by Donna Alward
They always had another rush between five and six, when the commuters came home and stopped off for a quick meal. Em, who’d worked the breakfast and lunch crowd, left at five, after ensuring the kitchen was prepped for the evening. Willow and Steven handled the dwindling crowd.
Hannah Gallagher came through the door, her crown of red hair and bright smile announcing her entrance.
Willow smiled back. Hannah was wearing jeans and red wedges, with a short-sleeved cobalt-blue top that suited her Irish coloring and gave Willow a bit of style envy. Since seeing Ethan this afternoon, Willow saw the resemblance and also marveled at the disparity between brother and sister.
Willow finished wrapping up the roasted vegetable and goat cheese panini she was making, then turned to greet Hannah at the counter. “Hey, stranger. Did you come for dinner? Emily made a tomato basil soup this afternoon that’s to die for. We might have some left.”
Hannah grinned. “Of course I came for dinner. I haven’t eaten in…” She checked her watch. “At least two hours.”
Willow was always teasing Hannah about her metabolism. Hannah had announced a few months ago that her newest “thing” was training for a triathlon. She had the running and biking down cold, and now that summer was in full swing, she’d added swimming to her schedule. Plus she was a realtor two doors away. It was an odd day when Willow didn’t see her at least once.
“You want me to surprise you?” Willow asked.
“Of course. You always make the nicest things.”
“Go sit down. I’ll bring it out. I might even be able to take a quick break and have a tea with you.”
Hannah sat at the one vacant table left and Willow went to the kitchen. “Hey, Steven? I’m going to grab a cup of tea with Hannah.”
“No problem,” Steven replied, pushing the start button on the dishwasher. “I’ve got this.”
Willow grabbed a green tea, then took out a flax tortilla and filled it with free-range chicken, spinach, feta, and a few of the roasted vegetables. Knowing Hannah’s emphasis on protein, Willow also filled a bowl with her special bean salad and sprinkled a little fresh parsley from the herb garden on top. It smelled so good when she was done that her stomach was growling with hunger as she took the tray to the table.
“I could eat a horse,” Hannah said, as Willow sat down.
“Sorry. No horse here. But good fuel.”
“I know.” Hannah took a bite of her wrap and closed her eyes for a minute. “What is that?” she asked, licking her lips.
“It’s the marinade for the roasted vegetables. If I use those, I don’t need to add any extra dressing. Olive oil with a little garlic, lemon, and oregano.”
The combination was her basic go-to for just about everything, including the bean salad. And the easiest thing in the world to whip up or modify.
After a second bite, Hannah pinned Willow with a sharp look. “You’re really making quite a splash here, you know. Especially with the Kissing Bridge bringing in so much traffic. Couples from all over the world come here to say I love you and all that crap.”
“I hope so,” Willow replied. “And gee. Aren’t you the sentimental one.”
Hannah laughed.
“I’ve worked in the service industry for a long time. This place has the added benefit of, well, matching my life philosophy. I was just talking to Em today about expansion.”
Hannah pointed a finger at her. “If that’s true, come see me. We can look at leasing more space.” She raised an eyebrow. “Or if you want to take on any investors.”
Willow didn’t know what to say. On one hand, it all seemed very exciting. On the other, she tried to keep her life calm, peaceful. There were days that running the café tested her tranquility. What would happen if things got out of hand? She’d already seen her best friend, Laurel, work crazy hours trying to get her garden center up and running. The last thing Willow wanted was to become a workaholic.
Like her mom.
“You know my thoughts on eating clean,” Hannah said, breaking into Willow’s thoughts. “It’d be a fabulous opportunity. Of course, my folks aren’t quite as crazy about it as you and I are, but I grew up having a vegetable garden and fruit trees and stuff. Way better than processed. Speaking of, Sunday’s the weekly family dinner. I think you should come.”
“Sunday?” Willow had met Hannah’s parents at Aiden and Laurel’s wedding. They were nice enough, but like Hannah, they were all a bit “larger than life,” with big personalities. The idea of being a guest at a family dinner made her a bit nervous. It would be all of the Gallaghers together in one place. Including Ethan. Mr. Friendly.
