Maggies Marriage (Cloverleaf #2) Read Online Free Page A

continued to drive through town and continued on the highway toward her brother’s cabin. He only lived about five miles away from the heart of the community where her parents and other brothers lived. Right now, she knew Liam was the one she wanted to see. She would go and deal with the rest of the family later. Maggie was close to Liam and knew that he’d welcome her no questions asked, no probing for information. He’d just be happy to see her. Liam was easygoing and liked to stay as far away from drama as possible. Maggie felt a twinge of guilt and regret showing up at his home this late. It was a little after one in the morning, she figured he would probably be asleep. Maybe leaving Seattle without calling ahead wasn’t the best option, but she had to get away.
    As her car handled the hairpin turn with complete ease, she pulled into Liam’s gravel driveway. In the shadowy darkness she could make out the outline of the cabin nestled in the tall pine trees. There was a sting of cold in the air when she climbed out of her car. Melanie was still sleeping but started to stir now that the car had stopped.
    “Sweetie, we’re here.” Maggie had opened Melanie’s door and was unbuckling her daughter’s seat belt.
    The only light besides the moon that reflected off the small lake behind the cabin was a dim porch lamp. The yellow light guided Maggie up the walkway as she carried a groggy Melanie. She knocked softly on the door, readjusting the weight of her daughter on her hips. She waited patiently for her brother to open the door. She could hear the weight of his footsteps as he approached and opened the solid wood door.
    “Maggie?” said a sleepy-eyed, confused Liam.
    “Surprise!” Maggie announced.
    Liam moved to aside to let Maggie in. “Yeah, it is.”
    Maggie worked her way to Liam’s living room and deposited her sleeping child on the overly large, plaid couch that sat across from an enormous river rock lined fireplace. The comfortable, warm feel of Liam’s home instantly made Maggie feel at ease.
    “Want me to start some coffee, or maybe some tea?” Liam offered, rubbing the sleep from his face.
    “That would be great.” Maggie followed her brother into the kitchen.
    Liam wore flannel pajama bottoms and had no shirt on, his bare feet padding on the wood floor. His shaggy, light brown hair was messy, and dark stubble covered his jaw. His emerald green eyes, which matched all of the O’Brien children, were sleepy and confused but far from judgmental.
    “Aren’t you going to ask why I’m here?” Maggie asked as she heard something behind her.
    Liam’s head turned. Maggie followed his stare and found Rachel standing by the doorway.
    Her blonde pixie hair stood up at all ends, and her brilliant blue eyes shone with embarrassment. “Hi, Maggie,” Rachel said.
    At first Maggie had been a little unsure about the tan, petite blonde, but found herself connecting with her on many different levels and had started forming a new friendship with her. Rachel had moved up from Newport Beach, California, and had taken over as principal at the only elementary school in Birch Valley, the same one where Liam was a fourth grade teacher. The first time she met Rachel was during a cooking lesson at her mother’s house. They hit it off right away, and she could see the chemistry between Rachel and Liam, though both continued to deny any attraction. The family went on their annual moose watching expedition, and her mother, Mary, had invited Rachel to join the family. Maggie found herself getting closer with Rachel; she was easy to talk to, and an overall sweet person. They had kept in contact with an occasional text or email, and made promises to hang out the next time Maggie was in town. She couldn’t deny that she was a little surprised and taken off guard that Rachel was there at her brother’s home. A part of her was happy for her brother. Rachel blended in so well with the family, and Maggie couldn’t help but