Stitches in Time Read Online Free PDF Page A

wrapped in a fog, did the same. Dimly he noted the writing along the flat side of his blade and he turned his head sideways to read it. But his eyes could make no sense of the script that flowed from hilt to tip. As he finally realized the words were from a foreign language, he heard a swish of air and realized the leprechaun had brought his sword to bear. Before he could respond, he felt a pinprick in his belly.
    “There! I claim first blood!” The little man put his sword down with a satisfied smile across his face. Liam looked down and saw a small rip in his shirt, the edges stained with red. Pulling aside his shirt with one hand while his sword hand fell to his side, he examined the inch-long scratch in his skin.
    “You hurt me!”
    “Oh, don’t be a baby. ‘ Tis just a scratch. And me honor is satisfied. No more insulting Seamus O’Brien, understood?”
    Liam nodded, still marveling that his belly bled. How had that happened? He glanced at the sword in his hand that he had not even used. Celtic filigree danced along the crosspiece; one of those knot designs that made him dizzy. The hilt was wrapped in dark leather, the blade almost as long as his arm. Yet it was balanced perfectly and felt light in his hand.
    “Yes, boy-o. The blade is for ye . My gift.”
    Liam’s eyes narrowed. “Why? What’s the catch?”
    “No catch.” Seamus shrugged his shoulders. “Ye bought me slice of tapestry to give to yon Maggie, now didn’t ye?” When Liam nodded, Seamus continued. “Well ye want the shrew for yer wife, even if ye don’t know it yet.” The leprechaun held up his hands to stave off Liam’s protest. “Yes, she’s the one ye’ll marry, but…” Seamus voice dropped low and, in spite of himself, Liam leaned in to hear him. “But…ye need to tame the shrew in her first.”
    “Just how am I going to do that?” Liam stood up, shaking his head. “The woman wants no part of me, you saw that. And how do you know I want any part of her?” It was his turn to cross his arms and look defiant.
    “Ye bought me tapestry.”
    Liam’s arms fell in defeat. He had bought the old scrap just because she liked it. “I’m not in love with her.” Liam’s tone was softer, but still just as adamant.
    “No, yer not. Yet.” Seamus’ eyes twinkled. “But we’ll see where it goes, boy-o. We’ll just see where it goes. Now, she’s been in that bath long enough and ye need a cleaning, too. Go tell her to get out and to be quick about it.”
    Liam’s anger at Maggie had long since faded. Now he sought to take her side against the leprechaun’s attack. “She’s had a long day. Let her soak all she wants.”
    “Oh, no, lad! That’s not the way to win her respect. Being all wishy-washy? Woman like that will only give her heart over to a man who stands up to her. Who can prove he’s man enough to handle her. Go! Get her out of there!”
    Liam’s two strides took him to the door and he knocked harder than he intended. He heard the water splash and knew he’d startled her. Oh, well, the damage was done. “That’s a shared bathroom, woman. Your hour is up!”
    The leprechaun nodded. “That was a good beginning. Now, leave the top off so as I can breath, and put me down under the bed. Ye bought me out of the kindness of yer heart, but it ain’t kindness she’ll be wanting from ye . At least, not just yet. Ye can tell her ye bought the sword at the store.”
    Not quite sure why, Liam did as he was instructed. A bedskirt covered the area, so Maggie wouldn’t know he’d stowed a leprechaun under the bed. He shook his head and snorted. Did he really just have a conversation with a little man named Seamus? The late afternoon light shone through the window and glinted off the sword he’d propped against the dresser. Yes, apparently he had.
    The water turned on again in the bath and Liam stood, intending to bang on the door again. But the leprechaun’s words came back to him. He’d referred to Maggie as a “naked