Page 14 of One Chance to Stay (Bears of Firefly Valley #4)

Mom: Vacation? You didn’t tell me! Went to Spectrum to say hi.

Dad: Why do you do this to your mother?

Mom: A lovely drag queen said you’re in Firefly?

Dad: She also did your mom’s makeup.

Dad: So. Much. Glitter.

Mom: We now know your dad can walk in heels.

Dad: And look fabulous to boot.

I nearly died when Mom sent the photo of Dad sitting in her lap.

He showed off his heels while she puckered her lips, gesturing to her makeup.

If ever there was a photo to describe their support, this would be it.

They were determined to live, and it didn’t matter where their experiences took them.

I always envied their fearless approach to life.

“Are you the stripper?”

I froze, the red grocery basket swinging from my hand.

The woman behind the market checkout counter leaned on her elbows and patiently waited for my answer.

Her cheek bulged as she rolled the lollipop from one side of her mouth to the other.

I should have known I couldn’t get in and buy my supplies without being dragged into town gossip.

“For the bachelor party? No.”

“So, you’re a stripper at other parties?”

My eyes narrowed. She stood up, waving me off. “I’m messing with you. Abraham called earlier to let me know what’s going on.”

“Of course. Rumors spread?—”

“To put your stuff on his tab.” When I choked back my words, she chuckled, pulling the lollipop free. “See, we do more than gossip. Though he mentioned you were a bartender from Bangor. You’re not a Maine native, but you’ve lived here long enough. You might as well be.”

I smacked my forehead. “I’ll just get supplies for tonight and be on my way.”

“What do you think is going to happen at Walter’s party?”

I held my tongue. Anything I said would be taken as fact, and text messages would fly as soon as I left.

It’d start fairly tame, then after a few drinks they’d believe themselves playboys.

By the time the dancers arrived, they’d be throwing around money like they had enough to burn.

Somebody would spend the night in the bathroom hurling.

Another would get slapped by the dancer. It’d be loud and out of control.

Abraham would owe me. Big time.

“I’m sure it’ll be like every other.”

She gave a stifled laugh, making it clear she knew more about the story, but refused to share. I loved Firefly for many reasons. Always feeling like I was on the outside of an inside joke was not one of them.

I scurried past to the produce in the back. Oranges. Lemons. Limes. A couple of celery stalks, just in case. Not knowing the men or the bar I’d be working at, I had to run through the most common drinks.

“It’s been ages!” The cashier’s voice carried through the small market.

“How’s Carl doing?”

“You should stop by and see his sculptures. Man knows how to handle a chainsaw, if you know what I mean.”

I snorted at the conversation. Only in Maine could chainsaws be worked into casual conversation.

I inspected the weird collection of goods in my basket.

Oh, I couldn’t forget the cherries. That’d complete my list, and I’d head across the green to see if I could squeeze another bottle of whiskey out of the ‘yet-to-open’ liquor store.

I watched the new woman head toward the meat counter.

The red hair shone in the fluorescent lights.

I had seen plenty of drag queens in wigs, and never did they quite match the color of a natural redhead.

What were the chances I’d bump into her ?

She exchanged pleasantries with the man behind the counter before he handed her a package wrapped in brown paper.

I sped down the aisle to the cashier, setting my basket on the counter. “Are you tending bar, or are you making a fruit salad?”

I raised an eyebrow. “It’s for cocktails.”

She laughed until it bordered on hysterical. “Cocktails. That’s rich. Abraham has two suitcases of beer being sent over. I think you’ll find out these men have questionable tastes.” She scanned the groceries while shaking her head. “Cocktails. That’s just too funny.”

The redhead stood in line beside me. “Is there a bar opening in town?”

“Grace?” She set the meat on the checkout. Both she and Dorothy shot me a curious glance. “Oh, sorry.” I held out my hand. “I know your dad.”

“You do?” They spoke in unison. Grace took my hand, giving it a shake. Even after seeing the photos hanging on the wall, I couldn't believe she shared his genes. The crooked smile, however, had come straight from her dad.

“Long story short. I got lost in the woods in a snowstorm. I kind of owe him my life.” My face burned as I realized how humiliating it sounded, especially sharing with strangers. “I recognize you from the photos.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t shoot you.”

Was she joking? “He answered the door with a rifle.”

“That’s my boy,” the cashier said.

