Part 8 (1/2)

Peter was standing there amazed as the bald kid tried to hit Mac. He grabbed the young man, and that was all she wrote.

BedlamaNever have I seen such flailing arms and flying fists.

Teri screamed for Mac to stop and started for the middle of the foray. I grabbed for her as she flew by me.

Mac had the redhead and as he reared back, he hit Teri in the face with his elbow. She let out a yelp and Mac turned toward her. As I got to her, I noticed the redhead coming for Mac again.

aMac, behind you!a I yelled and took a chair and quickly threw it at the manas feet.

He tripped over the chair. Mac whirled around, hauled off, and punched the redhead dead in the face. His eyes crossed and he stood there a second, teetered back and forth, and fell to the floor.

Peter had the bald one in a headlock, the poor kid looked like he was about to pa.s.s out.

aPeter, let him go. Heas turning blue,a I informed him.

Peter unceremoniously let him go and the young man fell to his knees, grabbing his throat and coughing.

Mac was breathing like a bull as he wiped the blood from his cheek. He picked up the young man. aNow pick up your friend and get the h.e.l.l out of here.a We watched as both staggered out the door. I looked at Teri in amazement. aOh, G.o.d, Teri,a I said and covered my mouth, trying not to laugh. aYour cheek is turning purple, Lady McAuliffe.a Peter sat down at the table. His lip was cut and bleeding, but he was smiling. aI havenat been in a brawl like that since I was at university,a he said proudly.

aItas been that long for me, too,a Mac said as Teri put a wet towel against his face. aSorry, honey,a Mac said quietly and touched Terias bruised cheek. aA little makeup will hide it.a aA little?a I asked and avoided the glare from my sister.

Bridget was sitting there clearly amazed. aWell, I have to admit, Iam impressed with all of ya.a aThanks, Kate, that was quick thinking,a Mac offered.

I found Bridget smiling at me. aThat was quick thinking. You couldave been hurt, though. Youare reckless, Kate Ryan.a She smiled wickedly.

The bartender came up and slapped Mac on the back. aYou did fine. Those two are a couple of ruffians. Iam glad to see someone take care of them. The drinks are on the house,a he said and turned away.

The little man called after the bartender. aAnd itas high time, too.a He roared with laughter. aWait till the village hears about this one.a He laughed and walked away.

Within ten minutes, the bar was filled with villagers.

I felt Bridget at my side. aIave got to be going. Walk me to my car?a she asked and I followed her out, avoiding Terias motherly look.

I was humming as we walked to Bridgetas car. aYouave had an interesting day, Miss Ryan,a she said as she opened her car door.

aYes, and I wasnat even hurt. Iave got to tell Maggie about that one,a I announced.

Bridget grinned, and out of the blue, she leaned over and kissed me. I heard a soft moan as she pulled back. I think it came from me.

aTell her about that one.a She winked and drove off.

I stood there for a moment, then walked back into the tavern to see Mac, who looked like the mayor, shaking hand after hand, as did Peter. The Guinness was flowing freelya”we all made sure it pa.s.sed the taste test.

I watched Peter and thought of what he had just said about his college days. Then I looked over at the old man who had said something about Peter being down by the sh.o.r.e. Something wasnat right here. I walked up to the bar and the little guy looked at me and smiled; his Guinness definitely pa.s.sed the test. aWell, there, la.s.s, you should be proud of Mac and young Sully.a aI am. Iam sorry, I donat know your name,a I said, smiling.

aMurphy, Patrick Murphy at your service,a he said with a bow and gave me an inquiring look.

aKate Ryan,a I said.

He smiled broadly. aAnd a fine Irish name it is, Kate,a he said and drank his beer. aI was impressed when ya threw the chair at the redhead.a aPatrick, what in the world was Peter doing down by the sh.o.r.e? Iave told him it was dangerous, too,a I said as I took a drink.

aI know. Heas daft that young Sully. Heas always down there looking for something. Heall break his fool neck if heas not careful. The Atlantic wind plays tricks on those cliffs and on the rocks below. He goes down there at the most peculiar times.a He leaned in and so did I, as he whispered, aI told him to bring his young woman here. That way head have something to occupy his time instead of going down there in the wee hours of the morning and late at night. The young fool.a aI see your point. Wonder what heas looking for.a I drank my beer. I noticed his gla.s.s was empty. aCan I get you another?a aThank you. One more, then I should be gettina on home.a I motioned for Seamus to get another round for everybody. I made friends quickly. Soon I had three or four local men standing around talking about Peter and his cliffs.

