See Me

CHAPTER THREE

DESPITE THE WHOLE, “Surprise, you’re engaged to a Leprechaun!” bomb, Cassidy and I were happy to arrive in Ireland. I’d done plenty of research over the years, so I knew it would be beautiful, but seeing it in real life was so much better. It was called the Emerald Isle for a definite reason. The fields and hills were a lush green.

I loved listening to people talk during our layover at Dublin Airport, even when I could hardly understand what they said. I enjoyed the dry, witty senses of humor and openness of the Irish. A few people got excited when they realized we weren’t locals. We went for coffee and tea at an airport café, and when a little boy heard me order my mocha latte he said, “Ooh, say that again, miss!” His mother laughed and told me he fancied my accent. I had an accent!

Our next flight was on a tiny, rickety propeller plane to a smaller regional airport in Sligo where I changed from sweats into something nicer. The temperature was comfortable, and a light rain fell. Dad warned us to use the bathroom before we got on the road because we were heading in a direction that wouldn’t have any rest stops. Cassidy gave me a fearful look. My little city girl.

We crammed the bin into the trunk of a compact rental car and tied a luggage carrier on top before setting out on our journey. I wasn’t the anxious type, but my heart began a steady round of odd palpations. It was going to be a long ride. I clutched my stomach.

Dad caught my reflection in the rear view mirror. “You okay back there?”

“Yeah, fine. Stomach hurts a little, that’s all.”

Mom turned in her seat to look at me, and said, “Most likely the airplane food.”

I nodded, even though we both knew that wasn’t the reason.

“Better crack a window if you have gas,” Cassidy said. “This car’s way too small for that.”

“You would know,” Dad said. “You’re the queen of not cracking the window.”

And then laughing like an evil hyena when the smell hit us.

Cass smiled with pride.

Another spasm wracked my insides and I curled forward. When Cassidy awkwardly patted my shoulder I leaned over and lay across her lap. It felt a little odd since I was usually the one comforting her, not the other way around, but I’d never needed her more. For the first time in my life I wanted to complain about my circumstances—I wanted to scream at Dad to turn around. How could he sit up there looking so calm about driving me to my impending doom?

As if sensing my silent judgment, he reached back without taking his eyes from the road and placed a strong, gentle hand on my arm.

“It will all work out,” he said.

I heard Mom sniffle. Above me I saw Cassidy swipe a finger across her cheeks.

The car hummed with sadness. I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Um, how ‘bout a movie?” Cass asked, her voice thick with emotion. She struggled to get the laptop out of her bag in the small space by her feet, bouncing my head around in the process. After much grunting and several whispered uses of her favorite word, she finally had it out. We crammed it in the tiny space on the console between Mom and Dad’s arms. My mind was not on the movie, and a few glances up at Cass’s glassy eyes told me that hers wasn’t either. But it filled the silence and passed the time.

After an hour I sat up and looked around.

“We are seriously in the middle of nowhere,” Cassidy said. “Do you know where you’re going, Dad?”

“Of course,” he said, tapping his head. “I’ve got it all up here. One of the few Dightheach who’s been here gave me directions.”

Rolling hills of grass and wildflowers spanned in every direction, with occasional patches of forests and brush. After growing up around the hustle and bustle of D.C., it was serene and even a little spooky to be somewhere so rural and remote. We’d been on road trips before, but even when we passed through croplands there were farms and barns to be seen. Out here, miles passed without signs of homes or life. At least the rain had stopped.

When we went over a particularly large hill and rounded the bend, a giant rainbow appeared, sparkling high in the sky above fields of green grass. I tensed.

Cassidy pointed to it. “Hey, just follow that rainbow and it’ll take us right to them!”

Mom and Dad cracked a smile at each other, but their faces quickly straightened when I didn’t partake in their mirth.

“Where are we, exactly?” I asked, trying not to sound too grumpy.

“County Leitrim,” Dad answered.

“How much longer?” Cassidy squirmed in the cramped seat. “My butt’s asleep.”

“Sit tight, chickadee. Not much longer.” Dad was always so calm. I could see his knees crammed under the steering wheel, but he never complained.

