Page 15 of Nick: His to Claim

Maggie smiled and pushed thoughts of wooden spoons and lying right out of her head.

* * *

The sun was barely up when Maeve O’Malley sailed into her daughter’s kitchen. Maggie’s father affectionately referred to her as his Irish whirlwind, and Maggie fully understood why. The woman had more energy than anyone Maggie knew. Five foot nothing and about one hundred pounds. She wore her fifty-seven years well.

“Maggie, darlin’, how are you dear? I need to speak to you about a couple of things. Where are the children?”

“Still sleeping, Ma,” Maggie replied. “They had a busy day yesterday. What did you need to see me about?”

“Well, next week after Mass, there’s goin’ to be a Grandparents Breakfast,” she informed her, quickly pouring herself a cup of coffee. “That Maureen O’Donnell, full of herself she is, always braggin’ about how wonderful her grandbabies are and I... well I want to be showin’ off mine a little. Da and I are thinkin’ it might be a good idea if they come on Saturday and spend the night. I know how family gatherin’s upset you, and we don’t get to see them—Margaret! Would ya be listenin’ to me?”

Sipping her own coffee and trying to wake up, Maggie let her mother’s words flow over her. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her Ma, just that sometimes she had the capacity to steamroll over any obstacle in her path. Maggie had no intention of being that obstacle.

“I’m sure they’d love to go, Ma,” Maggie replied sleepily. “Just let me know what time you plan on picking them up and I’ll have them?—”

“And another thing,” Maeve continued. “What’s goin’ on between you and himself? I’m thinkin’ that was over years ago, sure, and as much as I’m likin’ the man, still ya shouldn’t be involvin’ yourself with any man so soon after Jim’s passing—God rest his soul!” Maeve made the Sign of the Cross as quickly as she spoke. “I was just sayin’ to your sister the other day... ”

Choking and sputtering, Maggie headed to the sink. Needing a few seconds to compose herself, she dumped the rest of her coffee down the drain and got a drink of water. The sound of her mother’s voice droned on while she fought to keep her temper.

“Ma,” Maggie interjected.

“... and I know she agreed with me. Oh, she didn’t say so right out, but I know Colleen wants the best for you too and... ”

“Mother,” Maggie tried again as she leaned against the counter silently counting to ten.

“Yes, Dear,” Maeve inquired, pausing briefly for air.

“There is nothing going on between Nick and me, and even if there was, Jim’s been gone well over a year now, and I really don’t see that it’s anyone’s business.”

“Now darlin’, Lord knows I wouldn’t dream of interferin’,” she continued. “’Tis only that I want the best for you and the children. After all, Nicky abandoned you once before, don’t forget.”

“Ma, I haven’t forgotten a thing. We’ve just become friends... sort of.”

Maggie groped for the right words. How could she explain her feelings for Nick when she couldn’t begin to understand them herself? She ran her hand through her hair in distraction, the auburn curls tumbling around her shoulders.

Taking pity on her daughter, Maeve gathered up her purse and took Maggie in her arms for a quick hug.

“Don’t fret. I won’t be sayin’ another word about it, dear. I guess you’ll have to do as you see fit. ’Tis only that the last few times I’ve called here, he’s answered the phone. I was beginnin’ to think somethin’ was going on that I should know about.”

“No Ma, there is absolutely nothing between Nick and I. He was in town for the holidays and stayed over for Mason andRebecca’s wedding. Since then he’s been back and forth and seems to have developed a new interest in his old hometown,” Maggie told her, wishing it were true.

“Well darlin’, somehow I don’t think that’s the only thin’ he’s interested in, but you know best. Just be careful,” she told her, kissing her on the cheek. “There’s no denyin’ he’s an attractive man, has the devil’s own charm to be sure. Just the type of man a young girl should beware of.”

Maggie laughed. “I’m hardly a young girl, Ma, but thanks for the compliment.”

“Oh, you know what I mean,” Maeve continued as she headed out the door. “Besides,” she grinned, “You’ll always be my wee lass. I’ll be callin’ you, darlin’”.

Maggie rinsed her mother’s cup out and put it in the dishwasher. The devil’s own charm, now wasn’t that the truth.

Chapter Five

The following week started off badly. Monday morning Maggie was called into Mason’s office and given holy hell. Needless to say, he was not a happy man after speaking with Nick, and it was all he could do to wait until Monday to let Maggie know it.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he demanded, incensed at her disregard for her personal safety. “Why would you keep something like this from me? Have you no sense at all?

“You could have been seriously injured. I can’t believe that son of a bitch put his hands on you and you didn’t come to me immediately!”

“Mason, I thought I could handle it, and I would have if it hadn’t been for your interfering brother,” Maggie shot back. Damn Nick anyway. Why couldn’t he mind his own business?