Taking Risk Series Read online

  That is only two months away.

  Can I last that long? Maybe I’ll start to like it. This way he lives. Or, I’ll drive myself completely insane. I know I will put up with it because I love him.

  “Yeah, I can wait.”

  “Grand, love, thank you. C’mere,” he says, bringing me to him for a long, lusty kiss. The issue is still there, like a big fat elephant in the room, but at least we’ve come to a compromise.

  One I can live with.

  Once in the car—which is basically a limo—I lean on Declan’s arm as we drive through the country to the school that is outside of Mayo. It’s almost an hour away, and I am dreading the trip. I’m excited to get there, but being stuck in the car with Mrs. O’Callaghan means that I will not get a word in edgewise. I guess I could nap, but as soon as I close my eyes, she starts to talk to me.

  “Amberlyn, honey, did you approve the seating chart?”

  Opening my eyes, I look at Declan, confused. “Did we do that?”

  He smiles as he nods. “Yeah, Ma, we did.”

  “Grand,” she says with a nod, but then she lets out a sigh. “I hate that we have to do this today. I have my whole day planned doing wedding things.”

  “I’m sure the wedding won’t suffer,” I say with a smile. “We will all be there, bells and whistles, no matter what. These kids won’t have school supplies without our help.”

  An awkward silence falls as Lena nods. “She’s right, Ma, the wedding isn’t tomorrow. Let’s enjoy helpin’ the community, yeah?”

  Folding her hands, Mrs. O’Callaghan makes a face like something stinks and nods. “Yeah, sure.”

  Declan looks over at me and kisses my nose. “Not mad still, are ya?” he asks in a whisper.

  I shake my head. “No, not at all.”

  “Grand.”

  “What’s wrong? Did I do something?”

  I want to roll my eyes, scream at her to stay out of our business, but I know that would be frowned upon. Plus Declan’s dad still scares me, and he is staring at me as Declan shakes his head.

  “No, Ma. Amberlyn isn’t used to having everything done for her. It’s all an adjustment.”

  “It is,” Mr. O’Callaghan says with a smile. “Which is why we usually only marry people like us.”

  That was rude, right? I feel like that was rude. Looking at Declan in disbelief, I see he is rolling his eyes. “And most of the time, they aren’t really happy, yeah?”

  I notice Lena look away from Micah, biting her lips as his parents glare.

  “I’m marrying for love. True, perfect love. She’ll adjust,” Declan says, wrapping an arm around me.

  “I didn’t mean to offend you, son,” his father backtracks, but Declan shakes his head.

  “But ya did and you probably offended her. Let’s drop it, yes? This is supposed to be a good day of helping people who don’t have the advantages we do.”

  That shuts everyone up, and I am impressed with how Declan holds himself. He was so shy before, but now, he is so noble. I’ve enjoyed watching him grow over the last couple months, and I like to think I’ve helped get him to the man he is.

  My future husband.

  As everyone talks about whatever they do, Declan and I cuddle into each other, playing with each other’s fingers and just enjoying being near each other. It never gets old, the feeling of him near me. I crave it, the nearness of him, making me feel complete. It’s a beautiful feeling, and I know it’s one that my mother would want me to have.

  Smiling, I realize something. “I haven’t had that dream of my mom in a while,” I whisper to him and he nods.

  “I know. I don’t go to sleep until I know you are asleep, not dreaming. You’ve been quiet.”

  “So you stalk my sleep, weirdo,” I tease and he laughs.

  “I don’t want you to sleep poorly. I worry, ya know.”

  “I know; it’s sweet,” I say, kissing him. “But yeah, I miss her.”

  He gathers me in his arms, kissing my jaw. “I know, I’m sorry. I wish I could make it better.”

  “Me too,” I admit. “But I doubt anything can.”

  “Yeah,” he agrees, kissing me again.

  “But thank you for trying,” I add quickly and he smiles.

  “Always, mo stór, always.”

  Chapter 22

  Amberlyn

  When we arrive at the school, I am bouncing in my seat against Declan. I am so excited to get out and do this. I love kids, and knowing that I am helping make sure they have a good school year is very rewarding. Hopping out of the car first, I grin as a very tall blond-headed lady comes toward us, matching my grin. She is huge, almost the same height as Declan, and soon I’m realizing her grin isn’t for me, but for him.

  “Mr. and Mrs. O’Callaghan, so good to have you again,” she says in her thick Irish brogue. We all shake hands, and Declan introduces me after giving her a tight hug.

  “Is this your bride-to-be?” she asks with a grin.

  Declan grins. “It is. Amberlyn, this is my friend Amy. We grew up together.”

  She sends me a full grin. “We did. I’ve been waitin’ years for Dec to get married. Too bad he ain’t my type, huh?”

  They both laugh at this, and I feel as if it is an inside joke. They have a very easy demeanor to them; it’s refreshing to see Declan like that with someone else other than me. I’m surprised I don’t feel the least bit jealous either since Amy is a very pretty girl. Huge, but pretty.

  I smile as I hold my hand out, taking hers. “It’s wonderful to meet you. I’m excited to marry him.”

  “I think ya both are!” she says, giving me a side hug, and I don’t pull away. She’s very easy to like. “Okay, well, let’s go. The kids are excited for all their new stuff.”

  “I am excited too,” I exclaim, but I notice that other than Declan, everyone else does not look very excited.

  That soon changes once we get inside with all the book bags. Kids are everywhere, and it’s so much fun passing the bags out to watch them tear them open to see what’s inside. For the first time, I see a true smile on Mr. and Mrs. O’Callaghan’s faces as they suit the kids up and listen as they talk of whatever they are thinking of. It’s a lot of fun and I can’t contain my excitement. Lying on the floor with three kindergarteners, I feel so amazing. This is what I want to do. I want to be a teacher. While a part of me wants to work with high school kids, it would be just as great to work with these sweet-faced little kiddos.

  Either way, I want to teach, and I want to have a whole bunch of my own kids. I was an only child because my mom and dad were worried they couldn’t afford me, so why would they have more? It was a tough decision, they told me, because they loved having me so much, but I respect their decision. Plus, I enjoyed being spoiled by my parents, though I did miss having a sister or brother. Thankfully, I have Fiona now, but I plan on having a bunch, at least two, maybe four, tops.

  Looking across the room, I find Declan on a play couch with a tea hat on as two little girls clank their teacups with his. He has this big, beautiful grin on his face as he plays animatedly with the sweet girls. As he meets my gaze, his grin grows surprisingly large and I smile. He is going to be a great dad. I chose well. When I blow him a kiss, the little kids I’m lying with all let out groans of disgust before we all dissolve in laughter. And soon I’m rolling on the floor like I am a five-year-old too.

  Soon it’s time to go to another classroom, and for the next two hours, we go to each classroom, playing and visiting with each class. It’s so much fun, and at one point, I have to push my emotions down to keep from crying. All the kids are obviously not from money or else we wouldn’t be here, but I didn’t realize how bad off they are until now. Some don’t even have matching shoes on or clothes. I want to take them all home, but I’m sure that couldn’t happen. But there has to be something more we can do.

  “We should do a clothing drive next,” I say to Declan as we head to the next classroom. “Or bring jackets and shoes. I can or