House Calls: Callaghan Brothers, Book 3 by Zanders Abbie

Author:Zanders, Abbie [Zanders, Abbie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-01-04T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The Celtic Goddess was one of the most opulent structures Maggie had ever seen. Huge white columns and arches divided the massive space. Built in the style of an ancient Greek temple, it boasted a restaurant made up of several floors that looked out over the entire valley, as well as several ballrooms for private functions. It was in one of these that the reception was held.

The Grand Ballroom was filled to capacity. The blizzard earlier in the week didn’t seem to have kept anyone away. Everywhere she looked – every table, every corner, every available space in fact – was occupied. It was a bit overwhelming, really, especially for someone as accustomed to quiet and solitude as Maggie, though it might have been much worse if everyone hadn’t seemed so happy. All around she saw friendly, smiling faces. Heard them laughing, ranging from soft chuckles to loud, raucous bellows. Arms were raised in toasts or clasping another’s back. Maggie had never seen anything like it.

“Are they always so happy?” Maggie asked quietly. Michael’s fingers flexed lightly on the small of her back. He seemed content as long as he was touching her, and she took much comfort in that. His smile was genuine.

“Usually, yes,” he told her. “But this is an especially happy celebration.” Michael gave her the Reader’s Digest version of the past year, explaining how they almost lost Lexi, how it had nearly torn Ian apart, and her miraculous recovery. Maggie listened with rapt attention.

“If Lexi had been up front with Ian,” Michael added softly, “she could have saved everyone a lot of heartache. It nearly killed Ian. And her.”

Maggie looked down at their joined hands. When she spoke, her voice was even softer than his. “If she had, then she never would have experienced half the things she did. Ian would never have allowed it, would he?”

“Of course not! She could have died, Maggie, and she would have taken Ian with her. Nothing is worth that.”

“Some things are.”

Michael opened his mouth, but before he could respond another voice piped up. “She’s right, you know.”

They both turned, startled to find that Lexi and Ian were behind them. Lexi had a soft, gentle smile on her face, but the expression on Ian’s face more closely resembled the denial on Michael’s. Maggie was mortified to realize they had overheard them.

“I’m so sorry,” Maggie sputtered. “I didn’t mean –“

“It’s alright,” Lexi said, placing her hand on Maggie’s arm. “You’re probably the only one here who didn’t know.” She leaned a little closer with a conspiratorial smile. “There’s not a lot of secrets in this family, you’ll find.”

Lexi lifted up onto her tip-toes and kissed Michael on the cheek. “Except maybe where this guy is concerned,” she amended, a twinkle in her eye. “He’s the strong, silent type. Definitely not one to kiss and tell.”

Maggie felt the heat rise in her cheeks, wishing her skin tone wasn’t quite so pale.

“Ah, she blushes,” Ian chuckled softly. “She’s a keeper, Mick.”

“Way ahead of you,” Michael said, smiling easily as he formally introduced Maggie to the bride and groom.

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