"If we put the plant there, we would be right by the sheep. We would have a close source of wool. That is what we want."Harriet frowned. "With a spot that remote we might have environmental issues.""None that I was able to discern. There is a lot of green land in Ireland. They are more worried about people having jobs than anything else," Meg said.She'd talked to enough locals to know that if they didn't farm there wasn't anything else to do. The pubs only employed a few people."Is there a town nearby?""Leenane. A small town, but it has several roads that feed it. Tour busses go through there so they aren't too small."Meg's heart sped up. Maybe Harriet would listen to her. Her heart fell when Harriet handed her the photo back. "No. We are going in a different direction completely. We're finding a domestic spot.""Why? This company built its reputation on Irish wool. Not American wool.""It's cheaper this way," Harriet said. "I didn't make the decision. Someone higher up did.""W
Donal grimaced. "It's crazy, learning a new job, but I think I'll adapt.""Good. Figure out the politics.""You think so? I'm a simple man. I'm not into game playing."She nodded, liking more things about him as time went on. He was a handsome man with an enticing accent. Too bad she wasn't in the market for a man. She'd bet Donal would be a lot of fun."It isn't game playing. It's survival. All companies have politics. It's just part of the culture. You get good at it and you get ahead.""Can't I just get ahead on my abilities?" Donal quirked an eyebrow.Was he new to the work force? "No, you can't. Competition is tough. You have to be tougher and have an edge."He nodded, but she didn't think he was truly listening. His problem, not hers, but for some reason, she wanted to help him. "How does one figure out the politics?""It takes time," Meg said. "You have to keep your mouth shut and listen. You'll know who the players are and who isn't ever going to get far in the company.""So j
He'd spent his life protecting fairies and he probably knew every way to get out of a situation. He could even talk his way out of a fight. But not with a goblin and the females were even fiercer than the males. A short guy with whatever beer courage was wouldn't be hard to take down."Aye."The waitress came back with their beers. Meg touched her glass to his. "Cheers.""Cheers."He sipped and immediately liked the dark brew in his hand. It did speak to him of his homeland. Something about the richness of it made him think of the richness of the culture of Ireland."Not as good as home, I bet," Meg said."It'll do.""Have you been in America long?""No. Only a few weeks," he said. "Are you from Philadelphia originally?""Sort of. I was born in Ireland, but was adopted as a baby by an American couple.""Are your parents still alive?"A darkness crossed her face and Donal wished he hadn't said anything. "No, they died in a car crash a few years ago."Donal wondered if that was on purpo
Not in the real sense. He'd paid for someone else's crime. "No, sir.""Are you wanted by the law?""No, sir," Donal said.Jeremy sighed. "Okay. I won't ask. As long as you haven't broken the law I'll keep you on. You have an edge to you that the others don't.""Thank you."***Tex had found a suit at a homeless shelter that also had a shower and he now accompanied Donal to his job. Donal wasn't sure that there was a spot for Tex at Jenkins Security, but he was going to try.Tex fidgeted next to him on the bus. "Do I look okay?""You look fine. That haircut I gave you is okay. You can get a better one, but some of the guys have long hair. Don't worry, Tex. You'll be fine."Tex nodded then stared out the window. Meg had gotten on the bus that came before this one, but Donal couldn't leave Tex. He just crossed his fingers that Meg would be okay. He doubted the goblin would attack her in front of other people. "Your boss is Jeremy?" Tex said."Yes. He's a good guy."Tex nodded.They reach
Hold on! That was a problem. "We are not siblings, but I can explain our connection."She rested her elbows on the table. "Go ahead.""I need you to have an open mind.""Okay."He took a deep breath. "When you want something good, does it come your way?""Well, not my boss' job, but until then, yes, I guess so. I've never wished for anything unrealistic. I didn't want a pony when I was a kid," she said.She took another sip of her beer, studying him. "Do you know anything about your birth parents?"She put down her pint of beer. "Only that they were Irish and they might have been killed.""Have you tried to trace them?" he said.He leaned his elbows on the table, mirroring her posture. She leaned back, her eyes getting a little warier. He'd have to tread carefully in this conversation. He didn't know what people believed in this day and age. At a disadvantage not knowing that he was going into this conversation blind. Not a good stance tactically and it chafed at him."The adoption w
Donal's trouble had started when his father had fallen for a fairy.Was he no better than his father? He fell into step beside Meg as she remained silent. He hoped she was mulling over what he'd said. He'd never had to tell anyone they were a fairy. He'd figured the church would be the final point she couldn't deny. In his time, people knew what they were. Life was easier because the enemies looked like enemies and friends looked like friends. "You're quiet," he said.She sighed. "It is a lot to take in, but I'm not sure I believe you, but I don't know why you would lie to me."He held the door open to her apartment building. She stopped just inside, spinning around to look at him. "Did you want to come up, Donal?""I don't think that would be proper."She smiled as if what he said had amused her. "Proper?""Yes."She cocked her head. "I like you, Donal."He smiled down at her. "I like you, too, Meg."Not in the way she was thinking. What would she see in a gargoyle? Gargoyles were
Meg shook her head. She had chosen not to go that route as Donal had suggested. Instead, she was doing good things. In fact, she wished that Harriet had found a better job. That hadn't happened yet which had Meg doubting what Donal had tried to convince her of. She wasn't a fairy and she didn't know why she'd even entertained the idea.Probably Donal's Irish charm. None of that mattered in the present situation. "I truly don't know what you're talking about, Harriet."Harriet's eyes flashed with anger and if Meg hadn't been watching she would have missed it. The woman schooled her face quickly. "I'm watching you. And if I see you step out of line I will fire you.""You do realize it isn't that simple.""Oh?""Yes. There are procedures for firing someone. You can't just decide that you don't like me and let me go. There needs to be documentation of issues," Meg said. She knew her rights. An eyebrow went up on Harriet's face. "We'll see about that."The woman rose, her gaze never leavi
A gasp escaped Meg's lips. She put a hand to her mouth. What had brought her back here? She'd never know, but now she was glad she had. Why would Donal be talking to Harriet? "Oh?"Harriet laughed, drawing Meg's attention to her. She couldn't figure out why Donal would be here. Because of her past experiences with men, she was sure it wasn't good. She stepped into the office. "What's going on?"Donal's mouth moved, but no sound came out. Harriet cackled again. This could not be good."You going to tell her?" Harriet said.She hadn't stopped laughing. Donal fidgeted in his seat. Guess he hadn't been expecting her. "Meg.""Save it.""Why are you so sure this is a bad thing?" he said.He stood and took a step towards her, but he was catapulted back into the chair. It looked as if he'd been yanked into it. His mouth gaped open and his arms flailed. Something was terribly wrong with this situationShe blinked as Donal struggled to get out of the chair. She shook her head, before turning to