“You have gotten quite a bit bigger since I saw you in July,” Karen commented, taking a seat in front of the desk.
“I know. I’m huge,” Rachel complained. “I’m not due until November, Karen. How much larger am I going to get?”
“Dear, don’t worry about it. You’re gorgeous.” Karen paused briefly. “You know, we do need to think about your baby shower.”
“Seriously? You can’t even wait a full ten minutes. You and Mary are the same. She just hit me up last night at dinner.”
“Can you blame her? I certainly don’t. Rachel, these things need to be planned. I’m sure you would like to have your mother here for it, and maybe your lovely friend?” Karen asked firmly.
“I know. I just hate party planning.”
“Trust me, I’m well aware. However, the beauty of a baby shower is that we get to do the planning. You just show up, play games, collect gifts, and be all adorably pregnant.”
“Still sounds like a lot on my part,” Rachel said sarcastically.
“Oh, you stop. You have been hanging around that stubborn O’Brien boy too long. I’ll phone Mary later and start figuring stuff out so that you can let your folks know.”
Rachel nodded as Karen rose from her seat and left the office. She sat there all by herself, with only her thoughts to keep her company. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Rachel had two people with her—little, tiny people who were taking turns kicking her as hard as they could. The twins seemed to be tag teaming her with an assault she hadn’t quite felt before. As Rachel rubbed her belly, begging her babies to stop, she caught sight of the heart-shaped paperweight Liam had given her. Inscribed, it read, You have my heart, when, in truth, he had hers. She would be lost without that man. He had been so caring and gentle with her, patient almost to a fault. God love him. Liam was the best thing that ever happened to her. Rachel picked up the paperweight. The cold metal was heavy in her hands. It wasn’t just the physical weight, but the words too. For him to have already felt that strong connection with her, to be so bold to leave something with such a powerful statement on her desk, that took guts and pure bravery. Nope, Rachel was a coward. She had struggled owning her own feelings for Liam. Only months later after he’d given her the paperweight, he’d become her husband and the father of her babies. Well, father first, then husband.
Rachel laid her head on her desk, feeling exhausted and almost overwhelmed at the thought of being back to work. She heard a knock on her door. “Come in.”
Maggie poked her head in. “Did I catch you at a bad time?” She looked worried as she entered the small office.
“No, why?” Rachel sat up straight in her chair.
“I don’t know. You look, well…”
“I know, like crap, right?” Rachel finished for her.
“No, just like you’d rather be anywhere but here. I just dropped off Mel and wanted to pop in and say hi.” Maggie took the same seat Karen had been in earlier. She wore a light sun dress, which glorified her perfectly round belly. A muu muu, now that was an idea. Why hadn’t she thought of that before?
“I was just having a hard morning. I couldn’t find anything that fit or was comfortable enough. I don’t know. These hormones, they are just all over the place.” Rachel felt frustration brewing again, and another set of tears was ready to pour.
“Rachel, trust me, I have so been there.” Maggie offered her a sympathetic smile.
“I know.” Rachel groaned. “Does it get better?”
Maggie seemed to be choosing her words carefully. “It does, eventually.”
“Eventually?”
“Okay, here’s the thing no one ever tells you. After you have the baby, it takes awhile for your hormones to go back to normal. Hell, they never really do. Maybe it’s more like we adapt.” Maggie started to laugh, but Rachel found nothing funny about this. She was being driven mad with her feelings fluctuating all the time. The very thought of these tidal waves of hormones never ending, well, that was more than she could bear right then.
Shaking her head and trying to keep from crying again, Rachel asked, “So how are you feeling? How’s the lil guy?”
“Squirming around like he owns the place. I feel a little more tired now, but we have less than a month, so we’re excited.” Maggie’s eyes shone with such happiness, it made Rachel’s hormones kick into overdrive.
“I can’t wait to meet him. He’s going to be just the most adorable thing ever,” Rachel commented as she wiped away some loose tears.