With my goods bagged up, I hoisted it against my chest and gave her a slight nod. I’d have loved to stay and talk, but I didn’t want to make it weird. How do you casually tell somebody’s kid that you’ve seen their dad naked?

“Well, it was good meeting you.” I gave a salute to her and then the cashier. “You as well.”

I paced myself as I walked through the door, trying not to run.

Had I made it awkward? The bell jingled as I stepped outside into the chilly afternoon sun.

Everybody in town knew one another. It wasn’t abnormal to strike up a casual conversation, right?

It’s not like I said her dad had soft lips and a strong grip.

No, I had been just another friendly person in Firefly.

The door jingled. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

She had followed. It’s not like I could escape without looking as if I had something to hide. Holding up the brown package from the meat counter, she gave me an elbow to the side.

“If I knew, I’d have ordered an extra steak and had you join us.”

“Not sure Seamus would want me there.”

“Not sure I’d care.” Grace giggled. It was already more levity than I had seen from her father. “Dad’s not exactly swimming in friends.”

“I’m not exactly a friend.” Half-truth.

“Mind if I join you?” As I strolled along the sidewalk toward the Harvest & Vine, she stayed at my side. “Not exactly a friend and friend are the same thing with him. If you couldn’t tell, he’s sort of?—”

“A grump?”

“You took the words out of my mouth. He likes to pretend that he’s this hermit out on the farm. He was never a social butterfly, but he had friends when I was a kid. Now…” Her voice drifted. I had seen it first-hand. Seamus had built a world in which he looked in from the outside.

“Are you in town checking on Pops?”

“I work for Human Services and had to do a final home visit for Danny and Lea.” She laughed, smacking me on the shoulder.

“You have no idea who they are.” Maybe not, but I’m sure I would.

“It’s common knowledge. They’re adopting the boy they’ve been fostering.

It was supposed to be temporary, but—” She leaned close, her voice jumping an octave.

“I can’t wait to tell them they’re getting the final seal of approval. ”

“That sounds like news worth celebrating.”

We had passed Jason’s comic shop and the barber.

A handwritten ‘Coming Soon’ hung in a window covered with newspapers.

The owners were a couple in their thirties who had spent their summers in London and wanted to bring the pub experience to Firefly.

I rooted for them. Every bit of culture snuck into a small town made it a better place.

“It’s not always good news. I can’t wait to see Jake’s eyes light up.

They don’t know it yet, but during our meetings, he already refers to them as Mom and Dad.

” The smile had stretched across her face.

I’m pretty sure she did a little victory dance.

“I figured while I was in town, I’d grill some steaks with Dad. Next time, you’ll have to join us.”

She didn’t relent. Grace would go out of her way for her father. I had a thousand questions for her, but I didn’t want to insert myself into family matters. If I showed too much interest, she might read between the lines. I didn’t trust myself to not accidentally out her father.

“Are you bartending Walter’s bachelor party?”

I shouldn’t be surprised. It seemed as if it was the talk of the town. “Abraham roped me into it.”

“Have you met Walter?” I shook my head in response. “Oh, you’re in for a treat. Walter is a lot. In a good way. Maybe I’ll see if I can get my dad to attend.”

“Your dad knows Walter?”

She frowned, head tilted to the side. “You really aren’t from Firefly. My dad might be a hermit, but he’s still part of the community… sort of. I made him take the job at Logan’s, forcing him to be around people.”

I spotted Julie inside the store. Knocking on the window, I gave her a wave. “If he needs convincing, tell him I’ll have a good bottle of whiskey set aside for him.”

“You do know the way to his heart.” She held up the steaks. “I should head to his place. I’ll make sure he puts in an appearance tonight. And thanks.”

“For?”

“Getting Dad out of his shell.” If she only knew.

She jumped over a snow bank and walked along the street before getting in her car.

I’d spend the rest of the day replaying our conversation, dissecting every word.

As Julie flipped the locks on the door, I prayed I hadn’t put Seamus in an odd spot with his daughter.

Yet, the thought of him showing up at the party tonight made me smile.

I’d put up with a bunch of drunk bachelors for another chance to see him.

“Patrick, back so soon?” She waved me inside.

“I have a whiskey emergency.”

“Oh, let me show you a limited batch we just got in from Canada.”

I couldn’t wait to see his face as I poured him a glass. Or better yet, when they clinked together and we shared a drink.

Not the bachelor party I envisioned.