Julia Page 7

  “Perfect timing. He finally fell asleep about ten minutes before you got here. Do you want some coffee or tea?”

  “I wouldn’t mind a second cup of coffee, thanks.” Julia followed Emma into the kitchen and sat on a stool while Emma put some water on the stove. Emily was playing quietly in the corner with two of her dolls.

  “It’s a little more peaceful than the last time I was here,” Julia said with a chuckle.

  “I know, thankfully. We’re all getting used to each other and seem to have settled into a routine that works.”

  “That’s great. So, we had a bit of drama last night.” Julia filled her in on the fire.

  “That’s awful! Is Liam okay to deal with that?” she asked, and Julia realized Emma knew about Liam’s condition.

  “He’s fine. Back to normal, thank God. How did you find out? I wanted to tell you.” Julia was relieved that her friend knew.

  “Ethan’s mother stopped by on her way home, that first day you told her. Ethan already knew about his condition, of course, but she didn’t want us to worry as she knew you’d told me he was sick.”

  “Oh, right.” Julia almost forgot that she’d stopped by Emma’s the second morning that Liam was home, to let her know that she wouldn’t be by.

  “It’s hard for me to picture Liam depressed,” Emma admitted.

  “I know, I told his mother that, too, that he’s about the last person I’d expect it of. She told me that depression is common with people who are very outgoing. I guess you just never know. It seems like it’s just something you are born with, but things can trigger it, set it off.”

  “Really? What triggered it for Liam?” Emma asked.

  Julia explained that was a perfect storm of sorts—worry about the pub and the things that had been happening, Liam not taking his medicinal herbs and drinking a little more than usual.

  “So, it sounds like he can keep it under control as long as he drinks that tea regularly.”

  “Yes, and it’s why he stopped taking it. He was so good for so long that he fooled himself into thinking he didn’t need it anymore, that he was over it. He knows better now.”

  “But what about the threats to the pub? That’s serious. Especially now that someone tried to burn it down. Good thing Isaac was there,” Emma said.

  “Yes, but what if he hadn’t woken up in time? He could have been injured or even killed.”

  “Well, hopefully they’ll catch whoever did this soon, and then you can all relax.”

  ###

  Liam came home for Julia at the usual time, just before four, and they chatted easily on the way back into town. He still couldn’t get over how amazing she was and how she’d covered so smoothly for him all week at the pub. She was an incredibly strong woman who had stayed so calm under pressure—and who genuinely seemed to care about him. He was still mortified about the whole thing, and embarrassed beyond belief that she’d seen him so weak and helpless. What must she think of him? He had to be a disappointment to her. He hoped, in time, to make it up to her.

  When they walked into the pub, there was a buzz in the air. It was much busier than usual and people seemed to be pouring in from nowhere. Julia immediately started showing customers to tables while Liam went straight to the bar where Billy was busy making drinks. He walked behind the bar and started taking drink orders, too, and once everyone had a drink in front of them and they could take a breather, he turned to Billy. “What the heck is going on?”

  “Look at the far end of the bar.” Liam glanced in the direction Billy indicated and instantly felt a rage build in him. Rusty Smith was already there, hours earlier than his usual appearance, and was holding court with several older men who Liam didn’t recognize.

  “Why is he here now?” he asked. Billy just shrugged his shoulders.

  “I have absolutely no idea. But look around the room and tell me what you see.”

  Liam did a sweep of the room and felt the hair stand up on the back of his neck.

  “He did it. And people either know it or suspect it, and they’re expecting something to happen.” He raked his hand through his hair and then muttered, “I really don’t need this now.”

  “Just stay cool and keep your ears open. You never know what you might hear, and what they might slip up by saying.”

  “That’s good advice.” Liam took a deep breath and headed toward the end of the bar, where Rusty’s empty glass was waiting.

  “Evening, Rusty. Get you another?” Rusty never had more than one, so Liam hoped he was ready to settle up and be on his way.

