The Christmas Bouquet (4 page)

“They’ll be on their best behavior,” Nell assured her before glancing sharply at both men. “Won’t you?”

Silence fell.

“Won’t you?” Nell repeated.

Trace sighed. “Of course.”

Mick’s scowl settled in. “I reserve the right to say whatever I please in my own home.”

Megan lifted a brow. “Do you want to meet this young man of Caitlyn’s or not? You’ll guarantee politeness or the rest of us will be having dinner at Brady’s without you.”

Caitlyn choked back a laugh at Grandpa Mick’s stunned expression. “Maybe that would be best,” she said innocently.

“Over my dead body!” Grandpa Mick blustered. “Okay, okay, I’ll promise to keep a civil tongue in my head, but if I don’t like what I’m hearing, none of you can hold me to that.”

That wasn’t quite the assurance that Caitlyn would have preferred, but it was more than she’d anticipated. She crossed the room to give him a fierce hug. “Thank you.”

When she looked into his eyes, she saw they were damp with tears.

“You love this man?” he asked, his tone quieter and far more reasonable.

“I do.”

“Then we’ll start from there,” he said. “Everything else can be worked out.”

Caitlyn wished she were as confident of that, but knowing that her family was on her side was a huge relief. It already felt as if a tremendous weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

“I think we’ve had enough surprises for one morning,” Nell said. “Sweetheart, why don’t you come back to my cottage with me? You can help me make a big pot of Irish stew for tomorrow’s lunch.”

“I’d love that,” Caitlyn said eagerly.

And it wasn’t just because it meant she could escape from this room before either her grandfather or Trace could go back on their word and start asking questions she was nowhere near ready to answer. It had just as much to do with the soothing effect of being around Nell, and maybe finally learning to cook a favorite Irish meal that would be edible.

* * *

“Okay, now that they’re gone, what are we going to do about this?” Mick asked his son-in-law.

Trace gave him a startled look. “I was under the impression that we’ve been given clear marching orders. We’re to be nice and keep our mouths shut.”

“Oh, balderdash!” Mick retorted. “Have you ever known me to sit back and wait to see what happens?”

Trace smiled. “And how has that worked out for you?”

“Perfectly fine,” Mick replied at once, then sighed. “Mostly.”

Trace gave him a rueful look. “It’s those exceptions that worry me.”

“But you agree with me that Caitlyn and this man need to get married as soon as possible?” he pressed.

“Not necessarily,” Trace said.

Mick was startled by Trace’s apparent indecision. “You don’t agree? What kind of father doesn’t want to see his daughter married to the man who got her pregnant?”

“Stepfather,” Trace corrected.

Mick rolled his eyes. “We both know you’ve been more of a father to that girl than Wes Winters ever was. Why are you hesitating about doing what we both know is right?”

“Because this is Caitlyn’s decision. If she has second thoughts about marrying this man, maybe there’s a reason for that. I think we need to meet him and then decide on the best course of action.”

Mick took his son-in-law’s suggestion under advisement. “You could be right,” he admitted eventually. “We’ll know more tomorrow, then first thing Monday we can get busy making plans. Maybe I’ll call the priest this afternoon just to get the ball rolling.”

Trace laughed. “So much for waiting until we know more.”

Mick waved off his sarcasm. “Oh, we both know that Caitlyn’s smart as a whip. If she’s involved with this man, then we’re going to approve of him, too.”

“Probably so,” Trace conceded.

Mick nodded, satisfied. “Then we have a plan.”

“Well, at least you do,” Trace said. “I just hope it doesn’t blow up in your face.”

“Now, why would it do that?” Mick asked, bewildered.

“Because you seem to be forgetting one thing. Caitlyn is your granddaughter. She has a mind of her own.”

Now it was Mick’s turn to sigh. That was, indeed, a little worrisome.

* * *

In the kitchen of Nell’s cozy cottage overlooking the bay, a fire had been lit to take off the morning chill. Dillon O’Malley was waiting for them, the water already hot for tea.

“How did you read my mind?” Caitlyn asked him, giving a hug to this man who’d come back into her great-grandmother’s life only a few brief years ago.

