A Bit of Wee Luck by Kelly Elliott
Do you need some catching up from the last book? Let’s see….
Lucas took a job in Ireland. Hollie stayed back in Salem while Lucas went ahead to get started with work and find them a place to live. Hollie surprised Lucas by coming to Ireland early. She then surprised Lucas once again (after getting sick) with the news that they’re having a baby.
Now…let’s pick up where we left off!
Hollie
I stared into Lucas’s caramel eyes as he repeated for the fourth time, “A baby?”
Laughing, I nodded. “Can you only say that one word?”
Lucas blinked several times and then shook his head. “We’re having a baby?”
“Okay, you added on a few words that time,” I deadpanned.
“How?”
I raised my brows and gave him a look.
“No, I know how. I thought you were on the pill.”
“I am, but nothing is one hundred percent. I’ve never missed any and I wasn’t on any medicine that would affect it, so I guess it’s just part of our plan.” I drew my lower lip between my teeth before I asked, “Are you upset?”
“Upset?” he asked, surprised by my question. “Hell no, I’m not upset. Hollie, this is amazing. Are you okay with it? I know we never really got around to talking about when we wanted kids.”
“Or when we wanted to get married. Which—I think I’d like that to be sooner rather than later. Maybe even here in Ireland! Oh, or Scotland! I’ve always wanted to go there.”
Lucas took my hand in his and kissed the back of it, sending shivers through my entire body. “We can go and do whatever you want while we’re over here. And I’ll marry you anywhere you want, anytime you want.”
I felt my cheeks heat and had to bite the inside of my cheek so I wouldn’t say: Let’s run off and get married. Today. Instead, I replied, “I know you’re working, so I don’t expect you to take me all over the place.”
He smiled. “With what we keep finding, I might be here longer than I thought. I was going to talk to you about it.”
“Well, from what I’ve seen on the drive in from the airport, I think I’m going to love it here.” I spread my arms, taking in the room around us. “I love this little flat! And the town is adorable. It feels like we’re in the middle of nowhere, but Dublin isn’t that far away. Have you been to the pub across the street yet? It’s a real Irish pub, Lucas!”
“I know,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve been there plenty of times. A guy by the name of Benny O’Brien owns it. It was his father’s pub, and his before that, and his before that. It’s been in the family for a long time. Wait until you eat there. His mother, Sarah, is an amazing cook. Just remember that when they talk they don’t make the TH sound.”
A bubble of excitement burst in my chest as I said, “Same name as my sister! And I’m starving. Do you think we can grab something to eat there now?”
“Of course. Come on, I’ll introduce you to Benny and his family.”
Lucas took hold of my hand and helped me off the bed. “You’re not too tired? I could run over and get us some food to go.”
With a shake of my head, I replied, “I’m tired, but I really want to see the pub, even if it means I can’t drink. Let me brush my teeth and change my clothes.”
We headed out and started for the pub across the street. It was in a beautiful, old, three-story building with the name O’Brien’s on a sign out front. It was sandwiched between two other buildings, which both looked to be as old as the pub—though the one on the right was most likely the oldest.
Lucas nodded toward the building. “Benny was raised in the flat above the pub, and now he lives there with his mom and his sister.”
“It’s so cute. I love the yellow building and the red trim around the windows and doors.” I looked up at the numerous plant holders. “They must plant flowers there in the spring.”
“They do,” Lucas said as he reached for the door to open it. “It’s supposed to be beautiful in the spring with all the flowers. There’s a story behind it; I’ll tell you later.”
I smiled, and Lucas opened the door and I stepped inside. My eyes widened as I took in the old pub. Large stone floors made way to the most beautiful wooden bar I’d ever seen. The walls were covered with memorabilia and pictures, as well as some odd items that I was sure held special meaning for the O’Brien family. I glanced up and saw a boot hanging down from the ceiling. I’d loved to know the meaning behind that one. Old photos were scattered behind the bar and throughout the large space. The woodwork was unbelievable. My eyes caught on a beautiful stained-glass window to the left that looked into a small room.
