A Chesapeake Shores Christmas (12 page)

“Mick!” Thomas said, standing up with a smile on his face. “I didn’t expect to see you today. Is there a problem of some kind? Is Ma okay?”

“Ma’s fine,” Mick said, looking around at the cramped office. Every surface was covered with stacks of what looked like reports of some kind. He’d expected something fancier for the head of an organization dedicated to protecting the Chesapeake Bay. Clearly they weren’t spending their funding on accessories or even furniture, if the scarred desk and chairs in here were any indication. He had to admit he was impressed with his brother’s determination to put every cent into the project’s goals.

“You have any coffee?” he asked eventually.

“Sure,” Thomas said. “Move that pile of papers.” He pointed to a stack beside his desk. “I think there’s a chair under there. I’ll be right back with the coffee.”

Mick nodded, located the chair and sat, wondering what the hell had brought him here this morning. It had been an instinctive decision. There’d been a time long ago when he’d respected his younger brother’s opinion. And, truth be told, there wasn’t anyone he knew who understood more about women and how their minds worked. Somehow Thomas was still friends with the two women he’d married and divorced.

When Thomas came back with two cups of coffee, he handed one to Mick. “So, what brings you by? You’ve never set foot in here before.”

“Too stubborn,” Mick said candidly. He shrugged. “Doesn’t mean I haven’t been curious, especially since Kevin came to work with you.”

“And that’s what brought you here today? Curiosity?”

Mick regarded his brother warily. “Can I trust you not to make too much of this?”

“Since I have no idea what you’re talking about, it’s hard to say, but anything you want to talk about I can keep to myself, if that’s what you’re really asking.”

Mick nodded. “Okay, then, here it is. I need some advice.”

“About?”

Mick hesitated, knowing that once he said what was on his mind, he was in danger of having his brother laugh his fool head off. Still, he was here. “Women,” he said eventually.

Thomas, blast him, laughed, just as Mick had feared he might. Then he sobered and regarded Mick with genuine sympathy. “Megan’s tied you in knots, has she?”

Mick gave him a rueful look. “Something like that. I want to get this show on the road and marry her, but she keeps coming up with excuses.”

“Are they legitimate excuses?”

“She’d say so.”

“But you disagree?”

“I’m just worried that even if these things get resolved, she’ll find more reasons why the timing isn’t right.”

“Mick, surely you’re not worried that the woman doesn’t love you,” he said, looking incredulous. “That much is plain to anyone. Megan was crazy in love with you when the two of you married years ago. She was just as deeply in love when she walked out. As far as I can see, that hasn’t changed. You just have to be patient. I know that’s not your best virtue, but I think you have to find some way to give her whatever time she needs.”

“I just don’t understand why, if she loves me so much, this has to be so complicated.”

“It just is, at least for her. She’s worth waiting for, don’t you think?”

“I’ve been waiting all these years, haven’t I?” Mick said impatiently.

“Then what’s a few more weeks or months?”

“I’m just afraid it’ll turn into years,” he admitted.

“And what if it does?” Thomas asked reasonably. “The difference will only be that she doesn’t have your ring on her finger.” His gaze narrowed. “Or do you think she might walk away again?”

“I don’t know,” Mick admitted.

“If there’s one thing
I
know, Mick, it’s that there are no guarantees in life. She could walk away even if you get that ring on her finger. She did before. What counts is how happy you can make her while she’s there. You do that well enough, there’s no question she’ll stick around. And in the end, isn’t that what really matters?”

“Maybe you can take things as they come, the way you’ve just implied, but I want the ring,” Mick said wistfully. “I want the commitment. I guess I’m more old-fashioned than I ever realized. I always thought Jeff was the stodgy one among us.”

Thomas laughed. “He is. You just like to know when something is yours. Sadly, though, people aren’t like possessions. They stay as long as they want to. Sometimes that’s forever. Sometimes not.”

A sad look passed across Thomas’s face. Mick caught it and regarded him with surprise. “You still miss them, don’t you?”

“Miss who?” Thomas said evasively, a flush on his cheeks.

“Both of them. Your wives.”

Thomas didn’t bother trying to deny it. “I suppose I do. I liked being married. I loved both of them. I just couldn’t be the kind of husband either of them needed. This isn’t a nine-to-five job. I’m passionate about what I do, and I feel this tremendous sense of urgency to get the job done and get it done right.”

“I can relate to that,” Mick said. “We’re quite a pair, aren’t we? A couple of middle-aged men still trying to get it right when it comes to women.”

“But you’ve got the brass ring within reach,” Thomas said. “Grab it and hold on.” He gave him a surprisingly wise look. “But not so tightly that she doesn’t have the freedom she needs. Remember that, Mick. Megan’s not a possession. She’s a partner.”

