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I managed to call a Lyft to pick us up and drive us over to Father Killarney's church. Our driver wasn't too keen on the wolfhound, but I promised him an extra tip. What with Rian's treasure, we could afford it.
Once Father Killarney had secured his candlestick and locked up the church, we headed for my car, Gelert bounding around full of life and energy like we hadn't just faced down a host of some fairly scary fairies. But some things are more terrifying than wild magic.
I sighed. "Mindy is going to kill us for being late."
"Well..." mused Father Killarney, tugging at the collar of his shirt. "We need to return Gelert to his owners. Perhaps we can stop in for a little liquid courage before heading over..."
Killian took my keys. "I shall be driving," he said with a smile, putting on his shamrock-shaped sunglasses at night like he was the second coming of Corey Hart. "And we shall tell your sister that I was responsible for the delay. We shall tell her that this being my first St. Patrick's Day, I needed to get my good tights for the celebration."
I smiled, realizing him taking the heat for me was his way of saying thanks. Or perhaps because he didn't want to remind me he doesn't actually like beer, green or otherwise.
He's a good partner.
While Killian climbed behind the wheel of the car, though, I shot a text off to Mom letting her know we were running behind. To which she replied she already knew and next time to be a little more thoughtful before we went traipsing into the Land of Fairy. And then my dad texted to say he couldn't believe I went without him.
As I put my phone away, I decided it was a really good thing Killian was going to be driving while I was drinking this particular evening.
We got to The Shamrock and the party was rolling. I don't think there was a single Irish person inside the bar, but everyone was having the time of their life.
I spotted our girl from earlier.
"Colleen!" I said, keeping my hand on the wolfhound's collar so he couldn't slip away. "I think I found your dog... again..."
Colleen's eyes lit up. "Gelert! You naughty dog! You must stop roaming The Ways!"
Gelert was so excited, he flung his paws onto her shoulders to hug her, and she flung her arms around his neck.
"Where did you find him?" she asked as she buried her face into his fur.
"Griffith Park..." Father Killarney said, leaving out the church and the Land of Fairy. And, being a man of God, she didn't question it.
"Well, Father, you and your friends are drinking free all-night tonight. That's not just one but two good deeds I owe you for. Make it a third and we'll have ourselves a trinity." She pushed Gelert down and turned to the bar. "Let me get you some pints and shots to start you off."
I rubbed my hands together. "Looks like my luck has turned around!"
Killian leaned forward to Colleen, conspiringly. "I have heard there is a beer that is colored green for the holiday. I believe my party would like a round of that." Before I could stop him and let him know it would be the grossest beer on tap, he said, "I, however, am driving and would request something appropriate. That is also green."
So, maybe my luck was still lousy.
Colleen gave his plastic shamrock glasses and velvet tunic and tights a good once over. "So... is this green fascination a thing with you?"
"It's was Groupon!" I blurted out, laughing stiffly. "He's just staying in character. Get your own private Irish fairy to take you on a pub crawl." I patted Killian on the back. "Ren fest work for the off-season."
She nodded, impressed. "Beats a taxi. And may I just say, you can leave me your business information because I would call you to drive me around any day of the week." She gave Killian a wink. "I've got some margarita mix I'll throw over some ice for you. You're gonna love it." She then jerked her head toward a corner booth. "This is going to sound crazy, but I think a friend is waiting for you. Maybe also from the renaissance festival...?"
We all looked at one other, puzzled by who that could be.
The band struck up The Fields of Anthenry as we got close enough to see who it was.
Rian O'Malley sat there, happy as you please, sitting on the tabletop and propping his elbow on a bottle of brown sauce. His face lit up when he saw us.
"You made it! I've been waiting for you!"
"What are you doing here?" I asked, absolutely flabbergasted, as I sat down on the wooden bench across from him.
"I wasn't going to be gone for long. Just needed to fly to my friend's grave and place the rocks upon it to call her home." He shrugged. "Besides, had so much fun, thought I would continue the celebration with you and your friends."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Or was it you didn't have ID to get served."
He hooked his thumb toward Colleen. "She said she wouldn't serve me if my feet didn't hit the floor." He leaned forward. "Plus, I still owe half a wish. The fairy folk take such things seriously."
I paused for a moment, thinking hard as Colleen delivered our drinks. She had the kindness to include a couple shots of Jameson to chase down whatever green pilsner pisswater they had gussied up for the tourists.
Gelert came over, too, to see what was on our table, and rested his shaggy head beside Killian's elbow.
It came to me.
I pushed the little shot glass of whiskey across the table to Rian, which was as large as a pint to the leprechaun. Then, I raised my glass to him, Gelert, Killian, and Father Killarney. "I wish for all of us to have a happy St. Patrick's Day."
Rian winked and raised his shot glass with two hands. "My favorite kind of wish."
Gelert gave a chuff of approval.
The Maggie MacKay: Magical Tracker Series
Book One: Maggie for Hire
Book Two: Maggie Get Your Gun
Book Three: Maggie on the Bounty
Book Four: M&K Tracking
Book Five: The M-Team
Book Six: Maggie Goes to Hollywood
Book Seven: Maggie Reloaded
Book Eight: Maggie Goes Medieval
Book Nine: Eine Kleine Nacht Maggie
Book Ten: Of Mice and MacKays
Book Eleven: Moons Over My Maggie
Book Twelve: Auntie Mags (Coming 2021)
Maggie Holiday Short Story Specials
The Ghost and Ms. MacKay
Red, White, and Maggie
My Maggie Valentine
Lazy, Hazy Days of MacKays
The NutMacKer Sweet
Luck of the MacKays
A Merry Maggie Messmas (Preorder Now)
––––––––
The Know Spell Hotel
Miss Spell's Hotel
And more to come!