The Long Game Read Online Free PDF Page A

groups on the other.
    “Guess so. Pop and Bridget went over for
Dandelion McNamara’s funeral last week and arranged the whole thing
there. Apparently, this kid has shown a lot of promise or
something, so they made him a match for Mary even though he’s only
nineteen,” I said. “At least that’s what Bridget told Maggie.”
    “I heard they paid his family five hundred
large to seal the deal, but you know how numbers have a way of
growing when Traveler women get to talking.”
    I shrugged, lifting an eyebrow. It was
entirely possible that the Sheedys had paid such a substantial sum
to make a good match for their daughter, but half a million dollars
was a large dowry even by Southern Traveler standards. Still,
speculation over the bride-price was as much a tradition at
Traveler weddings as the fancy gowns and festive music.
    I glanced over at the couple again. A line
had formed in front of their table; one person from each family was
tasked with presenting a gift to the couple. This was yet another
opportunity to show off, but it appeared most people had decided to
wait until later in the evening when food and drink might make Pop
more open to being impressed by their gifts. I reached under my
seat and pulled out a thin package wrapped in simple brown paper.
Maggie’s wedding gifts were never as expensive as those presented
by other members of the clan, but they were always highly prized.
This particular gift even came with instructions. Instructions I
wasn’t excited about delivering. I thrust the package at my
brother.
    “You’re the oldest—you give it to ‘em.”
    Jimmy Boy shook his head, pushing it back
toward me. “No, thank you. Maggie gave it to you. You can go up
there and tell them about the magic feathers.” He stood and excused
himself by lifting his empty glasses in explanation.
    “Thanks for your help,” I called after him,
but if he heard me, he didn’t bother to look back. I growled in
annoyance and pushed myself to my feet to join the line.
    Although there were only a few people ahead
of me, each one took his fair share of time fawning on Pop Sheedy
and his family. I bounced on the balls of my feet as I drew closer
to Mary and her new husband and wished again that Jimmy Boy had
accepted my offer to do the job instead. Although I’d been staring
at my feet for most of the wait, when I was next in line to present
my gift, my gaze flicked over the wedding party, and I was
surprised to find Rosie Sheedy looking at me. Our eyes met, and she
immediately dropped her gaze, smiling at her hands.
    “Congratulations on your marriage.” I handed
the package to Mary but couldn’t keep my eyes from moving back to
her sister.
    Mary tore the brown paper and peeled it back,
revealing two snow-white feathers. She squealed in delight, showing
them first to her sister, then to the groom. The groom looked up at
me in confusion.
    I exhaled through my nose. Here we go.
“They’re from a pair of swans,” I said, reciting the speech Maggie
had made me memorize. “They mate for life—swans, I mean—so their
feathers are supposed to guarantee a long life of love and
happiness.” I paused, mentally preparing myself for the next part,
which I directed toward Mary. “Maggie says to sew one into your
pillow and the other one into your husband’s pillow to…um…” I
cleared my throat. “…ensure fidelity.”
    I felt my cheeks grow hot but forced myself
to keep my expression neutral. The groom smirked and muttered his
thanks, but it was Rosie who once again caught my eye. She hid a
smile behind her hands and leaned over to whisper something into
Mary’s ear. Both girls giggled again, and Rosie winked at me.
    I remembered my promise to Jimmy Boy and took
a step back, though it was the last thing I wanted to do.
    “Anyway, congratulations again,” I said and
crossed the floor as fast as I could without actually breaking into
a run.
    When I reached my seat, Jimmy Boy had a fresh
beer waiting for me. I took