“I’ve figured out that much.” He studied his younger brother. “What about you? When are you going to find the right woman?”

“I’m not looking at the moment,” Thomas said. “Things here are pretty demanding, and I’ve learned my lesson. No woman likes being left on the back burner while I’m here trying to save one little corner of the world.”

“What you need is a partner, just like you said a minute ago. You need someone who’ll care about this as much as you do.”

“You find a woman out there like that, send her to me,” Thomas said.

“I know you’re joking, but I’ve been known to do some successful matchmaking in my time,” Mick said. “And I owe you for listening today and not laughing in my face. Well, except for that once, anyway.”

“We’re brothers,” Thomas said simply. “And wouldn’t it make Ma happy if she could see us now?”

Mick nodded. “I believe I’ll tell her I stopped by. It will make her day.” He started for the door. “You’ll be with us on Christmas?”

“Of course,” Thomas said, then grinned. “If it’s as exciting as Thanksgiving, it should be quite a day.”

“Bite your tongue,” Mick said. “I’m hoping for peace and quiet.”

“At an O’Brien gathering? Not likely.”

Mick sighed. “I can always dream, can’t I? At least maybe you and I can keep the fussing to a minimum.”

“There’s always a chance,” Thomas agreed.

As Mick drove back to the first of his job sites, he felt a thousand times better. It wasn’t as if anything in his life were resolved, but it was surprisingly comforting to have his brother on his side at least for now. He’d missed that unconditional backup more than he’d realized.

12

M
egan was rocking the baby, who’d finally fallen into a restless sleep, when the portable phone in her pocket rang. She grabbed it quickly, hoping it wouldn’t wake little Mick. Though he was much improved over the day before when they’d thought he was coming down with a cold, he was still fussier than usual.

“Hello,” she said in a whisper.

“Who is this?” a soft, feminine voice asked tentatively.

“It’s Megan O’Brien,” Megan said at once, knowing intuitively who was on the other end of the line. “Heather, is it you?”

Silence greeted the question.

“Heather?”

“I just need to know how my baby is,” she said, which was answer enough. “Is he with you, or did Connor come for him?”

“I have him in my arms right now,” Megan told her. “He just fell asleep.”

“Then Connor didn’t come,” she said, sounding disappointed.

“Of course he did,” Megan assured her. “He’s been staying here and commuting to Baltimore. Where are you, Heather? He’s been trying everywhere to reach you.”

“I don’t think I can talk to him right now,” she said staunchly. “I need to figure out some things, and I can’t do that when I’m around Connor. He’s always been able to talk me into doing whatever he wants, even when I know it’s wrong. I have to start thinking about what
I
want, and what my baby needs.”

“I understand why you might need some space from Connor right now,” Megan said. “But what about the baby? Don’t you want to see him?”

“Desperately,” Heather said, her voice choked.

“Then come here,” Megan pleaded. “Connor won’t be back until this evening. You could spend a couple of hours with little Mick and be gone before he gets home, if that’s what you really want. Or you could stay and explain how you’re feeling. Connor might understand, you know.”

“I can’t take the chance,” Heather said. She hesitated, then said, “I know it’s a lot to ask, but could you bring the baby to see me? I’m not that far away.”

Megan knew Connor would probably disapprove, but she also understood Heather’s need to see her child. And someone needed to see the baby’s mother in person and make sure she was okay. If Heather trusted her, then Megan had no choice but to go.

“Tell me where you are,” she said decisively.

Heather gave her an address for a hotel in a small town less than twenty-five miles away.

“I’ll be there in an hour, perhaps less,” Megan promised.

“Thank you so much,” Heather said, clearly relieved. “This means the world to me.”

“Believe me, I understand that,” Megan said, thinking of what it would have meant to her to have someone bring her children for a visit after she’d moved away. She could never wish that kind of heart-wrenching loneliness and regret on another mother.

Nell came home from church just as Megan was carrying the baby out to the car. She regarded them with surprise.

“Where are you two off to?” she asked Megan.

“Heather called,” she admitted. “I’m taking the baby to her for a visit.”

Nell regarded her with dismay. “Have you spoken to Connor? Does he know about this?”

Megan shook her head. “I’ll tell him tonight.”

“He’s going to be furious,” Nell predicted. “The two of you will wind up right back where you started. Are you sure you want to take that chance?”

“I don’t think I have a choice,” Megan said, not denying the potential consequences. “Heather needs to see her son. No one can understand that better than I.”

Nell nodded. “I can’t deny that, and I certainly understand that poor girl’s desire to see her baby. Will you be gone long?”

