The Cork Contingency by R.J. Griffith Read Free Book Online Page B

you’re enjoying your rashers.”
    She looked at the chunk of bacon in her hand. “Um, yes. Thanks for breakfast.” She pretended to admire the darkened scenery outside until the flush faded from her face.
    “I don’t know how we visited Blarney Castle without you kissing the Blarney Stone,” he said as he pulled the car alongside the curb.
    “I read somewhere that people from Cork are the most talkative of all the Irish. I think they were right.” Margaret winced. Why did she feel so grumpy this morning?
    He hopped from the car before she could apologize.
    She stepped onto the curb and followed him toward a little red building sandwiched against two others.
    “Even though I live in the US, I’ll always be a Corkonian. What you need is coffee, bird. I’ve brought you to the finest coffee our county has to offer. It’s the best coffee in all Ireland, if you ask me. So what do you say, ready to start our adventure?”
    The way he said “our adventure” struck Margaret. Is he doing this just for me , or do I pay extra for special stops ? Before this trip goes any further, I need to nail him down on a price.
    “Donnell, we…” She let the door swing behind her. The whistle of the espresso machine stole the words from her mouth. She started again, much louder this time. “Donnell, we need to work out a price for your services.”
    “Is there something you need to be telling me, Donnell?” The man working the espresso machine teased.
    “No, I didn’t mean that. He’s taking me out…I mean he’s…I’m a tourist!” Margaret stammered.
    “Just get me two of the usual,” Donnell said in his casual way. He attempted to disguise his laughter as coughing when the other man broke into loud guffaws.
    Margaret opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind.
    “Take these to the car, bird, I’ll be right out.” He shoved a bag of pastries into her hands.
    Margaret had had her fill of school boys two decades ago. She turned to leave and pushed against one of the double doors. It refused to budge. She pushed harder, and then spotted a sign: “Due to Windy Weather, This Door is Locked.”
    She pushed out the other door and stomped to the car. I hate mornings. She closed the car door and slumped down into the seat.
    “He can drive me right back to the bed and breakfast after that stunt.” Margaret popped a piece of a pastry into her mouth. “Mmm.” Apple and blackberry wrapped in flaky pastry dough dissolved on her tongue. “Just one more bite.” Her thoughts wandered back to the time she picked blackberries on a hot summer day and ate apple pie with her grandmother.
    Donnell came into view through the large glass windows moving toward the door holding two paper cups.
    She wanted to stay angry with him, but coffee would complement the lingering flavor of the apple blackberry tarts. She looked down at the bag and gasped. Only a few small crumbles rolled around in the bottom of the bag. She smashed the bag into a ball, stuffed it under the seat, and brushed her lap clean. Was there only one pastry in the bag?
    Laugh lines creased at Donnell’s eyes as he ducked into the driver’s seat and handed Margaret one of the coffee cups. “Take a sip. I want to know what you think.”
    Margaret breathed in the earthy scent and took a careful sip. “This is amazing, almost better than the pastr…past blend I tried.” I can’t believe I gobbled down that pastry without waiting for coffee.
    Donnell placed his coffee into the cup holder. He looked around and then started the car.
    “Ah, I didn’t pay you for the coffee. How much was it?” She sat taller in her seat and sipped at the warm liquid.
    “Don’t worry about it. It’s my treat. The boys gave you a bit of a hard time back there.”
    The crumpled bag hit her shoe. “What’s the order of business today? If you have a sheet printed out, I can hold it.”
    “I have the list right here.” He tapped the side of his head.
    Margaret took a larger swig of