We’re a big family. Loud and opinionated, but loving and ready to jump in at a moment’s notice if any of us needs the other.

The O’Callaghans are a tight clan, and that’s the truth.

Maggie is the baby of the family and one of my best friends. She works for me full time as a waitress and a fill-in cook when the need arises.

But she’s been in a foul mood all day, which isn’t like her. Though when I asked what had her panties in a wad, she snarled and snapped at me like an angry badger.

I hear a dish break in the kitchen, and then Maggie stomps out of the swinging door, looking just as happy as when she went in there moments ago.

Which is to say, not happy at all.

“Maggie.” I try a different tactic, calming my voice as I open my arms. “Come here, darling.”

She looks as if she might flip me the bird, but then her shoulders slump, and she walks into my embrace, hugging me back.

“What’s bothering you today, love?”

“Men suck.”

Given that I’m her brother, and she doesn’t see me as a man, I don’t take offense.

“Man trouble, is it, then?”

“I’m being silly. And I’m sorry for calling you a horse’s ass.”

“You didn’t.”

“Well, in my head, I did.” She pulls back with a smile. “And I broke a plate in the kitchen. You can take it out of my pay.”

“We’ll let this one pass,” I reply, relieved to see that her feathers are somewhat smoothed for now. I don’t like seeing either of my sisters out of sorts. “If you need to talk, I have two ears that work just fine.”

“Yeah.” She sighs and then shrugs a shoulder. “There’s really nothing to talk about. I’ll just go splash some water on my face and get back to it. It’s not even dinnertime yet. I can’t let a man’s lack of consideration ruin my whole day.”

She saunters off to the ladies’ bathroom just as the front door of my pub opens, and I feel my eyes go wide.

Having worked in this establishment all of my life, I’d thought I’d seen everything there was to see.

I was wrong.

Because right there, before my very eyes, is a princess.

There’s a princess in my bar.

She walks in, looking a bit lost and worse for wear now that she’s inside.

Soaking-wet from head to toe, her gown looks damn heavy. Her blond hair is saggy and coming loose from some sort of fancy up-do. Her makeup is smeared under her eyes as if she’s been crying or got caught in a torrential downpour.

Given the state of the rest of her, I’d say it was the latter.

Or both.

“Come on in, lass.”