Thirty minutes later Mom pointed to a giant rock up ahead in front of a cluster of leafy trees. Dad slowed and turned directly after the boulder onto a tiny dirt road that cut through the trees.

“We’re coming up to the wards now,” Mom warned.

Sure enough, a shimmery veil revealed itself up ahead and I braced myself as the car bumped along and crept through it. Sudden pressure squeezed my head and my skin burned. For a frightening moment I couldn’t even breathe. When the discomfort eased we all took deep breaths.

The car crept forward into a tunnel of thick trees and it darkened as shade bore down around us. Dusk was beginning to set. Dad had to switch on the headlights.

“I can’t believe we’re here,” I whispered. An ominous quiet fell over the car and all around us. Cassidy took my hand. Mom cast a brave smile at me, but her eyes were tinged with worry.

I’d never been so nervous in all my life. I’m pretty sure even the backs of my knees were sweating, which I didn’t even know was possible.

After five minutes of winding through the trees, we burst out into a vast clearing of grass. Cassidy and I leaned forward with our heads in the middle to see. There appeared to be a faint path in the grass, but we were basically off-roading now. I hoped the car could handle the small ruts. We came up over the largest hill so far, and when we got to the top my sister and I gasped. Mom even reached over and grabbed Dad’s hand as he stopped the car.

In the dim setting sunlight, a medieval-looking village was nestled in the valley below: a large, one-story building with a steepled log roof surrounded by many small structures, like thatched huts. The rumors had been true. This place was definitely not modern. There was even a water-well!

Cassidy’s mouth gaped open. “Holy shitballs. We’re in the Shire.”

“Language,” Mom deadpanned automatically.

On the other side of the village I could make out a clearing right before another forest began. Flickering lights shone through the leaves and around the huts, like fires had been lit.

“Listen,” Dad said.

We rolled down our windows and whimsical sounds spilled in: musical notes, voices and laughter, clapping to a festive tune. Hearing those happy sounds calmed me a little. Cassidy’s fingers wiggled in mine. Our palms were damp, but neither of us let go. Mom turned to me.

“Are you ready, love?”

“No.” I laughed shakily. It took every ounce of my will power to say, “But I’ll be okay. Let’s go.”

Dad shifted back into drive and coasted down the hill. He parked on the closest side of the village, rather than pulling around and driving up to their party, which I was glad about. I’d hate to scare them to death if they’d never seen a crazy vehicular contraption. Surely they’d seen cars with previous visitors, right? After setting sight on this village I had to wonder.

“You’re looking kinda rough,” Cassidy told me. “Do you want to brush your hair or something?”

I patted my crazy waves and shook my head. What was the point? Cass shrugged and applied some shimmery lip gloss. At the last second I snatched the lip gloss from her and swiped some on with a trembling hand.

We climbed out and moaned, stretching and cracking. I attempted to smooth my hands over the wrinkles in my white linen blouse, but there was no use. At least my khaki skirt survived the car trip well. I sighed and tried to relax as Cassidy combed her fingers through my hair, scrunching it a little. Then my parents came forward and simultaneously kissed me—Dad on my temple and Mom on my cheek. They led the way around the village, holding hands, while Cass and I followed close behind, linked arm in arm.

I don’t want to go. I don’t want to do this. Please don’t make me.

My body took on a mind of its own as I walked: clumsy feet, fluttery heart rate, jittery knees. I probably would have wobbled to the ground like some fainthearted actress if I didn’t have such a tight hold on Cassidy’s arm. I couldn’t wait to meet McKale and get it over with so my body could go back to normal. Weak did not suit me.

As we rounded the corner, the four of us stopped. The sky had darkened, illuminating four giant bonfires at each corner of the expansive clearing. The back of the flat field was lined with forest, and on the other two sides were tall rows of flowering grasses. At least a hundred little people were gathered, both men and women. There were long rows of wooden tables with benches along the edges of the fields of grasses where people ate, drank, and conversed. In the center was music and dancing.