Maggie got up and went behind the desk to hug Rachel. “I can’t wait to meet your precious babies. This is such a wonderful time, Rachel.”
As they embraced, Rachel did feel better from being hugged by her sister-in-law and best friend. They chatted a little while longer, and Maggie confirmed dinner plans for them all in a couple days. She also asked Rachel to help with some final touches on the nursery, which got Rachel thinking. Her and Liam really needed to start thinking about their nursery. They had double the work to do.
***
Maggie
As Maggie made the short walk from the school to the O’Brien Construction shop, she couldn’t but feel a bit concerned for Rachel. Granted, she herself hadn’t been all that happy about being pregnant the first time, and not even that thrilled the second time around. She knew how Rachel felt. Maggie understood the worry of getting pregnant so soon in a new relationship and what others would think all too well. Oh yes, Maggie could sympathize big time. However, Maggie had been lucky. When she had gotten pregnant with Melanie she was living in Seattle, away from the small gossip and curious stares. Poor Rachel was not so lucky.
“Finally,” Patrick shouted from his office as Maggie entered the metal building. The business had been in their family since Grandpa Paddy opened it up so many years ago.
“Good morning to you too, Patrick,” Maggie hollered back.
Daniel peeked out from his office. “What are you guys shouting about?”
“Morning, Daniel,” Maggie said as she sat her purse down and turned on her computer. She had gone from working nearly full-time to only a couple of hours a day a few days a week. Maggie actually missed being there with her brothers full-time. There had been some tense times, but they always seem to manage to get through them.
Daniel and Patrick appeared by the counter which separated her work area from the shop’s entrance.
“What?” Maggie playfully snapped at her brothers.
Daniel smiled broadly. “So, I think Daniel is a very nice name.”
Patrick shook his head. “I disagree. Patrick is perfect. It would sort of stick with tradition, you know.”
Maggie bit her lip and looked up at the ceiling. “Um, how do you figure that would stick with tradition? Patrick, you would have had to name one of your boys Patrick.”
Daniel chimed in, “That would have been Finn. He’s the oldest. So, yeah, how come you didn’t?”
Patrick’s expression soured. “Because that isn’t what Beth wanted them to be named.”
Maggie looked down. She had a feeling the very mention of Beth’s name would cause some sorrow for Patrick. It had been over four years since she’d died at the hands of a drunk driver. Patrick was barely beginning to heal, thanks to Amber.
Daniel swept his gaze away as well. “Hey, I didn’t mean…”
Patrick stopped him. “It’s okay, Daniel. If you had asked me a couple months ago, I wouldn’t be.” A crooked and goofy smile appeared on his face just as Maggie felt brave enough to let her gaze meet his. “I think I’m starting to fall in love in with Amber.”
Maggie and Daniel both let out a laugh. A confused expression flashed across Patrick’s face, which was quickly replaced by anger. Maggie cupped her mouth and fanned her hands at her eyes to stop the tears. Every time she looked over at Daniel, she broke out in another round of uncontrollable giggles. Daniel and Maggie had had this same problem when they were kids, but it was their closeness in age—they weren’t even two years apart�
�which made them what some considered Irish twins.
“I don’t see what’s so funny. This is exactly why I never tell either of you anything.” Patrick glared at them as they tried to compose themselves.
“Oh, big brother, it’s just funny that you’re barely admitting you think you love Amber. Come on, you guys are practically a married couple.”
“Maggie, I’m not that transparent,” Patrick said, defending himself.
“Oh yeah, you are,” Daniel added as he caught his breath.
“Well, you two wait right there.” Patrick jogged back to his office and quickly hurried back. Daniel was bent over the counter, and Maggie tried to stay focused on Patrick. She didn’t dare look at Daniel or another eruption of laughter might start again.
Maggie moved to the counter. Daniel straightened up, and they both watched as Patrick revealed a small velvet box. “How transparent am I again?” Patrick asked.
Daniel raised his eyebrows in surprise. Maggie wasn’t completely shocked, but at the same time she had a little bit of a hard time processing what it all meant. Patrick was going to ask Amber to marry him.
