Dogwood Hill

by Sherryl Woods

  “Not a chance,” Mick said. “I’ve done my homework. I know you were a leader in the locker room and not just on the field. That, along with the recommendations from your coaches, speaks highly of you.”

  Aidan couldn’t help feeling flattered, but he couldn’t let himself be swayed. “Okay, let’s say I do say yes, I have one question for you in the meantime.” He was hoping the answer would solidify his resolve. The last thing any coach needed was too many bosses micromanaging his decisions.

  “What’s that?” Mick asked as they walked outside into the warm spring sunshine and headed toward a large and surprisingly muddy truck that had obviously seen some time on a work site recently.

  “If I take this job, exactly who do I answer to? The principal, the school board or you?”

  Mick’s booming laugh filled the air. “I won’t be the person signing your checks,” he replied candidly. “That doesn’t mean that folks in town don’t tend to listen to what I have to say.”

  Aidan nodded. “Good to know. Any other tips for getting along in Chesapeake Shores?”

  Mick gave him a long look. “You stick around. Come to Sunday dinner at my place. All the O’Briens will be there. We’ll be happy to fill you in on everything you need to know. If you’re not already convinced, we ought to be able to seal the deal.”

  Aidan’s pulse began to race. Could it possibly be that easy? A few days in town and he’d come face-to-face with his father? Could he sit at Mick O’Brien’s table and keep what he knew to himself, at least as long as it took to decide if he wanted to reveal the truth? Would he be able to look into Thomas O’Brien’s face without unleashing all the vitriol he’d stored up? A meltdown over a roast and mashed potatoes would certainly put an end to his coaching career in this obviously close-knit town.

  He drew in a deep breath and made yet another of those quick decisions, this one fraught with all sorts of disturbing potential consequences. Fate had brought him here. Until he gave the school his answer, he might as well make the most of it.

  He met Mick’s gaze. “I’ll do that, sir, if you’re sure it’s not an imposition.”

  “Nothing my family likes better than seeing a new face at the table,” Mick assured him.

  Aidan couldn’t help wondering if they’d still feel that way after his visit.

  * * *

  Aidan immediately liked Rob Larkin, the principal of the high school, who seemed to have no qualms at all about standing up to Mick O’Brien and taking charge of the interview. With his crew cut and preppy attire, he looked to be in his forties, but there was a steely resolve in his eyes that suggested he ran a tight ship. Mick actually sat back and let the principal run the show.

  “Although your football credentials are what got you here today,” Rob said, “I’m interested in hearing what you think a high school coach’s role should be.”

  Aidan leaned forward. “I had the best possible model as a coach when I was in school. He was an excellent motivator. He had strict rules—he wanted to win, but more important than either of those things, he wanted to teach the players to be better men. If I can be half as effective as he was, I’ll do a good job for you.”

  Caught up in his enthusiasm for the topic, he forgot for a minute that he wasn’t 100 percent sure he really wanted this job.

  “What about grades?” Rob asked him.

  “At the top of my list,” Aidan said readily. “Nobody plays if they’re failing. I’ll get them whatever help they need, but I won’t tolerate them slacking off when it comes to academics.”

  He saw the principal and Mick exchange a satisfied look.

  “Why don’t we take a walk around the school so you can see the gym, the locker room and our equipment?” Rob suggested.

  “Sure,” Aidan said, already knowing what he’d find—the absolute best of everything.

  “Would you like to meet a few of the players?” Rob asked. “I can arrange to pull them from classes.”

  Aidan quickly shook his head. It wouldn’t be fair to get their hopes up, and it would be harder for him to say no if he’d seen the young men who might be pinning their hopes on him.

  “Another time,” he said. “But let’s take a look around.”

  As they toured the school, Aidan was more and more impressed, not only with the facility, but with Rob Larkin. He was a dedicated educator, no question about it. He was also happily surprised by the principal’s interactions with the students that he witnessed. There was friendly respect on both sides.

