Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Rachel refilled the station with the items from the kids. The cards were selling faster than she could put them out. Two women were fighting over the last Babygirl card until she let them know she had more in the back.
Because Rachel didn’t know everyone invited to the soft opening, she didn’t know if they’d been invited or possibly walked in when they saw the open sign.
She and Gunner had said that if it looked like more people were coming than they’d anticipated, he’d put a brother at the door to keep their numbers under capacity for fire code.
When Rachel walked into the office, the Franks sisters were in there discussing something.
“Everything okay?” Rachel asked.
“I hope so. I really, really hope I didn’t mess up the soft opening,” Jesse said.
“Well, it’s too late now. We’ll deal with any consequences,” Remi said, shrugging her shoulders.
“I had no idea that Dad would refuse to talk with me about it. I didn’t even get a chance to tell him what I’d done before he stormed out of the room,” Jesse said.
“Can I butt in?” Rachel asked.
“Of course, and you don’t need to ask. Not only are we using your office but trust me, everyone butts into everything in Bluff Creek,” Beth said.
“Your dad is one of the nicest men I’ve ever met. He might have been mad when you asked because it brought up bad memories. I bet when they get here, he’ll come around,” Rachel said.
She hoped that was what happened. The Franks sisters had been so nice, and she wanted this to be a good experience for them. New cousins sounded exciting.
“Hey, sunshine, you ladies need to get out here. I believe the SUV with five women and three kids that just parked across the street are your special guests,” Bear said, smirking at Winnie.
“Well, let’s go face the music, ladies. If anything bad happens, we’ll pay to fix everything,” Sarah promised.
Rachel hurried out. She was not missing a minute of this.
She caught Gunner’s gaze and motioned toward the women walking toward the building.
A tall brunette was in a taupe pantsuit and matching heels.
All the women looked very put together except for one who was in overalls similar to Rachel’s.
She also skipped in front of the pantsuit woman with a huge smile on her face.
Locks had arrived while she’d been chatting with the girls. Rachel couldn’t hear what the Franks sisters said to the cousins as they walked in. Too many people chatting and the coffee machines were loud.
There were three younger girls with the five older ones. Rachel guessed they were triplets because she couldn’t tell any difference between them. Jesse talked with them, pointing at Locks. The three grinned, walking over, and Rachel strained to hear what they said.
“Are you our Great-Uncle Noah?” one asked.
Locks stared at them. Gunner leaned close. “Noah is Locks’ given name,” he said softly.
“I guess I might be. Is your grandfather Aaron Franks?” Locks asked, his voice shaking.
“Yes, but you look a little kinder because you’re smiling,” one of them said.
“Beck, that’s inappropriate,” one of the women said. She walked toward Locks, holding out her hand. “This is Beck, Taylor, and Regan, my daughters. I’m the youngest, Naomi,” she said.
“Pleased to meet you. Two sets of triplets?” Locks asked, staring at the other sisters who’d walked in. Now that Locks mentioned it, Rachel could see the three were triplets, though their hair color and cut were all different, as was their hairstyle.
Jesse led everyone over. “Dad, I’d like you to meet Tori, who is the oldest. AJ is next, then the triplets are Lilah, Chloe, and Naomi.”
Rachel wondered what all Locks was thinking. He nodded, stood up a little straighter.
“Seems like we’ve got some Franks cousins to get to know better. You all have a place to stay tonight? My wife, Hope, and I have plenty of rooms at the house,” Locks offered.
“I have an extra bedroom at my house,” Beth chimed in.
“Me too,” Sarah said.
“We’d planned on staying in Dodge City, but if you have room for us here, I’d love the chance to get to know you. When Jesse contacted us, we had no idea our dad had a brother,” Tori said.
Locks chuckled. “I’m not surprised. He didn’t exactly approve of my life or the position my wife occupied in our bail bonds company.
He cut all ties and I was a hothead. I got mad that he didn’t think I was good enough and decided to never contact him.
Prideful, I know. Let’s get you ladies some snacks because Broken Hearts Brewing has some amazing food.
Do you like to read? I’d love to buy you some books because isn’t that what Great-Uncles do? ” Locks said.
His words seemed to relax everyone, and in minutes, they had pushed a couple of tables together and were all eating.
Rachel really wished she could go sit close to listen, but duty called. She gave Gunner a kiss on the cheek before hurrying to Clara and Faith over by the cats.
“Are these going to be available all the time?” Faith asked.
“Yes, as long as I can keep them in stock. Why do you ask?” Rachel said.
“Well, I love the names and the idea of gift boxes. I can see using these as teacher gifts or friend gifts even for girls Deborah’s age. If they’d be available, I was going to start making my list,” Faith said.
“Yes. For now, they are only available in the shop, but we’re going to add shipping so that people can buy them for gifts. We’ll have a Broken Hearts Brewing box that will include a book and one of the cats, possibly a coffee mug,” Rachel said.
“You have done a fantastic job. I’m so happy you came to Bluff Creek. I consider you family, so get ready for me to spoil my new grandkids,” Regina said.
Rachel giggled. “You mean that hadn’t started yet with all the deliveries we received?”
“Oh, that was just the start. Let me know if you need anything. I’m going to go tell the kids how much I love the cards they made,” Regina said.
Rachel left Faith picking out cats. Rachel had left some in the back room for their actual opening day but just from seeing how many were being sold, she’d need to get started making some more.
She was ecstatic everything was going so well.
Tomorrow evening was their restocking time before they opened for good, bright and early Valentine’s morning.
Gunner had made heart cookies with a ribbon on them with Broken Hearts Brewing’s name.
Rachel was glad he’d put some in the freezer to keep because they were addictive, and she couldn’t leave them alone.