Maggies Marriage (Cloverleaf #2) (8 page)

Work, it sounded funny coming out of her mouth, it had been such a long time since she had said the word.

Rachel smiled. “Well, I’ll catch up with you later.”

Maggie headed for the double glass doors. She waved at Karen, who was still on the phone, who returned the wave with a smile.

***

Maggie watched as Grandpa Paddy held Melanie’s small hand, and their faces were amused and smiling. She could feel her heart swell as she gazed at them instead of the parade they were watching with much enthusiasm. Her parents each held the hand of one of Patrick’s twins. The boys were not as interested in the parade; they were at that age where running around and jumping on everything had much more appeal. Maggie loved that their town did neat things like the parade, and she had tons of wonderful memories growing up in Birch Valley. She pulled out her cell phone and snapped a picture of her family without them noticing. The moment was too perfect not to capture.

She felt a sudden tap on her shoulder, and turned around to see Liam. Rachel was tucked behind him.

“Hey, guys,” Maggie said, hugging Liam then Rachel.

“Wow, so this town doesn’t mess around, this is quite the little festival,” Rachel commented, her blue eyes wide as she took in her surroundings.

Maggie scanned the main street, seeing all the vendors set up on both sides. Residents dressed in various shades of green were lined up watching the parade. Shamrock-shaped green, white, and orange balloons were strung everywhere. Rachel was right, Birch Valley did a great job hosting such an event, but she hadn’t seen anything yet. This was just for St. Patrick’s Day. Wait until Rachel saw some of the major holiday celebrations.

Maggie caught sight of her brothers’ float. They had volunteered their time decorating one of their flatbed work trucks to sponsor the high school. The truck was decked out in sparkly green and gold, and someone in a costume was dancing around dressed like a leprechaun on it. Maggie had to see Grandpa Paddy’s reaction. She looked over and saw him laugh and grimace at the same time as he bent down to tell Melanie something.

“Oh, wow.” Maggie giggled as Irish music blasted from the truck. She waved as she saw Patrick driving and Daniel tossing out candy out into the street for the children, who had been gathering sugary loot for the past twenty minutes.

Liam pulled Rachel close and asked, “Want to grab dinner later, Mags?”

She turned her head to look up at him. “What did you have in mind?”

“I don’t know, maybe Herrick’s or Antlers. I figure somewhere will be serving corned beef tonight.”

“Rachel, what do you think?”

“You know, I haven’t eaten corned beef before, so I’m game to try it,” said Rachel.

“It’s really good,” Maggie assured her. The thought of the peppery taste and cabbage made her stomach growl. She was thankful that it didn’t have the opposite effect. Lately she had had an insatiable hunger. Oh, the joys of pregnancy.

***

Maggie huffed as she looked at the rain pelting against the window of the shop. It had been raining for the last couple of weeks. She was tired of it, simple as that. It slowed work down for her brothers; they were helping construct a barn for a ranch, and this rain hindered their progress. Patrick had complained to the point where Maggie got the message loud and clear that she was not the only one sick of the constant drizzle.

Other than being frustrated with Mother Nature’s torrent of precipitation, Maggie was somewhat starting to enjoy her new life, or at least making the best of her circumstances. She had been having dinners with Rachel, and sometimes Liam. Her friendship with Rachel made all the difference. That, and her job at the shop. Without her job, she would probably be moping around, dwelling on the fact that she was starting to really miss Michael. Maybe it was the surge of hormones, but as she slept at night she wished he was next to her. Perhaps it was because she was hanging out with Liam and Rachel, and seeing their interaction that made her crave that with Michael. Plus, seeing her parents display their love to one another only illustrated what her future with Michael should be like. Maggie was irritated that her marriage had been reduced to an occasional text or call for him to speak to Melanie. This was not how her life was supposed to turn out.

Chapter Seven

Spring was in full bloom in Birch Valley. Maggie could hear birds chirping loudly, the sky was a happy blue, and the sun shone brightly. That was the most important element about spring in Birch Valley. It meant no more snow, which also meant Maggie and Melanie could walk to school. She kept her fingers crossed that the rain would continue keeping its distance for a little while so they could enjoy the gorgeous weather.

Back in Seattle, they lived a good distance from Melanie’s school, so Maggie would drop Melanie off, hit the gym, and run errands. She had stopped working out for the last month due to feeling like she was going to lose her breakfast at any given moment, and usually she did. Today, however, Maggie decided to take advantage of living close to the school and work, and getting a little exercise in felt great. It helped tremendously that her morning sickness had passed, and she was starting to feel human again. Maggie was thrilled when Melanie actually liked the idea of the two of them walking to school. Melanie’s overall mood was pleasant this morning too, which was another bonus. Her mood had been improving slowly each week since they left Seattle. The only times Melanie seemed a little sad or upset with Maggie was when she would get off the phone with Michael. She knew it had to be terrible to be so far from her father.

“Can you hear all those birds?” Melanie asked sweetly.

“I can, aren’t their songs lovely?”

“Yes, I love when birds sing. It’s so pretty here, Mom.” Melanie was practically skipping as she held onto Maggie’s hand.

