by Kate Sweeney
Maureen smiled. “I’m sorry. I thought you’d still be snoring.”
“I do not snore,” Annabel said, opening one eye. She grinned, as well. “Top of the mornin’ to ya.”
Maureen’s heart skipped a beat at the sleepy, sultry tone. “And the rest of the day to you, luv,” she whispered and kissed her cheek. “And we don’t say that over here. It’s you Americans…”
“Really?” Annabel yawned. “Well, good morning, anyway.” She put her arms around Maureen’s neck. “You smell like toothpaste. I see you got my note.”
“I did indeed. Thanks. What do you think? Or are ya still sleeping?” Maureen stretched her arms out and turned around.
“They fit very nicely. I’m glad and I’d love to continue this sexy banter about toothpaste, but get out of my way before my bladder explodes.” She pushed past Maureen and closed the door.
“I’ll meet ya downstairs.”
“Okay. Now stop talking. I can’t pee when someone is talking…” Annabel called out.
“Crazy…” Maureen muttered and walked out.
*******
Maureen put the kettle on for tea and made a pot of coffee before raiding the refrigerator; she was ravenous. True to Trevor’s word, Maureen found bacon, sausages, eggs, and butter. Her mouth watered as she pulled all of it out.
With the thick bacon and sausage sizzling, the kettle started to whistle. She tossed the towel over her shoulder; she couldn’t wait for a nice hot cup of strong Irish tea. She never understood Americans’ idea of tea. “Tea bags.” She grimaced as she spooned the loose leaves into the porcelain teapot. After adding the boiling water and lid, she covered it with a dishtowel to steep.
“It’s a matter of expedience.”
Maureen whirled around to see Annabel in the doorway. Dressed in black jeans and cream-colored Irish sweater, she looked beautiful. Hold on to yourself, Costello, she thought. “Expedience?” she asked when she could speak.
“Tea bags.” Annabel walked into the kitchen and peered over her shoulder. “Smells wonderful. I’m starved.”
“Me too. And you Americans know nothing about the proper way to brew tea.”
“Do tell.” Annabel ran her hands across Maureen’s back.
Maureen closed her eyes and sighed. “It’s…it’s appalling.”
“And just how do the Irish brew the perfect pot?”
“Well,” Maureen said, trying not to scald herself. “First the water has to be at a rolling boil. Then…then ya need loose tea not that bagged stuff.”
“We’re barbarians,” Annabel whispered, running her fingertips across the nape of Maureen’s neck.
“I wouldn’t go that far. But you are a backward people.” She immediately turned around. “And if ya don’t stop that, breakfast will be ruined.”
“Suddenly, I’m not hungry…”
Maureen held her at arm’s length. “None of that now. Sit ya down, and let me finish.”
Annabel pouted but sat on the barstool at the counter.
Maureen could feel Annabel watching as she continued with the bacon. “Eggs?” she asked over her shoulder.
“Yes, please. But only if you’re going to, as well. Don’t make anything just for me.”
“I’m as starved as you, so no worries. Coffee or tea?”
“This barbarian will have coffee, thanks. I’ll get it.” She retrieved a mug along with the plates and silverware and set two places at the bar.
“Here we go,” Maureen said, setting down the plate of sausage and bacon.
Annabel watched in silence as Maureen plated the eggs and the toast. “What’s under the towel, Houdini?”
Maureen chuckled. “Me tay, m’lady.” She set the teapot down along with a cup and saucer. “And to answer the question in your pretty blue eyes, you cannot drink tea from a mug,
it’s—”
“Barbaric,” Annabel said, drinking her coffee.
Maureen poured a cup of tea and added a dash of milk. “Ahh.” She sipped the strong brew and smiled. “When I was a girl and we were at the orphanage, a nun used to let me drink tea with her in the afternoons. She was English and thought the Irish had no clue how to drink tea. I would argue with her, of course…”
“Of course,” Annabel said between bites.
“But she was a grand woman. So gentle. I miss her and think of her often.”
