When A Man Loves A Woman (Seven Brides Seven Brothers Book 7)

by Calhoune, Belle

  Alec stood up in the middle of the room and clapped his hands together. He cleared his throat for emphasis. “We have an announcement to make.”

  The room stilled and hushed.

  “We’re going away. Your mother and I will soon be embarking on a trip to Ireland.”

  “Hey, that’s great,” Blue said. “You two deserve a break.”

  “Isn’t it exciting?” Maggie cried, her face lit up with joy. “I’m going back to my roots.”

  Remy let out a whistle. “That’s amazing news. It’s about time you went back to the Emerald Isle.”

  “You two deserve a vacation,” Tess said. She jutted her chin in Ryder’s direction. “I’m hoping the old ball and chain will take me to Europe after the babies are born.”

  “Babies?” Kaitlyn asked. “As in more than one?”

  Tess placed her hand over her mouth. “Oops.” She cast a furtive glance at her husband. “I guess the cat is out of the bag, so to speak.”

  Ryder rolled his eyes at her. “And here you thought I was going to be the one to spill the beans. Yes. We’re having twins. We’re going to be doubly blessed.”

  Shouts of congratulations rang out in the room. Everyone began to hug and kiss Ryder and Tess.

  AJ started jumping up and down. “Twins. That’s so cool. I’m getting a baby brother, twin cousins, a baby cousin from Jakarta, a baby cousin from Uncle Mac and Aunt Delilah and a foster cousin.” He swiped his palm across his forehead. “Phew. I think Grandpa Alec and Grandma Maggie are going to need a bigger house.”

  The room erupted into laughter. Everyone knew AJ was right. With all the babies being born and adopted and fostered, it was a veritable Donahue explosion.

  “I want to thank Mac for inspiring me to drum up the idea of going to Ireland,” Alec said.

  “Me?” Mac asked. “How did I do that?”

  Alec’s eyes filled with tears. “By being tenacious and brave in hunting down your sister. Against all odds, against everything you have been told, you chased after your truth. And in taking that journey, you found something priceless. A sister once lost, now found.”

  Mac met his father’s gaze. “I already had something priceless with this family. I need you all to know that. But Callie was the one question mark in my life I needed answers for.”

  “We understand that, Mac. Believe me, we do. Being with the ones we love is what life is all about,” Alec said as he reached for Maggie’s hand and squeezed it.

  “Oh Alec. My sentimental sweetheart,” Maggie said in a choked up voice.

  Alec brushed his lips across Maggie’s temple. “You make it easy to be sentimental. I’ve been so blessed to walk on this journey with you. God gave me everything I could ever have dreamed of having in one amazing package.”

  “Alec, I’m going to run upstairs to our bedroom and get the albums I want to give to the boys,” Maggie said as she got up and headed toward the staircase.

  Alec watched as his wife headed upstairs. He turned back to his family.

  “For so many years we talked about going back to Ireland so your mother could revisit the land of her birth, but we never did. Something always came up. Chicken pox. Graduations. Soccer tournaments. Weddings. But our time is now. And we’ll be gone for a spell. Four glorious months.”

  A shocked silence filled the room. One could have heard a pin drop.

  Everyone exchanged surprised glances.

  Nick scratched his head. “Four months? That’s a long time.”

  “Wait! What about doctors’ appointments?” Mac asked. “How are you going to manage her care? And don’t you have to check in with your cardiologist?”

  “I’ve got that all figured out. We’ve got a specialist in Dublin who’s agreed to check in on your mother from time to time. We’ll bring along all her medications and pray for a smooth time of it. And I’ve also made contact with a cardiologist. It’s more of a precaution for me since I’ve been given a clean bill of health. No more slurred speech. No cane or walker.”

  “We’re so proud of you Dad,” Brandon said. “You really are amazing.”

  Mac knew some stroke victims never made a complete recovery. His father was a walking miracle.

  “Isn’t that kind of risky to take Ma so far away?” Ryder asked.

  Alec looked around the room. “Your mother’s memories are going to fade. She’ll be facing a twilight of sorts. Soon, she’s going to struggle to remember who we are. I pray that day is years away, but with a disease as brutal as dementia, we don’t have the luxury of those answers. I want Maggie to reconnect with her earliest memories, to embrace every bit of her past. Every day I’m going to present her with something wonderful. Instead of focusing on what she’s losing, we’re going to focus on the moments. Living in the moments. Walking in love, the way He wants us to.”

