told you. Brandy will come around.” Mary bustled to the counter. “What about fittings?”
“We’ll do it right now. Pick a dressing room. I’ll bring the dresses in.”
Her dress fit perfectly, no alternations needed. The others weren’t so lucky. After an hour of trying on dress sizes and fittings, her stomach rumbled.
Mary hurried out of a dressing room with her gown in hand. “I’m all set and starved. Hannah, honey, call Tristian and see if he can meet us for a quick lunch. This has taken longer than I thought.”
Hannah emerged with her dress already in a bag. “Will do—”
The chimes sounded, and a smiling Tristian pushed through the door of the store. “Did I hear my name?”
Chapter Nineteen
Walking the Pup Brings a Surprise Meeting
This morning Storm had been a bugger when Synn left. The pup had looked up at him with those baleful eyes and whined. If that wasn’t enough, she’d jumped on the bench in front of the window seat and set up a mournful howl. After a few minutes, he couldn’t stand it anymore and clipped the leash on her harness. “Come girl, let’s go for a walk.”
It’s not what he had planned. But that confound noise had to stop, and he didn’t feel much like hanging around the house anyway. Synn’s bouts of recent insomnia resulted in his house being cleaner than it had ever been. He couldn’t find a damn thing. Rather than lay in the bed tossing and turning, she got up and quietly cleaned. Now he understood why her cottage was always neat and tidy. Sleeping in separate rooms probably had its advantages, but he still heard her every movement. Her scent was everywhere. It drove him crazy. Thoughts of the other night filled his mind which didn’t help. When this was all over, she would be in his bed and in his life permanently, if he had anything to say about it. Until then…
After walking along the beach where Storm chased the waves along the shore and barked at the gulls, he turned and followed the path that led to the cliffs. Storm’s tail wagged nonstop as her nose rarely left the ground.
At the top of the cliffs overlooking the ocean, he inhaled deeply. Floral fragrances of summer were gone. Crisp breeze and falling leaves whirled along the path indicated fall was in the air.
There was no doubt in his mind this was where he was supposed to be. After his sisters left for America, he often wondered if he should have followed them. But he didn’t get the wanderlust from his ma as the girls had. No, he was content living in the home that generations of Shaughnessys had grown up in. Working at the pub, seeing the familiar faces every day, spinning tales for the pub patrons, and knowing his place in the world centered his life. All that changed when Synn barged in to his world. Things would never be the same.
The increasing cold north wind tousled his hair. He pulled the collar of his coat higher on his neck and tugged on the leash. “Storm, time to go.” The pup scampered back to his feet. Switching direction to head down the trail, he’d taken only a couple of steps when a muscular man materialized in his path.
“Top o’ the morning to you, lad.” The man sang out in a cheerful voice.
He rubbed his eyes and looked again. Yep, the man was still standing in the way. Storm gave a friendly bark and pounced at the man. The leash pulled her up short.
Sucking in a breath, he swallowed hard. “Who might you be?”
“Tiarnan, King of Faeries.”
“Sure you are.” He narrowed his eyes and took a good look at the man. Sure enuf, he fit the description. “So what do you want with me?”
“Just checking in. Haven’t seen your lass for several days. Everything all right?”
“You tell me.” He paused and shook his head. “Sorry, I’m not in the best of moods. Things are as good as can be. I guess. Synn is on edge and having trouble sleeping.”
He nodded. “To be expected. Her lessons with the warlock?”
“Going well. At least so I’ve been told.”
“Tiarnan, are you over here?” A melodic voice carried on the breeze before a beautiful woman appeared. “Oh, you have company.” She looked him over. “Gavin, how are you?”
“Good.” He paused a couple beats. This had to be Erin, Tiarnan’s lady love. Be careful what you wish for. “Erin, isn’t it?”
“Aye, it is.”
“Don’t mind me. I was just leaving.”
“No need. Did you tell him?” Erin looked expectantly at Tiarnan.
Tiarnan wrinkled his brow. “No, the warlock hasn’t returned her power yet.”
“Oh.”
“Mind telling me what you are talking about?” He reached down and pulled the puppy to him with the leash.
“You’ll see soon enough.”
