Farraday Country

by Chris Keniston

  “What do you say?” Allison coaxed.

  Brittany managed to grin even wider, kick her feet and bounce on her dad’s lap. “Tank chu.”

  “You’re welcome,” Fancy responded. The two little almost-words swelled her heart. “She seems very happy.”

  “She is.” Ethan’s words came out low and firm.

  Fancy nodded. She hadn’t meant to upset him, she’d only meant… “I knew she would be. I just knew it.”

  “Oh, Fancy.” Allison bit on her lower lip and blinked back the water pooling in her eyes. The censure said everything her words did not—how could you?

  “I didn’t have a choice.” She answered the unspoken question.

  Garrett shook his head and lowered his voice, gesturing to her daughter with his chin. “This isn’t the time.”

  No. Not with Brittany sitting on her daddy’s lap. All morning she and Allison shared memory after memory of the good times, the sad times, Aunt Millicent and the hundred reasons Fancy ran away. They caught up on all of Allison’s adventures and the entire time Ethan kept a hand on his wife in silent support. They’d hugged, they’d cried, they’d laughed, but the only mention of Brittany came when Fancy asked to please see her. Now she’d have to wait for another time, another chance to convince her sister and her daughter’s father that she could be a good thing for Brittany.

  “Excuse us.” Eileen stepped up to the table. “I need to get Glenn back to the ranch. He left his car there and has to be in his hotel room for a video conference in a couple of hours.”

  “That makes two of us.” Ethan’s father stopped beside the aunt with the golden voice.

  “Or,” Glenn turned away from the table, “join me for dinner?”

  Ethan’s aunt blinked and his father clenched his teeth, making his jaw muscles twitch ever slightly.

  “We can stay in town, do the video conference, go out for a nice dinner and then head back to the ranch for my car.”

  “If by nice you mean something more upscale than a pub or café,” Ethan interrupted, “you’re out of luck.”

  “I did have something a little more…private in mind.”

  “That would be the Lake House. It’s a steakhouse at the edge of town in Butler Springs.” Allison smiled. “They have a nice little dance floor too.”

  “You up for a ride to…” He looked at Allison again.

  “Butler Springs,” she provided.

  “Butler Springs?” Glenn finished.

  The aunt’s face bloomed, the smile on Glenn’s face rivaled that of Ethan’s aunt, and Allison seemed to be quite pleased with the prospect. On the other hand, Ethan seemed to be teetering between giving his blessing and throwing the first punch. Remembering the fire in Ethan’s eyes the night he’d rescued her from that drunken sailor, Fancy hoped for this guy’s sake that Ethan went for minding his own business.

  At the moment the aunt bobbed her head yes, the senior Mr. Farraday’s gaze took on the same look Fancy had seen in his son what felt like eons ago. When it came to picking men for herself, she’d always had lousy judgment. Not even when she’d stumbled onto an outstanding specimen like Ethan Farraday had she had the good sense to latch on for dear life. But she was darn good at that outside the glass looking in thing, and something was going on here that had nothing to do with the loving tight knit family Ethan spoke of for days in San Diego. Nope, something very interesting was simmering around here and she hoped she’d get to stick around long enough to figure out who was going to win.

  ****

  How could he have forgotten? Sean gripped the steering wheel and peered into the distance. The flat, gray distance. Eileen had been singing at family gatherings and murmuring the occasional soft tune while puttering in the kitchen or some other household project. She’d sung lullabies to all the children, even before Grace. But none of that was the same as Eileen Callahan on stage with nothing more than a four-piece jazz band to back her up. He and Helen had gotten Anne and Brian to babysit the kids while the two of them snuck off for a weekend in Albuquerque to watch Eileen perform. It was early on, before Glenn’s group, and she hadn’t quite perfected her style, but the voice, the voice was there. Here. And why did seeing her belt out the end of that tune make his chest feel as though a bull calf were sitting on it.

