[ happy hour ]

[almosthonorable]

Ben Wade is greeted with a handful of surprises when he enters the bar.

One is delicious.

Another is unexpected, to say the least

Comments

[sunbaked_baker]

Have a baker, Ben.

A baker carrying a sleeping baby, in fact, looking tired but otherwise all right. Babysitting is nothing new.

"Hi there, barkeep," she says with a smile for Ben.

[almosthonorable]

He swallows his last mouthful of cherry tart, and grins.

"Well, hel-lo, Little Miss -- "

A pause; Ben eyes the baby, and quirks an eyebrow.

"Now, have I been gone that long?"

[sunbaked_baker]

She laughs, shaking her head. "No way, Ben Wade."

"This is Terry, my apprentice's son. I'm just taking care of him while his mother is visiting family down in Redtree, and the bar decided to show up."

It's... good that July has grown close to Paulie's mother since Paulie's death. They both needed the support.

[almosthonorable]

He chuckles.

"Terry," he repeats. "I'm proud to meet him -- looks like a fine little man. You put him to work yet?"

[sunbaked_baker]

"Not yet," Rae grins. "Maybe when he's more used to solid foods."

"How have you been?"

[almosthonorable]

"Can't complain," he says, with an easy smile, "especially since I walked in here. I believe I owe somebody quite the thank you for a feast in a basket."

Not that Sunshine would know the first thing about that, of course.

[sunbaked_baker]

Not at all! She knows nothing! >_>

"Do you, now?" she asks, her smile completely guileless. "Well, I'm sure they're glad it's appreciated."

Also, it's Ben.

[almosthonorable]

"Well, I would hope they are," he says, happy to maintain the farce thanks to Sunshine's beatific smile.

"I was thinking of showin' my appreciation by buyin' them a drink or three, but I don't know if they'd welcome the gesture."

[sunbaked_baker]

She laughs. "Oh, I suspect the gesture would be very welcome, since it's coming from you, Ben."

"But," Rae allows, failing to hide a smile, "if they take offense to you buying them a drink, you can blame me for advising you to go ahead."

^_^

[almosthonorable]

"Then I will happily let you take the fall for any ill will I may or may not encounter."

He nods toward little Terry, still snoozing in Sunshine's care.

"Before I make you somethin' delicious, do you need anything for him? I bet I could rustle up a pallet, or maybe even a cradle, from back here somewhere."

[sunbaked_baker]

"I'd really appreciate it," she admits. "He's gone through a growth spurt lately, and is heavy as lead."

Extreme exaggeration, but still. The kid has done little but eat and sleep and fuss due to teething troubles, lately.

[almosthonorable]

"I won't be but just a minute," Ben says, and gives Sunshine a good-natured wink before he disappears behind the bar.

As promised, he reappears a moment later, a small armload of soft cotton baby blankets in tow.

He folds them into appropriately Terry-sized rectangles, creating a mattress of sorts on the counter.

"I'm sure Miss Bar won't mind givin' you a little bit of a break," he says. "She's sleepin', herself."

[sunbaked_baker]

"Thanks, Ben," she smiles, settling Terry gently down onto the makeshift bed. The boy shifts a little, but doesn't wake.

"I don't blame Bar for taking a nap; I wouldn't mind one, either. Do you have anything with caffeine that isn't coffee back there?"

[almosthonorable]

Ben glances toward the coffee pot, and then beyond, to the impressive assortment of teas.

He looks back to Sunshine, only somewhat out of his element.

"How do you feel about tea?"

Ben hears there are health benefits. Or something approaching beneficial.

"Or I can make you a mean cup of cocoa, with extra chocolate, if you prefer."

His 'tending skills have vastly improved since the first time he stepped behind the counter, after all.

[sunbaked_baker]

Her grin says clearly that she can tell he's out of his element, but also that she won't tease him about it.

Not too much, at least.

"Tea would be great," she replies, sweetly.

[almosthonorable]

"I'm here to serve," he says, just as sweetly, eyes glinting with bemusement.

He hems and haws over the teas, eventually selecting a black blend that promises the energy boost of coffee without being coffee.

As he prepares Sunshine's cup, he speaks to her over one shoulder.

"So, now, how's my favorite baker?"