“Aw, go on with you,” he replied. “You’ll get over to the States with your new husband and won’t give this old man another thought.”
“I don’t think so,” Maeve said. “You’ve been kind when others were not. I’ll not be forgettin’ that any time soon.”
“I wish you the best, you and Sean both. He’s a fine young man with a bright future.”
“Thank you. Now, I have to hurry. I badgered Mr. O’Malley into lettin’ me ride with them to pick up Sean. His mother wasn’t too pleased, so I don’t want to keep them waitin’.”
“Bah, that one. I knew her da. Spoiled her rotten he did and she’s been a pain in the arse for most of her life. Don’t know how her husband puts up with her. Take care, my dear,” he said as Maeve nodded and hurried from the shop.
At the airport, Maeve saw him first and took off on a run. Sean caught her as she launched herself into his arms. Laughing, he swung her around and kissed her long and hard.
“Sean, please, a little propriety if you will,” Mrs. O’Malley hissed, frowning when he finally set Maeve down and leaned to peck his mother’s proffered cheek.
“I’m bein’ exceedin’ly proper, Ma,” he replied with a grin. “If you knew what I really wanted to do, you’d be congratulatin’ me on my restraint,” he teased, winking at Maeve.
Mrs. O’Malley pulled the front of her coat together at her neck, hiked her handbag higher on her arm and marched toward the terminal doors with a huff.
Maeve giggled and tucked her arm through Sean’s as they made their way to the baggage area. His da strolled along with them.
“Has she been worrisome, Da?” Sean asked his father.
“Aye, you know how she is. You two really put her nose out of joint by takin’ the weddin’ away from her, but I imagine she’ll get over it in time.”
“Good. Maeve darlin’, are you feelin’ well?”
“I’m fine, Sean. Why do you ask?”
“Well, you seem a mite smaller, as though you’ve been sick.”
“Aye, I’ve shed some weight since you left,” she replied proudly.
“Why?” Sean asked, reaching to pick up his bag.
“To prove a point. I wanted to be very slim for the weddin’ and stop all the tongue waggin’.”
“So you did it on purpose?”
“Aye. Why?”
“I thought you were perfect just as you were,” Sean replied, taking her arm and moving through the crowd toward the exit.
“Oh, I see. Now that I’m slimmer, I’m no longer perfect, is that it?” she demanded.
“I didn’t say that,” Sean protested. “I just don’t see the need to starve yourself to please a bunch of people you won’t be seein’ for many years to come.”
“I didn’t do it to please none but myself,” she stated, glaring up at him and trying to tug her arm free.
“And so it begins,” Sean sighed, looking meaningfully at his father who was trying to hide his grin.
“If I no longer please you, O’Malley, feel free to back out now,” she said sweetly. “T’will be no hardship on me. I imagine I can find my way to the States on my own.”
“It would please me if you would learn to curb your sassy tongue, lass,” he sighed, nearly pulling her through the terminal. “Did you not miss me at all?”
“Of course I missed you,” Maeve replied, softening a bit. “I’ve been runnin’ around like a whirlin’ dervish these last weeks, and there’s more to be done before the weddin’.”
“Well, I’m here to help you now,” he stated calmly.
Maeve snorted and rolled her eyes.
