Just as Grace was getting settled into being in charge of the B&B for the weekend, her phone started ringing. This was another call for a booking for the weekend. She never thought she would have to be turning down guests because she was all booked up. After a quick chat with the callers, she ended up making arrangements with them for a weekend the next month. They would have been interested in staying a few more days during the week, but Grace explained that at this point they were only open on weekends.
As Grace looked at the calendar, she realized that the cottage was booked solid for every weekend, though the summer and into the fall. How did this happen? Maybe there was something to this B&B business. She was quite pleased that she felt she would be making some money along the way.
As Grace got settled in the kitchen to make some dinner for Chloe, Peter, and herself, a couple of the guests arrived. With the aromas of Aine's recipes wafting from the kitchen, they commented about how good the food smelled. Grace, wanting to be a gracious host, told them she offered dinner for an extra cost, but they were welcome to eat family style at the big table in the dining room. She did explain there was no menu, just what she was cooking for the night, but they were thrilled to have a home cooked meal. Grace showed them to their room, and hurried to take an inventory to make sure she had enough for everyone. She was so glad that Chloe had made a loaf of brown bread that morning to go along with dinner.
Grace had planned an easy dinner for herself, Chloe and Peter, so adding some more bangers to the bangers and mash, and cooking a few more potatoes was perfect. A bit of coleslaw on the side made the meal complete. There was some fresh fruit that Chloe had picked up to go with some clotted cream for dessert.
Grace had made bangers and mash in her flat in Dublin, but Aine'e recipe was quite a bit different. There were no short cuts for the caramelized onions and sauce made with a bit of red wine and some beef stock. The bangers had to be cooked in boiling water first, then sauteed in a frying pan. The only easy thing about all this was the potatoes with plenty of butter and cream. Grace took care to follow the directions carefully. Chloe came in to help her set the table and get the potatoes ready as Grace finished the bangers. The end result was divine for such a simple dish. The guests raved about it, saying they had never tasted better. Grace briefly raised her eyes heaven-ward thanking Aine for the recipe.
As they all finished dinner and cleared the table the guests were off to town to Rafters, and other guests were arriving. Grace made sure to get everyone settled in and comfortable as Chloe and Peter had taken off after dinner. She had no idea where they were going, but knew this was Chloe's time off and wanted to make sure she enjoyed herself.
Standing at the sink in the kitchen Grace's mind wandered to what it would have been like to be spending time with Aine as she cleared dishes from a similar dinner. She was startled by a deep voice coming from the kitchen doorway.
“Hello,” he said, suddenly realizing he had startled Grace. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.”
“Oh, no, that's okay, I guess my mind was wandering off somewhere,” Grace apologized for not responding sooner. “What can I do for you?”
“I was wondering if you have a room open,” he asked. “I didn't see a 'no vacancy' sign out front.”
“I'm terribly sorry, but I'm full up this weekend.” Grace was mesmerized by this man. His deep smooth voice, dark hair and blue eyes. Apologetically she explained, “I haven't had time to get a no vacancy sign up yet.” In the back of her mind she was wondering if Peter had even made one.
“There's no other place to stay around here, is there?” he asked.
“As far as I know this is the only B&B for about 20 miles. Maybe in Maghera, or north toward Coleraine,” Grace explained.
“Unfortunately I don't think that will work. I've been riding on my bike and my last spare tire just went flat about 5 miles back. So I've been hoofing it up to here,” he explained.
Grace had been so mesmerized by his face and voice that she hardly noticed he was wearing biking clothes. She was quickly trying to find a solution for this man. There was something about him that she could not put a finger on.
“I know it would be unusual, but I'd be glad to pay to stay on the sofa tonight. Tomorrow I could walk to the closest town to get a new tire.” he pleaded and it was working on Grace.
“Wait, I think I can work this out. I have a room upstairs with a single bed. I'll have to go pull my things from it, but you can have that room.” Grace had no idea what she was doing. Where in the world would she be sleeping tonight? She just knew she had to do this.
“Are you sure, you did say you were full up?” he questioned.
“It's a long story, but you can have the room as soon as I get it ready. Now go get your things and I'll meet you at the bottom of the stairs,” Grace had fully taken charge here.
Up the stairs she ran and grabbed her things that she had unpacked stuffing them back in her weekend bag. She would be sharing the downstairs room with Chloe tonight, whether Chloe liked it or not. As she arrived back downstairs, she meet the stranger entering the B&B.
“By the way, my name is Quinn Brady. It really is very nice of you to make such arrangements for me.” Quinn professed.
“I'm Grace... and don't think a thing about it. Do you have a preference for breakfast or a time you'd like breakfast?” Grace was trying to stay focused and professional. Who was this guy anyway? Why did she even care?
“Any time is fine for me. Maybe around nine. And if you do a full Ulster fry, that would suit me fine. I need the carbs for riding all day.” Quinn told Grace.
“It will be ready for you in the morning,” Grace turned to take her suitcase into the downstairs bedroom, when Quinn suddenly grabbed it out of her hands.
“Let me do that for you, it's the least I can do,” he spoke as he followed Grace to the bedroom door.
“I can take it from here, thank you,” Grace was just a little put of by this man. Not sure exactly sure about trusting him. What was it about him?
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