Foolish Temptations

by Danielle Stewart

  “Who?” Tommy asked, his voice sharp and annoyed. “Can you just spit it out?”

  Hugo looked at Maribel and then finally mustered up the courage. “Your brother. Well your half-brother. I can’t even begin to explain the story. I think it’ll be better coming from him.”

  “What are you talking about?” Junie slapped his arm as though his prank wasn’t working. “My father came here when he was seventeen and never returned to Ireland. He didn’t have a son. He’d have told us about it.”

  “He didn’t know.” Maribel looked at the empty white plate in front of her and felt a pang of guilt. She’d started all this and refused to back down. Now her friends would have to walk through the fire of the truth she’d uncovered.

  “Stop.” Ben stood up and shoved his chair backward. “You flew us all down here like it was some kind of emergency, and you got punked by some local in Ireland. He heard you had money, and he’s angling for it. You should have kept looking for a smarter guy, Junie.”

  Junie lowered her head. “He is smart. So are Maribel and Aden. They wouldn’t have gone through all this unless they knew for sure.”

  “I know it’s a lot to take in,” Hugo offered. “I only found out myself this morning. Just tell me what you want to do, and we’ll do it. We can forget this ever happened, have a meal, and go on with our lives. Or we can have him come in here, and you can talk to him yourself. Or he can fly back home, and you think about it for a while.”

  “Think about what?” Tommy shrugged and took a sip of his ice water. “It’s not like he cheated on Mom. He was a kid messing around and got a girl pregnant. He never knew about it. He didn’t do anything wrong. Have your wedding in Ireland, and we’ll meet the guy or whatever.”

  “I did mention it was complicated, right?” Hugo sat back in his chair. “Maribel is more familiar with the story. If you want to hear it, I think she should tell you.”

  “I want to know,” Junie whispered. “It’s about my father. I want to know everything.” She slid her hand into Hugo’s and eyed each of her brothers who seemed to agree.

  “Wine,” Maribel said definitively. “Someone order some wine.”

  Chapter 31

  “You sure about this?” Kenan shook his leg anxiously as the cab weaved its way down the busy city streets.

  “You ever been to a city like this before?”

  “No.”

  “Then shut up and look around. It’s pretty amazing.”

  “They said for sure they want to meet me? I mean they weren’t saying that now and then when I walk in they’ll flip out?”

  “These are flip out kind of people. That’s how they are. It doesn’t even have that much to do with you. Whatever happens, don’t take it personally. You’ve got a beautiful place to go home to no matter what. People who love you.”

  “I guess you do too, huh?”

  “Maribel?”

  “Yeah, I got the impression on the flight you two had worked things out. I’m glad.”

  “You had a lot to do with that. So if I haven’t said it yet . . .”

  “You haven’t.”

  “Thanks. Now you can thank me for introducing you to a whole family you never knew you had.”

  “I think I’ll wait to see how it plays out first.”

  Aden sighed. “Good call.”

  The cab slowed to a stop, and Kenan looked like he was ready to run.

  “Too late now,” Aden said, practically shoving him out of the cab and toward the restaurant. “They know about you. They’ll hunt you down if they have to.”

  “You’re painting a really nice picture for me.”

  “You’ll be fine,” Aden said in a quiet voice as they entered the restaurant and headed for the back room. “And if you’re not, be glad I’m the guy who doesn’t hesitate to join a bar fight.”

  “On my side?”

  “Yeah, for today anyway. Since I got you into this, I’ll get you out if I have to.”

  A pop of a cork rang out in between huge laughs as Aden and Kenan entered the small private dining area.

  “They’re here,” Maribel cried as she leapt up and unceremoniously clambered her way toward them. “Everyone look, they’re here.”

  “Are you drunk?” Aden asked, steadying her.

  “No,” she said, slapping a playful hand to his chest. “We had wine. You took a long time to get here.”