“Oh, Patrick.” Maggie waddled to the other side of the dividing counter and grabbed Patrick. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. She felt Daniel join in the embrace. This tender moment would always stay lodged in her mind. Maggie felt tears roll down her cheeks. She had only wanted her brother to find happiness again. This meant Patrick had finally moved on and her prayers had been answered.
***
They all took Patrick’s SUV to go to lunch at Herrick’s. Maggie tried to encourage the guys to walk to the best place to eat in Birch Valley.
“You need to quit walking so much. Won’t the baby, like, come out if you keep doing that?” Daniel asked from the backseat as they pulled into the full parking lot of the diner. It was just a little after one in the afternoon, but the lunch rush was still in full force.
“Is Amber working today?” Maggie asked. Amber’s family had made this diner into what it was well known for—great food and great company.
Patrick parked and shut the car off. “Probably.” He swiveled around to look at both Daniel and Maggie and leaned in closer, as if to tell a secret. “You better not breathe a word.” He hissed, just like he always had when they were kids. He had always been taller than them and he was the oldest, so it went without saying that when Patrick told them something, they listened. Maggie, being the youngest and the only girl, enjoyed challenging her oldest brother. She responded with a smirk that left Patrick shaking his head as exited the SUV.
As they entered, the bell on the weathered yarn rung. The diner was filled with loud chatter of so many residents of Birch Valley enjoying lunch, mixed with the strong aroma of French fries and something else that Maggie couldn’t quite place. But her stomach growled and her little baby boy squirmed.
“Hey, guys,” Amber greeted them with a wide and happy smile. She had her dark hair pulled up into a ponytail, making her brilliant lagoon-colored eyes stand out. Immediately, Amber pulled Maggie into a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
News traveled fast, especially in this family. Michael had wanted to keep the gender a secret and do some grand stunt to tell everyone. The only other person Maggie had told was Rachel, and she had kept her mouth closed. It was Maggie who had slipped up; she had told her mother one morning last week when they had met for tea. Well, there went the plans for surprising everyone. Everyone was thrilled, especially Melanie, who had hoped and prayed for a little brother. Rachel and Liam were now more anxious to find out what they were having.
As Amber led them to a table toward the back of the diner, affording them a little more quiet, she asked, “Names? Have you and Michael started arguing over that yet?”
Patrick pulled Amber close to him and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “They are going to name him Patrick.”
Daniel pulled out a chair for Maggie and helped himself into one. “Uh, wrong, we are going with Daniel.”
Maggie started laughing. “Oh stop, you two. Melanie and Michael already decided on a perfect name, and we will announce it on Sunday at dinner.”
“What? My favorite little niece better have picked her uncle’s name,” Daniel said with bravado.
“Yeah, her Uncle Patrick, duh?” Patrick added as he sat down.
Amber playfully slapped his arm. “Leave Maggie alone. Gosh, you guys act like children when you are together.” She turned her attention to Maggie. “I’m excited to find out the name on Sunday.”
“Oh yeah, Amber, are you free on Saturday?” Maggie asked hopefully.
“Sure, what’s up?” Her brow twitched with concern.
“I wanted to see if you and Rachel can come over and help me get that dang nursery in order. I’m running out of time.”
“That would be fun. Just call me later and tell me what time.”
Maggie smiled. “Thanks. I will call Rachel later too.”
“Great,” Amber responded before she threw her hands on her thick, jean-clad hips and faced Patrick. “So the usual for you?”
“Bring me what whatever you want me to eat.” Maggie watched as Patrick gave Amber a sinful grin accompanied with a wink. Gross.
Amber turned a pretty shade of pink as she quickly asked, “You, Daniel? Anything special today?”
“Nah, I’ll take the patty melt,” he answered, completely oblivious to the naughty, but thankfully brief, interaction.
Amber’s cheeks were still flushed with embarrassment as she faced Maggie. “How about you, Maggie? Does your lil man want anything special?”