“How are you, you darling girl?” he asked, studying her closely with his perceptive gaze. “Do I detect a certain glow about you?”

Nell regarded him with amazement. “What makes you ask a thing like that? The girl just told us not a half hour ago that she’s pregnant.”

Dillon winked at Caitlyn. “I’d love to have you believing that I’ve a touch of second sight, but the truth is Abby called to fill me in. She said it had turned awfully damp and cool to be walking outside and thought you might want a bracing cup of tea when you got here. I’ve herbal for you, Caitlyn.”

A pleased smile spread across Nell’s face. “Is there any question about why I fell for you so many years ago and all over again when we went to Ireland for Christmas a few years back?” She turned to Caitlyn. “If your young man is half as thoughtful, you’ll have a good life.”

“Noah is patient, kind and considerate,” Caitlyn assured her. She smiled at Dillon. “But it probably wouldn’t hurt if you want to give him a few lessons in catering to a woman’s needs.”

“I’d be happy to,” Dillon said. “Will we be seeing him soon?”

“Tomorrow more than likely,” she said. “I called him before we left to walk over here. He’s coming for Sunday dinner, unless I’ve scared him off with all the warnings about the interrogation he’ll likely face.”

“Why don’t I stick close and see that he’s not overwhelmed,” Dillon offered. “I know all too well what Mick can be like when he’s feeling protective. I imagine he’s a little crazy right now.”

Caitlyn laughed. She recalled her grandfather’s reaction when he’d discovered that his mother was being courted by an old flame in Dublin. He’d been all but impossible to reason with.

“We’ll both be keeping a sharp eye on Mick,” Nell promised. “Now, let’s get to that stew. I’ve all the ingredients ready to go. Do you have paper and a pen?”

Caitlyn took them out of her pocket. “Right here.”

Apparently satisfied that she and Nell were warmed up from their walk back to the cottage, Dillon left them to their cooking.

“You really did luck out with that man,” Caitlyn told Nell.

“I was twice blessed,” she replied. “You didn’t know your great-grandfather, but he was a fine man, too. I think that was one reason it took Mick so long to warm up to the idea of Dillon being back in my life. He loved his father. I think he thought I’d always mourn him.”

“But he finally realized that we have an unlimited capacity for love, didn’t he?” Caitlyn said. “Do you think the O’Briens mate for life like a few of the creatures in nature? You’re with the first man you ever loved, even after having a whole family with another man. Grandpa Mick and Grandma Megan got back together after years of being divorced. Even Mom eventually came back to Trace, her own first love.”

“Are you really wondering if this Noah of yours is your soul mate?” Nell asked gently. “Or if you’re going to be acting too hastily by marrying him just because of the baby?”

Caitlyn was relieved to have Nell recognize her real worry. “Exactly,” she said.

“Only you know the answer to that,” Nell said as she diced vegetables and put them into a pot of water on the stove along with various spices. As they began to simmer, filling the air with a wonderfully rich aroma, she sat across from Caitlyn. She took a sip of her tea and waited, then smiled. “Since you haven’t had a word to say to that, I assume you don’t know the answer.”

Caitlyn shook her head, yet another batch of tears forming in her eyes. At this rate, she’d be dehydrated throughout her pregnancy.

“I don’t,” she whispered. “I really don’t. It’s disconcerting. It seems as if I’ve always understood what I wanted to do professionally, what I was meant to do, but when it comes to love, I never had a plan at all. I certainly didn’t have any idea how to combine the two.”

“Then you won’t make a decision until you do. And we’ll all of us wait for that moment, even your grandfather.”

“Grandpa Mick’s never been very patient,” Caitlyn said with a sniff. “He’s going to push to book the church. You know he is.”

Nell squeezed her hand. “This time he’ll find a way to wait for your decision, and that’s a promise from me to you.”

“Thank you.”

“No thanks necessary,” Nell said. “This is your life to lead as you think best. If you want our guidance, you’ll ask for it. As for our support, that’s a given.”

