Maggies Marriage (Cloverleaf #2) (12 page)

Chelsea squared her stance as she face Maggie. “When Rachel tells her mother that she’s preggers, Evelyn is going to flip out. My mom and her mom are very close friends as well, and Evelyn asked me to check things out up here.”

“Okay, so, I’m not quite following you.”

“Well, you see, Liam isn’t exactly what Evelyn wants for Rachel. Granted, I think Liam is great, but I worry how he will fit into her family, if that makes sense?”

“Chelsea, they don’t have a lot of choice in the matter now. I don’t know what Rachel and Liam plan to do once he learns about this pregnancy, but I can tell you one thing, my brother will make an honest woman out of Rachel, if that is what her family is worried about.” Maggie felt her cheeks get warm as anger started to bubble inside of her.

“I don’t think you understand, there is no way that Evelyn will allow Rachel to marry someone like Liam. I can’t imagine that Rachel would want to either. She has to think about her future.”

“Someone like Liam? What the hell do you mean?” Maggie knew very well what that little spoiled brat was saying, but she wanted to hear her explain it, for the words to actually come out of her mouth.

Chelsea rolled her eyes in frustration. “I’m saying that Rachel’s parents want her to marry someone who can provide for her and take care of her in the ways that she is used to. I know she moved up here to prove to everyone that she didn’t need their money and that she could survive on her own. We didn’t think she’d be here this long. They are expecting me to convince her to come back home, Maggie.”

“What? But she can’t, I don’t even think she would want to.”

“Come on, Rachel and I are not made for the kind of life you have here. Not that it’s terrible or anything, but it’s just so simple and boring.”

Maggie felt like she had been punched in the stomach. “Wow, are you serious? Maybe you don’t know Rachel anymore, because the Rachel I know seems to love it here, with Liam.”

“I’m not saying that your brother isn’t good enough for her to date or anything, I even encouraged her to start seeing him. I thought it would be good for her to get out there again after what happened with her ex. I just didn’t expect her to get knocked up.”

“I didn’t expect Liam to fall for Rachel as hard as he did, and I sure didn’t expect them to end up pregnant either, but it happened. They seem happy, and I can tell that they both love each other, even this soon into their relationship. Once Liam learns that she is carrying his child—” Maggie squared her shoulders as she prepared for a verbal battle with Chelsea.

Chelsea interrupted Maggie. “Well, she needs to come back home. It’s as simple as that. Her parents will help figure out this pregnancy stuff out, and then things can go back to normal.”

“I can’t see Rachel doing that, especially after the stories she has told me about her family. She’s becoming a part of our family now, especially since she is pregnant with my brother’s child. My mother will want her here, Evelyn doesn’t even call Rachel unless it’s to complain.”

Chelsea tried to rebut. “Yeah, but…”

Maggie cut her off. “No, there is no but, it’s up to Rachel to decide where she wants to be, not her family, not you or I.”

“Obviously we aren’t going to see eye-to-eye on this. You think you know Rachel, but I have known her since we were kids.”

Maggie was beyond irritated at Chelsea. Her childish claim on Rachel was no surprise. She had acted territorial the moment Maggie met her. Maggie tried to be welcoming and polite, but now she wanted nothing to do with Chelsea and prayed Rachel’s friend would just turn around and leave.

“Maggie, you have a nice little life here with your family, but Rachel doesn’t belong here. So you need to really stay out of this, don’t get too attached to her.” Chelsea’s tone was dismissive and patronizing. She knew nothing about Maggie’s life, and this sent bolts of anger through her veins.

“Chelsea, I really think maybe you should leave, considering there isn’t anything here for you.”

“That’s fine, but I want you to know I will do everything to protect Rachel.” Chelsea turned on her heel and stormed out.

Maggie sat down at her desk, trying to wrap her head around what just happened. She felt the need to confront Rachel and warn Liam, but how could she when she held a secret that could change Liam’s life forever? Maggie grabbed her purse and headed to the school to see Rachel.

