Daniel met Liam’s eyes. “Help,” he cried playfully as he allowed himself to be pinned on the floor by the toddlers, Finn and Connor.
The boys were Patrick’s children, and the cutest three-year-old twins ever, according to the entire O’Brien family. Each boy had the mischievous emerald O’Brien eyes but had inherited their mother’s wild blond curls.
Melanie held a special place in Liam’s heart; she was the first to make him an uncle. She had a cherub face, bobbed hair the color of rust, and the O’Brien eyes, only hers had flecks of gold in the deep green.
As soon as the children noticed Liam, they quickly scurried off Daniel.
“Uncle Liam,” they shouted in unison.
Crouching down low to give all three a hug, Liam said to Daniel, “I guess they love this uncle more.”
“I see how it is.” Daniel laughed as he got up. He then tickled the children, causing them to scurry toward the kitchen, where their grandmother was preparing Sunday dinner.
“Where’s Maggie at?” Liam asked as the two men went to go sit down in the living room.
“She’s in the kitchen with Mom. She was acting kind of funny, though,” Daniel said. He was still trying to catch his breath from wrestling with his niece and nephews.
“Funny how?” Liam questioned.
“I don’t know really. I’m not good at figuring women out, but she wasn’t acting normal, you know what I mean?”
“Well, not quite. Guess I will have to see for myself in a minute,” Liam said.
“Don’t say I said anything. I don’t need to be getting into any trouble with her or Mom,” Daniel teased.
“Where’s Patrick at? I see his little munchkins are here,” Liam said, smiling at the thought of his two nephews.
“I think he is going over some business stuff with Dad and Grandpa Paddy,” Daniel replied as he stretched out on the soft leather couch, adjusting the pillows and settling into a comfortable position.
“How’s work been?” Liam sat across from Daniel in a matching dark brown leather recliner. Patrick was much like their father, serious and always concerned about the business, particularly after his wife Beth had died in a car crash three years ago. She had been pregnant with their twin boys when the accident happened, leaving Patrick a devastated widow and a new father. Through the thickness of his grief, Patrick was raising his sons with the help of his family and Beth’s parents, who also lived in Birch Valley.
Daniel interrupted his thoughts. “Work has been sort of slow, especially with the holidays coming up. But I sort of don’t mind because we’ll be busy as heck in the spring and summer.”
“How’s Patrick been?” Liam asked.
“Eh, Patrick’s been Patrick. So nothing new there.” Daniel shrugged.
Liam heard footsteps making their way down the hall just before Maggie appeared at the entryway of the living room.
“Liam, Melanie said you were here. I didn’t hear you come in.” She leaned her slender figure against the wall with her arms crossed casually over her chest. Her soft, chestnut hair framed her heart-shaped face and fell just past her shoulders.
“Glad you made it in with all this snow we’ve been getting. How was the drive over from Seattle?” Liam asked, trying to read his sister to see if she was acting strange as Daniel had suggested.
Maggie yawned, covering her mouth and said, “It was okay. We got an early start this morning. The highway was pretty clear for the most part, and they weren’t requiring chains over the mountain pass.”
“Well, that’s good. So Mom is making something good for dinner?” Liam asked, still not getting the feeling that anything was wrong with his sister.
“She has a pot roast going. Actually, dinner’s almost ready. I just got done having the kids help set the table.”
“Great, I’m starving,” Daniel chirped.
Both men stood, stretching and eyeing each other.
“I’ll let Mom know you guys are ready to eat,” Maggie said as she turned away.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Liam looked at Daniel and said, “I didn’t think she acted funny or like anything was wrong.”
“I don’t know, Liam, but earlier she did act like something was wrong. Maybe she’s fine now. You know how women can be, all moody and stuff,” Daniel said as he led the way to the dining room, from which wonderful smells of pot roast and vegetables were wafting.
