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“How about a slice of quiche? It will be ready in a couple of minutes. You can tell me what you think. I’m thinking of having it as a special.”
“Is that what smells so good?” She sniffed the comforting, warm air. It carried a scent that only came from cooking. And Keefe’s quiche was nothing but butter, cream, silky eggs, flaky pastry, and melty cheese.
Calories upon sinful, melty calories.
You bet that would do the trick!
While Keefe put away the groceries, Sophie poured herself a glass of water then fell onto the stool at the counter and took the aspirin.
Once he was finished and his kitchen was once again pristine, Keefe fetched a bottle of Coke from the fridge and perched himself beside his sister, nudging her shoulder. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” Knowing the caffeine would help, he poured some of the soda into her empty glass. “You’ve been off for days now. Did something happen with Liam?”
She gave a weak smile at her brother’s thoughtfulness but she certainly wasn’t ready to tell him what was truly bothering her, but she could share the second thing on her mind and, with a clear conscious, know she hadn’t lied to her brother.
After taking a drink, she tossed her hand in the air and with a sigh said, “I still haven’t found a waitress. Only three girls answered the ad so far—one was far too young, and the other rejected the job. Said she didn’t like the idea of working for an American.”
Keefe snorted. “Well, that’s a new one. What did she think you would do? Make her pledge allegiance to the stars and stripes before every shift?”
“Apparently, my mere presence was offensive enough,” Sophie muttered, grabbing an apple from the bowl beside her and taking a fierce bite. “I’ve been advertising that position for weeks. At this point, I’d hire a ghost if it could carry a tray.”
“Did you explain our family?”
“I did, and she looked at me like I had four heads.”
Keefe shook his head. Some people… “What about the third girl?”
“Never even showed up for the interview.”
Keefe sighed. “Well, maybe we’ll get lucky and someone desperate will wander in.”
As if on cue, a knock sounded at the back door.
“Who could that be?”
“Maybe Liam is stopping by? I haven’t seen him around in a week at least. Where’s he been hiding?”
Sophie said nothing, but something in her eyes changed, which made Keefe suspicious. But now was not the time, so he went and answered the door. “Ginny?” Keefe said, astonished.
“Hi there, Keefe!”
Sophie blinked as she turned toward the door. Ginny, the sweet Southern tourist, stood on the step, smiling brightly.
“Come in, come in,” Keefe said, waving her inside. “We never thought we’d see you again. What are you up to?”
“My is it windy out there!” Ginny smoothed her hair and made a very conscience effort to keep the explanation of her presence brief. “Well, you see, I got off the bus from that tour and well, I just felt so cheated. So, with the help of Benjamin?—”
“The tour guide?” asked Sophie.
“That’s right. He helped me rent a car and taught me how to drive on the left—who knew you just have to hug that middle line—and so I’ve been here ever since driving around and seeing Ireland for myself. On that awful tour, the people all had their stupid phones in the air, taking pictures and blocking the view most of the time. I hardly saw anything! But Ireland’s been like nothing I’ve ever seen! There’s such an, I don’t know, almost sacred, melancholy beauty here, don’t you think?” Without waiting for a reply, she continued. “And then I asked myself why am I in such a hurry to leave such a beautiful place? And you guys were just so nice and I felt so at home here. There are just no words.”
“That’s really nice, Ginny. I’m glad that you’re finally enjoying your vacation.” Sweet and darling as Ginny was, Sophie had a whacking headache, and both her and Keefe had a lot of work to do so this conversation of ‘no words’ needed to move a little faster. “What can we do for you?” asked Sophie.
“Oh! I’m sorry. Silly me! I wondered, if maybe that job was still open?”
Sophie stood up straight and nearly pounced on Ginny. “The waitressing job? Yes! Why? Are you saying you’ll take it?”
Keefe laid a hand on Sophie’s shoulder. She had reacted a little too eagerly and Ginny had taken a small step backward. “Yes, it’s still open. Ginny, the job is yours if you want it,” he said.
“Well, I don’t really know how long I can stay. I kind of ran away from my life but, yes, I do. If you’ll have me.”