  More laughs broke out, one brother even doubled over as Aden scanned the room. “You’re all drunk?”

  Hugo stood up and extended his hand to Kenan. “We were trying to take the edge off,” he explained apologetically. “I think we took the whole thing off instead.”

  Junie put down her wine glass and stood. “We’re not usually like this.” The hiccup she punctuated her sentence with did nothing to make her more believable. “I think we were nervous.”

  “I wasn’t,” Nicky cut in. “I knew I’d be better looking than that guy. Point proven.” He raised his glass in Kenan’s direction and took a big swig.

  Aden took a look at Kenan’s expression. Deer in the headlights had nothing on this guy right now. Then suddenly, as he seemed to take it all in, the worry melted away. “You guys are a mess. Drunk. Practically pissing yourself with laughter.”

  The room fell silent. Everyone looked wearily at each other for a moment.

  Kenan leaned down and grabbed a bottle of the wine and an empty glass. The wine glugged its way in while everyone held their breath. “I guess we won’t need the DNA test; I’ve found my family.” He raised the glass for a toast and with relief painted on their faces the whole room joined in.

  “May you always have strong walls for the wind. A roof for the rain. And the people who love you to help with the pain.”

  “Cheers,” they all said in unison as they took sips of the wine and seemed to settle back into the reality in front of them.

  Junie pulled a chair out next to her and gestured for him to sit. “You know I was kind of already at capacity for brothers.” She tipped her head toward the sea of redheads at the other end of the table. “I wouldn’t have minded another sister.”

  “Judging by the way she was looking out for you, I’d say you have one.” Kenan winked at Maribel.

  “I’d have to agree with you there. I have a million questions for you. My father’s family was always such a mystery to us. I want to walk where he walked some day.”

  Hugo touched her hand. “It seems like things are complicated when it comes to your father back in Gallamare.”

  “I know.” Junie dropped her gaze in disappointment.

  Kenan looked around the table and straightened his back. “You’re all coming to Gallamare. You leave the welcome wagon to me. I’ll make sure everyone understands what happened and why you’re coming.”

  “That’s a lot to ask.” Junie gulped. “I don’t want to put you in a tough position with the people back home.”

  “If my sister wants to be married in Gallamare, that’s what’s going to happen.”

  Aden and Maribel clutched each other’s hands beneath the table. One storm weathered. And if they were lucky, a hundred more to go.

  Epilogue

  “My father used to say it’s impossible to be bored when spending time with a happy person. I have found my happy person.” Junie stood under the large white tent and held her champagne glass up high. “He was full of sage wisdom that always seemed to be rooted in some profound experience. A life lived in deep waters when the rest of us were just wading around in the shallow end.”

  Maribel gulped back her emotions and tried desperately to be present in this moment. It had been months in the making and there had been multiple times where it looked as though it might not happen at all. Aden’s hand slid over hers and squeezed gently. He could see she was floating away with her normal romantic whimsy.

  “You did it,” he whispered as everyone clanked their glasses together for the toast.

  “I can’t take credit for all this.” Maribel gesture
d around to the decorations and cooed. It was filled with darling little details meant to fill each guest with joy. Intimate and heartfelt, the theme had been a top priority for Maribel. How could she honor the past with all its complexities but at the same time celebrate the future? Simple, rustic, elegant the details mattered. While the stress was real and palpable Maribel was never in it alone. Aden had stepped up in a big way.

  “Dance?” He extended his hand and looked at her with those intense green eyes that had seen her. Really seen her. He watched her jump with glee when the harp player made a change to her schedule so she could attend. He was also there when the florist decided last minute that the few native blooms that would make up the simple hand tied bouquets were too unassuming. They needed something to punch them up. They were right, but in that moment Maribel was all out of creative ideas. It was Aden who suggested some of the wild bluebell flowers be added in.

  “I feel like I’m still on duty,” Maribel admitted as she looked around for something else to do. “I don’t want to take my eye off anything.”