I listened as they argued back and forth, about when and why he goes down to the rocks below. As they argued, I looked over at Peter, who was laughing with Mac and Teri and feeling no pain, drinking another black beer. I turned back to the conversation.

aIf you ask me, the young boy is a bit touched,a one man said and put a finger to his temple.

aHeas down there no matter what the weather,a another agreed.

aWhatas down there that could be so fascinating?a I asked, and they all looked at me as if I had run out of Guinness. aWhat?a aDonat tell me ya donat know about the legend?a Patrick asked.

aWhat legend?a I asked, completely intrigued. aTell me.a One old man coughed, holding his empty gla.s.s.

aOkay, okay,a I said and called Seamus over for yet another round.

Patrick cleared his throat and looked around as if to make sure no one else was listening. The others huddled closer; I leaned in, as well.

aThe pot oa gold is down there,a he said and looked at me.

I leaned back and gave him a sarcastic look. aWell, if youare not going to be serious, Patrick.a He grinned wildly. aI am serious. The legend has it that thereas a cavern deep down inside the cliff. However, no one can find it. The wind whips around the rocks somethina fierce and the waves and tides have taken many a man with them. I am serious about that,a he said and drank his beer.

aYou think thatas what Peter is looking for? A pot of gold?a I asked, extremely disappointed. I thought it would be a real legend. This was a great Irish tale to be told at the pub or around the fire on a cold night.

The Irish blarney was flowing better than the Guinness, if that were possible. After a few hours, we were ready to leave. Mac and Peter had their arms around each otheras shoulders singing some obscure Irish rebel song.

We dragged the hero of Duncorrib grudgingly home to his castle. We no more than opened the door and the phone rang. It was Charlie. I told him about the day and he roared with laughter. aI missed it!a aSo, Charlie, what did you find out?a aPlenty, but I canat go into it on the phone. Iam done here and was going to fly home. Could you stand a houseguest for a couple of days?a he asked.

aOf course. When?a aTomorrow I can get a flight and be at Shannon by midday. Oh, do you think I might bring a guest for the weekend?a aCharlie, you devil, of course. Weave got plenty of room, thatas for sure. Terias having a dinner party on Friday,a I said cheerfully. aWait, let me ask Teri.a I turned and jumped, startled. Teri was standing right behind me. aGeez, donat do that!a I said. aCharlie wants to come for the weekend and bring a houseguest,a I said and wriggled my eyebrows.

She gave me an exasperated look. aGive me the phone.a I frowned and handed it over. I listened as Teri talked to Charlie. aNot a problem, Charlie. Should we pick you up? No. Okay.a She gave him directions. aSee you about one or so.a We went into the kitchen to find Mac sitting there. Teri put on the coffee and sat next to him.

aWell, Sherlock, what did you find out? I saw you talking to the locals,a Mac said.

Teri put coffee in front of Mac. aDrink this, my hero.a Mac blushed and drank it. aIam sorry about hitting you, sweetie. It was purely accidental,a he finished with a weak smile.

The black and blue of her cheek was not as bad as Macas jaw, which was turning a wonderful shade of purple. I got some ice, put it in two different towels, and handed one to each of them. They sat there drinking coffee with the ice on their faces. I put my hands on my hips in a motherly fas.h.i.+on.

aDonat ever tell me I get into strange situations again, children.a They both scowled at me. aIt would take us a lifetime to catch up with you,a Mac said.

aThis is true.a I hate it when theyare right. aPeter said today that he was at the stables. I found out he was down on the sh.o.r.e skulking around. Heas been doing it for a few months now.a aWhatas he looking for?a Teri asked.

aA pot of gold. Thatas the legend anyway,a I said rather disappointed.