“Do you ever go and see her?”
“I did. I remember her scolding me so many times for running away from families. I adored the way she loved me and Michael.” She took another sip of tea. “She passed away a year ago.”
“I’m so sorry,” Annabel said.
“Thanks. I was amazed when they told me how old she was.” Maureen smiled and shrugged. “With a nun, ya can never tell. They’re always so covered up.”
Annabel laughed then. “I’ve never met a nun. Being a Presbyterian—”
“Ya heathen!” Maureen gasped, putting a hand to her heart.
“I know,” Annabel said emphatically. “Yet here we are.”
“Yes. Here we are,” Maureen said softly. They looked at each other for a long, lovely moment until Maureen cleared her throat. “Now eat your breakfast before it gets cold.”
“You look rested. How do you feel? And this breakfast is delicious.” She picked up the thick bacon on her fork. “Your pigs must look like the Hindenburg.”
“I feel much better, thanks.” She absently picked at her food. “I have to tell you again how sorry I am to have involved not just you but now your friend.”
“Maureen, please. We’ve been through this. Whatever you have to do with…whoever.”
“I know I haven’t been completely honest with ya, Annie, but you must believe me.” She sat back and set her fork on the plate. “To be honest, ya don’t have to believe me at all.”
“Look, I’m an adult, and I know you’re trying to set things right for you and your brother. You’ll tell me if and when you’re ready. I expect nothing but just want to help you. And you know, while I don’t know the whole story, I have a PhD, so I’m not completely without some deductive reasoning capabilities.” She smiled and finished her breakfast. “I’ll figure you out yet.”
“Well, when ya do, let me know.” She patted her stomach. “That was grand.”
“It was, thanks. Now I’ll clean up, no arguing.”
“I wasn’t about to.”
“You weren’t? You’re going to let me clean this alone?”
“Yes, ma’am. Then we’ll go for a walk. It’s a grand morning.” Maureen stood and walked out.
“Grand morning?” Annabel looked out the window at the dense fog.
By the time they ventured out, the dense fog had lifted; at least Annabel could see where they were walking.
“So damp in this country,” Annabel said as they walked down the gravel path toward the woods.
“It’s an island, luv,” Maureen said, bumping shoulders.
“Ha, ha.” She glanced over at Maureen. “I like it when you call me that.”
“Do ya now?” Maureen smiled as they continued.
“Yep.”
“I don’t mean anything by it, you know. I—”
Annabel stopped and turned to her. “Yes, I think you do.” She slipped her hand in the crook of Maureen’s arm. “And it’s okay by me.”
Maureen took a deep breath and let it out slowly, as if trying to figure out what to say next. Annabel smiled and said nothing as they continued down the path.
“It’s lovely here. So quiet and peaceful,” Maureen said, looking around the woods.
“It is. Trevor is lucky to have found this place and the job at Trinity.”
“You sound envious.”
“I am a little. I have this degree and no job prospects. Oh, I had one offer from Trinity, as well, but they gave it to someone else.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I was, but I’m not now.”
“And why is that?” Maureen asked.
Annabel took Maureen by the hand and walked off the path. She leaned against an oak tree and looked into the green eyes. “Because I wouldn’t have gone on vacation, and I wouldn’t have met you in Paris, and I wouldn’t be standing here right now waiting for you to kiss me.” She stopped and saw the stupefied look. “That’s an invitation…” She let out a small shriek when Maureen quickly pulled her into her arms and did indeed kiss her.
She felt Maureen’s arms tighten and the kiss deepen. When Maureen’s tongue flicked across her lips, Annabel eagerly returned the kiss. “God, Maureen,” she whispered, grateful she was leaning against the tree for support.
“Annie…”
Annabel reached up and took Maureen’s hand and held it over her breast. The initial intimate contact shocked both of them. Maureen moaned and leaned into her; Annabel gasped, arching her back. “Yes,” she whispered as Maureen unzipped her jacket, slipping her hand under the sweater.
