Chapter 17
Sophie dressed quietly while Liam lay fast asleep. It was early, and she didn’t want to wake him. But fate, as it so often did, had other plans. She tripped trying to pull on her jeans and although she caught herself from going completely ass over teacup, she still made quite a racket.
Liam’s voice, thick with sleep, broke the silence. “Thought you were leaving without saying goodbye, did you?”
Sophie jumped slightly before turning to him with a smile. “I have a big delivery arriving in an hour: Keefe’s precious stove and all the chairs.”
The tables were in place, the bar stools lined up, a stage area set up, and the bar top installed. The kitchen was nearly ready for action, too, and the only thing missing from the dining room were the chairs. All in all, the once dingy space now gleamed. Sophie couldn’t have been more pleased with how everything was shaping up.
“Why didn’t you wake me up? I can help you.”
“Because you don’t need to always be my free labor. You officially have my attention.” After zipping up her jeans, she circled back to his side of the bed and intended to quickly kiss him goodbye, but that didn’t exactly work out.
“Do I now?” He kissed her once. “Your full attention?” Twice. “Officially?” Three times.
Dear God did he know how to kiss… If she didn’t tear herself away from him this very instant, she would never leave. “Yes, officially. Want me to wear your class ring and letter jacket?”
He could think of a different ring he’d liked her to wear, but that was for a later date. “I’ll be in my studio today, so if you need any help just call, all right?”
“I will, I promise.” She kissed him once more—this time just a peck then dashed to the door. Then she reappeared to kiss him again. “Okay, now I really do have to go.” She hustled away and when she got to the front door, she called back, “Bye! I love you!”
Liam smiled to himself. He would never tire of hearing her say that.
* * *
The rumble of a truck engine echoed from down the narrow country road, growing louder as it neared the pub. Sophie shielded her eyes from the morning sun, watching as the massive lorry came to a halt in front of them.
“My baby is finally here,” Keefe said, rubbing his hands together.
Sophie shot him a look. “It’s a stove, Keefe.”
“Don’t let Bess hear you say that.” He smirked before gesturing toward the second truck pulling in behind the first.
“Bess? You already named it?” Sophie rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the grin tugging at her lips. The arrival of the furniture and the stove made everything feel real. The pub was nearly ready and sooner than they had expected.
As the workers started unloading, Keefe crossed his arms and shot her a sideways glance. “So, how’s life as Lady Gallagher?”
“Don’t start.”
“Why not? I hardly see you anymore. It’s like you moved into Liam’s place and forgot you had a twin.” He nudged her with his elbow. “Not that I’m complaining. I always knew you’d come to your senses.”
She shook her head, biting back a smile. “We’re doing well, if you must know.”
Keefe grinned. “That’s all I needed to hear. Just making sure my sister’s happy.”
“I am,” she said with a smile that couldn’t be contained. “Very happy.”
It had been too long since Keefe saw Sophie really smile. This warmed his heart like nothing else. Everything was coming together. “Good,” he said, then clapped his hands together. “Now, let’s talk about something equally important: what will we do with the upstairs?”
Sophie groaned. “Keefe, we’ve been over this. A bed-and-breakfast is just too much right now. We haven’t even opened yet and do not know how that will go. We haven’t even hired any staff yet. Who will run it while we are chasing our tails?”
“But Soph, you can’t deny that having a bed-and-breakfast makes sense. Extra income, more business?—”
“More work.” She turned to him with a pointed look. “Listen, I’m not saying you’re wrong, but let’s just focus on getting the pub open. We’re ahead of schedule, which is a miracle, and I’d rather not stretch ourselves thin right out of the gate, okay?”
Keefe sighed, but she could see the wheels still turning in his head. “Fine. For now. But don’t think I’m letting this go forever.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” She gestured to the stacks of chairs being carried inside. “Now, are you going to help, or are you just going to stand there and plan my future?”
Keefe flashed a grin. “Can’t I do both?” Ahh, Keefe loved it when a plan came together.
Sophie huffed a laugh. “Just grab a chair.”
* * *
With the chairs moved in and the stove, er ahem Bess installed, Keefe and Sophie sat down, each needing to catch their breath and give their backs a break. These chairs had each weighed about as much as a throne.
“Would you like some more coffee?” Keefe asked.
“Yes, just a whole pot, please,” Sophie replied on the back of a groan. She was grateful the delivery men had helped them, but it was still back-breaking work. “I’m starving. Are there anymore cookies or did the guys eat them all?”
“I stashed a few away for us.” Keefe disappeared into the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee and retrieve the cookies. He put on the coffee then returned to the dining room with the few cookies he’d set aside especially for him and Sophie, only to find that his sister was gone. She reappeared a moment later carrying the mail.
“The mail just came. Looks like the proof for the menu arrived.”
Sophie handed the large envelope to Keefe, who was especially eager. He sat down to look over the menu, taking a bite of an oatmeal peanut butter cookie as he carefully examined it. He hadn’t finished his first bite when he found an error. Then another. And another. Honestly, did they let a monkey design this? “This is just the gift that keeps on giving. Pasties? Really, pasties ? That’s supposed to say pastries.”
Sophie snorted. “It still sounds like a good time. Too bad we aren’t a gentlemen’s club.” She may have been crabbier about it if she hadn’t just crammed a whole yummy cookie into her mouth.
Keefe chuckled and sighed. This day had gone too well for something to not go wrong. At least this was something easily fixed. “I’ll take care of this while I’m out shopping.” Keefe placed the menu down on the table, setting it aside. “Seeing as Bess is here now, what do you say to lunch? I need to break her in.”
“Sounds good to me.”
The coffee was ready so Sophie went to the kitchen and brought the pot and two fresh cups back with her. Before sitting back down she poured Keefe and herself a cup. Wanting to get to the grocery store quickly, Keefe downed his coffee and headed out the door.
Sophie, with her hot coffee in one hand and a cookie in the other, headed into the kitchen. Inside, she leaned against the newly delivered Bess, as Keefe had proudly christened her and looked around the kitchen. The pub was finally feeling like it had a purpose beyond being a never-ending renovation project. She smiled to herself, imagining the space filled with warmth, conversation, and the scent of whatever meal Keefe was about to prepare on Bess for their lunch.
A sharp knock at the front door made her jolt upright. Frowning, she wiped her hands on her jeans and headed over, glancing at the clock on the way. Keefe had only just left for the grocery store, and she wasn’t expecting any more deliveries.
She unlocked the door and pulled it open, bracing against the bite of cold air that rushed in. Standing on the doorstep was a man—not exactly tall, but broad-shouldered, and looking like he’d been personally assaulted by the elements. His dark coat was dusted with fine snow, and his wire-framed glasses were fogging up as he pushed them up the bridge of his nose. His hair, a mix of dark brown and windblown chaos, suggested he’d lost a fight with a particularly aggressive gust.
“Good morning to you,” he said with a nod, his breath visible in the frigid air. “I know this is well, probably not what you were expecting of course, but my bus broke down about half a mile down the road, and I’ve got a group of freezing tourists who could really use some shelter until the replacement bus arrives. Is there any chance we could come in?”