by Jaclyn Weist
BY JACLYN WEIST
This is a work of fiction, and the views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author. Likewise, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are represented fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events or locales, is entirely coincidental.
More Than Just Luck
Book design and layout copyright © 2018 by Dragons & Fairy Tales Press
Cover design copyright © 2018 by Jaclyn Weist
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Copyright © 2018 by Jaclyn Weist
ISBN-13:
Printed in the United States of America
Year of first printing: 2015
For Steve – My Knight in Shining Armor
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I was supposed to be done with this series. I was all ready to say good-bye to my characters and move on. Don’t get me wrong, I love this series. It holds a rather large part of my heart.
But Megan had other things to say. Right in the middle of my church meetings. So I started yet another journey in this world. I must say, it was like going home when I stepped back into Megan’s shoes.
First of all, I’d like to thank my fans. I wouldn’t get past the discouraging days without the kind words from all of you.
I wrote the majority of this book while I was at the iWritenetwork retreat in March. Thank you to those who encouraged me, and helped brainstorm several ideas. I’d name you all, but I’d feel bad if I missed anyone! But thank you a million times!
Thank you, Tristi for your friendship, encouragement, and awesome editing skills. I owe you so much more than awesome Costco truffles!
And I want to thank Lindzee Armstrong for helping me out with beta reading and making sure all my facts were correct. One of these days I’ll make it to Europe to see all the sights myself, but until then, I’m so glad you were able to help out!
I want to say a huge thank you to my little ones for helping me with character ideas. For my two little boys who wanted so much to be the “bad guys,” I hope you enjoy your stories.
And last, but certainly not least, thank you Steve for being you. Our house wouldn’t be standing if it weren’t for you. And Jared wouldn’t exist without the hunky guy I married fifteen years ago. Thanks for being my perfect blue-eyed, dimpled love interest.
MEGAN
I was about to leave on a dream vacation and all I could worry about were leprechauns. They were supposedly defeated, but I wasn’t sure I believed that.
I packed the last of my clothes and volleyball gear into my bag and zipped it up, then checked the closet and desk to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. I scooped up the few pieces of leprechaun gold sitting on my desk, and set them in the bottom of my trunk. Just before I closed the lid, I touched the sword that had saved me many times over. There was no way I could take it with me on the plane, but I felt bare without it. Besides, we were just going to play volleyball. It wasn’t exactly dangerous.
“Hey, Megan. Are you ready to go? We need to get to Twin Falls.” Mom stood in the doorway, smiling. We would be meeting the rest of the All-star volleyball team at the airport before heading off to Europe.
“Yeah, just finished packing.” I fiddled with the four-leaf clover ring on my finger, and brushed away the wish that Jared and Beth could come with me. This was my thing this time. They had other places to be.
“You’ll be fine, sweetie. You got the bad guy, remember?” She put her arms around me.
I sighed. “Yeah, I know, but you can’t blame me for being jumpy.” I pulled away and grabbed my bag. “Let’s go before Adam and Dad change their minds about letting you come with me.”
Mom laughed. “There’s no chance they’re keeping me home. I need a vacation and some time with my daughter. Besides, someone’s got to keep you out of trouble.”
Yeah, like that would ever happen. Trouble hadn’t left my side since halfway through my junior year, when a leprechaun had shown up at my door and stolen my luck. No, seriously.
Mom and I headed downstairs to say good-bye to everyone. Adam and William barely looked up from the TV. Dad kissed Mom, promising to go out for dinner only if they absolutely had to. I figured that meant every night.
Dad and Maddie followed us out to the front porch and watched as Mom and I put our luggage in the back of the car. We hopped in and pulled out of the driveway, and I couldn’t help grinning as I waved. We made our way to the freeway, and a few minutes later, headed for Twin Falls. I looked out the window, enjoying the peaceful silence of the car. The fields were green with wheat and potatoes. I loved the summers in Idaho, but I couldn’t wait to go to Europe. I’d been in Ireland just a few months before while saving the day, and it had been freezing. I looked forward to seeing it in the summer.
“So, are you excited?” Mom asked.
“Yeah. It’s going to be awesome. We have a few games, but I’m more excited about the sightseeing. How about you?”
“I’ve been dying to travel through Europe since I was your age. I can’t wait for the tours.” Mom hummed to a song on the radio, smiling. This vacation would be good for her.
We pulled in at the airport and parked. I helped Mom grab our stuff, and we headed inside. We stood in a small line to get checked in, and then met up with the rest of the team. I could see by the smiles on their faces that everyone was just as excited as I was.
I heard my phone buzz and checked the message.
Be safe. I love you. Sorry I couldn’t see you off. Don’t forget me.
Love you!