Caitlyn looked into her great-grandmother’s blue eyes, faded now with age, and felt better than she had at any time since she’d first read that positive pregnancy test.

“I love you,” she said, hoping she’d have years and years left to say those words to Nell, praying that her child would have time to get to know this wise and wonderful woman.

“Now don’t be getting all sentimental on me,” Nell said briskly, though she wiped away a tear of her own. She tapped a finger on the blank page in front of Caitlyn. “Start writing or your second attempt at making traditional Irish stew won’t be any better than the first.”

Caitlyn pushed aside all other thoughts and started writing down the recipe, just the first of many that would connect her to her Irish roots.

* * *

Despite all of his brave declarations about facing the O’Briens at Cait’s side, Noah was decidedly nervous as he drove into Chesapeake Shores and followed her directions to her grandfather’s house on a cliff overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.

Before he made the turn onto the shoreline road, he caught a glimpse of the town green, which was still bright with the few remaining yellow daffodils in the May sunshine. It was just as Cait had described. There were shouts of childish laughter coming from the colorful playground at one end of the green. He couldn’t help thinking what a wonderful place it would be to raise a child. He doubted, though, that Cait was ready to hear his thoughts on that or on the research he’d done that revealed that the nearest local doctor’s office was miles away.

As he approached Mick O’Brien’s impressive home a few minutes later, he sucked in a deep breath. Even though Cait had assured him she’d paved the way by speaking to both her grandfather and her stepdad, Noah couldn’t help feeling he was about to walk into the lion’s den, albeit a cozy-looking one with a sprawling front porch crammed with rocking chairs and old-fashioned wicker furniture. Fortunately, it was a little too cool for those chairs to be occupied by shotgun-bearing O’Briens.

As he pulled to a stop, Cait must have spotted him from inside the house because she emerged and ran across the grass to meet him. He studied her face, trying to guess how things might be going inside.

“You okay?” he asked, taking the time to kiss her thoroughly despite whatever prying eyes might be watching.

“Getting there,” she said, a little breathless from their kiss.

“Does everyone inside know what’s going on?”

“I’ve only told Mom, Gram, Trace, Grandpa Mick and Grandma Megan, but I think we can assume the word has spread. I was getting an awful lot of speculative looks just now.”

“What about Carrie? Is she around?”

“Nope, she’s at some fashion thing in Milan or Paris.” She shrugged. “Someplace in Europe. I’ll tell her next time she calls.”

He grinned. “Are you sure you two are identical twins?” he asked, checking out her loose-fitting linen slacks and oversize sweater in a shade of purple never intended to be worn with her coloring. He thought she looked amazing, but he imagined her fashion-conscious sister would have been appalled.

“I know what you mean,” she said, glancing down with a rueful expression. “I’m a mess.”

“Not even close,” he objected. “Just oblivious to the designer racks, thank goodness. I think you look perfect.”

“And that’s why I love you,” she said, linking her arm through his. “Are you ready to do this?”

“Are you?”

“I think so,” she said. As they neared the house, she leaned close and whispered, “Don’t worry. Whatever happens, I’ll protect you.”

Noah smiled at that, then stopped her when she would have opened the door. “Cait, have you made any decisions?”

She shook her head. “I told you I wouldn’t, not until we’d talked. Did you think I’d go back on my word?”

“No, it’s just that you seem more at peace than you did the other day.”

She paused, her expression thoughtful. “I think I am,” she admitted, sounding surprised. “It must be the Chesapeake-Shores effect.”

Whatever it was, if it had put a sparkle back into her eyes, Noah counted that as a blessing.

4

C
aitlyn watched carefully as her family chatted with Noah. He seemed to be holding his own with all of them, even Grandpa Mick and Trace. The tension in Trace’s jaw had finally eased. He’d even nodded approvingly when her mom appeared at his side. Abby had looked ready to intervene if things got out of hand, but Trace’s glance evidently reassured her.

Still, Caitlyn held her breath as her grandfather pulled Noah aside. When she stepped in their direction, Noah gave a subtle shake of his head and Grandpa Mick regarded her with a forbidding expression.

