The Christmas Bouquet by Sherryl Woods Read Free Book Online Page A

right,” he admitted eventually. “We’ll know more tomorrow, then first thing Monday we can get busy making plans. Maybe I’ll call the priest this afternoon just to get the ball rolling.”
    Trace laughed. “So much for waiting until we know more.”
    Mick waved off his sarcasm. “Oh, we both know that Caitlyn’s smart as a whip. If she’s involved with this man, then we’re going to approve of him, too.”
    “Probably so,” Trace conceded.
    Mick nodded, satisfied. “Then we have a plan.”
    “Well, at least you do,” Trace said. “I just hope it doesn’t blow up in your face.”
    “Now, why would it do that?” Mick asked, bewildered.
    “Because you seem to be forgetting one thing. Caitlyn is your granddaughter. She has a mind of her own.”
    Now it was Mick’s turn to sigh. That was, indeed, a little worrisome.
    * * *
    In the kitchen of Nell’s cozy cottage overlooking the bay, a fire had been lit to take off the morning chill. Dillon O’Malley was waiting for them, the water already hot for tea.
    “How did you read my mind?” Caitlyn asked him, giving a hug to this man who’d come back into her great-grandmother’s life only a few brief years ago.
    “How are you, you darling girl?” he asked, studying her closely with his perceptive gaze. “Do I detect a certain glow about you?”
    Nell regarded him with amazement. “What makes you ask a thing like that? The girl just told us not a half hour ago that she’s pregnant.”
    Dillon winked at Caitlyn. “I’d love to have you believing that I’ve a touch of second sight, but the truth is Abby called to fill me in. She said it had turned awfully damp and cool to be walking outside and thought you might want a bracing cup of tea when you got here. I’ve herbal for you, Caitlyn.”
    A pleased smile spread across Nell’s face. “Is there any question about why I fell for you so many years ago and all over again when we went to Ireland for Christmas a few years back?” She turned to Caitlyn. “If your young man is half as thoughtful, you’ll have a good life.”
    “Noah is patient, kind and considerate,” Caitlyn assured her. She smiled at Dillon. “But it probably wouldn’t hurt if you want to give him a few lessons in catering to a woman’s needs.”
    “I’d be happy to,” Dillon said. “Will we be seeing him soon?”
    “Tomorrow more than likely,” she said. “I called him before we left to walk over here. He’s coming for Sunday dinner, unless I’ve scared him off with all the warnings about the interrogation he’ll likely face.”
    “Why don’t I stick close and see that he’s not overwhelmed,” Dillon offered. “I know all too well what Mick can be like when he’s feeling protective. I imagine he’s a little crazy right now.”
    Caitlyn laughed. She recalled her grandfather’s reaction when he’d discovered that his mother was being courted by an old flame in Dublin. He’d been all but impossible to reason with.
    “We’ll both be keeping a sharp eye on Mick,” Nell promised. “Now, let’s get to that stew. I’ve all the ingredients ready to go. Do you have paper and a pen?”
    Caitlyn took them out of her pocket. “Right here.”
    Apparently satisfied that she and Nell were warmed up from their walk back to the cottage, Dillon left them to their cooking.
    “You really did luck out with that man,” Caitlyn told Nell.
    “I was twice blessed,” she replied. “You didn’t know your great-grandfather, but he was a fine man, too. I think that was one reason it took Mick so long to warm up to the idea of Dillon being back in my life. He loved his father. I think he thought I’d always mourn him.”
    “But he finally realized that we have an unlimited capacity for love, didn’t he?” Caitlyn said. “Do you think the O’Briens mate for life like a few of the creatures in nature? You’re with the first man you ever loved, even after having a whole family with another man. Grandpa Mick and Grandma Megan