My first thought was that I’d been wrong. The Leprechauns definitely knew how to throw a party. The atmosphere was festive and lively. I bit my lip against a smile at their outfits. They weren’t wearing green top hats and buckled shoes, but some of the older-looking men did have on little gray suits with waistcoats, the kind with tails that hung lower in the back. Others wore tunic shirts with plain pants, like woodsy hospital scrubs, only in natural colors like tan, brown, and forest green. Nearly everyone was barefoot. Some of the males wore little caps that resembled berets. The women wore simple peasant dresses with their hair pinned up.

Everyone looked so happy. I wanted to feel happy, too. Not this sense of despair.

Two bearded men in suits sitting at the end of a table noticed us and jumped up, hurrying over. They went straight to my father, looking way up and shaking his hand with exuberance.

“You must be Mister Mason, then!” said the older little gentleman with a long, white beard. He wore a matching charcoal cap, which he took off to reveal a shiny bald top with tufts of fluffy gray hair around the sides.

“Yes, sir,” Dad said. “That’s me. Call me Leon, please. This is my wife, Cecelia.”

“So nice to have you! I’m Brogan, the father of McKale, I am.” He bowed toward my mother and she inclined her head to him in return. Then he looked toward Cassidy and me.

“This is Cassidy, our youngest,” Mom introduced. “And this… is Robyn.”

Brogan nodded at Cassidy and then came forward to stand in front of me. He bowed low and I let go of Cass’s arm to do a curtsy/bow combo, which felt absurd. He straightened and smiled big, wrinkling his whole face and eliciting a smile back from me. I felt like I should squat to talk to him because of the height difference, but stood straight for fear of appearing condescending.

“Ye’ve a pretty face, Robyn, that’s fer certain,” he said.

“Thank you, Mister Brogan.”

He gave a hearty laugh. “Just Brogan is fine by me. I suppose ye’ll be wanting to meet my McKale, then, eh?”

No! Not yet.

The moment I’d waited for all these years was here, and now all I wanted was more time.

Brogan winked up at me. Why did he seem so happy? Couldn’t he see this was a bad fit? Didn’t it bother him that his poor son was being forced to marry a behemoth female? I bit my lip as he peered around at the crowd. He pointed to the middle.

“There he is, back there fiddlin’. Soon as this song ends I’ll call to ‘im. He’s our best fiddler, he is.” Brogan grinned up at me with pride and I followed his gaze toward his son. My face wore a neutral expression that I’d practiced to perfection. I didn’t want to give away the fact that my heart was going ballistic or that my insides had all but liquefied.

I’d spent my life dreaming of him. And then I’d spent every moment of the last day undreaming him. As much as I prided myself on emotional control, it all fell to the wayside as I weaved my sights through the sea of dancing little people, seeking out the sound of the fiddle, and finding the source sitting on a tree stump.

My hand flew to my rapidly pounding heart in my throat as I stared. Sitting on the stump with his long legs stretched out before him, crossed at the ankles, was a redheaded guy playing his heart out—an average-sized man among the little people.

I think I made a really weird squeaking sound, but I couldn’t be sure.

His eyes were closed. His wrist moved back and forth over the polished fiddle at high speed, ringing out pure notes of sunshine in the darkness. I would remember every detail of those few seconds for the rest of my days. I’d expected to feel emotional when I laid eyes on him. But I hadn’t expected the emotion to be so intense that it would impact me physically. Blood rushed through my veins at an alarming speed. My mind swirled and I swear I tilted to the side, off balance and unable to fully fill my lungs.

Cassidy was the drama queen, not me. To be so out of control was disorienting.

“Ohmigosh, ohmigosh, ohmigosh!” Cassidy squealed, and started jumping up and down and clapping when she saw him. Mom grasped her by the wrist and begged her not to make a scene. My family beamed at me and my eyes stung.

I looked back at McKale. His father had been right to brag; he played beautifully. I’d never known anyone who played a violin. I loved the bursts of tinny sound, especially when combined with the high-pitched wooden flute of the Leprechaun boy next to him. It was a lively tune that had everyone kicking up their heels, clapping, and spinning one another round.

Brogan turned and caught my expression.

