is good for me health.”
“You owe me a holiday. An extended one.”
It was always the same with them, Fi thought, smiling as she added a dollop of milk to her tea. They’d bicker back and forth like this for hours if she didn’t intervene.
“A holiday sounds lovely, Mum. Have you actually considered it? Who would watch the pub?”
“Patrick would be fine to handle things,” Shane pointed out.
“Aye, he would,” Cait agreed, “but where would we go?”
“There’s so many places to see,” Shane said. “What about South America? Or Africa?”
“Could I see elephants?” Cait’s face lit up with excitement. “I must say, I’ve always wanted to see the elephants.”
“You could on a safari. I’ll look into it,” Shane said, pulling out his phone and typing something in.
“There, that’s a lovely idea, isn’t it? Going to see the elephants,” Fi said. “I bet you’ll have stories for weeks to tell everyone when you get back.”
“Keelin and Flynn just did that world cruise, as you know. Though why they’d go on those monstrous polluting germ-havens, I do not know.”
“They are pretty gross, and they’re destroying the oceans. You should see them in Italy – tourists just swarm the cities and barely spend any money. If anyone books a cruise thinking they’re helping the local economies, they’re dead wrong.”
“I heard Venice finally got the cruise ships to stop docking at their ports,” Shane said.
“Finally. Who would even want to go on those things? You’re locked into a schedule, you can barely explore the towns you go to, and you’re stuck on a ship with thousands of people.” Fi shuddered. “It’s my worst nightmare.”
“I will say, Keelin and Flynn weren’t as charmed by it as they thought they’d be. Even though Flynn’s a sailor, well, I guess he thought the experience would be different. He said he felt like he was on a double-decker bus slogging through the ocean.”
“Plus, I don’t think they were happy to be gone when Gracie was going through that mess with Dylan.”
“No, Flynn was about ready to fly back and punch the man,” Shane agreed.
“How are they getting on now?” Fi asked.
“Good enough, it seems. Now that all the plans and motives have come to light –”
“And since Dylan made right on gifting Grace with her cottage,” Cait interjected.
“– they seem to be getting on maddeningly well,” Shane finished.
“That’s good, then. I wouldn’t want to be on Flynn’s bad side,” Fi said. “Actually, Keelin’s either. They’re both a bit scary.”
“Formidable would be the word I’d use,” Cait chuckled. “Now, tell us your plans for your stay.”
“Yes, do we get you for more than a weekend this time?” Shane asked.
“Yes, you do. I’ve a few weeks here. I have a few proposals I’m considering, but I haven’t technically booked another client just yet. I wanted to spend some time here and help Grace with planning her wedding. Do you mind if I stay in one of your apartments out back? I don’t want to be under your feet for weeks.”
“You’re never under our feet.” Cait gave Fi a stern look.
“You know what I mean.”
“About that,” Shane said. He glanced at Cait, who nodded in return. “We have a surprise for you.”
“So Mum said. What’s this about?”
“It’s an early birthday present.”
“My birthday isn’t for months yet.”
“Well, we never know when you’ll be home. Either way, shall we go take a look?”
“At what? What have you done?” Fi narrowed her eyes at Shane, but jumped when Cait smacked her palm hard on the bar.
“No mind-reading, Fi. Let the surprise be a surprise.”
“Fine, but you know I hate surprises.”
“Which is why we rarely do them for you. Indulge me.” Shane slid his arm around her shoulder, squeezing her to him once more.
Fi sighed, leaning into his warmth. “Fine. You may surprise me. Let’s see what this is all about, then.”
“Grab your coat. We’re going back out.”
Chapter 6
She’d always loved this street.
Keeping her mental shields up so as not to ruin her parents’ surprise, Fi wandered the village of Grace’s Cove with them, stopping every few minutes to chat with someone they knew. That was the way of things in Grace’s Cove, Fi thought, smiling as another neighbor popped her head out of the bakery. There was no bustling about and getting anything done in a timely manner. Everybody knew everybody, and the gossip mill was a demanding mistress. Within the hour, everyone would know she was back in town. It saved her from having to send out text messages, so there was some benefit