Sanctuary (Family Justice Book 3) (51 page)

Capable hands, hands that raised four rambunctious kids and kept the home fire burning for more than thirty years, smoothed Meghan’s tumble of curls. She felt her mother’s face press against the top of her head with a kiss.

“I suspect you already know this,
mo stoirín,
but I’ll say it anyway. There are some things men just do not need to know.” A soft chuckle rumbled up from her chest and brought a smile to Meghan’s face. “Take it from me, daughter. No fancy words could ever explain to your da why you branded your bottom.” She squeezed her tight and chuckled again. “And the détente between your father and Alex, it’s well … it’s tenuous so best not to rock the boat.”

Hmm.
This was news to Meghan. Maybe the nonstop calls with Dad and Alex weren’t about bonding. Maybe there was some hoop jumping going on. She thought about that angle for a minute and decided she wasn’t entirely unhappy about it if that’s what was really happening. In fact, it was kind of funny.

“Poor Paddy.” Ma giggled. “He’d never give Alex a pass if he knew!”

They laughed together with Meghan basking in the comfort of her mother’s embrace.

“And speaking of which,” Ma continued. “While blaming your husband for something he didn’t know about sounds like a barrel of laughs, I have to ask, Meggie. I’m not ignorant of what goes on between you two. How’s the Major going to react to what you’ve done?”

Yikes. Moms always knowing wasn’t just an urban legend.

“Um, well … I’m absolutely certain he’ll be …” She searched for a good word. “Delighted. When he sees it, he’ll love the symbology.”

“Uh-huh.” The hair smoothing continued. “Is that it?”

Talk about scoring a direct hit! “No. I’m pretty sure at some point I’ll have to, uh, account for my actions. Not consulting my lord and master was a grave error that he’ll make quite the point of.”

Meghan chose her phrasing deliberately. Though they were different generations, she’d been astonished to learn her mom knew way more about these things than Meghan ever dreamed. Explained a lot about her parents’ relationship and why Meghan fell so comfortably into the roles she and Alex seemed destined to play.

Laughter rang out. “And I’m sure you gave that intense consideration, am I right?”

Meghan sat up and grinned. “You know, Ma … when I was a little girl, I saw Da swat your bum.”

Maggie O’Brien fixed her with one of those impossible-to-read expressions that parents excel at. “Oh, I’m sure you’re mistaken, sweetie.”

After a quick kiss on the cheek, Meghan jostled her mom with a shoulder shove. “As someone who is acquainted with the view only seen when over a knee, I’m pretty damn sure what I saw wasn’t a mistake.”

Giving up all pretense of not knowing what she was getting at, Ma laughed and quirked a hilarious grin. With half a shrug, she picked at her skirt and smirked. “Probably overcooked the brisket or some such nonsense.”

They cracked up laughing; their roars of amusement bounced off the parlor walls.

“So what’s on the agenda, Meggie?” her mother asked after they’d wiped away the tears and blown their noses. Laughter had a way of making a mess.

“I talked to Tori a little bit ago. They’re getting the boys settled in. Your idea to commandeer people you know to handle the babysitting was brills, Ma! We don’t want anyone to miss a single minute of what we’ve planned. Angie, thank god, is all over the details, so all I have to do is pick an outfit and show up.”

Suddenly overwhelmed by a surge of something that was so big and so unforgettable that calling it happiness wasn’t good enough, Meghan twirled in a circle. Arms out wide, she pushed off with one foot and spun around and around on her toes as her ma stood by and smiled.

Checking out a pile of wrapped presents stacked on a table, Meghan drawled, “Just so you know, I’m not so completely addled by this wedding that it escaped my notice that everyone … and I do mean everyone,” she sniped with a raised brow, “is up to something.”

A sly smirk was all she got followed by a deft change of subject. So much for being kept in the loop. “Last night was wonderful. Ashleigh was charming. And Sophia. My goodness. What a beauty.”

