Farraday Country

by Chris Keniston

“Nope. I’ve been convinced.” Abbie flashed her cook and friend a big toothy grin. The one that always made him shake his head and smile. Only this time all she got was the head shake. Something was definitely bothering Frank and Abbie didn’t think it had anything to do with his foot.

  A few feet before Abbie’s house, a small fluffy flash blew across the street and Jamie slammed on the brakes.

  “Are you trying to break the rest of me?” Frank barked.

  “Did you see that?” Jamie asked.

  Frank’s grimace deepened. “See what?”

  “There,” Abbie shouted, pointing to the puppy sitting quietly on the curb across the street.

  “You two wait here a minute, let me get him. Maybe we’ll find out once and for all who that pup belongs to,” Jamie said.

  “I can help.” Abbie reached for the handle but Jamie waved her off.

  “He seems to like me. This shouldn’t take but a second.”

  Nodding, Abbie watched him strut across the street. Heavens, that man knew how to walk.

  “You like him.”

  The sound of Frank’s voice dragged her attention away from the man she’d practically been drooling over. “He’s a nice guy. All the Farradays are.”

  “Yeah, but you don’t look at all the Farradays the way you look at him.”

  “Oh, and how is that?”

  “Like he was the last ice scream sundae on the planet and the only one with extra whipped cream.”

  Was she really that easy to read? Did the whole town think she looked at Jamie that way? “I do not.” Way to go, big girl. She might as well throw herself on the floor and stomp her feet like a three year old.

  This time, Frank smiled. “Don’t you worry. No one else knows you as well as I do. I just can’t make up my mind if you falling in love with a Farraday is a good thing or not.”

  “Falling in love.” She glanced out the window at Jamie on the ground, holding the puppy in his arms and scratching his ears. Her heart swelled and her stomach took a nose dive. She almost couldn’t breathe. Was this what falling in love felt like? The puppy licked Jamie’s face, making him laugh and her heart soared. Who was she kidding? She was definitely head over high heels in love with that man. And wouldn’t it be nice if he were the first to know it, not half the town. “Who said anything about falling in love?”

  Frank laughed a little harder. “Don’t you two make the pair? Here comes the Irish cowboy now. With that damn dog. Should have known the minute that blasted pup cozied up to the man.”

  The opposite back door opened and Jamie set the tail-wagging pup inside. “After I get Frank home I’ll take this little guy to Adam. See if we can’t find out who he belongs to.” No sooner had the words left his mouth than the little guy gave his hand a long lick and hopping onto the floorboards, took a leap out of the truck and bolted before Jamie could stop him. “Blast.”

  Frank huffed under his breath. “He’ll be back. I’d start house hunting if I were you.”

  Her mind scrolled forward to visions of a house, a dog, and Jamie at her side. Now wouldn’t that be one hell of a dream come true?

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Since closing down early Friday night, the entire kitchen of the café had been scrubbed to within an inch of its stainless-steel life. Along with the cleaning crew that had come through and scoured every nook and cranny of the cafe, just about every Farraday sibling from one side of the family or the other had come by to do their share.

  Little was left to be done this morning other than last minute decorations and setting up the parking lot for overflow.

  Jamie scanned the banners draped from the ceilings. Too excited and anxious to sleep, at four this morning he’d given up on any pretense of resting and gotten out of bed. By six he was on his way to the café. He shouldn’t have been that surprised to have Abbie walking in the door only a few minutes after him.

  Together they’d hung the Welcome to a Taste of Tuckers Bluff banner, sorted the paper goods and double and triple checked the to-do list in preparation for Crocker arrival.

  Arms carrying a bundle of plastic checkered tablecloths, Abbie came out from the storage room. The last few days he’d felt like a kid in high school. Anxious, excited and nervous at something as simple as a few seconds to hold Abbie’s hand, or to share a barely there peck on the lips. With so much hanging on today, they’d not really discussed the kiss on her porch. Somehow he knew once the pub and license business was all settled, they’d have plenty of time to do a lot more than just talk about that kiss. And he, for one, was looking dang forward to it.