“I’m glad you think that. I loved growing up here.” Maggie started to wonder why she had been in such a hurry to leave Birch Valley when she graduated high school.

“I wish Dad was here, though.” Melanie’s voice turned a little sad, but the light did not leave her eyes.

“I know, honey. Maybe someday,” Maggie said as she steered them toward the school, which was only a couple blocks away.

Kissing her daughter goodbye, Maggie watched as Melanie scurried into the school with the other children. She felt the familiar vibration of her cell phone in her pocket.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Maggie.”

“Good morning, Michael.” Her tone was solid, not warm.

“You just take Mel to school?”

“Yes. Are you at work?” She was a little surprised that he was calling her, especially this early in the day.

“Um, no, I’m at home today,” he answered quickly.
Too quickly
.

Maggie started to walk away from the school. “Everything okay?”

“Actually, no. My dad died.”

“What? Michael, oh God, are you serious?” Maggie felt her stomach bottom out.

Michael’s family was quite different than the O’Brien clan. The Trembleys were a wealthy and prestigious family who originally hailed from Vancouver, British Columbia. His father was a well-renowned cardiologist, and his mother, who was a high-profile attorney, had only had Michael, no other children. His parents regretted bringing a child into their busy and hectic lives. Michael was raised by a constant string of nannies who came and went, and he had learned rather quickly to fend for himself. Luckily, Michael wasn’t one to get into trouble. He’d developed a strong love for reading, and excelled in school. He decided to pursue law, like his mother, and worked hard to gain her respect and approval. She was pleased when he followed in her footsteps, and constantly pushed him to succeed further. His father was less than pleased that his son didn’t choose medicine, and Michael often felt shunned by him, and what little interaction they had was icy.

Years passed, Michael gained entry into a very prestigious firm in Seattle, and there he had met Maggie, who was a young, naive receptionist from a tiny town he had never heard of. Their affair was fueled with desire and lust, then ultimately they fell in love and found out they were pregnant. Michael’s parents felt that this was going to hold him back in his career, but he wanted to prove them wrong. They married and started their lives as a small family. Eventually, things improved as his family learned to love Maggie. After all, she had given birth to their only grandchild, a child that they doted on and spoiled beyond anything Maggie had ever seen. Sometimes their overindulgence caused some friction in her marriage.

Melanie was a toddler when tragedy struck the Trembley family, Michael’s mother was traveling to Europe to represent an important client when the chartered private jet crashed. Maggie watched as Michael and his father waded through their grief; it was heartbreaking to see them suffer the loss of a woman who had meant so much to them. The loss and pain brought Michael and his father closer, the years of cold distance had melted, and a new relationship had formed. Their bond became strong, they tried to find the time even with both of their hectic schedules to partake in activities they both enjoyed, such as meeting up for a game of chess, or a round of golf, sometimes just dinner and drinks. Maggie envied the great lengths and effort that Michael put into spending time with his father. Why couldn’t he do that for her and Melanie?

“Oh, Michael. I’m so sorry.” Maggie felt stinging tears piercing her eyes. She sat down on a curb about a block from the school, she was in shock and didn’t know what to say or what to do. Guilt reared its ugly head again, she should be home to comfort her husband.

“Maggie, can you and Melanie come home?” She could hear his voice breaking. She knew he was holding back tears, and it splintered her heart.

“Yes.” That was all that needed to be said. He needed her right now, and she at least owed him that. Regardless of her feelings about the way things were between them, she loved Michael, she knew she always would. Maggie assured him that she was going to go her mother’s house and pack, then pick up Melanie and come back home.

***

Maggie drove toward Seattle, her eyes raw from crying. Melanie was asleep in the back seat. Her daughter didn’t quite understand why they were headed back home. Maggie had tried explain that her grandfather, Michael’s father, had passed away. But Melanie seemed to only understand one thing, that they were headed back home. Maggie didn’t bother explaining to Melanie that they would be going back to Birch Valley, and that going to Seattle was only temporary. Birch Valley was now home.

She grew restless as the highway started to fill with traffic as they approached Seattle. It was mid-evening, the sun was already gone, and the twinkling lights on the horizon felt odd to Maggie. She had made this drive a number of times, but tonight it felt different. Easing her car toward the direction of downtown Seattle and their condo—well, Michael’s condo—she found her old parking spot empty. She had been gone for almost a month, but all of sudden it felt much longer.

“Melanie, wake up, love bug,” Maggie said softly after she shut the car off.

The girl stirred, rubbing her eyes, looking around a little confused. “Where are we?”

“Seattle, sweetie, remember?”

Melanie’s eyes grew wide. “We’re home!” She jumped out of the car with incredible speed.

“Wait, we are still in a parking lot,” Maggie scolded. “Here, take your suitcase.” She handed off a bright pink suitcase decorated with kittens.

“Is Daddy home?” Melanie asked, her voice perky as she accepted her small suitcase to carry.

Maggie nodded, she had already seen his sedan in the large parking garage of the condo. Her nerves were jumbled as she wrestled with an array of emotions. Maggie led her daughter to the elevator across the way and they arrived at their door. She hesitated. She almost knocked on the door, but thought better of it. Using her key to unlock it, she noticed the home was quiet and the lighting dim as she entered.

