by Ashlyn Chase
“No, it doesn’t work that way,” all three leprechauns said at once and then they glanced at each other and chuckled.
“What way does it work?” Pat asked.
“Magic comes with some catches,” Clancy said. “That’s why sometimes it backfires and one must be careful with its use.”
Finn focused on Shamus, remembering the way the word “caught” helped him catch the leprechaun when he caught him in a lie. Maybe he could catch one of them in another lie and force the matter.
“We need to coordinate our efforts,” Lucky said. “Does anyone have a map?”
“In me pocket,” Finn said.
Before he could retrieve it, Clancy waved his hand and the map of Boston appeared. He opened it and laid it on the floor between them.
“Here’s where we are now.” He pointed and a red X appeared on the map to mark their B and B’s exact location.
“Impressive,” Finn mumbled. “I wish you could do that for Shannon’s location.”
“Alas, no.”
“Why not?” he almost whined.
“Because we just can’t,” Shamus snapped.
“So, you want to split up and cover more ground?” Pat asked.
Shamus took charge. “You’ll need one of us to go with you. Lucky, you take lover boy, and Clancy can take his sidekick.”
“And what will you be doin’?” Lucky asked.
“The same thing you are, of course. Searchin’ my third of the city.”
“You mean to divide up the whole city?” Finn asked. “I thought we would concentrate on the Massachusetts Avenue area.”
“For today that would be best,” Clancy said. “If we have no luck, we can expand our search.”
“This might take more than a day?” Finn cried.
Shamus humphed. “Who knows? Look at this Massachusetts Avenue. See how long it is?” He leaned over the map. “It goes clear across the river and doesn’t appear to stop.”
Pat kneeled to get a better look. “Is that the truth of it?” He traced the route with his finger. “Holy mother of God. We’ll be walkin’ with holes in our shoes if one of us doesn’t find her soon.”
He took a closer look. “Ah. It changes names here in Harvard Square. And the other way it ends at Columbia Road. It’s manageable.”
“Whew,” Finn said. “You had me worried, Shamus.”
The little man shrugged.
Lucky said. “Finn and I will take this side of the river for the allotted number of blocks. I think she’s close by.”
That news was the best Finn had heard yet. “Come on, lads. Let’s get started!”
The map magically tore into thirds and each party took a piece. Shamus grabbed the piece that started across the river. Finn wondered if there was any particular reason the bossy little leprechaun wanted to be alone and far from where they were now.
* * *
Amber approached Rory and said, “Can we talk?”
He scooted to one side and extended his arm across the back of the futon. “Of course, luv. Sit.”
She smiled and sat next to him, leaving a respectful distance between. He scooted closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“Now that we’ve shared a kiss, there’s no need to be shy.”
And what a kiss it was. She had to fight to regain her objectivity. There were certain things that needed to be addressed—soon.
“Rory, I think we need to have the talk.”
His brow wrinkled. “The talk? Is that somethin’ Americans understand? Because I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Um…” She felt her face heat. “I, uh…” She took a deep breath and launched into it. “It’s clear that we’re attracted to each other.”
He grinned. “That we are, without a doubt. And it’s good to hear you admit that it goes both ways.”
“Uh, yeah. And, well…” She had to get this out before she lost her nerve. “And just in case our, um…attraction—for lack of a better term—goes any further, we need to discuss certain things. Important things.”
His brow wrinkled in confusion. “Hmmm… Say what’s on your mind. I’m not so good at guessin’ games.”
She blew out a frustrated breath. “Like health concerns—birth control for one. I didn’t come equipped with condoms, and I doubt you have a box of them in your pocket.”
“Ah!”
Light dawns at last.
“You don’t need to worry about that, luv. I can’t get you pregnant.”
“Oh?” She hoped he’d elaborate, so she wouldn’t have to ask if he meant he was sterile.
“It’s both a curse and a blessin’, I suppose.”
She suddenly felt too hot and scooted away from him a few inches.
“If all goes well between us and you want children, I’m not opposed to adoption.”
Her jaw dropped. “No! I mean—let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I was just concerned about an unwanted pregnancy or HIV.”
He chuckled. “Ah. Fine. I don’t know what this talk consists of so you’ll have to forgive me if I answer wrongly.”
“There are no right or wrong answers. Just tell the blunt and honest truth.” Forging on. “I’m disease free and haven’t been with a man since I was tested for sexually transmitted diseases.”
“Oh? Why were you tested?”
“I found out my last boyfriend was a man-whore.”
Rory’s eyebrows shot up. “He lay with women for money?”
Amber laughed. “No. It’s just an American expression, meaning he was promiscuous.”
“Ah, I see. And did you know he was a ‘man-whore’ all along, or did you find out the hard way?”
“Definitely number two.” The shitty way. “I overheard him making plans with another flight attendant, and when I confronted him, he admitted he had cheated on me—a lot.” She knew she was frowning, but anger was better than tears.
“Ah, lass.” Rory took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’d never do that to you. Never.”
Was this too much to hope for? Had she finally found an honest man who wouldn’t hurt her?
“The only problem I foresee…” he began.
