Eire of Hostility

  *********

  Tuesday, two days after the loss of Cocoa, the cloudy morning matched Brody and Kate's somber mood. She shuffled quietly around the kitchen while he once again glared out through a window to the windswept lake. Brody admonished himself for letting the sour mood linger; he decided it was time to change the gloomy atmosphere of the cottage.

  He went to Kate with a smile, wrapped his big arms around her from behind, and in a soft tone reminded her that they still had pets that adored her and wanted some attention. Kate set down her coffee mug and conceded his point with a half-hearted smile. To Brody, it was an acceptable start to what he hoped would be a good day for them. He thought of a couple ideas that might keep Kate's mind occupied and hopefully elevate her mood.

  With playful enthusiasm, Brody goaded Kate into joining him outside for a stroll through the paddocks. Wearing their new wellies and raincoats, the couple went out into the blustery morning with the dogs running around them. While they brushed the dampness from the donkey's coats, Brody continued to keep conversation light and jovial. His forced disposition wasn't as infectious as he'd hoped, but Kate seemed distracted enough to flash a pretty smile now and again.

  After they played fetch with the dogs using a stick, Brody and Kate slowly walked hand in hand back to the cottage. Along the way, he suggested that they put off their obligations for a while and replace them with ideas that she might enjoy. It seemed to work; Kate began animatedly talking about their new plans, and Brody was inwardly grateful for her renewed enthusiasm.

  After showering together, they sat down to a simple breakfast before starting their busy day. Brody opened the Rose Foundation website on Kate's tablet and found one of the charities they were currently sponsoring. It was a modest children's care center run by a married couple near Sligo town, the same folks that Brody had visited on his own a few months back.

  As with most other agencies they patronized, there was a standing offer via email to visit and see how the Foundation's contributions were being put to good use. Kate smiled as she typed her request to accept that offer. Returning to the site after they'd dressed, the couple found a response. A Mrs. Elizabeth Shanahan replied that she would be overjoyed to have them visit, and perhaps join in some children's games if they were so inclined.

  The spotty showers on the drive north to Sligo town didn't affect Kate's growing ebullience. She reminded Brody that it was poor form to be empty-handed guests, so they found a toy store in town and eventually had the SUV loaded.

  Once they were in the area of the Shanahan's home, Brody recalled the route. They parked in front of the semi-detached house; a woman stood at the glass door while children played in the house behind her. Liz, as she later asked Brody and Kate to call her, stepped out to greet them. The plump woman remembered Brody from his first visit, and finally had the opportunity to thank him herself for the generous vouchers he'd given to her and her husband.

  Brody excused himself while Liz explained to Kate what she and her husband, Luke - who was currently at work - were trying to do for children in the area. Brody soon returned with boxes full of small educational and outdoor toys, much to Liz's elation and the kids' excitement. Liz then began talking to him about what the Rose Foundation monthly donation was able to afford them; interactive games, field trips, updating their mandatory supplies, and so on.

  While Liz talked, Brody noticed that Kate was a natural with children, just like she was with Jack's kids. Mrs. Shanahan's words faded into the background; Brody's attention was focused on his beautiful woman as she sat on the living room carpet and showed those little girls and boys their new toys.

  After a time, Kate was worried that they'd overstayed their welcome, even though Liz assured her otherwise. In the dining room, Brody was uncomfortably coerced into playing tea-time with three little girls and their dolls. With an amused grin, Kate let him suffer a few more minutes before she rescued him and said they had to go.

  There were thanks offered from young voices, some prompted and some not, when the couple reached the front door and said their farewells. Liz thanked them once again, and hoped they could return when Luke was home. Children yelled their goodbyes and Liz gave a happy wave as the couple pulled away from the Shanahan home.

  While they drove to a nearby cafe for lunch, Kate grinned and said, "Those little girls didn't seem afraid of the big Yank in the least. I daresay they had the handsome bloke well in hand."

