The tittle is from the song by Heart by the same name. If you get a chance check out the lyrics. I do not own the Mentalist or any of its established characters. Original characters come from my imagination and a few glasses of Prosecco.
I hope you enjoy.
Thank you to my friend and beta tamariskie for her invaluable help and patience.
Magic Man
Chapter One
Fiona McBride woke up to the smell of sizzling bacon. Smiling, she looked around the attic room, taking in the sights and sounds and smells of her new home. She was finally in America and it was a glorious in eyes of the Lord - or so the sisters at St. Bridget's Academy for Girls would have proclaimed. But she was no longer a resident there. No, she was in Ephraim, Wisconsin at The Hobby Horse Cottage. Her new home.
When she turned sixteen, her Da sat her down and told her was time for her to start making her way in the world. To that end, her Aunt Sadie and Uncle Thomas had offered her a position at their new bed and breakfast in Wisconsin. Fiona could not believe her ears. America was her dream and it was being offered to her on a silver platter. She wasn't sure where Wisconsin was, but it sounded exciting, and it was far away from Ireland and nuns and rosaries.
"Morning Fi, how did you sleep?"
"Good, Aunt Sadie. Was that bacon I smelled all the way upstairs?"
"Yes and this morning there is enough for everyone. Only have two guests and they just wanted some fruit. People aren't interested in eating anymore. I blame it on all those skinny models."
"They're gorgeous. Wish I was that skinny."
Sadie rolled her eyes. Fiona enjoyed eating and was never shy around food. The nuns at St. Bridget had told her she had a healthy appreciation for God's bounty. Now, Fiona was in no danger of being a twiggy, but with her strawberry blonde curls and eyes that couldn't decide if they were blue or green, she was a true Irish rose.
As the food hit the table, a middle aged gentleman with gray hair and a ready smile entered the kitchen.
"Tommy McBride, you have the sixth sense when it comes to food." His wife looked at him shaking her head. "Well sit yourself down and help yourself. Oh and don't be acting like this isn't your second breakfast today."
"Can't fool that one Fi. She can tell when you're lying a mile away. It's uncanny."
Fiona liked his time of day when her aunt and uncle indulged in a loving banter and there was an anticipation of the day ahead.
"Will you be havin' some tea girl?" Her Uncle's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Of course Uncle Tommy. 'It's a hug in a cup' as my Ma would say."
Over the morning meal, the plans for the day were set in motion. There were rooms to be set up for the new guests and laundry to be done for those already in residence. Fiona's days were busy and she enjoyed helping out around the cottage. Her duties varied from laundry to making the famous homemade soda bread. She had a few friends but no real social life that didn't revolve around either work or church.
This morning, her first duty was to go into town for supplies. Her uncle had taught her to drive and she like the feel of being behind the wheel, windows open, hair blowing in the wind, music blasting. It was her freedom time when her imagination conjured up all sorts of scenarios and characters.
Sadie got the list together and reluctantly gave Fiona the keys to the car.
"You be careful out there girl. Don't be daydreaming. Keep your eyes on the road. And don't forget to stop at the convent and give the sisters the bread I made yesterday. I have some of those cookies Sister Anchilla likes so much."
"Yes Aunty, I got it. No daydreaming and fatten up the nuns. I'll be OK. By the way, Doreen is coming with me. She needs a lift to the library."
Her Aunt scoffed but refrained from saying anything. Doreen O'Toole was a nice enough girl, polite, church going, but a bit boy crazy for Sadie's taste. But who was she to deny her niece the company of people her own age?
"OK, but don't be dawdling. We have some new guests coming this afternoon."
Kissing her aunt goodbye, she sped out the door just in time to see Doreen coming up the road. Fiona signaled her friend to hurry up.
"We have to get a move on. I need to be back before lunch."
"OK, but we still have time to make the detour right?"
The detour was the Door County Fairgrounds where the Happy Eddie Traveling Carnival was setting up for its summer gig. This was Fiona's first carnival ever. Back in Ireland, the nuns weren't big on the young ladies in their care mingling with the carnie boys, most of whom were Travelers.
The girls drove carefully onto the fairgrounds, blatantly ignoring the No Trespassing signs. Parking the car out of sight, thinking it safer to be on foot. More incognito. But no one to seem to pay attention to them at all. They were too busy going about their business setting up tents and rides.