Of course. I knew it was too good to be true.
“I’m the head of me clan—small as it is. But I have certain responsibilities that I cannot shirk and cannot manage from here. At some point I must return to Ireland.”
And there it is.
She sighed. “Of course. I would always come last. But, at least I’ll eventually get this damn apartment.”
She rose, but he didn’t let go of her hand.
“Wait,” Rory said. “We aren’t finished with our talk.”
She sighed. “I think we are.”
* * *
Shannon and Chloe had stopped at an outdoor vendor’s cart to admire his handmade jewelry. Shannon was trying on a ring when sadness suddenly overwhelmed her.
Chloe happened to glance up as her sister’s tears fell. “Ah, feckers. Don’t start that again.”
Shannon sniffed. “I can’t help it. I miss Finn, and I can’t help wonderin’ what he thinks of me.”
“He probably thinks you were kidnapped. He knows you’d never desert him on purpose.”
Shannon rounded on her sister. “And that’s supposed to help?” Off in the distance, over Chloe’s shoulder, Shannon glimpsed a familiar-looking lanky lad striding along with his hands in his pockets just like Finn used to do. Wait a minute… She took off in his direction screaming, “Finn!”
“Hey!” the vendor yelled. “Are you gonna pay for that?”
Shannon didn’t care what the man thought she was doing. If she had a chance of catching the love of her life before he disappeared, she would—or die trying.
Somehow, Finn must have heard her and recognized her voice. He sto
pped just before turning the corner. She saw him searching the street, and then his gaze landed on her. She saw the light of recognition in his eyes, and seconds later he was running toward her just as swiftly.
“Shannon!”
They came together in a tangle of arms and legs, lips and shoulders. Falling sideways, Shannon would have hit the pavement except that Finn turned at the last second to break her fall. So like the gentleman he was—even at the age of nineteen. He held her tight, as if he’d never let her go.
“Oh, Shannon. I thought I’d never see you again.”
She was crying and couldn’t speak.
“Oh, don’t cry, luv. Whatever brought you here, I’ll sort it out for you.”
She glanced up and spotted one of the horrible leprechauns standing behind Finn, and then she found her voice. Pointing, she shouted, “Him. He’s responsible for this!”
When Finn glanced over his shoulder, the little man shrugged.
Finn scrambled to his feet, pulled Shannon up, and demanded. “Is it true? Did you send her here?”
“I did not. Not exactly.”
Finn held on to Shannon’s hand but took a step toward the leprechaun, as if he could intimidate the little shite. “What exactly did you do?”
“Clancy’s pot o’ gold went missin’. Shamus said the Arish clan took it. A vote was taken and it was decided that they needed to be cast out of Ireland. For what it’s worth, I voted against it.”
“Oh. So that makes everythin’ all right? Why didn’t you stop them? What is wrong with you?”
The leprechaun raised his eyebrows at Shannon, and she gave him a subtle headshake. Please don’t tell him I’m a nine-hundred-year-old dragon…not a nineteen-year-old human.
Chloe arrived, breathing hard. “I paid for your shopliftin’, Shannon—and talked the man out of callin’ the garda.”
Shannon was barely paying attention to her sister. “Thanks,” she mumbled.
Chloe acknowledged the others. “Finn? I don’t know how you found her, but I’m glad you did. Mayhaps now Shannon can stop blubberin’.” Then she narrowed her gaze at Lucky. “And what might you be doin’ here?”
“I helped the young lad here find his lady. You’re welcome.”
Chloe clenched her fists, “If not for you and your mates, they wouldn’t have been separated a’tall.”
Lucky folded his arms and ignored her comment. “We have business to discuss with your brother. Where might he be?”
Chloe tipped her head. “Why don’t you discuss your business with me? Let these two lovebirds have their privacy.”
“Because your brother is the eldest and the leader of your…” He glanced at Finn. “The head of the household.”
“Shannon, Finn, why don’t you go get reacquainted at a nearby pub. I’ll handle this situation.”
Shannon whispered in Chloe’s ear. “I don’t see any reason we can’t take him to Rory. He needs to know they’re here anyway.”
Chloe folded her arms. She appeared to be in silent contemplation for a few moments. At last she answered, “Fine. I’ll take you to me brother, but Shannon won’t be there. She has more important things to do.”
She smiled at Shannon and winked.
Heat flooded her face. Shannon knew she must be blushing furiously. Ah, the curse of the redhead.
Chapter 10
Chad was waiting by the front door when it flew open and a young couple raced up the stairs.
It was the younger Arish girl, but he hadn’t seen the boy before. Ah, young love. So impatient.
Chloe tromped in behind them, followed by an extremely short fellow. He wasn’t a child, since he sported a full beard. “Hmmm… Who could that be?” Chad wondered aloud—well, as “out loud” as a ghost gets.
The little man froze. “There’s a spirit here,” he said, rolling his r’s the same way the new Irish tenants did.
“You can see me?” Chad asked. He floated right in front of the man.
“I can see you and hear you—although I wish I was only hearin’ you, spirit. You sound like a man, but you’re wearin’ a necklace and a long frock. Are you one of them cross-dressers then?”
