COLLEEN: A Sweet Western Historical Romance (4 page)

"But Paul talked him into it," Julia added. "He pointed out that there was no harm in meeting you and seeing where it went and if you were even interested in either of them."

"I see." Colleen wasn't sure she did, though. What if they were both interested? How would they decide?

"Now I can see that we've worried you." Emma reached out and patted Colleen's hand. "Don't give it another thought. Just get to know them both and see what you think. It will work out the way it's meant to. Have faith."

Colleen smiled at that. At six years old, she'd been older than most of the other girls when she first came to the orphanage, and her memories of her mother were happy ones. She'd been a warm and loving person and Colleen remembered that she'd been a strong believer in fate, and often said 'everything happens for a reason' and on a slightly darker note, 'when your time is up, it's up.'

She'd tried to make light of the fact that she was dying and to make her daughter understand that death was a natural occurrence. But at age six, the only thing that had really registered with Colleen was that her mother went to sleep one night and never woke up. They said it was tuberculosis. Over the years, though, her mother's words had brought her comfort during difficult times—the unwavering belief that things would work out the way that they were meant to. During the long trip out west, she'd thought of her mother often, and felt somehow that she was keeping watch over her.

"I do have faith. It's what keeps me going." She smiled at her two good friends and was so grateful to be with them again. "I can't wait to see what is in store for me."

Colleen rode into town the following day with Julia and Liam. At dinner the night before when they'd been talking about their plans for the next day, Colleen had noticed that Julia hesitated for a moment before saying she was working the lunch shift at the pub. She guessed that her friend felt guilty leaving her alone to fend for herself all day.

"Why don't you let me come with you and make myself useful? I'm sure you could use an extra pair of hands and I love to keep busy." The thought of sitting around their house with nothing to do was not very appealing.

Julia's eyes lit up at that. "Are you sure? We could use the help, but I don't want you to feel like you have to come to work. You're our guest."

"I'm sure. I want to help."

"What do you think, Liam?" Julia had asked.

"We could certainly use the help. Lunches have been getting busier. Why don't we have Colleen act as a hostess?"

"That's perfect!" Julia went on to explain that they didn't have a dedicated hostess at the pub. Everyone just kept an eye on the front door and whoever was the least busy would greet the guests and then lead them to a table. It would be a help to have someone take that on so they wouldn't have to worry about it.

When they arrived at the pub, Liam went into the back office while Julia showed Colleen around. She first introduced her to Billy, and explained that he was Liam's right hand and during the day shifts. He usually stayed behind the bar while Julia served the dining room tables.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Billy said and held out his hand to Colleen. He looked to be about Liam's age, with sandy, brown hair and kind eyes. She remembered Julia mentioning Billy last night, that he was married with a young child and that he and Liam worked well together.

She shook it and smiled in return, liking Billy immediately.

"Liam floats between both areas, helping out wherever we need it," Julia added.

"It will be nice to have someone hostess," Billy said as Julia led Colleen into the kitchen.

"Mrs. Johnson, I'd like you to meet one of my best friends. Colleen just moved here from Boston."

The older woman looked up from the dough she was rolling out, and took a moment to wipe her floury hands on a towel. She was slightly plump and shorter than both of them, at just a bit over five feet.

"Welcome!" The older woman smiled as Colleen shook her hand.

"It's so nice to meet you. I've heard wonderful things about your cooking."

Mrs. Johnson blushed ever so slightly at that, and turned back to her dough.

"It's nothing. Just doing what I love to do, but that is nice to hear," she admitted.

"What do we have for specials today?" Julia asked.

"I made a shepherd's pie for the entree of the day. The soup is a beef stew and sandwich is a grilled cheese with tomato."

"That sounds so good," Colleen said.

"You'll see for yourself when we break for our lunch later." Julia explained that once the lunch rush was over, they'd be able to sit for a bit and eat.

Just as Julia finished showing Colleen around, the front doors opened and their first customers of the day walked in. For the next few hours Colleen stayed busy seating people, helping to clear tables and even occasionally delivering food for Julia and Billy. She kept an eye on the front door so she wouldn't miss any new customers coming in as she carried a soup and sandwich special to the bar. Billy was busy pouring a draft beer at the opposite end of the bar. Colleen glanced around wondering whose lunch she was holding.

"That might be mine." The man sitting two chairs down flashed a dimpled smile her way.