  And now what? Doe eyes last night, ghost town frolicking this morning, and dinner tonight. Just how long was this guy going to stay? And how long before he talked Eileen into going with him when he left?

  And Brittany. What the heck was going on at the pub? As sure as he knew his name was Sean Patrick Farraday, son of Patrick Aloysius and Sara Maureen Brookstone Farraday, he knew his son would not give up his little girl without a fight.

  Thoughts rattled around his head. Too many to wrestle into submission. By the time he’d pulled in front of the ranch house his mind was as cluttered with questions and concerns as it had been before the otherwise peaceful hour-long drive.

  The lights were out, only silence greeted him as he crossed into the house. For so long this house had been filled with noise, and clatter, and laughter and love. He could still feel the love and warmth, but the silence, that was something he would have to get used to.

  “Don’t you look like someone stole your best friend.” Finn came out from the newly fashioned suite off the kitchen. Freshly showered, clean shaven and dressed for a night out.

  “You and Joanna going somewhere on a weeknight?”

  “Yep.” Finn grinned from ear to ear. “Taking advantage of the pub being open every night for the grand opening week. Do a little boot scootin’ with my wife and get some of Aunt Eileen’s rice pudding.”

  “Let’s hope more folks from around here are thinking the same thing. From the turn out on opening night, I’d guess Jamie was right on the money about how well the pub is going to do.”

  “None of us doubted him.” Finn tucked his shirttail into his jeans. “You and Aunt Eileen should join us.”

  Under normal circumstances he’d have enjoyed taking Finn up on the invitation, but tonight wasn’t normal. Or maybe tonight would be the beginning of the new normal—him rattling around after work in this big old house all alone with no one to talk to but the walls. Maybe he could learn to like watching reality TV.

  Finn ducked his head, narrowed his gaze, and took a step toward his father. “Is something wrong, Dad?”

  No. Yes. Maybe. “No. You and Joanna go have a good time.”

  “She’s coming in from an afternoon photo shoot with the sisters at the ghost town. They have a huge tourist plan in the making. I’m meeting her at the pub.” Finn took another step closer. “Dad, you’re not telling me something.”

  Sean shook his head. This was just the cycle of life. That’s all. Nothing stayed the same forever. Hadn’t he learned that lesson the hard way?

  “Dad,” Finn got right in his father’s face, “you are scaring me. I’ve never seen that look on you before. What’s happened? Is someone hurt?” Finn looked over Sean’s shoulder to the empty living room and then back to the empty stove, his eyes widening. “Is it Aunt Eileen? Did something happen to her? Did that man—” An increasing hint of panic punctuated every word.

  “No. Nothing like that.” Sean glanced around the empty kitchen. Memories of Eileen trying desperately to cook for the family and ranch hands. The pitiful look of frustration and determination as she stood covered in flour, carefully following Helen’s biscuit recipe. The first attempts had made it straight to the trash can. Eventually they’d gotten more and more tasty until one day he’d come home and there wasn’t a lick of flour anywhere in the kitchen. Eileen held out a dish of warm biscuits, grinned from ear to ear and calmly declared, “I think I’ve got the hang of it.”

  “Nothing like what?” Concern remained etched on Finn’s face

  “Tonight your aunt is on a…” the words stuck in his mouth, “date.”

  Finn nodded but didn’t say anything. Taking a few steps in retreat, he leaned against the kitchen counte
r, waiting.

  Not sure what else to say, Sean turned to the fridge and pulled out a covered dish, then put it back. He wasn’t really hungry anymore. Same thing with the beer, he’d held it in his hand reading the label as though he’d never seen it before and set it back in the fridge. Maybe tonight would be a good night to go to sleep with the sun.

  Finn crossed his ankles and cleared his throat. “I’m guessing I wouldn’t be far off the mark if I said that idea isn’t sitting well with you?”

  “It’s not the what, it’s the who.” Sean ran his hand roughly across the back of his neck. “He doesn’t deserve her.”

  “I see.”

