Kindling Flames: Granting Wishes (The Ancient Fire Series Book 5) Read Online Free Page A

could lean his back against the table.
    “What is true?” she asked as she touched the coins.
    Patrick swirled his drink around and downed the bit that was left. “I make shoes.” He waved at the wall of supplies with his empty glass.
    Cathren looked at the tools of his craft.
    “I like hats.” He waved towards the darkened side of the room. “And I grant wishes when someone is lucky enough to catch me.” He sat the empty glass on the table behind him. “Most of the rest of the lore is a bunch of blarney.”
    Turning, she considered the man sitting next to her. “Then what are leprechauns?”
    He gave her a sidelong look and let out a deep breath. “We’re fay.”
    She gave him an incredulous look.
    Patrick considered her for a moment before beginning his explanation. “Lore has it that we are the offspring of an ‘evil spirit’ and a ‘degenerate fairy’. Not wholly good or wholly evil. I’m not sure how true that is, but I can tell you that we are magical beings from Ireland.”
    “Ireland?” Cathren sat up straighter. That was the accent she could hear in his voice. She hadn’t been able to place it before. “What are you doing in Brenton?”
    Patrick chuckled. “I followed the fairy queen when she moved her court here about a hundred or so years ago.”
    Cathren’s eyes nearly bugged out at this. “A hundred years!” She squeaked. “How old are you?”
    “A bit older than that.” Patrick chuckled. “I was young and dumb at the time.” He turned to look at Cathren’s surprised face. “Even though we’re solitary fay, we do crave the companionship of others of our kind.” Patrick twisted on his stool to face the table. Folding his arms onto the surface, he leaned his head down on them, looking at Cathren. “I got lonely in Ireland and came to be with the people I knew.”
    Cathren picked her water bottle back up and took a long drink of it while trying to process this. She crinkled the plastic again as she sat it back on the table.
    Patrick sat up, drawing her attention away from the bottle in her hand. “Enough about me, what about you?” He gave her a warm smile. “What makes you tick?”
    Cathren looked at him, at a loss for words. “Me?” Her life seemed insignificant next to the story he had just spun. “There’s nothing special about me.” She shook her head and tucked her hands in between her knees again.
    Patrick turned to face her fully. “There’s something special about everyone.”
    Cathren shook her head, feeling foolish.
    “Come on,” he pressed. “You have to give me something if I’m going to find someone to love you truly.”
    Red colored Cathren’s ears. “Look.” She twisted to face him. “About that…” Cathren lifted her hands as she spoke to emphasize her words.
    Patrick caught her hand and held it. “No arguments.” His fingers caressed her knuckles softly. “I promised to fulfill your wishes and I will.” He spun the gold chain on her wrist. “I am honor bound to do so and have been looking for someone that could make you happy. Since I botched the waffles thing so badly, I’ve been taking my time, trying to find just the right person for you.”
    Cathren smiled at the memory of the waffles. “I don’t think you can help me find a true love.” She paused as she considered her words. “That’s kind of a personal thing.”
    “Oh, I intend to do right by you.” Patrick sat taller on his stool as he held her hand. “Did you see the gentleman that left?”
    Recalling the handsome man that had gotten into the black car, Cathren nodded.
    “I was thinking he would be a good candidate.” Patrick looked thoughtful. “With a little persuasion, he could love you truly, and he would definitely see to your happiness.”
    “Persuasion?” Cathren didn’t like the sound of that.
    Patrick rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand soothingly. “Just a little suggestion.” He shrugged. “You’re a pretty girl. Very sweet. Just a little