Fakeboyfriend, I quickly amended, though my heart did a funny little dance at the word boyfriend. It sounded odd, like I was a teenager excited after her first kiss. At what age did we stop calling them our boyfriends? Was he my fella? My man?
Amused at myself, and trying to ignore that delicious wiggle of desire in my core as I thought about his kiss again, I turned down the lane and onto the main road that hugged the rocky shores of Loch Mirren. MacAlpine Castle held court in the hillsabove the village, a dowager countess watching over her people, and the sun struggled to shine through the grey clouds that clung to the horizon. Wind shifted across the loch, bringing it into a light chop, the surface looking cracked and wrinkled like a balled up piece of paper smoothed out again.
Did the Kelpies really live there?
I eyed the island, a perfect circle of land with a fortress of trees, imposing as ever. Was that why it had always made me unsettled? Because magick lived there? There was nothing untoward to be seeing at the moment. For all intents and purposes, it looked just like any other wee island in any other loch in the country.
But I could feel that it wasn’t. I had always felt that way. And now that Zara had confirmed my suspicions, I took a small moment to feel validated in trusting my intuition. I hadn’t had a lot of wins lately, so having the affirmation that my gut had been correct about the wee island helped boost my confidence as I made my way toward the local pub.
The Tipsy Thistle was the heartbeat of the community, a place to go to watch a match, laugh with friends, and catch up on the local gossip. If I could get a job here, it would be the fastest way to integrate myself back into Loren Brae, dispel any rumors about mine and Torin’s past, and put down roots.
Even though this is meant to be temporary, I reminded myself as I opened the door to the pub.You aren’t staying.
Technically, it was early enough that the pub wouldn’t be open yet, which I realized as soon as I stepped inside to find the room empty, and a handsome man wiping down bottles and making notes in a notebook at the curved wooden bar that dominated the room. A beautiful stone fireplace was stocked with wood and ready to be lit on the other side of the room, and vintage pub signs mixed with photos of Loren Brae on the walls. Long wood beams crossed the ceiling and worn wood plankscovered the floor. Music thumped softly in the background and the man grinned at me as I walked towards him, nerves tightening my throat.
“Liora!”
“Hiya, Graham.” I smiled. It was impossible not to. The handsome pub owner had a wicked grin that broke the hearts of women of all ages. Endlessly charming, he was a notorious bachelor, and the town’s golden boy. I wasn’t sure if he’d remember me, as I hadn’t been in the pub all that much, and hoped he only remembered good things.
“What brings you back to Loren Brae? I saw your sister is working at the vet’s office now.”
Graham reached over and offered his hand and I shook it, blinded a bit by his bright smile and cheerful countenance.
“Aye, she is. That’s kind of why I’m back.” No need to fill him in on any astrology drama, grabbing on to the lifeline he’d thrown me. “I wanted to be closer to Zara and Mitch.”
“Are they doing all right then? They seem well enough.” Graham’s face creased with concern.
“Och, aye, they are. Just missing family, I guess.” I shrugged one shoulder and glanced around the pub. “Say, Graham. Is there any possibility you’re looking to hire servers? I … I could dearly use the work.” I hated admitting the last part, but there was no other way around it. I needed a job.
“Well now, let me have a think.” Graham’s eyes studied the expression on my face and I tried to appear like a hardworking, resourceful individual, and not someone desperate for a place to work. Any place to work. “Have you worked in the service industry before?”
“Aye, for years now.” I smiled brightly at him. “Off and on, that is. But I’ve worked in everything from fine dining to a coffee shop. I never miss a shift and I make friends with everyone.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Graham’s smile widened. “You’ve always been a cheerful sort if I recall. You used to do readings too, didn’t you? Astrology, was it?”
“Och, well, I did that a bit. Here and there.” I hated dismissing my career like it was of no importance, but I’d learned that not everyone viewed astrology in the best light. Which was silly, considering how helpful it could be to others, but I’d grown used to the way people’s faces would take on a knowing look when I told them what I did for a living.
“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but things have been a bit… quieter around Loren Brae the last few years,” Graham said, moving back behind the bar. “I’m not sure I’d even have enough for full-time work.”
“Part-time works too,” I rushed out, moving to the side of the bar and leaning against it, a plea in my voice. “Anything you could give me, really.”
Graham’s eyes met mine again, his gaze carefully assessing.
“I promise, I’m a hard worker,” I whispered, as close to pleading as I could allow myself to get.
“I can take you on for the weekends. We still get a few tour buses through to see the castle, and they often stop by for a pint if they’re not having a meal at Grasshopper.”
I blinked at him, confused.
“Grasshopper is the new restaurant at MacAlpine Castle. You could also ask there for work, to make up for extra hours I cannae give you,” Graham explained.
“Ah, right. I didn’t know they’d opened a restaurant.” Last I’d been in Loren Brae, the castle had been suffering, with interest in tours falling off and a potentially new owner on the horizon.
“There’s been a few changes since you were last here.” Graham held up a hand. “Hold on a second, while I go grab the application form.”
Sighing in relief, as it sounded like he’d be willing to give me work, if even for a few days a week, I settled onto a bar stool and closed my eyes. Taking in a deep breath, I dropped my guards, and let myself listen and feel the vibe of the pub. It had always been a friendly and welcoming spot, but I’d never been inside when it was almost empty before. Now, I felt like I could get a read on the energy of the place. The building, much like many of the places in Loren Brae, was several hundred years old and as far as I was concerned, every place held energy.
Not getting any bad vibes, I opened my eyes to find Graham staring at me, a bemused look on his face, a form in his hand.