“I can feel you staring at me,” she commented, opening one eye to peek at him.
“It’s my right. Especially after the night-o-celebration we just had.”
“Ugh,” Molly whined. “No more celebration. You wore me out.”
“It’s your own fault. I had no idea your grid would pull in that much. I was thinking it would start out covering our own energy bill, and then slowly start turning a modest profit. If this keeps up, we’ll repay your trust fund in two years, no problem.”
Molly frowned. “I don’t need a trust fund. We have no mortgage, and we both have jobs.” She flicked a few drops of water at him when he stared at her with too much longing. “We should pay off your student loans first. That’d be the fiscally responsible thing to do.”
“I love when you say dirty things like ‘fiscally responsible’.”
“Wait till I bust out my X-rated vocabulary. We could start talking about the soil’s pH levels.”
“Settle down, you minx.” When the levity settled, Liam made a face. “I don’t want you paying off my student loans. It doesn’t feel right.”
Scoffing, Molly came to life a little bit. “But it’s okay for you to pay a quarter of our mortgage?”
“You paid the other seventy-five percent.”
“No, my parents did most of that. Cheers to them.”
“Indeed.” Liam mimed clinking his invisible glass to hers. “But our finances are still separate. And it’s my education. I should pay for it with the job that schooling got me. That’s how it’s supposed to be done.”
“If you say so. Personally, I think getting debt-free is the way to go. I don’t want anything hanging over your head.”
“Baby,” he said, cocking his head to the side, “I’m an ER doctor. I’m doing more than fine.”
“I’m just saying. Working for fun is different than working because you have to.” She laid her head back again, looking around at the enormous bathroom Liam constructed for them. The silver fixtures sparkled against the emerald décor that made everything seem a little more elegant than a typical farmhouse bathroom. “Will you read to me?” She pointed to the Euclid text on the stand next to the tub. She loved their bath rituals, despite how much he teased her about dorking up their sex tub.
Liam stared at her, basking in the glow of her youth tempered with wisdom. She was stunning – there was no disqualifying that. Every day he woke up content in the knowledge that she was next to him. As they went about their daily tasks, both separately and together, thoughts of her never left him for too long. As he watched her, wondering how he ever got so lucky, something inside of him shifted, clicking into place.
“Liam?”
She had been speaking, that much was certain. About what, Liam could not say. “What? Sorry, honey. I spaced for a second.”
“You alright?” she asked, eyeing the adoring expression he cherished her with.
“I’m… Yes. You’re right about focusing surplus money into getting rid of our debt. My student loans can be on the docket, if you want.”
Molly grinned. “Good! I’m glad you said that. Keeps me from having to go behind your back and secretly pay them down for you.”
“You love me too much.”
She touched her toe to his shin under the water. “Will you read to me now?”
Liam opened the book, glad for once that the math text was not something he had to pay attention to as he read aloud to her. His mind was somewhere else entirely. The more he dwelt on that happy place, the more excited he became.
Chapter Nine
Living the Dream
The court cases Molly interpreted for were sometimes exhilarating, but were often boring, dealing with tickets or custody or issues that were mostly open and shut.
Molly’s car was in the shop, so Liam was supposed to pick her up from work. Molly walked toward the parking lot, but did not see Liam’s silver sedan. Instead she found Nate standing outside his father’s car, leaning against it and waving.
“Nate?” Molly called, trotting toward him. She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him – a gesture they did not commonly share growing up. “Hey! I didn’t know you were in town. Did you tell Liam? He’ll be so glad to see you.”
“He sent me to pick you up. He got wrapped up in a project at home.”
“How long are you in town for?” she asked. She cocked her eyebrow at Nate when he opened the passenger door for her.
“Get in,” Nate said, rolling his eyes. “I’m not going to trip you or anything. We’re solid friends now.”
“Hm.” Molly pretended to size up his sincerity before sliding into the car.
