by Ashlyn Chase
“Yeah. I see it now,” Haggarty persisted. “You two have the hots for each other.”
Chloe whirled around. “We do not. We’ve merely struck a truce. Something I’d like to do to everyone here.”
Haggarty leaned back and laughed. “Oh really? You’d like to do everyone here?”
Ryan balled his fists and began walking toward him.
Chloe stepped into his path. “Ignore him. He’s not worth gettin’ your knickers in a twist. Sure’n he’s baitin’ us.” She whirled on Haggarty. “And you… Stop arsin’ around.”
Ryan leaned in and whispered, “I think the term you’re looking for is horsing around.”
She folded her arms. “Not when the fecker is bein’ an arse.”
Haggarty roared laughing, but Chloe turned away from him and simply resumed doing the dishes.
She was upset all right. The Irish accent was back in full force. But if she could play it cool, so could he.
The two of them returned to their task, and as soon as Haggarty realized he wasn’t going to get a rise out of them, he left the kitchen softly chanting an old ditty, “Ryan and Chloe, sittin’ in a tree…”
She let out a loud sigh and returned her focus to Ryan. “So why did you look so upset after speaking to the lieutenant?”
“My grandfather’s in Boston General Hospital. Apparently all the Fierros can’t leave their posts at once or the city would burn to the ground.”
“Ah, so you have to wait your turn?”
“Maybe I won’t be getting a turn. We’re all hoping they won’t keep him long. Jayce is the closest since he works in District 3, and he’s with him now. My parents are there and…well, I can’t help wishing I could be there too.”
Ryan hoped he wasn’t overplaying his distress. His grandfather could always rise from the ashes, but getting a body out of the morgue to light on fire could be tricky.
“So are you all on the same shift?”
“Pretty much. My mother likes to have Sunday dinner with the whole family as often as we’re available. My youngest brother is still in school and lives at home, so he’s expected every Sunday.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your grandda,” Chloe said as she covered his hand with hers.
He glanced down and realized he was gripping the edge of the sink a little too tightly. His knuckles were turning white and he’d have a hard time explaining how the stainless steel got dented.
He quickly loosened his grip and grabbed a towel to dry his hands. That stopped Chloe from continuing to show her sensitive side in case anyone was watching. Until the guys accepted her as an equal, she really needed to keep up the “tough girl” act…if indeed it was an act.
* * *
Finally, their stretch of twenty-four-hour shifts ended. They’d had several calls that didn’t involve actual fires, including a car accident that required the jaws of life, but at least the work had kept everyone busy. Ryan had had his turn visiting his grandfather and returned to work a little more relaxed, but distant. Chloe was relieved to return to her own family and have a break from her “brotherhood.”
Over dinner with Rory and Amber, she’d told them about responding to car crashes, smoke alarms, a gas leak in a high-rise building, and a few drunk teenagers who decided it might be a good idea to have a big bonfire in an alley. Her group had even been called in to back up a structure fire in another district, but the fire had been pretty much contained by the time they’d arrived.
“You sound excited about the work you’re doin’,” Rory said.
She smiled. It hadn’t been overwhelmingly exciting yet, but she knew the day would come when her mettle would be tested.
“I know I’ve only known you for a year and a half, Chloe,” Amber said, “but I can see a change in you. You’re more relaxed and focused. I think this job must be good for you.”
Her hazing was all part of the “fun,” but her brother wouldn’t understand—so she’d left that part out.
“I almost wish we had blocks of wooden three-decker homes, like the Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, and Roxbury neighborhoods have. But no. As much as I’m itching to fight real fires, I’d hate to see families out on the sidewalk, grieving their losses.”
The doorbell rang.
“Are you expectin’ anyone?” Chloe asked.
Rory rose and grinned. “As a matter of fact, we are.”
Oh no. She knew that expression. He was up to something, and it better not involve Ryan. As much as she’d finally admitted to herself that she liked the guy, she needed time off from him—from everyone at the station. The energy they’d expended hiding their sexual tension was exhausting.
