“And we’re done. What do you think?” The hair stylist, Bree, asked. She was a petite blonde with a pixie cut and a nose ring.
And Freya’s hair looked—
“Lovely. Truly, lass.” Jasper handed his credit card to the stylist.
“Thanks. I think it looks amazing.”
“I’ll be right back with your receipt.” Bree smiled, then hastened over to the checkout counter.
Freya rose and knelt by Maddie, catching a distinct odor wafting from her tooshie. “Someone has some dirty pants. I’m gonna take her to the restroom and change her pants before we eat.”
“I’ll wait for you ladies right here.”
Freya lifted her from the stroller and grabbed the new diaper bag Jasper had included in the truckload of purchases yesterday. She carried her into the restroom. Maddie’s good mood was infectious.
“You really like Jasper, don’t you, baby?”
Maddie nodded and squeezed her new stuffed bear tight in response. Freya didn’t know how they had gotten so lucky. It was as if all her prayers had been answered. It didn’t mean she wasn’t waiting for the other shoe to drop. She’d be a fool if she let her guard down completely. But there was a definitive lessening of tension in her body.
When they returned, Jasper stood by the stroller, typing on his phone.
The moment he spotted them, he murmured, “We need to hurry with lunch if we’re going to make our appointment at Bloomingdale’s on time.”
She settled Maddie back into the stroller. “Lead the way. We could always eat in the food court. That would be fast.”
Jasper gave her an arched glance. “This place is better. I know the chef personally. And he’s promised to cook some mac and cheese just for Maddie.”
“Yay!” Maddie pumped her fists in delight.
Who was she to argue when he’d taken such pains to arrange everything today? “Okay, fine. Let’s go.”
Jasper placed a proprietary hand on her low back, showing everyone they passed she was with him. And for the first time in her life, she lifted her chin with pride.
11
Jasper didn’t take them far. The restaurant was one of many in the outdoor mall. And because it was such a nice day, they walked. She was grateful for the exercise after being cooped up in the salon all morning.
The restaurant was New Dublin Table. Freya had heard rave reviews about this place. It was an expanding chain of farm-to-table restaurants that specialized in organic fare.
But on her limited budget, she’d never tried them.
They walked inside, and the décor delighted her while her stomach rumbled at the delicious scents emanating from the kitchen. It had this eclectic mix of old-world Irish pub charm with a modern twist.
They were seated quickly with relative ease. Before she opened the menu, Jasper said, “Trust me on this. I already talked to Colin. He’s going to make us some special dishes.”
“How do you know this Colin guy?”
“I’m his cousin,” an unfamiliar male voice said with a hint of an Irish lilt.
Freya glanced at the man. He wasn’t as tall nor as broad-shouldered as Jasper. But that didn’t mean a thing because he was utterly gorgeous in his dark gray slacks and soft blue dress shirt that accentuated his tanned skin. He had a wealth of dark inky hair, neatly trimmed, with a close-cropped beard. He wore black, horn-rimmed glasses that only added to his sexiness. She spied the black wedding band on his left hand and wondered who the lucky lady was that scooped up such a hottie.
“Colin Ryan, I’d like you to meet my future bride, Freya, and her daughter, Maddie.”
“Pleasure, Freya. And it’s lovely to meet you, Miss Maddie.” Maddie grinned at Colin and held out her new stuffed bear.
“Oh, I like your bear. Who gave you that?” Colin asked, crouching beside the restaurant's highchair.
“Ja’per.” Maddie said, beaming.
“Is that right?” Colin said with a low chuckle, glancing at Jasper with a huge grin.
“I figure my stepdaughter deserves all the bears she wants.” Jasper winked at Maddie. And her kid stared at Jasper like he was the most awesome individual she’d ever met and was totally gone over on him.
Her heart warmed. If nothing else, Jasper might help shape her daughter’s formative years and plant the seed for the type of man to look for when she got older. And hopefully erase any trauma left over by her father.
“I hear Maddie loves mac and cheese,” Colin stated, rising from his crouch with a question in his gaze, like he was asking her for permission to feed her kid mac and cheese. Would wonder never cease?
“Yes, she loves it. And if you have any apples, she loves apple slices and milk too.”
Colin nodded. “I’ve got ya covered there. Do you know what you want, or would you like me to make something for you?”
Freya leaned back in her seat and said, “Show me what you’ve got. Jasper claims you’re an amazing chef.”
The light of challenge entered Colin’s eyes. “That’s because I am. Any food allergies I should know about?”
“Nope. I—”
“Hey, boss, I’ve got an issue when you’ve got a minute,” the waiter murmured quietly beside Colin. The younger man had to be in his early twenties with spiky blond hair. He was attractive, although young. He might be fairly close to her in age, but after everything she’d experienced in her lifetime, she felt ancient.
“I’ll be right there, Victor.” Colin acknowledged him with a slight nod.
After he walked away, Freya asked him, “The wait staff comes to you? But you’re the chef.”
“I own the New Dublin Table company. When you’re the boss, it comes with the territory. I’ll get your meals out in a jiff.” Colin nodded at Jasper, then sauntered away.
Her jaw dropped once he left the table. “He owns the restaurant company. Really? But he’s here cooking too.”
“Aye. He owns the whole chain. He recently expanded and has partnered with a bakery. But that’s Colin.” Jasper shrugged. “He’s always wheeling and dealing. My Ryan cousins have the Midas touch.
“But he’s Irish, while you’re Scottish?” She didn’t see how they were related when they were from different countries.
“Aye, it can be confusing. Our mums are sisters. Aunt Molly fell in love with an Irishman when she was away at university, much to our gran’s dismay.”
“And what is it you do exactly?” She wanted to know more about her future husband. If they were spending the next year together, it was better if she understood him more.
“My family owns a silica mine in Scotland. With the rise of cell phones, the need for silica has increased to epic levels. And our home, Kingairloch Manor, has been in the family for centuries. While the mine tends to run itself with the managers we’ve entrusted to oversee the daily activities, I have calls with different departments. Then there’s the schmoozing with the companies we sell our product to. My brother Xavier and I split the various duties of CEO. And I also work with Colin’s brother, Dean, whom you’ll meet, eventually. He owns Meath Irish Distillery. I’m a brewmaster for the company. Which means I help my cousin craft whiskey. They come at it from an Irish approach and me from a Scottish one. The blending of the two works like a charm.”