“No’ bad, eh?” he asked. I smiled and nodded my head. I was afraid if I opened my mouth I would squeal idiotically like Cassidy. I looked over and saw her wiping tears from her face. Oh, man, I wished she wouldn’t do that. When she caught my eye she gave a great laughing sob and reached out to hug me. I was such a firmly wound bundle of emotion that I had to lock my jaw and swallow hard. We pulled away as the song ended, and my heart began doing that slamming thing in my chest again.

The crowd cheered and Brogan hollered McKale’s name, waving his arms at him. I held my breath as McKale lowered his instrument and peered around the crowd, searching for the caller. As soon as he spotted him, Brogan motioned toward me. Cassidy stepped away, nearer to our parents, leaving me as the lone beacon for McKale’s sights. His eyes moved slowly from his father… to me, and stuck there.

Later, I would ask Cassidy how long we stayed like that, just staring at one another across the field, and she swore it was only for a few seconds. It felt much, much longer to me, like forever. I schooled my face into its careful, expressionless pose and he seemed to do the same.

He stood, and as he made his way toward me in long, graceful strides, a hush dropped over the party. He towered over the other people, walking with purpose. The closer he got, the more apparent it became that he was gorgeously, blessedly tall. I pressed my lips together against the geeky grin that was trying so hard to appear.

McKale wore a dark green tunic with brown bottoms that went to his mid-calf, and his bare feet swished through the grass. His dark red hair hung in waves about his head. He had sideburns that turned into a thin beard running neatly along his jaw line down to a slightly pointed chin. His nose was straight and narrow and when he stopped in front of me I could see his eyes were hazel. I couldn’t look away from him.

“This is Robyn, son,” Brogan said.

He needn’t introduce us because we hadn’t taken our eyes from one another since locking gazes across the clearing. McKale inclined his head toward me. His expression had not changed, but his eyes searched my face with a pleasant, bashful curiosity.

“This is her father, Leon,” Brogan continued, introducing my family. “Her mother, Cecelia. And their youngest girl, Cassidy.” McKale gave a small bow of his head in greeting to each of them before turning back to face me, stepping closer. I got a whiff of something sweet just then, but I couldn’t place the scent. A natural aromatic of some sort, distantly familiar.

“Very pleased to make yer acquaintance, Robyn.” He spoke in a soft, lilted tenor.

I opened my mouth to say something amazingly intelligent, but what came out was a short burst of joyful laughter. The grin I’d tried to contain stretched across my face.

My laughter seemed to take him by surprise. I forced the smile away.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “It’s just that… you’re so… tall.”

Nearby little people gasped. A hot blush flooded my cheeks at the stupidity of my remark, and McKale’s face darkened.

“Aye. That I am.” He cleared his throat, looking away. An awkward silence fell, and I knew I’d screwed up, though I couldn’t understand why. Sure, it had been a lame thing to say, but he acted like I’d insulted him or maybe I’d insulted his people. I felt terrible.

The music still played, but stray clan members were beginning to assemble around us. I opened my mouth, not sure of how to fix the moment, but McKale beat me to it.

“I’d best be returning.” He motioned to the musicians who’d started a new song without him. “I bid you good evening.” He gave me one last reluctant look, as if he’d been shamed, then he turned and bowed toward my family and walked swiftly away from us. My mouth fell open as I stared after him.

Brogan stepped up, smoothing his beard down several times.

“I’m afraid ye’ve found the boy’s tender spot.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“He’s a tad sensitive about his height, is all.”

My sister and I shared a shocked glance.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way,” I told Brogan. “I mean, look how tall I am!”

He cocked an eyebrow as if it wasn’t exactly something to be proud of. I felt myself frown.

“We Chaun men pride ourselves on being small of stature. I’m afraid he’s had a hard time of it. Forgive the lad, please.” People from the crowd stared at us. Brogan stepped away to shoo them, saying they’d have a chance to meet the guests after we got settled.

“Geez,” Cassidy whispered to me. “He got all weird about being called tall? That’s kinda… sad. Maybe he’s like Rudolph or something. I bet he can’t join in any Leprechaun games.”

She started to giggle at her own joke, but Mom elbowed her in the ribs.

“I can’t believe I said that,” I muttered, still staring out into the crowd. I couldn’t even spot where Brogan had gone now. I looked pleadingly at my parents.

