“The receptions are usually a little more fun than the weddings. Mom’s having it catered, and there will be a big dance. Should be fun. Full of McClains, of course.”
“Everything you do is full of McClains. Your family is huge!”
“This is true. Every tenth person in Bagley is related to us in some way. It’s a good thing some move away, or it would be even worse.”
“Yeah, in high school, everyone was kind of afraid of dating you and your sisters. The McClain Mafia is a scary thing.”
Tracy laughed. “McClain Mafia? I haven’t heard that one before.”
“Yes, we really did call it that. With all of your uncles and all of your male cousins . . . it was kind of scary to date any of you. I wouldn’t have let it stop me, though. I was trying to get up the nerve to ask you out when I heard that you and Danny were dating.”
“I swear that I’m going to kick Danny in the shins the next time I see him.”
“I think I’ll hold him for you.” Steve pulled off the highway and turned toward the Riverwalk. “We’re going to have a really hard time finding parking on a Sunday afternoon, but I’m game.”
“I can walk. It won’t kill me.” She grinned over at him, excited about doing something different. “I probably won’t have a lot of time for fun events after the wedding, because I’m going to put everything I’ve got into getting the pub ready to open.”
“Are you going to cook?” he asked. It hadn’t occurred to him that she might want to, but all of a sudden, it made sense.
“I’ll be the general manager. I can jump in to cook when there’s a need, or I can work the bar. Whatever I need to do is what I’ll do. All the recipes will be ones I developed myself.”
“I didn’t know you were working on your own recipes. I figured you’d found some somewhere.”
“Well, I did, but then I worked to tweak them. I combined two here and there, and I changed whatever I thought needed to be changed. The scones today were adapted by me from two different scone recipes. I feel like mine are just a bit better. Not quite as sweet, and the fruit flavor isn’t overpowered.”
“They were good. I don’t think I’d ever had a scone, but I liked yours.”
Chapter Five
The first thing Steve did when they got to the Riverwalk was purchase tickets for the boat ride. They had to wait for a few minutes for the next boat, but they didn’t mind. It gave Tracy time to look around her. She hadn’t been on the Riverwalk since high school, and she was excited to be there.
“I’ve always loved coming here.”
Steve looked around. “I only came once as a high school trip.”
“Your dad never brought you? We came at least every other year. My dad liked to say that it helped us remember where we came from. I have no idea why he said that, because it never made sense, but it was one of his dadisms.” She leaned on the railing looking out over the boat launch, a faraway smile on her face. “We always went on the boat and got ice cream, and we’d usually walk down after the boat ride, all of us laughing about what we wanted to buy in the mall. We’d go to the mall at the end because it was our reward for good behavior. Even the year I almost pushed Marti into the water, we got to go. I don’t think they cared much about our behavior truly. They just liked to dangle it over our heads like carrots on a string.”
“Why did you almost push Marti into the river?” Steve asked.
Tracy sighed. “She was on my last nerve, as usual. She was whining that she wanted to get a doll at the mall. Did you know she collects Cabbage Patch Kids? Her dorm room looks like a freaky shrine to Xavier Roberts. Really creeps me out.”
He laughed. “I think it’s got to be hard to be the youngest of seven sisters. Maybe you should give Marti a break.”
“Sure. Which leg do you think she’d rather be without for a while?” She winked at him, letting him know she was joking . . . mostly.
Steve led her down the walkway for the boat launch, one hand on her arm. “Be careful. I don’t want to have to fish you out of the river.”
“Aww. You wouldn’t fish for me? I’m hurt!”
“Oh, I definitely would. I just wouldn’t want to have to. Your dad would kill me when he found out you ended up in the river. I’m supposed to be taking care of you.”
“Taking care of me? I’m twenty-five years old. I’m about to be the owner of a pub. You don’t need to take care of me, and neither does anyone else.”
He frowned. “I didn’t say that well. I want to take care of you. I love the idea of doing nice things for you. Does that make sense?”
“It does. Just don’t think you have to take care of me, because I can take care of myself.”
“Oh, I know you can. You’re one of the most capable women I’ve ever known.” He stepped into the boat, taking her hand and sitting with her. “Do you like cats?”
She frowned at the sudden change of subject. “Cats? Sure, I guess I do.”
“Our barn cat just had kittens. Six of them. You should come see them sometime soon, and meet Ringo, of course.”
She smiled. “I’d really like that. Whether I like cats or not, I love newborn kittens. They’re so snuggly.”
“Then you have to come see them. Maybe tomorrow evening. You’re off work tomorrow, right?”
She nodded slowly. “I am. Why don’t I come over and cook you supper? You need to try my Irish fare and let me know if it’s good enough for general consumption.”
“You know it is, or you wouldn’t offer. But I would love to have you cook for me. I’ll pick up a movie as well. Maybe a comedy this time. I know you love comedies.”
“I do. Sounds good. Or I can bring one with me if that’s easier.”
“Nah, I’ll find the movie. I’m sure you have errands to run on your day off. I seem to be monopolizing your Sunday.”
Tracy grinned at him. “Have you heard me complaining?”