"Maybe we'd better leave, Dee. I don't want to get caught here sneaking around."
"We just got here! And besides, if we get caught, what are they going to do? Shoot us?"
"Maybe, they're gypsy you know. Wild and unpredictable. The nuns told us about them."
"And what did Sister 'I live in seclusion behind a big stone wall' have to say? Like she would know anything about life."
"They just know things. God tells them. He speaks to them in their prayers."
Doreen rolled her eyes at her friend.
"Really Fi? You've been in America a year now and you still think the nuns back home are magic. Poor kid!"
"I'm not a kid. I just think the sisters are special being so close to God and everything."
"They're women, Fiona, like us. They even have their monthly visitor and some I've heard even have sex. With the priest!"
Fiona quickly made the sign of the cross.
"You stop talking like that, Doreen O'Toole, or we'll both be going straight to hell!"
"Devil will have to catch us first!"
A quick turn around a corner put the girls face-to-face with a dark-skinned woman dressed in a colorful caftan.
"You ladies lost or can't you read?" She pointed to the No Trespassing sign.
"Oh, when did that get there?" Doreen tried to look nonplussed.
The woman of color was not amused by the blatant disrespect being shown. This was their home from the minute they put down stakes until the last vehicle left in a few days.
"You stay right here both of you. I'm going to get my husband. He'll know what to do with you."
"I don't think he'll like being disturbed when he's in a middle of a deadline. I'm thinking the one that keeps looking over here is your husband."
Samantha Barsocky took a deep breath. She really didn't feel the bravado she was displaying. Newly married, she was also new to the traveling life and just finding her footing. But she'd be damned if the townies were going to make a fool of her.
"You know that how, missy? You psychic or something?" She stared at the blonde girl with her arms crossed.
"No!" Fiona blurted out. "It's in the body language. That's all."
"Humph!"
As the woman walked away Doreen poked her friend.
"What is wrong with you? And what the hell is body language?"
"I don't know, something I read about how you can tell what people are thinking if you look at them."
"That's just plain madness."
Ignoring her friend's remark she asked.
"Do you think we're in trouble Dee? I've never been in trouble."
"Really, never? What about school back in Ireland? You never got the paddle from the holy sisters?"
Fiona shrugged and looked down at her feet. "No. What can I say? I was a good girl."
"More like a saint. But the reign in heaven may be over soon. Our friend is back and she brought company."
Both girls looked up to see a bear of a man making his way toward them, a look of "none too pleased" on his face. Beside him walked the woman who originally confronted them, looking proud of herself.
"I'm Pete Barsocky and this my wife Samantha. She tells me you two have been causing problems."
Doreen spoke up, "No sir we was just looking around. Excited for when you open."
"Can't either one of you read? Sign clearly says 'no trespassing.' Now get out of here before I lose my temper."
The two girls stood there like deer caught in the headlights. Neither one moved.
"You deaf too? Skedaddle! Town-folk think they own everything."
"OK, sir, we're sorry.'' Fiona backed up nudging Doreen to do the same.
She was stopped by a pair of hands placed gently around her waist.
"Now, Pete, no need to frighten the girls. They were just curious. Right ladies?"
Fiona turned to see a young man with sandy colored hair and the brightest smile she had ever seen. She shook her head in the affirmative.
"I'll just escort the ladies back to their car and they can be on their way. No harm done."
Fiona felt a hand in the small of her back as the handsome stranger headed in the direction of the exit.
"Don't mind Pete, ladies. He gets a little on edge during set-up days. Deadlines and all that, you understand."
He smiled again and Fiona felt like she had butterflies in her stomach.
"Well here we are." The stranger stopped at their car, "All safe and sound. No harm done."
Fiona got behind the wheel, opened her window to let in the cool spring air, and waited for Doreen to make herself comfortable in the passenger seat. A hand on the window stopped their departure.
"Why don't you come round Saturday night? Ride the Ferris Wheel on me."
Fiona fund herself blushing and it was hard to make eye contact. There was something about this man that was fascinating. It was like he could learn everything about her with just one look. She didn't understand it, but she knew she had to see him again, get to know him better. "Thank you. I'd like that…Mister…"
"Of course, where are my manners? I'm Alex." He hesitated a moment, "No for a lady like you Alexander. Alexander Jane."