"You ordered the special?"

"I did, indeed." Colleen set the food down in front of him. She'd noticed him when he came in a little earlier. He was very handsome with thick, black hair, blue eyes and a bit of a cocky air about him. No doubt he fancied himself a charmer. The thought irritated her as it made her think of Frank, someone she didn't want to waste another ounce of energy on.

"Enjoy your lunch," she said and then hurried back to greet two new customers. Twenty minutes later, Mrs. Johnson caught her eye and motioned her to the kitchen.

"Be a love and run this to the bar, would you? Same fella you delivered the last special to."

Colleen picked up the plate that held a slice of what looked like delicious apple pie. Her stomach rumbled loudly and Mrs. Johnson chuckled. "I'll save you a piece for later. You've more than earned it."

Colleen was still smiling as she set the pie down in front of the black-haired charmer, as she thought of him.

"You have a beautiful smile. It's a pleasure to see it." He grinned in return and tiny laugh lines danced around the corners of his eyes and lips.

"Thank you," she said stiffly.

He took a big bite of pie, studying her. "You don't like me much, do you?" He finally asked, surprising her with his awareness.

"I don't know you," she protested.

"But you don't like what you've seen so far? I have to confess, I'm not used to that." He smiled again and Colleen laughed.

"I'm sure you're not," she said as she watched with amazement as with several big bites, he finished his pie in record time.

"Let's start over then, shall we? I'm Ricky, Ricky Donovan. And you are?"

"Colleen Shea."

"I figured as much. It's very nice to meet you Colleen."

"How did you know who I was?" And then it dawned on her. "Are you related to Liam and the Donovan family?" She didn't think that Julia had mentioned a brother named Ricky.

"I'm a cousin," he confirmed. "My father's brother is Ethan's dad. Our family isn't quite as large, though. I'm one of four. Two brothers, one sister."

Colleen relaxed a bit. If Ricky was part of the Donovan family, she probably didn't have to worry about him being another Frank.

"I didn't realize there were more Donovans in town. I'm meeting the rest of the family this Sunday, after church."

"Of course you are. They get together every Sunday." He looked thoughtful for a moment, then the mischievous smile crept back. "Maybe I'll stop by, too. That would shock them." He chuckled and then at Colleen's confused expression added, "It's okay. I have an open invitation. I'm long overdue, actually." He paused for a moment to glance at his pocket watch and seemed surprised by the time.

"I'm afraid duty calls. It was a pleasure to meet you, Colleen. I am sure I'll be seeing you soon." He drew several bills out of his wallet and set them on the bar to cover his tab, and then nodded her way as he left.

"So, you met Ricky?" Julia said a half-hour later as they settled down in the back room to have a bite to eat. The lunch rush was over and the restaurant was almost completely empty except for a few people at the bar and one table out front, and they had already paid their bill. Billy and Liam said they'd keep an eye on things and insisted that they take a break to eat.

"I didn't realize that there were more Donovans. Ricky said he's a cousin."

Julia nodded. "Yes. He doesn't often come around for family gatherings, but we see him at least once, sometimes twice a week in the pub." She paused and looked like she was about to say something, but turned her attention back to her lunch instead. They were both having a bowl of beef stew with a slice of apple pie on the side for dessert.

"What were you about to say?" Colleen was curious.

Julia sighed. "Well, I don't want to be a gossip, and I actually really like Ricky. He's been nothing but respectful and friendly with me, but Liam said he's the black sheep of the family."

"How so?"

"He's the youngest son. His older two brothers are both married with young children and are farmers, both hard workers. Ricky's different. He's a businessman. Very successful, I might add. "

"And that's a bad thing?"

Julia took a bite of pie and then frowned for a moment, thinking.

"I'm trying to remember exactly what Liam said. It was months ago and I don't recall the specifics, but I think it had something to do with suspicions that he may have possibly crossed a few ethical lines, taken shortcuts to grow his business."

"What is his business?" Colleen was intrigued.

"Ricky makes things happen. He's developed connections across the country and basically buys and sells just about everything. He's almost always the lowest bidder. Liam has no idea how he does it."

"So why does the family consider him the black sheep then? If he's so successful?"

"I think he makes them nervous. He's not like the rest of the family and they're not sure what to make of him. He's almost too successful. And I don't imagine it will surprise you to learn that he's quite the ladies’ man?"