“I really am sorry, Jackson.” Shelley frowned. “But I can’t please everyone.”
“No, I imagine not, but then again, I’m the one who pays your wages.”
“Yes, you are,” she murmured. “But he’s the one I have to live with.”
Jackson watched silently as she picked up the tray and disappeared into the rapidly expanding crowd, his jaw tight and eyes guarded.
A sudden loud crash had both Olivia and Jackson turning their heads in the direction of the kitchen as a tall sandy-haired guy darted through the swinging doors.
“What the hell’s going on, Adam?” Jackson frowned.
“You’d better go deal with Owen.” Adam lifted the walk-through and slid behind the warm cherry wood bar. “He’s on a tear again.”
“Oh for the... What this time?” Jackson rolled his eyes and gave a deep sigh of exasperation.
Olivia watched in interest as he ducked under the bar and took off toward the kitchen as Adam took his place.
“Can I get you another?” Adam nodded toward her empty glass.
She shook her head. “I’m driving, but I’ll take a coke.”
He nodded and pulled down a clean glass, filling it with ice as she appraised him. He had light brown eyes and a slim, almost lanky build, and as he turned to fill the glass, she noticed a small four-leaf clover tattooed on his neck. His hair was overgrown, resting on the collar of his dark shirt, which was unbuttoned at the throat and revealed a small St Christopher medal on a delicate silver chain.
“You local then?” Adam asked as he slid the fresh glass in front of her and cleared away the empty.
“Yeah.” For now, she thought as she dusted the breadcrumbs from her fingers then stacking her empty bowl on top of the bread plate. “I’m up at the lake.”
“Evie’s place?” He looked up in surprise as he wiped the counter.
“She was my great aunt.”
“Sorry to hear about her death.” Adam shook his head. “I only met her a few times, but I liked her.”
“Thanks,” Olivia muttered, not really wanting to talk about her great aunt. “How about you?”
“Sorry?”
“You from around here?” she asked curiously.
“All over, but Ulysses, Kansas, originally.” He continued to wipe down the bar. “Decided to travel some, landed in Mercy about six months back.”
“Hey, Adam.” An attractive redhead slung an empty tray down on the bar with a wink. “Jack and coke, a cab and two pints.”
He nodded and turned to grab a glass, but his gaze remained locked on the redhead as she continued to smile invitingly at him. Olivia sat quietly sipping her soda as her gaze began to wander across the busy pub. It was a warm and inviting place, with dark polished wood trims, almond-colored walls, and a battered honey-colored wood floor. Irish music played softly in the background, something complicated involving pipes and a fiddle that had Olivia tapping her foot without even realizing it.
“Good God, the man’s a menace.” Jackson swung back through the doors and ducked under the bar.
“Crisis averted?” Olivia asked.
“Of a kind.” He rolled his eyes. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thanks.” She shook her head. “I really should be heading back. I still have a lot of Evie’s things to sort through.” She stood and brushed the crumbs from her jeans, reaching into her purse for her wallet.
“It’s on the house.” Jackson stopped her. “Welcome home, Olivia.”
Olivia stood motionless for a heartbeat as she took in his sincere gaze and genuine smile. She felt the simple warmth of an honest welcome with no ulterior judgement. Maybe she was wrong, she mused silently. Maybe coming back to Mercy wouldn’t be as bad as she thought.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