  Alec’s emotional words caused a groundswell of emotion to rise up in the room. Tears were flowing like a rushing river. Gabrielle got up from her seat and began handing out tissues. Everyone was holding each other or holding hands or wiping away tears. At once they all understood.

  “I’m tired of being afraid of what tomorrow brings.” Maggie’s voice rang out in the room. She stood in the doorway. “It’s not who I am. And I refuse to cave in to this disease. Sure, sometimes it gets the best of me. And I know it’s not going to get better, but I want to live each day for what it is. A blessing.”

  Her arms were full of books. “I made these albums for you boys because no matter what happens, I always want you to know that our memories are sacred. In each album are pictures of our lives together from the moment each of you came to live with us. Even if my mind loses those precious moments…they still existed. We still loved and laughed and supported one another. We had adventures and we squabbled and made up. We were and always will be a family. Donahue strong!”

  “Donahue strong!” They all cried out as Maggie was swept up in loving arms. They would all collectively support their parents as they traveled to Ireland so Maggie could reconnect with her past. The love story their parents shared continued to inspire all of them to love with every fiber of their beings. Never waste a moment and always live in love.

  Mac felt tears welling up in his eyes and he bowed his head down. He felt the warmth of Delilah’s body as she leaned in to him and clasped her hand with his. This was love! He thought. A tender touch. A moment of silent support. A person who would stay by your side, come what may. He had found it all with Delilah and he would cherish it for the rest of his days.

  His mother stepped toward him, her eyes filled with love.

  “My Mac.” Maggie reached out and placed her hands on either side of her son’s face. “Of all my children you had the furthest to go on your journey.” Tears spilled over her lids and ran down her face. “You’ve come full circle, my love. You found the love of a lifetime. And your sister. You should be incredibly proud of what you’ve built with Delilah.”

  “I never thought I wanted this. I always figured I was too quiet, too much of a loner. And I never imagined myself falling so wonderfully in love with someone.” He let out a hollow sounding laugh. “Delilah showed me that with the right person, your entire world opens up.”

  Maggie nuzzled Mac’s cheek. “And your heart.”

  “And my heart,” he said with a contented sigh. “And now we have a baby coming into our lives.” He shook his head, still amazed by the wondrous changes in his life.

  “Wherever life leads you, never forget where you came from. Your father and I...there’s never been a single moment when it felt as if you weren’t born of us. You couldn’t be more mine if I gave birth to you myself.”

  “I love you Mom. I’m so proud to be your son. Thanks for choosing me,” Mac said, sniffing back tears.

  “We had a little help from God. I think He steered all of you boys in our direction.”

  Alec walked up and clapped Mac on the back. “Delilah is looking for you in the kitchen, son. Something about the mac n’ cheese you
brought over.”

  “I’ll be back,” Mac said as he hustled out of the room and headed toward the kitchen.

  Once Mac was gone, Maggie reached over and grabbed hold of Alec’s hand. He squeezed it and pulled her close to his side. “We did great, didn’t we?” she asked.

  “We did wonderfully, my love,” Alec whispered. “A real home run with each and every one of our sons.”

  “I almost can’t believe we’re grandparents,” Maggie said. “It seems like just yesterday that you were sweeping me off my feet.”

  Alec grabbed Maggie’s hand and led her outside to the front porch. “Look up at the heavens, Maggie.”

  “Oh, it’s stunning,” Maggie gushed. Her head was thrown back and she was gazing up at the sky. Her beautiful face was lit up like moonbeams.

  “Not half as stunning as my girl,” Alec said. He placed Maggie’s hand in his and twirled her around on the porch as the stars twinkled down on them from the heavens.

  “Oh Alec. You’re sweeping me off my feet again,” she whispered as she laid her head on Alec’s chest and slow danced with the man she loved.

  Alec and Maggie’s love story had always shown them that with love all things were possible. On this particular glorious night, hope hung in the air like a fragrant blossom. The next chapter of their lives was just beginning.

  THE END

  Get to know Callie Duvall, Mac’s sister, in “Till the End of Time” (Secrets of Savannah Series) Fall 2015

  Callie and Jax

  “I don’t respect you or the work you do for my father’s almighty empire!” Callie growled.

  “That’s a joke coming from the pampered princess of Savannah,” Jax scoffed. “Have you ever worked a day in your life?”

  Her green eyes flashed like emeralds. “Of course I have. And now with my inheritance from Hattie I’m going to help put Savannah House back on the map.”

  “That place is in sad shape,” Jax said with a rueful shake of his head.

