Angel Of Ballyferriter, The

Robert spent several days ignoring Jack, not because he got drunk or, hell, even tried feeling up the waitress again, but because he never shut up about Karen. Now that it was out that they were separated, Jack was telling everyone © before class, after class, and during breaks. Far and wide, every patron of every pub in Ballyferriter knew what a bitch and tightwad Karen Cahill was.

Robert left Jack behind at the school, so as he sat with a pint©his first since he'd rushed Jack out of harm's way© it was a surprise to hear Jack behind him, slaughtering the Irish language.

"Beidh me. . ." The rest turned unintelligible.

If Robert could make it out, it sounded like Jack was trying to proposition a local in her mother tongue. Robert looked around and found the red-haired angel behind the bar. "Can you help? If he sees me, he'll never shut up about his wife."

She finished pulling a glass with a perfect head of foam and handed it to a patron at the end of the bar. "You think you got it bad. He's been in here every day since your class started. Can't stop staring, can't stop drinking, can't stop touching."

"Separated from his wife recently."

Finally, the angel smiled. "Never would have guessed. I'm ready to take him to that ship of hers personally and then sink it."

"Can I help? I'll find the torpedo."

She smiled wickedly. "He wants another pint. Sneak out when I deliver it. He'll be distracted."

"I owe you one."

She nodded as she pulled Jack's glass. "Sure do. There's a dance this Saturday night. If you don't pick me up here at eight so I don't have him seeing me there alone, I'll tell him you're interested in hearing of Karen."

"You are mean." Robert didn't need a second hint though. He slipped out the door, grinning as she blocked the view with her magnificent assets. It was only when Robert was safely outside that he realized he had a date with Jack's obsession and he didn't even know her name.

Book Reviews

• "...a tale that captivates and carries the reader into a vivid place and time that is wonderfully created... a lovely story by a wonderful storyteller who continues to blend passion and adventure with everything her pen touches..." ~ Cherokee, Coffee Time Romance

• "I found these main characters very likable... readers will be satisfied with the ultimate surprise ending of this short story." ~ Dandelion, The Long and The Short of It Reviews

• "Loved the story, loved the characters... Descriptions were enough to set you in the moment without bogging you down with unnecessary details." ~ Annie Alvarez, Between the Lines: WRDF