Everyone’s eyes (sans Paddy and Mary’s) drifted to her perfectly flat stomach. Irene narrowed hers. “What? Nothing on the way? No biscuits in the oven? What’s the matter with you two?”
Talia laughed. “No, I’m afraid not. Not yet. But maybe a few weeks in Hawaii will cure that. We can’t thank you enough for coming and looking after the inn while we’re gone. It was pure luck our letter even reached you.”
“Yes, wasn’t it?” Polly said with a nervous smile. “Good thing we keep that post office box handy. Not that we get back to the States much with all the traveling we’ve done. This’ll seem like a nice rest.”
“I bet it will,” Talia said. She watched Paddy hoist his and Mary’s luggage and head for the stairs.
“What room, lass?” he called over his shoulder.
“Oh, really, you don’t have to do that!” she called after him as he started his ascent. “Good grief, he’s taking two at a time.”
“Yes,” Cyrus chuckled, “Paddy likes to work out a lot.”
“You’re in room two, but someone will have to bring the key!” Talia called up the stairwell.
“Not a problem, lass,” Paddy shouted back. “Ooh, what a nice hallway!”
Mary shook her head. “You’ll have to excuse him, he’s very excited to be here.”
Talia hurried behind the counter and handed Mary a key. “Here, if you’d like to join him and open the door.”
“Thank ye.” Mary smiled and headed upstairs.
Talia watched her go, then turned to the others. “I didn’t realize they were both Irish. What a lovely couple.” She smiled at the remaining six. “Grandma!” She hugged her, then the rest in turn. When she finished, Talia wiped tears from her eyes.
“Now we’ll have none of that,” Grandma scolded gently. “Land sakes, child, it’s only been a year.”
“Yes,” Talia agreed. “But if not for you, Grayson and I wouldn’t be so happily married.”
Irene eyed her. “You sure you don’t have anything in the oven?”
“Irene,” Wilfred said. “Leave the poor girl alone.” He sniffed the air. “Well, okay, she’s gotsomethingin the oven, but not what you think.”
Talia laughed. “It’s a roast! Our dinner. I’m sure there’ll be enough for everyone. I made an extra-big one.”
“Splendid!” Doc rubbed his hands together. “Now, if you’ll give us our keys, we’ll get settled. Then you can give us a tour. I want to see what the two of you have done with the place.”
“I want to see Grayson,” Wilfred said. “Where is he?”
“He’s out back raking leaves. Let me get your keys, then I’ll fetch him.” She hurried behind the counter, pulled keys from cubbies, and passed them out. That done, she hurried off to find her husband. The three couples headed upstairs, Irene and Wilfred bringing up the rear.
“We’d better have a quick meeting, don’t you think?” Wilfred suggested.
“Good idea,” Cyrus said. “We need some ground rules. Last year, while we were here working on this place, we kept to ourselves. This time we’ll be out in public, and that might not go so well if we aren’t careful.”
“You worry too much,” Grandma said. “Besides, we’ll only be going between here and that coffee shop.” She turned to Doc. “What’s it called again?”
“Come now, Grandma, your memory isn’t that bad.”
“I know,” she said primly. “But I have topracticebeing forgetful, don’t I? Speaking of which, everybody slow down, we’re moving too fast for our age.”
They all exchanged the same knowing look and continued up the stairs at a slower pace. The elixir they drank had not only extended their life span, (by a lot) but they were much stronger and faster. Even if they did still look old.
Everyone dropped their luggage in their rooms, then gathered in Doc and Grandma’s.
“All right,” Doc said, glancing around the group. “You all know what needs doing. We’re here to help out Talia and Grayson and their friends, Tilly and Jack Comfort. I don’t know which Comforts they’re descended from, but I’m sure we’ll find out. Now, four of us can manage the inn while the other four work at the coffee shop. We’ll rotate so everyone gets a turn working at Pleasant Beans.”
“Personally, I can’t wait to work in the coffee shop,” Grandma said. “It’ll give me an excuse to bake pies, and we can sell them by the slice.”
