"My heart was beating so hard, I thought I'd just run a race."
Kelly stood, tossing the covers back. Casey watched, mesmerized by his strength, his muscles, the power emanating from him as he walked gracefully to his clothes. Casey still had the covers pulled high. My goodness, but there was no room for modesty. Only this morning he'd touched every inch of her.
"I will meet you downstairs," he winked at her and left after quickly pulling on his pants and shirt.
Casey scrambled to her clothes, dressing and washing quickly. Looking in the mirror, she touched up her hair and pinched her cheeks.
"All right, I guess it's time to face the music."
By the time Casey reached the tap room, only Dorinda and Kelly were there.
"Your parents left. They told me to tell you congratulations."
"They were furious."
"Livid," Dorinda said. "But like all parents they will come around."
"They will disown me."
Dorinda set a plate of strawberry scones in front of Casey. "I'm not saying any of this will be easy. But in the end, they will want what is best for you--what will make you the happiest. Parents have a way of learning their children have grown up and have minds, thoughts, hopes and dreams as well."
~ * ~
Moya's clasped her hands in front of her chin and heaved a sigh of relief. It appeared as if all was right, well almost right, with the couple. They were truly wed. And perhaps the parents of the bride would grant them a grand reception. Perhaps, too, they would reveal the reason for the feud.
"You look the proud God-faerie today, Oran."
"I am, just look at the two of them. He cannot keep his eyes off her. He is so very in love."
"As is she," Moya said. "They are no longer star-crossed lovers."
"We will have to concentrate our efforts on the parents. A little faerie dust might loosen up their hearts."
"Ah, but look there," Moya said pointing to the door. "The forgiving part did not take as long as we thought it might."
"And how do you be knowin' they have forgiven?"
"Their smiles tell me all I need to know." Moya swirled in the air showering all in the tavern with golden dust.
"Stop that," Oran said. "Not to throw a damper on all of this, but I'm sure Cary and Conn will be showin' up soon. We are going to have to come up with a master plan--a strategy that cannot be bettered."
"I don't think so," Moya said. "On my way here I saw a strange object out on the cliffs and a little tiny dog running circles around it and barking his head off. Cary and Conn were flittin' about and I think they will be engaged there for a bit."
"Really, what did it--this strange object--be lookin' like?"
"I cannot be sayin'. It was strange and huge, a circle of sorts. Florence was there too. He was walking around it, trying to stay away from the dog."
"Hmmm…"
"My thoughts too. We will have to check it out. Go see what is happening."
"As soon as we are positive about the forgiveness here."
"Look, Casey's mom just gave her a peck on the cheek." Moya fluttered to the ceiling then back down, sighing.
"Do you think we can check out that--that thing you saw?
"Oh, yes."
~ * ~
Florence walked around a huge cylindrical shaped object. Rubbing his chin he looked it up and down. "Oh, my and what would this be?" He ran his hand over the surface, curiosity overcoming rational thought.
Just then the thing opened, a doorway of sorts, and a small dog darted through the dark portal. Running around him, nipping at his heels the dog barked incessantly. "Mangy mutt."
The dog lifted his leg and peed on him. Florence kicked at the dog but missed. "Damn," he shook his foot trying to dislodge some of the liquid. The dog darted and pranced then sprinted after a butterfly toward town. "Good riddance, you mangy mutt."
Frustration over Casey's marriage had led him to seek solace. Watching the waves rise and fall then crash against the cliffs had always had a mesmerizing effect on him. Today he had come across this gigantic red thing. He had no other name for it--had never seen anything like it before.
He should know better but the thing drew him and the dark opening beckoned to him. He needed to see what was inside. There had to be a way to turn a profit here. Perhaps he could use it against Kelly--or Patrick--or both of them. He'd love to watch the men squirm.
He stepped inside. Sweat beaded on his forehead, sliding down his cheek and neck to soak into his perfectly white, silk shirt.
"Oh, my, oh my." Gadgets whirled and hummed. Lights flashed, blinking non-stop. He felt slightly nauseous. He put his hand on his ears to deafen the noises thrumming around him.
I should get out--leave now. But some unknown force kept his feet firmly planted on the floor of the thing. He closed his eyes, murmuring a prayer for himself then feeling satisfied nothing could hurt him, he opened his eyes.
The machine went quiet. The silence terrified more than the noise. He squinted and saw one blinking light. The light called to him. "Florence, Florence--Florence come see. Come here and find out what I am. I have been made just for you. I will make you rich, rich, rich--as Midas."
"Good God, had he gone daft?" He was talking to machines and listening to the same machine talk to him. Granted, they seemed to be talking to him. But…his thoughts trailed into oblivion. A blue light began to flicker. Captivating, enthralling, spellbinding his every sense. Back off, Florence, a little voice in his head faintly spoke. Back off or you might regret this strange inquisitiveness.
