“No way of telling till I go down there. I’ll go now, then stop by the pub and let you know what I find out. When’s the kid’s surgery?”
“It’s not scheduled yet, but I imagine it’ll be in the next week or two. It’s a risky procedure. The boy needs to know his father’s there for him.”
“Then we’ll find a way to make that happen,” Jack said confidently.
“You need a retainer?” Ryan asked.
“No way. This one’s on me. Just make sure there’s a cold ale waiting for me when I get there later.”
“Thanks, Jack.”
“Hey, not a problem. I can’t have the neighborhood thinking you’re the only good guy around. I need my share of those babes who are always circling around you. Hell, I’d even take one of Rory’s rejects.”
Ryan laughed. “You pick out any woman in the pub and I’ll introduce you.”
“I saw a redhead in there the night before Thanksgiving...” Jack began.
Ryan stiffened. “Except her,” he said.
Jack’s gaze narrowed. “What’s up with that? Is she married?”
“No.”
“Engaged?”
“No.”
A grin spread across Jack’s face. “Yours?”
Ryan hesitated, then sighed. “Could be.” Whether he wanted it that way or not.
* * *
Maggie walked into the pub shortly after three in the afternoon lugging a laptop, a portable printer and a package of paper. Rory came out of the kitchen, took one look at her and rushed over to take some of the load.
“You trying to get a hernia?” he demanded. “What is all this stuff?”
“I wanted to make a point with Ryan. Is he around?”
“He went by the shelter. He should be back soon.” He paused in the middle of the room. “Where do you want this?”
“In his office,” she said at once.
Rory shook his head. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Nobody goes in Ryan’s office without an invitation.”
“Why is that?”
“Because he says so,” Rory said simply. “And since something tells me he’s not going to be real happy to see all this fancy technological stuff, anyway, maybe you better not start off on the wrong foot by busting in there when he’s not around.”
Maggie considered the advice. “You could have a point. Set it on the end of the bar. There’s bound to be a plug nearby.”
Rory shook his head again. “If I were you, I’d pick a real dark corner.”
Maggie laughed. “The bar will do.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself. Hope you don’t mind if I go back in the kitchen. I want to be out of the line of fire when he gets back. Can I get you a drink or something before I go?”
“No, thanks. Besides, I worked the bar last night. If I get thirsty, I can fix something.”
A look of delight split his round face. “Taking over here, are you? That’s the girl. Poor Ryan’s head must be spinning.”
She grinned at that. “I certainly hope so.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to it, then. You need any advice from a man who knows him well, you come to me. There’s little about Ryan Devaney that I don’t know. He’s the best friend a man could have. And something tells me if a woman can win his heart, he’ll be the best husband, as well. The trick lies in the winning. You won’t do it overnight.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Maggie said, finding it interesting that Rory’s impression so closely mirrored Father Francis’s.
While she waited for Ryan to arrive, she set up the computer and printer, then opened her business finance program. She began filling in all the inventory categories she could think of for a pub. Satisfied that she’d hit on most of them, she looked up to find Ryan standing over her, a scowl on his face.
“What’s this?” he inquired, as if she’d brought a dangerous foreign object into his pub.
“A free demonstration,” she said cheerfully. “Come see.”
“I don’t have the time. I’ve a business to run. And I’m getting a late start as it is.”
“What I’m suggesting would make it easier,” she said.
“Can it serve drinks?”
She frowned at the mocking question. “No, but—”
“Then I’m not interested,” he said flatly. He reached for an apron and tied it around his waist, then vanished to the far end of the bar, leaving her to stare after him.
“Don’t mind Ryan,” Father Francis advised, appearing out of nowhere and sliding onto the stool next to her. “He’ll come around. After a childhood that was filled with the unexpected, he works hard to keep things steady and familiar, now that he’s grown. It takes him a while to warm up to new people and even longer to listen to new ideas.”
“And I’m pushing at the boundaries of his comfort zone,” Maggie assessed thoughtfully, considering his reaction from a fresh perspective. “Maybe I should back off.”
“Now, why would you be wanting to do such a thing?” Father Francis demanded. “Change is what keeps us all alive. Ryan does too little of it.”
“If you’re so fond of change, why don’t you invite her over to the church to meddle in your business?” Ryan inquired sourly as he plunked an Irish coffee down in front of the priest. “I imagine you have ancient systems there that could use an overhaul.”
“Perhaps I will,” Father Francis said readily. “In fact, I think I’ll see if we have the budget for it. Would you be interested, Maggie?”
Maggie was more interested in the fact that Ryan’s expression turned even darker at the priest’s acceptance of his challenge. Still, she turned to Father Francis. “I’d be happy to take a look and see if I have any suggestions,” she told him. “The consultation’s on the house. After that, we’ll see if there’s anything I can contribute, and discuss terms.”
“Well, isn’t that just perfect?” Ryan snapped, retreating to the opposite end of the bar, where he slammed a few mugs around so hard, it was amazing that they didn’t shatter.
Maggie sighed. “I’d better talk to him. I owe him an apology for pushing so hard.”
“No, child,” Father Francis said at once. “He’s the one who needs to apologize. Give him a minute. He’ll come around on his own. He knows when he’s being unreasonable, and he’s generally honest enough to admit it.”
Maggie sat back down, but the wait seemed interminable. Finally, though, Ryan approached the two of them with a look of remorse on his face. “Okay, I was out of line.” He frowned at the priest. “But you were deliberately pushing my buttons, and you know it.”
“Do I now?” Father Francis said, his expression innocent.
“Of course you do. You take great pleasure in it, which makes me wonder why I put up with you.” He turned to Maggie. “As for you, I truly am sorry. I know you were trying to be helpful. It’s just that I don’t need that kind of help. I’ve been running this place for a while now. I know how to do it. It might not be the most efficient operation, but it works for me.”
“And