Liam took his place at the large table, where his family was gathered. Meals at this house were always loud and filled with the sounds of dishes clinking and several conversations happening all at once.
Grandpa Paddy was seated at one end of the table and Liam’s father at the other. They were having a lively debate regarding something they read earlier in the newspaper. Maggie was bringing different dishes to the table as Mary brought a pitcher of water out and began filling everyone’s glasses. Connor flicked a spoonful of peas across the table at his twin, making Finn cry loudly.
“Connor, don’t throw peas at your brother,” Patrick scolded, wiping the loose peas off the table.
Melanie giggled and forked in a mouthful of creamy potatoes. Daniel sneakily flicked a lone pea at Connor and quickly looked at his plate and started eating.
“Mary, come and sit down. You are working too hard, lass,” Grandpa Paddy commanded in his deep brogue.
Maggie took her seat next to their father, who eyed her and asked, “Where’s Michael? What has he been up to these days?”
Shifting uncomfortably, Maggie replied, “He had a lot going on this week, Dad. He needed to get some loose ends all tied up before the holidays.”
“Well, he’s missing out on a terrific pot roast tonight, I’ll tell you that,” Pat commented before he put another piece of the succulent meat in his mouth and sent a sweet look toward Mary.
“Yes, my compliments to the chef,” Grandpa Paddy added when Mary took her place next to him.
“Yeah, Mom, everything is great,” Liam said before taking a sip of his water.
“Grams, you are such a good cook.” Melanie motioned to her mother for another helping of potatoes.
“Well, thank you, everyone. I’m just so glad we are all here together. Too bad Michael isn’t here,” Mary said as she helped herself to some peas while giving her grandson a warning look as he aimed another spoonful of peas at his brother.
Daniel seized the opportunity to flick another pea, this time at Liam.
Liam just rolled his eyes. This was his family, and he adored every one of them.
Chapter Two
Rachel
The sun was high in the cloudless sky, and Rachel was sweltering as she jogged up the concrete stairs. She was panting hard but remained in rhythm with her friend Chelsea as they neared the top platform that gave them a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean.
“I can’t believe you’re serious about this, Rachel!” Chelsea said with annoyance before she sipped from her hot-pink sports bottle that matched her workout attire.
“I think I just need a change of scenery, and it’s a great opportunity for me.” Rachel looked beyond the vast, blue waters, trying to imagine what moving to a new place would be like. She could feel the warm rays of sunlight on her shoulders and trails of sweat running down her back.
Rachel Montgomery had always lived in Newport Beach, California. She assumed she would spend her entire life here, as she had no reason to venture out of this well-sought-after area. To most, living in the wealthy beach community would be a dream come true, but it was all she had ever known, so perhaps she was a bit jaded. Her father, a well-respected plastic surgeon, had a successful practice that kept the richest members of society looking youthful. Her mother, who had divorced her father when Rachel was still quite young, spent most of her days shopping and living off her hefty alimony checks. Rachel had an older brother, Ethan, who was busy carving his own path in the world of medicine. She, however, had gone in a completely different direction, deciding to work in education administration. She
was currently the vice principal at a prestigious elementary school.
“I think it’s insane that you would even consider leaving all this,” Chelsea exclaimed as she gestured around them with her arms.
Chelsea had a longstanding history with Rachel. They both had attended the same prep school, both had fathers who were plastic surgeons, and had somehow managed to maintain a real and deep friendship—quite a feat in the shallow community they’d both grown up in.
“I know, I know.” Rachel looked at her longtime friend, who seemed to be growing more annoyed by the minute. She dabbed the sweat off her face and neck with a small sports towel and added, “Chelsea, it’s hard to explain, but I guess I just want to see what else is out there. I don’t feel whole here, if that makes sense.”