  It seemed the students all knew Mick, too, and their easy camaraderie with such an important man spoke well of Mick’s relationship with all of the town’s residents. Aidan couldn’t help wondering if Thomas, with his lofty ideals, related half as well to average folks.

  When they’d made their way back to the principal’s office, Rob said, “There’s one other thing I should mention. In addition to teaching a few physical education classes, you’d also be expected to handle one after-school activity. Coach Gentry loved the outdoors, so he organized a group that spent time cleaning up the bay. He worked closely with Mick’s brother Thomas on that project. We’d like you to continue that. It’s important to get these kids to appreciate the environment, to understand that there’s a whole big world outside of sports.”

  Work with Thomas—his father? Aidan wasn’t sure he could do that. He swallowed hard and tried not to let his immediate reaction show. There was no point in making an issue of it now, since he didn’t intend to take the job. He needed to nod and let it go.

  “Of course,” he said. “If I stay, I understand that an after-school activity beyond coaching would be part of the job. It sounds like a worthy cause.”

  “Not much matters more around here,” Mick chimed in. “You’ll see. Just get my brother started when you meet him on Sunday. He’ll talk your ear off.” He leveled a look at Aidan. “So, do we have a deal? A five-year contract. We know it’s going to take time, though none of us would be unhappy to have a winning record a lot sooner than that.”

  “I’d like some time to think about it,” Aidan said, clearly startling Rob Larkin and stunning Mick.

  “What’s to think about?” Mick asked, a hint of indignation in his voice. “Opportunities like this don’t come along every day. Most schools wouldn’t give you half that long to make a difference.”

  “I know that, and I appreciate it,” Aidan told him. “But Chesapeake Shores is a big change for me. I want to be sure it can be mutually beneficial. That long-term deal is a sweet one for me, but I’m not so sure it’s in your best interests. After all, this is my first coaching job. I could be terrible. And Chesapeake Shores is a big change from New York. It might not be the best fit for me. Let’s all give it some more thought.”

  “Of course,” Rob said, before Mick could step in. “It is an adjustment. I came here from DC, so I know. For me, it’s been a welcome change, but it’s not right for everyone.” He glanced at Mick. “It’s no reflection on the town.”

  “Of course not,” Aidan said.

  Mick seemed to take his cue from the principal. “We’ll talk some more on Sunday,” he said eventually. “I’ll drive you back over to the inn now.”

  “That’s okay. It’s not that far. I’d like to walk, if you don’t mind.” He stood up and shook Rob’s hand. “It was very nice meeting you.”

  “You, too. I hope we’ll have the opportunity to work together.”

  “Thanks for the ride over, Mr. O’Brien.”

  “That’s Mick, son. I’ll see you on Sunday. Just ask Jess for directions.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  Outside, on another glorious spring day that showed off the town’s best attributes of blue skies and sparkling water, Aidan drew in a deep breath. Saying no was going to be a whole lot harder than he’d ever anticipated. The size of the town and
the length of that contract were still issues, but the real hang-up was the prospect of getting closer to a man he’d dreamed about for years, but wasn’t really sure he wanted to know. That was especially ironic now that the possibility seemed within reach.

  * * *

  Liz wasn’t surprised when she spotted Aidan walking up the driveway to Mick’s for Sunday dinner. Nor was she especially startled when Bree pulled her aside and asked if she’d mind sitting next to the newcomer at the table.

  “He’s bound to feel more comfortable if there’s a familiar face nearby,” Bree said. “Someone other than my father needs to take him under their wing. Since you two have met and you’re a recent newcomer to town, you’re the obvious choice.”

  “And of course that’s the only reason you’ve chosen me for the job,” Liz remarked, her skepticism plain.

  Bree gave her a look that was all innocence. “Of course. What other reason could there be?”