Nate told Molly all about his adventures, capping it off with his need for a vacation. Apparently Liam invited him out yesterday, so he hopped in his car and drove across the state to see the farm. “I can’t believe how amazing it is. You outdid yourself, Little Luco.”
“Thanks. Liam learned how to run the plow. Did he tell you that? The soil’s well on its way to working back toward organic standards. In a couple years, we’ll really start booming.”
“He told me about the cash cow you’ve got with your solar grid.” Nate whistled. “I always knew you were smart, but evil genius? Didn’t know you had it in you.” He held out his hand as he drove, grinning when she slapped it in camaraderie.
“I learned from the best. Evil’s your middle name.”
Nate chuckled, and then snuck a glance at her. “So, you and my brother. You seem happy still.”
Molly snorted. “Did you think that would go away? We’re head over heels for each other. It… I don’t know. It just works. I’m happy. He’s happy. Work’s good for both of us. The land’s turning around well. We’re busy, but it’s fun.”
“Good. Liam was pretty lonely and boring before you came along. And you? Well, I can tell you’re happy. Never seen a person look so different. Good for you, little sis. You don’t walk around with your head down anymore. You smile. Looks good on you.”
Molly watched Nate as he drove, guessing that his first wrinkles would come from laugh lines. “I wish you had been my big brother growing up.”
“Careful what you wish for. Now that you’re with Liam, you’re stuck with the lot of us.”
“Could be worse.”
Nate shared a smile with Molly as he pulled into the farm. “I think I’ll take a walk around the property, if you don’t mind. Liam wanted to talk to you.”
“To apologize for telling the riffraff he could stay with us? Believe me, we’ll have words.”
Nate gave her half a shove and the two parted ways.
When Molly walked in through the front door, a fragrant floral scent reached her nose. “Liam?” she called through the house, but heard no response. She walked to the kitchen and found a single lavender rose in a tall vase with a note attached. She opened the card and smiled.
You found one, smart girl. Put your coat away to find the second one.
Molly carried the vase with her to the coat closet with a curious smile, and sure enough, another rose greeted her. She picked it up, sniffed it and placed it in the vase, opening the next card that sent her to another location in the house.
Twenty-three roses later, Molly could not stifle her giggles. “Liam? Where are you?” The last clue challenged her to “come and find” him. She set the roses by her nightstand and jogged through the house, loving every second of the chase. “Liam! I don’t know where you are!”
When she searched the entire house, she looked from their office window out onto the farm. There, kneeling in the midst of hundreds of rose petals, was her Liam. He was so handsome in his never-before-seen suit, she nearly missed the message spelled out in the petals. The words that surrounded her love spelled “Marry Me”.
“Yes!” Molly cried out. She slid open the window and shouted down to him. “Yes! Yes, Liam! I’ll marry you!”
Liam looked around him, feigning shock. “What?! They were supposed to say ‘carry me’. You
know, financially. Oh, well.”
“Shut up and say it for real!” she grinned, poking her head out the window.
“Molly Luco, I’m in love with you every second of every day. Will you marry me?”
“Yes! I’ll marry you and carry you and anything else you ask me! Yes!”
He stood and waved her down. “Well, then quit shouting like a lunatic and get down here and give me a proper kiss! You’re about to be a married woman!”
Molly ran down the steps, tore out of the house and jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. She kissed him deeply, with all the passion in her body. She loved him, and now she could leave behind the Luco name forever. “Can I take your name?” she asked between kisses.
“You’d better.” He groaned, nearly dropping her as she stroked his nipple through his suit. “Moll, wait a second.” When she did not let up, but began kissing his neck, he struggled with his composure. “Baby, we’re not alone.”
Molly froze. They had made their passion known all over the orange grove, and not once had he uttered those words. Liam let Molly down and turned her to face his family, who had come out of hiding from the side of the house. “Congratulations!” They all yelled, clapping and teasing the two as they passed out hugs and kisses, welcoming Molly to the family.