“Relax, guys. I’ll get it,” Amber said before she evaporated.
Chloe sucked in a breath. “Won’t she get into trouble if Mother Nature knows she’s using her muse powers as a way of travel when she doesn’t have to?”
“Nah. Gaia loves her modern muses. And Amber is the muse of air travel, after all.” He grinned. “Don’t worry. She’s careful. She materializes in the coat closet where no one can see her suddenly appear.”
“The closet, huh? No one thinks it’s strange that she’s comin’ out of the closet…in a literal sense, I mean.”
Rory chuckled. “I knew what you meant. She plans to say she was cleanin’ it a bit, if anyone asks. So far, no one has.”
Chloe heard heavy footsteps on the stairs. A lot of them. Now she was truly puzzled. Her brother wouldn’t have invited her whole work group for dessert, would he?
Into the kitchen walked her three Ulster cousins. Conlan, Eagan, and her least favorite—Aiden.
Oh joy.
She pasted a smile on her face and followed Rory to shake their hands. She was surprised when Aiden grasped her in a big hug.
“Welcome,” Rory said.
“Thanks fer havin’ us, Cousin,” Conlan said. “I knew you wanted us to come for Christmas, but that’s a busy time of year back home.”
“Indeed,” he said. “Though there’s never a bad time for whiskey makin’, is there?”
They all chuckled.
“Anyway, the American Thanksgiving sounded like a lovely holiday, and when Amber told us about how it was for families and friends comin’ together to count their blessin’s… Well, we could hardly refuse. Are you sure you have room for us?”
Rory laughed. “We do. As much as we still intend to open this place as a bed and breakfast, we’ve been puttin’ it off…enjoyin’ a little time alone.”
“With your sister, it seems,” Aiden pointed out.
“I live next door,” Chloe said. “I come when I’m invited.”
Eagan slapped her on the back. “An’ it’s been ages since I’ve seen you, luv. How’s she cuttin’?”
“Survivin’,” she answered.
Amber clapped her hands together. “Well, you must be exhausted from your trip. Let me show you to your rooms. Just one more flight up. Would you like to use the elevator this time?”
“No need,” said Aiden. He shimmered, transformed into his dragon form, grabbed the suitcase with his clothes, and flew up the stairs.
“Show-off,” Chloe muttered under her breath.
Conlan laughed. “That he is. Lead the way, Amber. Eagan and I aren’t too tired to amble up another flight of stairs.”
They picked up their suitcases and followed their hostess up the stairs the “human” way. As soon as they were out of sight, Chloe frantically whispered in Rory’s ear.
“Why did you invite them to Boston? You know Mother Nature spends a lot of time here. If she catches ’em shiftin’ into dragon form, she’ll be furious.”
“I’m sure Amber will speak to them about it. She knows the goddess better than all of us.”
Suddenly a small whirlwind formed in the opening to the dining room. When the swirling stop
ped, Mother Nature, in all her glory, stood there with her hands on her hips.
“Did I hear someone call my name?”
“Ah…no?” Rory attempted.
“Maybe I should rephrase that,” the Goddess of All said. “I heard my name. What do you want?”
“We didn’t mean to bother you, Goddess. Truly. We were just mentionin’ how you honor Boston with your mighty presence…”
She waved a hand. “Cut the blarney, dragon. That Irish charm doesn’t work on me.”
Chloe knew for a fact the touchy deity was able to be placated with flattery, so she tried her hand. She simply had to be better at it than her brother was.
“Gaia. We are honored by your presence. If we mistakenly called to you when we were mentionin’ your name in a positive way, we apologize—wholeheartedly. We know how busy you are. Now, if you need to return to any—”
“No, thanks. I think I’ll stay right where I am for a few minutes,” she said. A chair materialized under her butt as she sat.
Chloe exchanged a look with Rory that could only be interpreted as “Oh, shite. What do we do now?”
