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.
WE FOUND MOM AND Dad coming out of one of the bungalow rooms.
“We were just looking for you girls,” Mom said.
“Are the accommodations satisfactory?” Brogan asked.
“Oh yes,” Mom answered. “Everything is wonderful. I wish we could stay up later to enjoy the party.”
Brogan assured her with a scrunched-faced grin. “Rest up. Things are winding down fer the night. There’ll be plenty festivals to come this summer.”
My parents gave him an appreciative smile. They both had circles under their eyes and looked like they might collapse.
“You girls okay?” Mom asked. She searched my eyes.
“We’re fine,” I said, giving her a hug. “Don’t worry.”
“Enjoy yourselves and get some rest tonight.” Dad hugged me next, squeezing me extra long before whispering goodnight.
I waved as they went back into their room. Brogan led Cassidy and I to another bungalow and opened the door for us.
“’Tis a guest room,” he explained. “Ye have yer own washroom over there. Someone’ll come around each day to refresh the water and clear out the waste. Of course, Robyn, this room is only temporary since ye’ll share McKale’s abode after the binding, whenever that may be.”
My face lit on fire as I nodded my understanding.
Cassidy poked me in the back, but I refused to look at her. She was, no doubt, holding back her humor about Brogan’s frankness regarding sharing McKale’s “abode,” a thought that thumped around inside my head. Soon I would share a room with a boy and… and… ack!
I cleared my throat and thanked Brogan.
“My pleasure, it is. Let me know if ye be needing anything further.”
We stepped into the room and he bowed low before leaving us. Cassidy and I looked around the space for a moment until we knew Brogan was far enough away, then Cass whispered, “I can’t believe it! This is awesome!”
In a moment of jet-lagged, expounded relief, we grabbed each other and jumped up and down in a circle, giggling and carrying on as quietly as we could. We squeed and stamped our feet a few seconds more before gaining control and taking deep breaths. I would’ve never behaved that way in front of another soul.
“What do you think of McKale?” she asked. “Don’t you think he’s too quiet?”
I shrugged. “He doesn’t even know us yet. But I prefer quiet over someone who’s a loose cannon anyway, no offense.”
She let her head fall back, unoffended. “Ah, Rock. What a nice surprise. I like Ireland.”