“He’ll come around.” Dad patted my shoulder. Mom nodded in agreement, but her face appeared distressed about how fast our first meeting had soured.

“He could have been a little nicer about it,” Cassidy said.

“I think he’s shy.” I couldn’t help but defend him, even though I was shaken by the brief introduction. Nobody could possibly understand how stressful that initial meeting had been for McKale and me.

A sudden cacophony of strange noise came from the field to our right. It sounded like swishing grass and stomping feet. And something else… bleating? One of the Leprechaun men hollered something and the crowd surged to get a look at the field. The musicians began playing faster and louder, giving each other amused, knowing glances.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“I’ve no clue,” Mom said, keeping a wary eye on the field.

A single white, fattened sheep ran through the high grasses with something dangling off its back. Another sheep followed behind it. After a few beats an entire flock of sheep came barreling through the field, all with these strange wiggling little things attached to their tops. A great roar of laughter rose up from the majority of the crowd, while the older, bearded men of the clan shook their heads and pounded their fists, red in the faces.

“What in the world?” Dad murmured. He took a protective stance in front of us three girls and motioned us to step back. We backed up as far as we could against the building just as the herd of sheep came stomping into the clearing in front of us.

One of the little things jumped off of its sheep’s back and ran right in our path. My eyes bugged out as I tried to comprehend what I was seeing. Cassidy screamed, dancing on her tip-toes as if it were a snake. Dad threw his head back in laughter.

“Is that… was that…?” I stammered. No freaking way. It looked and moved exactly like a man—a foot-tall man.

“I don’t believe it,” Mom said. “It’s the Clourichaun making a grand entrance, same as they did in the tales of old.”

“I thought you said some of them were normal sized!” I said.

Everywhere we looked miniature men were jumping off the backs of sheep, scurrying up on tables and dunking their heads into people’s mugs or dancing little jigs. Once Cassidy and I got over our initial confusion we laughed at the spectacle. Some were climbing the Leprechaun men and sitting smugly on their shoulders or heads. Cassidy pointed to one who sat on a woman’s shoulder and dove down into her cleavage, only to be pulled out and flicked away by her frowning male friend.

Leprechauns shooed the sheep out of the clearing, trying to herd them back into the direction from which they’d come. Cassidy elbowed me.

“McKale’s looking at you!” She spoke through the side of her lips.

I spotted him sitting at one of the long benches on the far side, leaning back with his elbows on the table behind him. A dark-haired little Clourichaun sat straddling his shoulder. McKale quickly dropped his eyes when he saw us looking.

Without hesitation, I turned to my parents. “Be right back,” I told them.

They nodded in agreement when they saw McKale. I started in his direction before I could lose my nerve. Cassidy caught up and walked by my side. McKale glanced up once and his eyes widened, but he looked back down again. I think the mini man was asking him something because he kept giving his head little shakes and nods. McKale had something sticking out of his mouth, like a large toothpick.

I weaved through the crowd and stopped, standing between his feet. He stared at my legs for a moment before timidly lifting his greenish-brown eyes to mine.

“I’m sorry I brought up your height,” I told him, opting for openness. “To be honest, I meant it as a compliment. I’m glad you’re taller than me. Really glad.” Okay, shut up now, Robyn. I clasped my fingers together behind my back.

His face softened and he appeared embarrassed, eyes flickering around me. I became a little distracted by the man on his shoulder who hadn’t stopped moving, trying to get my attention. At the moment I could have sworn he was pretending to do something naughty to McKale’s ear. Cassidy’s giggling confirmed it. McKale pulled his head to the side and his red eyebrows drew together. He pulled the little stick out of his mouth.

“Cut that out, cheeky bugger.”

The little man gestured to us girls, then pointed at his self. McKale sighed and tossed the stick in the grass.

“He wants to meet ye.”

“Oh,” I said, squatting a little to see him better. Being so close to McKale’s face, I caught the flavorful scent again and recognized it this time. Licorice.

The Clourichaun looked no older than McKale, with a head full of curly brown hair. I smiled at him and said, “I’m Robyn.”

