Chapter 17
On the cliffs of Ballyhoo, Ireland, stood a beautiful castle. It wasn’t huge, and part of its elegance was its modesty. There was only one turret and one arched opening with a beautiful wood door. Jayce had been told that the majority of the living space was built into the cliffs.
Kristine took his hand. “Shall we go inside?”
“I suppose so. If for no other reason than to drop off our wedding gift and then be told where to wait.”
The two of them knocked on the beautiful door with its ornate brass knocker shaped like three dragons. A tiny window slid to the side, and a pair of dark-brown eyes seemed to light up with recognition. Then the window slammed shut, and the door opened wide.
Ryan pulled Jayce into a hug, and they slapped each other on the back. When Jayce stepped away, he clasped his brother’s upper arm and said, “Damn, it’s good to see you, Ryan.”
Ryan glanced past Jayce and smiled at Kristine. “This beautiful lady is still putting up with you?”
Jayce let go of his brother and put a hand on Kristine’s lower back, escorting her over to him. “Ryan, I’d like you to meet the future Mrs. Jayce Fierro, my fiancée.”
“No shit?” Ryan then slapped himself upside the head. “I’m sorry, Kristine. That’s no way to talk in front of a lady. What I meant to say wascongratulationsto you both.”
Chloe came up behind Ryan and slipped her arm around his waist. “What were you apologizin’ for, luv?”
Kristine chuckled. “He did nothing wrong. I’ve heard worse language every day at the firehouse.”
Ryan grinned. “That’s right! You’re also a firefighter.”
“All four of us are,” Jayce said. “You two, Kristine, and me.”
“You’ll have plenty to talk about at the reception, since you’re all being seated at the same table,” a female voice said from behind Ryan. He stepped aside and revealed Amy Scott…soon to be Amy Arish.
“Mom!” Kristine said. “I thought you’d be getting ready by now.”
“I was waiting for you, darling. Come with me.” Amy grabbed her hand and practically dragged her into the castle and around the corner where Jayce could no longer see her. He did, however, notice the incredible view on the opposite wall. A large Palladian window looked out onto the Atlantic Ocean.
“Well, are you going to invite me in or what?” Jayce asked his brother.
“Of course. Come on in, and I’ll give you a tour of my humble abode.”
Jayce burst out laughing. “Don’t even pretend you’re being humble. You live in a frigging castle.”
“Okay, you got me. I might be a little proud of my home.”
Chloe folded her arms. “You meanourhome, don’t you? And we have a right to be proud, having done most of the work ourselves.”
“Yes, dear.” Ryan leaned close to his brother’s ear and whispered, “Learn those two words, and you’ll have a happy marriage.”
Chloe snorted. “It’s a good thing I know me husband’s teasin’. Jayce, can I get you something to drink?”
Before he had a chance to answer, she glanced outside and said, “Oh shite. The leprechauns are here. Who invited them?”
One little guy in brown and two in green approached. The brown one stepped up to the door. “No one invited us, me darlin’. But we believed it to be an oversight. We come bearin’ gifts, and we’d be grateful for the chance to make up for our bad behavior in the past.”
Chloe crossed her arms. “You realize we have a few humans here, Fagan. You aren’t allowed to perform any of your leprechaun magic.”
“And we won’t, Your Highness.”
Chloe rolled her eyes. “I don’t want any of that ‘Your Highness’ nonsense. Just call me Chloe, like everyone else does.”
“That seems fair, since I’m king of the leprechauns, and you insist on simply callin’ me Fagan.”
“Good.”