At first Chad was offended, but then he laughed. This dude was obviously some old square from another country. “They’re called love beads and my pants are bell bottoms. I died in the sixties.”
Chloe’s eyes rounded. “Lucky, are you talkin’ to a ghost?”
“Apparently your buildin’ is haunted,” he said to Chloe. He turned back toward Chad and asked, “What is your purpose here, spirit? Be you friendly or…otherwise?”
“I don’t see why my purpose is any of your business. Who are you, and what are you doing in my building?”
“Ah, I see. So it’s like that, is it?”
“See what?” Chloe asked. “What is he sayin’?”
The little man put a hand on her arm as if to stay her questions. Then he bowed to Chad and introduced himself. “Me name is Lucky, and I come from Ireland on an important errand.”
“What kind of errand?”
“’Tis really none of your business, though I don’t suppose I can stop you from overhearin’.”
“You got that right.”
Chloe took a step toward her brother’s door and knocked.
“Not yet,” Lucky said. “I’d like to finish me conversation with the spirit first.”
Chloe, who had previously seemed fearless, knocked frantically on her brother’s door.
“I’m comin’, I’m comin’…” Rory called out from inside the apartment.
At last his door swung open. “What the feck, Chloe?”
Chloe pushed her way in and slammed the door behind her.
Ignoring her, the little man continued talking to Chad. “All right. I suppose like others in this country, you don’t believe in leprechauns, so let me save you from wastin’ your breath. We’re real. We have powerful magic. And ’tis true, we have pots of gold to protect. And that’s why I’m here. Me brother Clancy’s gold was stolen. Me other brother, Shamus, convinced us the dragons took it, so we ran them out of Ireland.”
“Drove the dragons out, Saint Patrick style?”
“Somethin’ like that. Have you heard them talk about where they might have hidden some gold coins?”
“No. And furthermore,” Chad said, “the dragons have been a groovy addition to the building. I don’t want to see them hurt. It seems like you’ve done enough, driving them out of their homeland, so why don’t you just be cool, go back to Ireland, and leave them alone?”
“Well, here’s the thing,” Lucky said. “One of me brothers is hopin’ to question them and find his gold. The other seems to have some kind of personal vendetta against the dragons in general. I’m the only one unconvinced that they took it in the first place.”
“And where are the other two now?”
“We split up to look for the Arish girl. We told young Finn we wanted to help him find her. What we really wanted was to find her brother—their clan elder.”
“So you lied to the kid.”
“Hey. We found his ladylove, didn’t we? Did you happen to see how happy they were?”
“And now you know where her brother is.”
Lucky nodded. “Now I know where he is.” He pointed to apartment 1B. “He’s right behind that door. I’m supposed to call the others. They’ll come and bring Finn’s friend Patrick.”
“Can you hold off on that? I have a little idea that might be worth exploring.”
“An idea, you say? What kind of idea?”
“One that requires your magic. And if you really don’t hold any ill will toward the dragons, I think it will help them be happy here. That way they’ll stay in Boston and out of your hair.”
Lucky removed his hat and finger-combed his messy orange mop. “I supp
ose if they had a better reason to stay than to go home, it might just work out for all concerned.”
Chad grinned. He was excited to see what would happen if he could pull off his plan, and now with a little help from magic, he had no doubt the pieces would fall into place—or backfire. Either way, the result would be highly entertaining.
* * *
Chloe had grabbed her brother’s arm and dragged him to the corner farthest from Amber’s room.
“Where are you draggin’ me, Chloe?”
“Shhh. I don’t want Amber to overhear this conversation. Lord knows if the little shites outside the door can hear us or not.”
“What little shites? Who’s outside the door?” Rory asked in a whisper.
“Lucky’s conversin’ with a spirit hauntin’ the place.”
Rory gasped. “Lucky, the lep—”
Chloe clamped her hand over his mouth and whispered in his ear. “You don’t want Amber to hear you talking about leprechauns. And you don’t want the spirit hauntin’ the place to overhear you either.”
Rory reared back. He had to remind himself to whisper. “What do you know about this spirit?”
“Not much a’tall.”
“So what does he want?”
“Who?”
“The ghost, of course… And where’s Shannon, by the way?”
“Oh! I can’t believe I forgot… She found Finn. Or rather, Finn found her.”
Rory’s jaw dropped. “Finn Kelley? From Ballyhoo?”
“That’s the one. He came lookin’ for her. Brought the feckin’ leprechauns with him, but I suppose he’d never have found her without ’em.”
Rory’s suspicions were raised immediately. Leprechauns weren’t overly fond of humans and tended to avoid them at all costs. “And why would they want to help him?”
“Lucky said they were lookin’ for you. I guess Finn figured if they found you, he’d find Shannon. And if Finn found Shannon, the leprechauns would find you.”
“Not a bad guess. So, if Lucky is lookin’ for me, why is he talkin to a ghost outside me door?”
Chloe shrugged. “I don’t pretend to know what goes through the little people’s heads. They’re as much a mystery to me as they are to you.”