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Chapter Eighteen
As had become customary when Plum was able to make coffee hour, Mrs. Symes dragged her away to help in the kitchen. Gideon was occupied by catching up with his parishioners, and making plans with the youth group and bible study leaders.
He was delighted to see Plum talking and laughing with the women who organized the refreshments each week. It was perhaps old-fashioned to not have any men on that particular committee but the older women who’d been in charge of it for years guarded their hostess duties jealously. Gideon had some concerns about how his congregation might feel about him marrying a woman like Plum but if the hostess committee liked her, then maybe it wouldn’t be as controversial as he thought. No one dared cross those women.
After finishing a conversation with one of his youth group leaders about a plan to have a presence at the next Clover City Pride parade, he turned to find one of his favorite couples. Arthur Tyndall and his wife Saoirse Sullivan were in regular attendance at All Saints, but Gideon saw them more often than at services because they were also members at Hive.
Both well-respected attorneys, they did a lot for the church, volunteering their time and expertise. A power couple right there, although they had also caused some scandal when they’d gotten together because Arthur was Saoirse’s former stepfather. And most people didn’t even know he was her daddy.
In contrast to Plum’s foul-mouthed and bratty middle, Saoirse was generally a very sweet and obedient much younger little. Although he’d had the privilege of playing school girl games with Saoirse and Arthur as a couple since they enjoyed that too.
“Arthur, Saoirse, so good to see you. I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to talk much lately.”
Not only had Saoirse and Arthur left with a wave after services for the past couple of months, but Gideon hadn’t been to Hive since he’d started seeing Plum. Judging by Arthur’s smirk, the other man knew it.
The older man shook his hand, and Saoirse gave him a shy wave without letting go of her daddy’s hand. It was a mark of how comfortable she was here that she let herself be more of a little. Though when they had board meetings and Saoirse was there in a professional capacity she was fully brilliant Attorney Saoirse and was not to be trifled with.
“I’ve heard a rumor there might be a reason for that,” Arthur remarked.
Gideon perhaps flushed, heat creeping up the back of his neck. Not because he was embarrassed by Plum—he wanted to shout that she was his from the bell tower for fuck’s sake—but it was telling of how preoccupied he’d become with her. He knew Arthur had to have heard that from Ian Galbraith—one of the owners of Hive—instead of himself. And Ian only knew because he’d called to see if Gideon was okay since he had been up until recently a twice-weekly fixture at the club.
“Yes, actually. And she’s here now.”
Saoirse’s big blue eyes widened and she bounced on her toes. “Oh, can we meet her? I want to meet her. Please, Father?”
“I’d love to introduce you. She’s helping out in the kitchen, but let me see if she can be spared for a few minutes.”
He strode toward the kitchen and leaned into the open service window to where Plum and Mrs. Symes were slicing up strawberries to refresh an empty bowl of fruit salad.
“Mrs. Symes, might I borrow Miss Brolingtide for a moment? There are some people I’d like her to meet.”
Mrs. Symes gave him one of those sly looks she’d given him every time he’d seen her since Plum started attending services.
“For church business I’m assuming?” she asked, her white brows inching up her forehead.
“Sure,” he replied, not being willing to explain why he actually wanted Plum to meet Arthur and Saoirse. Most of the time his worlds colliding didn’t bother him—he was used to having Saoirse and Arthur in church on Sunday mornings and occasionally spanking Saoirse over a desk the night before. And they weren’t his only parishioners he’d seen at Hive. But Plum was something different. Something special.
“I suppose I can spare her for a few minutes, but you know these strawberries won’t cut themselves.”
“Yes, Mrs. Symes. I’ll have her back as soon as possible. Although if you keep putting her to work like this, she might stop coming altogether. You realize Plum prepares and serves food all day at her job, yes?”
“I do,” Mrs. Symes informed him. “However I also know that I’m a great deal more entertaining than those kids she has working for her.”
Plum washed her hands, untied the apron she’d donned over her dress and stepped over the threshold into the function room, smoothing her skirt.
With a gesture that was achingly automatic, he put his hand to the small of Plum's back and led her over to where Arthur and Saoirse were waiting.
“Plum, I’d like to introduce you to Arthur Tyndall and Saoirse Sullivan. Arthur and Saoirse, this is Plum Brolingtide. You might know her—”
Saoirse cut him off with an excited squeal.
“You work at Caffeinatrix. You always have the best outfits. And the best chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa.”
Saoirse let go of Arthur’s hand to shake Plum’s but held onto his coat sleeve with her other hand.
“Actually, Plum owns Caffeinatrix. And if you haven’t had one of her almond croissants yet, you should. They’re delicious.”
“I prefer the quiche Lorraine myself,” Arthur said as he shook Plum’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Brolingtide. We’ve seen you rushing around your café and Saoirse always wants to ask where you bought your shoes or your earrings or everything you’re wearing.”