“Why don’t you make yerself comfortable in the dining room, Goddess?” asked Rory.
Gaia rose and the chair disappeared. She strode to the dining room, took a seat at the head of the long table, and asked, “Is Amber around?”
“Indeed she is.” Rory grabbed a stack of plates from the sideboard. “Some new guests just arrived and she’s helpin’ them settle in. Would you like to join us for pie?”
The goddess ignored his invitation. “It’s about time you had some paranormal guests. I thought for a minute that my plan of keeping you all in one place wasn’t working.”
Plan? Working? Chloe knew the goddess had gifted Amber and Rory with the building, but she’d thought it was a reward for Amber because she took the job of a modern muse. The goddess badly needed someone to take care of things the ancients couldn’t do. As a former flight attendant, Amber had proven invaluable when helping floundering pilots stay calm and land safely in any number of situations.
Gaia looked directly at Chloe. “Yes. The building was a reward for my new muse, but it was your brother’s idea to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast for visiting paranormals. I merely encouraged the idea since it served my purposes.”
“I see,” Chloe said. “Can I pour you a cup of tea, Gaia?”
“Don’t trouble yourself.” She pointed to a spot on the tablecloth in front of her and a steaming cup of tea appeared. She took a sip and said, “Mmm… Darjeeling straight from my hills of northern India. Delicious.”
I guess she’s not going to offer us a cup.
“Sit down, little dragon. I’m perfectly capable of sharing—when I want to.” Full tea cups appeared in front of her and Rory. “While I’m at it…” She snapped her fingers and four more cups appeared around the table.
How did she know there were four more? Chloe stopped her thought mid-sentence. Duh, the Goddess of All knows where her children are.
“Not always, little dragon. Now, what kind of pie do you have?”
Amber appeared in the doorway. “Gaia! What a pleasant surprise.” She strode over to her and kissed her on both cheeks. “What kind of pie would you like? I can pop out and get it for you.”
Mother Nature narrowed her eyes. “I hope you don’t use your powers to ‘pop out’ to the bakery willy-nilly, Muse of Air Travel. As you know I would be furious if you were seen reappearing anywhere.”
“Of course not, Gaia. I’m completely aware of your number one rule, and I wouldn’t tip off any humans. My reappearance would take place around the corner from Mike’s. That side street is quiet right now.”
Her uneven brows rose. “Mike’s? In the North End?”
Amber grinned. “Is there another?”
“Damn. Now my mouth is watering for a strawberry cannoli.”
“I’ll get an assortment,” Amber said.
“Don’t bother. I’ll stop by on my way home. Listen. I need to speak to your guests.”
Amber looked surprised but nodded. “Right away, Goddess.”
As Chloe and Rory exchanged curious glances, Mother Nature said, “What?”
“Is there somethin’ we should know about our cousins’ visit?” Rory asked.
She shrugged. “I guess we’ll all find out at once, won’t we?”
Soon the cousins tromped into the dining room and Rory invited them to sit anywhere they liked. Aiden and Egan sat far down on one side while Conlan took a spot next to Mother Nature at the head of the table.
Gaia faced Conlan and smiled. “Do you know who I am?”
“No, luv, but I’d like to change that.”
Chloe watched as he turned on the Irish charm like a faucet.
“I wouldn’t mind knowin’ a beautiful lass such as you.” He held out his hand.
When Mother Nature grasped his hand, he turned hers and brought it to his lips, placing a light kiss on her knuckles.
Chloe held her breath. Either the goddess was going to interpret the gesture as one of respect and be pleased, or all hell could break loose.
“Me name is Conlan Arish. It’s lovely to meet you…”
“I’m Mother Nature,” she said.
Conlan dropped her hand. His eyes rounded as he stared at their guest deity, speechless.
“I’ll bet you get that a lot,” Chloe said.
Mother Nature just chuckled. “Yeah. It never gets old.” She turned her gaze to the other two men at the far end of the table. “And you are?”
