Luke gave his brother a closer look. “Have you forgotten what it’s like to be in love so soon, Matthew, or is there trouble in paradise?” he speculated. “Is that it? Are you and Laila fighting over something? Shouldn’t you still be in the honeymoon phase?”
“Even in the honeymoon phase, people have things to work out,” Matthew said tightly. “And I do not intend to discuss my relationship with my wife with the two of you.”
Luke exchanged a look with his uncle, but wisely kept silent.
It was Mick whose teasing quickly turned to visible concern. “If not us, who else should you turn to? We love both of you.”
“Not talking about this,” Matthew said. “I just came by to see if the bar had been delivered and if it fit into the snug space we’d left for it. I thought that was a priority.”
Stunned by the reminder, Luke whirled around and looked behind him. How the devil could he have forgotten about the bar being delivered? Well, he knew how: Moira. He looked at the huge mahogany bar with its shiny brass trim, polished wood and detailed carving and couldn’t seem to stop the smile that spread across his face.
“My God, it’s perfect!” he murmured. “Suddenly I have a genuine Irish pub.”
“You do, indeed,” Mick said, his approval plain.
“And it’s the perfect size,” Luke added. “See, Matthew, all your worrying was for nothing.”
“Not for nothing,” Matthew retorted. “I had to shave off the doorjamb to the office and the molding on the floor to slide it in there. Don’t ever get any ideas about moving it.”
“Why would I? It’s in the perfect spot.” Luke moved closer to inspect it. “And not a mark on it. It’s none the worse for the trip. Even the mirror survived without the faintest crack. What do you really think, Matthew? Put aside your annoyance with me and tell the truth.”
“It looks as if it’s always been meant to be there,” his brother admitted grudgingly. “Mick’s right. It’s turned it into a genuine pub. Whatever else you do in here will only complement that.”
Luke could hardly wait to show it off. It made him even more anxious for opening night. He faced his uncle. “Are we on schedule?”
“The electrician will be here tomorrow. The final touches on the molding and painting will be done by the weekend, and then it’ll be all yours to finish up.”
“That quickly?” Luke asked, barely able to contain his excitement…and his nerves.
“We’ve a deadline to meet, don’t we?” Mick said. “Word’s already out that you’re opening to the public three weeks from Friday. It’s a shame we didn’t start all this in time for a St. Patrick’s Day launch, but having it ready before Memorial Day weekend will do. It’ll get a buzz going among the locals before all the summer people and tourists descend. Have you thought of creating discount coupons for the guests at Jess’s inn? She mentioned the idea to me earlier today.”
“A great idea,” Luke enthused. “I’ll see if Trace can design something. He was asking if I wanted him to do ads for me for Mack’s paper, so he can work on those at the same time.”
“And having the whole family involved is another smart plan,” Mick said approvingly. “O’Briens are never happier than when we have a chance to help out one of our own.”
“To say nothing of the fact that even if we’re the only ones to show up for the private grand opening for family and community leaders on that Thursday night, you’ll have quite a mob,” Matthew said.
The offhand comment set off panic. “Why would you be the only ones to show up? What did you mean by that?”
His brother clapped him on the back. “Sorry. I couldn’t resist. It was just a comment to serve you right after you snuck out of here in the middle of the day.”
“Well, it wasn’t funny,” Luke said. “I’m nervous enough about this as it is.” So much depended on the pub’s success, not just the self-respect he craved, but the approval of his family, which sometimes mattered even more.
“Chalk it up to my overall mood,” Matthew said. He sighed. “Now I’d better head on home and face the music.”
“What music would that be?” Mick inquired, always quick to seize on an opening.
Matthew actually laughed at the not-unexpected question. “Do you never tire of meddling?”
“Not once,” Mick said without apology. “In this family, it’s called caring.”
“Trust me, more of us call it annoying,” Matthew said, and walked out before the discussion could be prolonged.
Luke glanced at his uncle and saw that there was genuine concern on Mick’s face.
“Whatever it is, he and Laila will work it out,” Luke told Mick. “Let it be.”
Mick sighed. “I suppose you’re right. He warned me away emphatically enough. Even I can take a hint.” He gave Luke’s shoulder a squeeze. “Stop worrying. You’re going to have a hit with this place. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, Uncle Mick.”
But as his uncle left, Luke couldn’t help wishing that those words had come from his father.
Moira straightened up Luke’s bed and the apartment before heading back to Nell’s cottage after her nap. The walk revived her, but she knew it was being with Luke that had put the color in her cheeks and the spring in her step. Since she wasn’t entirely sure how she herself felt about the afternoon’s events, she hoped neither Nell nor her grandfather were good at seeing through the sedate demeanor she intended to project.
“And what have you
