Page 49 of Rory: His to Discipline

“He’s not really a jerk, in fact, he’s quite nice and for some unexplainable reason I find him sexy as hell.”

“Bridget!”

“Sorry, Ma, I don’t understand it myself. His glasses are the ugliest things, but his eyes are beautiful and you know he’s intelligent right away. He wears these suits that probably cost a fortune and then a two-dollar pocket protector in his pocket,” she giggled. “I think I could do something with him, you know? Like a project boyfriend. He’s not interested in sports as far as I can tell. I don’t think he has had many girlfriends, but he kisses like a dream,” she sighed not realizing how much she had revealed.

“You’ve kissed him?” Tess, Colleen and her mother asked all at once.

“I’m not a bit surprised,” Maggie snorted. “Nick told me about the way you dressed last week when you were covering for Tess. It was a wonder Del didn’t have a heart attack. You tormented that poor man all week. Really, Bridget, was that necessary?”

“Absolutely not,” Bridget agreed with a huge smile, “but I can’t tell you the last time I had so much fun. There is nothing better than teasing a self-righteous man. He was putty in my hands,” she boasted happily.

“Watch out, Bridget, even putty becomes hard after a while,” Molly warned softly.

“Molly, are you making an observation or do you see something I need to know?” Bridget asked a little concerned.

By the end of last week, she had noticed a slight change in Winston’s attitude and it started right after Nick had taken him to lunch.

“Just a word to the wise, little sister,” Molly answered mysteriously. “Things aren’t always as they seem. I’m going to go check on the kids,” she said, taking her apron off and slipping out the door.

“So what else is there about this Del that you find so attractive?” Maeve asked.

“I don’t know. He just seems so mild mannered, you know, he’s a real gentleman.”

“Oh my God,” Colleen gasped, laughing so hard she got the hiccups. When she finally caught her breath, she continued. “That’s just what I thought about Noah when I first met him. He was like the mild-mannered professor on Gilligan’s Island. He never got mad or raised his voice. I figured I’d found the perfect man, the exact opposite of Da and the boys. Sorry, Ma,” she grinned apologetically at her mother.

“Turns out I got the spanking version. Not that I would trade him for the world, but I certainly didn’t expect to spend my wedding night over his knee getting the spanking of my life for being a bridezilla. I think he actually coined that term and never got credit for it,” she said thoughtfully.

“Well shit, shit, shit,” Bridget swore.

“Bridget, I think next week you best be goin’ to Mass and I’ll stay home and start dinner,” Maeve stated firmly giving her daughter a sharp look.

“Sorry, Ma. Colleen, you’re wrong. Winston is nothing like Noah. You’ll see when you meet him,” Bridget insisted firmly.

Colleen just laughed. “Whatever you say, Bridge. You better go make yourself pretty. Sometimes they go easy on you if you look pathetic enough.”

“Shut up, Colleen,” Bridget shot back as she left the kitchen.

* * *

The doorbell rang and before Bridget could get down the stairs her Da was at the door.

“You must be the young man Bridget invited. I’m Sean O’Malley, her Da. Come right in and make yourself to home, son,” Sean offered holding the door open wide.

“Del Winston,” he stated, shaking the older man’s huge hand. “It’s kind of you to have me, Mr. O’Malley.”

“Call me, Sean,” he replied clapping Del on the back so hard his glasses slid halfway down his nose. “And my family is glad to have you. We don’t stand much on ceremony around here,” he continued. “Bridget,” he hollered up the stairs. “Your young man is here.”

“Yes, Da, I can see that,” she replied coming gracefully down the wide staircase, modestly dressed in a butterscotch knitted dress that came to mid-calf.

Del relaxed. She was lovely with her golden hair flowing softly about her shoulders. The wide belt cinched her tiny waist and with low heeled shoes she seemed much smaller, younger somehow. Her pretty face had very little make-up, her lips shining with a natural gloss instead of the red lipped temptress she had portrayed most of last week. She looked beautiful, soft and feminine and Del had the almost uncontrollable urge to kiss her lips, but he settled for her cheek.

“It’s nice to see you again, Bridget. Thank you for inviting me.”

“I’m glad you could come, Winston. You’ve met my Da. Let me show you the house and introduce you to my family.”

Taking his coat and hanging it up, Bridget handed her Da the bottle of wine Winston had brought. Linking her arm with his, she began showing him the house.

The little girls were playing house in the living room and Winston shook each small hand as he was introduced to Lilly, Rose and Caitlin. The twins were identical, almost down to the last freckle. Long auburn hair and amethyst eyes, they looked nothing like Caitie with her bobbing blond curls.