  Brody couldn't suppress a smile, but tried to grimace when he replied, "Okay, fine, whatever. It's tough to say no to kids when they start acting cute and all. Just don't let this get back to... hell, anyone. I'd never live it down."

  Kate stopped giggling long enough to say, "But it was so adorable!"

  "And no using that word - anything but 'adorable', okay? Christ."

  Brody and Kate stopped back at the cottage to see to the dogs and then freshen up before heading out again. Gil Collins' pub only had a few patrons when they arrived, so they took two seats at the bar next to the ever-present Archie and Flinn. It was a night when musicians usually gathered, so a crowd was expected soon enough.

  Brody and Kate ordered some pub grub to finish off their appetites and to help soak up the effects of alcohol. Eventually, the pub began to fill with familiar or well-known faces and the atmosphere became more festive.

  At one point, Brody was taken off-guard. He was standing near the bar with his cousin Simon, listening to a story Flinn was telling, when a friendly voice called to him from behind. He turned to see Ned O'Hara, St. Niall's secondary math teacher. Ned stood with a few other guys Brody was acquainted with. They all had pints in their hands and keen looks on their grinning faces.

  Brody greeted them all, and then said to the middle-aged teacher, "What can I do for ya, Ned?"

  "Ya see now, me and the lads here were goin' on about that bad business out at your place back in October..."

  The topic made Brody instantly tense; he thought the story of the Wagner's was over and done. He didn't want any of the negative reactions to be refreshed, but the men who were asking didn't seem upset. Brody quickly reminded himself that any small town was likely to hold onto its stories, but hopefully he wasn't going to be compared to his criminal uncles. Still, he remained cautious when he replied, "Uh, yeah?"

  Ned saw the big Yank's smile drop to a stern line, so he kept his genial smile to assure the big bloke he meant no offense. "Right, well, Sean here," he gestured to one of the other men, "he's got kin working up at the courts in Sligo. Word got back that your uncle, the one who lived, finally healed up enough to get sent back to the States to answer a lot of questions there."

  "Is that right? I hadn't heard that. Then again, as long as that prick rots somewhere, I couldn't care less; the farther away from here the better."

  "Cheers," the men replied. Then Ned asked, "What we were wondering, though... just how bad did ya pan out the auld knacker ta put him in his desperate state? Multiple surgeries, from what we're told."

  "Well... I -"

  "Too much wasn't enough as far as we're concerned, just so ya know. The fucker deserved all you gave out. So, did ye use the gun butt, like, or maybe a field rock? How long before he cried mercy? And did ya go after the others in the same fashion?"

  "Um..." Brody was confused by the open talk of the violence at his home, and uncomfortable telling how he stopped his criminal relatives. "I, uh... The other two were shot, so I really didn't do much there. And, um... gun butt? See, it all happened kinda fast, and I -"

  "One punch," Flinn said from next to Brody. "Just one, lads; shattered the man's face from jaw to eyeball. From how I hear it - and by Cora McCarthy, who saw it all and doesn't flower a tale - this laoch ollmhór put the bastard out afore his arse hit the turf. What's more, Lynch was bloody from a bullet at the time."

  Brody suddenly wanted to go home.

  "And," the elderly man held up a finger for emphasis, "he pulled his punch, no less. Could have killed the man with that one
puck if he chose ta, but we have here a God-fearing bloke and didn't want the Almighty takin' exception to an otherwise well-deserved sin." The men laughed. "Don't let his humility put ye off; me young mucker did right by Kate and her mam." Flinn shook his skinny fist. "One punch, lads. Now, who's the first to shake that hand?"

  The men laughed again, and Brody half-heartedly grinned along with them and Flinn. He wished the old-timer hadn't used so much dramatic flair to tell the story, let alone his exaggerations. Hopefully Ned and the others knew Flinn well enough to take just the truth out of the story. Overall, he was glad the old gent stepped in to retell the tale; he just wasn't expecting to feel embarrassed by the end of it.

  When Ned and the other men turned to chat with the nearest table of locals, Flinn tapped his glass of Guinness with Brody's and said, "Now don't let all that wind go fillin' yer head."