“Yes, Sunday,” Hannah replied, wiping her lips with a napkin. “It’s my birthday. Mom wanted to throw a party but…” Hannah shuddered. “I’m a bit old for that nonsense. So I got around her by promising I would bring a friend to dinner. She kind of hoped it would be a friend of the opposite sex, but I’m not into picking up random guys off the street, you know?”
Willow laughed. Hannah was assertive, professional, a real take-charge kind of woman. But Willow knew from their conversations, and ones she’d had with Laurel, that the matriarch of the Gallagher family had the ability to put all the children directly under her thumb. Willow was glad she’d already met Moira. If Willow was any judge, Moira Gallagher was big-hearted and had a great sense of humor. She also commanded a great deal of respect from her kids.
“Please,” Hannah pleaded. “It’s all the birthday present I need. Save me.”
Willow laughed. “Wow. You make it sound so fun, how could I possibly refuse?”
“Thank you,” Hannah breathed the words like a benediction.
“That wasn’t a yes. I was being sarcastic.”
“Too bad. You said it and now it’s out there. You’re in. I’ll pick you up at five. Dinner’s at six.” She pointed her fork at the plate of bean salad. “And bring this. My youngest brother Rory will go crazy for it. Besides, I think Mom is making a big baked ham and I’m trying to avoid extra salt.” She puffed up her cheeks.
“Everyone’s going to be there?” Willow’s nervousness returned. She was fine behind a counter, when she had a job to do. A purpose. There was a reason she always kept busy. There was a comfort zone thing and making small talk wasn’t exactly it.
“Yep. My parents, three brothers, two sisters, two nephews, one set of grandparents, and you and me.”
“Awesome,” Willow muttered under her breath.
“I’m not letting you back out now. Besides, if I pick you up, I have an excuse to bug out early. We can always say you have to get up early to open the café.”
“This is sounding better and better.” She hesitated. “Three brothers? And nephews? That means Ethan is going to be there, right?”
Hannah lifted her chin. “Of course.” Her eyes narrowed. “I didn’t realize you two knew each other. I mean, other than crossing paths at the wedding.”
Willow felt her cheeks heat beneath Hannah’s direct gaze. “Actually, I ran into him by accident today. On the Green.”
“Really? He must have had the boys out. Connor is crazy about soccer since Ethan signed him up this spring.”
“Sounds right. A soccer ball went astray and landed at my feet. The oldest one … Connor? He’s a cutie.”
“He’s full of it, for sure.” Hannah grinned. “Like his dad.”
“Is Ethan always so crabby?” Willow asked, and Hannah choked on her food.
She gasped for air for a few seconds and then answered. “Oh my God, you nearly killed me.” She patted the middle of her chest. “Ethan wasn’t always so grouchy. But the rest of the family is fun, I promise. Ethan’ll come around. And he’s much mellower around the boys. I don’t know what he’d do without them.”
“He was kind of rude,” Willow admitted. “He must have a patient wife.”
A shadow passed over Hannah’s face, and her voice quieted. “I forget sometimes that you haven’t been back here for long. Ethan’s a widower, Will
ow. Lisa died a year and a half ago. Being a single dad … well, it’s taken a toll on him.”
Willow put down her tea and felt ten kinds of stupid. “Oh, Han, I had no idea. I mean, I know a lot of people by name by now, but not, well, not a lot of personal details. I’m sorry. That’s terrible. It must have happened just before I moved back.”
“I should have said something ages ago, since you and I started hanging out.”
Willow shook her head. “You’re not a gossip, and I appreciate that. I’m sure it’s not easy to talk about.”
“No. We all help out when we can with the boys. Ethan’s shift work makes for an extra challenge. But there’re lots of us to lend a hand.” Her smile came back. “You’ll see. He’s really a great guy. He just dotes on the boys, making sure they don’t miss out on anything, even though he works shift work with the fire department.” She finished her wrap and wiped her mouth with her napkin.
