Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Nick didn’t come in the next morning. The kids started watching for him long before he was due to pick them up and were out the door before he could get fully in the yard.
Maggie watched from the window as he got everyone situated and buckled in.
For a minute she thought he would come in and ask her again to go along, but he didn’t.
It was just as well. The more time she spent with him, watched him with the kids, the harder it became to remember she was doing the right thing.
The rosy picture he painted of their becoming a family was tempting.
Having someone to share things with again, help carry the financial burden that came with three growing children, and of course the physical pleasure…
What’s wrong with you? Things are working out just fine...
Who do you think you’re kidding, a little voice whispered back, and with that Maggie threw herself into her Saturday chores with a vengeance.
By three o’clock the entire house was spotless.
Maggie had turned up the stereo and tried not to think about Nick out having fun with her children.
Popping open a diet soda, she slumped tiredly onto a bar stool, mopping her brow with the sleeve of her sweatshirt.
It was only natural for them to form an attachment to a strong male figure after the emptiness of the past year, and it had been empty.
The struggle to get up and face each day, working, keeping up the house, and making ends meet, had sapped Maggie’s natural vitality.
It had only been since the holidays that life seemed to have come back into her, the holidays and Nick.
It was astonishing to her that a man she hadn’t seen for years, truthfully hadn’t really thought about for years, could have such a devastating effect on her.
Yes, he was Jason’s father and they did have a certain bond between them, but she had managed to make a fine life with Jim.
He was steady and dependable. Maybe their’s hadn’t been a particularly passionate marriage, but they got along.
No drama, no surprises and she sure hadn’t spent the last fifteen years pining for Nick.
He had been relegated to the past, and he should have stayed there instead of turning her world upside down.
At five o’clock Maggie showered and started dinner.
Even though she was beginning to get angry with Nick for keeping the kids out so long, she felt the least she could was to invite him to dinner.
She had to admit she had accomplished miracles today, finally getting to those chores she had been putting off.
With Caitlin underfoot it was hard to tackle major jobs, and by the time the kids were in bed, she was usually too beat.
Although it pained her to admit it, she hadn’t had a whole day away from the kids in months, and she had enjoyed pampering herself after the housework was done.
She even had enough time to give herself a facial and paint her toenails—amazing.
By seven, Maggie was frantic. Crazy thoughts of car accidents and other catastrophes plagued her. If Nick had taken only Jason, Maggie would have been convinced Nick had kidnapped him, but what reason would he have for taking Todd and Caitlin?
Revenge... Maggie ran a trembling hand through her hair and shut the oven off. The roast was dried out and charred, and the vegetables had turned to mush an hour ago. How could he do this to her? He must have known she would be worried sick!
The hoopla coming from the driveway pulled her out of her agonizing, and she jumped up, getting to the kitchen door at the exact moment her three hyper kids burst through.
Caitlin was hugging a teddy bear twice her size and dragging her coat.
Todd and Jason were arguing loudly about who beat whom in some game, and Nick was laughing at their antics.
“Mommy, we went to the zoo, and the park, and the ‘cade’,” Caitlin told her, yawning. “Then we ate at Mickey Dee’s, and I got to play in the balls.”
Maggie stood stock still. The hands on her hips were trembling, and the three males watching her all realized they were in deep trouble. Caitlin was only concerned with getting her bear up to her room and introducing him to her other stuffed animals.
Nick’s eyes silently pleaded with Maggie not to ruin the day, but she was beyond reason. “Just where have you been?” she demanded sharply. “I’ve been worried sick.”
“Mom,” Jason began, only to be interrupted as Maggie continued, not even waiting for her question to be answered.
“Apparently no one could be bothered to call me and let me know you were all right. I can’t believe—”
“Mom, we were fine, just having a good time,” Jason burst in. “We were with Nick for Pete’s sake,” he continued in disgust.
“Don’t use that tone of voice with me, young man,” Maggie shot back, but when she reached out to take Jason’s arm, Nick stepped between them, towering over Maggie.
“Jason, Todd, help Caitie get her bear upstairs; I want a few minutes with your mother.”
The arms crossed over the broad chest directly in front of her kept Maggie from contradicting his order, and it was an order. The kids obeyed instantly, slipping gratefully out of the room and feeling slightly sorry for Nick.