Jared
I grinned and messaged him back with an I love you. I sighed and put the phone away.
“They’ll still be here when you get back.” Mom nodded toward the phone.
“I know. It just feels weird doing something without them. It’s kinda … lonely.” I blinked back tears that popped up out of nowhere, surprising me. Jared and I had been inseparable—much to his parents’ dismay—since we’d graduated, and I felt like I was leaving a piece of me behind.
“Hey, thanks a lot.” Mom nudged my shoulder. “It’ll be okay. You’ll have so much fun, the time will fly and you’ll be back before you know it.”
I cringed. Telling my mom I’m lonely was probably not the smoothest thing to say.
“Hey, Mrs. C, do you know where we take our luggage?” Shelby’s mom asked, standing nearby.
“Oh, I’ll go with you.” Mom smiled back at me an
d walked away.
I wandered over to the other girls and sat down.
“Hey, Megan. Did you remember to print off the itinerary?” Brinley asked.
“Yeah, it’s in my backpack. I can get it for you. I can’t wait for Scotland.” I pulled out the papers and looked over them again. We’d spend a couple of days in each place, and play once in every city. I got butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it.
“I’m excited for Ireland. I want to see their castles. I’ve heard they’re amazing.” Shelby said.
“They are. Except when you’re stuck in their prison.” I muttered the last part.
“Huh?” Shelby looked at me, head tilted to one side.
“Never mind. I’m going to go see when we board. It should be soon.” I stood and left to hide the frustration I felt. I needed to be more careful talking about my trip in front of these girls. They still thought I was somewhat normal, but I needed to talk to someone who understood me. I pulled my hair up into a ponytail as I stared at the board that held the flight information. The summer had decided to hit hard and fast. It was hotter than usual, and I hoped the plane would be cooler than the airport.
There was still another five minutes before it was time to leave, but it felt like hours. When they finally asked us to start boarding, I grabbed my bags and followed Mom outside to stand in line for the plane. We climbed on the plane and found our seats. It was smaller than the ones I’d taken on the way home from Ireland, and could barely fit our team. Thankfully, it was a quick trip to Salt Lake City from here.
Mom sat next to Shelby’s mom, insisting I needed to hang out with the team. There would be plenty of time for that. I pulled out my phone just before we left and texted Beth to tell her good-bye. She’d just gotten a job at the ice cream place and wasn’t happy she had to miss me leaving.
I looked out the window, watching the crews finish getting the plane ready to go, and looked down when my phone buzzed. It was Beth.
See ya. If you get to ride any dragons without me, I’ll never forgive you. Xx
I laughed and texted back.
Not a chance. I’m avoiding everything magical.
Just as the flight attendant told us to turn off our phones, I got a message back.
Who are you kidding? You just better text me as soon as you’re in trouble.
I sighed and sent back a smiley face before turning off the phone. She knew as well as I did that I probably wouldn’t stay out of trouble. I just hoped we were both wrong.
“We will begin our descent into Salt Lake City. Please make sure your seatbelts are buckled and all your carry-ons are secure.”
Those words shouldn’t have sent a jolt of fear through me, but they did. The last flight I’d been on had ended with a bang when the grey man took the tire off our plane. I was just glad Henry the leprechaun had gotten me out of trouble. I sighed in relief at the delicate landing.
“Welcome to Salt Lake City.”
I grabbed my bag and followed Brinley off the plane. We had to rush to our next flight to Atlanta.
Thankfully, that flight went smoothly as well, and I was even able to catch a nap. Mom, on the other hand, had a talkative businessman sitting next to her, and she looked exhausted by the time we got off the plane.
We’d have a three-hour layover before heading to France, so I found a place to sit and dropped my bag down next to me.
“Hey, sweetie. I’m going to get some dinner. Want something?” Mom sat next to me.
“I’d like a burger. I’m not sure when we’ll get one again. Want me to come with you?”
“No, watch our stuff. I’ll be back soon.” She grabbed her purse and wandered off to find food.
I pulled out a book I’d been wanting to read for months and sat back—and instantly felt someone watching me. I shook it off, figuring that I was in a busy place, so of course someone could’ve looked over at me.
I kept reading my book, but couldn’t get into it. It was highly annoying, since I’d saved it just for this trip. I put it away and leaned back in my chair, determined to ignore the feeling. It wasn’t quite as evil as the grey man, but it was still irritating. It was possible I was just being paranoid, but the stare had an almost magical quality to it.
“Here you go.”
I jumped and sat up. “Oh, Mom. You scared me.” I took the burger and shake from her.
“You must have been really out of it.” She sat next to me and opened her salad.
“Not really. But … do you feel something different?”
I felt Mom stiffen next to me. “What do you mean?”