She called out, “Michael, we’re here.” Melanie rushed past her in search of her father. Maggie dragged her own suitcase toward the living room to find Michael’s long body stretched out on the couch that was against the large window, which gave them a terrific view of downtown Seattle.

He raised his head, groggily throwing back the cream-colored throw that was covering him. Maggie couldn’t get over how exhausted he appeared; his handsome face was unshaven, swollen bags had formed under his chocolate eyes. Her heart broke as she looked down at him.

Practically falling on top of him, Maggie reached for him as he remained on the couch, his arms wrapping around her. “I’m so sorry, Michael,” Maggie whispered in his ear.

Melanie ran full speed after discovering them in the living room. “Daddy,” she squealed.

“My little girl.” Michael scooped her up. Maggie moved to the side, making room for their daughter. It felt nice having them all snuggled close together. Maggie realized how much she missed Michael.

After Melanie got her fill of cuddling with Michael, they got her ready for bed and tucked her in. As they stood in the doorway of her bedroom, Melanie said, “It is nice being in my old bed. I’m glad we’re home now.” Her eyes closed as she started to drift off to sleep. Maggie felt horrible. Of course her daughter missed being home, hell, she did too. Why did life have to be so darn complicated?

Michael turned back toward their living room, Maggie trailing behind him. Things now felt a tad awkward.

Not quite knowing how to handle things, Maggie offered to make some tea.

“Maggie, I think we should talk, don’t you?” Michael’s eyes were sad.

“I came back to be here for you because of your dad. I don’t think we should really discuss us right now,” Maggie pleaded softly as she worked her way into the kitchen and started to heat a kettle of water on the stove.

Michael followed her into the small kitchen and leaned against the counter. Maggie felt her heart race. Even when he was grieving, the man still managed to look sexy. His dark hair was tousled, his white dress shirt unbuttoned slightly, his charcoal colored slacks hugging his muscular thighs. He had always had this effect on her. She steadied herself and tried desperately to reign in her senses as Maggie grabbed two mugs out of the cupboard and sat them on the shiny, elegant, granite countertop.

Turning to Michael, she swallowed as she watched him looking down at their tiled floor, deep in thought.

“How are you holding up?” Her tone was quiet and cautious.

He rubbed his stubble-covered chin. “I don’t know. I mean, it is what it is I suppose.”

His words confused her, she expected more emotion and further explanation of what he was feeling.

“How did he pass?” They still hadn’t gone over the details of his death since he called her earlier that morning. Maggie wasn’t quite sure how to ask. She had been with him when they had received word of his mother’s untimely passing.

“He was actually performing surgery when a brain aneurysm ruptured.” Michael’s voice wobbled. “At first the other surgeons and nurses thought he had just fainted, they said it happened so quickly.”

“Wow, so what now?” Maggie asked as she reached for Michael’s arm and rubbed it.

Michael managed to smile at her, seeming to appreciate her tenderness towards him. “Well, I got the call early this morning, I actually had just came home from the office, so like almost four.”

Maggie wasn’t surprised to hear he was still working ungodly hours at the firm. Nothing had changed in the weeks since she had left. She pushed her angry thoughts aside, right now she needed to focus on Michael’s grief. He still appeared to be in shock, still digesting the fact that his father had died that morning. Maybe that was why he didn’t have a whole lot to say about it, he was still probably numb.

“So what can I help with?” Maggie asked as the kettle whistled loudly.

“Just you being here, bringing Melanie back home, means a lot. I mean, of course we need to figure out funeral arrangements and stuff like that.”

“Well, let me know what I can do to help,” she said as she turned the stove top off and carefully removed the kettle.

“Dad already had his funeral arrangements secured shortly after Mom died, he went in and handled everything. He has a will for his estate, but that is pretty cut and dry considering he had me draw it up.” Michael laughed, but it was a sad laugh and sounded weird coming from his mouth.

Maggie poured the hot water into their mugs, dunking the small bags to steep, which quickly dyed the water brown. After she returned the kettle to the stove, she glided toward Michael. She worried about how he was actually handling this, he seemed different than the time his mother had died. Maggie stood in front of him as he continued to rest against the counter in a daze. She moved in slowly, placing her head on his chest, he felt warm against her face. She breathed him in, taking in the scent of his aftershave as she wrapped her arms around his lean waist. Maggie couldn’t help herself, she knew she should have resisted the temptation of bringing their bodies close. She also knew she was sending him the wrong message, but right now she only wanted to love him.

Standing up on the tips of her toes, her hands flat against his chest, moving up to his neck, her mouth sought his. Michael groaned as he leaned into her, welcoming her as she parted his sensual mouth and explored with her tongue. His strong hands grabbed at her back, pulling her hard against him. She didn’t resist or fight the rush of feelings that flooded her body. Maybe it was the hormones or the emotional torment they were going through, maybe a mixture of both, but right now she needed Michael as much as he needed her. She knew this wasn’t going to solve their problems, in fact, it would probably only create more. But at the moment, she saw the situation as an avenue to help ease his pain, and possibly even hers.