  Bree glanced across the room and watched as Mick led Aidan around making introductions to his family. Liz couldn’t seem to keep her gaze off him, either. With Bree’s siblings and their spouses in the room, grandchildren underfoot everywhere, plus a couple of nephews and their families, it was bound to be a little overwhelming for anyone.

  “He’s looking a little shell-shocked already,” Bree commented.

  “I remember what that was like,” Liz acknowledged. Even now, after being included for several Sunday and holiday meals, she needed the occasional time-out to get her bearings. “Okay, I’ll do what I can to keep Aidan from running for the hills. Mick really does want this job to work out, doesn’t he?”

  “He’s gotten a little obsessed about it,” Bree conceded. “Especially since Aidan didn’t sign on the dotted line right off the bat. Dad’s not used to anyone holding out, especially when money’s not the issue. It’s frustrating him.” Bree grinned. “Mom thinks it’s good for him. The rest of us are just wondering where Aidan got the backbone to stand up to him. We might ask for lessons.”

  Liz gave Bree a pointed look. “I might want a couple of those lessons myself.”

  Though it was evident Bree got her message, she merely waved it off. “Stop. You know I’m just giving you a push in the direction you want to go, anyway.” Then she literally gave Liz a gentle shove. “Go. Save him.”

  Liz crossed the room and caught Aidan’s eye. “Could I speak to you a moment?”

  Mick gave her a startled look that quickly turned speculative. “We can talk more later,” he told Aidan at once. “Never turn down a pretty woman’s invitation.”

  Aidan regarded her with an expression of relief. “Thank you,” he said as Mick moved away.

  “I wasn’t sure you needed rescuing, but I recall how I felt after my first half hour with a houseful of O’Briens. Would you like a little fresh air?”

  “I’d love some,” Aidan admitted, following her outside to a porch lined with rockers and Adirondack chairs facing the bay.

  Liz gestured toward the chairs. “We could sit here or we could walk. Dinner’s not for another half hour and since most of the kids are outside playing, Nell always rings a very loud bell to get everyone’s attention.”

  “Then let’s walk,” Aidan said. As they reached the edge of the wide expanse of lawn and stood looking out at the bay, he turned to her. “Who’s Nell? I don’t think I’ve met her. Mick’s wife is Megan, right?”

  “Exactly. Nell is Mick’s mother. This may be his house, but, trust me, when it comes to meals, she’s in charge. And her food is worth whatever chaos guests might have to deal with.”

  “You must be a regular,” he said. “How’d that happen?”

  “I take in stray animals. The O’Briens take in stray residents. Bree brought me home one Sunday right after I opened my shop and I’ve been coming ever since. Not every week, but enough to feel more or less comfortable with the intrusive questions and well-meant advice.”

  She studied him as he stood beside her, hands shoved in his pockets, his well-toned shoulders looking oddly tense. “You’re not nervous about all this, are you? It’s clear you have the upper hand. Mick really wants you to accept this job. Or is that the problem? Are you feeling pressured?”

  “Of course not,” he scoffed. “It might be my first coaching job, but I have the credentials. I’m up to it. I’m just not convinced it’s the right fit.”

  “Why is that?” she asked, startled. “You don’t like Chesapeake Shores?”

  “I’m sure it’s a great little town,” he responded.

  “Little being the operative word, I imagine,” she said, taking offense on behalf of the town. “This is not some backwoods community in the middle of nowhere. We have great people and great restaurants. We have a playwright whose work had been produced on Broadway, Mick’s daughter Bree, in fact. We have a top country music songwriter, too, and her husband is a Grammy-winning singer. They keep a home here and come back from Nashville whenever they can.”

  Aidan smiled. “Do you belong to the Chamber of Commerce?”

  “Yes, of course, but I’m telling you this so you’ll understand that Chesapeake Shores is a wonderful place to live, even if it’s not New York.”

  “I never meant to imply that it wasn’t,” Aidan told her. “It just may not be right for me. We’ll have to see.”