Willow thought back to their meeting. It shouldn’t have made any difference in regards to his behavior, but it did anyway. Those adorable boys had lost their mother. He’d lost his wife. His heart must be utterly broken. And yet he’d been out on the Green with them today, playing soccer. She had no idea what it was like to have a parent do something like that.
“Fine,” she agreed. “Just this once I will enter the lion’s den of the ginormous Gallagher family. And I want a code word that I can use that means I have an escape route.”
“No problem.” Hannah’s eyes sparkled. “Trust me, you’re going to have a great time. Besides, there’ll be cake.”
“How could I possibly turn down cake?” Willow answered, getting up from the table.
“That’s sarcasm again, right?” Hannah’s smile was so wicked that Willow couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hey, Hannah?” She stopped, holding the dirty dishes in her hands. She hadn’t forgotten Han’s enthusiasm about the business. “The landlord’s not in a hurry to rent out the space next door, is he?”
“Not right away, no. Is that what you’re thinking? Making this place bigger?” Hannah was also the property manager for the building, which was why they’d become such good friends to begin with. They seemed to be in each other’s orbit quite often.
“It’s something to think about. I just … well, if someone wants to lease it, is it too much to ask to come see me first?”
“Of course not. It might help if you had a business plan, too.”
“I was planning on sitting down later in the fall and working on that,” Willow admitted.
“I can’t promise anything. But I’ll mention it.”
“Thanks, Han.”
“No problem.” Hannah reached inside her purse and took out a twenty. “Here. For supper.”
“I’ll get you your change.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just throw one of those black-bean brownie things in a bag for me for later. And I’d love a raspberry tea to go.”
Willow laughed. “You’re a bottomless pit,” she said, reaching for a take-out cup for the tea.
“One day it’s going to catch up with me,” Hannah acknowledged. “But not today.”
After Hannah was gone back to work, Willow put her apron back on and went out front. She served coffee and sweets and made the odd sandwich, but her thoughts kept slipping to earlier that afternoon. It was hard to reconcile the irascible Ethan with what Hannah had told her about him being mellow around his kids. Her initial impression had been based on his raw physicality, but that flicker of awareness had been snuffed out by his, well, cold behavior. Seeing his stern face had stirred memories she tried not to think about that often. Willow’s mother had brought her up alone, but there’d been no fun and games in the park. She’d always been too busy to be bothered. Willow had always felt like she was an inconvenience.
His wife had died. That gave a man an excuse to be grouchy, didn’t it? And Hannah knew him better than anyone, probably. Her face had softened, talking about him and how he loved his kids.
Willow’s heart ached for him. He had to be hurting so much. She knew what it was like to feel you’d lost everything.
On Sunday, she decided, she would be the epitome of kindness and tolerance. No matter how condescending he was. In her experience, a good dose of kindness went a long, long way.
CHAPTER 2
Willow clutched the covered bowl close against her middle, wondering why on earth she’d accepted an invitation to a family dinner when the only member of the Gallagher family she knew well at all was Hannah. Of course, her best friend, Laurel, was also a Gallagher now, but the wedding was so recent that it didn’t exactly count as “knowing the family.”
Hannah was the oldest daughter in a family of six children. Six kids in an Irish family. Rowdiness came built in. Willow, on the other hand, was used to being alone, with things peaceful and quiet.
The noise from the backyard was punctuated with some comical and inventive PG cussing, and as they turned the corner Willow saw a large man with rusty hair and a huge grin holding a small boy upside down by his feet. The boy was giggling so hard he could barely breathe. “Grampa! Put me down!”
“I don’t think so, me boy. Not until you tell me who put you up to it.” John Gallagher gave the feet a shake and the boy belly-laughed so hard Willow couldn’t help but smile. Clearly they were both enjoying the shocking form of extortion. An excited retriever bounced in circles around them, enjoying the game.
“It was Dad.” He finally gave it up and the man eased the boy down onto the carpet of grass.
“Of course it was. And he’s too big for me to hang by his feet.” He helped the boy stand up. Connor’s impish eyes were filled with the same merriment as the other day when he’d commented on her nose ring.
“Sorry, Grampa. Dad said to put it in your glass or he’d hold back my allowance.”