The boat started then, and they got quiet as they listened to the pilot’s spiel about the history of the Riverwalk and all that went into building it. There was a lot of history of San Antonio interspersed, and Tracy enjoyed the information, even though she’d heard it a dozen times before. It was the first time she’d heard it with her hand held firmly by Steve. She still couldn’t quite believe she was there with him.
After they finished the boat ride, they wandered down the Riverwalk, finding a nice Mexican place for supper. “There are foods other than Mexican,” she told him once they were seated.
“Oh, don’t you worry. I’m going to be obsessed with Irish food in a few months.”
She grinned at him, loving that he was already supporting her dreams. “I hope you’re as obsessed with the whole concept as I am. I think we’ll both enjoy it.”
After supper, they wandered a little farther down the Riverwalk before turning around and going back the other way. “Any idea what time the mall closes?” he asked.
“Nope. But if it’s closed, it’s not the end of the world. I can buy something purple another time. I would like to see if I could find another stupid Cabbage Patch Kid for Marti’s graduation. Too bad there are no adult dolls holding diplomas. That would excite her more than anything.”
“Does she have a job yet?” he asked.
“Nah. That’s not how Marti rolls. She’ll stay with Mom and Dad and be a wastrel for a little while before she finds something. She’s not responsible enough to just start looking for a job. That’s what grownups do!”
He shook his head. “You and your sisters sure are mean to Marti.”
“Oh, I love Marti. Don’t get me wrong. She just really is the spoiled youngest sister. Sometimes it gets really frustrating watching how Mom and Dad are with her as opposed to how they’ve always been with us.”
“I’ve heard that happens with the youngest sometimes. Your parents are probably so worn out from parenting you older ones that the baby just got left to her own devices.”
“I wouldn’t go that far . . . I don’t know. She’s a b
rat, but I still love her, and I want to get her a doll for her graduation. So it can look at me with creepy eyes whenever I visit her.”
He laughed softly. “I don’t even know what a Cabbage Patch looks like. I mean, I know they were the big toy last Christmas, but what’s so special about them?”
“I think Marti likes the fact that they come named and they have birth certificates, but honestly, I’m just not sure. I think they’re creepy, but that’s what she wants, so I’ll get her one.”
When they got to the mall, they only had thirty minutes to shop before closing. “We have to hurry to the toy store!” Tracy told Steve, taking his hand and tugging him through the mall. “What was your favorite toy as a boy?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t really have toys. I had a treehouse I played in. That’s probably the closest thing I had to a toy. And my pony, but he was real.”
Tracy frowned, realizing that his upbringing had been even worse than she’d imagined. “What was your pony’s name?”
“Mr. Ed. I wasn’t exactly creative.”
She laughed, hurrying into the toy store. When faced with all of the Cabbage Patch Kids with their huge eyes staring her down, she almost ran. They really were creepy! Instead, she found a doll with a horse. “This one. She’ll love it. And I know she doesn’t have any with horses.” She took it to the front and paid for it, never even checking the price. She already knew the dolls were ridiculously expensive, and she had no desire to think about how much she was spending. She handed over her credit card, and she’d pay it off at the end of the month like she always did.
After their purchase, they went out into the mall and stopped for some ice cream, heading out to Steve’s truck, both of them licking at their cones. “This was really fun,” she said as they got to the vehicle. “I’m glad we came here today.”
“Me too. I don’t know why I never really thought of the Riverwalk as a fun place to go.”
Tracy had her suspicions, but she didn’t voice them. “Well, we’ll have to come again. There are so many great places within an hour’s drive of home. I think we should explore our area.”
“Sounds good to me.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Thanks for a wonderful day. I wouldn’t have enjoyed it nearly as much with anyone else.”
She couldn’t help but grin goofily. She wanted to be the one he went to for a fun time, and it looked like that was already happening for them. She was his girl, and they both knew it.
The drive home seemed to take a lot longer than the drive to San Antonio had. She was sleepy and kept yawning as she watched out the window. “I shouldn’t have kept you out so late,” he finally said.
“No, it’s fine. I’m usually an early riser, but I’m glad we did this. I had a great time.” Two late nights in a row were definitely taking their toll, though.
“Are we still on for tomorrow night?” he asked. “Do you want me to come get you, or do you just want to drive out there?”
“I’ll just drive. And I’ll bring the ingredients I need for supper.” She wasn’t quite sure yet what she was going to make, but it was going to be good. She wanted him to be thrilled by her cooking. She wanted him to love everything about her.
“Sounds good to me. I’ll make sure to round up the kittens so you can see them. They’re all so cute.” He turned onto her street and stopped in front of her house. “I’m not ready for today to be over.”
She unbuckled and scooted across the seat into his arms. “I’m not either. I had a wonderful time, and I wish it could last forever.”
He sighed, burying his face in her hair. “Why did I wait so long to ask you out?”
She smiled at him. “You were waiting for the right time. I don’t think high school was it. It certainly wasn’t a good time while your father was dying. No, we needed to wait until we were both ready, and this is the right time. I’m going to be a bit preoccupied by the pub, but I’ll have time for you. I promise.”
