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Page 14

by Barton, Kathi S.


  “How about each brother takes one of the charities, and that is the one that they say when asked?” Olivia said that was a perfect idea. As she began sorting names to the charities, he decided that this might be better than any of them trying to remember all the charities. He knew it would be easier on him. “We’ll need contact information, as well as addresses for them. Both physical and on the web. That way we can be assured that whatever we get donated gets to the right person.”

  “Also, phone numbers. The numbers might not be something that we can remember at the drop of a hat, but with all the information on each of them, you could come up with a business card that we could hand out that would have all they needed.” He thought that was a brilliant idea. “I agree. This will be beneficial to all the things we take care of. And if it looks like one or two of them are falling behind, we can boost it up between the rest of us.”

  Caleb already had an idea in mind for each of the cards—the logo of the charity on the front and all the necessary stuff on the back. If for some reason there wasn’t a logo he could work with, Caleb could make one for them. Caleb knew that the charity for car seats and diaper bags filled with things for a newborn had no logo. Ideas for that were already popping around in his mind.

  After they’d gotten their ideas settled in an order, Caleb went to his home office and began working on what he needed to get done. Logos were one thing, but there were other things that he had to finish up before he could begin on those. Like running down information such as addresses and who was going to be in charge. He really did love the fact that each of them would have a different place to try and boost up.

  Time had gotten away from him by the time he was ready to put in an order for the six different business cards. Tomorrow morning he was going to go to his office, now that he had the plans written out, and get them started. Olivia was talking to the family to tell them what they’d thought of doing. While he was putting things away so he could watch a movie with his family, his phone rang.

  Caleb picked it up, disappointment running over his body. All he’d wanted to do was have some popcorn and watch a movie with the boys and Olivia. This call, he knew, would put that off. Caleb was going to have to adopt a plan like his brother was. No work after a certain time.

  “I’m to understand that things went well today.” Caleb sat down when he realized he knew the voice. “Caleb, did I call you at a bad time?”

  “Yes, Mr. President. I mean no, this is fine.” When laughter came through the phone, he figured he’d better make the man think he wasn’t a total fool. “I was just thinking about sitting down and watching a movie with the family.”

  “Good for you. I’ll only keep you for a moment. I’ve been remiss in handing out thank you notes to your family, and I was wondering what it is the United States Government could do for you.” Caleb asked him if Olivia had called him. “No, should she have?”

  “No. I mean, I don’t think she was going to, but we were just talking about this. Olivia and I don’t need anything from you, but we were thinking that if anyone were to ask us, we’d give them the name of our favorite charity. Sort of a plan ahead kind of thing. It was completely her idea, and I think it’s a grand one.” Caleb felt his face heat up, and he told the man he was sorry. “I tend to babble when I’m nervous. Not that I’m really all that nervous, but...I’m going to shut up now.”

  “Don’t do that, Caleb. That’s a wonderful idea your wife has. It’s nice when you’re prepared for when someone asks you a question. What sort of charities did you have in mind?” He told him the name of all six of the charities that his family had a hand in. Then again told him that Olivia had come up with the idea. “Those are all admirable charities, Caleb. I especially like the one that helps out parents when they bring a newborn home. I think I might have read about it in the paper recently.”

  “Yes, we were mentioned, but there was an article that told how there was a list that went with the things so that people didn’t buy a lot of unnecessary things from the store.” He laughed a little. “I’m glad that no one knew who we were. There was a lot of backlash about the items that we said where pretty much useless when it came to caring for a newborn.”

  “Yes, I saw the list. It was a good one and one that I wished we’d had when my children were born. I believe second time parents are a little more savvy than first timers. Unless, of course, they have your mom around. She was helpful for you and your brothers, I’m to understand.” Caleb told him that their mother was helpful at most everything. “Good man. Never underestimate your mother. She’ll find out. Mine certainly did. Anyway, thank you for the list. I’ll make sure that we hit all of them in the way of thanks for your families help.”

  “You don’t have to do that.” The president said that he didn’t have to do a great many things. “Yes, I’m aware of that as well, but you don’t have to donate to all of them. I was just sharing my list with you.”

  “As I said, it’s a good list. But I can and want to do this for you for your help, and that’s final, young man.” There was a bit of a bite to his voice, but a good deal of humor as well. “Your family has done a great deal for this family, and I for one appreciate it. Dominic, he’s done more for the welfare of the handicapped than I’ve done for the country in the last three years. You tell him that I thank him and all your family for their support and help. Tell them that while I’ll try not to call on them too much more, it’s nice to know that they’re there for us all. All right?”

  “Yes, sir. And thank you. I’ll let Olivia know that you liked her idea, as well as my mom. She’ll get a kick out of that. Dad will too, because you singled her out for that.”

  Caleb didn’t argue with him anymore. He was, after all, the president. After giving him the information that he and Olivia had figured out, he went to tell her what had happened. She was either going to be pissed that she’d not gotten to talk to the man, or feel pretty good about herself for coming up with the idea. Caleb had made sure that he’d given his wife all the credit—twice.