“I—”
“Don’t say anything,” Annabel said. “Just kiss me.” Her body shook uncontrollably when she felt Maureen’s hand cup her breast, her thumb rubbing sensually against her nipple.
“I don’t know how long I can…” Maureen said in a raspy voice.
“What?”
Maureen reluctantly pulled back. “I can’t start any of this with you, Annie. The timing, with all this going on.”
“I know, I know.” Annabel pulled Maureen into her arms. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay.”
Annabel smiled at the helpless tone in her voice.
“I want ya so bad…”
Annabel held on and lightly placed a kiss on her neck. “I want you, too.” She pulled back. “But I agree with all this going on, you have so much to think about. I don’t want to get in the way.”
Maureen laughed and ran her fingers through her hair. “It’s a bit too late for that, luv.”
Annabel sighed like a lovesick idiot and grinned. “It is?”
Maureen nodded while she zipped up Annabel’s jacket. “Yes, but I won’t do this under an oak tree, for god sakes.”
Annabel reached over and held her hands. “I honestly don’t care where because wherever it happens, it will be amazing.”
Maureen raised one eyebrow. “It’ll be amazing if I don’t have a heart attack before then.” She grabbed Annabel’s hand. “Let’s get back. I have a plan hatching.”
“Wonderful,” Annabel said as Maureen dragged her along. “One kiss and a grope, and that’s what you come up with?”
Chapter 9
“Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen…”
Annabel and Maureen laughed when they heard Trevor singing from the kitchen. He was sitting alone at the counter drinking coffee.
“There you are,” he said. “I woke up to the heavenly aroma of bacon and coffee, and all I found was coffee. You ate without me.”
Annabel saw the pout and felt bad; she kissed his temple. “I’m sorry, Trevor.”
“Will you make me breakfast?” he asked.
“Oh, sweetie, I don’t think so.” She put her arm around his shoulders and gave a reassuring hug.
Trevor gave Maureen a pleaded look. So for the second time in less than two hours, Maureen prepared breakfast, which was fine with her. It gave her time to think while listening to the background chatter between her new companions. Glancing at the clock on the kitchen wall, she realized it was almost time for her to make another call. Ignoring the pang of guilt that rippled through her, she piled the bacon, eggs, and sausage on Trevor’s plate and placed it in front of him.
“Thank you.” He eagerly rubbed his hands together. “This looks heavenly. And those sausages…”
Maureen laughed as Annabel glared at his amazed tone. “Down, boy. Just eat.”
“So have you two put your heads together and come up with a plan of attack?” Trevor dug into the feast with relish. He looked up when he received no answer. “I take it no?”
Annabel shrugged and glanced at Maureen, who once again glanced at the clock.
“If you don’t mind, Trevor, can I borrow your cell phone again?”
“Oh, goodness. I forgot.” He jumped up and walked out of the swinging door, and before it swung back, he reappeared. “Last night, you gave me your phone. I found a charger. All set.”
“Thank you.” Maureen took the phone. She stood and awkwardly looked from the phone to Annabel.
“You need your privacy. Go. Don’t worry,” she said with a smile.
“I’ll be right back.”
She walked out the back door and away from the house before she dialed the number. When the hospital answered, Maureen asked for Michael’s room. The nurse on his floor told her he was sleeping, but what she said next really scared her.
“And your uncle called earlier. Michael was sleeping then, as well, and—”
“My uncle?” Maureen’s heart pounded in her chest.
“Well, yes. That’s who he said he was.”
“Listen to me. I do not have any relatives. Please do not let anyone in to see him or give any information out.”
“We would never do that, Miss Costello. If you remember, you’re the only one on the list, and we’re very diligent…”
“I know, and I appreciate it. But please don’t let anyone in under any circumstances. Even if they said I told you it was all right. Do you understand?”
“Of course. Michael is doing much better. He’s still weak, but he’ll recover fully and can go home in the next week or so.”
Maureen rubbed her forehead, fighting the wave of relief that Michael would be fine and the nausea that someone was trying to get to him. She knew too well who that was.