“A few hours at most. I should be back here long before Connor gets home from work.”

“Drive safely, then. See if you can persuade that young woman to come back here with you. She should be here trying to work things out with Connor.”

“I’ve already tried, but she seems dead set against it for the moment. I’ll keep trying, though.”

The drive, through winding country roads, didn’t take long at all. In less than forty minutes, she was pulling into a parking spot by the small hotel. She’d barely cut the engine when she spotted Heather running across the parking lot. Weeping openly, she flung open the back door and gathered her son into her arms before Megan could even emerge from behind the wheel. Megan watched the reunion with tears in her eyes.

“Can you stay?” Heather asked, her expression plaintive. “Please. There’s a little coffee shop inside.”

“Of course we’ll stay,” Megan said, compassion welling up for the young woman.

Inside the tiny, but spotless coffee shop, they ordered coffee, though Heather never touched hers. She couldn’t seem to stop caressing her baby’s cheek, smoothing his hair and tickling his tummy. His giggles were the happiest sounds Megan had heard him make in days. The deep bond between mother and child was obvious. The bond was there with Connor, too, of course, but this was something special to see.

“Heather, I know a bit about what’s been going on between you and Connor. Won’t you reconsider and come back to Chesapeake Shores with me? I just know the two of you can work things out. He loves you.”

“Not enough,” Heather said sadly. “I’ve finally had to accept that.”

“I think you’re wrong. I do think he loves you enough, and if you’re just a little more patient, I think he’ll change his mind about getting married.”

“It’s not even about that,” Heather said. “At least not entirely. It’s the kind of work he does, his whole cynical outlook on life. I’m an optimistic person. I believe in love. How can I possibly be with someone who helps people break up their marriages because that’s what he expects to happen to every couple? How could I be with someone who doesn’t think love can last a lifetime?”

“You know that his father and I set a bad example,” Megan said. “It would be hard for anyone to look beyond that.”

“Most of your children have,” Heather said. “He’s told me all about Kevin’s marriage and Abby’s and Bree’s reunions with their childhood sweethearts. How can he see them and not believe that anything’s possible?”

“I think a part of him desperately wants to believe, but it’s hard for him to let go of his memories of his parents’ divorce, especially with the line of law he’s in reinforcing the cynicism day in and day out.”

“Well, I don’t want to live with all that negativity,” Heather said. “And I hate the way he’s been treating you, when you’ve been trying so hard to make amends. It’s just wrong. I think that was the last straw, when he decided to stand in the way of you marrying his father.”

Megan smiled at her passionate defense. “You do realize that’s my battle to fight, not yours,” she said gently. “Not that I don’t appreciate the support, but the last thing I want to do is become one more obstacle between the two of you.”

Heather gave her a rueful look. “Trust me, you’re just one thing on a long list.”

“Okay, then, let me ask you something else. If you believe in love as you say you do and you love my son so deeply, why don’t you trust that you and Connor can overcome all these obstacles, however many there are?”

Heather lifted her gaze from the baby. “Because I can’t do it alone, and Connor won’t even try.”

“I think he might, but you have to give him that chance. You’ve made your point. Can’t you at least talk to him? Nothing can ever be resolved if there’s no communication. I sometimes wonder if Mick and I would have divorced years ago, if I’d made it clear to him how I was feeling, and he’d really had the chance to change his ways.”

“It’s too soon for me to see Connor,” Heather insisted, sounding just as stubborn as any O’Brien ever had. “I will, though. I promise.” She held Megan’s gaze. “Please don’t tell him where I am. Not yet.”

“I have to tell him I brought the baby to see you,” Megan said.

“That’s okay. I understand. Just don’t tell him I’m here. I need more time. I need to get stronger, feel more sure of myself.”

Megan regarded her with regret. “I can give you that much,” Megan promised her. “But, sweetie, don’t drag this out. Take it from me, it will only get harder to swallow your pride and reach out.”

Heather nodded. “I do know that.” She gave Megan a pleading look. “Will you come again? Please.”

Megan hesitated, then nodded. “Anytime you want me to.” At least it would keep the lines of communication open and she would know how to reach Heather. Someone needed to have that information, and it had been entrusted to her.

And yet she knew it could be a double-edged sword, because as Nell had worried earlier, Connor might very well not forgive her, not for coming here today and not for keeping Heather’s location a secret.

When Mick showed up at Harbor Lights the afternoon before the town’s annual boat parade, he anticipated finding Kevin struggling to decorate the boat he’d donated to Thomas’s research team. He hadn’t expected to find Connor untangling a string of lights, not after the way Kevin had complained about having to do all of the work alone. He could have sworn Connor had gone off to work today, same as usual, without exchanging more than a terse word or two with either of his parents.