  She was neither pissed or feeling good about the president’s call when he found her. Olivia had fallen asleep on the couch with her list under her head. Moving it so she’d not drool on it, something that he’d never tell her that she did, Caleb sat down with a good book. Mostly it was to sit comfortably and watch his wife sleep, but if she caught him, as she had before, he’d have the perfect reason why he wasn’t doing anything while she was resting. Olivia didn’t take naps often, but when she did, it was rarely where he could see her. Caleb loved his family and his wife very much.

  Chapter 11

  Dominic was pounding a nail into one of the new walls that his family was putting in the warehouse in the downtown area. So far, since cleaning it out, they’d had a dance in it, as well as a few auctions. But Mom had decided that they should clean it up a bit and put up nicer walls than the dirty looking ones that were there, and they’d be able to have a wedding in it if necessary. Dominic had to laugh at that.

  All six of them were married, and most of them had children. Yet his mom was still planning out weddings and venues like she didn’t have anyone around her with grandchildren to play with. Picking up the next sheet of wall board, he put it to the wall and hit the nail as hard as he could so it would be held in place.

  “Dominic? Dominic, where do ye be?” He whistled when he heard O’Reilly calling for him. “There you be. I was thinking that mayhap you and I could have a little nip of something while I told you of my day.”

  “If you want to have a nip, go ahead. My mom’s around here someplace, just so you’re aware.” Not a moment passed from when O’Reilly took out his flask and then shoved back into his pouch that he was forever with. “Tell me about your day and I’ll keep working.”

  All the leprechauns were terrified of his mom. His aunt Mildred, the king’s wife, was his mom’s sister, and they all thought her to be the brains of the famil
y. But it turned out that Mom was more terrifying to them than even the king’s wife. It was funny, and Dominic played with them, saying that his mom was around when she wasn’t. Like today.

  “I had me a notion to have me a wee visit to one of the new places you’ve put in for us. Just so you know, there is an increase of new babes being born daily. Oh, to be young again and making some wee ones.” Dominic only had to clear his throat to get him back on track. “The wee ones out there, they were having themselves a grand old time, I have to tell you. Made me feel decades younger just to see them laughing. But that’s not what I wanted to tell you about.”

  Dominic had to turn his head away to keep from laughing when O’Reilly pulled out his flask and looked around before taking a large drink. Putting it away, O’Reilly asked him what he was about.

  “It’s to make the place here look nicer. Large parties and the like. What is it you wished to speak to me about?” O’Reilly looked at him, confused. This was nothing new for them. Dominic was forever backtracking on their conversations until O’Reilly or any of the leprechauns remembered why they were there talking to him. “You said you went to see the wee ones. And that the birth rate was up.”

  “It is? Well, if that don’t just curl up my toes. How did you come up with that information, my good young man?” Dominic told him that he’d just told him. “Nay, you just told me. Remember that.”

  “You just told— Never mind. Yes, the birthrate is up. Is there anything else you wanted to tell me?” O’Reilly asked him if he was upset. “No, just fine and dandy. If that’s all, then I’m going to be getting to work here.”

  In less time than it took Dominic to pick up another sheet of board, O’Reilly was back. This time he didn’t ask if Dominic if he wanted a wee nip, but got himself one. Shaking his head, Dominic waited for him to get to a point. Any point would do at this point.

  “Did you hear? The birth rate is up in the areas were the wee ones were. Could have curled my toes up to have heard that. I say we need to have a nice celebration for that. What with you being the king and all, I thought it should come from you.” Dominic said that would be fine, not adding anything else so as not to get on the confusion track again. “By the way, I was thinking on something. Those wee ones that are at those places, do you suppose they might need a thing or two from us?”

  Dominic was almost afraid to ask, but he did. “What sort of thing do you think they might need from you? I thought we were doing very well in keeping them in supplies and such.” O’Reilly nodded. Dominic waited, determined not to say a word, even if it were about to kill him.

  “Oh, yes, you might not know what I have in mind. I thought for sure you were a mind reader. You remember Charlie? She’s been around for a little while. I think you know her. Don’t you?” Dominic nodded. In his mind he was counting to ten for the eighth time. “Anyway. What was I talking about?”

  Letting out his breath slowly, Dominic counted to fifty this time before he thought he was calm enough to speak to the man. When he decided that he was about as calm as he could be, he opened his mouth to ask again what O’Reilly had in mind. Thankfully, he spoke first.

  “Some of them kids, they’re very poor, aren’t they? I mean, I seen some holes in their shoes, and they look a mite on the skinny side. A person should have some meat on his bones. Just so when you’re a falling down from nipping at the good stuff, it don’t be hurting you so badly. What do you think?” Dominic asked him where the place was. “What place? You mean the bottom of their shoes? Come now, Dominic, you know where shoes are to be placed. You’re not addled, are you?”

  “No, but if you tell me which place it is that you visited when you saw holes in the shoes of the wee ones where the birth rate is up, I can do something about it.” Dominic could see that O’Reilly acted like he’d only heard about the birth rate, and growled loudly before he could speak again. “What. Place. Needs. More. Money, O’Reilly?”