  Liz didn’t entirely believe his declaration of open-mindedness, but she had no idea why. Nor did she think these nerves she sensed were about his capability as a coach or whether the town was a good fit for him. Still, she let the subject drop.

  “Have you met the whole family?” she asked instead.

  He relaxed a little and laughed. “I have no idea. I met what seemed like a hundred people in there. Is that all of them?”

  “I think most of Mick’s immediate family was there, but his brother Jeff and his family were just coming up the walk when we came outside. Come to think of it, I didn’t see Jo—that’s Jeff’s wife—with them. I don’t think I saw Thomas inside, but he could have been in the kitchen with Nell or somewhere in the yard playing catch with his son and some of the other kids.”

  An odd expression passed over Aidan’s face, just as it had the other day. This time she knew she wasn’t wrong about what she was seeing. She hesitated, then asked, “Do you already know some of the family?”

  “No, why?”

  “Because you reacted just now when I mentioned Thomas. You did the same thing the other day when the O’Brien name came up. What am I missing?”

  “You’re imagining things,” Aidan said, though his tone wasn’t the least bit convincing.

  “Aidan, if there’s something you’re not saying, if there’s some history here or bad blood or something, maybe it is the wrong place for you. The town is overrun with O’Briens and they stick together. You need to understand that and be sure of your decision.”

  He gave her a long, inscrutable look before answering. “I’m not sure of anything,” he said quietly.

  And, just like before, he turned and walked away, leaving her with a whole slew of troubling questions.

  * * *

  Though she sat next to Aidan at dinner, Liz was all too aware that he carefully avoided making conversation with her. In fact, he was fairly quiet, responding only when asked a direct question. He seemed content to let the nonstop chatter and laughter swirl around him.

  She also thought she caught his gaze straying more than once toward Thomas O’Brien, but maybe that was because her imagination had gone into overdrive following their talk outside.

  As soon as the meal ended, she went in search of Nell to thank her for another incredible meal, then to say her goodbyes to Megan and Mick. She thought she’d be home free and able to make a quick escape after that, but Mick drew her aside.

  “So?” he asked. “How’s Aidan leaning? Is he going to
take the job or not?”

  Liz regarded him with amusement. “What makes you think I have any inside knowledge?”

  “The two of you were outside for a while. Looked to me as if you were talking pretty seriously about something.”

  “You were spying on us?” she asked with a scowl, though she wasn’t the least bit surprised. Of course Mick had been keeping a close eye on them. That was who he was, a man who paid close attention to the things that mattered to him.

  “I don’t spy,” he objected, then sighed. “You know how much the school needs him, Liz. Did he give you any hint about which way he’s leaning?”

  “Not really,” she said, though her gut was telling her Aidan was going to walk away. She didn’t want to be the one to break that news to Mick, not when she wasn’t certain of it. Who knew what sort of pressure he might decide to pour on the poor unsuspecting man?

  “Can I give you a bit of advice?” she asked Mick.

  “Why not? You’re practically part of the family, and heaven knows, not a one of them keeps a single opinion to themselves.”

  Liz laughed, knowing it was a genetic predisposition of the O’Briens to share advice whether it was wanted or not.

  “Give the man some space,” she suggested to Mick. “He seems to be weighing this decision. Too much pressure might have the opposite effect of what you’re hoping for.”

  “He’ll never find a better opportunity,” Mick said. “He needs to understand that.”

  “That may be,” Liz conceded. “And I’m hardly an expert on Aidan Mitchell, but I think overselling the job could backfire.”

  She glanced across the room to where Aidan was talking to Mack Franklin. Whatever the conversation, his expression was animated and he looked more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. She had a hunch that while Mack might be talking football, he wasn’t pushing the coaching job. In fact, whatever he was saying had Aidan laughing. That sound made her feel surprisingly good.

  Mick followed the direction of her gaze, his own gaze narrowing. “You think Mack’s approach, whatever it is, is the right one, don’t you?”