Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Tess sat at the table in Maeve’s big kitchen. Greeted like a lamb lost from the fold, Maeve embraced her the minute they walked in the door, shooing Rory off to find his Da.
“Is everything all right, darlin’?” Maeve asked as she put a cup of tea in front of Tess, moving the sugar and cream closer. “You look a little flushed, dear.”
“I am fine, Maeve. I am so glad you are not angry with me for running away like I did. It was rude and I am sorry I did not talk to you about it first.”
“Now, now darlin’,” Maeve assured her, patting her hand.
“Don’t you fret about it another minute.
I know my son can be a little overbearin’ at times.
He gets that from his Da, I think. ‘Tis glad I am to have you back where you belong. Is everythin’ all right between the two of you now?
Are you set on livin’ with him, without the bonds of matrimony?
Not that I’ll hold that against you, dear.
The worlds is different now days and ‘tis done quite frequently. I guess in the long run ‘tis better than findin’ out you’re not suited after the weddin’. ”
“Your son is a human bull-dozer, Maeve. This morning he informed me that I have taken the rest of the week off. He drags me to the bank and puts my name on all of his accounts and then tells me I am no longer working for Maggie and Nick. He wants me to have more time for him. I love him, Maeve,” Tess admitted blushing, “but last night he told me that these decisions will be made by both of us and then today he rearranges my whole life.”
Standing, Tess starred out the window, her arms wrapped around her waist. “There is a brand-new car out there in the driveway that he leased for me! I do not know what to do. I barely got a look at the house, yet he tells me that I am to redecorate his entire home. I have half a mind to move a feed-trough into the living room along with a couple of jack asses. I wonder what he will think of my decorating then?” she stated, stamping her foot.
Tess’s defiance didn’t last long and she slumped back into her chair, her head in her hands.
“Oh, darlin’,” Maeve replied soothingly as she came around the table. Rubbing Tess’s shoulders, she offered some advice. “Have you tried to explain to Rory how you feel? I know he can be a bit intimidatin’ but he loves you. Surely, he will listen.”
“I have tried,” Tess cried. “Every time I try to tell him, he begins to kiss me and I … forget what I wanted to say. Oh, Madre, I know nothing of decorating a home, nothing about pleasing a man like Rory. He will tire of me, I know it, and then I will just die without him,” she sobbed.
Maeve’s heart swelled for a moment, Tess called her Mother! Even if it was in her own language, a mother was a mother in any language. “Tess, lamb, don’t cry. Do you want me to talk to Rory?”
“No, you must not. He will think I ran to his madre at the first time of trouble,” Tess pleaded.
“Well, then wipe your tears, darlin’. Give me a few days to think about it and talk to the girls.
I promise you we will figure somethin’ out.
You know, dear, you are part of this family.
You have been ever since Rory brought you to us.
There’s no need to worry. We women have been dealin’ with stubborn, bossy men for a very long time. It will all work out.”
“What will work out?” Bridget asked flying in the back door. “Tess, how are you? Are you ill or did Rory keep you up all night?”
“Bridget!” Maeve scolded. “Don’t you be embarrassin’ Theresa. She has enough on her mind without your teasin’.”
“Sorry, Tess,” Bridget replied. “I was just kidding. Is there a problem? Anything I can do to help?” she asked, pouring a cup of coffee and plopping onto a chair.
“Rory wants Tess to redecorate his house,” Maeve replied.
“So, what’s the problem?” Bridget asked. “Hire a decorator if you don’t want to do it yourself. He can afford it.”
“That’s not the point,” Maeve insisted. “Rory didn’t ask her to do it, or even if she wanted to.
He just assumed she would do it all because she’s a woman.
Maybe someone needs to be taught a little lesson.
‘Tis a little insultin’, the more I think about it.
Like someone assumin’ you’re a good cook, Bridget, just because you’re … .”
“Yeah, and we all know how that works out,” Rory laughed as he walked into the kitchen. “What’s going on? I hope you’re not counting on Bridget to cook for Thanksgiving?” he asked, giving an exaggerated shiver.
“Shut up, Rory,” Bridget shot back. “Ladies, whatever you decide, count me in,” she stated smugly as she put her cup in the sink. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Tess, you ready to go home? Looking forward to what?”
“Oh, the Christmas Bazaar,” Maeve lied smoothly, her fingers crossed behind her back. “We girls are plannin’ to get together and make some crafts.”