He could not leave. Nothing within him would allow retreat. He had to find out what this was, how it worked. The tales he could spin if he could figure this out. At first he had frozen, his body numb, but now he felt more relaxed, more in control.
Cautiously he walked to the panel of lights and buttons. Pushing one he discovered a little cigar shaped object pop out. His thoughts centered around the yappy little dog who had exited this machine a few minutes ago. Interesting. Bending down he picked up the object and ran it under his nose. Hmm…smells of meat or, he wasn't quite sure. He put it in his mouth as if to smoke and tried to light the end. Nothing. Tasted alright though he didn't think he would like to eat it. It was a bit hard.
He tried a pink button which said, FOOD. The cigar shaped object must not be food. A bar shot out from the slot. It was a, as the label said, a fiber bar. What the bloody hell was a fiber bar? He opened it and gingerly bit into the bar. Hmm…good. Chewing slowly he finished the bar then found another button.
Drinks… He pushed. A cup burst out then ice to be followed by a dark liquid. He watched in awe. Shaking his head in disbelief, he picked up the cup and tentatively sipped. Good too, he drank a large gulp of the fizzy stuff then belched.
"My oh my," he said again. What have I found? He lost his original caution and began pushing buttons to see what they would do.
START. Alright what will this start? He pushed. Suddenly the machine kicked into action. Buzzing and humming, whirling and blinking the big red thing seemed to rumble loudly to life.
Excitement roared to full throttle inside Florence. The thrill nearly had him jumping out of his magnificently shined Hessians. His heart pounded. A fierce need to know what was happening to him took hold. Could this move? Roars echoed inside his head. Two chairs materialized beneath him. As if human a machine-like person escorted him to a chair and strapped him in to it.
"Good Lord, I'm going to die!"
"Taking off," a calm male voice spoke from above. "Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride--an adventure of a lifetime--I always say."
"Ride? What kind of ride? I don't want to take a ride--maybe I do. I'll be able to patent this and make a fortune." If you survive, a voice inside his head reverberated.
"The weather is sunny and warm here in Oregon. Prepare for a rare spring day of sunshine."
"Oregon--where the hell is Oregon?" Florence clenched the chair, his fingertips digging into the sof
t fabric. The machine sputtered and rocked then suddenly it stopped.
"You have reached your destination," the male voice told him.
~ * ~
"By all that's holy!" Conn said.
When Florence pushed the start button and the machine roared to life the momentum sent Cary flying into Conn's chest.
"I'm not likin' the feel of this," Cary said shakily as she regained her composure and fluttered nervously around the big red machine.
"Me neither. What do you suppose is happening?"
Gold dust flitted around the small space as if it were dust highlighted by sunlight. "That little scamp of a dog sure was eager to get out. And where the devil is this Oregon? Never heard of it before."
Cary's heart beat so hard she could feel it when she put her hand to her breast. "Oh, lordy," she moaned softly. She flew to a counter in the machine and sat there afraid she would faint. Her head spun crazily and her stomach churned.
Conn flew from side to side as if he paced the floor. When the machine stopped abruptly, Cary fell from the counter to land sprawled on the floor and Conn found himself rammed against one side of the machine, buttons imbedded in his flesh.
"Oh…" Cary's wail of fear brought Conn to her side.
"We have to leave this place now!"
"Do you know how?"
"Looks as if Florence has the same idea. He has pushed the button which opens the door. See--" Conn pointed one finger as the countryside slowly came into view. He grabbed Cary's hand and they were out the door, Florence a step behind them.
Epilogue
"Here's to the happy couple." Casey's father stood on a chair, saluting them with good wishes and a mug of ale in one hand.
Casey's heart swelled with pride as she sipped the brew handed to her by Dorinda. She leaned into Kelly, reveling in the warmth and good cheer between the families. Somehow they all had managed to put their quarrels aside. She wondered if she dared ask about the feud and if it would bring up bad memories. Best she left her questions unanswered.
"Sarah." Casey stood her arms open for her nurse.
Sarah ran to Casey, enclosing her in her arms and whispering to her. "I will tell you of the feud later. Don't ask anyone. We don't want to be puttin' a damper on your big day, now do we, lass?"
The warning went straight to Casey's heart, echoing her feelings. Realizing the knowledge would soon be hers, she nodded her acceptance then turned and smiled brightly at the people in the room.
"Here is to my little sister and the man she loves, may he always catch her when she stumbles," Patrick said laughing good naturedly.
Casey blushed, oh how much truer could he be. He teased her and many there did not know how very clumsy she was.
"Patrick," her mother said, sounding astounded at what her brother dared to say. "Play nice, this is an important day."
Patrick held out his arms, shrugging his shoulders with a wide wicked grin pointed to his sister then Kelly.