She considered for a moment and rubbed her belly and felt him shift, stretching in his tight quarters. Maggie quietly asked her son—her son.
Chapter Eight
Daniel
Daniel held the phone in his hands, his gut twisting with nerves. Why was he worried? Hannah had said she would go out with him. What if she changed her mind? He had been avoiding this call. It had been almost two weeks since he had enjoyed her delicious blueberry pie, since they’d laughed so hard together, so why was he worried? He wanted this, right?
He swallowed hard and waited as he heard the line ring. After a moment, he heard her sweet voice answer, “Hello?”
“Hannah?” Daniel asked.
“Daniel. How are you?” There was a pause and some rustling sounds in the background. “I figured I would never hear from you again,” Hannah boldly stated.
He ran his free hand through his hair. Now he was worried. Maybe he had upset her by waiting so long to call. “I know. I’m sorry. I have been working, and with back to school, we actually have more work than normal. Last-minute projects that folks want done before fall gets here,” Daniel said, trying to explain. He was afraid she would see right through his excuses.
“I see. Well, you’re calling now. So, what’s up?” Her voice was still sweet, but there was a sassy undertone which told him she could easily call his bluff, but she was too polite to actually do it.
“I wanted to see if you were free tomorrow. I thought it might be fun to go to breakfast. What do you think?” Daniel suggested. He could think of a million things he’d like to do with her, but his brain was frozen in fear and his thoughts were a jumbled mess.
“Hmm, breakfast? I have a better idea. Why don’t you come over here? I’ll make breakfast.”
“You sure? That doesn’t sound like much of a date,” Daniel stated.
He could hear her sigh. “Well, if you’d rather not.”
“No, Hannah, that’s not what I meant. I was trying to say…”
Hannah interrupted him with such speed he was taken a little off guard. “Daniel, I know what you meant. I’m offering you breakfast, and then we can maybe go do something. I just like cooking for you, and you haven’t had my huckleberry pancakes yet.” She laughed. The sound was angelic and beyond comforting to his ears.
Relieved and starting to feel his nerves calm, he responded eagerly, “That sounds real
ly good.”
“Of course it does, silly. We are talking about huckleberry pancakes.” He couldn’t argue with her there. Huckleberries were worth their weight in gold, especially this time of the year. The delicious berry was well sought after high into the mountains, where pickers brave enough to get them sometimes had run-ins with bears, who equally enjoyed the tiny fruit.
“Can I bring anything?” Daniel asked, feeling completely at ease with her now.
“Just yourself.”
***
Hannah
When she’d answered the phone and heard Daniel O’Brien’s voice, she’d nearly dropped the basket of fresh laundry she had been carrying. Hannah had figured the afternoon they had spent laughing together over pie was a fluke, him just being polite, her just being overlooked as usual. But now she knew otherwise, and she felt a little nervous as her tummy twisted in queasy knots. She hoped she had played it off well, trying desperately to sound cool. Hannah didn’t want him to think she’d been sitting by that darn phone for nearly two weeks in sick anticipation, like she actually had. She’d kept hoping that it would ring and she’d hear his voice, the one she dreamed about.
As Hannah readied for bed, brushing her teeth, her mind was completely occupied with thoughts of Daniel. She loved his eyes, but all the O’Brien kids had been known for those windows of green, deep and soulful, but Daniel’s held a different hint of something special. He was different than the rest of his brothers. Not that Patrick or Liam weren’t attractive men; the whole town of Birch Valley would have no problem defending that fact. Yet there was a unique light that came from Daniel. She had felt it the first time she had seen him working at her family’s farm. He seemed to radiate good-natured joy; something that seemed rare in people these days. He wasn’t moody like Patrick, who had a darkness about him, a shadow which drove a little fear into Hannah when she had met him the first time. She knew he was widowed. The storm that hovered over him, she recognized it all too well in her father—grief.
Dating Daniel (Cloverleaf #4) Page 8