  Callie lifted her chin up high. “It won’t be for long. We’re going to make sure that it’s renovated in time for next year’s summer season. Better make a reservation now, Jax. Within the year you won’t even be able to buy yourself a stay there.” She leaned in and made a flicking motion against his shirt with her finger. It was clear. Callie Duvall was dismissing him. The simple act enraged him.

  “I should kiss you senseless,” Jax said. He reached out and grabbed her by the arms and pulled her against his chest.

  Her lips trembled and he found himself unable to take his eyes off them. Pink. Heart-shaped. Perfect. All he had to do was dip his head down a little bit and press his lips against hers. Then he would finally know what it felt like to be kissing Callie Duvall.

  Tears shimmered in her brilliant emerald eyes. He felt like he’d been kicked in the gut. He loved Callie. And he’d been loving her for the longest time. And all he saw in her eyes was fear. Of him. He let her go and stumbled a few steps backward. What was wrong with him? He’d acted like a fool, all because he was sick and tired of hiding his feelings for the most beautiful and feisty woman he had ever known.

  Recipes from the Donahue kitchen

  Blue’s Savory Chili

  This happens to be my all-time favorite meal. Good thing Sarah loves it as well. Throw in some cornbread and I'm in heaven. I consider this the ultimate comfort food, perfect to put on the table all year round. My mother used to make it for us all the time. I love how easy it is to make. You can also choose an alternative to ground beef for a different taste and a healthier option.

  Ingredients:

  Hamburger, Ground Turkey or Ground Chicken Meat.

  1 can of tomatoes

  2 can of tomato paste

  2 cup marinara sauce

  2 cloves of minced garlic

  1 chopped onion

  1/4th of a tsp of pepper

  1/4th of a tsp of salt

  1 tsp of oregano

  1 tablespoon cumin

  Chili Pepper (as needed)

  1 Can of Kidney beans, strained

  Packet of Chili seasoning.

  Brown meat in skillet. Once browned and fat drained off you can start adding whole tomatoes, tomato paste and marinara sauce. Then add the kidney beans, onion and garlic. Mix in all the seasonings. Let the chili simmer for a half an hour on low for best results.

  Maggie’s Lemon Squares with a tropical twist:

  1 cup all-purpose flour

  1/4th a cup of sifted powdered sugar

  ½ cup butter or margarine

  2 eggs

  ¾ cup granulated sugar

  3 tablespoons lemon juice

  ½ tsp of finely grated lemon peel

  ½ tsp vanilla extract

  1/4th tsp baking powder

  2 additional tablespoons all-purpose flour

  Powdered sugar

  Set oven to 350. Mix flour and powdered sugar. Add butter to mixture. Once mixture clings together place in baking pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. While crust is cooking beat eggs with a mixer, adding in granulated sugar along with lemon peel, vanilla and lemon juice. Beat until smooth and mixture thickens. Set aside. Stir together 2 tablespoons flour and baking powder then add to egg mixture. Take out crust from oven. Pour mixture over warm bottom crust. Place back in oven for 30 minutes. Once out of oven sift powdered sugar on top.

  Mac’s Mac N’ Cheese

  One box of elbow macaroni (cooked and drained)

  1/2 cup of sour cream

  1 cup of milk

  1 can of Campbell's condensed cheese soup

  1 ½ cups of (orange) cheddar cheese, 1 1/2 cups of white sharp cheddar cheese, grated

  2 eggs

  1 teaspoon of ground mustard

  1 teaspoon of adobo or seasoned salt

  ½ tsp pepper

  ¼ cup parmesan cheese

  3 tablespoons of butter

  Boil pasta for six minutes, then drain. The crock pot should be set to high. Add pasta to crock pot along with grated cheeses, cheddar soup, sour cream, butter, milk and eggs. Mix all together then add all the seasonings. If desired, add additional cheese or sour cream. You can periodically check back to make sure it is not browning too much at the sides. You can stir every now and again.

  2 hours to 2.5 hours on high is pretty near perfection although slow cooker times vary. You can always check on it and look at the sides. If they are browning too much you can always turn the temp down to low. The cheese is very flexible also. You can use different types of cheese or add more or less depending on your taste. I once caught Delilah adding more cheddar cheese to the crock pot.

  I honestly think this is the macaroni and cheese recipe I will stick to like glue. It is amazing. And it can be tweaked. Bacon bits can be added to the mac n cheese. Add some lobster for a nice seafood lobster mac n’ cheese. Bread crumbs can be sprinkled over the top at the end. Or if you want to add some veggies, broccoli can be placed on top as well. Brandon and Rose added sliced hot dogs for AJ since hotdogs are his favorite.