  She sidled up beside him. “The kids did a great job.”

  “Better than great.” The high school art department had come through with colorful and creative signage for everything from the menu cards to the large O’Fearadaigh’s banner, his personal favorite. He was going to have to find a permanent home for it when the pub opened. If the pub opened.

  The front door blew open at the same time Sally May’s voice boomed across the threshold. “You did what?” The clearly annoyed woman spun around, glaring at his aunt.

  “Uh oh.” Abbie lowered her voice, “Either your aunt has joined the French Foreign Legion, or I’m guessing this is the first Sally May has heard about her plans with the councilman.”

  Eileen rolled her eyes at Sally May and blew out a sigh. “Oh, don’t get your panties in a wad. I didn’t promise you’d marry the man, just join him for dinner.”

  “Since when do you make my dinner dates for me?”

  “I can go you one better. When was the last time you went on a dinner date at all?”

  Sally May grunted and Jamie almost lost it when she spun around and leaning forward, stuck her tongue out at his aunt like a little kid before storming in his direction, calling over her shoulder, “I’m not going on a date with that old coot.”

  “He’s younger than you, and it’s not a date, it’s dinner.”

  “Tahmaytoe, tahmahtoe.” Sally May waved a jerky arm at her friend, stomping closer to the counters where Jamie and Abbie stood. “I am not going anywhere with that man.”

  Aunt Eileen quickened her pace to keep up with the woman several inches taller than her. “Not even O’Fearadaigh’s?”

  That was enough to have Sally May stop short and whirl around. “What are you talking about?”

  “Do I look like a senile ditz?”

  Sally May raised a brow but didn’t respond.

  “Never mind. I figured it was too hard and not enough time to uncover who on the council was really for or against us and convince them why our pub would be good for this town. Then it hit me talking to Meg earlier in the week. Why not let him convince everyone for us? If he wants that dinner with you badly enough, he’ll move heaven and earth to get the council to see more clearly.”

  Shoulders stiff with fury deflated slowly as Sally May blew out a steady breath. “As much as I hate to admit it, that’s not a bad idea.”

  Holding back a chuckle, Jamie leaned into Abbie and mumbled through the side of his mouth, “Score one for Aunt Eileen.”

  “Certainly beats spying on them like a couple of bratty siblings.” Abbie squeezed his arm then walked away, shaking her head.

  Much like the responsibility he’d felt for Frank falling and hurting himself at the site of the future pub, he felt equally guilty for Sally May being used as a pawn in the pub’s future. So much so that ever since they’d heard about the plans his aunt had made, he and Abbie had batted possibilities back and forth, from confronting the councilman, to insisting Aunt Eileen get Sally May out of it, to following after the councilman and Sally May on their date like a couple of nuisance little kids, and if the letch laid even one inappropriate finger on Sally May, Jamie was prepared to teach that man a lesson about respect and women that he should have learned in grade school.

  Her argument with Sally May apparently behind them, at least for now, Aunt Eileen looked up at him. “When are the Hemingway’s people arriving?”
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br />   “Any minute. The kitchen is ready to go. Dave is all set as well.” Jamie waved his arm across the café. “I have a good feeling about all this.”

  His aunt looped her arm around his waist and leaned into him. “So do I. So do I.”

  ****

  “Six Corned Beef samples, six Stew samples,” Shannon called to Jamie behind the counter on the Farraday side of the kitchen and filling a tray, pivoted ninety degrees and hurried down to the Hemingway’s side. “Two vegan burger samples, one eggplant BLT.”

  It still boggled Jamie’s mind that anyone wanted to sample an eggplant BLT. Of course he hadn’t wrapped his mind around how anything without bacon could still be called a BLT.

  “I’m here to replace you.” Toni rushed straight to the rack of aprons on the rear wall. “Everything is hopping. Even with more tables in the parking lot the line is going around the corner. I think the whole dang county showed up. The shops all have their doors open and took down the no food or drink signs. Everyone is wandering up and down the street. The market is breaking up their frozen pop boxes and selling them on the sidewalk like an old-fashioned lemonade stand. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

  Moving at full speed and praying they didn’t run out of food, Jaimie had never been so happy to come from a big Irish family that believed in cooking twice as much as needed. He was also overjoyed that every time his aunt shook her head and said not enough, he listened and bought more fixings than he ever expected to possibly serve. “I admit I could use the help.”