  “I think I just might enjoy another whiskey.” Rusty smiled slowly and watched as Liam poured the drink.

  “Here you go,” Liam said as he set the drink in front of Rusty.

  “Heard you had a fire last night. Lucky that you caught it early.”

  “Yes, we were certainly lucky,” Liam said, and failed to hold back a bit of sarcasm.

  “Any idea how it happened?” Rusty held his gaze as he asked the question. His tone was innocent, sympathetic even, as the others around him nodded and leaned in to hear Liam’s response. Liam sensed he was just fishing, wondering if they had a suspect in mind. Liam decided to toy with him.

  “No idea at all. We figure it must have been an accident though, right? No one would deliberately set fire to the pub. At least, I can’t imagine why anyone would do that. Can you?”

  Rusty’s eyes flickered. He took a slow sip of whiskey and set his glass back down.

  “No, I certainly can’t imagine who would do such a thing.”

  As Liam walked away, he could have sworn he heard Rusty mutter, “Idiot,” under his breath. He chuckled. Good, let Rusty think he had no idea what was going on. He’d be more likely to let his guard down and slip up.

  About twenty minutes later, Rusty left and the heightened energy in the room immediately diminished.

  Liam pushed two beers toward Julia, who was waiting to deliver them to her table. “I think we have some disappointed customers. They came expecting a show.”

  “Well, that tells you something, doesn’t it? If half the town thinks he did it, he’s bound to slip up soon. What an idiot.” Julia walked off with her beers while Liam stood, chuckling to himself for a moment. Rusty really was an idiot if he didn’t think Liam was on to him.

  They were both quiet on the ride home, and it was almost midnight when they finally pulled into their driveway.

  Liam put a pot of water on as soon as they were inside so he could make his special tea. He wanted nothing more than to pull Julia into his arms, but the timing didn’t seem right. It was so late and they were both exhausted. He had been surprised to find that Julia was not only receptive but responsive to him as well. The next time they kissed, he wanted it to be when she could really enjoy it, not when she was about to fall asleep.

  ###

  The next day, Julia worked the day shift and Liam insisted she head home around four. So, she enjoyed a relaxing evening, curled up on the sofa with a good book and only getting up every few hours to throw another log in the wood stove. The small, cast-iron stove threw out an amazing amount of heat and the cozy warmth eventually made her eyes heavy until she closed them, for just a minute.

  The sound of the door opening woke her. Liam walked in, holding a small box. Julia sat up and wondered how long she’d been asleep.

  “What time is it?” She asked.

  “Probably half past nine, is my best guess. I left a little early and had Billy close up.” Liam handed her the box. “Take a look. I brought this home for you. Mrs. Johnson made her famous chocolate cake tonight.“ He shrugged off his heavy coat, removed his boots and went to the kitchen and grabbed two forks.

  Julia opened the box as Liam headed towards her.

  “Did you find out who set the fire?” she asked.

  “Not yet. We will, though. It’s just a matter of time.” He settled next to her on the sofa and brought her attention back to the cake.

  “Go ahead, take a
bite.”

  “It looks wonderful, but it’s too late to eat this now,” she said regretfully.

  “Oh, just take a bite.” He handed her a fork and without a moment’s hesitation, she took a small bite and immediately swooned. Then went in for another, bigger bite before handing the box to him.

  “I thought you might like it,” he said with a chuckle as he took a bite and then passed the box back to her. They went on like that until the slice of cake was gone.

  “So much for just one bite,” Julia laughed.

  “Come here, you have a bit of frosting on your face.” Liam had a playful look in his eyes as Julia leaned toward him. He used the tip of his thumb to gently brush just below her lip. She felt her breath catch and leaned in a bit more.

  “I don’t think I got it all. I’ll have to try again.” This time he leaned in as well, and lightly teased her lip with his tongue and then pulled her in for a real kiss. Julia sank into him and didn’t want it to stop. Eventually, though, he pulled away slightly and said, “I think I got it all.”