“You are so lucky I said yes.” Molly elbowed Liam in the ribs.
“You’re telling me.” He brought her to him and kissed her hard on the mouth, despite the company. He pulled back to look at the beauty he knew he could never tire of. “I’m the luckiest man alive, now that I have you.”
The children made disgusted noises when Liam’s lips found Molly’s once more. They ran around, deserting the adults to throw rose petals at the happy couple, pretending they were terrifying weapons.
Liam slid the too-large diamond onto Molly’s ring finger as they were showered with a rainfall of multi-colored rose petals.
With happiness she never thought possible, Molly kissed her Liam, knowing that no matter what life brought their way, they would always be together, making love in their orange grove.
* * *
The End.
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Exploding
Enjoy a free preview of
Exploding
Book one in the O’Keefe Family Collection
Chapter One
Ladles and Labels
Fallyn O’Keefe cast around the industrial kitchen that had seemed much bigger before she’d moved all her culinary gear in. She hadn’t started cooking in the space yet, and already there was a hint of the impending whirlwind Fallyn usually brought with her. Boxes were halfway unpacked, and though she hadn’t started baking anything, there were puffs of flour sprinkled on the counter already.
The space was the perfect size for the bakery she’d always wanted to put her stamp on. She walked through her kitchen and ran her hand along the stainless steel countertop, humming a pleasant tune to herself. She tossed her auburn waves over her shoulder as she indulged in a smile that her dream was finally coming true.
An unwelcome but familiar voice interrupted her quiet moment of contentment. “Well, whataya know. It’s an O’Keefe brat opening a business in neutral territory. Come on, now. You know your kind belongs on the east side.” Joey D’Amato was standing in the doorway that led to the alley, sizing up the contents of the kitchen as if looking for valuables to steal.
“Hi, Joey.”
“Hey, Cupcake. You glad to see me? It’s been a while.” His short, black hair had too much product in it, and his smile contained too much of a threat. He shifted his silver belt buckle on his black pants that was in the shape of a map of Italy.
Joey winked at Fallyn, who went back to unpacking boxes and putting things on the shelves, pretending there was no tension in hopes of making it so. “Of course. I could use someone to help me unpack,” Fallyn suggested, wishing she wasn’t barefoot. Her pink high heels were stowed in her office, and usually gave her the extra couple inches that made her feel almost on even footing with her family’s enemy. “Or you can leave right now. Your choice.”
Joey held up his hands that were stained with engine grease. “I just dropped in to wish our favorite girl good luck with her new business. What else would I be doing here? I wouldn’t want to be accused of stirring up trouble.” Joey picked up a glass mixing bowl from the counter, getting his stained fingerprints all over it as he turned it over in his hands.
Fallyn’s tone turned sharp at the hint of a threat in the air. “Put that down and go on home. Vince gave me permission to open up a business here. You remember Vince, right? Vince D’Amato? Your big brother? Runs the west side – west side, as in, not neutral territory?”
“Vince is going soft. Let in one O’Keefe, and the whole family takes over.”
Fallyn tried to remain composed through the intrusion she hadn’t been expecting so soon. Her brothers were on their way with the moving truck that held the rest of her supplies, so she tried not to let Joey know she was rattled. “We’re not open for business yet, but stop by when we’re up and running, and I’ll give you a cookie.”
Joey leaned on the doorjamb, leering at Fallyn not to solicit a blush, but to intimidate her. “You just go around giving your cookies to strange men who show up trying to get in your backdoor? My, my. This is the best bakery in town. Bet I’m not the only one offering to lick your sweet cookie all night long.”
Fallyn could endure a lot, but her Irish temper got the better of her. She yanked a knife from the butcher block, snarling as she took a few steps forward. “Say that again.”