Rachel fussed with her pixie cut nervously, sweeping sun-kissed bangs away from her eyes. She wasn’t completely confident she was making the right decision. This was giant leap of faith, and she was usually pretty cautious. She always weighed out every option and calculated all the risks. So when she announced her plans to accept the position of principal at a little elementary school in Birch Valley, Washington, her family figured she must have lost her mind. They didn’t realize she felt as though something was missing in her life. She didn’t know if she was experiencing an early midlife crisis, but Rachel felt as though this opportunity just might help her resolve these unsettling feelings.
“Oh Rachel, I don’t get it. I mean, what could a tiny, middle-of-nowhere town offer you?” Chelsea questioned as she stretched her toned frame before bending down to touch the tips of her running shoes. “You’re my best friend, and I can’t imagine you being two states away.”
With nothing else to add, Chelsea spun around and started back down the concrete stairs, her bleach-blonde ponytail swishing back and forth. Rachel followed, knowing full well how disappointed Chelsea was by her choice. Her parents hadn’t taken her decision to accept the position well, either. Only Ethan had championed her desire to venture out.
After leaving their favorite workout spot, Rachel and Chelsea each got into their matching silver BMW convertible sedans. Waving good-bye, Rachel sped off toward her home. She had a great deal of packing and finalizing some last-minute details to do if she was going to be all set for the move by the end of the year. As she drove, Rachel started to succumb to thinking this idea was ridiculous. After all, she was relocating during the holidays to a state she’d never even seen. She silently prayed this wasn’t a colossal mistake.
***
Rachel looked down at her pretty manicured toes and her tan legs, which stood out against the pale carpet of her small bedroom. She then turned her gaze to the boxes stacked evenly against one wall. She was deep in thought and going over a mental checklist of things she needed to do when her cell phone chirped with a text message from her mother, asking if she was available for lunch tomorrow. Rachel typed back a reply, wondering why her mother hadn’t just called instead. This was what their relationship had been reduced to: a text here and there, an occasional call to go shopping or dining out at some exclusive restaurant Rachel would much rather avoid.
Her relationship with her father wasn’t much different. He stayed in contact more than her mother but mainly with a call, an email, or an occasional dinner. This had always been the norm for her family. They were each busy with their individual lives, and that probably would never change.
When Rachel was a child, nannies and housekeepers tended to treat her more how she imagined a traditional family would. They’d bandage a skinned knee when she fell off her bike and later listened and offered advice during those difficult teen years. These important people had provided Rachel with the care and love that should have come solely from her parents. On the other hand, her parents had provided everything else she could have asked for. Her mother and father did love her; they just had a monetary way of showing their affection.
Ethan had taken advantage of the lack of parental supervision and concern and enjoyed the perks of their privileged life. He tended to get into trouble quite often.
She worked on organizing her belongings for a couple more hours before settling in front of her computer to look up more information on the place she would soon call home. Sipping on a mug of herbal tea, she typed “Birch Valley” into the search engine, and a beautiful picture instantly popped up. Surrounded by small mountains and various trees, mostly pine and tamarack, the town looked like something out of a postcard for a quaint vacation retreat. Aspen and birch trees speckled along the river that ran through the town. Large mountains encircled fields that looked like patchwork on a homemade quilt and that could be seen for miles. This faraway place was very different from her vibrant ocean home.
Rachel had contacted a local real estate agent in Birch Valley to see about renting something. The problem, according to the agent, was that there were few rental properties, especially in the middle of winter. Still, she was fortunate enough to secure a small home. The agent had promised it was the best one available at the moment, and Rachel had agreed to a short lease, just in case things didn’t quite work out.
One of the more difficult tasks was scheduling movers to haul her furniture and boxes. She arranged for them to pick up her belongings a couple days after Christmas, then planned to drive to Washington shortly after. Her goal was to get moved in and settled before she started her new position the day after New Year’s.
Rachel shut down her laptop and felt an array of emotions as she readied for bed. Lying in the dark room, she contemplated once again the life she would be leaving for the life that could be.
