Taking Risk Series Read online

  I look over at her, confused. “My wardrobe?”

  “Of course, you can’t run around in jeans and T-shirts, my dear. You’ll need nice clothes.”

  “You’ll love him! We can go together! A girls’ trip!” Lena exclaims.

  “I like my clothes,” I say, which silences the table. Looking around at all the faces staring at me, my heart jackhammers against my chest. “I like being comfortable.”

  “Oh, he’ll make sure you are comfortable! Promise,” Lena assures me, but I have seen what she wears, and if they think I’m strolling through the pub in heels, they have another thing coming.

  Before I can make that known though, Mrs. O’Callaghan says, “When do you want to go pick out a dress? I’d love to come and so would Lena.”

  Not that I have anything against Declan’s mom or sister, but I really wanted to do that with my aunt and my cousin. Since I don’t want to offend them, I say, “I think we are planning that next week.”

  “Oh, it will be a blast! Ma, you’ll have to call to make sure they have tea and everything set up.”

  When I glance back at Mrs. O’Callaghan, she’s on her phone, nodding her head. “Already penciled it in. I’ll call in the morning. I am so excited.”

  I smile, but I know it doesn’t reach my eyes as Mr. O’Callaghan says, “You’ll get married here, right, Declan?”

  Declan nods. “Sure, Da.”

  “Um,” I say, and all eyes shift to me. “My mom and dad got married on the B&B land, by the lake under the tree. I’d love to get married there.”

  “Oh, of course,” Declan says quickly. “We’ll have to make sure Mr. and Mrs. Maclaster are okay with that, but yeah, I want that too.”

  He smiles widely at me before returning to his plate, but when I look up, I can see that his parents don’t like that idea.

  “Will it hold everyone?”

  “Everyone?” I ask, looking at Declan.

  “Yeah, it will be fine. I have a huge family, friends, and stuff. It will be grand.”

  “Oh,” Mrs. O’Callaghan says, her shoulders falling. “We’ve all gotten married on this land.”

  “Well, things change, Ma. I have to respect Amberlyn’s wishes too,” he says without looking at her, and I bite the inside of my cheek. I won’t give on this. No matter how disappointed his mother looks. I want her to like me, but I won’t budge on this.

  “That’s settled then,” Mr. O’Callaghan says.

  “Yes, I guess it is,” Mrs. O’Callaghan sighs as Declan looks over at me.

  He sends me a grin before leaning over to kiss my lips softly. It’s way too quick in my opinion, and as he pulls back, he whispers, “I can’t wait to be married to you.”

  “Me neither,” I say back, running my thumb along his lip to wipe away some of my lip gloss.

  He gives me a wink before returning back to his plate. Leaning back in my seat, stuffed from the duck that was prepared, I look across the table as Mr. O’Callaghan asks, “Will you be moving in before or after the wedding?”

  Moving in?

  “We haven’t talked about that yet, Da,” Declan says without looking up. “We haven’t discussed a lot of things. Been waiting for her to heal and all.”

  “That’s well and all,” Mr. O’Callaghan says, “but it’s coming up quick. The wedding, that is, and we want to make sure she is comfortable.”

  “Sure, Da, let us talk privately about that.”

  “Of course,” he says with a nod.

  “Micah, you live here?” I find myself asking.

  And to my surprise, he nods. “I do when I’m in here, and Lena stays with me in London.”

  “Oh.”

  “Are you one of those people who wait to move in until marriage?” Lena asks, a playful grin on her face.

  “Lena, shut it,” Declan says before glancing at me. “Don’t pay her any mind. She obviously is off her meds today.”

  She sticks her tongue out at him as everyone starts to laugh, but I just poke at my carrots. I don’t want to live here with his family.

  Is that weird?

  “Amberlyn, I’ll need you to come to tea with us with the Fadmish ladies in two weeks, please,” Mrs. O’Callaghan says once she’s stopped laughing. “I just remembered, and they are so excited to meet you. Maybe you could wear something of Lena’s.”

  My brows come up as I shake my head. “While I’m flattered by the fact you think I could wear Lena’s clothes, I’m pretty sure my butt and boobs wouldn’t fit.”

  “Sure wouldn’t,” is Declan’s response, which causes my cheeks to redden as I playfully lean into him. “But gorgeous, just the same,” he says, kissing my cheek and hugging me tightly to him.

  Meeting Mrs. O’Callaghan’s gaze once more, I notice her eyes are a little sharper. “I guess you’re right. You should go shopping with Lena before then.”

  I tilt my head to the side. “I’m sure I have something.”

  She waves me off with a smile on her face. I’m not sure if she is joking or being serious. “You’ll need to be dressed accordingly.”

  “Isn’t it just tea? I’m sure I have something.”

  “A pantsuit?”

  “A pantsuit?” I ask incredulously. “For tea?”

  Lena laughs, and I notice that now Mr. O’Callaghan is watching me intently. Almost expectantly. I remember Declan telling me that his da thinks I’m not ready for this life. Well, he’s got another thing coming.

  “Or a tea dress. I’ll take ya out,” Lena says, but I don’t want to go get new clothes. However, I swallow that and smile.

  “Sure, it will be fun,” I say with a nod, but I’m pretty sure it will be anything but.

  “Grand!” Mrs. O’Callaghan says with a big grin before squeezing Declan’s hand. He smiles up at her and then me before taking a sip of his whiskey. “We need to plan the engagement party quickly since the wedding is going to be here before we know it.”

  “Wouldn’t be that way if Da would give me more time,” Declan says, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. “Give us a year to plan.”

  “Well—” Mrs. O’Callaghan starts, but Mr. O’Callaghan interrupts her.

  “No, you’ll be married soon, or good ol’ Micah will be taking over operations at the distillery. I want to travel, son. I am done here; it’s time for me and your ma to leave, enjoy our retirement,” he says, joining his fingers with hers.

  I can see the tick in Declan’s jaw and I hate that. This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, and I’m more than a little annoyed with his father. While we really don’t need time, I understand Declan wanting it for me. He’s nervous and I understand that, but I’m not going anywhere.

  “So when should we do the engagement party?” I say, lacing my fingers with his, and then I cover our hands with my other one. He glances at me and I smile. He leans to me, his lips close to my ear as he whispers, “You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to entertain them.”

  When he pulls back, his eyes locked with mine, I can read everything on his face. He is nervous and annoyed, but, above all, he loves me. I never thought I could look into the eyes of someone other than my parents and just know they love me. Getting lost in the blue of his eyes, I know that he is right, but at the same time, why shouldn’t we experience it all? If they are going to give us a lavish engagement party, hell, let’s do it. If she wants to show me off to every tea party, let’s go. I’ll do anything to ensure that Declan knows I am here for him. We have things to discuss, but in the end, I’m his. Completely and fully his. So cupping his face, I say the only thing I am thinking. The only thing I am always thinking.

  “I love you.”

  Chapter 7

  Declan

  I want to tell her no.

  I want to tell her she doesn’t have to do any of it. That all she has to do is be with me. Love me. But even I know that all this goes with being an O’Callaghan woman. They go to tea with stuck-up old ladies, they shop for expensive clothes that half t