Joey responded by throwing the glass mixing bowl to the floor, a wide smile spreading across his face when he took in her bare feet. “Come and get me, Princess.” His hand landed on a stack of glass pie plates, and one by one, they were thrown like Frisbees around her, crashing into the cupboards and shattering to close her in.
“Stop it! I have every right to be here! My family’s not doing any east end business here. It’s just a bakery.”
Joey’s playful façade gave way to his anger. He cracked a pie plate on the edge of the stainless steel counter and aimed the jagged shard in his hand at her like a weapon. “I know it’s a front! I know you’re taking advantage of Vince’s new peace agreement. Thinks he can make things like how they used to be between our families, but this is too far! O’Keefes are supposed to keep their businesses in the east end, and us D’Amatos get the west end. Neutral territory’s supposed to be off-limits!”
“Then take it up with your fearless leader. Vince runs your family, and Killian runs ours now. They both agreed I could open up my shop here. All we want is peace.”
“You don’t know the first thing about what we want.”
Fallyn was incredulous, her hands flying out as her pitch rose. “I want to stop burying people I love! Don’t you want that?”
“I want you out of here!”
The sound of the truck pulling into the alleyway froze the two with petrified looks of children getting caught in the middle of a mess. There was a small part of Fallyn that wished she could unleash her brothers on Joey, but that would break the fragile peace between the feuding families beyond repair.
Neither of them budged as they heard the back of the truck open and the chatter of two voices they both knew. Joey stiffened and Fallyn bit her lip when one of them called to her. “Which do you want first, the box marked ‘Kitchen Crap’ or the one marked ‘Other Kitchen Crap’?”
“Carrigan?” Fallyn called, trying to keep her voice light. “Who’s with you?”
“It’s your favorite brother,” answered Danny with a grin in his voice.
Carrigan scoffed. “Since when? We all know I’m the favorite.” He strolled in with a box that he almost dropped when he took in the D’Amato who didn’t belong there and his sister, who insisted that her business did. Carrigan set down the box and reached for the gun he always kept when he was off-duty. “Okay, kids. What’d I
miss?” He called to his brother in the alley, “Danny, phone Killian and tell him Joey’s trashed Fallyn’s bakery.”
“I did this,” Fallyn insisted, her pitch rising further as her anxiety peaked. “I dropped a bunch of stuff, and Joey was helping me sweep it up.”
“Is that so?” Everyone in the O’Keefe family had wavy auburn hair, a smattering of freckles across their tanned noses and shoulders, a determined gait and a penchant for mischief.
“Yes. Joey’s not starting anything, because then we’ll retaliate. Then they’ll retaliate, and we’re back to the mess. Our families have gone through enough. Time to bury it and be cool. It was our parents’ vendetta anyway. No need to keep that nonsense going.” She motioned to the broom that was near the backdoor. “How sweet of you to offer to lend me a hand, Joey. It’s almost like you don’t want my brothers to shoot you where you stand. I’ll make sure Vince hears about you extending a little hospitality.” Her voice turned sharp when Carrigan’s gun moved to aim at Joey’s kneecap. “Put your guns down! I know you’re out there, Danny. No guns will be fired in my bakery! Not today, and not ever.”
Joey was flummoxed. “I didn’t stop by to work for you.”
Fallyn kissed her finger and flicked the sweetness at Joey with a delicate smile. “Yes, you did. You want good things for your family, so make peace with mine, Cupcake.” When Joey scoffed, Fallyn narrowed her eyes at him. “I could always call the rest of my brothers to come on over to your auto shop to pay you a visit like you’re paying me. I mean, Seamus hasn’t killed anyone in a really long time. I think he’s starting to miss the thrill of it.” Her soft tone turned sharp. “You’re helping me now, or I’ll send word to the rest of my brothers and yours that you’re harassing me, stirring up trouble in neutral territory. Carrigan, what did Vince do to Big Hal when he tried messing with one of Declan’s fitness centers?”
Unraveling Molly Page 16
