See Me Page 25

  On my family’s last morning I sat behind Cassidy french-braiding her wet hair while she finished reading Pride and Prejudice. My stomach had been hurting for days at the thought of them leaving. I loved McKale and would follow him anywhere, but I was going to miss my family like crazy. Especially my sister—my best friend.

  Cass closed the book with a sigh just as I snapped the rubber band into place.

  Someone knocked quietly on the door before pushing it open. Mom and Dad stood there, dressed for the day. Cassidy and I stood.

  “Listen,” Dad said. “We need to go into town to return the tech stuff and van and get our rental car back. We’d also like to get some things for Robyn—necessities to hold her over here for a while.”

  I nodded at that. There were several things I wanted to stock up on.

  “And, um…” Dad swallowed and Mom slid his arm through his, encouragingly. “We were thinking of inviting McKale and Ronan to come along. But only if that’s okay with you.” They looked at Cass.

  Her face stayed neutral, but I saw her chest rise and fall faster. “Okay.”

  An hour later Cassidy and I were holding hands and turning the corner around the back of the village. Our hands were sweating, but we didn’t let go. The front of the white van came into view and then we stopped in our tracks. McKale and Rock stood there, waiting for us, looking so cute with anticipation. They both looked clean, with haircuts and shaven faces.

  McKale’s face lit up when he saw me, filling me with familiar, welcome tingles and forcing a smile to my lips.

  Next to him Rock gave a rueful grin to Cassidy. “There ye are again. I was beginnin’ to think ye were only a figment of me imagination and dreams, I was.”

  Cass gave a nervous laugh and blushed. “No, I’m real.”

  Rock grinned at McKale, then at my sister and I. “So, we’re goin’ on an adventure today, aye? One last day to try and win the heart o’ me best mate’s sister. I’d best take advantage.”

  Though his words were playful, there was something almost cautious about his demeanor, as if he still felt strange in her presence although he was clearly drawn to her.

  Cass crossed her arms and pursed her lips to hold back a smile. “I should warn you that I’m kind of hard to win over.”

  I covered my mouth to hide a snort and McKale came to my side, nudging me with his shoulder and giving a chuckle.

  “Is that right?” Rock asked, sidling closer to her. “Well, I’ll take that as a challenge, Cassie-lassie. We’ll see if yer no’ in love with me by the end of this outing.” He winked and pulled away, causing Cass to blanch and flush. I bit my lip.

  Dad ambled up carrying a speaker and the guys rushed to help him.

  I watched Cass stare at Rock and thought to myself that she was way ahead of him. I think Rock’s heart was way ahead of his mind, as well. For once I didn’t want to tell my sister to be careful. I wanted her to enjoy this day and this boy.

  One at a time, Dad, McKale, and Rock carried equipment to put in the van, and each of them gave us a wink in passing. Cassidy and I broke into laughter and it was so good to hear her humor that my eyes watered.

  “Come on,” I said, pulling her arm. “Let’s grab some stuff.”

  Our steps were lighter than they’d been in over a month as we jogged to the equipment pile and took armfuls of “human magic.”

  I looked at the technology that’d saved us, and my sister walking in front of me, and the guys joking with Dad at the van. I marveled at how things worked themselves out.

  Mom had walked up to see us off, kissing us goodbye. She would stay behind to pack. All around us Leprechaun people were filing out and holding hands, watching us in gratitude. My heart overflowed.

  Cassidy stood next to the van with Mom, smiling. So pretty. McKale passed me, going back for the last bit of gear. I jumped and squealed as he pinched my butt and laughed under his breath. Some of the Leprechauns giggled at this show and I shook my head, blushing.

  Yes, the Fae were stronger. They could force us to work for them. Force us to bind with strangers. They could alter our minds and take our memories. But they couldn’t take away our will to live or our choice to love. We would endure, and then we would die, but our hearts would be full along the way. I pitied the Fae with all their power and beauty and their lack of love.

  I wouldn’t trade places with FFG for anything—nay, not even for all the pots of gold in the world.

  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, thank you. Yes, YOU.

  No matter what you thought of this little book, I thank you for giving it a chance.

  Thank you to all of the readers who cheered me on, and whose support spurred me out of a major funk. Small kindnesses have big effects.

  Thank you Nathan for laughing at me and saying there was no way a leprechaun could be sexy. I love a good challenge. And I love you. *winks*

  Huge gratitude to my early readers and late proofreaders: Morgan Shamy, Evie Burdette, Kelley Vitollo, Jolene Perry, Nicola Dorrington, Brooke Leicht, Carol Marcum, Carrie McRae, Gwen Cole, Sharon Johnston, Courtney Fetchko, Carolee Noury, Hilary Mahalchick, Jill Wilson, Valerie Rinta, Meredith Crowley, and everyone on Inkpop who read it and gave feedback in the early days. You all have my heart.

  A special thanks goes to Evie J., not only for reading the manuscript twice and providing priceless feedback, but also because she did a rockstar job on my website. I’m so lucky to have you, girl!

  Thank you to my beta readers for their time and thoughtful critiques: Jenny Zemanek, Samantha Wilson, Kayleigh Gore, Maya H., Jamie T., Brooke D., Luce, Tiffany B., and Julie B.

  Thank you Angela McLaurin for your gorgeous formatting skills!

  Carrie McRae, I’m in love with the covers you made. I can’t thank you enough for all the time and talent you put into this project!

  Thank you Mom (Nancy Parry) for your unrelenting devotion to this story, and for reading it to Grandma in her final days.

  Many thanks to my agent, Jill Corcoran, for your help, praise, concern, and faith in me.

  Big hugs and smooches to the best friends a girl could have—cheers to my Dugout Girls and FoFs.

  Lastly, all my love goes out to my family, near and far, especially my babies (Autumn and Cayden) who put up with my absent-mindedness on a daily basis when I’m lost in story land.

  WENDY HIGGINS RECEIVED HER degree in Creative Writing from George Mason University, and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford University. She taught high school English until becoming a mom and full-time writer. Wendy is the author of the Sweet Evil trilogy from HarperTeen. See Me is her first independent YA publication. Wendy lives in Virginia with her veterinarian husband, daughter, son, and their doggie Rue.

  Website: http://www.wendyhigginswrites.com

  You can contact Wendy at wendyhigginswrites@gmail.com