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“Ahem.” Riain clears his throat from where he’s standing at the edge of the kitchen. “Kailu, Da needs you in the back.”
Kailu gives me a shameless grin, another bow sending pieces of hair that have loosed from their band skimming across his forehead as if they’d been posed, and spins around to take my dish back to the kitchen.
“He’s new,” Riain explains with a smirk. “And very, very seventeen. Every day is an audition.” He shakes his head in dismay, but his smile holds the amused tolerance I’ve seen people grant toddlers and naughty puppies at the park.
“But Ma does have a slice of apple cake with your name on it if you’re up for it.”
I have to decline. “I’m so full. The Colcannon was delicious!” Normally, that would be as far as I was comfortable taking the interaction. I’m working on inviting more communication, so I add on, “I saw a photo of that cake on the menu, and it looked amazing! I’m feeling a little sad I didn’t save room for it.”
"It is delicious!" Riain claims. You're going to regret not getting it!""
The moms across the room are putting on their coats now and heading for the door, and I hadn’t caught the name of the school. I don’t think I can catch them since I haven’t even paid yet.
While Riain takes my credit card, his Ma ambles around the corner with a to go bag and places it in front of me. “Here’s a piece of apple cake for you,” she whispers. “Don’t tell my lad over there.”
I give her an answering grin. “I was just saying I wished I had room for some. Thank you so much.”
I hesitate, but then decide to go for it. “Mrs. Kelley, I don’t want to seem like a stalker, but I overhead the ladies by the door talking about an opening at their kid’s school coming up. Do you happen to know which school?”
Mrs. Kelley looks up just as the women disappear out the door. “I’m not sure which school, but I know their babes are still little. It would have to be a pre-school. That should narrow your search. Are you looking for work?”
“I am,” I tell her. “I haven’t really settled in yet, but it seems like a good opportunity.”
“You like babies?” she asks me.
“I do. My field of education is child psychology, but I’d rather provide support before they need a therapist!”
Her face softens and she reaches out to clasp my hands. “I knew you were a good Sidhe when I felt your rhythm,” she whispers even lower. “I can always spot them.”
She is the sweetest! I laugh and shake my head. “I don’t have a magical bone in my body, but I am trying to put some good back into the world in return for the help I’ve received.”
Riain returns with my card and receipt, and scolds his mom for harassing the patrons. She tells him to mind the bar and leave her be, but she gives his arm a gentle squeeze as she turns back.
“Did you tell her I really wanted a piece of the cake?” I ask him even though I can’t imagine when he would’ve.
“No, Little Fey. She says she just knows when someone needs something extra. Since I've been back, she’s been right every time.” He shrugs. “What can I say?”
I hold my card back to him. “You can make it a separate charge.”
“Oh, no.” He backs away with his hands up. “I’m not messing with Ma’s gifts. I don’t want to be on her bad side!” He chuckles, but he also seems very serious about not crossing his mom.
“Okay then. As long as you’re sure.”
“Just accept her gift and come back in when you can.” He tells me. “Welcome to town and good luck with finding that position.”
I step out into what the news said was the last cold spell of the year smiling. I love this town already!
Chapter 18
~~ James ~~
It’s been more than a week now, and I still feel like something is missing. I’ve pushed papers around at work, read half of my book, done laundry twice, worked out in the garage, made dinosaur chicken nuggets, played dress up with Emilie and Becca, and binge-watched a new crime show.
I’ve made myself stay busy, but every second I stand still, I’m listening for Lorelai. I think I feel her once in the kitchen, and I freeze for a second hoping for her soft presence working in sync with my shadow. I turn to look, and of course there’s no one there.
Trev picked both girls up from school today for Emilie's mid-week visit, so I picked up a sandwich from Coral’s Diner and came home with the intention of clearing some boxes out of the garage.
I’ve been putting it off because I know they hold memories of some of the years I spent with Naomi. I’d been angry when I first threw whatever was left of our life into boxes. Once I moved past that anger, it was too painful to remind myself of what I’d lost. And after she passed, I‘d been too busy helping Trevor cope with the loss of her and both of us adjusting to single fatherhood. It’s been a long road.