  “You have planned every single detail of this wedding. They’ve said their vows. The pictures were magnificently done on the cliffs by the ocean. Toasts have been given. All five brothers have taken full advantage of the open bar. Your work is done. Come dance with me.”

  “What about the bouquet toss?” Maribel asked, a rush of panic over taking her. “And the cutting of the cake?”

  “I’m pretty sure those traditions have been going off without a hitch for decades without you. Tonight will be no different. Come dance with me.” His insistent look was endearing.

  Maribel finally stood and smoothed her dress. With all the planning she’d done it wasn’t until two days before the wedding she realized she’d forgotten to get a dress for herself.

  Hugo and Junie had been wise not to have a traditional wedding party. When there were five brothers involved it wasn’t fair to the groom to pick some to stand up with him. Instead it was just the two of them under the setting sun swearing their love to each other. Her oldest brother Tommy walked her down the aisle. Simple but profound.

  “I don’t want to take my eye off the ball here.”

  “What are you afraid of?” Aden moved in close and touched her cheek gently. “Tell me.”

  “I know Aileen said she smoothed everything over with people in town. I believe she did her best. I’m just worried it was a trick or a trap or something. What if people confront Junie? What if they don’t really want her here at all?” Maribel nibbled nervously on her lip.

  “And you being on high alert means you’ll tackled the townsfolk to the ground if the situation calls for it.”

  “Basically.”

  The microphone screeched for a second with feedback as another person came up to the head of the dance floor.

  “That guy looks to be about sixty. You should be able to take him.” Aden pulled her in close and whispered in her ear. “Have a little faith.”

  “Uh, thank ya,” the man at the microphone said too loudly. He lowered his voice and cleared his throat. His wool coat was well worn and his cap pulled down nearly to his eyes. He bounced from his heels to his toes nervously. “Ian O’Malley and I were classmates from kindergarten on. He uh, well he was my buddy for years. We did a lot of fishing. Quiet mornings just sitting in silence. Ian was quick to jump in when everyone was making fun of my stutter. He knew right from wrong and wasn’t afraid of a hard day’s work. The biggest challenge of my life has been hating him all these years. It wasn’t easy. The best gift I ever got was permission to forgive him, to care about him again.” The man raised his glass. “I think in my mind when we were kids I always knew I’d be at his kid’s wedding someday. I guess I just figured he’d be here too. There is a lot in this world I don’t know. But I knew the friendship and loyalty of a good man. I’m glad to call him that again. Cheers.”

  “You feel better now?” Aden asked as he squeezed her tightly. “Junie doesn’t need you on bodyguard duty. She wants you enjoying the fruits of your labor.”

  “You sound like my seventh grade English teacher.” Maribel rested her head on his shoulder. She had to admit it was exhausting keeping your guard up for this long. She much more enjoyed her blind optimism and unfounded confidence in good things happening. “I guess one dance couldn’t hurt.”

  “Forget the dance, I want to show you something. Come for a walk with me.” Aden gently tugged her toward the open air and away from the rhythmic lull of the music and chattering voices.

  “I’m sure they’ll miss us,” Maribel protested as she swept up the hem of her dress and hurried along his side. There was a look of mischief in his eyes that she couldn’t deny. They’d been so busy since returning to the United States that there had been no time to discuss their past which was nice. But also no time to design a future either. Everything was moment to moment. Everything was leading up to tonight. But now that was done. Mission accomplished. Where would that leave them?

  “Let them miss us. We’ve done our job. We got them here. Now for just a little while I want to do what we should have the first time we were here.” He moved with purpose down the quiet streets, passed the closed shops. It was strange being back here. This is where she’d taken the biggest risk of her life and it had paid off. They passed the bookstore and the bakery, still his stride was fast.

  “But where are we going?”

  “Somewhere that will help me prove my point.” He pushed past the old iron gate of the graveyard and took her cool hand in his. The warmth of his skin seemed to penetrate more than just her fingers, it went straight to her soul.

