Little White Lies (13 page)

“That’s really too bad, honey, because I have every intention of marrying you. I lost you fifteen years ago, and I have no intention of repeating that mistake,” Nick told her firmly, taking her chin in his hand. She could see the determination in his eyes. “I love you, Maggie. I have always loved you, and I will find a way to prove my love to you.”

“Oh,” she responded as she settled back and let Nick continue to rock and hold her. He wanted to marry her. Could she marry him? Nick wasn’t likely to change, she knew that. It was in his nature to be protective, maybe over-protective at times, and let’s not forget bossy. There was a lot she admired about him, and his taking charge in the bedroom was unbelievably sexy. Just thinking about last night had her melting. But could she live with that on a full time basis? Could she bend without breaking? Maggie wasn’t sure. Rebecca was living it, and she was gloriously happy, but just the memory of what happened at Rebecca and Mason’s wedding left Maggie feeling mortified. One thing was for sure. If she and Nick ever did get married, they’d be doing it at a Justice of the Peace with no witnesses, just in case. Pushing that thought to the back of her mind, Maggie decided to see if Nick was really serious.

Maggie slid off his lap and tried to tug him out of the chair. “You want to prove you love me? I have the perfect place for you to start.”

Nick’s eyes widened as he lunged out of the chair and snatched her up, growling like a bear and kissing her wildly.

Maggie squealed and struggled as he threw her over his shoulder and started up the stairs.

“No. Nick, not that,” she laughed, hanging upside down and smacking his back. “I said prove you love me, not prove you want me.”

Nick stopped and reversed his steps, setting her down gently.

“Okay, I’m listening,” he inquired suspiciously.

“Go home and change, Nick, we’re going to dinner,” she told him with a twinkle in her eye.

“Okay, where?”

“Ma and Da’s” she said smiling sweetly.

“Aw, Maggie, really?” he groaned. “Why?”

“I think it’s time to do a little damage control, and besides I miss them,” she admitted.

“Are they
all
going to be there?” he asked, a little panic in his voice.

“It’s Sunday,” she laughed, pushing him towards the door. “What do you think?”

“Okay, sweetie,” he conceded as he brushed a kiss across her soft lips. Sunday dinner at her parents’ house, he mused to himself. It shouldn’t be too bad. What’s the worst that could happen?

* * *

It was bedlam. As they drove up to the large Victorian house, Nick knew immediately he was out of his comfort zone. While he had spent hours upon hours as a teenager hanging out at this very house, he was now unsure of his welcome. Maggie called her parents to let them know they were coming, but Nick hadn’t set foot on this property in over fifteen years. Despite the countless meals Maeve had just about forced on him, he wasn’t sure if he could even swallow at this point.

“Does your family know?” he asked quietly as they parked the van at the curb and got out. The long driveway was already taken up by other vehicles, an assortment of toys, bikes, and of course, the ever present basketball hoop where Jason and two other tall young men were trash talking to each other and laughing. He could see a tea party was in progress on the large wrap- around porch, and he quickly identified Caitie. The other two little girls where a mystery; the absolutely enormous hats decorated with tulle and flowers concealed their little faces. All were still wearing their Sunday best. Several small rattan chairs were occupied with large teddy bears, and soft giggles floated across the air, quickly smothered by tiny white-gloved hands.

Maggie leaned against the van and took in the scene. How many summer afternoons had she and her sisters spent exactly like this? How many times had she watched her brothers and assorted friends, Nick included, shoot hoops until well after dark? They were good times, maybe the best, and it was somehow sad to think those times were gone forever. Sighing softly, she faced Nick and answered his question.

“No, no one knows. There was no point in making things any more complicated than they already were at the time. They all supported me after we broke up. I’m sure they had questions, and I’m not sure why they kept them to themselves. Maybe Da had something to do with that, but no, I never told a living soul,” she whispered. Maggie turned away from him and silently watched her children playing. Everything suddenly felt surreal, and she struggled to stay focused. “Just so you know, I have no intention of telling them now. We have to find a way to work this out, Nick. A way that doesn’t cause my…our son any pain.”

