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“Yes, everything’s fine. I’m just taking Izzy out on a date.”
His brows climb. “I’m sorry, am I speaking with Keegan O’Callaghan? My second eldest son?”
I laugh and reach for a bottle of orange juice, then pour myself a glass. “One and the same, yes.”
“This is unusual for you.”
“If you’d rather not cover the shift, I can ask Shawn to do it.”
“I didn’t say that, did I?” He crosses his arms and watches me. “I like her.”
I take a sip of juice. “I do, too.”
“She has a backbone and an honest face. And she’s kind.”
“She is those things,” I agree. “But don’t go marrying us off quite yet, old man. This is just a date.”
“If you’re taking the evening away from the pub to court her, I’d say it’s not just anything at all. But I’ll mind my own. Your mother likes her, too, in case you were wondering.”
“Ma likes everyone.”
“Oh, she had some choice words to say last night about Izzy’s ma, I’ll tell you that. And, no, she doesn’t like everyone when it comes to her children. She really didn’t like that girl you dated in high school. What was her name?”
“You know her name was Amber. And, yes, I remember that Ma didn’t like her.”
“Do you have something special planned for tonight?”
“Dinner. The weather’s been nice, so maybe a picnic.”
“Well, enjoy yourself.”
“You’re not going to tell me that it’s a bad idea to date an employee?”
He shakes his head. “I was married to my employee the entire time I ran this business, and we did just fine. You’re a smart man with a good head on his shoulders.”
I can smell the apple muffins baking in the kitchen, and my stomach growls.
“Are you going to stay for muffins?”
“Of course. Let’s go see how much longer they have to bake.”
* * *
I haven’t been nervous about picking up a date since I was in high school. And if anyone asked, I’d say I’m not nervous now. That’s just ridiculous.
I rub my hands down my jeans’ legs after I cut the truck’s engine and take a deep breath. The flowers on the seat next to me are fresh and smell great as I pick them up and get out of the vehicle to walk up to Maggie’s door.
Someone flings it open before I can knock, and my baby sister stands before me with a smug grin on her lips.
“For me? You shouldn’t have.”
“You’re a pain in my arse.”
“I’ve been doing the Lord’s work since 1994.” She winks and opens the door wide so I can step inside. Izzy is just making her way down the stairs.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
Thank Christ she doesn’t wear this sort of outfit at the pub. I’d never be able to hold a conversation with a customer or remember an order again.
She’s in a simple summer dress, but it’s red, has the tiniest hint of straps on her shoulders, and flows to mid-thigh.
My fingers itch to brush her skin there, and under the skirt, leading to the glories that lie beneath.
“He’s speechless,” Maggie says with a laugh. “That doesn’t happen often.”
“And that’s the truth of it,” I agree without any embarrassment at all. “I brought these for you.”
“Oh, how pretty. Thank you.” Izzy buries her nose in the pink roses and sniffs them delicately. “I’ll just put them in some water.”
“I can do that,” Maggie interrupts. “You two go have fun. I won’t even tease Keegan anymore.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Well, anymore today,” she amends and disappears into the kitchen with Izzy’s flowers.
“Shall we go?” I hold out my hand for Izzy’s.
“Absolutely.” She slips her hand into mine. I lead her out to the truck and open the door for her. Within just a few minutes, we’re driving away from Maggie’s house. “It smells really good in here.”
“I brought dinner with me. I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving.”
“You look beautiful.”
She turns that bright smile on me, and I feel my breath catch. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, no woman has ever tied me up in knots like this one does.
I pull into a parking space and turn to Izzy. “Wait for me.”
“Okay.”
I hop out of the truck, retrieve the basket from the backseat, and then circle the hood to open the door for my date.
“This is a gorgeous spot,” she says as I help her down and lead her over the grass toward the cliffs that look out over the Pacific Ocean.
“It’s a place I come to when I need to clear my head,” I admit and set the basket on a picnic table. “Lucky for us the breeze isn’t too bad today.”
“I’ve noticed it gets pretty windy here,” she observes and sits on the bench across from me. “It’s because of the ocean.”
“It is, yes. And in the winter, it can cut right through you. But it’s a lovely day today, and I thought we could enjoy the fresh air—and your tacos.”