  “Elsie’s grave?” Maribel asked as they moved as one past the old stones and memorials. “I’ve seen it before, but I suppose if you want to pay your respects.”

  “I do. And I want to tell you what I’ve been trying to say for a long time.” Aden pulled a small flashlight from his pocket and shined it in the direction of the stone. They were in the wrong spot. This wasn’t the stone she’d come to with Kenan the last time they were here.

  “The people in town all got together and raised money for a new one,” Aden explained. “A stone with a proper tribute.”

  Maribel covered her heart with one hand as she read the words that were chiseled into the large gray stone. Under a cherub faced angel read: Young Love Never Forgotten.

  Mother, Daughter, Friend to all. Your time was short but your legacy lives on.

  Maribel spoke with a shaky voice as emotion overtook her. “That is beautiful. Did Aileen organize this? Wait until Kenan sees it. He’ll be floored.”

  “You did this,” Aden said gently. “That’s what I took you here to see. This is your handiwork. One ripple in the lake from the giant boulder you were brave enough to throw in.” He took her hand and faced her, an intense look in his eyes.

  “I didn’t really,” she began but he cut her off.

  “But you did. When I thought better of it, you insisted we stay. When I wanted to cut and run you knew in your gut that this was worth the risk. I was thinking about our jobs, our relationships with our boss. You were thinking about this very moment. You practically willed this into reality with your stubbornness.”

  Maribel blushed and waved him off. “It could have gone the other way. We could have failed or lit the fuse on a stick of dynamite and brought it back with us. There was no guarantee this would turn out.

  “Don’t you see?” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “That’s the point I’m trying to make. With you, it’s more than just possible, it’s probable. If you believe in something, it’s a bet worth making. So do you still believe in us?” He held her hands and waited expectantly for an answer.

  She didn’t make him wait long. “Of course I do. Nothing in my life has ever felt more right than you. But if you’re not sure.”

  “The thing is, I am sure. Not because I’ve suddenly gotten wise and grown up. I’m still a pessimistic doubtful idiot who worries that someday I’ll screw this u
p and lose you.”

  “Then maybe,” she gulped out.

  “No. Maybe nothing. There is no maybe between us. I’m the same person but you’ve changed what I believe in. If you are involved then nothing will stop us. Your tenacity and spirit will overcome my idiotic worry and doubt. Everything that has happened here in Gallamare, everything you did to bring Kenan and Junie together reminds me we’ll be more than fine. We’ll be exceptional, one of those great romances you read about for years to come. My bad luck doesn’t stand a chance against your love.”

  Maribel wiped a tear from her cheek. “What if you’re giving me too much credit?”

  “I thought you might say that,” he laughed. “I figured if you did I’d just face you in the direction of this new memorial. You can’t really argue with that proof. It’s written in stone. We’re written in stone now too. Come on walk with me to one more place.”

  “I’m not sure my legs will hold me.” Maribel felt a heady whirling sensation as she looped her arm in his. Wherever he was leading her, she’d go without a second’s hesitation. She knew that would be the case for a long time.

  They walked back toward Main Street with a skip in their steps. This was how she had pictured her first trip abroad. Arm in arm with a man she couldn’t get enough of. The cool night air on their cheeks. The sights and smells of somewhere new surrounding them. It was possibility. Exhilaration. Joy. It was everything she wanted it to be with exactly who she wanted it to be with.

  “The bookstore?” she asked, as he stopped in front and peered in the darkened window.

  “Yes.” Aden’s smile was devilishly big. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

  “We will be going back to the wedding, right?”

  “Of course.” He raised his hand to imply he was swearing an oath and then pulled the door open. “They should really start locking these places. Any crazy person could come in.”

  “What are we doing here?”

  Aden had let her arm go as he moved down an aisle looking for something. “I know it’s here. She told me it would be.”