When he looked up, the couple was gone. “What the hell was that all about?” He directed his question to Storm. She didn’t see fit to answer him. Only gave a quick wag of her tail in acknowledgment and tugged on the leash, anxious to be on her way.
Half way down the trail his cell phone rang. He yanked it out of his pocket and stared at the screen. “Quinn, what’s up?”
“Gee a bit testy? Want to meet at the pub for lunch?”
“Sure. Give me an hour. I’m walking Storm up by the cliffs. Gotta get home and cleaned up.”
“See you there.”
He put the phone back in his pocket and increased his speed toward the house. Storm raced behind him. Once at the house, he fed her and coaxed her into the crate while he showered and dressed. One last check and she was sound asleep in her enclosure. He closed the door, clicked the lock, and sprinted to his truck.
At the pub, he pushed through the door to find the usual lunch crowd. Waving to a few regulars, he made his way to the back. In the kitchen he got out meat, a fresh baked loaf of bread and sliced it. He spread mustard and mayo on the bread, stacked cheese and meat, then took two plates down and put the sandwiches on them. On the way through the kitchen door, he nearly plowed into his da.
“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be watching the pup?”
He nodded. “We had a long, interesting walk this morning, and she’s snoozing in her crate. Quinn is meeting me here for lunch. Thought I’d make our sandwiches rather than add to the work load.” He held up the plates and nodded to Quinn standing in the pub.
Tim put a hand on his arm. “What about your walk?”
“I’ll tell you about it later.” A booth in the corner opened up, and he hurried over to stake a claim. Quinn sauntered up to the bar and waited. A few minutes later he slid into the both with two pints of stout.
“Starting early today, aren’t you?” He tilted his head in question.
“Yeah, been a day already. Bridget got up on the wrong side of the bed. The gig tonight called and wanted it moved up three hours. Bridg started cleaning, and I left.” Quinn took a long swig of his beer and set the mug on the table. The liquid inside sloshed from side to side threatening to overflow.
He slid one plate over in front of Quinn. “What is it about lasses that when they are upset or frustrated—they clean. Synn does the same thing. I can’t find a thing in my own house.” He bit his lip at the expression on Quinn’s face. Shit he didn’t know.
“You two living together now?” Quinn’s eyebrow rose forming a question mark. “Wow… Why am I always the last to know?” He took a big bite out of the sandwich and waved it at Gavin. “Good stuff.”
“It’s not what you think. Her cottage has plumbing problems, and something is nesting in her chimney. Until those problems are corrected, I’ve two house guests. Synn and Storm.” He ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck. This gave him time to make sure to keep his stories straight. He looked at his watch, picked up the mug, considered it, then took a swig.
“Landlord taking a while?” Quinn finished his beer and looked at the mug longingly.
“Da owns the cottage.” He took a big bite of the sandwich and chewed slowly.
Rolling the empty glass between his hands, he looked up. “Oh, yeah, I forgot. Guess you need to do the repairs. Need help?”
“Naw, I’ll get around to it. Besides sounds like you have your hands full.” He took another bite.
Quinn gave him a lopsided grin. “Got that right. But I can make time for a friend. Week after next?”
“If I can find the problem and get the supplies that could work.” He paused for a beat. “I’ll let you know.”
“So is Sunday night’s poker game off?” Quinn stood mug in hand.
“Nope. Synn and the girls are going to your house for a girl’s night. Watching movies, complaining about us, and heaven knows what else. Hope you don’t mind a pup in your house, because Synn plans on taking Storm. Will that be a problem?”
Quinn paused for a moment. “Well, I don’t want it chewing up my stuff.”
“I can see if she’ll leave her with me. But doubtful.”
Holding up his empty mug, Quinn pointed to Gavin’s mug. “Want another?”
“No, I gotta work tonight, and Da is strict about his not drinking policy.”
“That’s why I don’t help out around here. I’ll be right back.” Quinn strode across the floor and plopped his mug on the bar. The bartender switched out the empty for a full. When he headed back toward the table, Bridget swung through the door and shot him the evil eye. She stopped in front of him, hands fisted on her hips.
Oh boy, doesn’t look good for Quinn. He grimaced and looked away. That way he could honestly say he wasn’t paying attention.