“I agree,” Nick said as he pulled Maggie around to face him. A gentle breeze lifted and swirled her shining hair around her face, and the soft scent of her mother’s roses wafted over them. “Marry me, Maggie and we’ll never have this discussion again,” he told her as he held her hands to his chest and looked down into her amber eyes. “Jason’s paternity will cease to be an issue. No court, no secrets. If he ever comes to us, we’ll tell him the truth. But if he doesn’t, we’ll let it be.” Nick dipped his head and lightly brushed her lips, forgetting the little gigglers on the porch who immediately went into peals of laughter. It was Caitie who started the
“
Mommy and Nick, sitting in the tree, k- i- s- s- i- n- g
”
chant, and Maggie quickly tried to pull out of his arms.

“So much for your ability to keep anything secret,” she hissed. “I can’t marry you. You’re too… too…”

“Too what?” he insisted, refusing to let her go.

A hundred answers raced through her mind. Too strong…too dominant…too smart…too sexy…too principled…too bossy…and your eyes are too blue; they steal my will, and your body is too hot, and it makes my mouth water. And besides that, your hands are huge and hard, and I know you’ll spank me. Ugh!

“Too everything,” she sputtered, still trying to get free of him.

Nick gathered her close.

For a moment Maggie sighed and rested her head over his heart, listening to its gentle rhythm; her own heart was fluttering like a bird. See, see, she thought as the rest of the chant reached her ears—
“
first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes…”—he makes me forget everything but him. Good grief, I’m so screwed.

Once Nick released her, Maggie flew over the sloping lawn and raced up the steps. Her light ruffled skirt revealed more than it hid as she advanced on the girls amid screams of glee.

“What was that?” she mock growled as her hands began to tickle them mercilessly, moving from one to another around the table.

“Were you singing about me?”

“No, Aunt Maggie,” their squeals dissolved into hysterical laughter.

By now, Nick had reached the porch, and Caitie raced to him, throwing her arms around his neck as he scooped her up.

“Make her stop, Nicky,” she gasped, still laughing.

The tickling stopped, and two little girls shyly peeked up at him from under their hats.

“Lily, Rose, this is Nick, a friend of mine,” Maggie made the introductions. “Nick, these are my nieces, Lily and Rose.

“We’re twins,” both girls said in unison and then giggled.

Nick studied the girls. Identical faces complete with a smattering of freckles. Amethyst eyes stared back, and auburn curls spilled down onto their shoulders.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” Nick replied bending down to shake each tiny hand. “How old are you?”

“They is six,” Caitie supplied wiggling to get down. “Do you wanna come to our tea party?”

“Maybe a little later,” Maggie answered as she held the screen door open for Nick. “They are two of Colleen and Noah’s children. The two boys out there with Jason are Patrick and Molly’s. Speak of the devil,” she continued as they stepped into the foyer.

Patrick O’Malley was easily as tall as Rory, but not nearly as broad. With dark red hair and sparkling green eyes, he had the look of an overgrown leprechaun. Being the second son had its advantages, and he hadn’t inherited what Maggie and her sisters referred to as the “large and in charge gene”. While not many people would like to see him pissed off, it didn’t happen very often. Patrick had an easygoing personality and a wicked sense of humor. He was the peacemaker in the family and was usually the go-to guy. Currently, he had two eight-year-old boys dangling like sacks of potatoes under each arm.

“Nick, how are you? Nice to see you, buddy. I’d shake your hand if I could, but I’ve sort of got my arms full. This little monster is Devlin,” he said, giving the boy a lift and acting like he was going to drop him on his head. “Say hello to Nick, Dev.”

“Hey, Nick,” Devlin squealed, pretending to struggle to get away but loving every minute of it.

“You know Todd,” Patrick continued giving the other boy the same treatment. “Dev belongs to Colleen, and believe me she deserves him,” he laughed. “I’m taking these two hooligans with me down to the pub. Ma’s afraid she’ll run out of drinks and says she’d rather shop at the pub seeing how it’s free.”

Maggie laughed. Patrick and Molly were the owners of The Rose and Thistle, an Irish pub they inherited from Molly’s grandparents. Although the pub was open on Sunday, neither Molly nor Patrick worked. They learned long ago that not showing up for Sunday dinner was breaking the eleventh commandment as far as Maeve was concerned.