  “Do you?” He took the lid off the cookie jar and pulled out a couple of oatmeal raisin cookies. Not that he was hungry or craving sweets, holding onto it and chewing gave him something to do.

  “Yes. I think I do, but I’m wondering if you do.”

  Sean offered his youngest son, the wise old sage in a youthful body since the day he was born, a cookie.

  Shaking his head, Finn asked another question. “Is this ex of hers the problem, or is no one good enough for her?”

  “You’ve been thinking too hard. This guy didn’t give her the respect she deserved. How could he have expected her to choose between a helpless baby and him? All she’d asked for was more time. It’s not like they had one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel. Time was on their side.”

  “She had postponed the wedding more than once.”

  “Things happen that are out of our control.”

  “Maybe he thought she didn’t really love him.”

  “Hogwash. She cried for weeks after he hung up on her refusing to push the date back again.”

  “Weeks?” Finn raised a brow. “Doesn’t seem like all that much sulking for losing the love of her life.”

  “He wasn’t the love of her life.” Sean spun around, reaching for another cookie. Or maybe the guy had changed, maybe Glenn could be that special someone, and maybe he should have that beer after all.

  “Then I’m not seeing the problem.”

  “The problem is….” Sean stopped and stared at his son. Eyes twinkling with delight, the kid was almost smiling. “This isn’t a laughing matter.”

  “No.” He swallowed the grin threatening to take over his face. “But I wondered what it would take to open your eyes.”

  “Open my eyes? You’re talking in riddles.”

  “No, it’s really quite simple and quite clear. At least it has been to most of us the last few years.”

  “Again, more riddles.”

  “Dad.” He spoke as though he were about to explain rocket science to a four year old. “For over twenty years you’ve been married to Aunt Eileen in every sense except for a shared bedroom.”

  “We never—”

  Finn held his hand up. “I know that. We all know that. But that doesn’t change the facts. You have relied on each other for support through thick and thin, through pain and sorrow, through chicken pox and mono, through hard times and good times, basically in sickness and in health, and before today you both probably believed until death do you part.”

  “You’re crazy. I’ve always known someday the right man for your aunt would come along. By the time Grace reached high school I was surprised that someone hadn’t come yet.”

  “Why would they? She didn’t need a husband’s companionship. She’s always had you.”

  He whirled around and practically shouted, “She does not have me.”

  “Dad.” Finn pushed to his feet. “You can argue with any one of us from now till the second coming, but it won’t change reality. I think you’ve been in love with Aunt Eileen for so long you don’t remember a time you weren’t.” Sean opened his mouth to protest and Finn shot up his hand. “I’m not looking for an argument or cross examination. All I’m saying is if it bothers you so much that this guy is making nice with Aunt Eileen, then maybe it’s time you did something about it.”

  Stunned, Sean stood silently staring at Finn’s back crossing the house and making his way out the front door.

  The kid had lost his mind. And if all his children agreed with Finn then they were all stark raving lunatics. Weren’t they?

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Layers of black clouds appeared out of nowhere. This wouldn’t be the first or last time a storm brewed unexpectedly. Whether it would pass them by or release its liquid fury was yet to be seen.

  The conversation in the pub had moved back to Adam and Meg’s. Rick stayed talking beer with Jamie and doing his version of sampling and tasting. Sean had taken Brittany back to Connor’s, and Garrett came with Fancy. In the corner of the living room, the TV was tuned to a channel with swirling colors of orange and red across the screen. “Oh, that doesn’t look good,” Eileen muttered.

  Ethan shook his head. “Seems to be moving right past us and up to Butler Springs.”

  “There’s a tornado watch until 8pm for the entire county.” Wiping her hand on a dishrag, Meg entered the room. “Adam’s cancelling appointments for anyone who doesn’t live in town.”

  Eileen looked at the screen and turned to Glenn. “We should probably postpone tonight. Storms can get pretty nasty here and that one’s heading straight for our dinner plans.”

  “Seems to be moving pretty quickly too,” he agreed.

  “Rain check?” She smiled up at him.