He extended his arm and I put my fingertip in his hand, which he shook up and down, then to my amusement he kissed my finger. I heard him holler in a squeaky little voice.

“The name’s Rock! Yer quite a looker, there, Robyn!”

“Wow,” I laughed. “Thanks… Rock.” I moved to the side. Cassidy shot me a nervous look when I beckoned her toward him. She leaned down, putting her hands on her knees and examined Rock with wonder.

“My name’s Cassidy. I’m Robyn’s sister.”

He waved her closer, using his whole arm for the gesture. She leaned in, but he waved her closer still.

“Careful now,” McKale warned.

“He won’t bite, will he?” I asked.

“Somethin’ akin to that,” he mused.

When Cassidy got close enough, Rock grabbed her cheeks with his outstretched palms and pulled, pressing his whole face into her lips. I’d never seen her eyes so big before. I snorted out a laugh, and to my surprise Cassidy did not try to stand up or move away. She waited until Rock released her and then she beamed him a pretty smile. He pretended to grab his heart and tumble off McKale’s shoulder to the table, dying of love sickness. Cass laughed like it was the funniest thing she’d ever seen. She had the sweetest, bubbly laugh. Unfortunately I’d inherited my mother’s strange, mostly-silent chortle.

McKale scratched his cheek. “Sorry ‘bout that. He’s a bit forward.”

“He’s so cute,” Cassidy said. She sat down on the bench and Rock walked to her, putting his elbows on her shoulders and resting his head in his hands to gaze up at her, starstruck.

“Don’t encourage ‘im. Trust me. Ye won’t think he’s as cute full grown.”

“That’s right!” Rock yelled. “I’m even cuter!”

“You mean he won’t stay this size?” I asked.

“Nah. All Chaun can shrink and grow.”

“Even you?” Cassidy sounded as surprised as I felt. McKale nodded like it was no big deal. I pointed at Rock.

“You mean you can get that small?”

“Well, I suppose a tad bigger since I’m larger than ‘im in actuality, but aye.”

It took a second for me to comprehend all of his heavily accented words.

I sat down on the other side of McKale. I felt like I was making him nervous or something. He wouldn’t meet my eyes for more than a brief second, and then he would find excuses to look elsewhere. He kept rubbing his hands on his pants and crossing his arms, then uncrossing them. I wanted to take his hand or touch him somehow to reassure him, but it was too soon for that. So instead I climbed up and sat on the table top, resting my feet on the bench next to where McKale sat.

He looked down at my feet, examining them so long I began to feel self-conscious about how big they were. At least my brown sandals were new and cute, bejeweled with cream flowers along the straps. He surprised me by reaching down and running a fingertip across my big toenail, then looking at his finger.

“How’d ye do that?” he asked, sounding fascinated. “Make it red, like?”

“Oh, um, it’s called nail polish. It’s a special type of paint. I can show you later, if you want.” He nodded and looked back down at my feet while I gazed at his full head of red hair. I’d always pictured him as a brunette like me, but I liked this better. Only a guy would be lucky enough to have such natural color variations: shades of red with nutmeg brown undertones. Autumn colors. The world was so unfair.

Cassidy and Rock were watching us. Rock said something that made her stifle a laugh, but I couldn’t make it out.

“May I?” McKale’s imploring eyes were looking up at me and I realized he was motioning to my shoe.

“Sure, yeah.” I slipped one off and he picked it up, turning it round and round to see the specimen from every angle.

“Have you ever seen flip-flops before?” Cassidy asked. McKale shook his head, feeling the strap. Then he held it on his outstretched hand and wrist, appearing to measure it. I worried that he’d scoff at the size nine, but he showed no reaction. He ran a finger over the imprint my foot made in the squishy sole, and I began to feel tingly from the indirect attention. I wiggled my toes absently.

“Go ahead then, mate!” shouted Rock. “Give the shoe a snog—ye know ye want to!”

I blushed and McKale blanched, slipping the flip-flop back on my foot and crossing his arms.

“Git,” he mumbled toward our wee companion. Rock was undeterred by the insult.

After that, we sort of kept our attention on Cass and Rock who were quite the silly pair. He had to holler to make his voice heard over the raucous laughter and music around us.