Undaunted by the conversational pivot, she agreed it certainly had been a memorable evening. At her insistence, they met Ashleigh Marquez for drinks followed by dinner. The two moms hit it off like they were long-lost friends leaving her to feel a little left out. Calling on Angie and Sophie for backup, they appeared in time for dessert and brought the perfect amount of humor to the proceedings. With Ma and Ashleigh marching arm-in-arm down the street, oohing and aahing over every damn window display along the way, that left the three of them to make comical faces as they followed in their wake, totally forgotten.

“Did you know your mother-in-law was an artist? My goodness. What a surprise. She promised to send Paddy and me something we can hang in the dining room.”

Meghan’s jaw tightened. Had she known? No, she had not. Or maybe she had. It was hard to know. Mostly, all she’d done was obsess over the Marquez family, so tons of details probably fell between the cracks. Finding fresh paint and some surprising facelifts all around the O’Brien home made her realize her mom had been doing the same.

“Quite a few surprises have come up,” she murmured. Brightening, she added, “Including Alex meeting up with his dad in D.C. I’m glad, though. Give them some quality father-son time.”

“What time’s their train, Meggie? Are you going to the station?”

“No to the station.” She’d decided against a public reunion. Being apart had been excruciating and no way did she want eyeballs on them when at last they reunited. Nope. She was going to his hotel. And she was wearing a pantsuit so there’d be no possible way for her horny alpha to talk her out of her skirt and panties.

Ma smiled knowingly. “Probably best.”

“Tomorrow, the insanity kicks off early. Hope you’re ready for this.” She laughed. “Wait till you guys meet Parker’s folks. They. Are. HIL-ARIOUS. And I can’t wait for you and Daddy to finally come face-to-face with Family Justice.”

She smiled so big her face hurt. Everyone had arrived, or would have by the end of the evening. They were all meeting tomorrow, the two extended families, for a bruncheon at her parents’ favorite Irish restaurant. Knowing her family was pulling out all the stops only made her smile brighter.

“These people are your family now too. We’ve heard so much about everyone, and in case you’re worried, I’ve personally read the riot act to your brothers. Deval and Michael will behave, but I can’t guarantee a thing where Finn is concerned. That boy is giving me gray hairs. I suppose you heard about his latest escapade.” Motherly distaste was etched all over her face. “Told him that girl was trouble. But would he listen?”

Yeah, she heard.
Ugh.
Dev had gone batshit crazy telling her about Finn’s most recent girlfriend. Apparently, she was certifiable. He went on and on about how their youngest brother should have known better.
Blah, blah, blah.
According to Mike, the baby of the family knew more about pussy than a feline vet did. Sounded to her like Finn needed to either chill or opt for some new scenery.

“Maybe we should have forced the issue with Finn and made him go to medical school. I don’t know.”

The shrug her mom gave worried Meghan. Something wasn’t quite right. She could feel it.

“Being a paramedic is the next best thing, I thought.”

The skeptical look she got for the observation spoke louder than words. Looked like she might have to have a little chat with young Finn.

“Yes, well … let’s not let Finn’s head-shaking behavior ruin our fun. Better get a move on, Meggie dear. Plenty for you to take care of before your Major arrives.”

And she didn’t know the half of it! “Will you help me with my hair later? I want a half and half do. Something soft and feminine.”

“The white pantsuit?” And once again, moms always know.

Waggling her eyebrows, she chuckled. “Indeed.”

Poor Alex. He had no idea what he was in store for.

As the plane made its descent into Boston airspace, Brody could feel the tension radiating off his companion. He was prepared for this and knew what he had to do. After all, he’d made her a promise. Reaching for her hand, he held it in a firm, reassuring grasp.

Step one. Pay her a compliment. “I like your earrings, m’lady. They’re very pretty.”

She instantly reached with her free hand and touched one of the delicate danglers. “Do you? I’m glad, thanks. I like them too.”

