“Oh, you’re not goin’ to finish school? Is that what you said or are my ears deceivin’ me?”
“That’s what I said,” she said firmly. “I’ve had enough of those bitchy girls. I’m quittin’. I’ll get a job. I suppose you have somethin’ to say about that too!”
“Aye, I’ve got plenty.”
“Well, I’m not your wife yet, O’Malley, so you can keep your opinions to yourself. As you said, it’s not open to discussion.”
“Oh, we’re goin’ to have a discussion, lassie. A long hard one, but I don’t have time for it now. I’ve been meanin’ to tell you I have to go away for a week or so.”
“Where?” she asked with a pout.
They’d arrived at her house, and he lifted her up two steps so they could be eye to eye. “My professor arranged an interview for me with a major employer, in New York, to be specific. He’s been a longtime friend with this fellow and it looks good. What would you think about movin’ to New York once we’re married?” he asked. “I won’t go if you don’t want to leave Ireland.”
“Oh, Sean, I’d love it,” she squealed, leaping into his arms. “I’ve dreamed of travelin’ there for years.”
“It won’t be just travelin’, love. We’d be livin’ there and we’d have to become citizens, eventually.”
“Would we have to give up our Irish citizenship?” “
I don’t know. Some people have dual citizenship.”
“I’m so excited,” she laughed hugging him. “Call me as soon as you know, and I’ll start packing.”
“Not so fast, sweetheart. I don’t even have the job yet. Even if I get it, I’ll have to get settled in and find us a house. It may take months before I can come and collect you. In the meantime, I want you to finish school and get your certificate,” he said, setting her back on her feet.
Maeve hesitated and he could almost see the wheels turning. She smoothed her hand up his chest and slipped it behind his head, pulling him down to her.
“I’ll think about it while you’re away,” she whispered against his lips.
“No, you will not. You will attend your classes and we’ll discuss it further when I return,” he replied, breathing against hers.
“Okay, O’Malley,” she sighed. “Now stick your tongue down my throat. I see Mrs. Riley peekin’ out of her curtains.”
Sean laughed and gave her what she asked for. By the time he set her free, she was weaving and short of breath.
“When are you leavin’?” she asked weakly.
“Saturday. My interview is Tuesday and I don’t want to have jet lag. We still have a few days, love. Do you want to go to a movie tomorrow night? On Friday I’ll want an early night, but we can do whatever you want between now and then.”
“I don’t know. Right now the idea of sittin’ for two hours isn’t very appealin’,” she said sourly. “We could go skatin’?”
“What if you fall on your butt?” he teased.
“At least I’ll be sittin’ on ice,” she pointed out, sticking out her tongue.
Sean kissed her once more, quite sedately before shooing her up the steps. He had a funny feeling creeping up the back of his neck as he turned toward home, walking quickly in the cold night air. He’d always had a sixth sense when it came to Maeve. It had saved her hide many times and he trusted it. He made a mental note to ask his brother to keep an eye on her while he was away.
Chapter Seven
The rest of the week passed slowly. Maeve dragged herillnessout for three more days.
Sean came over on Tuesday and Thursday nights, but he wouldn’t take her anywhere. If she was toosickto go to school, she was too sick to go out. They sat on the couch together, mostly watching the news with her da as the men discussed the unrest sweeping the country.
Despite her best efforts to look wan and sickly, Sean didn’t believe a word of it and told her so. She sat close to him, rubbed his arm and rested her head on his shoulder as she tried to remember to sniffle every once in a while.
“Don’t think you’re foolin’ anyone, lass,” he snorted, his eyes glued to the television.
Maeve just snuggled closer. Whenever her da was paying particular attention to a piece of news, she ran her hand up and down Sean’s thigh, feeling the muscles jump under her touch. He shifted position several times, but she stuck with him, teasing and tormenting until he pushed her away and grabbed a throw pillow, putting it on his lap.