  “Not here to help. To replace.” Toni tied the apron behind her. “The big wigs from Hemingway’s are out there schmoozing so you should be too. Not that all the Farradays aren’t doing a fine job of it, but you’re the face of O’Fearadaigh’s.”

  It had been all he could do to keep up with the demand. He couldn’t in good conscious leave Toni on her own in the kitchen.

  “What’s the hold up?” Becky came rushing into the kitchen, Donna on her heels.

  Donna hurried past Becky. “Adam and Connor are setting up a tent outside that the sisters donated. Should have done it hours ago. I need you to load me up or we’ll never get everyone fed.”

  “I think I see the problem.” Becky scurried over to the aprons and grabbed one. “I’ll help Toni,” she looked at Jamie, “you get your derriere outside and do your thing, and tell Catherine to come inside and grab an apron. Connor can keep an eye on Stacey.”

  “Or Ethan. He’s on Brittany duty. Stacey can probably help him. I love the guy but he woefully underestimates how fast a toddler can run when she knows you’re not looking.”

  Dorothy appeared in the doorway, half in and half out. “Need more hands?”

  “Yeah.” Toni waved at the deck shelf. “Help Donna carry out samples. They’re setting up a station outside.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Dorothy saluted and not bothering with an apron, loaded an empty tray. “This is so exciting.”

  The women hurried about like an army of well-organized ants. The Hemmingway staff watched, a glazed look in their eyes. They were staying busy, but not nearly as harried as Jamie and the girls were. Without any help from the family, Hemingway’s’ staff easily spared a pair of hands to transport their samples to the new outdoor set up. As crazy as the day was, this was why he wanted so badly to move home. Family was more than blood, it was everything.

  “Okay.” Abbie came into the kitchen, momentarily startled by the extra people. Apparently she hadn’t been privy to the onslaught of help. “Uh, Dave wants you to pop outside to the bar set up when you can.”

  “Anything wrong?” Everything was going so well, something was bound to get messed up. When it did he merely hoped whatever it was would be easily fixable. And fast.

  She shook her head. “Quite the contrary. The Pink Squirrels are a hit. On the other hand, the crazy drink Hemingway’s is serving that lights up like a cherries jubilee is doing a great job of entertaining the children but they’re having a hard time convincing the adults to drink them. They’re having the same problem with the drink poured over dry ice.”

  Where had they come up with such a crazy idea? Jamie wasn’t surprised the showy drinks weren’t going over with as much enthusiasm as Crocker and Hemingway’s had most likely expected. Country folks like simple. Even when they gussied up, they still liked simple.

  “Go.” Toni shooed him away. “We’ve got this.”

  “Yeah. Go,” Becky echoed.

  Curiosity had been getting the better of him for hours now. “Okay. If you need anything, someone whistle for me.”

  “Got it,” Becky answered, waving him away again.

  By the time Jamie made it within view of the large picture frame windows, his jaw almost hit the floor. Filled with people, some on line, some milling about, the sidewalk resembled a scene from a big city like New York or San Francisco. The difference—all these people were smiling. “Do you think it’s just the free food?”

  “It’s not free,” Abbie said, her eyes on the same people happily meandering outside, and laughing and gabbing inside.

  “When did that happen?” This was supposed to be on their dime.

  “This morning. When the crowds lined up all through town before we opened, the council feared a mob scene might erupt over who knows what. Hemingway’s big shots along with your dad and Uncle Sean argued that wasn’t the intent, but since price had not been mentioned in any of the advertising or invitations, they lost the argument. Everyone did, however, agree that the proceeds would go to the hospital.”

  Nodding, Jamie looked around. “Well, the people don’t seem upset by it.”

