Taking Risk Series

by Toni Aleo

  Coming toward me, she reaches for the picture, taking it from me before gazing down at it. “You know what the great thing is about pictures, my dear?”

  She doesn’t look at me or wait for me to answer before she continues, “Everything is standing still. Time hasn’t passed. It instantly takes ya back to that moment. This was taken, by me, over thirty years ago. I remember that after I took this, Ciara jumped into the lake and hit her head on a stone. Had to get three stitches, while Marla and I cried and cried.” A small smile comes over her face as she gazes at the picture. “We were so worried, ya see. She just passed out on us, and my goodness, her ma was so upset, and so was my ma because we weren’t supposed to be swimming in the O’Callaghan lake. We were supposed to be doing laundry, but we got bored and Ciara talked me into it.”

  She runs her finger along the picture and lets out a sigh. “It’s funny ’cause Ciara said that, while she did get hurt, it was meant to be because if she wouldn’t have gotten hurt, then Mr. O’Callaghan wouldn’t have come up to the hospital with Ivor and we would have never fallen in love.

  “We were the three musketeers back then. Everything we did was together, and we promised never to part. But when Ivor fell for me, he decided that I wasn’t going to be out of his sight. At first, it didn’t bother him that Ciara and Marla were there, but it was hard. When the three of us were together, it was us, no one else, and I tried to include Ivor, but he was so quiet, very stern, but man, did I love him.

  “He told me to choose between them and him. I had every intention of picking Ciara and Marla, but my ma, she talked me out of it. We were poor, ya see, very poor, and a rich heir to a very profitable whiskey business wanted me. Ya don’t turn that down. So I chose Ivor. I broke their hearts when I told them. Marla hated me, but Ciara, she told me she understood. That I had to follow my heart. She always had such a good soul, one that you instantly loved.”

  My lip had started to quiver as I sat there listening to her. Tears run down my cheeks because she is right. My mom was a beautiful soul, but I find it so hard to believe that she could be friends with someone like Noreen O’Callaghan.

  “I tried to stay in contact with them. Marla, not so much, since she hated me for choosing a man over them, but I sent Ciara letters. But once Ivor and I got engaged, it became very difficult. There is so much that is expected of an O’Callaghan woman.”

  “You can say that again,” I mutter and she finally meets my gaze.

  With a small smile, she nods. “We are to be the one who lifts our man up, loves him, even in his darkest hour, have babies, and plan parties. We don’t get to go out with our friends, do what we want. It isn’t about us; it’s about them.”

  I shake my head, my blood boiling. “That’s not how it is with Declan and me.”

  “Maybe not to that extent, but one day it will be.”

  “No, it won’t,” I say back, and it won’t. He wouldn’t do that to me.

  “He idolizes his father. Wants to be him. I used to be like you. Had a plan, but I allowed love to take that from me.”

  I shake my head, holding her gaze. “I can love him and still be me.”

  “I thought so too,” she says sadly, shaking her head before glancing at me. “Do ya think Declan will want ya to work once you have a baby?” she asks, and I don’t answer her. I don’t care what she thinks. Declan won’t make me do something I don’t want to do. “No, he won’t. Do you think he is actually okay with you working and going to uni? No, he is not, but he does it because he loves ya, and losing you would not only mean breaking him but also losing his distillery.”

  “That’s not true. He loves me and cares what I feel,” I spit back, but she is already shaking her head. How does she know how to hit me where I am weak? Why is she doing this? When I ask her that, she shakes her head, holding her palms up to me.

  “I don’t mean to do anything to you, my dear. I am trying to warn you. I thought like you do. Ivor was so charming, loved me and cared about what I wanted.”

  I stand up, the chair falling behind me as I glare at her. “I don’t doubt that, but you were submissive to him. You let go of your friends, my mom! So please don’t talk to me about how Declan is gonna treat me.”

  She nods slowly. “I’m sorry,” she says softly.

  “You should be. How dare you try to pit me against Declan?”

