Free My Wild Irish Dragon by Ashlyn Chase Page B

still played sessions at the Boston Uncommon Tea Room, and the public flocked to the place on their Irish folk songs night. Life was good.
    She could have relaxed and done nothing but play her flute, tin whistles, and violin once a week, but that person would not be Chloe Arish. She had needed more, and the fire service certainly fit the bill.
    The door flew open and Rory grinned. “Well, are you goin’ to stand out here all night?”
    She chuckled and said, “What if I am?”
    He snorted. “Then I suppose I’ll have to push you to the restaurant.”
    She became somber. “I was just feelin’ nostalgic. Would you be opposed to eatin’ here instead of at some fancy restaurant? I’ll help Amber cook.”
    He cocked his head and stared at her curiously. “You don’t have to help a minor goddess do anythin’, Chloe, but if you’d rather stay in, we can certainly accommodate you. It’s your night.”
    She smiled gratefully. “Thanks.”
    She followed her brother inside, and he took her coat and hung it in the closet next to the front door. The long winding staircase led to the second floor where the kitchen and office were located. The main floor housed the large parlor and dining room. A dumbwaiter brought food downstairs when Amber didn’t just “poof” it down there directly.
    Four guest rooms were located on the third floor, and Rory and Amber occupied the top floor. There had been maids’ quarters above that in what was now considered the attic. It was mostly for storage. Amber insisted maids weren’t necessary as long as she could make the beds with a snap of her fingers.
    Rory looked up and raised his voice, “Amber?”
    She appeared beside him. “No need to shout, hon.” Then she hugged Chloe. “You look gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve seen you in a dress since Shannon’s wedding in Ballyhoo.”
    Chloe chuckled. “I don’t wear a lot of fussy dresses. I prefer to be comfortable.”
    â€œDresses can be very comfortable. We should go shopping sometime.”
    â€œWhy? Is this dress not fittin’ the tab?”
    â€œUm. I think you were going for ‘fitting the bill,’ but that’s not what I was saying. It’s perfect. I just thought you might like to have a couple of dresses in pretty colors, just in case. You’d look fabulous in hot pink or electric blue.”
    â€œJust in case of what?” Rory asked, looking genuinely perplexed.
    Amber bumped his elbow. “In case she has a hot date.”
    Rory made the mistake of leaning back and letting out a deep belly laugh.
    Chloe crossed her arms. “I think I’m insulted.”
    â€œYou think?” Amber stomped on her boyfriend’s toe until he picked up his foot and hopped around. He didn’t stop laughing though.
    â€œDo you think no one will ever ask me for a date, Brother? Am I hideous?”
    â€œYou’re not hideous, Chloe. But history has shown that any poor bloke who asks you for a date gets told to go on his way and never bother you again. If they don’t listen the first time, I usually see ’em runnin’ for their lives the second.”
    Chloe snickered. Her brother was right, but that was back in Ballyhoo where sons of sheepherders and fishermen held no appeal. Now things were different. She was different. And one Ryan Fierro was responsible for some of the uncomfortable changes.
    â€œI could date,” she said. “I was asked out recently.”
    Rory’s eyebrows shot up. “Is that a fact?”
    â€œâ€™Tis indeed.”
    Amber clapped her hands. “Awesome! Let’s go shopping on your next day off. When will that be?”
    Chloe let out a sigh. “I’m not feelin’ much like shoppin’. It’s not like I was asked to go to the ballet or symphony. I was asked to go on a fishin’