“Let them talk,” Nell advised. “You come and give me a hand in the kitchen. I’ll give you a few more tips on the finishing touches for the Irish stew. And I’ve made Irish soda bread to go along with it. You can take notes on that.”

“I doubt I’m up to baking bread,” Caitlyn protested.

“It’s a great stress reducer,” Nell promised. “It’ll come in handy whenever you’ve worries on your mind.”

“In that case, bring it on,” she said. “I’ve plenty of challenges ahead, it seems.”

As she turned to go into the kitchen with Nell, she cast a last worried glance in Noah’s direction, then dutifully followed her great-grandmother. She still couldn’t seem to concentrate on Nell’s words, though.

“Child, my first impression of Noah is that he’s a fine young man with a quick wit and a good head on his shoulders. I think he’s capable of putting Mick’s fears to rest,” Nell said at last. “All your grandfather wants is to know that you’re loved.”

“Love doesn’t always solve all the problems, though,” Caitlyn said, thinking of how many things needed to be resolved to make this situation right. Some of the obstacles seemed insurmountable.

“Of course it does, at least if it’s the real thing,” Nell said impatiently.

“Then why do people say that love isn’t always enough?”

“Because they don’t understand that the problems don’t just vanish when you love someone. Love takes work and compromise and understanding and respect. Do you and Noah have those things?”

“I’m willing to work at the relationship and I respect Noah more than anyone I know outside of this family,” Caitlyn said. “I think I understand his hopes and dreams.”

“And he understands yours?”

“He says he does.”

Nell smiled. “Then it’s the compromising that’s the sticking point?”

“For me,” Caitlyn admitted. “I’m half-O’Brien, after all. We’re stubborn and sure of ourselves and we want what we want.”

“I can’t deny any of that,” Nell agreed. “But look around at this family, Caitlyn. Is there a single one of us who hasn’t compromised on the important things at one time or another? Your own mother is here, rather than in New York where she’d envisioned her future. Even your grandfather—and we both know how stubborn he can be—has given up control of his company and stopped most of his traveling, so he can spend more time with your grandmother the way she always hoped he would. Dillon gave up his life in Ireland to live here with me, when I told him I couldn’t be separated from my family.” She met Caitlyn’s gaze. “I could go on and on. Do I need to?”

“No,” Caitlyn said. “But Mom and Grandpa Mick both got to live their dreams at least for a little while before they compromised. And you and Dillon visit Ireland every year.”

“And you feel as if your dream will be lost forever if you don’t grab on to it right now?” Nell asked, smiling.

“Something like that,” Caitlyn conceded, realizing that was part of her O’Brien need for immediate gratification.

“And those places you’ve dreamed of going, will they disappear?” Nell asked.

“Of course not. But I made a promise to be back soon,” Caitlyn said, clinging to her plan. “I don’t like the idea of breaking that promise. Promises are meant to be kept, especially one as important as this. You taught me that.”

Nell smiled. “Don’t throw my old lessons back in my face,” she scolded. “A delay doesn’t mean you’ll never keep your word.”

“I’m not sure that people who are counting on me for so much will be able to see it the same way,” she argued.

Once more Nell regarded her with a touch of exasperation. “This need you’ve seen in these places? Will that be wiped out anytime soon?”

“I’d like to think so, but realistically, no.”

“Then you and Noah could start this life together, perhaps, and then follow your dream a few years from now. You could even do it together, am I right? You’d be twice the help to people who need it.”

“But once we have children, we can’t just run off to save the world at the drop of a hat,” Caitlyn said.

Nell smiled at that argument, clearly dismissing it. “Haven’t you noticed the size of this family?” she asked. “I imagine there’s someone who could care for your children for a month or two if you wanted to volunteer in another country. Isn’t that what we do for one another?”

“It’s what you did for Grandpa Mick when Grandma Megan left,” Caitlyn replied, beginning to see what she meant. “You stepped in to help raise Mom, Kevin, Bree, Jess and Connor.”

