“That’s right,” Maeve says. “But they’re here for a while because my sister-in-law is about to have a baby, and they don’t want to miss it.”
I press purchase on the screen and then tuck my card away. “Okay, ladies, let’s go eat.”
But they’re already ahead of me, walking together and chattering away.
The pub is fairly empty when we arrive as they’ve just opened for the day.
“You don’t work until later,” Maggie reminds Maeve as we walk in.
“I’m not here to work,” Maeve replies. “I’m here to eat. And to show off the pub to my new friend, Rachel.”
“You must be Hunter’s daughter,” Maggie says with a smile. “You’re welcome to sit anywhere you like, as you can see.”
“And will you be having a Guinness then?” Keegan asks my daughter with a wink. She smiles, completely charmed by the accent.
“Dad would kill me,” she says. “But I’ll have a Coke.”
“Coming right up,” Keegan replies.
“Let’s sit at the bar,” Rachel decides and climbs up onto a stool. “This place is so cool.”
Maeve passes us menus. “We think so, too. Izzy, are you okay?”
The pregnant woman comes waddling into the bar, pressing a hand to her back.
“Yeah, I’ve had these stupid false labor contractions all morning. It’s so annoying.” Izzy smiles at Rachel. “Hey there, I’m Izzy. That one’s wife.” She points at Keegan, and Rachel looks almost disappointed.
“You’re married?” she asks Keegan.
“Aye, I am, darlin’.” He winks at her, and I feel my lips twitch. “But if she ever leaves me, you and I will run off together.”
Rachel laughs and sips her Coke, and we order a little bit of everything off the appetizer menu to share.
“Are you sure you’re having false labor?” I ask Izzy when she scowls and presses her hand to her back once more.
“Yeah, Keegan has rushed me to the doctor several times in the past week. But it’s nothing. And I’m still a few weeks out from my due date. The doctor says this is just my body’s way of getting ready for the real thing.”
“Does it hurt? Having your belly out like that?” Rachel asks.
“It’s not comfortable,” Izzy replies. “I’ve become best friends with a bottle of shea butter that I slather all over it all the time so I don’t get a ton of stretch marks. And, man, my ankles have never been so swollen in all my life. I’m not even thirty and I have cankles. What’s that all about?”
“Ew,” is all Rachel says.
“Exactly,” Izzy agrees.
“Hey, guys,” Maeve says to her siblings. “Hunter invited me to go to the ESPYs with him in LA.”
“The whatsies?” Maggie asks.
“You know, the prestigious awards show that recognizes excellence in sports,” Rachel says.
“Oh, right. Cool.” Maggie grins. “That’ll be fun.”
“I don’t have anything to wear,” Maeve replies. “And I don’t know where to start.”
“I do,” Izzy announces. “When I needed on-air clothes, Natalie and Jules helped me out.”
“Jules McKenna?” I ask.
“Yes, exactly.”
“Good idea.” I nod.
“He knows Jules?” Izzy asks Maeve, who nods.
“Long story,” Maeve says. “Okay, I’ll call them. I don’t know them very well. Is it weird to call and ask for fashion advice?”
“Trust me,” Izzy assures her, “it’s not weird. They love this stuff. They are the experts.”
Someone turns on the sound system, and Irish music fills the air. There’s no live band this early in the day, but Maggie and Maeve begin to sing with the music.
They have beautiful voices, and suddenly, Maggie starts to dance in that fascinating way the Irish do.
“I’ve always wondered how to do that,” Rachel says as she watches with wide eyes.
“Well, come on then. We’ll show you,” Maeve says and takes Rachel’s hand to pull her onto the floor.
The two sisters slow down to show Rachel the steps.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar man comes walking out of the kitchen area and joins the girls with a smile. For an older guy, he sure can move.
“Da loves to charm the ladies,” Keegan says as he joins me to watch them. “You haven’t met my parents yet, have you?”
“No. I’ve been busy moving into the house over the past couple of weeks.”
Keegan nods and then looks me in the eyes. “I know you have your eye on my sister. And I understand it, as she’s a lovely lass. But if you hurt her, my brothers and I will make you suffer for it. It’s no matter that you know your way in the ring.”
I nod and know in my gut that I’ll have the same conversation with any man who has his eye on my daughter someday.
“I would expect nothing less.”
“I’m glad we understand each other.” Keegan nods and steps back as Izzy joins him behind the counter.
She has to lean against the bar and take a deep breath.
“Izzy, I don’t think this is false labor,” I inform her. “I’m no expert, but this doesn’t look fake at all.”