“Aiden Arish, mum. And this is me brother, Eagan, the youngest. You’ve met the eldest and head of our clan. That’d be Conlan.”
Her expression darkened. “You will not call me mom—or ma’am. Got it?”
Aiden simply nodded. Then he asked, “What would you like to be called? Yer Grace?”
She laughed. “Gaia or Goddess will work.” As soon as everyone had been served pie and tea, she said, “Now I’d like to get down to business.”
Conlan had recovered by that time. “What type of business are you in, uh…Gaia?”
She chuckled and shook her head. “I’m Mother Freakin’ Nature. That makes me CEO of the Universe.”
He slapped himself upside the head. “Naturally. My apologies.”
She waved away the comment. “Forget it. I need to ask you a couple of questions.”
“Of course, Goddess,” Conlan said. “Anythin’.”
“What is the purpose of your trip and how long are you planning to stay in Boston?”
Chloe glanced at Amber and whispered, “Is she the paranormal TSA or something?”
Amber gave a slight shrug and turned her attention back to the head of the table.
“We’re here to visit our family and celebrate the American Thanksgivin’. We’ll be stayin’ for about a week.”
Mother Nature’s brows knit. “Family? I thought you were from Ulster?”
“Indeed we are, Goddess,” Conlan said. “We were born in the same castle in Erin as our cousins here. Then, thanks to a little tiff between our parents, me brothers and I moved up to the North.”
It was all Chloe could do to keep from bursting out in laughter at the words “little tiff.” Conlan had downplayed the bloody Battle of Ballyhoo just a wee bit. His father had tried to assassinate and overthrow his own brother—in other words, her uncle had tried to take her father’s throne. It was a wonder they weren’t mortal enemies…especially when they weren’t very mortal. A grudge like that could last for millennia.
“I know all about it, Chloe,” Gaia said. “At least the history. What I don’t understand, or trust, is this…” She indicated the entire family around the table with her palms up.
Rory cleared his throat. “Goddess. We’ve put our petty concerns behind us. Our parents
’ ambitions to rule Ireland as kings is no longer relevant. And to be sure, it was never our concern in the first place. We were but children at the time.”
She folded her arms and looked at Chloe and Aiden in turn. “So what was the reason these two were brawling on the castle lawn the summer before last?”
Chloe smirked. She couldn’t help it. It looked like Aiden was trying to hide a smile too.
“Sorry, Goddess,” she said. “We had a disagreement over some family heirlooms. The whole matter has been put to rest.”
“How?” Mother Nature demanded.
“We shared,” Rory stated simply.
Gaia’s brows rose. “Shared?”
“Yes, Goddess,” Conlan said. “Rory is the leader of his clan as I am leader of mine. We talked out the misunderstandin’ and decided to split the ancient treasure. All we wanted was to be treated equally.”
Something shimmered in the corner of the Goddess’s eye. At last she clasped her hands over her heart. “My babies learned to share! No mother could be prouder.” Birds broke into song.
“Where did the feckin’ birds come from?” Chloe muttered.
Mother Nature raised one eyebrow and stared at Chloe. “Really? I’m celebrating a miracle and you want to disrespect my songbirds?”
Suddenly the ribbet of frogs and chirp of crickets joined the chorus.
Chapter 9
A wonderful Thanksgiving had taken place without too much family drama. Actually, the Ulster cousins had decided they’d like to contribute the turkey. Chloe imagined if Amber knew they were coming home with a live one, she’d have asked them to buy the cranberries.
Amber couldn’t kill the bird, so they’d had a pet turkey for a while. Finally it was time for the turkey to return to the farm and for Chloe to return to work at the fire station. Chloe strolled into the kitchen and walked right into an argument between Ryan and some guy she’d never seen before.
“Hire a pet sitter for once.”
“I did. I hired the Fierro family. Jayce took my cats and volunteered the rest of you. Gabe has my dog. Noah wanted the rabbits…”