Page 16 of Unexpected Entanglement

Chris barked out a laugh. “This is a genuine compliment to the baker.”

“You’re giving away goods now, Sheila?” Kieran came through a door behind Sheila. “Cut me a slice while you’re at it.”

“It’s my goods to give away, and it looks like it’s getting me a new customer.” Sheila returned with a smirk and cut another slice for Kieran.

“I’m definitely a fan,” Chris confirmed.

“I supposed you earned the pie.” Kieran’s reluctance toward Chris had slowly lessened as Chris continued to do whatever tasks Kieran had thrown at him. “Sheila and her daughter-in-law, Donna, have magic hands with flour, sugar, and fruits. We put their goods in this farm store and sometimes as an extra in the subscription boxes.”

“Will you bake for the inn?” Chris asked.

Sheila nodded. “Rowan and I have talked about it. I have to meet up with the chef for details, but basically, muffins for breakfast, scones, coffee cakes for afternoon snacks, and pies for dessert. Donna and I will be neck deep in flour in two weeks.”

“What’s happening in two weeks?” Chris inquired.

“We’re having a wedding,” Shiela answered with a happy smile. “Big one.”

“It’s not a huge wedding,” Kieran answered as he threw away his empty paper plate. He’d devoured the pie in three bites. “But it’s big for us. Too big. If it wasn’t family, I wouldn’t do it. We’re not ready, but Rowan is determined to make it happen. People are coming in less than two weeks, and we’re still scrambling to put the pieces together.”

Chris’ brows furrowed as he finished his own pie. “A wedding is a complex event to manage.”

“No shit. I try to help Rowan as much as I can, but I don’t know anything about throwing a wedding,” Kieran said. “I think she’s in over her head.”

“Rowan has her plan,” Sheila cut in. “She’ll make it happen. Remember the tasting event she did for the farm last summer? It was a great success. Everybody on the island came and tasted our cheese, honey, and baked goods. And we had Gary’s truck and the Holloways’ barbecue serve dinner. It was a fun night.”

“Yeah, but that was local folks and friends. We’re having mainlanders coming now, staying at the inn and cottages. Hell, a couple of the rooms aren’t even ready yet,” Kieran said.

“Then maybe you can help her fix that,” Sheila admonished him.

“With everything else I have to do here?” Kieran rolled his eyes. “Besides, the inn is always Rowan’s and Dad’s thing. I’m never good at making things look pretty and being hospitable and all.”

“I am,” Chris chimed in, surprising himself. “Maybe I can help.”

Kieran and Shiela turned their gazes to him.

Suspicion returned to Kieran’s eyes as he asked, “Why would you help us?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Chris shrugged. “I’ve done many events in my line of work. I have the know-how and time, and helping you means I’m helping Rae.”

Kieran glanced at Shiela, whose expression had turned into curiosity. He went around the counter and rushed Chris outside. Chris only managed to blurt thanks to Sheila over his shoulder before they were out of her earshot.

“I’d appreciate it if you don’t announce our family’s dirty laundry to the whole staff,” Kieran hissed.

That warning got Chris’ back up. “I’d appreciate it if you don’t refer to Rae as dirty laundry. She didn’t ask for any of this.”

Kieran stared at him with an annoyed face but with a trace of shame. “I didn’t mean her. This whole thing started with my dad and what he did…” He walked off the store’s porch, looking into the distance.

Chris caught up with him and encouraged him, “Go on.”

“Look. This is a small community, all right? My family has been a part of it for decades. What my dad did was shameful and embarrassing for my family. It’s a sore subject, to put it mildly.So, I’d appreciate it if we keep it on the down-low until we figure things out.”

“If Rae had come out here instead of me, what would you have told people?” Chris asked.

“I wouldn’t have said anything. It’s nobody’s business.”

“Right. Like nobody would’ve figured it out,” Chris said. “Have you ever seen a picture of Rae?”

Kieran’s mouth flattened, which was answer enough for Chris.

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