“Excuse me?”
“If Siena has a baby, I’m GiGi. You get your own name.”
“I’ll go by grandma. There was a minute there I didn’t think I’d make it that far. Now, call me grandma, or Old Lady Viv, whatever, all day long.”
Goldie squeezed her arm, and they perused Siena’s latest displays.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Siena
Siena and Cole closed just before sunset. They’d greeted dozens of customers on the sidewalk, helped tons more in the store. Country star, River Ann, the River Ann, walked in before her show and bought the entire set up Siena had on display for her own bedroom.
“I’ve got a new place over on Devils Lake I’d love to have you over, get some ideas on how to make it look pretty,” River Ann had asked.
They made a date and River Ann left to get ready for her part of the concert.
But things had died down as the music pumped up. Cole helped her close and they were there at the gazebo just in time for Aunt Libby’s big dedication.
Cole and Siena held hands and found their way to the cadre of aunts in attendance. Siena looked around, but still no Aunt J.J. She had been scarce, it was understandable, but it still had all the aunts fretting.
River Ann, stepped back from the microphone so Aunt Libby could step forward. She thanked River Ann and Burgundy Four for donating their time to help raise money for Irish Hills. There was a huge round of applause for that.
“Today, we’re also here to honor the three lives lost to the devastating tornado. We all knew Dean Tucker, and because of his hard work, many of the buildings you see here are still standing. The gazebo, though damaged, is looking pretty good, don’t you think?” Libby said.
The crowd clapped, and Libby was right. The gazebo was one of the first things to look back to normal in the days after the twister.
The idea to name it for Dean was a no-brainer. Siena watched as they revealed a brass plaque:Dean Tucker Gazebo, in memory of a man whose strength will live on in the very foundation of Irish Hills.
Siena teared up. Cole put an arm around her and gave her shoulders a comforting little squeeze.
Libby talked about the dedication of Clyde Brubaker to the recent improvements at the Irish Hills Golf Club and let folks know the golf club was still considering the best way to honor him going forward.
And then it was time for the Barton Family. Their business had been wiped out. Gone. But more than that, their patriarch, Ned Barton, had died. He was Alison’s great uncle, Siena had learned. It was a small town, and there were several people related to Ned trying to pick up the pieces. Alison said everyone loved her Uncle Ned, though she secretly complained that he was always grumpy.
Ned’s son Randy Barton had moved away years ago but was in town to handle his dad’s affairs. Aunt Libby introduced Randy, and he took a moment at the microphone.
“I’m grateful to see all of you, old friends. On behalf of the entire Barton clan, I’m just thankful for all the nice things you’ve said. Over the years, my dad had met every single person in this county, I think.”
Ned Barton had been 88 and around longer than anyone save Aunt Emma.
“As you know, the grocery store was a mainstay, a tradition, really the heart here in Irish Hills. And we know it’s been a lot of people pulling together to go shop in Adrian and to help stock Arrow’s. We just know it’s not the same without the store.”
“We loved your dad,” Libby said and patted Randy on the arm.
Siena knew there was a lot more going on behind the scenes. Libby was doing all she could to help the Barton Family see the wisdom of rebuilding. Irish Hills needed a full-service grocery store, that was without question.
Siena was confident Libby would figure it out but was also glad all she had to worry about was her own store, not the entire future of Irish Hills. Libby Quinn had the weight of the world on her shoulders a lot of the time.
Libby stepped forward. It seemed like Randy was done with his remarks. But then he continued. Libby took a step back out of respect.
“So now, I want to thank someone else. He’s come in, and he’s going to be sure that the town has a proper grocery. I know my dad would be thrilled to know that his legacy will live on. The Barton Family would like to thank Stone Stirling and announce that he’s agreed to step in and build where our store used to stand. Irish Hills will have a grocery store, bigger and better than ever, but also a true tribute to my dad.”
There was a smattering of clapping, but most people just looked at one another, and a low hum of conversation rippled over the crowd.
“What are you talking about?” Libby was as surprised as anyone in the audience. She was standing close enough to the microphone that it broadcasted her shock to the entire crowd. Loud and clear.
“The family has just completed a deal with Stone Stirling! Isn’t that great?”