  "How do you mean?"

  "Right about now," Flinn said with a wide grin that made his wrinkles deepen, "they're sure to be callin' ye a jammy overgrown cunt. Take nothin' by it; after a few more rounds, I'll probably be sayin' the same thing me self." He gave Brody a wink and a friendly slap on the shoulder before moving off.

  Brody stepped back over to Kate at the bar and waited until he had her attention. When she leaned into him for a hug, he quietly asked in her ear what "jammy" and "lee-ukh aulmore" meant. Kate grinned, looked up at him, and said "jammy" was slang for lucky, and "laoch ollmhór" translated roughly to 'huge hero' or 'giant warrior'.

  He scowled and turned his head away, hoping the moniker wouldn't stick. Kate knew the compliment she interpreted would be at odds with his modest nature; she waited until he looked back at her and saw his unease. She realized it was a role he filled unwillingly, but Brody had earned that description more than the others could even imagine.

  While Kate had his attention, she arched up to give her fella a kiss, and then thanked him for a great day; she said it was just what she needed, and maybe he did too.

  Kate soon resumed her conversation with two older ladies next to her at the bar. Brody vaguely remembered Iris and Deirdre, Kate's former neighbors; they were making a rare appearance at the pub to hear Jane sing other tunes than hymns at mass. Until Kate's younger sister arrived and performed, the ladies were content to sip at their Guinness's and gossip. Just from what Brody overheard while ordering a drink, he found himself chuckling at their old Irish parlance.

  "You know auld Mickaleen from a time ago?" Deirdre asked Kate in conspiratorial fashion. "I'm sure you might. He's of the Patrick Dugan's - a sound lot, sure, not the Joe Dugan's from half on to Boyle; balbháns to the last, they are. Mick was the one who resettled down in Ballintober when work ran dry and the wife ran off, you'll recall. Don't know what he saw in that wagon to begin with; she'd a face that could turn milk.

  "Mick has the brother William that was a madman with the drink; still behind the lock over in The Joy with all those jackeens, that bowsie is. Mick was the one with the daughter, Lydia. Plain as porridge that wee lass was a pure header as soon as she knew to use the jacks, but didn't. The poor lamb. Used to live near the Gallagher's out on the Healy road, they did. Ah jaysus, you must remember him, yes?"

  "Em... I believe so," Kate replied, completely baffled, but agreed to satisfy her old neighbor.

  "Well, he died."

  Gil's pub soon filled with townsfolk, plus a few new faces. They'd apparently heard about Jane's exceptional voice, and some new young local with skill on the mandolin. Some of the village musicians were already present and began warming up when they saw Jane and Mac arrive.

  Jane was all smiles and energy as she greeted her family and friends; Mac followed her and said gracious hellos to anyone he was familiar with. Brody noted the Fair fae's new manifested outfit from his offered clothes. When the players began to gather near the piano, Brody and Jack made room at the bar for their respective women. More room was going to be made for Simon, but he was seen in a back booth, deep in spirited conversation with Kate's friend Alana.

  Jane's first few songs were amazing as usual, and Mac's skill on his mandolin complimented her voice beautifully. Brody and Kate mentioned to each other that they almost wished the other musicians weren't playing; Jack on the fiddle, as well as the others, sounded sloppy and amateurish in comparison.

  During the first break, Kate renewed Brody's old offer to have Jane record a few tunes in a studio up in Sligo town; she could begin handing CD's out at future impromptu shows. Jane admitted that with all that had been going on lately, she'd forgotten all about that offer.

  She gladly accepted, but then questioned if Mac's skill was able to be taped; snapshots of him certainly didn't work. Mac ventured that because his mandolin was a Verden instrument, there shouldn't be any issues recording its sounds. Kate suggested they test that theory sometime.

  After the second round of songs ended, Gil thought that Kate was in good enough spirits to offer his condolences for her and Brody's donkey. The reminder sobered her somewhat, but she thanked Gil for his kind words.