“Maybe it’s nothing. I just swear something’s watching me.” I took a bite of my burger. It was juicy, and exactly what I needed.
“But there can’t be anything here, right? You should have left those in Idaho when you banished O’Malley. Right?” Mom gripped her fork.
I shrugged. “I thought so—wait. Mom, does that guy look familiar to you?” I gestured toward a small man with a red beard. Oh, please, tell me wasn’t…
“Yes. But I don’t know how. Is he a leprechaun?” She studied him through narrowed eyes.
“Maybe, but I haven’t seen this one before, I don’t think. Let’s ignore him and maybe he’ll go away.” Not that I believed it would. I couldn’t help keeping watch.
“Good idea. How’s your food?” She stabbed at her salad.
“Amazing.” I suddenly grabbed Mom’s arm. “Wait—I think I know who that is. It’s got to be Eoin. He looks just enough like Patrika to throw me off.” Eoin had been born at my grandma’s house just a few months ago. By the time he left, he was a terror who destroyed everything in sight—he was a day old. Leprechauns seemed to age really fast, but I didn’t realize he could already look like an adult when he was only five months old.
“You’re right. So what’s he doing here?” she asked quietly.
“I don’t know. And I really, really don’t want to find out. I like the ignoring idea. Let’s go with that.” I balled up my wrapper and moved on to my shake. “Man, this is good.”
“I’m glad you like it.” She put the lid back on her empty salad bowl and held her hand out for my wrapper.
“I’ll take them. Be right back.” I took the salad bowl and went straight for the garbage can farthest from Eoin.
Eoin appeared on top of the garbage can, grinning.. He wore a red dress shirt and green plaid vest, instead of wearing all green like his dad. “You thought you could get rid of me, didn’t you?”
“What do you want? And how did you find me?” I threw the food containers away.
“You didn’t think my da would stop keeping tabs on your family, did you?”
“I had hoped so. But that doesn’t tell me why you’re here.” I looked around to make sure no one was watching me. I didn’t know if anyone else could see him, and I didn’t want it to look like I was talking to a garbage can.
“He wants to warn you away from going on this trip.” He pulled out a gold coin and rolled around on his knuckles before making it disappear again.
“Okay, first of all, he should’ve warned me about that months ago. And second of all, I’m going on this trip because I deserve a little break.” I noticed that my fists were clenched, and I attempted to relax.
“We only heard today, so he couldn’t tell you sooner.”
“Why didn’t he just come himself?” I asked. I smiled at a couple who walked by and threw their stuff in the garbage.
“He’s … preoccupied. He needed me to do it.” His cheery face drooped.
“Where’s your mom?”
“They got her.” Big, fat tears poured down his face. He rubbed his eyes and wailed. Ugh, his grownup appearance made it so hard to remember he was still a baby.
I tried to help him calm down so he could tell me more about Patrika, but it didn’t work. People turned to stare at me. Apparently they’d never seen someone shush a garbage can before. I finally walked back to the chair and pretended like nothing had hap
pened. He could come talk when he’d calmed down.
“What was that all about?” Mom whispered.
“It is Eoin. And apparently Louie doesn’t want us on this trip. Oh, and something about Patrika being taken. I didn’t get any more out of him before he started bawling. Hard to remember he’s only five months old when the guy has a full-grown beard.”
“I can’t believe how big he is. I barely recognized him.” She looked back to where he sat sobbing. She pulled out her phone. “I’m calling Dad.”
“What? Why?” I tried to think of a plan, but the leprechaun’s sobs were getting on my nerves.
“To come and get us. I don’t want to go on this trip if Louie told us not to.”
I grabbed the phone. “No. If there’s something going on, I need to find out what it is. If Patrika is missing like Eoin says she is, this is bad.”
MEGAN
Mom studied me for a moment, eyes blazing. She finally took a deep breath. “I still need to talk to Dad.”
“Mom, think about what people would do if they heard you talking about leprechauns.” I whispered the last word.
“You mean, like we have been? We need to let Dad know. Now watch our stuff. I’ll be back.” Mom left the area, and I sat back in my chair.
Brinley plopped down in the seat next to me. “Hey, is everything okay? You seem upset.”
“Everything’s fine. I just hope we can board soon.” I hoped she would drop the subject.
“I know. This is taking forever. I just want to get there already. I need to meet a guy.”
“I thought you had a guy.” I fingered my ring.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I can’t meet one from another country.” She hopped up. “I’m going to check the schedule. Want to come?”
“My mom wants me to stay with our stuff. I’ll see you when she gets back.”
“Okay, but you should hang out with us.” She waved and left.
Mom sat down next to me. “She’s right you know. You need to talk to more people than Beth and Jared. You’re leaving for college in a few months, and need to get used to meeting new people.”