Chapter 14
QUINN
Quinn walks in and it’s like quenching a thirst. It’s barely been two days, but I can’t wait to hold her in my arms again.
As she comes closer, she looks troubled.
I hope it’s not the look of regret. Before she can give me the kiss-off speech, I’m going to tell her how I feel. “We should talk about the other night.”
She waves a hand in the air. “What’s there to talk about? We got caught up in the moment. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
It’s not exactly a kiss-off, but she’s not agreeing we have a connection, either.
I’m not about to let her off that easy. We do have something special and I won’t minimize it.
“It was more than that and you know it. You and I have a bond that can’t be denied.
I told you the other night, it’s fate. Just like our grandparents.
Except our story is going to turn out differently. ”
“Is it? How do you know?”
I thump the left side of my chest with my fist. “I feel it. In here.”
She doesn’t deny it, but she changes the subject to what’s bothering her. “There’s something else we need to talk about. Darren Kennedy. He threatened me after I refused to sign an exclusive contract with him.”
My blood starts to boil with rage. “Threatened you? Oh, hell no. What did he say?”
“It’s what he didn’t say. All the things that have been happening to Kavanaugh’s and to your place—he’s behind it, I know he is. I just don’t know why.”
“I think you’re right. I’m not sure about his motivations, either, other than he had beef with my dad and I think he was trying to get with you. But my dad’s been gone a long time and he never actually asked you out, did he?”
I hold my breath for that answer. I’m not normally a jealous guy, but I don’t want that asshole getting in the way of our destiny.
She shakes her head decisively. “No. And I would have turned him down for sure.”
My brow wrinkles in thought. “There’s got to be more to this. And I’m going to figure this out if it kills me. I’ll start by paying a visit to the town hall so they can tell me why the hell we don’t have the event permits in our hands yet.”
“Good idea. I’ll come with you.”
If I run into Darren there, I can’t promise I won’t beat the shit out of him, and I don’t necessarily want Quinn to see me going full-on alpha male. “We should probably divide and conquer. While I’m working on that end, maybe you can track down some of our missing festival supplies.”
Just then, my cell rings. “Gramma. Is everything okay?” I typically have a moment of panic when I get an unexpected call from my grandmother, given her age.
“I’m fine, hun. I want you to come see me. And bring Quinn Kavanaugh.”
I look at Quinn as I respond, to gauge her reaction. “You want me to bring Quinn to see you?”
Quinn’s jaw drops in shock. And I suspect Gramma knows that we spent the night together. I have no idea how she knows. I’ll just chalk it up to Irish grandmother intuition.
As we walk down the alley toward Gramma’s apartment, Quinn expresses her nervousness.
“I feel like I know your grandmother through her pictures and letters, but in reality, I’m meeting her for the first time today.”
I take her hand and give it a squeeze. I’m not sure why she wants us to come over, but I am sure she’s going to love you. Just like she loved your grandfather.”
When we arrive at her apartment, I try to see it through Quinn’s eyes.
My Gramma keeps it like a shrine to our homeland.
Irish music plays softly in the background.
The aromas of tea and fresh scones greet us in warm welcome.
She immediately comes over to Quinn and leans up to give her a kiss on the cheek.
“Quinn, my dear, I asked Kane to bring you over because I want to show you both some things.”
She leads us to her kitchen table where the tea and scones await, along with her memory box.
As we sit together sipping tea and nibbling on the scones—actually Quinn and Gramma are doing the sipping and nibbling—Gramma shares stories of her younger days.
I learned a long time ago it’s best to let Gramma take her sweet time getting to her point.
I watch Quinn’s face as she listens intently, seemingly enthralled with the romanticism of it all.
When Gramma starts talking about the plans that she and Connor had made, she pauses for dramatic effect, then drops a bombshell.
“After eloping, Connor and I dreamed that we would eventually combine the two pubs into one family business. I would love to see that happen before I die.”
All day today I’ve been waiting for the Friday the Thirteenth curse to rear its ugly head.
And it just arrived in the form of the Lee County health inspector.
Again. What the hell? The timing couldn’t be any worse, and in my mind, it’s no coincidence that both Kavanaugh’s and my pub have been hit with so-called random inspections.
Also, we still don’t have the event permits, so I’m not waiting any longer.
I’m heading over to the town hall to get to the bottom of everything right now.
I walk down Seabreeze Avenue toward the town hall building with purpose.
Although I’m on a mission, I still take notice of all the shops and businesses along our downtown main street bursting with small town and Irish festival pride.
Coastal Couture. The Bean she’s just doing her job.
I already know it’s no coincidence that both pubs were hit by random health department inspections.
But I need to find some solid proof of Darren Kennedy’s involvement.
I thank her and exit the building. On the walk back to the pub, I formulate a plan.
Within an hour, I call an emergency meeting of the Pelican Point business council.
Quinn and I enter the town hall with several witnesses: Gramma; her long-time friend Mrs. Reilly; Desirae Anginelli, current owner of the historic Reilly building just down the block from the pubs; and Emma Murphy-Dawson, attorney-at-law.
The mayor calls the meeting to order.
“Kane, Quinn, tell us why we’re here. Is there an issue with the festival that needs to be resolved?”
I look at Quinn, who gives me the nod to start.
“Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Actually, there are a number of issues we’d like to bring to everyone’s attention.
Ever since you asked that Quinn Kavanaugh take charge of the festival, it seems her pub has been the target of random health inspections, suspicious equipment failures, missing deliveries, and delays in receiving permits.
You asked me to partner with Quinn and my pub has also been subjected to some of the same issues. ”
The mayor looks shocked. “You’re telling me we’re less than a week out from the festival and you don’t have permits?”
“That’s right, sir. When I came down here earlier to inquire about the hold-up, I was told that it was by order of the health department, although I’m pretty sure Quinn and I both have cleared all of the violations cited in our inspections.
Either way, I fail to see the connection between issues within our businesses and the festival.
None of the activities are taking place inside the pubs. ”
The mayor turns to Quinn. “Do you have anything to add?”
“Yes, sir. I regret that I need to speak against a fellow council member, but I think everyone here should be aware of the business practices of Darren Kennedy. He has repeatedly pressured me to sign a contract with him to supply my taps. His insistence and persistence has bordered on predatory and unprofessional. This also has been going on since you named me as the lead for the festival.”
Darren’s face reddens and he begins sputtering excuses. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. All I did was present a contract to you that I had discussed with your grandfather before he passed. I don’t know what that has to do with your failure to do your job as festival planner.”
Quinn doesn’t take the bait, maintaining the highest degree of professionalism.
“I’m not here to discuss your business practices or mine, Mr. Kennedy.
I’m here to seek assistance from the Mayor and the business council as to how to ensure the festival has all of the approvals to move forward for a successful event that the citizens of Pelican Point can enjoy and be proud of. ”
Darren looks like he’s literally about to explode. “What the citizens of Pelican Point need is more successful business infrastructure. We need to modernize, attract big business, and stop wasting our money supporting old pubs that should have been bulldozed long ago.”
There’s a collective gasp from around the room as Darren reveals his true intentions. The mayor calls for order within the room.
“It appears that Kane and Quinn are correct in their assumptions about you, Darren. Your actions, while impacting the festival, aren’t about the festival at all.
You’re seeking to interfere with two longstanding businesses to further your own interests.
I find that appalling. As mayor, it is within my authority to remove you from the business council. You are dismissed.”
If looks could kill, we’d all be dead at the hands of Darren Kennedy. As he gathers his things and leaves the room, his glare is firmly fixed on Quinn and me.
“You’ll regret this. You haven’t seen the last of me.”