“Good. Now that we’ve spent some time together, I’m going to be really upset if I have to give you up.” He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers, his hand slipping under her hair. He was surprised at how quickly she’d come to mean the entire world to him, but she had. He didn’t know if it was leftover feelings from high school or new feelings, but either way, he needed her in his life, and that was that.
With one last kiss, Tracy hid a yawn. “I have to go to bed, or I’m going to end up sleeping out here in your truck with my head on your shoulder. Imagine my dad’s reaction if the neighbors told him about that. And you know they would. Gossip is what this town is best at.”
“And all other small towns from what I’ve heard.”
“That’s true.” She scooted back across the bench seat and opened her door. “G’night, Steve. I’ll see you tomorrow evening. Five?”
“Sounds good to me. Dream of me.”
As she got out of the truck and walked up her sidewalk, she realized she would dream of him. He was already filling every minute of her thoughts. How on earth would she be able to stop thinking about him as she slept?
She walked in and locked the door, kicking off her shoes. Going into the living room, she sank down onto the sofa for a minute, rubbing her hands over her face. She was tired, and she needed sleep, but she also needed to take stock of her day. Her wonderful, glorious day with Steve at her side.
After a few minutes, she went into the bathroom and washed her face and brushed her teeth. She’d save a shower for the morning. She was too tired to even think about it at that point. No, it was definitely time to get into bed and read a chapter before sleep.
She was an avid mystery reader, and she liked to read for a bit to soothe her before sleep. Why murder and mayhem soothed her, she wasn’t certain, but it did. It soothed her right to sleep every night.
When it came time to shut off the light, Tracy lay in bed and stared at her ceiling. All that tired was still there, and it was a bone-deep tired from walking all day, but she still couldn’t sleep. She couldn’t shut her mind down and stop thinking about Steve.
She could still remember the first time she’d ever seen him in the cafeteria at their high school. He’d been two years ahead of her, and he had seemed so much older and so . . . well, cool was the only word that came to mind. He’d seemed like the perfect guy to her, and she’d wondered how on earth he would ever notice her.
But it hadn’t been three weeks before they’d been eating lunch together every day. She’d hung on his every word, and he’d grinned at her a lot, making it clear that he thought she was cute in a little kid way. At least that’s what she’d been told. He had no feelings for her other than as a cute little sister that he felt the need to protect and take care of. Why she’d believed it, she’d never know.
She turned her stereo on and listened to a Journey album since she couldn’t sleep anyway. All of the words soothed her as she tried to slumber. There was just something about a Journey song that made you know you were in the right place at the right time.
The last thing she remembered before falling asleep was seeing his face, filled with braces, grinning at her in the cafeteria at school. She would never forget that special look on his face he’d always reserved for just her.
She hugged her pillow closer. Steve. What more could she say or think? He was the only thing on her mind.
Chapter Six
When Tracy arrived at Steve’s house the following afternoon, he was just coming in from work. He was covered in sweat and had a shadow of a beard forming. She went to kiss him, but he held up a hand. “I’ve got to shower first. I’m sure I don’t smell as fresh as I would like.”
She grinned. “I wasn’t going to say anything . . .”
He laughed. “You don’t have to tell me. I already know.” He opened the front door as Ringo ran across the room toward them. He went to his knees, petting the dog. “I know I’ve been gone forever, haven’t I?” He looked up at Tracy. “I’ve had Ringo since high school, but Dad never
let him in the house. It was the first thing I did the night he died. I opened the door, and now Ringo is all over in here. He’s old and doesn’t need to be out in the heat anymore.” He led her into the kitchen, and she put the bags of groceries she was carrying onto the counter. “Go ahead and use whatever you need. I’ll be down in about twenty minutes. I’d be faster, but I want to shave. And don’t let Ringo sweet talk you into people food. The vet is concerned he’s getting too fat in his old age.”
“All right. I’ll get going.” She watched him leave, admiring his backside in his tight Wranglers. The man should be in a commercial for jeans! She smiled at the dog, who lay in the doorway, seeming to be unsure if he should be watching her or guarding Steve.
She’d decided to make a traditional Irish stew for supper, so she immediately got to work on it. She’d met with her realtor that morning and made the offer on the building. She was sure it wouldn’t be a problem because it had been vacant for twenty years. The bank had long-since owned the building, and she knew it was just a matter of them accepting her offer.
She’d already decided who she would use to renovate the building, and they’d slotted the months of June and July for the work. She was getting more excited by the minute.
She hummed as she cooked, remembering the sweet woman in Ireland who had taught her to make this particular dish. She’d gotten a job waitressing for a pub during the summer she was in Ireland, and the cook had become a friend of hers. On a mutual day off, she’d gone to Sinead’s house, and her friend had taught her to make three different Irish dishes. She’d tweaked the stew to make it taste just a bit better, and she knew it would be one of her bestsellers. She hoped that Steve liked it as much as she did.
By the time the stew was simmering on the stove, Steve had returned to the kitchen, sitting in one of the chairs there. The kitchen was old-fashioned. It obviously hadn’t been renovated since Steve’s mother had been alive. She wondered what it would look like without all of the sixties décor.
Tracy (Seven Sisters Book 5) Page 4