Whiskey Rebellion - Toni Aleo Read online

  Yeah, I’m so sleeping outside.

  Reaching the bridge Mitch mentioned, I snap a picture of it as I take in the stream that leads to one hell of a lake. I assume it continues out to the ocean, and I want to go check it out. I’m in awe of it all. It’s stunning. It’s almost as if the water is crystal clear, but it’s dark. There is a boat resting on the bank, and I wonder if I can take it out without getting thrown in the dungeon.

  Ha.

  Holding the railing, I start toward the pub that I see up on a hill. It’s the size of the stables, and that’s being generous. When I notice there is something carved into the bridge, I pause to read it.

  Mo Stór

  I wonder what that means. Pulling out my phone, I google it. My dear. It’s sweet, and when I see a date underneath it with the letters D&A, I can’t help but assume it’s the prince and his wife. Taking a picture of it since I know my mom will eat that up, I head over the bridge and start up the hill, taking pictures as I go. When I reach the Céad Míle Fáilte, I notice there are no cars in the parking lot. Maybe they’re closed?

  But the door opens with ease, and I find myself in one hell of an awesome pub. It’s old, that’s a given, but I love it. Everything looks original, as if it’s been the same since the dawn of time. The walls are full of pictures, and of course, I’m drawn to them. It’s like a timeline. Black-and-white photos are first, families and kids all standing on the bar, before they transition into color. Each picture is unique, and when I turn to the next wall, it’s taken up by a huge canvas of a couple under a tree. In the distance, I can see the castle, but the couple… Shit, you can feel the love coming out of the photo. She’s in a beautiful blue dress holding a bouquet, and he’s wearing a tux, his eyes trained only on her.

  “That’s me cousin on her wedding day.”

  I whip around to find a lady standing behind the bar with a child on her hip. Instantly, I recognize her from one of the photos. She’s pregnant in it, holding her belly with a man behind her, holding her. Though she is skinnier now, her hair is still a fiery red that I don’t think I’d ever forget, and she has very pretty blue-green eyes. The little girl matches her, fiery hair and blue-green eyes, but her skin is darker, not as pale as the woman’s. “They look happy.”

  She grins. “They are. Love each other something fierce.” She moves her child to her other hip. “We’re closed, mate. Come back in about an hour, and the taps will be running.”

  I shake my head, coming toward her. “Actually, I was wanting to talk to Michael?”

  “Ah, he’s me da, and he’s working today. Won’t be back till tonight. Maybe I can help?”

  I have to admit, I’m a little lost in her eyes. Man, she’s beautiful.

  But I wish she had blond hair and blue eyes.

  Pathetic.

  “Um, maybe. I was wondering if I can rent a spot on your land.”

  She makes a face, her brow reaching her hairline. “A spot?”

  Her brogue is thick, and she is skeptical, of course. I swallow hard. “Yeah, I’m working over at the estate, and I wanted to camp for a couple days before I move into the housing there.”

  “Camp? I hate camping unless I’m having lots of sex.”

  “Which is a no-go with a wee lass.” Coming from out of the back, the large man who was holding her in the picture comes beside her, kissing her cheek. “Get yer ma to watch Novelly for a weekend, and I’ll take ya.”

  “Kane, yer mad! When? I work all the time.”

  “I tell ya all the time, hire someone. Yer ma says the same, but no, you won’t replace Amberlyn.”

  “Because she was the best,” she fights back, and he just rolls his eyes.

  Holding my hand up, I smile. “I’m one hell of a bartender, and I can work every night for the next three months if you let me rent a spot for a week at the most.”

  Her brows rise once more. “Do I have to pay ya?”

  “Not when I’m staying here.”

  She nods. “Ya aren’t a rapist or a murderer, are ya?”

  “Last time I checked, no.”

  “He’s hired, then. Howya, mate. I’m Kane Levy.”

  I take his hand in a very firm shake. “Jackson Tremblay.”

  “Nice to meet ya, Jackson. This is my lady, Fiona Maclaster, yer new boss.”

  “Yeah, ya heard him right. Maclaster. I birth his lass, and he won’t marry me!”

  I smile as Kane lets out a roar of laughter. “Ha! Ya won’t marry me until I buy ya a pretty ring. I’m broke, ya take all my cash.”

  “Make more,” she announces as she gives him the baby. “And quick, this next one will be here before ya know it.”

  I hadn’t even realized she was pregnant. Looking down, though, I see her little baby bump. “Maddening woman.”

  She rolls her eyes before meeting my gaze. “Fine, yer hired.”

  “Awesome.”

  “But we have rooms, ya know?”

  “Yeah, but I want to experience the land.”

  “Experience, ya say?”

  I smile. “Yeah.”

  “Phanny,” she mutters, and I scoff.

  “That’s the second time I’ve been called that today.”

  She just flashes me a wide grin. “Yeah, it’s a local word. I think Americans say hippie? I’ll have to ask Amberlyn.”

  I want to say I’m Canadian, but I don’t see a point. “Anyway, where can I set up my tent?”

  “Wherever ya wish. Just stay away from the B&B since ya don’t want to stay there.”

  That makes sense. “There was a bridge and tree down the hill. Is that okay?”

  She nods. “Fine. Yer gonna freeze yer balls off, ya know that, right? It’s cold at night.”

  I laugh. “I come prepared,” I say, patting my pack. “Don’t worry.”

  “Oh, I won’t until ya can’t come to work.” She holds out her hand. “Start tomorrow?”

  I take her hand. “Yeah, thanks.”

  “And you said for three months?”

  “Yup. I’m only on holiday.”

  She makes a face. “And yer working?”

  I shrug. “I don’t like sitting around, and I want to fully experience this place.”

  “Ah, yer crazy, then?”

  “My mom would agree with you.”

  She chuckles. “All right, come on in tomorrow before opening. I’ll show ya around.”

  “Great, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, Jackson, yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Fantastic. Now off with ya. I gotta go nap before tonight.”

  I nod. “Thank you again,” I say with a wave before I turn to head for the door, but midturn, I see a massive canvas on the east wall. Stunned in place, I just stare at the family that is staring back at me. Or better yet, the blond, blue-eyed beauty whom I called a whore.

  “What ya lookin’ at?” Fiona asks, coming up beside me. “Ah, that’s yer bosses over at the estate. The O’Callaghans.”

  My mouth drops open.

  “Our royals, ya see,” she goes on. “You got Lady Noreen, Sir Ivor, Prince Declan, and then Princess Lena. Though she’s on one helluva holiday right now. Kinda gone off the deep end, if ya know what I mean. Her brother is married to my cousin, and I hear all the gossip—”

  She trails on, but I’m not listening.

  I can’t breathe.

  In the picture, she’s way skinnier than I remember. Dressed like a million bucks with bone-straight hair and artfully applied makeup on her sweet, round face. Her dress hugs her like I did, and she’s covered in diamonds, her eyes sparkling as much as the gems in the picture. I can’t believe my eyes.

  Princess Lena.

  Pressing my lips together, I can’t help it, I start laughing like a fool.

  I offered the Princess of fucking Mayo money for sex.

  Oh, and I called her a hooker.

  Awesome.

  Staring up at me family home, I exhale loudly.

  I honestly didn’t think