by Kate Sweeney
Maureen smiled grudgingly. “I like your bedside manner.”
“If you play your cards right, you’ll see more of it. Sleep for a little while.”
As Annabel stood, Maureen reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Please thank Trevor, as well.”
“I will.”
“And thank you,” she whispered on the edge of sleep. “Francesca.”
*******
“How is she?” Trevor asked when Annabel walked back into the living room.
“She’s tired, and I hope she hasn’t got a fever.”
“Sit down and tell me what you’re into, Bellie. I’m worried.” He patted the cushion next to him. “At first, I thought you just had a fling with this woman, but I can see it’s a little more. Am I right?”
Annabel sat in a huff. “Oh, I don’t know.”
“From the beginning.”
Annabel proceeded to tell him from Paris to the flight here and the airport. His eyes widened when she retold of how Maureen jumped into her car like…
“Something out of a romantic thriller movie,” he exclaimed, putting his hand to his heart.
“Trevor, please. Don’t get dramatic right now. This is serious.” Annabel picked up her whiskey and took a sip. “Yuck.”
Trevor raised an eyebrow. “And since when do you drink whiskey? Oh, since we met a gorgeous redheaded Irishwoman. I see.”
“Shut up.”
“You don’t mean that. So continue…”
“Well, from what she said, she was trying to get her brother out from under some drug dealer. Doing…” she hesitated for a moment, “well, I don’t think it’s my place to say, primarily because I really don’t know. But apparently, she had a change of heart and is now paying for it. She’s trying to put things right and get her brother, Michael…”
“Home?” he offered quietly.
Annabel shrugged. “I’m not sure where that is actually.” She could feel Trevor’s concerned gaze. “What’s on your mind?”
“I’m just wondering what part you play in all this.” He held up his hand to quiet her. “I know, she commandeered your car and you, but you could have easily gotten out of it.” He took a drink and smiled. “No?”
“I suppose I wanted an adventure.”
“That sounds more like you.” He smiled slightly. “You were never satisfied in the fields of corn, honey.”
Annabel glared at him. “Well, you weren’t exactly happy on the farm, either.”
“Too true. And don’t be sassy. Well, you’ve got yourself an adventure. Now what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know,” she said in a low voice. She looked down at her hands. What did she want to do? Surely, Maureen Costello didn’t want anyone else involved in whatever this was. Why didn’t she do just what Maureen said—stay here with Trevor and she’d go on her way. She sat back and took a deep breath.
“I can smell the rubber burning. What are you thinking?” He held up his hand. “You don’t have to tell me. I can see it on your face. You care for her. Don’t deny it. You had that same look when you found that damned kitten,” Trevor said, shaking his head. “And you’re going to get so involved in this. What am I saying? You’re already involved, my darling.”
“I was just thinking. I could do what she said earlier and be done with her.”
“That’s what I said to do with that kitten you found. But no, you had to keep it. And it peed all over your best sweater. And you were wearing it at the time, if I remember.”
“She was a kitten,” Annabel said by way of an explanation.
“And you forgave her and kept her. What was that cat’s name?” He struck a thoughtful pose.
“Babs. She reminded me of my Aunt Barb.” She shrugged.
“Well, I hope this redhead isn’t like Babs. Not that it’ll matter. You’ve got that same look in your eyes,” he said quietly. “And being done with this is not something you’ll do. If I know you.”
“I think I can help her, Trevor. She’s alone, and she’s too proud to ask for help. It’s just been her and her brother. She worked hard to keep them together. It’s not easy for her to rely on anyone.”
Trevor gently tinkled the ice in his glass. “I can imagine that was hard. What do you hope to do?”
Annabel thought about it for a moment. “She left me behind this morning at the bed-and-breakfast where we were staying. And when Mrs. Burke told me where she was headed…”
“Who’s Mrs. Burke?”
