Page 101 of Beneath Pearly Irish Skies
He was chuckling as he took one last glance inside. Bets was walking around with his mother and Siobhan, making final arrangements with the other stalls. The baked goods made his mouth water. He’d have to send Ollie back to buy some fairy cakes and perhaps some of the scones he spotted on the front table. Later, he would browse the cake table, if there were any left. Today might be a day to end with cake.
After all, he and Megan were going to join the race.
Ollie brought Kade updates and treats while he and his friends gave pony rides. “Mom’s pottery was selling like crazy,” Ollie said, stuffing a fairy cake with white icing in his mouth. After the initial rush of kids, Carrick told Kade to take a break and go see how his woman was faring. He would do the same with Angie once Kade returned.
The shed was buzzing with people when he returned. Eoghan was chatting with Cormac O’Sullivan, keeper of the bets, who lit up when he spotted him.
“I heard you and your girl were entering the race.” His bushy gray eyebrows rose to his thin hairline. “Are you planning on trying to win or is this only a recreational ride with your lady?”
Everyone knew he could ride—maybe even win if he had a mind to. “I only want to ride with my fiancée.”
“The people of Caisleán are going to be disappointed yet again.” Cormac made a clucking sound. “Maybe someday St. Kade will race for good. Any bet on whether it will be your father or your sister to cross the finish line first?”
He felt his mouth curve. “No bet, Cormac. I’ll see you later at the race.”
“Your bet could send people over the edge,” Cormac called after him.
Kade imagined it could. But right now, he’d say the race was too close to call. After all, he’d been watching his sister practice. Although she’d be riding a horse other than Legend today, he had no doubt she’d be fast.
When he finally wandered over to Megan’s booth after being intercepted by several people he knew, he couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Half her stock was gone.
“Kade! It’s been crazy here. People love my work. I’ve sold much more than I thought I would.”
“And it’s only noon,” he said, tapping his wristwatch.
“I even found out who made my favorite Irish pitcher,” she said, putting her hands to her cheeks. “I thought I’d set it out with a note asking if anyone knew the artist. A woman from Inniscrone said it was done by her cousin who has since passed. Her name was Niamh, and she was trained by a potter in Dublin. Isn’t that lovely?”
“It’s so lovely, and you know what else is?” He set his hands on the front table between her mugs and bowls and leaned in to kiss her, wanting to share in her joy.
She looked around for a moment and then laughed. “I don’t know why I’m embarrassed. We’re engaged.”
Her mouth pressed into his again, and he heard a cough behind him. He turned, doing his best not to frown at the sight of her father. His bearing was so rigid Kade wondered if he ever relaxed it. In the past few days, he’d done his best to keep an open mind about Megan’s father, only to find there was nothing much about the man that he liked.
“Megan, your mother said your pots are selling well. Pick out a big mug for me, and I’ll buy it.”
Some of the light in her eyes dimmed. “Okay. Sure.”
“Kade, while she’s doing that, there’s something I’d like to speak to you about.” Dan started to walk away, making it apparent their talk wasn’t to be in front of Megan, and Kade pushed back a spurt of frustration.
“I’ll see you at the shed a half hour before the race. Have fun, love. This is a grand moment for you.”
She nodded, her eyes brimming with good humor again. “Have fun with the kids.”
He nodded and strode over to her father, who’d left the tent. “You wanted to speak with me?”
Dan’s mouth twisted. “My wife just told me it was your idea to have Megan enter the horse race. I don’t think that’s wise, do you?”
Obviously he did, but he strove for patience. “I’ll be with her every step of the way if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Worried?” He scoffed. “Son, I don’t worry. I solve problems. I mitigate risk. My daughter isn’t a good enough rider to enter a horse race. She certainly has no chance of winning one. You putting ideas into her head is only going to lead to someone getting hurt.”
Kade met his hard gaze straight on. “I grew up here, and I’ve been to country races my whole life. Each one features riders of all levels. We’re not entering to win. We’re entering because it’s going to be fun.”
Dan put his hands on his hips. “Fun? Son, a horse race is a serious proposition. We have the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, and it’s all about winning. Fooling my daughter into believing she’s a good rider only does her a disservice. Worse, it will embarrass her.”
Kade bit the inside of his cheek before saying, “I’m a good judge of horses and riders. Ask anyone. Megan is more than able to race. She certainly won’t be embarrassed. You have my word on that.”
He strode off, anger bubbling up inside him like stew in a pot. Not even the lively music from the band whose performance he’d helped arrange could lighten his mood. With effort, he calmed himself down as he walked back to the pony riding area.
