Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Fionn
I feel like I woke up with a smile on my face.
But then I realized I was alone in bed. The first thing I do is look at the bathroom.
But the door’s open and I listen for any noise in my apartment.
I run my hand over the spot she was in and it’s cold.
That’s when I notice the paper that’s folded on her pillow and my heart drops.
Fionn,
I’m sorry. I wish we had more time.
Riley
That’s it? How could she leave? I had this whole morning planned out and now she’s gone. I honestly thought that she felt the same way I did. But maybe I was wrong? No fecking way. I know she felt the same.
I get up and get ready for my day. I wish I at least had work to do.
But now that I’m done with work, all I have is to be grumpy and hope the next few days go by fast. When I get to Lake Renegade I plan to find my girl.
I need to get settled first. But finding Riley is my next priority.
How? I have no fecking idea. But I will find mo fhíorghra, no matter how long it takes.
Riley
Daphne and I are on the plane back to Chicago.
I hate how I left Fionn. I’m a fucking coward and I didn’t want to say goodbye to him.
Part of me wanted to go back and crumple that note up and slide back into bed with him.
But my fear got the best of me and I didn’t.
I know what I felt that night and I’ve never felt that way about anyone before.
I wish I had asked him more questions. Like where he was moving to.
He probably thinks I’m shallow because I didn’t ask. Fuck.
“Are you thinking of Fionn?” Daphne asks.
I never told her how I left him. I just said we said our goodbyes and he dropped me off. I don’t want to admit to her that I left him. She’ll never let it go and I’m already kicking myself because of it.
“I do miss him. But I only knew him for one night. And you saw him, I bet he never has to beg for a date.”
“Oh come on, I saw the way that man looked at you. And you told me the sex was off the charts.”
“Shush.” I laugh.
“Well, was it?”
“Yes.”
“Then we need to find him.”
“I don’t think we can. What am I supposed to do? Put a post out on the internet saying I’m looking for a Fionn who used to be a garda síochána in Galway, Ireland?” I laugh more.
“Well, we’ll go back to Ireland and to the station. I bet they’ll help us.”
“Did you get Conley’s number?”
“No. I was a pussy and I snuck out after he fell asleep.”
“Why?”
“Because. I didn’t want to feel more than what I already did.”
“You know it’s okay to fall in love again.”
Two years ago, Daphne lost the love of her life in a hiking accident. And since then, she’s never let herself fall for anyone else. She dates and stuff, but nothing serious. That makes me so sad for her, because she deserves to find another love. And I hope one day she’ll let someone in.
“If you believe in fate, and I know you do, I think you and Fionn will find each other.”
“Why do you always ignore me or change the subject? You deserve to be happy.”
“And so do you. Have I told you how proud I am of you? You’re starting your dream life and I love it for you.”
“Why don’t you join me? I know you’re not happy at the firm. Maybe you can get a job closer to Lake Renegade.”
“I think I’d like that. Do you think you have a job for me?”
“Of course. When do you want to start?”
“When you open? I wanted to tell you before, but I quit before we left for Ireland.”
“Holy shit! Well, let’s start our new adventure. Here’s to Espresso Joy.”
“Espresso Joy.” Daphne smiles at me.
By the time we get to Lake Renegade, it’s after 10 p.m. Most of the shops in town are closed.
It’s a good thing Daphne and I decided to pick up some fast food on our way to town.
We plan on eating and then sleeping. My apartment is over my new coffee shop and it’s a two bedroom, two bath.
It also has a nice little kitchen and living room.
It’s definitely big enough for Daphne and me to live in together.
“Today we’ll talk to Caitríona and make sure they’re okay with the two of us living here,” I say to Daphne as we get ready.
“Sounds good. If they’re not, I’ll find a place to rent.”
“I think they’ll be okay about it. They might charge us more. But that’s okay too.”
I’m so damn excited. This is a day I’ve dreamt of for so long and it’s finally here. One more day. Today is inventory and we’re doing a soft opening. Then, tomorrow is our grand opening.
“Are you ready for your grand opening tomorrow?”
“I am. I’m excited and scared. I worry that it won’t do well. But at the same time, I keep telling myself not to be afraid.” I take a deep breath as Daphne chuckles at me.
“Everyone’s going to love your shop. I know you’re going to do so well.” She hugs me. “Are your dad and siblings coming tomorrow?”
“Yeah, they said they’d come down for lunch. I told them they could get lunch at the bakery and the coffee from me.”
“I love how your coffee shop works with the bakery and cafe. It’s like this was all meant to be.” She smiles.
“Well, let’s go look at my new shop.”
We stop at Precious Risings Bakery & Cafe to talk to Caitríona and the others.