“And what did you put in his glass, Connor?” Hannah stepped forward, leaving Willow slightly behind.
Connor grinned wickedly. “Just a worm, Aunt Hannah. From the garden.”
Gross, Willow thought. Boys and their pranks. And his dad had put him up to it? Nice guy. Blech. That sort of immature prank definitely didn’t fit with the impression he’d made the other day. Maybe he did know how to cut loose once in a while.
“Hannah, darlin’.” Her father came forward and kissed her cheek. “You’re looking pretty as ever.”
“Whatever you’re scheming for revenge on Ethan, forget it. I’m out. You’ll have to use your double agent here.” She gestured at Connor. “Don’t try flattery on me, old man.”
He laughed, a big hearty laugh that made Willow smile on the inside.
“Oh, and you’ve brought a guest.” He noticed Willow over Hannah’s shoulder, and his blue eyes twinkled at her. “I’m John Gallagher. Hannah’s dad. Welcome.”
“I remember from the wedding. Thanks for having me,” she said politely, charmed and yet slightly intimidated.
Connor dashed off in the direction of the house, while at the same time the back door opened and a procession of people came out to the deck carrying a variety of dishes and talking in loud voices.
“My family,” Hannah said, with a sideways grin. “I did warn you it’d be loud.”
Willow nodded and smiled. “That’s okay. I’ll just sneak in under the radar.”
To be honest, despite the shyness, she was kind of enjoying the “big happy family” vibe going on. It wasn’t like anything she’d had growing up, but things had been a little different after she’d moved to Florida. She’d met families in Clearwater who’d maintained that sort of closeness, and they’d included her quite often on different occasions. It was there that she’d learned what families were supposed to be like.
“Hey, guys, you remember Willow, right? She was Laurel’s maid of honor.” Hannah led her toward the steps of the deck.
“Hi, Willow.” A female voice floated on the air. “I’m Claire.”
“And I’m Caitlyn,” came another voice that sounded ident
ical. When Willow looked up, she saw they sounded identical because they looked identical. “But everyone calls me Cait.”
“I’m totally jealous of all the red hair.” She smiled at the girls as she climbed the steps. Hannah’s hair was darker, more of a reddish mahogany, but Claire and Cait were closer to strawberry blond.
Hannah grinned. “We’ve all got Dad’s red hair, in some shade or another. Except for Rory. He’s got his mama’s curly locks.”
“I’m Rory,” came a deeper voice, carrying a big platter loaded with sliced ham. “The youngest boy. I’m the nice one.”
Willow laughed. Rory had blue eyes that twinkled and his dark hair curled around his collar a bit and gave him a roguish look.
Aiden and Ethan came through the doors, their hands full of dishes, and Willow could definitely see their father’s influence in their looks. Both were gingers, though Aiden was more on the light auburn side while Ethan’s was a duller shade, a mix of red and light brown. Not a dramatic red like Hannah’s, or the strawberry blond of the girls, but something more understated. And very attractive. Hmm.
“Is Laurel stuck at work, Aiden? I thought she was coming.”
Aiden shook his head. “She wanted to, but Jordan ended up going home sick so now she’s short-staffed. She might stop over for cake after she closes the garden center. She’ll be sorry she missed you.”
Behind everyone came Hannah’s mom, her nearly-black hair streaked with a few grays, Ronan on one hip and Connor holding her hand.
“Mom,” Hannah called out, “You remember Willow, don’t you?”
“Hi, Mrs. Gallagher. Thanks for including me.”
“Of course! And you have to call me Moira.” She led Connor to his chair and let go of his hand as he climbed up. “We’re glad you could come to Hannah’s party.”
“It’s not a party, Mom,” Hannah said as Willow followed her around the table to a couple of empty chairs.
“Of course it is! You’re only twenty-nine once.” She laughed and winked at Willow. “Most of us try to be twenty-nine a few times, but you can’t fool time.”
Willow awkwardly held out the bowl of bean salad she’d been cradling in her arm. “I brought something,” she said, feeling totally conspicuous as several sets of eyes turned her way. “It’s Hannah’s favorite from the café.”
