I take the keys and stare at them in total confusion. Larry begins to ramble about vendors and deliveries, but I’m still lost. The bell over the door chimes and I turn to see who’s coming in.
A tall ginger comes in. He looks familiar, but I can’t place him right away. He has his hazel-blue eyes locked on me.
“Ach, Mr. McGowan, I’ve handed over the keys as told,” Larry says.
“Hold on. Can someone explain to me what’s going on?”
The ginger smiles. He has a nice smile. “Hello, Deja. It’s been a long time. It’s me, Carrick McGowan. Cass Black’s nephew.”
“Oh my God. Hello, how are ya?”
I go to give him a hug as it clicks into place where I know him from. He’s one of Kate’s cousins through marriage. However, the last time I saw him, he wasn’t this large.
“I’m grand. Brooklyn asked me to come by and make sure ya settle in.”
“Huh? He knows I got a job?”
“Aye.”
“Mr. O’Brien came in and offered me double the value of the place if I gave it to ya. The pub is yers. I’ll be around for a few days to make sure everything goes smoothly. This is such a dream come true for me,” Larry gushes.
I’m stunned. Cole bought me this pub. It’s only been three days since I came in for the interview.
“Put me to work. I can help wherever ya need,” Carrick says, pulling me out of my shock.
“Oh, I think I get it. Yer here as my bodyguard,” I say.
Carrick shrugs. “We’ll all be around to make sure yer safe.”
“We?”
“Aye. Graham, Malcolm, Jeremiah, Reilly and me. Da and the others might stop in from time to time.”
I groan and palm my forehead. I can’t believe he’s done this. Shaking my head, I reach for my mobile to call him.
“Hello, baby,” he answers with a smile in his voice.
“Cole,” I drag out.
“Aye, ya have my gift.”
“Yes, but why would ya do this. I just wanted to work. I didn’t mean for this to become a problem for everyone.”
“It’s not a problem. Carrick and the others have already been watching over ya. Now they can get a pint of the black stuff while they do it.”
“Cole, this is too much,” I groan.
“Nah, baby, it’s not. Ya want something to do, now ya have something.”
“Thank ya. I love ya,” I murmur as I smile.
“I love ya too. I’m sending ya a few new hires. If ya need anything, let me know. I’ll be by the house later.”
“Okay. Thanks again.”
I hang up, smiling so hard my face hurts. I have my own pub. Not the uncles’ pub, but my own.
I clap my hands together. “Okay, let’s get started. Larry, tell me everything I need to know. Let’s get ya retired.”
