Taking Risk Series Read online

  I smile. “I’m from America; I had no clue who the O’Callaghans were. I never drank whiskey, and I’d only been here two months maybe before I met Declan.”

  “You stay with the Maclasters, yeah? They didn’t tell you?”

  I nodded. “Yes, with my aunt and uncle and cousin. Fiona had told me about it, but it didn’t seem like a big deal to me. I don’t consider someone royalty like you guys do because they are rich.”

  A few ladies gasp as Mrs. O’Callaghan laughs. “It’s more than that,” she informs me.

  My brows come together as I meet her affronted gaze. “I didn’t mean to offend you. Sorry if I did. But what I mean is that I’ve met rich folks, even some famous ones, and still, they don’t get treated the way you guys do here.”

  “It’s a different way of life here,” Lena says with a smile. “Our family has been around since the formation of County Mayo, even then we were what people held the standard to.”

  Mrs. O’Callaghan nods. “We are the bar. The high bar in society. Everyone wants to be us because of how we carry ourselves. We are not only rich, as you say, we do a lot for the community, we make the best damn whiskey in the world, and that’s why we are considered royalty, as you say.”

  I can tell I’ve pissed her off. I’m not entirely sure how to fix that, so I only nod, tucking my hands in my lap. An awkward silence falls on the table before Mrs. O’Callaghan clears her throat, lifting her cup from the table. Looking at the ladies, she smiles. “Declan adores her.”

  I feel as if she said that a tad offhandedly, kind of like Declan is crazy to adore me, but then I think maybe I am being paranoid or even feel a little guilty for what I said. So I don’t say anything as the ladies nod in acknowledgment, grinning at Mrs. O’Callaghan.

  “That’s wonderful. He deserves to be happy,” one of the ladies says. She is younger. My age, even.

  Meeting her gaze, I say, “What was your name? Sorry.”

  She waves me off. She is very pretty, long brown hair to her butt, built like Lena, and, of course, she is rocking her dress like she’s on a runway and not at a tea party. Meeting my gaze, she smiles widely at me as she says, “Keeva O’Malley. It’s wonderful to meet you.”

  “You too,” I say, a little perplexed. Glancing at my mother-in-law, I ask, “I thought everyone’s last name was Fadmish?”

  She smiles, tapping the back of my hand. “No love, we are the Fadmish ladies. A tea group.”

  Oh, ’cause that’s cool, but I smile just the same.

  “We’ve been doing this since before Noreen was born. I was friends with Ivor’s parents. It’s an old tradition around the O’Callaghan estate.”

  “Wow,” is my thought, but who am I to think it is stupid? They probably think I’m stupid for not liking their little tea party.

  “Have you gotten your dress for the wedding yet?” Rhonda asks me.

  I grin as I nod my head. “Yes, it should be ready by the end of the week. They had to take it in some.”

  “Do ya have a picture?” someone asks and I reach for my phone, but Mrs. O’Callaghan stops me.

  “Sure, she does, but it’s a surprise. We aren’t showing anyone.”

  Rhonda rolls her eyes before waving at Mrs. O’Callaghan. “Ya sly dog, you just don’t want to show us ’cause you don’t like it.”

  I look over at Mrs. O’Callaghan expectantly, and she laughs in a very stuck-up way. “That isn’t true. It is a surprise.”

  “I didn’t know that it was,” I find myself saying. “But you don’t like the dress?”

  Mrs. O’Callaghan doesn’t meet my gaze. Instead, she sends a look at Rhonda before looking back at me. “It isn’t what I would have picked for you.”

  Which was a nice way of telling me she hated it.

  “Oh well, I love it,” I say proudly.

  “I do too,” Lena agrees, squeezing my hand. “It will blow Declan away, for sure.”

  “Which is all that matters,” I add and everyone smiles at me.

  Rhonda nods as she says, “This is true. From what I heard, it’s blue. A blue wedding dress is very traditional. I like your style, my dear.”

  I smile. “Thank you.”

  “I can’t wait for the wedding. It’s gonna be so much fun,” Keeva says. “Seeing both of you all dolled up and pretty. It’s gonna be great.”

  “Yes, it’s gonna be gorgeous, for sure,” Lena agrees. “I’m gonna be a crying mess!”

  I send her a grin as Mrs. O’Callaghan says, “So will I. I can’t wait though. Declan is so happy with you, Amberlyn. She’s good for him. ”

  “He is,” Lena agrees and it warms my heart, but when I look at the ladies, I don’t think they feel the same as my future in-laws. Especially Keeva, which I don’t understand at all.

  “Well, let’s hope it lasts a lifetime!” Rhonda cheers, holding up her teacup to me.

  “It will, don’t worry,” I inform her with a grin.

  “You are very young,” Keeva says. “Only twenty, yes?”

  I nod. “Yeah. I’m one of the lucky ones to find her soul mate so young.”

  “I couldn’t say it any better myself.”

  I turn quickly at the sound of Declan’s voice as he climbs the stairs, a grin on his face that is only for me. He holds himself so regally and handsomely. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he kisses my temple before squeezing my shoulders tightly.

  “Ladies, good afternoon,” he says and they all beam at him. Except for Keeva. She is just staring at him. My brow comes up before I look up to see that he is looking at her in a distressed way. What the hell? Looking down at me though, the look goes away and he smiles. “Having fun, mo stór?”

  I grin at my nickname from him but then lie, “I am.”

  “Grand. I was coming by to see if ya was done. Figured we’d go for a ride.”

  “I’d love that,” I say excitedly.

  “They don’t go long without each other,” Mrs. O’Callaghan says with a grin.

  “Ya can tell they’re very much in love,” Rhonda says and Declan grins.

  “She’s it for me. Ready, love?”

  “I am,” I say, standing up and cuddling to his side. Looking out at the ladies, I say, “Thank you. I had a wonderful time.”

  It’s a lie, but then again, it wasn’t that bad.

  “You’ll have to join us every week, so we can get to know ya better,” the lady who sits next to Keeva says. She looks like an older version of her, so I assume she must be her mother. Keeva is still looking completely distraught as she stares up at Declan. I’m not sure what that is about, but I know that coming to another one of these is the last thing I want.

  It may have not been that bad, but I still feel like they don’t approve of me. No matter how much I love Declan and he loves me.

  But instead of saying no, I say, “Sure, if I have time.”

  I wish I could say no, but it just worries me. I feel like they don’t think I am good enough for Declan, or at least that is the way they are looking at me. Maybe I can convince them before the wedding. I don’t know why I want their approval. As pathetic as it is, I find myself wanting it. Don’t ask me the reason; I’m not even sure why.

  Looking up at Declan, I smile when he grins down at me and I know why.

  For him.

  Chapter 15

  Declan

  “Is your dress ready for the engagement party?”

  I look over at my bride and meet her playful gaze. She is sitting on my sister’s horse, Belle, and looks like a vision. I had Fiona meet me so I could get Amberlyn some jeans and a tee, something she is completely comfortable in. I think I like her more in jeans anyway. She doesn’t hold back when she is in jeans; she is happier, and I like her that way. I know that it isn’t what O’Callaghan women wear, and I’m sure I’ll get an earful from my ma, but in a way, I don’t care.

  I won’t dim this girl’s light. Not when the world has been out to dim it at any passing chance.

  “Yeah, I think