  That topic led to other recent stories of bad luck and mishaps around the area. Accidents ranging from minor car wrecks, to fires from faulty wiring, to sheep lost to rare badger attacks were mentioned. Brody found the news troubling, but Kate told him later that sometimes luck got washed off with too much rain, like they'd been having of late.

  Brody was surprised to hear Kate brush the bad news off with a folksy reference, what with her being so smart and logical. But then he reminded himself of the strange world they were inadvertently a part of; he thought maybe it was an old wisdom he should take more heed of.

  The next day Kate was invited to spend time over at her mother's, and Brody invited Simon and Gunnar over to the cottage. Brody made sure his dogs got along with his cousin's energetic pet while Simon saw to the donkey's hooves. Simon mentioned that he had another farrier call to go on with Gordon in the afternoon, so they immediately went to Brody's workshop.

  The two proceeded to delve into projects for the Hammerworks opening, primarily jewelry with cut stones. Simon had a box full of metal settings, from simple iron brooches to intricately-detailed silver claddagh rings. Brody shaped small stones with his graced gift to fit specific cabochon shapes into Simon's many designs. Before heading out with Gunnar, his cousin said he'd set and secure them all before the shop opened.

  Two days later was the Valentine's holiday, which began with dismal weather. It was just as well that the cold wind blew spitting rain that next morning, for the couple planned to spend the day at home anyway; Brody and Kate were out again the night before at the weekly bingo games and were both beginning to miss the cottage.

  The first part of their romantic day was spent lounging in robes in front of a blazing fire, where they casually discussed the future of their shop. Brody said he only had the common sense he'd inherited from his parents, plus a few business ideas he picked up from Don Keller. He told Kate that he was lucky to have her intellect involved in it as well, but felt blessed to have all of her other qualities to himself. To her blushing joy, she spent the rest of the afternoon in his safe and warm embrace, being told in soft whispers what those qualities were.

  Before dinner, Brody set up his gift to Kate in the far corner of the living room. He'd sculpted a sectional tree branch made of fitted limestone, carved to look realistic and set in a sturdy base. On each section were protruding smaller branches with naturally-shaped holders, in which large sculpted flower heads would universally fit.

  Being made of different stone types, those flowers varied in kind and hue; multiples of blue and white marble, striated green malachite, veined tan and black obsidian, red granite, and yellow limestone. Brody said Kate deserved flowers every day, and that was the only permanent solution he could think of. She spent a long time rearranging the stone flower heads, standing back to appreciate the placement of the various hues, and then changing her mind.

  Kate spent parts of Valentine's Day in the kitchen with p
reparations, and for dinner Brody was treated to a feast of some of his new favorite dishes. A large shepherd's pie with extra ground beef topped with Irish champ was served. There was also freshly baked soda bread on the side, and Irish cream fudge as a dessert.

  A short time later, Brody was slouched on the couch, rubbing his stomach and thanking her yet again for the meal. Kate grinned mischievously and said she had another gift for him. Brody sat straighter on the couch when she brought him a wrapped box.

  After he opened the gift, there was a moment of silence. He then began laughing out loud, with Kate joining in.

  Brody held up the leopard print mini-briefs with his fingertips as if he might catch something infectious from it. Still grinning, he looked at Kate. "What do you expect me to do with these?"

  "I expect you to wear those for me tonight," she replied with a smirk. "Just once, please? In return, I promise I'll do my best not to show Mary any of the pictures."

  "What pictures? You never said anything about me posing in this thing!"

  Kate scooted closer and said sweetly, "But I had alterations made yesterday, and it'd be a shame not to have some mementoes since I know you wouldn't ever wear them otherwise."

  Brody glared at her. "What kind of alterations?"

  "Turn them around, love," Kate said while trying to stifle a chuckle.

  He rotated the small garment, and then muttered, "Oh you gotta be fucking kidding me."

  Kate was laughing loudly again as Brody stared at the bright yellow stitching on the rear. It spelled out 'Adorable'.