Current Impressions by Kelly Risser Read Free Book Online Page A

burned
jarred spaghetti sauce? Taking another bite, though, I decided that
if anyone could teach me, Paddy could.
    “I’d love to,” he answered.
    I made a face at him. “You haven’t seen me
cook yet.”
    He looked amused. “How bad could you
be?”
    I stabbed another scallop and waved my fork
at him. “Like a fish out of water.”
    He laughed, but promised to teach me anyway.
While I ate, he told me about his kitchen, the staff, and his
favorite dishes. We agreed that I would help with the meal
preparations when I wasn’t training.
    When I finished eating, he stood and took
the tray. I offered to help clean up, but he waved me off and said
I was still a guest. He was just about to close the door when I
remembered that I wanted to talk to my dad.
    “Have you seen my dad?”
    Paddy nodded. “He had dinner in the family
commons with Brigid and Kieran.”
    “Are they still there?”
    Paddy’s brow wrinkled while he considered.
“I don’t think so. That was over an hour ago. I believe I saw
Kieran go to his room.”
    His room? Was he here in the castle? I
wanted to ask my uncle where Kieran’s room was, but I didn’t want
him to get the wrong impression. I hoped it wasn’t next to
mine.
    “And my dad?” I asked instead.
    “He’s probably in his chambers,” Paddy said.
“You’re welcome there, of course.”
    “Thank you.”
    Balancing the tray on one arm, he reached
out and touched my cheek. His hand was comforting. “No need to
thank me. We’re happy you’re here, Meara.”
    After Paddy left, I shuffled over to my
mirror. The reflection made me sigh. If I found a bird in my hair,
it wouldn’t surprise me. What a mess! I wish Brigid taught me how
to conjure instead of shield. I could use a brush right about now.
I tried to visualize straight, Pantene-worthy hair, but when I
opened my eyes, the rat’s nest stared back. With a growl, I
resorted to dragging my fingers through the snarls. What good was
magic if you couldn’t even use it to make yourself presentable?
    Several tearful jerks later, my hair managed
to fall almost smoothly to my shoulders. Not quite as good as a
hairbrush, but not bad. I visualized a long, patterned skirt and
wrap top and felt the clothing adjust on my body. Admiring the
outfit in my mirror, I wondered if I’d ever grow tired of this
power. It was like shopping with a limitless credit card while
never leaving your house.
    Satisfied that I made myself presentable, I
left my room and took the staircase closest to it, heading up to my
dad’s quarters. I knew when I reached the next floor that I was
closest to the study. My dad’s door was at the other end of the
hall.
    For a moment I paused outside Angus’ room.
Was he in there? He didn’t really say much to me at dinner last
night, but then again, he sat at the other end of the table. For
some reason, he intrigued me. I wanted to talk to him and see what
it was that captured my interest. With a shake of my head, I moved
on. Tonight was not the night to bother him. I had more pressing
concerns.
    My dad opened his door before I could knock.
He looked surprised to see me. The surprise melted into a warm
smile. He stood back to let me in.
    The first room felt like a living room. It
reminded me of our apartment in Halifax. “Is this the same
furniture?” I asked as I ran my hand along the arm of the
couch.
    He nodded.
    “I thought you put it in storage.” The
furniture, along with some of my mom’s things and some of my own,
was supposed to be in a storage locker in Halifax. I was with him
when we put it there.
    He looked a little embarrassed. “I took it
out. It reminded me of your mother, so I brought it here.”
    “You brought it here…” I left my statement
hanging.
    His face grew redder. “I brought it all
here.” He turned and walked through the living room into the
bedroom. Stacked along the wall, floor to ceiling, were our
boxes.
    “My stuff!” I squealed. He said I wouldn’t
miss it, and I know I really