All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 41

It was as if Donovan knew what time the girls would arrive on Fridays. He was sitting on his front stoop as Grace pulled up. As she exited the car and turned toward him, he waved. Now this was something new. What was Donovan up to? Grace always had the slight suspicious bent toward her relationships. Never quite trusting others, especially men. Always wondering about ulterior motives in people. She had not always been like this, but that was another story altogether. Some subjects are best left well enough alone.

“Donovan, how are you doing? You seem to be in great spirits today,” Grace greeted Donovan as she walked across the road.

“Grace, by now you must know the good news about Peter and Chloe,” Donovan touted as if he had a secret that Grace didn't know.

“Of course, Donovan, it's grand news, isn't it? Now Chloe will be up here all the time in a few weeks,” Grace thought this might deflate Donovan a bit.

Donovan was not one to be put down. His response was as sharp as a tack. “So I hear Chloe is going to take a job. What will ye be doin' now that she won't be keepin up the B&B?” He was plying Grace for answers.

Grace had her own tactics, and was not going to crumble to Donovan's pushing the issue. “For now, Donovan, I have guests to get ready for tonight and this weekend. Things will work themselves out, I'm sure.” Grace was not going to let Donovan know that she was staying at the cottage for the entire next week. He'd have to find that out as the days passed. And for now she had avoided his question as to what was going to happen.

Grace smiled and returned to her car to get the groceries she had purchased secure in the fact that for the time being she had shut Donovan down. But he did ask the question that was in the back of her mind the entire trip up to Swatragh. And a slight frown crept across her brow as she entered the B&B.

And full weekend lie ahead of her. This was the weekend when the band would be coming to stay. They would arrive early and had asked after the possibility of dinner before they headed out to their gig at Rafter's that night. Grade unloaded the supplies and got started on a bean and sausage casserole that she could keep piping hot and have ready at a moments notice. A nice fresh salad with some green grapes for some sweetness would be perfect with some brown bread on the side. These were simple meals, but most of the guests appreciated the country style cooking. They were not looking for fancy. Just good home cooked meals. Grace also made a quick berry and apple cobbler to have on hand for dessert.

As she checked on the casserole, there was a knock at the door. It was Frances and her band mates.

“I hope we are not too early?” she queried.

“Not at all, I'm Grace, your hostess. Please come on in,” Grace smiled and welcomed her guests. She got them all checked in and set up in their rooms telling them dinner would be ready when they were wanting it.

Frances asked if there was a place where they could do a little musical warm up before eating and Grace directed them to the large sitting room. As Grace continued working in the kitchen music filled the cottage. Every nook and cranny took in every note that was played. Francis voice moved throughout the rooms as it they had been craving this attention for too long. Grace found herself smiling and swaying to the music as she worked.

No sooner had Grace set the table and started to put out the food than the group finished their warm up. But the feel of the music remained to surround the cottage.

“That was absolutely lovely,” Grace told Frances. It's been too long since this place has been filled with music.

“Well, Grace, we'd be more than happy to recommend this place to our musician friends, but they need a place during the week also. Many of the pubs up this way have music on Thursday nights too, some even on Wednesday.” Frances explained to Grace.

“I've been trying to work out keeping the place open all week, but so far it's been difficult. I will be up here all this next week and would welcome another group during the week. I definitely have vacancies.” Grace's mind was busy creating ideas as they flew through her head.

“Consider it done, lassie,” Frances responded, and with that, Grace knew what she was going to have to do.