“Of course you can both stay in the apartment. It actually makes me feel better knowing you’re not there alone. Lake Renegade is a safe place, but we all still need to look out for each other.” Caitríona smiles at us.
“Thank you so much. I’m not sure what my plans are now. But Riley’s inspired me to want more. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a lawyer. But I want to do more, and while the company I worked for was good, it just wasn’t what I really wanted.”
“I always wonder if I’ll miss being a lawyer. But I figured I can always go back to it if I really want to. But I’m pretty sure I won’t want to.” I chuckle.
“We’re so happy you’re both here with us now. And we’re even more excited to show you your shop. Now remember, you can change anything you want. We put some things in there that we thought you’d like. But don’t feel like you have to keep it just because we did it,” Graínne says to me.
“Thank you so much for everything,” I say as we all pass through the connecting doors from the bakery to my coffee shop.
I’m in awe. The coffee shop is more than I imagined it could ever be. There are a couple of booths and several tables set up and there’s also a bar where people can sit. There’s a beautiful display case and my coffee machines are all lined up, ready to go. I sniffle as I look around.
“It’s beautiful. I don’t think it could be more perfect than this,” I say as I wipe my tears.
“We put the display here in case you wanted to have some food or pastries on this side. It’s a refrigerated case.
That way you can sell what we have too. I know we’re right next door, but sometimes it’s just easier for customers.
And if they want more, they can come see us.
Or you can have some of the sandwiches the cafe sells,” Rosaura says to me.
I turn and hug all three of them. I can’t believe they’re so generous.
“Are you ready for your soft opening?” Daphne smiles.
“Yes. Bring it on. The dream starts now.”
Fionn
áine and I have been in Lake Renegade for a day now. And all I can think about is Riley. I don’t even know where to start looking for her, but I will figure it out after I get things going with Salvatore. He’s the sheriff of Lake Renegade and my new boss.
I walk into the sheriff’s station and look around.
“Hi! Welcome to Lake Renegade Sheriff’s station. How can I help you?”
“Hey, I’m Fionn Kearney. I’m here to see Salvatore Mancini.”
“Oh! You’re our new deputy! I’m Lila Taylor. I run the front area here. Follow me, I’ll show you around. I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet last night. My daughter wasn’t feeling good so I had to stay home with her. But you met my husband, Hollis, and our sons.”
Last night we had a big family dinner and it’s still overwhelming, just how big our new family is.
“I did, your sons are some funny kids.”
“They are, but they can be a lot.” She laughs. “So this is where your desk is, a few of you share this area. That office there is Raven’s and Salvatore’s is next to hers. Then next to Sal’s is Nelson’s office. I’m not sure if you got to meet him yet.”
“No, I haven’t met Nelson, but I’ve heard about him. He ran against Sal for sheriff and after the elections decided to join the department, right?” I ask.
“Yup! He’s great, and his family loves it here. I’ll introduce you to him.”
Lila introduces me to Nelson and then knocks on Sal’s door.
“If you need anything, please let me know. I also do lunch orders around twelve for whoever wants me to order for them.”
“Thank you so much.” I smile as Salvatore opens his door. I follow him inside and sit down.
“Did you want to start today? If you want, you can wait a week and just settle in first.”
“I think I’d like to take a few days. Get my bearings around town and the surrounding area.”
“Sounds good. I actually have tomorrow off if you want to take a drive. And I’m sure more of the family will take you around too.”
“I’d appreciate that. You know what I really want right now? Pastries.” I laugh.
“Then let’s go to the bakery. The new coffee shop is doing their soft opening today. Tomorrow’s their grand opening.”
I watch Sal walk over to the wall and open a hatch in it.
“Baby, do you want to join Fionn and me? We’re going to the bakery.”
“Sure. I’ll be right out,” Raven replies.
“Wait. You have a hole in the wall to talk to your wife?” I laugh.
“No. He has a peephole to spy on me.” Raven laughs as she joins us.
Salvatore shrugs. “I miss my wife. It’s a good way to see her.”
“I still say you should’ve just taken the wall out,” Hugh Wilson says as he walks by, laughing.
I’m going to love working here. We get into Salvatore’s SUV and head to the bakery. We greet all the mamás and pick out our pastries.
“Sal was saying that a new coffee shop opened up?” I ask.
“Yes, Espresso Joy. That door there connects Riley’s shop to our cafe,” my antín tells me.
Riley. Fuck I miss my Riley. I head over through the cafe and into the coffee shop. There’s a little musical bell that goes off when I step through. I look around at the new coffee shop. It smells delicious and the decorations are awesome. I step up to the counter and wait for someone to come out.
“Riley?”