“And your Grandma Megan helped out with Little Mick while Connor and Heather were working things out. We all did our part with Davey, too, while Kevin was getting over Georgia’s death and before he met Shanna.” She gave Caitlyn a penetrating look. “See what I mean?”

“Actually, I do,” Caitlyn said.

It just remained to be seen if she and Noah could reach the sort of compromise Nell was talking about, one they could both live with. The first step, she thought, was releasing that tight grip she had on the plan she’d formulated for her future.

* * *

Mick O’Brien’s office was lined with bookshelves and littered with architectural blueprints. There was a sweeping view of the bay through the French doors. A leather chair sat behind a massive mahogany desk with clean modern lines. The presence of toy trucks and even a few scattered dolls, though, told the real story of the man who ruled the O’Brien clan. He had a soft spot for his grandchildren. Perhaps he would, as well, for this unexpected baby who’d be his first great-grandchild.

“Sit,” Mick told Noah, his tone gruff. “And don’t look so worried. My instincts are telling me that you and I might be on the same side.”

“Really?” Noah said, not convinced of it. He suspected Mick was about two critical answers away from wanting to draw and quarter him.

Mick chuckled. “I’m sure you’ve heard the stories, that I’m a meddler, that I’m overly protective when it comes to my family.”

Noah smiled. “Those are the rumors.”

“Definitely true,” Mick confirmed. “But I’m also a pragmatist. This baby’s coming, whether I approve or disapprove. I just want to ensure that the baby’s interests and my granddaughter’s are protected.”

“That’s all I want, too,” Noah told him with complete candor. “I love Caitlyn, sir. I’ve been very clear with her about that and you need to know it, too.”

“Are we agreed, then, that marriage is the answer?” Mick asked, though it was less a question than a statement.

“I want to marry her, no question about it,” Noah confirmed. “I’ve been eager to start a family with her for a long time now. The only thing preventing me from asking was knowing how dedicated she is to this dream of hers to go back to Africa to practice medicine.”

“And I totally admire her for that dedication,” Mick said. “O’Briens understand all about how blessed we’ve been and our obligation to give back.”

“I understand you’ve been dedicated to supervising the building of homes for Habitat for Humanity since you retired from your company,” Noah said. “I imagine that was part of Cait’s inspiration for her own goals.”

“I’d like to think so, but she’s young. She has years to make her own contribution to society. Right now the important thing is this child she’s carrying and what’s best for the baby.”

“I think Cait is mindful of that,” Noah said. “But it’s a delicate balancing act for her between knowing what’s best for our child and what she needs for her own fulfillment. This pregnancy came as a shock to her. I’m not surprised that she’s having a hard time adjusting.”

“It came as a shock to you, too, I imagine,” Mick said. “But you’re not lollygagging about doing what needs to be done. You want to get married.”

“Absolutely,” Noah confirmed. “But if there’s one thing practicing medicine has taught me, it’s to keep an open mind, to be flexible when it’s necessary. Cait’s not learned that lesson yet.”

Mick gave a nod of satisfaction. “So, how do we get her to that point?”

Noah gave him a startled look. “I was hoping you’d have the answer to that. You’ve had a lot more practice dealing with her stubbornness than I have.”

Mick laughed, then shrugged sheepishly. “According to my wife and even my son-in-law—Caitlyn’s stepfather—my ways tend to backfire, at least at first. I thought maybe you’d have more finesse.”

“I think getting Caitlyn down the aisle is going to take more than finesse,” Noah replied candidly. “She’s worried about giving up on something she’s been working toward for a long time now. You probably know a lot about that kind of drive and determination.”

“I certainly do,” Mick said. “Took me a little too long, though, to figure out there’s more to life than a career. I’m a happier man since I discovered that.”

“You could tell Caitlyn about your epiphany,” Noah suggested.

“I’d be happy to, but it took me years to figure out what’s truly important. I lost all that time with my wife because of it. Caitlyn knows that, too. We don’t have that kind of time to waste. There’s a bit of urgency to this situation.”

Noah could hardly argue with that. “But she respects you, sir. She doesn’t want to disappoint you.”