  She looks up at me and shakes her head. “That’s not what I am doing. I am warning ya, Amberlyn. Once you’re married, you won’t go anywhere because you love him. Soon it will be one thing after the next that you’re willing to let slide because he’ll tell ya what’s best. It happened to me, and as much as I don’t want you to go through what I went through, I also know that my son will not be happy with anyone but you.”

  “He won’t do that to me,” I say, and the tears start to roll down my face once more as I hold her gaze.

  I don’t know if it is the fact that she knew my mom and didn’t tell me. Or that she betrayed her friendship, or that she is scaring the living shit out of me, but I am overloaded with emotions. I always thought she was a snob from the start, but if my mom loved her, she must have been a good person at one time. Which means what she is saying is true. Did Mr. O’Callaghan really change her that much?

  And as much as I hate to ask it, will Declan do that to me?

  Will I lose me and become a hateful snob?

  Chapter 27

  Declan

  Reaching across the table, I take hold of Mr. Maclaster’s hand and smile.

  “Thanks for coming in.”

  Walking around the table, he comes to my side, cupping my shoulder. “Anything to help out family,” he says and I smile.

  “Not yet, three more weeks,” I say with a wink and he laughs.

  “Eh, you’ve been family since she agreed to marry ya.”

  That warms my heart for sure, and I know he can see that through the grin I shoot him. “Grand, thank you,” I say with a nod. “So you’ll come in every Wednesday?”

  He slaps his hands together before nodding. “Yup, I’ll be here, until the missus complains. When that happens, I’m done.”

  “Of course,” I say in agreement. “I appreciate this.”

  “I want ya to succeed. Does well for my niece.”

  I laugh. “I think we both know it isn’t about Amberlyn.”

  He laughs too, a flash of guilt coming over his face. “Eh, I may be getting a bit bored, but don’t let that leave this room.”

  “Wouldn’t tell a soul,” I promise. He shakes my hand once more, and I watch as he walks away, heading for the stairs to leave. Starting next Wednesday, Mr. Michael Maclaster will be working as my part-time marketing advisor. He says he’ll only work that day, but I have a feeling he might come in more than he thought, or maybe work at home. Either way, I couldn’t be happier; things are moving. My da doesn’t even come to the office anymore. After his retirement party last week, he’s slowly been cleaning out his office, and I haven’t seen him for the last two days since Cathmor has gone into production.

  It’s been fuckin’ fantastic.

  All I need is for Amberlyn to be happy and things will be excellent. Which, I think I got myself a plan for that. Heading out of the boardroom, I start toward my office. My da offered me his office, but I like mine. Probably ’cause it’s big enough for Kane and me. Finding my best mate sitting behind his desk, I send him a nod before shutting the door.

  “How’d it go?”

  “Bloody good, he starts next week and had some great ideas. I’m happy,” I say with a grin as I wake my computer up to send some emails.

  “Awesome, Fiona said that he was excited and was gonna take the job. Even Sheila was supportive. He must be bored or something.”

  I laugh. “Yeah, he just said that to me.”

  “Grand, this will be good for him then.”

  “And the distillery.”

  “Oh, for sure. Smart man, he is.”

  “That’s for damn sure,” I agree
, hitting send on an email to my da before opening another. Even though my da isn’t here, I still try to keep him in the loop with this. Just in case I get stuck, he’s always up to date and can help me. “Let me run something by ya real quick.”

  Looking up at me, his brow rises as he nods. “Yeah?”

  “Amberlyn’s been on me about something, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.”

  “All right…”

  “She doesn’t want to live at the house,” I explain, and even he is surprised by that.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, she hates it. My mom is always walking in on us and shite. She doesn’t like people waiting on her hand and foot, as she says, and she just isn’t happy.”

  Kane nods slowly, a worried look on his face.

  “What?” I ask.

  He shakes his head and shrugs. “Nothing.”

  “No, tell me. What?”

  He lets out a breath and looks down, messing with the pen in his hand. Finally, after a moment, he looks up at me. “You’re not gonna dump her, are ya?”

  I can’t help it. I laugh. Shaking my head, I meet his worried gaze. “Not in a million years.”

