Page 24 of Beneath Pearly Irish Skies
While they weren’t talking about the kind of event she’d ever been to, she based it on what she knew. “Anywhere from thirty to fifty dollars for adults while children are somewhat cheaper. All inclusive. I could ask Kade about giving pony rides. People would like that, I’d think.” She knew he would help her in anything.
“They would.” Bets tapped her mouth. “The horse race will be harder to control since it requires us to secure a wider area of land.”
“I agree,” Donal repeated. “But we could try and cordon it off.”
“We would need a prize for the winner of the race,” Carrick said.
“People will donate,” Siobhan said. “The shoreline has been a preferred track.”
“I’ll talk to Killian about that,” Donal said. “He’s the best one around for such things.”
“So we’re having a country fair of sorts around a horse race,” Bets said, drawing the words out. “Food, drink, and music, with crafts for buying along with other items donated by the community. The horse race would be in the early afternoon, let’s say.”
“I can knit a bunch of items to sell along with Megan’s ceramics,” Siobhan said. “I’m sure a few other people in the village would donate things as well.”
“Agreed,” Bets said, holding up a fresh tea cake. “Now we only need to decide on when. Let me pull up the community calendar on my phone and see what’s already scheduled. The calendar is rather full up to mid-December.”
“So we do it on St. Stephen’s Day,” Siobhan said enthusiastically.
“When is that?” Megan asked as she and Angie shared a look.
“It’s the day after Christmas and has a grand tradition in Ireland,” Donal answered, “although not as strong perhaps as a few generations ago. You’ll hear it referred to as the Day of the Wren by some. While no one throws rocks at wrens anymore for causing bad luck—”
“Good God!” Megan said, shuddering.
“It’s a grand holiday for socializing, horse racing, and partying,” Donal continued. “In England, it’s called Boxing Day. No boxing though.”
“That always confused me,” Carrick said with a shake of his head.
“People will still have relatives visiting, and they will be longing for something to do with them,” Siobhan said.
Angie nudged her. “We will too. Mom and Dad will be here for the holidays and my wedding. God help us!”
Megan’s stomach burned. She loved their parents, but she didn’t want her mother to treat her like a baby—or her dad to call her one. “I’ll buy them tickets the moment they’re available,” she said, making Angie chuckle.
“A local St. Stephen’s fair would fit the bill nicely, I’d be thinking,” Donal said.
“It would also give us plenty of time to organize the event,” Angie said, her mouth tight. “Which is good. Especially since Carrick and I are getting married on New Year’s Day.”
Days after this fair…
“It’s going to be a grand wedding, Yank,” Carrick said, taking her hand. “You’ll have plenty on your plate.”
Everyone was assuming Angie would head things up like usual. Her sister was experienced, sure, but she had a lot going on. Maybe too much. This was the perfect time for Megan to show she was on a new path and that Angie didn’t have to do everything.
“I can organize the fair,” she said brightly.
The whole room stared at her. Angie might have blinked.
Bets waved her finger in the air as if getting used to the idea. “Itwouldbe a great way for you to get to know the community better, and they you. I’ll be buried with this grant application.”
Donal shot her a look Megan didn’t understand. Bets, in turn, rose from the settee and came over to stand beside her.
“Are you sure you want to lead this, Meg?” Angie asked. “I only ask since I know you have a lot going on too.”
Keeping busy would keep her focused, and that meant moving forward. With her life. With her son. And hopefully with Kade. “It will be good for me.”
Angie nodded. “You’ll do great, and we’ll be here to help when you need anything. I have templates from past community events you can use as guides. Although I’ve never raised money with a horse race.”