“If you have a problem, Maggie, I’ll deal with it,” Nick informed her coolly, staring directly into her eyes.
“You’re the one with the problem, and it involves your lack of brains, Nicholas Kord,” Maggie shouted. No longer intimidated by his superior size she advanced, but Nick never moved an inch. Her head tilted back uncomfortably she turned her fiery gaze on his, further angered by his calm arrogance.
“Did it ever occur to you that I might be worried? The least you could have done was call me.”
“Frankly, it didn’t. I even thought you might be enjoying some free time for a change,” he told her, never taking his eyes from her. Her silky auburn hair glowed, and her skin looked temptingly soft. Nick forced himself to concentrate on the matter at hand.
“I happen to be a responsible adult, capable of—”
“That’s debatable,” she quickly interrupted.
In the blink of an eye, Nick scooped her into his arms and striding to the bar, deposited her none too gently on the stool.
Maggie released the breath she’d been holding, a guilty flush stealing up her cheeks. The anger she sensed in him didn’t for a moment dispel the thrill of being in his arms. Her heart was beating wildly in fear, excitement and anger.
“This is the first time I’ve had Jason to myself, and I was hoping you’d understand why I hated to cut it short, but if you don’t or can’t that’s just too damn bad.
I will not let you take it out on the kids.
We had a great time, and you’re not going to spoil it.
If you’re looking for a royal battle, lady, you’ve found it. ”
Nick’s eyes flashed blue fury, and the arm on either side of her effectively pinned her to the bar.
A muscle in his jaw ticked erratically, and Maggie felt small and mean.
Her legs were dangling helplessly far above the floor, and the man had no intention of letting her go.
The tears that filled her eyes stunned him, and when he backed up momentarily, she took the golden opportunity and slipped out of his prison.
Hands on hips, Nick studied her as she stormed over to the stove and began removing pans from the oven, scraping the food down the garbage disposal.
“Now you’re crying,” he stated in total confusion. “I thought you were mad?”
“I am mad,” she told him, quickly wiping her tears away with shaky hands.
Nick noticed the amount of food she was throwing away and it hit him. “Did you expect us home for dinner?” he asked, suddenly feeling guilty.
Maggie threw the switch on the disposal, and the loud growling prevented her from having to answer. She looked out the window and was sorry she did; his reflection stared back at her. The softness in his eyes only made her feel worse, and she lowered her gaze.
“I’m sorry, Magpie,” he whispered softly in her ear, causing chills to run down her spine.
“Forget it. Just call next time,” she replied, wiping the already clean counter and using it as an excuse to get away from his warmth.
Nick leaned on the counter and watched her jerky movements. Her head was bent as she scrubbed an imaginary spot. His heart swelled with compassion for her. He knew this was difficult, but those magic words “next time” filled him with hope.
“Well, I guess I’d better be going,” he told her, clearing his throat. “I’ll just tell the kids goodnight. We had a great time, Maggie. Thanks.”
“Sure.”
After Nick left the room, Maggie poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down. It was hard to admit she was jealous of the time the kids spent with Nick, but she was. Not jealous exactly, she qualified, but it hurt to think they’d all had such a good time, without her.
By the time Nick returned to the kitchen, Maggie was composed. Her eyes slid over him as he picked up his coat.
“You could have come with us you know,” he stated gently and Maggie flushed, angry all over again; he could read her so well. It infuriated her to have him think she wanted to be with him, and that’s just what he thought.
“I had plenty to keep me busy,” she told him, hating the pity she saw in his eyes. “But I was wondering if you had any plans for next weekend?”
The look that crossed his features could only be described as hopeful. She could almost see the wheels turning, and before she knew it the words were out of her mouth.
“I was hoping you could come over Friday night... and babysit.”
“Babysit?”
Trying to hide her grin, Maggie moved to the sink and washed out her cup. The look on his face was definitely worth the lie.
“Yes, I have a date, and since you’re so determined to spend time here, I thought we could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. I get a night out, and you get what you want.”
“Honey, you have no idea what I want right this minute,” he ground out. “Sure I’ll babysit, why the hell not!” he told her, throwing his hands up in the air and striding out the door.
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 and Rebecca’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.