Mick shook his head. “At the moment, anything I say is considered suspect. She knows what I’m expecting, an engagement and then a wedding. She won’t think I’m taking her needs into account.”

Noah actually found himself commiserating with this man who’d apparently always thought he possessed all the answers when it came to his family. For a man who’d had his own life planned out for some time, Noah had been feeling a bit at a loss himself now that he had to take Cait’s dreams into account. Balancing her goals with his own required some of that finesse Mick was talking about.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Cait’s happy,” he told Mick. “Even if that doesn’t include me.”

Mick regarded him with shock. “You’d give up without a fight?”

Noah shook his head. “Not without a fight, no.”

Mick nodded happily. “Okay, then, let’s talk this through and come up with a plan,” he said eagerly. “I spoke to our priest yesterday and he’s ready to cooperate.”

Noah smiled. “You don’t leave much to chance, do you?”

“Not if I can help it,” Mick confirmed.

“She’s not going to be happy thinking we’re in cahoots,” Noah reminded him.

“Play this right and she never has to figure that out,” Mick replied confidently.

Noah wanted to believe that was possible, but he knew better. Cait, of all people, had her grandfather’s deviousness pegged. As Mick began to toss out ideas, some more outrageous than others, Noah started to realize the depths of it himself.

* * *

Caitlyn was trying to focus on Nell’s instructions, but she was too distracted by the thought of Noah being interrogated by her grandfather. They’d been alone too long. Just when she was about to burst into her grandfather’s office to rescue Noah, Jenny walked into the kitchen, a grin on her face.

“You!” she exclaimed, giving Jenny a mock scowl.

Jenny Collins Green, whose mother was married to Caitlyn’s great-uncle Thomas O’Brien, laughed. “My mom called about your news. I understand you’re blaming this situation on my bridal bouquet, so naturally I had to fly home from Nashville to defend myself. Caleb’s in the recording studio night and day with his new album or he’d be here, too. He’s thinking there might be a hit song in this predicament you blame on the two of us.”

“Of course he does,” Caitlyn said, then asked plaintively, “You couldn’t have tossed that bouquet in Carrie’s direction?”

“She didn’t need my help,” Jenny replied, pausing to give Nell a warm hug before turning back to Caitlyn. “Your sister will fall in love all on her own. She’s had lots of practice at looking for the right man.” She shrugged. “Besides, everybody knows I was never a tomboy. I had very little control over where that bouquet went.” She looked around the kitchen. “Where is this man who managed to slip past your defenses?”

“In Grandpa Mick’s office being grilled,” Caitlyn said with a shudder. “Do I need to be worried for his safety?”

“You don’t have a ring on your finger yet, so no,” Jenny said. “Mick’s not about to kill the groom-to-be before he has the two of you married.”

Caitlyn laughed, relaxing at last. “I hadn’t thought about that, but you’re right. Grandpa Mick has a single goal right now and it trumps any desire he might have to make Noah pay for his role in this.”

Jenny regarded Nell fondly. “Mind if I steal your helper? I think a walk in the fresh air before dinner will be good for her. She seems a little tense.”

“Go,” Nell encouraged. “She’s been of no help to me with her mind totally focused on what’s going on between Noah and her grandfather.”

Outside Jenny headed straight for the pier that jutted out into the bay. There was a bench at the end. At this time of day, it was drenched in sunshine that had finally managed to take the morning’s chill out of the air. They sat down on the warm weathered wood. Jenny turned her face up to the sun.

“God, I love it here,” she murmured. “I don’t think we’ve had sunshine for a week in Nashville. Spring is usually gorgeous there, but this year, not so much. I actually think I’m waterlogged from all the rain.”

Caitlyn drew in a deep breath and felt the last of her tension drain away. “I miss this, too,” she confessed. “I was so eager to be gone on my big adventure I hadn’t expected to, but I do.”

“Ever think about coming back here to live?” Jenny asked.

“Sure, maybe someday.”

“Once you’ve gone off to save the world, I imagine.”

Caitlyn smiled. “Something like that. How about you?”

“I already have my house here,” Jenny reminded her. “The one I grew up in.”