Step two. Praise her interactions with their unexpected traveling partners. Pulling her hand to his mouth, he kissed her knuckles and grinned. “Looks like you won Stephanie over pretty easily. She really likes you.”

Heather startled slightly. “Oh! Really? Did she say that?” The quiet whisper so no one heard them was oddly charming.

“Yes,” he assured her with a warm smile. “She said Alex was especially going to love you.”

“Why do I get the feeling there’s a hidden meaning in those words?”

Damn. She was good. Note to self … remember she was a counselor.

Step three. Reward her. For no reason other than she deserves to be spoiled. “I’m going to owe you one for being so cool about the dog.”

Heather chuckled. “Yes, well … you’ve made me a convert. And for some reason, animals seem to like me. Even your girlfriend over there.” She motioned with her head.

Brody spared a quick look at Zeus. She was a majestic animal who fit Alex like a glove. When Meghan came along, the black Lab began spending more and more time down at the kennel. In a way, she was almost like an assistant. He used her as a demo all the time. When it came to perfect dog manners and easy behavior, Zeus won hands down.

Heather leaned closer. “Now, about this owing me one. What did you have in mind, cowboy?”

Oh. My. GOD! Had she really? Yes, she had. Brody lit the fuck up like a Christmas tree at her cowboy tag. He was so done with the suit and tie thing. And the conservative haircut
. Ugh. Never again.
But she liked the cowboy vibe, hmm? Cool. He knew just what to do. “Have you ever ridden a horse?”

He didn’t expect the blush. In fact, seeing the heated color flow into her cheeks was quite startling.

“Including our one giddy-up moment … pony rides, yes. But no to the mechanical bull, the stallion challenge, and any Annie Oakley moves.”

He couldn’t help it. She set it up, and he had to smack it straight down the center and over the wall.

“So … what? No reverse cowgirl for you?”

Her answer was exactly why he was willing to fight for a future together. “Probably not. You know how much I love surprises from behind.” She snorted. “Lessons would definitely be required. But if we’re talking bareback? I like the bareback very much.”

“Do you?”

She squirmed, shifting tentatively on the leather seat—her eyes darting to his then quickly looking away. “Yes.”

Too bad he couldn’t initiate a demonstration, for research purposes. Although there was considerable distance between where they sat and where Calder, Stephanie, and the dog bunched together, it wasn’t private enough for any sort of discreet teasing. Dammit.

Giving back her hand when she tugged, Brody recognized Heather’s urge to control the space she occupied. He had to respect what he knew was a coping mechanism. An out-of-the-blue impulse found him messing with her seat belt, securing it across her hips, and checking the locking mechanism. Would she resist? Well, she didn’t. Not even a smidge.

Leaning against the seatback with his head on the rest, he turned toward her. “I can help you feel comfortable in the saddle.”

The look she gave him was hot enough to boil water.

Speaking slowly in a deep voice, he told her, “It’s all a matter of finding your seat.”

Her eyes flared. Good. He hoped her visual from his suggestive words was as appealing as the one forming in his head.

“When riding, once you know how to sit right, it’s easy to find your center. You know … the sweet spot that helps you move with confidence and makes it easier to grip the animal with your thighs.”

Brody wasn’t at all sure how she’d respond. If she’d shut him down or play along. It could go either way. He was fascinated when she bit off a snicker with a stern frown and a headshake.

“I made this way too easy for you.”

As if!
“Oh, so what?” He chortled. “You’re a walk in the park?”

She laughed, and he saw Calder’s head turn and look at them.

“A walk? Probably not. But a brisk run? Definitely.”

“I have great endurance,” he drawled with a wink. “And keeping up with you is my great pleasure.”

Heather reaching for his hand was so unexpected, so out of character, that he felt his chest expand with a burst of emotion. Fearing anything he said would spoil the moment, he stayed silent and let their clasped hands do the talking.

As Sawyer glided them to a smooth landing, Brody said a quick prayer of thanks for a safe flight and silently added his hope that he and Heather were taking the first steps in what would be a long walk through a shared future.