Tess blanched as Maeve lied so coolly. She was almost as pale as Maeve, when her husband came up behind her and wrapped his hand around her crossed fingers.
“What’s goin’ on here?” Sean asked, his voice booming.
“Oh, nothin’, Tess and I were just discussin’ what we want to make for the church bazaar, isn’t that right, dear?”
“Yes, we were,” Tess affirmed, not quite making eye contact. “We were just leaving anyway. I will talk to you soon, Maeve,” she continued as she hugged Rory’s mother.
“Night Ma, Da,” Rory said as he steered Tess out the back door, his hand on her back as he guided her.
“Ma was acting a little strange tonight don’t you think?” he asked Tess.
“No. I did not notice anything,” Tess replied. “Maybe she is worried about the bazaar?”
“Yeah, that’s probably it,” Rory conceded before he pulled Tess to him and captured her lips in a scorching kiss.
“You go first, babe, and I’ll follow you,” he moaned into her mouth.
“I can’t wait to get you home,” he told her as she settled in the seat.
Reaching in to buckle her seatbelt, he let his hands brush her thighs.
“I can do it myself,” Tess admonished. “I am not a baby you know.”
“Wrong. You’re my baby and I intend to take very good care of you. Now get on home,” he winked and told her with a growl, “before you get your sassy little ass paddled.”
Tess grinned, stuck out her tongue and locked her doors quickly. Rory laughed as he got in his vehicle to follow her.
* * *
Sean wrapped his thick arm around his wife’s waist from behind, his deep voice rumbling in her ear. “I sense mischief, Mrs. O’Malley. You wouldn’t be plannin’ any now, would you?”
“Never, you know I always try to stay out of trouble. Don’t you be givin’ it another thought, Mr. O’Malley.”
“Tryin’ and doin’ are two very different things,” Sean laughed as he released his wife. “See that trouble doesn’t find you, missy.”
Maeve huffed and set about straightening up her kitchen. What Sean didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.
* * *
Rory pulled into the drive behind her, squealing his tires. Jumping out of her vehicle, Tess ran to the back.
“You almost hit the ass of my new car, Rory,” she scolded, hands on her hips.
“I thought you didn’t want the car, babe,” he answered with a smirk.
“I did not want it, but a certain bossy Irishman got his way again. I am not sure I can even pay for this, Rory, and I would like to keep it in perfect condition in case I have to give it back.”
“You will not be paying for it, I will, so don’t worry about it. I thought we settled this at the dealership?” he asked frowning.
“No, we did not. You signed those papers without even listening to my opinion. I thought we agreed that you were to be in charge in the bedroom and we would make other decisions together.”
“That’s true,” he informed her, his nose just about touching hers as he fixed her with his stare. “Unless it involves your safety and security, which this does; I don’t intend to have you waiting at some bus stop in bad weather for a ride. Furthermore .…”
“Oh, I see. Millions of women all over the country are taking their lives in their hands by using the bus system. Perhaps you should run for public office and ban all women from busses?” she finished sarcastically, hitting the button to lock her car and stomping towards the back door.
Rory reached around her and unlocked the door, gently pushing her inside the house.
After helping her off with her coat, he watched her continue to stomp around the kitchen.
“Do we need to take this discussion into the bedroom, Tess?” he asked, beginning to get a little flustered with her attitude.
“Why?” Tess asked, suspiciously.
“Apparently, that is the only place you will listen to me. Did something happen at my mother’s? You weren’t acting like this earlier.”
“No, nothing happened at your Madre’s. I think I may have been in shock for most of the day. Everything you did today was without my consent.”
“Everything, babe?” Rory shot back with an evil grin.
“Well, no, not everything,” Tess conceded blushing, “but most things. Rory, you quit my job for me! How is that your decision? I liked working for Maggie and I need the money. Who are you to do this?”
“Right this minute, I am the man whose hand is itching to spank some sense into you. I love you, Tess, and I will not stand by and watch you work yourself into exhaustion. You already have one job and go to school part time. We have money, babe. You don’t need to kill yourself making more.
If there is something you need, just say so. ”
“I need to be able to take care of myself,” she insisted, realizing she was not getting through to him.
“No, you need to let me take care of you. You have been on your own for a long time, Tess. Is the bedroom the only place you will let me meet your needs? Is sex the only thing you want from me?” he asked, sadly.
It would break his heart if she really felt that way.
He had a consuming desire to care for her in all ways, to protect her.
Tess was quiet for a moment before walking across the room and jumping into his arms.