Read Online IRISH FIRE by Jeanette Baker - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jeanette Baker
Tags: Fiction
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one Brigid had ever seen before. Fourteen years in America had turned her into an aristocrat, a woman who no more belonged in a working class pub than the Queen of England. Whatever was she doing here? What had she expected of them all when she made the decision to come home?
Caitlin yawned and lifted the hair from the back of her neck.
Kentucky Gold
foaled this morning.
Annie laughed out loud and danced around the broom. What is it?
A colt, her mother answered. Shall we think of a name?
Annie hesitated. Daddy likes to name our colts. Wont he be mad?
I dont think so, replied Caitlin evenly. In Daddys absence, Im sure he would be pleased to know that you named
Kentucky Gold
s colt, Annie.
Ben stumbled through the door, rubbing wood shavings from the sleeves of his sweatshirt. Ive finished, Gran. When will you open the pub?
Brigid nodded at the clock. It wont be long now.
Ben looked at his mother. Did you wash the dishes, Mama? Weve been giving Gran a hand in the pub.
Caitlin lifted one eyebrow. So I see. Have you had your fill or do you want to come with me and see
Kentucky Gold
s colt?
Ben hesitated, eyes lowered, indecently long lashes sweeping his cheeks. Gran said she needed us to help.
Brigids heart turned over. Youve done a fine job, lad, she assured him. Run along now and see your mums colt.
You can finish up in here, Ben, his mother said. Above the childrens head her eyes met Brigids and locked. Ive still the breakfast dishes to do.
Ill help you, said Annie.
Brigid reached for the broom. Youve both done well. Thank you.
Youre welcome, said Annie politely, slipping her hand into Caitlins and leading her back toward the kitchen.
Ben pointed to a case behind the bar with brightly wrapped packages. What are those? he asked.
Biscuits, replied his grandmother. I believe you call them cookies in America.
May I have one?
Brigid laughed. You deserve at least two. Slide the glass open and take some for yourself and your sister. She hardly tasted her breakfast.
Annies sad, remarked Ben wisely.
Brigid stopped sweeping. Is she now? Why is that, Ben?
He spoke around a mouthful of cookie, crumbs gathering at the corners of his mouth. She misses Daddy and Grandma Lucy and her friends and her room.
Dont you miss those things?
Ben shook his head. I like it here.
More than Kentucky?
He nodded emphatically. Nothings far away here and theres more to do.
Brigid straightened her shoulders. She felt lighter somehow, as if a large heavy bundle had been lifted from her shoulders.
Perhaps, after a while, Annie will see it as you do.
Ben nodded, swallowed, and reached for another biscuit.
6
A nnie picked up the bowl dripping with soapsuds, rinsed it carefully in a tub of warm water, and wiped the sides, the bottom, and the rim as methodically as if shed helped dry dishes every day of her life.
Caitlin, warmed by a stream of milky sunlight just appearing over the roof of Feeneys hardware store and the rare camaraderie of performing a necessary chore with her daughter, was lulled into a tranquil mood. I think Ill make some pancakes, she said, opening the cupboard above her head. Youd like that wouldnt you, Annie? Pancakes sound better than Grans oats, dont they?
Annie nodded.
Caitlin began pulling sugar, flour, and baking soda from the cupboard. Annie, she looked back over her shoulder, check inside the refrigerator and see if there are any eggs left. Well use butter if theres no oil.
Following her mothers instructions, Annie measured out the ingredients while Caitlin worked quickly, sifting together the flour, baking soda, and salt. After mixing in the sugar, she formed a well and poured in the oil, egg yolks, vanilla, and a bit of cream. Humming to herself, she whipped the whites into stiff peaks and slowly added sugar. Then she mixed the dry ingredients with the wet, expertly folding in the meringue and ladling heaping spoonfuls of batter into the sizzling cast iron skillet.
Minutes later the kitchen was
Caitlin yawned and lifted the hair from the back of her neck.
Kentucky Gold
foaled this morning.
Annie laughed out loud and danced around the broom. What is it?
A colt, her mother answered. Shall we think of a name?
Annie hesitated. Daddy likes to name our colts. Wont he be mad?
I dont think so, replied Caitlin evenly. In Daddys absence, Im sure he would be pleased to know that you named
Kentucky Gold
s colt, Annie.
Ben stumbled through the door, rubbing wood shavings from the sleeves of his sweatshirt. Ive finished, Gran. When will you open the pub?
Brigid nodded at the clock. It wont be long now.
Ben looked at his mother. Did you wash the dishes, Mama? Weve been giving Gran a hand in the pub.
Caitlin lifted one eyebrow. So I see. Have you had your fill or do you want to come with me and see
Kentucky Gold
s colt?
Ben hesitated, eyes lowered, indecently long lashes sweeping his cheeks. Gran said she needed us to help.
Brigids heart turned over. Youve done a fine job, lad, she assured him. Run along now and see your mums colt.
You can finish up in here, Ben, his mother said. Above the childrens head her eyes met Brigids and locked. Ive still the breakfast dishes to do.
Ill help you, said Annie.
Brigid reached for the broom. Youve both done well. Thank you.
Youre welcome, said Annie politely, slipping her hand into Caitlins and leading her back toward the kitchen.
Ben pointed to a case behind the bar with brightly wrapped packages. What are those? he asked.
Biscuits, replied his grandmother. I believe you call them cookies in America.
May I have one?
Brigid laughed. You deserve at least two. Slide the glass open and take some for yourself and your sister. She hardly tasted her breakfast.
Annies sad, remarked Ben wisely.
Brigid stopped sweeping. Is she now? Why is that, Ben?
He spoke around a mouthful of cookie, crumbs gathering at the corners of his mouth. She misses Daddy and Grandma Lucy and her friends and her room.
Dont you miss those things?
Ben shook his head. I like it here.
More than Kentucky?
He nodded emphatically. Nothings far away here and theres more to do.
Brigid straightened her shoulders. She felt lighter somehow, as if a large heavy bundle had been lifted from her shoulders.
Perhaps, after a while, Annie will see it as you do.
Ben nodded, swallowed, and reached for another biscuit.
6
A nnie picked up the bowl dripping with soapsuds, rinsed it carefully in a tub of warm water, and wiped the sides, the bottom, and the rim as methodically as if shed helped dry dishes every day of her life.
Caitlin, warmed by a stream of milky sunlight just appearing over the roof of Feeneys hardware store and the rare camaraderie of performing a necessary chore with her daughter, was lulled into a tranquil mood. I think Ill make some pancakes, she said, opening the cupboard above her head. Youd like that wouldnt you, Annie? Pancakes sound better than Grans oats, dont they?
Annie nodded.
Caitlin began pulling sugar, flour, and baking soda from the cupboard. Annie, she looked back over her shoulder, check inside the refrigerator and see if there are any eggs left. Well use butter if theres no oil.
Following her mothers instructions, Annie measured out the ingredients while Caitlin worked quickly, sifting together the flour, baking soda, and salt. After mixing in the sugar, she formed a well and poured in the oil, egg yolks, vanilla, and a bit of cream. Humming to herself, she whipped the whites into stiff peaks and slowly added sugar. Then she mixed the dry ingredients with the wet, expertly folding in the meringue and ladling heaping spoonfuls of batter into the sizzling cast iron skillet.
Minutes later the kitchen was
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