Page 13 of On The Rocks

“Say’s Mr. ‘Pure as the Driven Snow.’” He laughed. “You’re no better than me; you just disguise your wayward dick under your nice guy act. Call Patrick. Like I said, I’ll marry Maeve.”

My jaw clenched. Through my rage, I didn’t notice the door opening. Instead, I got in Donovan’s face and roared, “You’re not marrying Maeve Monroe. I am!”

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” a soft voice exclaimed wondrously.

My neck twisted to see Mam standing in the doorway with my sister Aislynn, an expression of pure joy on her face.

“Mam,” I said with a groan.

“Oh, Callum. You don’t know how happy you’ve made me. Yourathair’slast wish was to see you marry Maeve Monroe. She’s such a sweet, lovely girl.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You better not tell me you’re having one of those long engagements.” She clapped excitedly. “Mary, mother of Jesus. I could be a grandmother soon. It’s a dream come true.”

My jaw dropped, and I blinked. “Ma?—”

Donny clapped me on the shoulder. “I was going to throw my hat in the ring for her, Mam, but Callum here wouldn’t have a hair of it.”

Ma tried to hide her wince at Donovan’s words. “You were going to ask Maeve to marryyou?”

He grinned. “Don’t worry, Mam. She’s safe from my evil clutches. Like I said, Callum wouldn’t have a bead of it.”

I shot him a glare.

Sauntering for the door, my brother called back, “Looks like my work here is done,” before disappearing into the bar.

Ash’s eyes, just like mine, widened, full of shock. “You’re gonna marry Maeve Monroe?”

My shoulders slumped. “Looks like it.”

She tipped her head back and looked up at the ceiling. “Thank you, God, for small mercies.”

“What the feck are you talking about?” I demanded.

“I thought you’d end up with a skank like Saskia. It’s not like you’re fussy where you,” she glanced at Mam before muttering, “stick it.”

“Aislynn!” Mam scolded.

Ash rolled her eyes. “Maeve’s way too good for you. She’s super sweet and really smart. She’s been all over the world on archeological digs. Did you know a lot of the stuff she’s unearthed is in some of the most prestigious museums in the world? She’s written papers they use to teach in universities.Why the hell would she want to marry you? It’s not like you’re Einstein.”

“Hey,” I protested.

Mam’s face whipped toward my sister. “Really? She’s that smart?”

Ash nodded, her lips twitching. “Yeah, Mammy. Didn’t you know?”

“She never talks about it,” Ma breathed.

Aislynn nodded sagely. “Because she’s not boastful.”

Mam’s eyes shone. “Oh, Callum, she’s perfect. Can you imagine all your beautiful, intelligent, ginger-headed babies we’ll have running around?”

Aislynn burst out laughing.

I tipped my head back and cursed at the ceiling, then dropped my eyes back to Mam. “I don’t know for sure if it’s even going ahead yet. Paddy mentioned it at Da’s funeral, and I said I’d think about it.”

“Are you mad?” she cried. “Pick up the phone and call the man.” Her fingers flew from forehead to chest, then from right to left in the shape of the Holy Cross. “Sweet baby Jesus, I hope Patrick hasn’t had second thoughts. It’s not like you’re the catch of the century.”

“There’s a couple of details I need to iron out first?—”

“You’ll call the man now.” Mam stomped toward me and pointed at the phone on my desk. “Don’t you let my Maeve get away. Patrick could be looking for a new husband for her as we speak. If you miss out on that girl because you didn’t listen to me, I’ll make you wish you’d never been born, Callum Fergal O’Shea.”

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