  “I’m not sure if you did,” Julia teased. “Maybe you should try again.”

  “How would you feel about coming upstairs with me?” he asked nervously. It was a big step for them.

  She smiled and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I would love to.” The timing finally felt right for both of them, and though still a bit nervous, Julia was ready.

  ###

  Julia woke the next morning feeling unusually content and much warmer than usual. Then she realized why as she rolled over and bumped into Liam. Instinctively, his arm wrapped around her and pulled her close to him. The warmth radiated off of him and she sighed. She could get used to this. The night before had been wonderful, a bit awkward at first and a little painful even, but after that, nothing but pleasure. She stretched and Liam nuzzled her ear.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked softly.

  “Wonderful, I slept like a baby. Is it always like that?” she asked.

  He chuckled. “Let’s find out.”

  “What? Oh...” She giggled as she realized what he meant and eagerly turned towards him.

  “There’s something I’m not sure if told you last night, though.” Liam suddenly sounded serious.

  “What?”

  “Just that I love my wife. I should have mentioned that, I think.” He kissed the tip of her nose and she smiled.

  “I love you, too, so much.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and proceeded to show him exactly how much.

  CHAPTER TEN

  After Liam headed to the pub, Julia did a few things around the house and then set off for Emma’s.

  “I missed seeing you yesterday,” Emma pouted good-naturedly as Julia walked in.

  “I worked the day shift,” Julia explained as she unbuttoned her coat and took off her hat and gloves.

  “I figured that. What’s new at the pub? Any news on how the fire started?” Emma was holding baby Jeremy tightly to her and rocking back and forth slightly so he would fall asleep. Emily was at the table eating breakfast.

  “It looks like Rusty may be behind it.” Julia filled her in on his behavior and that it was looking more and more like he was involved.

  “That terrible saloon of his should be shut down. I’m not at all surprised his business has suffered since the pub opened. Given the choice, I know where most people would rather go.”

  “I agree. It’s stressful, though, worrying about what might happen next.”

  Emma frowned. “How is Liam handling it?”

  Julia smiled as she thought of Liam. “He’s great, really doing well now.”

  Emma looked at her closely and then announced, “You love him!”

  Julia could feel herself blush and said nothing.

  “You do! I can tell.”

  “Yes, well, he’s easy enough to love,” she said.

  “I’m so happy for you. I just knew the two of you would be a good match.”

  “Truly, I can’t thank you enough. I wouldn’t be here if not for you.” Julia felt tears come to her eyes as all the emotions of the past week seemed to hit her all at once.

  “Oh, please. Nothing you wouldn’t have done, too.” Emma saw that Jeremy was finally asleep and went off to put him down for his nap. When she returned, she was holding an armful of pine branches, pine cones and cranberries. “I have a project for us. I thought we could put together some pretty Christmas wreaths, since it’s right around the corner.

  Christmas was less than two weeks away. Julia had been so busy with the pub and everything else that was going on that it had snuck up on her.

  “That’s a great idea. We still need to get a Christmas tree, too.”

  ###

  Julia and Liam both worked the evening shift and it was steady all night. As had become his annoying habit, Rusty showed up a half-hour before closing and ordered a whiskey on the rocks. He drank it down immediately and ordered a second. He was by himself but chatting loudly with the men around him. Liam thought he seemed a bit off, as if he’d had several drinks, possibly, at his own place before coming to the pub.

  “It’s not right,” he proclaimed to the man sitting next to him. “There should be laws to protect a business from another business trying to steal its customers.” He continued making similar statements to anyone who would listen and, as a result, the seats around him emptied out earlier than usual. Great, now he was actually driving their customers away. Liam wrote up a bill for Rusty and set it in front of him.

  “You trying to get rid of me?” he accused, and then hiccupped. Liam fought back a smile. Rusty was plastered.

  “Not at all, but we are closing up, so everyone will be leaving.”

