Sunday June 30

Sunday, Bobbie woke up early and slipped out of bed. Everyone was still asleep so she showered, dressed and went down the restaurant. It was pretty quite considering they had so many guests. She went in back and greeted Mark.

“Hi Bobbie you had a smashing festival I never knew you guys could play like that.”

“You’ve seen Johnny and I singing Irish tunes and stuff. Were you guys busy, did you sell all the chili?”

“We sold every last bit but the garlic bread was the moneymaker. I ended up selling 50 loves, that’s 750 pieces for 1.00$ each. I might have to add garlic bread to the lunch menu. We cleared around 2000$.”

“Mark, why don’t you split it with the kitchen staff. You guys did all the work.”

Johnny and Tate walked into the restaurant and got a coffee. Bobbie nodded to Mark and took her coffee and a plate of muffins over.

“Here she is the lady that can harmonize like no other and has great taste in records.”

“Tate, I bet you say that to all your back up singers.”

“So Tate and I were talking last night and he wants us as session musicians and maybe have us sing on an acoustic greatest hits album he wants to make.”

“That sounds good but you don’t really need me in the session. You’ll need a higher profile female singer to sing harmony with you. I do a good job but I won’t sell records. Get a more famous county singer; you’ll tap in to a whole new market.”

“Johnny, you didn’t tell me she was so smart. Maybe Bobbie should be my producer.”

“You can’t get much past her. Money doesn’t mean much and I’m guessing fame doesn’t either. I suspect singing our cover of your songs, with you, is all she needed.”

Bobbie laughed.“Don’t tempt me, I’d be the most organized producer you ever worked with but I don’t think I can take it on.”

Johnny nodded. “Hey Tate, maybe Bobbie and I can co-produce.”

“I’d keep you all organized but we’d still have fun! Later guys.” Bobbie grabbed some muffins and went back up to the apartment. There was fresh coffee and Trixie and Greg were sitting at the island in their matching jammies.

“What have you done with Brose?”

“Ha ha, very funny. Hen went for a run.”

“Why are you calling him Hen?”

“He let it slip that it was his nick name at Harvard.”

“Good to know.” Said Bobbie, pouring herself another coffee and grabbing a muffin.

Brose came in a few minutes later. He walked over and kissed Bobbie. “Whew, that felt great, I’ll just have a quick shower.”

Trixie said. “I love the jammies do we keep them?”

“Sure and You can keep the toothbrush and stuff too. They’re part of a little “stay bag” I put together to provide travellers who are staying here on short notice. Tate got one.”

“So Tate Cowell has the same jammies? That would be a nice picture for the website. You have the classiest no tell motel; supplying gift bags for one night stands.”

Trixie hugged her good bye and Greg kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks for everything Bobbie and I’m sorry I was so messy.”

Brose came out of the room. “Later guys.” Turned to her and said. “What are our plans for today Bobbie?”

“Well, I have a couple of errands to run, then I thought we could drop in on Charlie. June is expecting and I wanted to support them and then I thought we’d stop and have an early supper and come back here and get to bed early.” She moved closer and pressed her thigh against him and whispered seductively. “You have such an early flight…”

He gently pushed her back, kissed her. “It sounds like the best day ever.” He moved over to the island and took a deep breath. He felt like ravishing her right there and she knew it. He took a day old muffin instead.

They were headed down in the elevator and a few minutes later they were pulling up to Mark’s dad’s Van Dyke Plant Nursery. They supported all levels of farming and had plants, plant pots, seedlings, garden sculptures, Garden tools, and gear and tchothckes of many descriptions. There were a few wooden folk art type whirley gigs in the front. There was a bird who’s wings twirled, a boat with the silhouette of a man turning paddles and one with a boy paddling a girl’s butt. Brose raised his eyebrows when he saw it and Bobbie giggled. They spent half an hour looking around and Brose pointed out a dozen things while Bobbie made a mental list for his Christmas stocking. “I want to give Charlie and June a nice leafy plant. Something that’s easy, doesn’t need too much care and will clean the air a bit.”

“How about this definbachia?”

“Great choice why’d you pick that one.”

“I have one in my office that my assistant named Deef so I remember the actual name. It grows well.”

“And here’s a nice pot.”

Their next stop was the grocery store. Bobbie bought a big basket. She got a baby blanket to line the it and then filled it with Arrowroot cookies, boxes of crackers, a variety of cheese, a couple tetra packs of veggie broth, some bananas, oranges, apples and a couple packs of yogourt. Finally she topped it with some pretty pink and blue daises.

“That looks nice Bobbie.”

“I just texted Charlie and everyone are home and Suzi just woke up from her nap but we’ll just make a quick stop.” They pulled into a strip mall in front of a store called Razzles.

“What are we getting here?”

“Toys and books for the girls. Their parents have been so distracted with trying to conceive and I have been so busy with the renovations that I feel they deserve a little treat.”

“Little Suzy sure liked Fossy.”

They came out with a little black cat beanie toy, a board book about a little black cat and a couple of Ron Dahl books for Niko. Brose commented. “This is like Christmas Bobbie.”

“It’s a baby-mother gift and a couple of treats for the kids. Nothing to fancy.”

They pulled into Charlie’s and He came out to greet them. “What have we here?”

“This is a plant called definbachia. It doesn’t need too much light and has nice green leaves and will be good for your environment and she handed it to Charlie.”

Bobbie took the basket from Brose as June was joining them. “This is for you June, I know the pregnancy has been hard so here is a basket of foods that I relied on back when I was expecting.”

June took the basket and motioned them into the kitchen and family room. Niko came over and asked what it was.

“Grandma brought us lots of yummy treats we can have for snacks and that Mummy can eat when she had a sore tummy.”

“Thank you Gamma.”

“I got you a couple of books. I think your Dad liked these books when he was your age, maybe he can help you read them.”

“Thank you Gramma”

Suzy came over, she was looking sleepy. Bobbie showed her the black cat toy.

“Meow”

“And here’s a book about a black cat that Niko can help you read.”

“Meow, thank you Gamma.” She said again and hugged the cat. She took the book and wandered back to the couch.

“Mom, you didn’t have to do this.”

“I think you have to make a little fuss when something big, works out well. Congratulations you two.”

“Thanks Mom It is really nice to have you here in Crow Harbour.”

“I know and remember, I am close by, I’m not as busy with the motel so if you need any help with the kids, I’m here.”

Niko came over and was standing expectantly.

“What can we do for you Niko?”

Speaking slowly she said. “I want to give Mr Hennessy this orange ribbon. We made them at daycare and it’s for the In-dig-e-nous people.”

Brose got down on one knee and said to her. “Why don’t you call me Uncle B. And thank you for the ribbon. I will wear it with pride on TV tomorrow to honour and recognize the Indigenous people.”

Everyone was silent.

Bobbie said. “It was a pretty good visit, we should let you guys get back to it. We’re going out for an early dinner. Brose has a red eye flight so we’ll have an early night.”

“All right Mom, thanks for everything.”

The girls came over and hugged them both and when they got to the car. Brose said. “I guess I didn’t know what I was missing, not having a family.”

“Brose, don’t judge family life by that short visit; we did bring them presents.”