“Oh, she’s the owner of the bed-and-breakfast.” Trevor nodded with enthusiasm, waiting for the rest of the story. Annabel would not disappoint him. “Anyway, she knew where Maureen was headed, so I went after her and found her in Dublin. She was about to get beat up by two thugs.”
“Thugs?”
“Well, yeah. You know. Bad guys. I’m sure they work for this drug guy.”
“Okay. So what happened?”
“I nearly ran them over trying to get Maureen in the car. So now they know she’s here, and they’re on to her. We spent the night in a ramshackle cottage…”
“On to her? Ramshackle? Thugs? Good grief, you’ve been reading again.”
Annabel laughed then. “I know somehow I can help.”
“But, darling, don’t they know you now, as well? And your car? They have to have seen it.”
“Yes, I know.” Annabel eagerly sat forward. “Mine’s a rental. We’ll have to ditch the car…”
“Ditch…?”
“That’s what Maureen said we had to do and get another one because the—”
“Thugs?”
“Yes, they would know the rental car. So she was going to take the car but knew I would be stranded.” Annabel felt the heat rise in her cheeks when Trevor sported a knowing grin.
“But she just couldn’t leave you alone,” he said, putting his hand to his heart. “This is like a romantic spy thriller.”
Annabel sighed. “Trevor. I need you to focus here and get your head out of the clouds.”
“Whose head in what clouds?”
“You’re beginning to annoy me, my friend.”
“And now we’re getting someplace. Just like our college days.” He laughed and sipped his drink. “I have an idea.”
“Okay,” Annabel said slowly. “Am I going to like this?”
“You will, but your gal probably won’t.”
“She’s not…”
“Yes, she is.” He set his glass down. “I have the car that you’ll need.”
Annabel’s eyes lit up. “I do like that.”
“Yes, but we have to tell your redhead.”
Annabel sat back in a deflated huff. “She won’t like that. You’re right.”
“Time to turn on the old Nebraska charm.”
“I don’t have any charm.”
Trevor rolled his eyes. “Oh, honey, if you saw the way she looked at you…”
Once again, Annabel felt the color rise in her cheeks. “She does not look at me…?”
“You idiot.” Trevor just nodded with a wide grin.
“But she’s so determined to do this alone. I really have no right. You know I have no illusions here. I don’t think we’ll ride off into the sunset together. I just…” She stopped and thought for a moment. “She just looks so tired and lonely, I guess.”
Trevor smiled sadly and patted her hand. “I know, sweetie. Let’s just hope she doesn’t pee all over your sweater.”
Chapter 7
Annabel quietly opened the bedroom door. When she saw Maureen sleeping peacefully on her side hugging a pillow, her heart nearly broke. She looked so peaceful, so serene Annabel didn’t want to disturb her.
“I’m awake,” Maureen mumbled as Annabel closed the door.
She stuck her head back in and smiled. “I’m sorry. I was going to let you sleep a little while longer.”
Maureen returned a sleepy smile and sat up. She rubbed her face, looking very vulnerable, which had Annabel’s heart racing. “What time is it?”
“It’s about five, almost time for dinner. Trevor is in the kitchen. I couldn’t tolerate his humming or the ungodly apron he’s wearing.”
“I thought I smelled something.” She stood and stretched.
“How are you feeling?” Annabel walked over to the window and pulled back the curtain, letting the fading late afternoon light in.
“Actually, I feel good.”
Annabel swallowed when she felt Maureen standing behind her. A quick shiver rippled through her when Maureen whispered, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Annabel turned to her, seeing the melancholy look. “You…you do look rested.”
“I am.” Maureen placed her hands on Annabel’s shoulders. She leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek. “And I’m starving.”
Annabel stifled a deep sigh when she felt the warm lips on her cheek. “Well…” She cleared her throat. “Why don’t you come down when you’re ready?”
Maureen smiled and nodded. As Annabel walked away, Maureen reached down and took her hand. “Bless you, Annabel Mitchell.”
“You say that now.” She laughed nervously at the confused look and let go of Maureen’s hand. Annabel kissed her on the cheek and quickly walked out of the room.