***
Rachel nervously stood outside of a posh eatery, waiting for her mother, Evelyn, to arrive. An overly decorated gift bag containing her mother’s Christmas gift was slung over her arm. She hoped the Chanel bag inside, in the latest color and style, would meet with Evelyn’s approval. The weather was on the edge of hot, and as Rachel absorbed the sun’s rays, she was thankful she’d worn her lavender sundress. Staring through her strappy sandals at her painted toenails, she grew impatient as she continued to wait.
When Rachel next looked up, her mother was rounding the corner of the building and walking toward her. For an older woman, Evelyn was in amazing shape. Her figure was lean and toned, and she wore her champagne-blonde hair in a youthful, layered cut. The brilliant sunlight bounced off her sparkling diamond earrings.
“Oh hello, darling.” Her mother kissed her on each cheek in a very chic European fashion.
“Hi, Mom.” Rachel started to feel underdressed as she took in her mother’s crisp, white two-piece suit. Evelyn motioned for the hostess to seat them. Once seated, each woman was served water with a perfect slice of lemon. Sipping on hers, Rachel offered her mother a smile.
“So I was wondering if you’ve changed your mind about accepting that job,” her mother said, curling her slender fingers around the elegant glass before sipping her beverage slowly. Her tone was dismissive, and she appeared to be more focused on their fellow diners, almost as though she was scanning the room to see if she could recognize any friends or perhaps even a celebrity.
Rachel was prepared for the questioning. She held the large gift bag up to her mother’s eye level, seeing if she could distract her with her Christmas gift.
“I wasn’t sure if I would see you again before the holidays, so I wanted to make sure you got this.” Rachel held the bag out to her.
“Why, Rachel, that is very thoughtful of you, darling. I’m set to take a cruise down to Mexico in a couple days, so that is very smart of you to think ahead.” Evelyn grabbed the gift and placed it on the ground next to her chair.
Rachel mentally rolled her eyes but was slightly surprised her mother hadn’t opened the bag or even peeked inside it.
“I’ve also brought something for you.” Evelyn slid a card over to Rachel’s side of the table.
“Thank you, Mom,” Rachel said as she started to unseal the envelope. The card contained a check. Ra
chel didn’t want to know how much was written on it, so she tucked it away in her purse without glancing at it.
“Well, now we’ve exchanged Christmas gifts, tell me once again why you’re leaving? I just can’t seem to wrap my mind around the idea.” Her mother reached her well-manicured hands across the table for Rachel’s.
“I know it seems crazy. I just thought the opportunity was too good to pass up.” Rachel shrugged as her mother gripped her hand a little tighter.
“Have you spoken to your father about this absurd move?”
“I have, and we’re meeting tomorrow for dinner. He isn’t thrilled, either.”
Evelyn eased her grip. “I can’t quite understand why you would want to leave the school you are already working at. What about meeting someone and getting married? I’m sure you realize you aren’t getting any younger.”
“I like where I work now. The school is fantastic. I see this as a great opportunity for advancement. Right now, I’m really wanting to focus on my career, so I’m not looking to get involved with anyone.” Rachel lowered her eyes. The very thought of getting into another relationship caused her to feel a pang of distress. She’d been there, done that, and had the broken heart to prove it. She’d also failed to mention that she felt as though something was missing in her life. There was no point in trying to get into some emotionally deep conversation with her mother.
Evelyn rolled her mocha-colored eyes, which were shrouded with false eyelashes and designer makeup. “Fine, I won’t say another thing about it. If this is what you want, then so be it. Even if it is a huge mistake. But keep in mind there is no place like home, especially if you live here.” She smiled as she looked all around them.
With that topic over and done with, the two women proceeded to dine on light Cobb salads, and the rest of the conversation focused on her mother. Soon, Rachel was anxious to leave the overly crowded restaurant and made eye contact with their server to get the check.
Loving Liam (Cloverleaf #1) Page 2