“Thank you. Again, I truly appreciate all you’ve done.”
“Well, I don’t want to bring this down to a monetary situation, but you’ve paid a good deal of money for his care. I can’t tell you how many families would not or could not do the same. So not to worry. I’m on duty all day. No one will get past me, and I’ll explain to the nurses, as well.”
Maureen let out a relieved sigh. “Very well. Thank you again. I’ll call later in the day.” She snapped the phone shut, ignoring how her hands shook.
Things might start to unravel quickly if she didn’t get a game plan in place. She needed to think, she needed to act quickly.
“Everything all right?”
Maureen turned around to see Annabel standing in the kitchen doorway.
“I can tell by your face, it’s not,” Annabel said.
Maureen ushered her back into the kitchen where Trevor was still singing her praises over breakfast. “And as luck would have it, it’s the maid’s day off again,” he said in full pout. He looked up then and raised an eyebrow. “Why so glum? What’s happened?”
“Annabel, sit down, please. I’ve got to be honest with you.” She laughed sadly. “As honest as I can be and still keep ya out of danger.”
“Danger is my life,” Trevor said dramatically.
“That was a very good imitation of Sean Connery. Now keep still.” Annabel turned her attention to Maureen. “Okay, shoot…”
“Bad choice.” Trevor shook his head while pouring another cup of coffee.
Maureen was actually grateful for their playful banter; it kept things from becoming far too somber. She sat opposite Annabel and Trevor, gauging her approach.
Annabel reached over and covered Maureen’s hand. “You can tell us whatever you need.”
Maureen smiled and caressed her hand. “I’ve told you Michael was in with some bad fellows. Well, you know what I told you.”
“Yes, and he’s under this guy’s thumb for taking the money and the drugs, and something happened to him.”
“Right. Well, I got him into this hospital just outside of Dublin. It’s expensive and way out of the reach for most people, so I figured it would be a safe place for him to recover. At least I thought it was.” She let go of Annabel’s hand. “Apparently, someone called after him this mornin’,
saying it was Michael’s uncle.”
“And you have no uncle?” Trevor asked.
“Not that I know of,” Maureen said.
“Did they give any information?” Annabel asked.
“No, which was very good. It makes me feel better. But that’s not the point.” Maureen felt the anger and fear creep through her.
“What’s the point?” Trevor asked.
Maureen noticed Annabel watching her. When their gazes met, the look of understanding flashed through Annabel’s blue eyes. “The point is they know where he is.”
Maureen nodded sadly. “The nurse who’s been looking after Michael isn’t aware of the unusual circumstances about his stay, but they do know about the usual privacy of the patient. So I can’t blame anyone, they did their job. How were they to know when I never told them the reason behind Michael’s illness other than it was an accidental overdose, a young man playing around with drugs? It happens all the time.”
“So now what do you do?” Annabel asked.
“I need to get him out of there. As soon as possible. But now that they know where he is, they know I’ll be coming to see him.”
They sat in silence for a time until Trevor sprang forward. “I got it!”
Maureen and Annabel exchanged worried glances. “Trevor, this is serious.”
“I know. Listen. Whoever these guys are, they don’t know Annabel or me. We go in, get your brother out, and bring him here.”
“That’s perfect,” Annabel said. “Isn’t it?”
Maureen chewed at her bottom lip, taking this idea in. “It could work. Tommy Doyle has no clue who you are. If he did, he’d be here by now.”
“That’s his name?” Trevor asked. “I know that name.”
“How?” Maureen asked. “Ya don’t seem the type to know a fella like that.”
“I don’t personally. But…” He turned bright red and laughed. “Well, there’s talk at the bar I go to. They say he’s a little crazy.”
“Yes, which is the reason I don’t want you involved in this.”
“But if we plan this right, he won’t know,” Annabel said. “Well, getting in may not be too hard. But how do we get him out?”
Trevor jumped out of his chair and darted out of the kitchen. “Where’s he off to?”