Annabel was still grinning when she walked into the kitchen and leaned against the doorjamb. She watched Trevor at the stove as he stirred whatever was in the large pot. Whatever it was, it had her stomach announcing how hungry she was. She shook her head when he started singing.
“Why, oh, why, oh, why oh. Why did I ever leave Ohio…?”
“Because you’re from Nebraska, you idiot,” she said, walking into the kitchen.
Trevor laughed and turned around. “You’re right, but why, oh, why I ask ya, why did I ever leave Nebraska…?” He shrugged and poured her a glass of wine.
Annabel took the offering and sat on the barstool at the counter. “Nice apron.”
Trevor looked down. “Thank you. But I think you’re being facetious.”
The apron, pristine white, had two black oven mitts placed over his chest and one lower down on the apron covering his… Annabel laughed and took a drink.
“I’m usually naked when I wear this.”
“Don’t change anything on our account,” Maureen said from the doorway.
Trevor turned bright red as Maureen walked into the kitchen. “Be careful what you ask for,” he said. “Wine?”
“Not just yet, thanks.” She sat on a barstool next to Annabel. “Smells great, whatever it is.”
“Good. I hope you’re hungry. A nice pot of Irish stew for my guests. It’ll be ready as soon as the rolls are done.” He looked at Annabel, then motioned to Maureen.
Annabel shook her head as she drank her wine.
“I don’t know you very well, Trevor, but I do know Annabel a little. You both would make horrible spies.” She turned to Annabel. “Now what is it that Trevor wants you to tell me?”
Annabel let out a nervous laugh. “Well, we were just thinking. You said you need to ditch my rental and get another car,” she said and quickly added, “which I totally agree.”
Maureen nodded. “I think I’ll take that glass of wine now, please.”
Trevor exchanged a nervous glance with Annabel as he poured.
“So I thought, well, we thought…Trevor has offered his car.”
Maureen frowned as she took a healthy drink from her wineglass and said nothing.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Annabel quickly continued, “and I would agree with you, but think of this. Those guys know you, right?”
“Yes.”
“And it stands to reason they know the places you would normally go, right?”
“Right.” Maureen stared thoughtfully at her glass. Annabel took this as a good sign.
“So if you go someplace to get another car, they may be waiting for you or at the very least try and anticipate where you’d go.”
“That’s a logical point,” Trevor said over his shoulder as he opened the oven door. “Rolls are done. They’re light and heavenly!”
Annabel concentrated on Maureen. “Don’t you think so?”
Maureen hid her grin. “I’ll have to taste them first.”
Trevor laughed while he ladled the stew into the bowls.
“I meant, don’t you think that’s logical?” Annabel said, smiling, as well.
“I know, Annie. And I suppose it is.” Maureen stopped when Trevor set the bowls in front of them along with the basket of warm rolls. “This looks wonderful, Trevor. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Trevor said softly, glancing at Annabel. She knew they both heard the sadness in Maureen’s voice.
“May I ask a favor?” Maureen asked. “I hate to…”
“Certainly. Ask anything you like.” Trevor popped a buttered roll into his mouth.
“My cell died. I don’t have a charger for it. It’s at my place, and I need to make a phone call…”
“Give me your cell after dinner. I’ll see if I can find a charger for it. And in the meantime, you can borrow mine.”
“Or mine,” Annabel said. “Why didn’t you ask me earlier?”
“I need to make the call tonight. I didn’t need it then. Thank you, though.”
“Okay. Eat up, then you make your call.” Trevor gave Annabel a stern “leave it alone” glance while eating.
Annabel left it alone, and for several long agonizing minutes, they ate in silence. Maureen’s quiet demeanor worried Annabel, so much she nearly lost her appetite. She almost wanted Maureen’s anger and sarcasm. She was shocked to see Maureen’s lip quiver when she put down her spoon; she reached over and covered Maureen’s hand with her own.
“I can’t ask ya to do this,” she whispered, not looking up.
