They put their trays in the window and returned to the table.
“You lads have your racing programs?” Declan asked.
“No. Where do we pick those up?” Rod asked.
“I’ll fetch a couple while I pick up betting forms.” Declan stood and left for the betting counter at the end of the room.
“Have you been to a racecourse before?” Ailbe asked.
“I enjoyed attending horse races several times in the states” Rod thumbed toward Wyl. “But Wyl missed out.”
“So you’re a rancher, and you never raced?” Ailbe focused his gaze on Wyl.
Rod stood and gathered his tray and Wyl’s. Wyl tossed his napkin on his tray. “I’ve been on a horse my entire life but ranching and rodeo work are different from racing. Our horses are American quarter horses, bred for ranching, not racing.”
“That’s fascinating,” Ailbe said.
Declan returned with the racing booklets and forms. “What’s fascinating?”
“I asked whether the lads visited a racecourse in the past,” Ailbe said. “Wyl is a lifelong horseman, but said racing differs from ranching.”
“I never thought of it as different. Ailbe and I never visited a ranch,” Declan said.
“Who never visited a ranch?” Rod walked into the conversation.
“We never considered it,” Ailbe said. "Ireland includes numerous ranches, but none are familiar to us."
“Come to the States, and you can spend a few days on our ranch. We’ll put you in the saddle and show you around.”
“Sounds like serious fun,” Declan said.
The two couples spent the afternoon reviewing the racing statistics for the horses and riders, placing bets, watching races, and enjoying a pint as the racing day ended.
“We must meet again,” Ailbe said. “Have you discovered Wilde’s Bar?”
“Sure!” Rod responded. “We went the other night, in fact. We met the guy performing. Fantastic musician.”
“James Pearson. We both like him,” Ailbe said. “Let’s plan to meet and enjoy his show.”
“Are you about ready to go, babe?” Rod winked at Wyl.
“Ready when you are,” Wyl nodded.
“We enjoyed bumping into you both,” Declan extended his hand.
The couples traded handshakes, and Wyl and Rod left the building.
* * *
“Now that ticked up my weird meter a bit,” Rod said on their way home.
“Boy howdy. Declan made me uneasy the way he kept a close eye on us.”
Rod nodded. “Ailbe focused on befriending us. It's obvious they have plans for including us in their scheme.”
“I agree, and James Pearson will be interested in this unexpected development.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The next day Wyl and Rod rose early. They enjoyed coffee at the breakfast bar.
“We need to run to the market,” Rod said. “We have no orange juice for Mimosas, and we need tomatoes to slice and grill.”
“How about we serve French toast and skip the tomatoes? Hot, mushy tomato slices don’t do it for me.” Wyl shuddered.
“How about those French toast bites like I made in San Francisco? We can add sausages and fresh fruit for a complete meal.” Rod made a mental grocery list.
“Thinking about it makes me hungry. Do we have anything to tide us over?”
“I’ll make us a few slices of toast.” Rod strolled into the kitchen. “Grab a couple of those bananas and peel them.”
“Got it.” Wyl reached into the fruit bowl.
After the light breakfast, they showered, dressed, and headed out for their shopping.
* * *
Back in the flat, they chatted as they worked on brunch.