“It’s so beautiful,” I whispered as we walked farther into the mostly-empty bar. I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting, but I did assume it would be more crowded—especially since it was close to noon.
“Where is everyone?” I whispered.
Lucas sighed. “Folks haven’t been coming in much lately. A lot of people have been hit hard in the community and money is tight. Benny’s worried he may have to close the pub if things keep going the way they are.”
“Oh no! That’s terrible. It looks like it’s been around for a long time.”
“Yeah, it sucks for him and his family,” Lucas said with a nod. “It’s been open since the late eighteen-hundreds.”
A handsome guy in his late 20s or early 30s glanced up from whatever he was reading. He had blondish red hair and eyes so blue I could see them from where we were standing.
“How’s it going, Benny?” Lucas asked.
A wide smile grew across his face, and I swore his eyes lit up, especially when he looked at me.
“Grand!”
A younger woman with the same smile as Benny walked out from a back area. It must be his sister Kelley Lucas had mentioned. She looked at Lucas and grinned, but her smile faltered slightly when she saw me. Our eyes met and she quickly grinned again. It was all so fast that if I hadn’t been paying attention, I would have missed it.
“Hey, Kelley. How are you today?” Lucas asked.
“I’m suckin’ diesel.”
My smile faltered and I turned to give Lucas a questioning look. He laughed and said, “Yeah, that one took me a while to figure out. It basically means she’s doing good. Or grand. At least, I think that’s what it means.”
Giggling, I slipped onto a barstool as Lucas introduced me. “Benny, Kelley, this is my fiancée, Hollie Craft.”
Benny reached for my hand, his smile growing into a full-on grin. “It’s nice to finally meet ya, Hollie. Lucas here has been talking about ya non-stop.”
I returned his gesture with a smile of my own. “It’s so nice to meet you both.”
Kelley shook my hand and asked, “Did ya just arrive?”
Nodding, I replied, “I did and I’m starving. Lucas said you have the best food in town.”
Kelley and Benny both beamed. “That we do,” Kelley said. “Only because it’s me ma who’s doing the cooking.”
Benny helped his sister into her coat as he said, “We’ve got Irish stew and bangers and mash.”
“Irish stew for me,” Lucas quickly said.
“Bangers and Mash?” I asked, one brow raised. “That sounds…interesting and oddly sexual.”
Kelley let out a bark of laughter while Benny pointed to me and looked over at Lucas. “I like her.”
“So do I,” Lucas stated, kissing me on the cheek.
“It’s sausage with mashed potatoes and an onion gravy. Side of peas as well,” Benny said with a twinkle in his eyes.
My stomach took that moment to growl. “That sounds amazing. I’ll have that.”
Knocking on the bar, Benny nodded. “I’ll go get it for ya.”
After he walked into what I was assuming was the kitchen, Kelley let out a sigh and glanced around the pub.
“How are things going?” Lucas asked.
She shrugged. “Hardly anyone showed up last night, which isn’t good. We’ve only been open an hour or so. I’m hoping the lunch crowd will pick up at least. I’ve got to run; picking up me Ma for an outing.”
“See you around, Kelley,” Lucas said as she glanced over at me once more.
“It was nice to meet ya.”
“You as well,” I replied with a smile.
Once Kelley had left, I turned to Lucas. “She doesn’t like me.”
His eyes went wide. “Why do you say that?”
“It was painfully obvious, Lucas. How could you not see it?”
With a one-shoulder shrug, he said, “I think you’re tired and hungry. She likes you; why wouldn’t she like you?”
“What did you tell them about me?”
“That you were my fiancée. That we’ve known each other for as long as I can remember and that you were joining me here.”
I lifted a brow. “Did you mention I was a witch?”
He laughed. “As crazy as this may sound, I don’t normally go around telling people I’m marrying a witch.”