“It’s just a cell phone,” Trevor said softly.
Annabel glared at him once again. Trevor chuckled as he wiped the corner of his mouth on a napkin. “Maureen, you haven’t asked. I’m offering.”
Maureen looked up then. “Why?”
Trevor cocked his head and smiled. “Because you’re in trouble. Because you’re a friend of Annabel’s.” He sat back and placed the napkin in his lap. “Because I’m a sucker for the strong, silent butch type.” He leaned in and winked. “And so is this one.” He jerked his thumb in Annabel’s direction. “Now I suggest we leave the rental here in the garage and we take my car wherever you’re going to go next. Where are you going next?”
“That’s a good question,” Annabel said, feeling her appetite again.
“I don’t suppose you’d let me just take the car and do this alone?” Maureen looked from one to the other.
“Heavens, no.” Trevor sadly shook his head and offered the basket of rolls.
Annabel tried not to laugh at the helpless look on Maureen’s face as she obediently plucked a roll from the basket. “So what’s our plan?”
Maureen looked as though she wanted to argue over the “our” part but stopped. “I have to think on it.” She looked tired once again. “My mind is all jumbled. But I think I’ll head toward Dunaghmore.”
“Say that again.” Trevor sighed dreamily. “That sounds so romantic.”
“Calm down, Juliet,” Annabel said dryly. “Where is this place?”
“South of here.”
“That narrows it down,” Annabel said.
“Sorry. It’s farther south of Wicklow, along the coast. It’s a small town. There’s a man there who might be able to help. Michael knew his son.”
Annabel was going to comment on Maureen’s choice of past tense but decided against it. “Will we go there tomorrow?” she asked instead. “We could wait until you’re fit, Maureen. You still look so tired.”
“And we don’t want you to get sick.”
Maureen chuckled slightly. “Well, if one of ya were a real doctor.”
“Hey,” Trevor said indignantly.
Annabel laughed. “Well, she’s right. Between the two of us, our PhDs are
of no use.” She turned to Maureen then. “Is it very far?”
“Nothing is very far in Ireland, but yes, it’s a good ride. You’ll get to see a little of the countryside at least,” Maureen said.
Maureen still sounded reluctant. Annabel only hoped she wouldn’t wake up the next day to find Maureen gone once again. The idea had her feeling very anxious. She looked up to see Maureen watching her.
“Don’t worry.” Maureen reached over to hold her hand. “I know what you’re thinking.”
Annabel smiled. “You do?”
“Yes, I do.” She looked down at their hands. “I’ll be here in the morning.”
Once again, the grim tone in Maureen’s voice had Annabel’s heart aching. She reached over and gently ran her fingers across Maureen’s hand. “Everything will be all right.”
Maureen smiled and nodded, and she reached over and softly kissed Annabel’s cheek. “It just might be now.”
They both looked up when Trevor sniffed and blew his nose in his napkin.
Annabel stood and picked up the dinner plates; Maureen assisted her. “I’ll wash, you dry?”
Maureen frowned deeply as she stared at the dishes. Annabel patted her shoulder, then tossed her a dishtowel. “There’s no commitment necessary to do the dinner dishes.”
“I’ll watch,” Trevor called out and poured another glass of wine. “So tell me, Maureen. What do you do for a living? I mean, besides evading thugs.”
Maureen laughed grudgingly as she took the dish from Annabel. “I’ve spent most of my younger years lookin’ after Michael. Odd jobs here and there.”
“School and taking care of him?”
“Yes. It was tough,” she said thoughtfully. “But worth it. When we were younger, we were lost in the system. Shuffled around from home to home.”
“That’s horrible,” he said, shaking his head.
Maureen leaned against the counter and shrugged. “Not really. We had each other. That was the problem. Most families wanted either Michael or me but not both of us. I wouldn’t let that happen.”
Trevor smiled. “How did you prevent it?”
Maureen exchanged glances with Annabel, who laughed. “They ran away.”