Casey felt the tears rising to her eyes. She waved her hand in front of her face just as Kelly wrapped her in his arms and swung her from her seat. For several long seconds he whirled her around the room, "I love you. Don't you ever forget that and don't let what your older brother said make you unhappy."
She nodded, sniffing.
"Promise me," he said looking seriously at her almost as if he demanded her happiness.
"I promise. I love you too." She let her head rest on his shoulder, closing her eyes for a brief second before lifting her head and smiling broadly.
"Good, let us finish with the celebration then." Kelly kissed her on the cheek to the roars of the others in the room accompanied with a few ribald jests.
An Irish jig kicked in then young and old danced.
"It seems that at least on the surface our families are accepting of the marriage," Casey said, gazing around the room and smiling.
"It does and for that I am thankful. It doesn't mean we will not have the rocky roads ahead of us," Kelly said.
"But we will have each other."
"And what would you be meanin' by that?" he asked, kissing her once more.
"We have not been together all that long. There is much we haven't discussed or come to a decision on."
"What are you talking about?" He held her back slightly, a curious look on his face.
Casey felt heat rush to her face and the blush surfacing. "Children," she spoke softly. "We haven't talked about where we will live, or…"
"Hush, there is plenty of time for all that. I'm sure we will find compromise in everything we do. As for children--unless you want more than ten or less than one--I am fine."
Casey's heart fluttered so fast her head spun. She had truly found her prince charming, her knight in shining armor. What more could she ask for? She leaned close and whispered to him once more. "I love you, Kelly."
"And I love you, too, my sweet, sweet Casey."
Discover the rest of the story in
A St. Patrick's Day Tale
by
Christine Young, C. L. Kraemer, Genene Valleau
Tumble through time…
…to Ireland in 1817, when tensions are high between Protestants and Chatolics and faey people guide the fate of villagers. A lovely Catholic lass stumbles upon the weakly ritual fisticuffing between Irish lads. She falls into the lap of a handsome young Protestant. Family ties, grudges, and two conniving faeries threaten their budding love. But the faeries outsmart themselves when they hijack a time machine that has mysteriously appeared in their forest and are whisked to…
…Eugene, Oregon in the 20th century, amid a property feud between the local faeries and night elves. The conniving faeries from Olde Ireland try to stir up more mischief. However, a warrior gnome convinces the magic folk to control their own destiny, and forces the intruding faeries to take refuge in the time machine again, spinning their way toward…
…A modern day castle in western Oregon. An eccentric inventor is determined to reclaim his wayward time machine and save his beloved wife from her latest misadventure. If only they can travel safely past the black hole…
Available at Rogue Phoenix Press
www.roguephoenixpress.com
Other books by Christine Young
Available at Rogue Phoenix Press
Highland Honor
The first book in the Highland Series
Willfully stubborn, innocently courageous, Callie Whitcomb braves a journey through the treacherous highlands to the Macpherson castle. Callie flees from an unwanted marriage as well as her ruthless half brother. Naively she believes Colin MacPherson, the head of the clan, is loyal to her father and will give her sanctuary, protecting her from the vile plans that have been made for her.
As hard and as unyielding as the winter storms that sweep through the countryside, Colin is irresistibly drawn to the impetuous beauty who has magically appeared on his doorsteps. Despite his vows of revenge against her father, she stirs his passion as well as his sense of justice...but to love her would violate all his vows of revenge.
Highland Magic
The second book in the Highland Series
Throughout the Highlands she is known as Keely, the witch woman. She is a great healer-a woman whose dreams come true. Ian MacPherson is a man who puts honor, loyalty and duty above everything. Their lives are entwined when Ian is sent by the Scottish King to bring Keely to trial for witchcraft. He is attacked and left for dead, but Keely rescues him. When he wakes, he discovers he has no memory. As he remembers his lost past, Ian finds that his need to protect the woman who has saved his life eclipses his duty to his king and country., He is a man torn between honor and duty to his country and the woman he loves.
Highland Song
The third book in the Highland Series
With her white-gold hair and azure eyes, Lainie MacPherson is as wild and untamed as the rugged Scottish Highlands where she was raised. Lainie vowed to avenge her rape. Recklessly, she defies English laws and the man who raped her p
uts a bounty on her head. The man who is sent to bring her to Edinburgh sets a dangerous trap. With nothing left to live for the beautiful Scottish spy steals the sealed documents the English soldier has tempted her with.
When the exquisite temptress takes the bait and runs off with not only the forged documents but the purses of the men in the tavern, Aaron Slade vows to hunt her down and bring her to justice, never dreaming she will tame his jaded soul. When Aaron discovers the truth about the tempestuous woman who stirs his passion to the point of madness, he dares not love her, but desires her with all his soul.
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