Read The Charm Stone for Free Online Page B

as warm and delightful as Finola's, but her eyes, though brown, reminded her of Bagan. Very twinkly. Josie shut that train of thought off, put on a smile and stuck out her hand. “I'm Josie Griffin. I was over on Tiree at the surfing championships and thought I'd take a look here.” She tried to look confident instead of desperate. “I sort of came on the spur of the moment and don't have a place to stay. I was hoping you could help.”
    The woman's smile faded to one of sincere concern. “Oh dear.” She held Josie's hand a moment before letting it go. “Surfing you say? We've never had any surfers as far as I can recall. Are you certain you meant to come here?”
    Josie motioned to the window where her car and board were visible. “I hoped maybe there were good waves here, with quiet, less-crowded beaches. I'm always up for an adventure,” she added gamely, thinking she'd never felt less like being adventurous. She hadn't thought she could feel more foolish, but she simply wasn't up to explaining why she was really here. She'd hoped to start with surfing and work her way to the MacNeil's and Winterhaven from there.
    “I'm afraid someone has misled you. No’ about the beaches, we've some fine ones, if a bit remote.” She smiled warmly again. “But we're no’ so easy to get to, so we're not exactly a tourist stop, if you get my meaning. We've no hotel here.”
    “I don't need anything fancy.”
    The woman's expression didn't clear. “Margaery's let her spare rooms to her sister and her kids, come to stay for the summer.” She smiled briefly. “Always nice to hear the ringing laughter of children. We miss that around here.” Then she motioned to the door. “Come with me. We'll see what we can do.”
    They stepped outside, then into the pub next door. The buildings were like row houses, all attached, each painted in a cheery pastel color. It was a lively look for such a quiet little place.
    “I'm Maeve, I should have said before.”
    Josie smiled. “I really appreciate the help.”
    “This is my husband Roddy's place. Maybe he has an idea.”
    The pub was small and dark, just big enough to accommodate a massive pool table, a few chairs, and the thick bar that ran the length of the far wall. Three men occupied stools in front of it, likely the owners of the bicycles out front, Josie thought.
    All three men were of the same age as Maeve, all speaking Gaelic to one another. Maeve hailed them in kind, then switched to English when she introduced Josie.
    “This is Josie Griffin, over from Tiree and fresh from the surfing tournament there.” She smiled. “Josie, this is Gavin, Dougal, and the ornery one at the end there is Clud. And that's my husband, Roddy, behind the bar.”
    All four men grinned and raised their glasses to her. Roddy was enjoying a drink as well, she noticed.
    “Can we buy you an ale, lass?” asked Dougal.
    Gavin nodded. “Why, you're the prettiest thing we've seen in—” He stopped abruptly when Roddy cuffed him on the shoulder. “Since yer lovely wife there,” he finished with aplomb, making all four men laugh.
    “Oh, go on with you now,” Maeve said, waving themoff, obviously used to their ways. “Josie is here for a few days and needs a place to stay. I know Margaery has Susan and the boys and Posey is doing some work on her place. I dinna think the Sutherlands need anyone underfoot anyhow.” She turned to Josie and said, “Marital problems they have.” She rolled her eyes heavenward and shook her head, then turned back to the men. “Have you any ideas?”
    Roddy scratched his gray-whiskered chin and the other men seemed to take the matter under great consideration as well. Josie appreciated it, but had the sinking feeling she was going to end up sleeping in her car for a few nights. With the trunk and necklace. Oh goody.
    She toyed with the idea of asking if any of them were MacNeils but it didn't seem the time to impose further. She'd lasted this long, one or two more