Mick stood on the dock, his expression uneasy. “Where’s your brother?”

Connor’s scowl was every bit as deep as Mick’s probably was. “He went to get coffee. He claimed the stove in the galley’s not working.” He regarded Mick with suspicion. “I assume he knew you were coming by.”

“He insisted on it,” Mick said. “You?”

“Same thing.”

“Your brother’s a sneaky son of a gun,” Mick said, debating whether to stay or go.

“Takes one to know one,” Connor replied. “As long as you’re here, you might as well make yourself useful. There are dozens of strands of lights, and not a one of them hasn’t been twisted into knots.”

Mick hesitated, then jumped on board. He doubted he and Connor were likely to resolve anything, but maybe they could at least find a way to start talking to each other again, even if it was all about Christmas lights. He looked at the mess that had been stored in a couple of oversize boxes.

“Why the devil doesn’t anyone put these things away neatly?” he groused as he tried to extract a single strand and came away with what seemed to be miles of cord.

“I think they do,” Connor said, his brow furrowed as he worked on a tangled mess. “I’m pretty sure Christmas lights have some magical way of twisting into knots after they’re packed. You’ve been complaining about the same thing at home ever since I was a kid and I know we always put those lights away in tidy rows, carefully separated from each other. Mom insisted on it in a futile attempt to keep you from making the same complaint every year.”

“Kevin must have learned his packing system from her, then, because it sure doesn’t work,” Mick said as he managed to separate one strand of lights from the rest. He plugged it in to test it, found several bulbs burned out and replaced those, then set it aside.

They worked in silence for a while, then Mick said, “You planning to come back to the house when you’re finished here?”

Connor glanced his way, his expression puzzled. “Of course. I’ve been there every day since Heather dropped off my son. Why would today be any different?”

Mick flushed guiltily. He’d heard from his mother about Megan’s trip to see Heather this afternoon. If Connor got back to the house before they did, there’d be hell to pay. “Just asking,” he said, resolving to call Megan’s cell phone the first chance he had to warn her that Connor had come home early from Baltimore, assuming he’d ever gone to work at all.

Connor’s gaze narrowed with suspicion. “What’s going on back at the house that you don’t want me to know about?”

Mick shrugged. “No idea what you mean.”

“Dad, I’ve cross-examined pathological liars and seen through it. You’re a lot easier to read. What’s going on?”

Mick settled for a half-truth. “Your mother took the baby out to visit someone this afternoon. I didn’t want you turning up there and pitching a fit about it the way you did when we took him into town the other day.”

“I overreacted,” Connor admitted. “I thought he was coming down with something and was looking for someone to blame. It always scares me when he gets sick. He’s so little and helpless and he can’t say what’s wrong. I apologized to Mom about that.”

They fell silent as they worked on the lights. Eventually Mick said, “You and I haven’t talked much since all of this happened. Just so you know, I am glad you’re at home looking after your boy. The two of you belong here with us.”

Connor looked surprised, then nodded. “Thanks, Dad. I am sorry little Mick got dumped in your lap.”

“What I’m sorry about is that you didn’t see fit to tell any of us about him in the first place,” Mick said. “What were you thinking, Connor? An O’Brien is supposed to do the right thing by the mother of his child.”

Connor immediately bristled. “The right thing being to get married, I suppose.”

“That would be a fine start,” Mick agreed, even though he knew they were heading straight into dangerous territory.

“You know how I feel about that, Dad. Eventually marriage always leads to heartache. I see a steady stream of clients whose lives are filled with regrets over taking that step.”

“And you have a whole family to look to who’ve found happiness being married to people they love,” Mick replied.

Connor looked unconvinced. “Abby, Bree and Kevin?” he scoffed. “They haven’t been married long enough to be good examples. Now, you and Mom? You set the bar. Close to twenty years together and five kids, and it still fell apart.”

“Not because we didn’t love each other,” Mick insisted. “Because I made mistakes.”

“So did Mom. Have you forgotten the man she was seeing while you were out of town?”

“I haven’t forgotten it, but I understand it and I’ve forgiven her. Since you and your brother talk, you must know there was no affair to forgive. I’ve told him that repeatedly.”

“What about the fact that she turned to another man in the first place? Isn’t that as bad as having an affair?”

Truthfully, it had put a huge dent in Mick’s ego and his heart. In the end, though, his heart had weathered it, and his ego had realized that what happened was in many ways his own fault. Megan had sought attention from someone else because he wasn’t around. She’d tried to tell him a thousand different ways how she was feeling, but he’d been too busy to really listen.