“So you can get big, like us?” she asked her tiny admirer. He nodded. “Can you do it now?”

“Only for another kiss!”

Cassidy laughed, a glint in her eye. “My lips are too big. I almost suffocated you last time.”

“Kiss me when I’m big!”

“My parents are standing right over there.” But when we looked, they weren’t there anymore. “Hey, where’d they go?” Cassidy and I both stood up and searched with our eyes. They were nowhere in the crowd. A short blast of tingling magic hit us at our backs and we spun around. There on the top of the table sat Rock, full-sized, limber legs crossed. Cass let out a little scream in surprise.

“Ladies,” he said, inclining his curly head and flashing a cute grin.

I looked at McKale and caught him studying my face again. I gave him a small smile. To my surprise he flashed me a quick one in return before looking away again. It was the first time he’d smiled at me and it sent a buzz of warmth through my body.

Rock stepped nimbly down from the table, past McKale. The Clourichaun was my height, I couldn’t help but notice. Rock bowed to me first before turning to my sister. He took Cassidy’s hand and kissed her fingertips. Definitely a charmer. Then without asking, he leaned down and kissed her on the lips. She did not pull away. Instead she went up on her toes. Thankfully the kiss ended before I started to feel embarrassed, but it left Cassidy with a dreamy look on her face.

Her dream-state was quickly shattered when Brogan broke through the crowd, swinging his arms at Rock, who jumped back. Brogan’s assault kept coming, landing punches anywhere he could on the Clourichaun. Rock cupped his hands over his crotch, laughing as he begged Brogan to take it easy. McKale shook his head and chuckled as his friend climbed up and over the table, escaping Brogan’s wrath.

“What are you on about, old man?” Rock asked, extending his arms in question from the safety of the other side of the table. He had a mock-pained expression on his smooth face, underscored with amusement. McKale’s father was pink in the cheeks and had his small hands balled into fists.

“Our guests have hardly been ‘ere an hour and yer already making advances at their youngest? I think not! Keep your no-good hands to yerself and don’t be causing trouble among us. Do ye hear?”

“Aye, crystal clear. I’ll be a good lad. Promise.”

Brogan gave a deep, barrel laugh. “You don’t know how ta be good. Gather yer troublesome clan and leave us be. Go on!”

“All right then,” Rock said with an easy shrug. Brogan eyed him with distrust and put his fists on his hips.

“I’d best be off, then. Night everyone.” Rock bowed to us and put two fingers between his lips, ripping an ear-shattering whistle. With a wave of his arm the tiny Clourichaun came bounding over from their various places. All of them but Rock had stayed small. They climbed him, some going up to his shoulders and others swinging on handfuls of his tunic. He gave Cass a stealthy wink before ghosting away into the field with the others. Once satisfied, Brogan turned to us.

“Please forgive his indiscretion. Their ways are not our own. ‘Tis getting late and I know yer both travel-weary. I’ve shown yer folks to their rooms, and I’ll show the two of ya to yers as well. We’ll be having more festivities on the morrow. Everyone’s itchin’ to meet ye.”

“Thank you,” I said.

McKale stood, rubbing his palms down his pants again.

“Good night, McKale,” I said.

“G’night, then, Robyn.” He watched my face.

I liked when he really looked at me, as if he didn’t want to stare, but his eyes would get stuck against his will. When he became aware he tore his gaze away and scratched his cheek self-consciously.

As Cassidy and I left to follow Brogan, clan eyes turned toward us. I realized then that nobody approached us while we sat with McKale, out of respect. I smiled and nodded at the people as we passed, excited to find our room and return tomorrow to meet them.

I peeked back at the shy guy who was staring at the ground, deep in thought. Lots of girls didn’t care for the quiet type. Even Cassidy, who was a smart girl in so many ways, often lost all proof of intelligence when it came to guys. Most girls I knew wanted boys like Rock: the confident and outgoing “bad” boys. But there was something endearing to me about McKale’s quiet, introverted demeanor.

I looked forward to gently cracking his shell and seeing what lay hidden underneath. We had to gain one another’s trust before we could bind. I welcomed the challenge.