  “Why should they? It’s all for a good cause, and they’re having the time of their life.” Abbie smiled up at him. “It’s all because of you.”

  The way her eyes twinkled up at him made everything else in the world slip away. Almost. If they weren’t in a public place in the middle of one of the most important days of his life, he would have ignored everyone around him and pulled her in for one of those mind blowing kisses he’d been anticipating after this all was behind them. He’d almost leaned in regardless when the sounds of “Danny Boy” came blasting in from the street. “What’s that?”

  Abbie chuckled. “I think someone gave your mom and your aunt a microphone.”

  “Oh, brother.” At least they could both carry a tune.

  Outside a crowd had gathered around his mom and aunt. The townsfolk were loving it. And so was his family. His aunt looked absolutely radiant, reminding him of what his cousins had said about photos of her singing. The way she held the mic, moved it closer or farther away from her mouth depending on the notes, the way her free arm moved. It wouldn’t be hard to believe she’d been a professional singer once upon a time.

  By the time he made it out the front door, Catherine hurried past him, calling out to make sure Ethan kept on eye on both kids.

  “Will do,” he answered. A couple of years ago his mom and aunt were singing the ‘no grandchildren blues’ and now there were little ones everywhere. Yep, nothing like family.

  “There you are.” Dave grinned up at him from behind the makeshift bar. “Are you sure we’re in the middle of nowhere West Texas?”

  Jamie had to laugh. “If you see anyone in red ruby slippers carrying a small dog, the answer is no, I’m not sure of anything.”

  Dave cracked up laughing and his wife elbowed him. “Laugh later, serve now.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Dave nodded, handing a customer two of his blonde beers.

  “Do we have a favorite?” Jamie asked.

  “Not really,” Dave shrugged, “but we are keeping pace with the name brands. That’s pretty good.”

  “Great. Exactly what I wanted to hear.”

  “The surprising thing is we’re going through a good amount of stout.”

  That made Jamie laugh. You can take a family out of Ireland, but you can’t take the Irish out of the family and they had plenty of Irish families in the county.

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nbsp; “Oh no,” an alarmed voice sounded to Jamie’s right.

  Two large dogs galloped across the open expanse of the back end of the parking lot. Already taking off in that direction, he did a quick scan of the surroundings. At a fast glance he came to two conclusions, the animals were either after the newly set up tent with samples and Ethan slicing a large slab of corned beef, or the trio of little girls playing off to side. He hoped to high heaven it was the beef.

  Kicking it into high gear, Jamie was within feet of the children when a crash boomed to one side of him. The one dog had veered off in the opposite direction and now was snarling at a puppy dragging a plate-filled checkered table cloth he’d successfully tugged off the table of guests. If Jamie wasn’t mistaken, it was the puppy.

  The other big dog vaulted in mid-air about to pounce on… another puppy? This one—who also looked a heck of a lot like the puppy—had his sights set on Ethan, or the corned beef or…the girls. Whichever, it wasn’t the puppy that scared Jamie, it was the massive animal bounding towards them all.

  From across the lot, Adam whistled and shouted, “Heads up.”

  His gaze moving from the growling dog across the way to Jamie coming upon him at full speed, alarm took over Ethan’s face. Putting down the meat and the utensils, he turned scanning his surroundings, immediately spotting Brittany and his niece Stacey running in circles away from a puppy. A third puppy. How the hell many dogs were there?

  The large gray dog landed with a thud less than a foot in front little Brittany and Jamie’s heart lurched. Shoving off one foot, he dived for his niece, scooped her into his arms and cradling her tightly against her chest, curled into a ball. Concrete scraping the bare skin of his arms, he stopped with his back to the angry wolf.

  “What the hell?” Ethan hollered.

  Adam came flying at him. “You okay, man?”

  A gentle touch patted his back, followed by a cold damp nose poking his neck.

  “Can I have my daughter back?” Ethan’s tone didn’t carry any concern.

  Turning slowly over, careful to protect his now crying niece in the event the dogs were still a threat, Jamie ignored the burning on his arms and took in the people staring at him as if he’d lost his mind.