***

Karen greeted Maggie as she entered the school foyer. “Maggie, how are you today, dear?”

“Great, thanks,” answered Maggie impatiently.

“Did you need to pull out Melanie?” Karen questioned.

Maggie shook her head. “Is Rachel in by chance?”

“Yes, in her office. You want me to call her?”

“No, it’s okay. Can I go back there?”

Karen smiled. “Of course you can.” The telephone next to Karen rang, and she waved Maggie on as she answered it.

Maggie walked cautiously down the hall. She had never been in trouble at school, but the fear of going to the principal’s office had always been there. Or perhaps it was the dread of having to confront Rachel.

She knocked lightly and then opened the door slowly, but first she saw Liam standing over Rachel. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t know…”

Rachel tried smoothing her skirt flat, her face flushed, as was Liam’s. “It’s fine, how’s it going, Maggie?”

“Good,” she said, turning her attention to Liam, arching her eyebrow. “Shouldn’t you be teaching right now?”

“Recess. Also, Rachel found out some terrific news.” Liam smiled.

Thank God, Rachel told him.

Panic rose in Rachel’s eyes, and Maggie became confused as she heard Liam speak. “The district office came back with the testing results for our school. We did great, and they offered Rachel a contract to stay on as principal. Isn’t that awesome?”

“Fantastic news. Congratulations, Rachel,” Maggie said, looking at her friend.

The bell sounded, and Liam snatched another kiss from Rachel before he said goodbye to both of them.

“Crap, Rachel, you haven’t told him yet?” Maggie scolded.

“I know, I will, I promise, I just haven’t fully processed this whole thing. We are supposed to go and celebrate tomorrow night,” Rachel explained. “Chelsea’s flight is tomorrow morning.”

Maggie released a loud sigh. “Yeah, I just ran into her, well, actually, she showed up at the shop.”

Rachel smiled. “Really? Probably to see if Patrick was around. Boy, she thinks he’s one of the best looking guys she has ever seen.”

Maggie knew that Rachel had no clue about what went on with Chelsea.

“Patrick wasn’t there, but she was there to see him for sure.” Maggie took a seat at one the chairs in front of Rachel’s desk as Rachel sank down into hers. Rachel looked happy and content; she didn’t look like a woman who wanted to leave. “Rachel, have you told your parents about the baby yet?”

Instantly, Rachel’s smile faded. “No, I haven’t told anyone else besides you and Chelsea. I want to tell Liam next. I have an appointment at the clinic right after school today. I just need to make sure I’m pregnant before I drop a bomb on him.”

“Okay, do you want me to go with you?” Maggie offered.

“Chelsea will probably tag along, if she isn’t too busy trying to get her hands on Patrick.”

“You promise you will tell Liam? Because honestly it’s killing me not to tell him, Rachel,” pleaded Maggie.

“Maggie, I want to tell him, but I just worry how he’ll take it. I mean, we just started this relationship, and now I’m pregnant. I know he’s going to want to do the right thing, he’s that kind of guy, know what I mean?”

“I do, and that’s why it’s important that he knows so he can make that decision.”

Rachel nodded. “I had a hard enough time letting my guard down to date him, and I’m not so sure I’m ready for the altar.”

“It’s hard for me to keep this from him, Rachel. Liam and I are very close. So you are going to tell him tomorrow?” Maggie asked.

“Yes, I promise.”

At least that was settled.

***

Rachel

Rachel sat nervously next to Chelsea, who was flipping through magazines at a rapid pace. The office waiting room was empty, except for a child and her parent. She recognized the girl from school and gave her a small wave. The child smiled, then coughed and snuggled closer to her parent.

“I’m so freaked out, Chelsea,” Rachel said.

Chelsea put the magazine down. “Maybe those tests were bogus.”

Rachel nodded her head. “Part of me is kind of excited, is that weird?”