  “All right, then. I see how it is. I know when I’m not welcome.” Rusty dramatically downed his last sip, threw some money down on the bar and stumbled to the door.

  “What was that?” Julia said as she brought some empty glasses to the bar.

  “Just Rusty being Rusty. Seems like he’s having a bad day.”

  ###

  They finished cleaning up, and about an hour later were just about ready to head home. Isaac had gone into his back room to go to bed for the night and Julia and Liam were in the back office. Julia wrote out the deposit slip and then Liam locked it in the safe. They were just about to leave when they both heard something at the same time. It was a scuffling noise at the back door of the kitchen. Then they heard the crash of breaking glass and the sound of a door opening.

  “Stay here, and lock the door behind me,” Liam ordered. He inched his way toward the kitchen and had the advantage of knowing the layout, even in the dark. He heard footsteps and then a loud bump, followed by a muttered swear. A clumsy, drunken intruder, who could that be? A minute later, though, he was surprised by a painful whack against the side of his head. The intruder had swung at him with a frying pan. Luckily, his aim was off and he hit his shoulder more than his head, but the surprise of it knocked him to the ground.

  “You never should have opened this rotten place. Killing my business, you are. Only one thing left to do. I tried to warn you. This is all your fault.” Liam recoiled from the stench of Rusty’s rotten, drunken breath.

  “I’ve got you right where I want you. Once you’re gone, things will get back to normal for me.” Rusty lifted the frying pan high and prepared to deliver a final crushing blow, except that Liam rolled out of the way just as Isaac came from behind and jumped on Rusty’s back.

  Julia was by their side then, too.

  “Liam, are you okay?” she asked.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Hold him here. I’m going for the sheriff.”

  Before they could say a word, Julia was out the door and minutes later, was back with the sheriff and his handcuffs.

  “Rusty, you’re in a heap of trouble. I knew it was you that started that fire.”

  “Who cares about the fire? It didn’t do anything,” Rusty shot back.

  “And now you’re attempti
ng murder.” The sheriff shook his head in disgust.

  “I didn’t have a choice,” Rusty insisted.

  “Well, this pub is going to be the least of your worries now.” The sheriff pulled Rusty to his feet, cuffed his hands behind his back, dragging him out the front door and off to the town jail.

  “Thanks, Isaac.” Liam rubbed the side of his head. It throbbed, but he knew it could have been much worse.

  “It’s over now. Let’s go home.” Julia hugged him and he hugged her back tightly.

  “Isaac, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Liam said.

  “Tomorrow’s Sunday,” Isaac reminded him with a chuckle.

  “Right, good. Okay then, see you Monday.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Two weeks later…

  Christmas Eve

  What are you making?” Liam whispered in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his head on her shoulders.

  “Torrone. It’s a nougat candy I learned how to make in the orphanage many years ago. We made it every Christmas.” Julia gave the egg whites a final whip, then slowly poured in the hot honey and sugar mixture. Lastly, she folded in chopped, toasted almonds and then poured the mixture onto a buttered cookie sheet to cool. It would then be cut into bars about a half-inch thick. She cut a small piece of the still-warm candy and popped it in his mouth.

  “Oh, that is good.” He reached for more and she playfully slapped his wrist.

  “Wait until it cools. We need to save some for everyone else, too.”

  “Fine. How about some more coffee, then? Will you have a cup if I make another pot?”

  “Yes, absolutely. We still have a little time before everyone gets here.”

  Julia set the cookie sheet of Torrone on the counter to cool and quickly cleaned up. By the time she finished, the coffee was ready and she and Liam sat on the sofa to relax before the rest of the family arrived. They were having a potluck dinner, of sorts. Everyone was bringing something. They had a beautiful Christmas tree in the corner, all decorated and glowing merrily with small candles carefully placed throughout. The wreath that Julia had made at Emma’s house hung on the door, and they had bowls of fruit and nuts on the kitchen table, which was covered with a bright red table-cloth. Liam had also brought in extra tables and chairs to make sure they’d have room for everyone.