  “Let me see if I can move the video conference to a later time and we’ll head back to the ranch.”

  Eileen shook her head. “That will put you driving back in the thick of it and on these lonely roads that’s never a good idea.”

  “I don’t think driving back to the ranch is a great idea now either.” Meg pointed at the screen.

  “She’s right.” Ethan shrugged. “That thing could pick up speed or shift direction.”

  Eileen stared at the screen a moment. “It hasn’t even started to rain here and the storm is coming from other side of Tuckers Bluff. I should make it home no problem.”

  “I don’t—” Ethan started.

  “Ethan Patrick Farraday, I have been driving these West Texas roads for as long as you’ve been talking. I’ll be fine in that big old truck. I don’t want to waste time jawing with you. I need to get on the road.”

  The way Ethan bit down on his back teeth she knew he wasn’t happy about it, but she also knew that he wouldn’t argue any more. She turned to say goodbye and spotted Garrett, his gaze skipping from the screen back to his lead singer. The way the man looked at Fancy made Eileen’s mind wander once again to a long time ago. Had Glenn looked at her that way?

  “If you’re going to go,” Ethan interrupted her thoughts, “you’d better go now. And call when you get home.”

  “Aye aye, Captain.” She refrained from saluting. Ethan only rolled his eyes. She wished she could stick around for the conversation that had to be had over Brittany, but a bigger part of her needed to be home. Turning, she waved good bye to everyone, paused to smile at Glenn. “Call when you’re done with your video conference and we’ll arrange to get your car back to you.”

  Lips pressed tightly together, Glenn glanced out the living room window and back before nodding. “Stay safe.”

  Not the first time in the last few days a man had said that to her. “Will do.” And with that she hurried out to the truck.

  The clouds were growing darker and she needed to boogie. Concerns about lightning and hail and power outages and generators scrambled around with music arrangements, singing, cancelled weddings, and resurging dreams. The dreams were what got her. Singing—no—performing. This wasn’t the same as singing along at the supermarket or at a family wedding. She couldn’t deny it and now all she could think about was how much she wanted it. To give it another try.

  A flash of lightning jagged across the sky and brought new thoughts to mind. Was singing all she wanted? She’d had fun today with Glenn. Even though the sisters had almost scared the bejeesus out of her, having Glenn at her back ha
d been… nice. The wall from so many years of anger and hurt cracked enough for long forgotten memories of happier times to resurface. She and Glenn had made a good pair.

  At the mouth of the driveway a boom rattled the windows moments before another flash of light brightened the inside of the truck. Definitely too close for comfort. Pulling up to the side of the ranch house, she grabbed her purse and darted to the front porch seconds before pellets of rainwater hammered down. Another minute and she would have had her second shower of the day. Stomping the dust off her boots on the porch, Eileen listened to the sound of the rain bouncing off the roof and music. Music?

  For a split second she hesitated turning the knob. Were Finn and Joanna having a private evening? She retraced her steps, peering around the edge of the house in search of her nephew’s truck. Gone. So was Joanna’s car, but the other ranch truck was in its usual place. Sean never played music.

  Turning back, she listened more carefully. The occasional downpour drowning out the melodies on the other side of the wall. Slowly turning the knob, she pushed the door open far enough to hear the familiar tune—and voice. Her voice.

  ****

  “You’ve been in love with Aunt Eileen.”

  For nearly twenty minutes after Finn walked out the door, Sean argued with an empty room. His son had lost his mind. Of course Sean understood Eileen, respected Eileen, appreciated Eileen, and yes, even loved her. He also loved the kids’ Aunt Anne but that didn’t mean he was in love with either of them.

  “Shared everything but a bedroom.”

  If his son had been a few feet closer Sean would have washed Finn’s mouth out with soap. She didn’t deserve such a comment. Eileen had given up everything for him and the children. She was good, and honest, and loving, and caring, and smart, and beautiful, and yes, she was sexy as hell, but that didn’t mean…Sexy as hell?