“What? Are you serious? Come on, Rachel.”

Something was off with Chelsea, she had acted strange when Rachel picked her up after work to go to the clinic. She seemed a little cold and distant, and not her usual bubbly self.

“Is everything okay?” Rachel probed carefully, thinking maybe Chelsea was a tad envious about Rachel’s possible pregnancy. They used to be in constant competition, always trying to outdo the other, well, it was more like Chelsea wanting to outshine anything Rachel was doing.

“I’m fine.” Chelsea shrugged, her blonde hair moved with her animated motion, “Actually no, I’m not. I went down and talked to Liam’s sister today.”

“Maggie?”

“Yes, I don’t know why you are even friends with her, Rachel.” Chelsea’s voice became louder, her body stiffened.

“What happened?” Rachel was curious now. When she had seen Maggie today, the visit was unexpected. Perhaps her run in with Chelsea was what had spurred it.

“Well, I went to go see if Patrick was at his shop, and I don’t know, she was kind of rude. She and I had a little argument…”

Rachel stopped her. “Wait, what? What did you guys fight about?” She was fully confused now, and wondered what they could have possibly disagreed about. When they hung out on Sunday everything had appeared fine. She actually thought Chelsea and Maggie seemed to have hit it off, which was a huge relief.

“Without rehashing every annoying detail, your little friend doesn’t seem to understand some things.” Chelsea kept being vague, and it started to irritate Rachel.

“Okay, look, I’m not sure what happened between you guys, but I’ve never seen Maggie be rude. Maybe it is just a misunderstanding?” Rachel asked hopefully.

“Oh, it was a misunderstanding, all right.”

A woman with a clipboard entered the waiting room and called out Rachel’s name. Gripping the handle on her purse tighter than necessary, she followed the woman back. Chelsea stayed behind in the waiting room, giving Rachel a weak smile.

***

Rachel discovered that peeing in a cup was more than difficult; it might have taken a trained acrobat to complete the challenge. The nurse laughed when Rachel had joked about the struggle she had. The nurse warned her that it would only get worse. After sitting in a tiny room, the nurse returned with a broad grin on her face and told Rachel what deep in her heart she already knew to be true. She was pregnant.

As she left the clinic with Chelsea, a prescription for prenatal vitamins, and a schedule for an ultrasound, Rachel actually felt a little excited.

“So, this is, like, for real, then?” Chelsea asked as Rachel slowly backed her car out of the clinic’s parking lot.

“I guess so. I mean, wow, right?”

“Rachel, what are we going to do?” Chelsea’s voice filled with panic.

Rachel almost felt the need to stop the car and give Chelsea a hug, her friend was struggling more with the reality of the situation than Rachel was. Granted, almost a week ago Rachel felt like someone tipped her world upside down, and then she remembered Mary saying that God doesn’t make mistakes and that things happen for a reason. She found comfort in that, and now she was anxious to share the news with Liam. She wasn’t completely sure how the rest of the O’Briens would take the news; she was worried more about Mary’s reaction. Rachel would cross that bridge when she got to it. Right then she just wanted to enjoy the magical feeling.

***

Chelsea sat on the couch next to Rachel, she had her bags packed and sitting by the door, ready for tomorrow’s early flight.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving already. It feels like you just got here.” Rachel frowned. “Will you come back up for the baby shower?”

“Rachel, maybe you should come down for that. I’m sure your mother would appreciate it.”

Rachel groaned. “God, I’m dreading telling my mother. She is going to freak out.”

“Well, can you blame her? I mean you go and move up here, and then like a minute later you get yourself pregnant.”

Rachel stared at her friend. “I didn’t do this on purpose, Chelsea. Remember how upset I was the first time I slept with Liam?”

“I know, but you should have been more prepared. Your mother doesn’t even know you are actually dating Liam, so how do you think she is going to react when she finds out you are having his baby?” Chelsea’s eyes were burning with anger. “Rachel, you never should have moved up here.”