  “Oh,” he says, letting out a long breath. “Thank God!”

  I’m still laughing when Kane joins in with me as I lean back in my chair, kicking my legs up on the desk. Calming down, I look back over at him.

  “All I saw was ya going back to the way you were before her, and I really don’t want that guy back. I’m happy, and I want ya to be happy too.”

  A grin pulls at my lips as I nod. “I know, and I am happy. But I can’t be when she isn’t. I don’t know how to make her happy, short of getting us a place.”

  “Yeah, but is that what ya want?”

  I shake my head. “To be honest, no. But,” I say and then pause, thinking for a moment. “I think it was yer da who told me once that marriage is about compromise. Remember that time yer ma painted the cabinet pink, I think, and he lost it. But she said it was what she wanted, and even though it was visibly not something he wanted, he let it be.”

  Kane laughs as he looks up at the ceiling. “I do remember that. Crazy coots.”

  I nod in agreement. “Sure, but I figure I won’t be happy unless she is happy. Living in my home is what I thought my married life would be, but I’m not marrying someone who wants that life. She just wants me.”

  “Which is what ya wanted from the beginning,” Kane adds, and I couldn’t agree more. “Ya always wanted a girl who didn’t want this life, and ya found her. So don’t expect her to live the life you have.”

  “No, I know,” I say with a nod. “I mean, she doesn’t want that part, the house, the service, and parties, but man, Kane, she loves helping people.”

  He grins at me as he nods. “She’s a great lass, Dec. Ya did good.”

  “I did,” I agree, my heart fluttering in my chest like a damn schoolboy. “Did ya see she started a coat drive for those kids?”

  “I did and then that yous two is gonna build that library.”

  “Yeah,” I say with a grin. “She wants to work there once it opens.”

  “She’d be good at that. She’s a nerd at heart.”

  I laugh. “Yeah, when she isn’t at school or work, she’s either in my bed or reading.”

  He just grins at me as he nods, and he doesn’t have to say anything. I know what I need to do. “So I have to find somewhere, yeah?”

  “Yeah,” he agrees. “But maybe ya can find somewhere and let it be a compromise, still?”

  “Yeah? How?”

  “Get a place on the grounds or have something built for ya.”

  What a great idea! Kicking my legs down, I smack my desk before pointing over at him. “You’re a fuckin’ genius, Kane.”

  “Eh, stop. Yer makin’ me blush,” he teases as he turns to his computer. “Your ma won’t like it.”

  “I don’t care,” I say. “It isn’t about her; it’s about Amberlyn.”

  * * *

  When I get back to the house, I feel good.

  I spent most of the afternoon on the phone with different contractors and have someone who wants to meet with Amberlyn and me to look at designs for a house. He’s gonna draw up something nice, he says, and I believe him. I’m pretty sure my family has used him before, but first I have to talk this over with my da.

  Walking toward my da’s study, I knock on the door and wait for him to tell me to come in. Opening the door, I find my ma is in the room too. Well, I guess I’m gonna tell them both, then.

  “Declan, sweetheart,” she says as I come in, falling into the chair beside her.

  “Hey Ma, Da,” I say, sending a nod to him.

  “Got your email, good work. Michael will be good for us.”

  “I agree,” I say, resting my ankle against my knee.

  “Did you get the email from production?”

  I shake my head, pulling out my phone. “No, when?”

  “Just a minute ago,” he says, a grin on his face. “Cathmor goes to stores and pubs in three months.”

  Grinning, I nod. “Bloody fantastic,” I say, my heart pounding in my chest. Pride is seeping out of my pores, and I can’t wait to tell Amberlyn. First though, I have to get this taken care of. “I didn’t come to talk about that, though.”

  “No?”

  “What is it? Are you okay?” my ma asks before running her fingers through my hair lovingly. Moving away, sending her a sheepish grin, I nod.

  “Yeah, Ma,” I say, covering her hand with mine. Looking at my da, I say, “I was on the phone with Mr. Molloy today.”