“Well, I’m off,” Patrick said. “I’ll see you two in a bit. Better get out of here before Ma thinks of anything else she needs.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth, than a stunningly beautiful woman glided into the room. Tall and willowy, she seemed to float on air as she joined the group. Her blonde hair hung to her waist, and her crystal blue eyes were mesmerizing. The white skirt she wore was mid-calf with a fluttering hem that looked like a thousand lace handkerchiefs. Her gauzy top was the exact blue of her eyes and a wide belt cinched her waist. Barefoot, a tinkling bracelet of tiny bells surrounded her ankle.

“Hi, I’m Molly,” she smiled, reaching out to shake his hand. “You must be Nick. Nice to meet you,” she continued, her head slightly cocked to one side as if she were listening to something. For a second, a faraway look entered her eyes that left Nick totally disconcerted. Finally, she gave a quick nod and released his hand.

Nick was speechless. The minute her hand touched his he felt as though she could see inside his soul. Even after she’d released him he was unable to form a clear thought. Molly scooted behind Patrick, slid her arms around his waist and slipped something deep into his front pocket.

“Ma wants you to stop and pick up more whipping cream for the shortcake,” she breathed into his ear, gently pretending to pat the money into place.

Patrick groaned and took a deep breath.

“You’re going to pay for that, baby,” he moaned, struggling to get his heart to slow down. “Later, when my hands are free, you’re in big trouble.”

“God, I hope so,” Molly replied with a determined gleam in her eyes before she turned and floated out of the room.

Maggie and Patrick looked at Nick’s stunned expression and burst out laughing.

“What the hell just happened here?” Nick asked, still staring at the spot where Molly had stood.

“Don’t worry about it, buddy,” Patrick replied with a big grin. “Everybody responds like that when they first meet her. Hell, I couldn’t form a complete sentence for a week,” he laughed.

Putting the boys down, he flexed his arms and sent them out to the truck with a promise to be right out.

“Molly’s a seer,” Patrick explained. Noting Nick’s dumbfounded expression, Patrick continued. “You know, she sees things.”

“What kind of things?” Nick inquired and gave his hand a slight shake to stop the tingling.

“All kinds of things. Sometimes things that have already happened, sometimes what will happen. Thankfully, she never sees anything really bad, at least that’s what she says but who knows. Anyway, I better go, we’ll talk later.” Patrick gave Nick a slap on the back and headed out the door whistling.

“Welcome to my world,” Maggie laughed as she propelled Nick forward with a hand to his back.

The house itself was much as he remembered, gleaming hardwood floors and wide doorways with hand carved molding. The dining room had been redone in yellows, creams and gold. The massive table was already set with china and silver he’d seen a hundred times. Dinners like this had never happened at his house. He and Mason had to pretty much fend for themselves, and he’d always felt like a bull in a china shop on Sundays and holidays at the O’Malley’s. A huge antique mirror hung all along the wall over the sideboard and the china cabinet still held treasures untold, even with the table already set. Nick could hear the women of the family chattering in the kitchen, and although he allowed Maggie to steer him in that direction, he had his misgivings.

The minute they walked through the door, Maeve hurried over to embrace her daughter.

“I’m so glad you could make it after all, darlin’. It’s been too long you’ve been sittin’ home alone. You’re too young and pretty to waste away in that big house all by yourself,” she continued, glancing meaningfully at Nick.

Next it was his turn, and Maeve pulled on his shirt, bringing him down for a kiss on the cheek.

“We’re glad to have you back too, Nicky, darlin’. You’ve certainly grown into a handsome man. Of course we always knew you’d make somethin’ of yourself despite that wastrel father of yours.”

“Mother!” Maggie gasped, her hand going to her throat.

“It’s all right, Maggie,” Nick told her. “Any illusions I had about my father died long ago.”

“I’m sorry if I offended you, Nicky. Sean and I could see right off that you and that strappin’ brother of yours would not turn out like your Da. It’s glad we are to see you back home where you belong. Maggie, why don’t you take Nicky out to the back porch and get him a cold drink. I’m sure your Da will be wantin’ a word with him. Oh, and Rory wanted to see you, Maggie. I don’t know what it’s about—Lord knows I’m the last to find out any—”

“I’m right here, Ma,” Rory stated, cutting her off as he came up behind Maggie. Towering over her, he slipped his strong arm around her shoulders. “Come on, Cupcake, this won’t take long,” he continued as his eyes met Nick’s with a wink. A silent communication passed between the two men as Rory guided Maggie from the room. Colleen and Bridget went on instant alert.