Glancing back at the door, I exhaled. “Well, she either doesn’t like me because she likes you, or she doesn’t like me for some other reason.”
“Hollie, you’re being paranoid.”
“Alright, here’s your lunch. Pint for ya both?” Benny asked.
“I’ll take one,” Lucas said.
“Just a water for me, please,” I replied with a soft smile.
Benny seemed taken aback. “No pint? You’re in Ireland, Hollie.”
Laughing, I nodded. “And as much as it kills me not to taste the Guinness, I can’t.”
Screwing his face up in disgust, Benny asked, “Ya don’t drink?”
Lucas and I exchanged looks before I gave him a slight nod.
“Hollie’s pregnant,” he said.
Benny’s entire face lit up. “That’s wonderful news!”
Lucas’s smile was so big I couldn’t help but giggle. “I just found out. I mean, Hollie told me a little while ago.”
Benny reached for Lucas’s hand and shook it. “It’s about time we heard some good news in this place.”
The door to the pub opened and I turned to see an older man slowly making his way in. He glanced over at the three of us and lifted his hand. “Me pint, Benny, before the missus finds out I’m here.”
Benny chuckled and excused himself.
I took a bite of my lunch and let out a soft moan. “Oh my God. I think this is the best food I’ve ever eaten.”
Lucas laughed. “It is good. How are you feeling?”
“Better now that I’m getting some real food. Um, can I have a bite of yours?”
He slid the bowl my way, and I took a few bites and smiled. “That’s good too. I have a feeling we’ll be eating here often.”
Lucas’s smile faltered. “I just hope Benny’s able to stay open.”
“Things are that bad?” I asked in a hushed voice. Benny was engrossed in a conversation with the older gentleman.
“It’s not only here; a lot of the older pubs are shutting down. I think the younger generation wants to go to hipper bars or clubs. Which sucks. I love the feel of this place and would kill to have something like it back in Salem.”
I nodded and shoveled another bite of food into my mouth. Once I swallowed, I said, “The driver who brought me here from the airport also said a lot of younger people are leaving for places like Dublin.”
Lucas nodded. “It’s true. These smaller pubs are slowly disappearing.”
“What do we do?”
He paused with his fork at his mouth before he slowly lowered it. “We do nothing, Hollie. And by that, I mean you will not do magick. At all.”
I laughed. “Do you think I’m incapable of doing anything without magick now?”
“Yes, I do.”
Leaning back, I folded my arms over my chest. “That’s mean. And might I add that the few spells I’ve done have all turned out great!”
“Yeah, after you did another spell to correct the first one you messed up.”
My mouth dropped open so I could argue with him, but then I quickly realized he was right. “Touché.”
Benny made his way back over to us with a wide smile on his face.
“How’s the food?”
“It’s amazing!” Lucas and I replied at the same time.
“Ma is good in the kitchen.”
I nodded. “I’ll say.”
A few more people walked into the pub, and I saw the excitement on Benny’s face. Lucas dove back into his food while I watched Benny interact with his customers. They were a bit older than me, though not by much. One was in a suit, the other dressed more casually. As they ordered lunch, Benny poured them each a beer. There was clearly an art to pouring a pint of Guinness, Ireland’s most popular beer.
After placing the pints down for the two gentlemen, Benny slipped into the kitchen and quickly came back out with two plates and bread. The three of them were soon lost in conversation.
“The one thing you’ll notice in Ireland: they love to chat. That’s what’s so great about the local pubs,” Lucas stated.
“Are there any other pubs in this little town?” I asked.
He nodded as he chewed. “Down the road about a mile or so. But Benny’s is right here on Main Street, so it’s generally considered the local pub.”
“What would he do if it closed?”
Turning to look at Benny, Lucas shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d hate to think of him having to sell this place since it’s been in his family for so long.”
I chewed on my lip before I went back to my lunch. My mind started to race, and I made a mental note to call my sister Sarah. She’d know the best spell to put on the pub so we could help out Benny.