  “Molloy? Why?” my da asks.

  “Who’s that?” My ma wants to know.

  “Contractor. What do we need, son?”

  “A new house,” I say, letting out the breath I am holding as they both stare me down. “There is some land out by the old church and lake. I think I want to build there, if Amberlyn likes it, of course.”

  “A house? For what?” my ma asks as my da leans back in his chair, crossing his arms.

  Clearing my throat, I look over at my ma. “She ain’t happy, Ma.”

  “Who? Amberlyn?”

  “Why’s that? Is she not being treated right?” my da asks, and I shake my head.

  “No, not anything like that. She just doesn’t want to live here. She doesn’t like being waited on and having my ma walk in on us while we have sex.”

  My ma blushes as she looks away, and my da booms, “Noreen, I told ya to stop that.”

  “I don’t mean to; it just happens.”

  “Every week, it seems,” I supply and shake my head. “But it’s more than that. She wants her own space, and I can respect that.”

  “Yeah,” he agrees, but my ma sure doesn’t.

  “It just seems a little daft to build a house when this one is perfect for all of us. Take your grandparents’ side; they aren’t here anymore anyway.”

  I shake my head. “But they’ll be back once they’re done traveling. I want her to be happy, and for that to happen, I gotta move her to our own place.”

  “That just seems a little ridiculous, don’t ya think, Ivor?”

  Looking over at my da, I see that he is really thinking it through. His chin is resting in his hand as he moves his thumb along it. Looking up at me and then my ma, he shakes his head. I don’t realize I’ve been holding my breath until he goes to speak. What he says matters. Ultimately, he owns everything on this land. If he doesn’t want me building on it, I won’t be building. Which means I won’t even be living on my land because I’m gonna give Amberlyn what she wants.

  Shaking his head, he holds my gaze. “I don’t, Noreen. It worked for us because my grandparents didn’t live here. We really did have everything to ourselves. It’s different for them, especially when Lena lives here too.”

  “Ugh, I don’t know. I think it’s best they live here. In his home,” she says, obviously not agreeing at all.

  Sucking in a breath, I want to tell her
to be quiet, but when I glance at my da, I feel like he is agreeing with me. I know, even I’m surprised, but his brows are pulled together and he is shaking his head once more. Looking at her, he speaks again, “Yeah, but I get where he is coming from. When you love someone very much, you don’t want to share them or be without them even for a second; I understand that. I’ve felt like that for ya ma my whole life, and I see it in ya eyes when you look at Amberlyn. You love her. Like I love your ma.”

  I don’t know about that, I think my love is stronger, but who am I to disagree. Nodding, I say, “I do. I love her and want to make her happy.”

  He smiles before leaning back in his chair. “Then it’s settled. If that’s what ya want, I’m fine with it. With Lena moving to Dublin, it will be nice to just be me and your ma.”

  While I want to be happy that he agrees with me, I’m a little stunned. “What? Lena is moving to Dublin?”

  He nods as my ma says, “Yeah, she needs a change of scenery, from what she is saying.” She waves her hand in a dismissive way. “What she needs is to go find Micah and take him back.”

  I stand, kissing her forehead. “Nah, she won’t be happy. Dublin will be good for her. Thanks, guys, gonna go tell my bride the good news.”

  I turn to head to the door, and as I reach for the handle, my da stops me. As I turn around, we lock eyes and he smiles. “I’m proud of ya, son. She’s costing me a lot of money, but ya sure do love her and she adds to your life. Which is what ya needed. Someone that constantly adds. Makes it better.”

  “Yeah, she does.” I scoff as my grin grows, “And she’s worth every penny.”

  Heading out the door, I start to the stairs to go to my room. We have dinner in about an hour, so I can tell her the news and then take her to bed to celebrate.

  Good plan, I think.

  But when I open our door, she is sitting on the couch with her arms crossed, and I can tell she is seething mad. My brows come together as I shut the door behind me. She is just staring at me, which isn’t like her. She usually greets me at the door, kissing me senseless before asking how my day was. Something is wrong. Very, very wrong.