4. Chapter Four

Chapter Four

H ennessy sat on the bar stool as Ellie drove out of the parking lot. She’d stayed the three days she was off, and Hennessy wasn’t sure how he could let her go back to Bluff Creek. She ran hot and cold. He was so freaking confused. The bar was open but not very busy. Crewe had let everyone know he had jury duty, so the bar’s bigger menu would be suspended for a couple of days. Crewe was a perfectionist in the kitchen, and his normal backup was with her daughter in Texas, caring for her new grandbaby. They survived on popcorn, pretzels, nuts, and drinks.

Vivi pulled his arm off the bar where he was leaning and handed him Bailey.

“Here, hold your niece while I go start some laundry and do a couple things since you’re just sitting moping.”

He leaned close to Bailey’s face, turning his head so his beard tickled her neck. She smiled, giggled, and squirmed.

“How’s my Bailey Bear?” he asked her. At nine months, she didn’t answer, but she smiled at him. He loved her, but he wanted one of his own. Yep, he not only wanted kids, but he wanted it all—the woman to come home to or for her to come home to him, snuggling and talking late at night.

A person sat down on the stool beside him.

“You look pretty comfortable with a baby in your arms, Hennessy,” Sheila said.

“Yep, my niece has made us all very comfortable with babies, even when they’re stinky, right, my little poop monster?” Hennessy said with his baby voice.

“Poop monster?” Sheila asked, grabbing a couple pretzels out of the bowl.

“Yes, she pooped all over me when I screwed up and didn’t get the diaper tabs as tight as I should. Little Bailey and I were both poop monsters ‘cause we were covered, weren’t we, sweetie?” Hennessy said, kissing her nose. “And her daddy was a butthead because instead of helping me, he laughed and filmed it for our family.”

Sheila giggled, then guffawed. Yeah, he knew it was hysterical to everyone else, but how many times did he have to see that video?

“Bailey’s lucky to have you,” Sheila said.

“Yes, she is, isn’t she?” Hennessy said. “Are you heading to work or heading home? I saw there’s some bad weather rolling in tonight, it looks like.”

“I’m heading home. Thought I’d stretch a little, have some coffee, a bathroom break, then head out.”

“Okay, let me go make you some fresh coffee.” Hennessy headed behind the bar with Bailey in his arms.

He dumped the pot one-handed and then grabbed a new filter. A hip bumped his.

“I’ve got this, or you can share Bailey,” Ryanne said. Hennessy shook his head, then handed the filter to Ryanne.

“Nope, you can do the fresh coffee. Vivi said Bailey would help me quit moping.”

Ryanne shook her head.

“What are you shaking your head for?” he muttered.

Ryanne finished prepping the coffee, then started the pot and turned toward him and Sheila.

“Sheila, how long have you been coming here?” Ryanne asked.

“Umm, I think I’ve dropped in seven or eight times over the last two months,” Sheila said.

“And if you had to guess, who is Hennessy head over heels in love with?” Ryanne asked, with her arms crossed.

“Oh, Ellie. He talks about her when she’s not here, and his eyes follow her everywhere when she’s not looking. But she seems shy. No, that’s not the word. Guarded, that’s it. She doesn’t have a clue he loves her,” Sheila said.

Hennessy stared at the two women. They both knew he was interested in Ellie? But he wasn’t sure he loved her. He wanted to get to know her better, and he really liked her, but love? It had hurt watching her leave for Bluff Creek, but was he already in love with her?

Ryanne started laughing, and Sheila joined in.

“Oh my gosh, his face. It’s like those cartoons where the light bulb appears over the person’s head. Did you not know you loved her?” Ryanne asked.

Hennessy blinked and stared at the women, rubbing his chest. He’d been around her as a friend, and he’d really liked her. He wasn’t sure when it turned to love, but they were right. He loved Ellie and those two boys. He saw a little of himself and his cousins in the boys. They needed to have the love of family wrapped around them so they could learn to trust and hope.

“I knew she was special but hadn’t considered it was more. You’re right, I think I love her, but she thinks I’m a friend.”

“What about the boys? They’re a package deal?” Sheila asked. Interesting that her voice seemed like she needed to know the answer.

“I love them too. Even if I’d never met them, they’re family because they’re hers,” Hennessy said. Sheila and Ryanne were nodding.

“Now what are you going to do about it?” Ryanne asked.

“I have no fudging clue. You ladies have any suggestions?” Hennessy asked.

“Oh, yes, I do. I love matchmaking. Now here’s what you need to do,” Ryanne said.