A few minutes later, Quinn returned to the table, drank about half of his beer, and slammed the mug on the table. Beer sloshed over the rim and onto the table. Quinn plopped in the seat.
“Hey, don’t be breaking our mugs. We’ll take it out of your earnings tomorrow night,” he said half joking, half not and gathered up a few napkins sopping up the mess. At his friend’s stormy expression, he was forced to ask. “What’s wrong?”
“Women! Can’t live with ’em or without ’em.” Quinn rolled his beer between his hands, then grabbed the handle and guzzled the rest. In a deliberate motion, he set the mug on the table carefully.
He watched his friend’s gaze travel from his empty glass, to the bar, then follow Bridget. “Hey, let’s get out of here. From what you said, you got a gig in an hour. I’ve got to get back and let Storm out. Synn’ll have my head if the pup has an accident in her crate.” He wrinkled his nose. “Besides, I don’t want to clean that up.”
Quinn grunted and stood, mug in hand. He took a step toward the bar.
“You don’t want to do that.” He placed a hand on Quinn’s arm. “Sunday, you can have all you want. We’ll plan on you staying over.”
His friend sneered and jerked his arm free.
“Your band is in high demand now. You start showing up drunk or impaired and…”
“I can hold my drink,” Quinn shot back.
“Didn’t say you couldn’t. It’s unprofessional to show up smelling like a brewery. We’d dismiss you on the spot. Not to mention trouble with Bridg. Not worth it. Go home and cool off. Get ready for your gig.” He gave Quinn a hard look.
“Better get a cup of coffee in you.” He patted his friend’s shoulder, turned on his heel, and headed for the door. On his way past Bridget, he touched her arm. “Don’t know what’s going on, but best give him some space.” With a wave, he caught Katie’s attention, pointed to Quinn, and mimed pouring coffee. She grabbed a cup and the coffee pot. He gave her a thumbs up.
The heavy wooden door groaned as he yanked it open and breathed in the fresh air. The breeze had a slight chill to it, but the sun was still warm as he made his way home. After letting Storm out, he leashed her, and they walked to the beach. He was careful to keep Storm out of the surf.
Trudging up the path toward home pulling a reluctant Storm behind him, he heard a car door close and voices. He quickened his pace as he came up over the rise and saw Synn standing beside the vehicle talking t
o Mary and Tristian. She waved to them as the warlock got back in the car and drove away.
Silhouetted against the sun with her dark tresses blowing in the breeze, she still took his breath away. Just like the first time he set eyes on her. The moment frozen in time shattered when Storm figured out Synn was back and began barking. The pup tugged on the leash trying to get to her. Synn turned toward the sound, a wide smile spread across her face, as she rushed toward them.
A knot formed in his stomach remembering the lukewarm goodbye this morning. The lass was a puzzle. She ran hot and cold. It was a disadvantage for him never knowing how she’d greet him. Still he was anxious to tell her about his visit with the warrior king of the faeries and his wife. Should he tell her what they said and the strange way they left the discussion?
“Storm, I missed you.” She bent down and hugged the wiggling pup to her. “Were you a good girl?” Synn shifted those beautiful aqua eyes to him. “And how was your day?”
“Storm was good. My day— It was different.”
“Do tell.” She rose up on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I missed you too.” She brushed her lips over his and sighed, resting her head against his chest.
He grasped her around the waist and held her tightly against him as he poured his feelings into the kiss. The soft warmth of her curves against him sent shivers of desire through him wiping all thought from his mind except bedding her. Not a chance in Hell that’s going to happen. Easing away, he whispered, “Tell me about your day. Brandy’s wedding plans all set?”
Synn threw her head back and laughed. “Not by a long shot but the wedding gown, shoes, veil, and bridesmaid dresses are bought. The flowers decided and the invitations ordered. Molly’s wedding shop is kinda a one stop shop. She’s a relative of Willow’s—you know Angie’s best friend.”
“I don’t know, but I’ve heard about her. Faerie blood, isn’t she? Married a satyr, right?”
Synn’s eyes rounded. “Faerie yes. But I didn’t know who she married. Bet her family was in shock.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “Don’t know. But I had an interesting day. Talked with Tiarnan and Erin. Storm ran right up to them. Not a peep out of her.”