  “I would think that they all— I’m guessing by the look on your face that you’ve not a care about that part. It’s the one in Kentucky.” Dominic thanked him and pulled out his cell phone. “Whatcha doing there?”

  “I think more money is needed at the retreat in Kentucky. Perhaps since the birthrate is up so much there for your kind, then we can afford to add another perk to the wee ones there so they won’t get sick. What do you think?” O’Reilly said it was a splendid idea. “Thank you.”

  By the time he got off the phone, he not only had enough money in the bank for the kids to each get a nice pair of shoes, but the rest of the families as well. Picking up the next board, he waited on O’Reilly. His head was pounding too.

  “That was right nice of you, Dominic. I surely do like meself a good pair of shoes. American shoes, such as what you’re a wearing, they don’t fit us as well. We’ve big feet, you know.” Not thinking about where it might lead, Dominic asked him if he knew what big feet signified. “Big toes? I’ve not an idea on that one. You’ll need to do some research on that one for me.”

  By the time O’Reilly left him an hour later, Dominic was seeing double and he was sure that his ears were bleeding. It didn’t help that he’d twice been told the same joke that he’d told O’Reilly about the big feet and toes. Also, the pounding of the hammer to the boards was making him a little sick. Putting his hammer down, he sat on one of the tables to just rest his eyes.

  “I take it you were having a good time with O’Reilly.” Dominic turned and looked at Charlie and smiled. “He was talking to your father when I left there. I was terrified he was going to start talking to me. I don’t have it in me today to put up with his bullshit way of getting to the point.”

  “He gets to a point? I’ve never known a man that could talk so much and never say a thing as much as he can. Christ, he will have me having migraines in no time if I have to spend too much time with him daily.” She stepped between his legs and he held her to him. “He did tell me—or I told him, I don’t remember how it came up—that the birth rate is up in Kentucky for the leprechauns. I think that is wonderful, don’t you?”

  “I just got a message from the minor king there that it’s up by seven percent. That was the worst hit place when it came to births. I’m thrilled to know that this is working for my kind.” He kissed her on the back of her neck as they stood there. “Are you sure you dinna mind me running the other realm? I love the people there, but you’re king. You are supposed to do it.”

  “I can’t be in two places at once. And I don’t think there is a better person than you to be running it. You know all the people better than I do. You certainly know the lands better. And I think that if you were to have a long conversation with O’Reilly, you’d know just how to take care of him before I have to kill him.”

  “You’d never get the chance. By the time he questioned you and you had to explain yourself over and over, you’d just tie him up and leave him for the wood lawn creatures to take care of.” Standing up when all he really wanted to do was hold Charlie for a while longer, Dominic knew that the building wouldn’t finish itself with him sitting on his ass. “I was thinking we could order food to be brought out to the house and pig out on something other than pizza. It’s one of my most favorite foods, but a little of it goes a long way.”

  “I have to agree with you there. We’ve been so busy that having pizza is quick but not all that filling. I need something that sticks to my ribs.” She pouted out her lower lip. “I’m sorry. What did you have in mind? I’m game for anything.”

  “I was hoping for Chinese. But it not only doesn’t stick to your ribs, but it’s nothing filling either.” Dominic laughed and told her so long as she ordered triple of everything, then he would have enough. “Good. I was going to order four times as much anyway. All right, I’ll see you when you get home. You’re the only one here, so lock up behind you.”

  Now that he was alone, he got a great deal more work done. Within twenty mi
nutes of Charlie leaving, he not only finished up the stack he had, but had finished up an entire wall before he was ready to call it quits for the evening.

  Tomorrow should finish this part of the job, then they’d be putting up the plaster and smoothing it all out. Dominic was actually looking forward to having the building finished and looking good.

  On his way home he stopped and picked up a dozen pink roses for Charlie. He loved his wife, and thought that just telling her daily wasn’t enough—he wanted to show her too. And since he loved the smell of roses on her skin, he decided to pick up another dozen for her. Perhaps she’d take a bath in the petals like she had the last time.

  ~*~

  Sara got up from the rocking chair before she dropped the baby. She was exhausted today. It couldn’t be the baby that she was watching—the little thing was only a few weeks old. Perhaps, she thought, she was just getting too old for this kind of thing. That depressed her more than she thought it should have. Smiling, she laid little Abbie in her crib before checking on Danny.

  The two of them were so much more advanced than any newborn that she’d ever seen. They rarely cried. If they wanted or needed something, they’d call for her. Their diapers being changed was the same thing. They’d let someone know when they needed anything.

  Finding Danny sleeping, she watched him. He was a handsome little man. Abbie was a beauty, and would be when she grew up. But Danny was going to be a man that women would fall over themselves to get to.

  Going out of the nursery on the first floor of their home, Sara made her way to the kitchen. She was making dinner tonight, and was excited to try a couple of new things out. Mostly it was going to be pork chops, but the side dishes were things new to her and Kelley.

 

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