Mistletoe Magic by Fern Michaels (17)

 

 

“You can’t be serious?” Claire said, though deep down inside she knew he was as serious as the disease with which he claimed to have been recently diagnosed. “Christmas is one week away. I promised my brother I’d spend the holidays in Colorado with the family this year.” Claire O’Brien paused as she listened to Donald Flynn’s litany of reasons why it was imperative she come to Ireland, first thing in the morning. Lastly, he explained to her that it was a matter of life and death, that his disease was fast-moving, and there wasn’t much time left, though she didn’t believe him. She’d just spoken to him last week and he hadn’t even hinted he was ill, let alone about to meet his Maker. “I’m ill, Claire. Can I count on you?”

She’d said of course.

No, he had something up his sleeve. She was far from naive. Living in the land of glitz and glamour had wizened her real quick-like to the ways of the rich and famous. Claire O’Brien was used to all sorts of people. Demanding. Spoiled. Rude. Whiny. But this? She wasn’t sure what to call it. A plea maybe? She’d met Donald Flynn four years ago, when she was introduced to him at a party given for the firm’s newest partner, Lucas Palmer. According to managing partner Brock Ettinger, Donald had been completely taken with her and had requested that all of his financial dealings be turned over exclusively to her.

And now he was dying, or so he says. “Bull. He’s up to something.”

Requesting her presence immediately, and she detested flying. Donald certainly didn’t sound ill, or fearful. Just his usual commanding self. Though Claire had to admit, she truly liked the old guy even if he was a bit demanding at times.

As she calculated the necessary changes to her schedule, she realized that she would be lucky to catch a flight by midnight. Hopefully, some airline would have an international flight available on such short notice. Though she hated the thought, as much as she wanted to spend the holidays with her family, a part of her was almost relieved knowing she had a good reason to bow out, albeit with her usual excuse. Of course, the flying part wasn’t good, but it is what it is.

Work, her usual excuse. And always valid.

Her family was used to it by now. Ever since her niece Shannon died from a rare blood disorder, something called thrombocytopenia, she no longer enjoyed her family visits. There was always that little something that seemed to be missing when they were together. Of course, it was Shannon. Her jolly bantering whenever they were together. As the firstborn grandchild, Shannon had been the life of the party, the link in the chain that bound them together, the one who made sure that they all had wrapped gifts under the tree exclusively from her. If someone felt the least bit cranky, Shannon had always made it her job to cheer them up. Shannon had always been the life of the party since day one, when she’d wrapped the entire O’Brien family around her tiny, pink finger. So if she was completely honest with herself, and she tried to be most of the time, she was actually grateful for Donald’s request. Before she had a chance to change her mind, she scrolled through her BlackBerry for Patrick’s phone number.

“Hey, sis,” Patrick answered, not bothering with hello.

Caller ID, Claire thought. Sometimes a good thing. Sometimes not so good. The personal etiquette of phone calls no longer existed in today’s high-tech-oriented world.

“Hey, yourself,” she replied, knowing she was stalling. She couldn’t just blurt it out. “So, how’s the family?” Lame, Claire, lame.

“Why do you want to know?” Patrick asked.

Darn! He was onto her already. She could hear the telltale indications of an inquisition in his voice.

She might as well get it over with. “You know how much I want to spend the holidays with you guys, right?” She paused, waiting for him to agree with her.

“No, but I suppose you’re about to tell me?” he shot back.

“Patrick Edward O’Brien! Stop being such a shit. This is hard enough as it is. Look, I just received a call from a major client. He’s near death and has requested my presence. You know, the will and all.” At least she guessed it was about his will, but Patrick didn’t need to know that. She held her breath as she waited for him to reply.

“Really, Claire?”

“Of course, really! I wouldn’t lie about something so important. I am ashamed of you, Patrick. You ought to know me better than that by now.”

She heard his chuckle and knew she’d gotten through the worst of the conversation. “What I know is you’re an attorney who, it just so happens, has a way with words. So, seriously, little sister, is your client really at death’s door?”

Attorney-client privilege prevented her from explaining further. “That’s what I’m told. You know I can’t go into details about my clients. I really wanted to see you guys, but this is my bread and butter. If I don’t hustle my rear over to Ireland, I could be out of a job.”

Claire heard his sharp intake of breath. “Ireland? Did I hear you correctly?”

She couldn’t help smiling. Coming from a big Irish family that had never had the opportunity to travel across the pond, she had expected precisely this reaction. “Yes, as a matter of fact, you did.”

“Then I say go for it even though Stephanie and the girls are really looking forward to your visit. Stephanie has a secret, but you’ll just have to wait to hear what it is.”

“Stop it! I hate it when you do that,” Claire said, truly meaning it. Patrick had a way of saying things that irked her to no end—or rather a way of not saying them. “Spit it out.”

“No can do. You’ll just have to wait until your next visit.”

“I’ll call Stephanie myself. I am sure she won’t make me come all the way to Colorado just to hear a little secret. And for the record, I do not know what that saintly woman and those two precious girls see in you.”

More chuckling across the phone lines. “They adore me, what can I say? Of course, the feelings are mutual. Seriously, Claire, can’t you reschedule this trip until after the holidays? We were really looking forward to seeing you this year. I know it’s hard since Shannon’s death, but the rest of us seem to manage to get through the holidays.”

To be sure, he was right. It had been over five years since her niece’s untimely death. Claire remembered all too well the utter shock she’d felt upon hearing the news. Even worse, she’d died on the day she was due to graduate from high school. She’d be out of college now had she lived. Claire’s eyes teared up just thinking of the loss that Colleen and Mark, her sister and brother-in-law must feel. Seeing how they’d suffered, Claire avoided committed relationships like the plague. Of course, Patrick had as well, but then he’d met Stephanie, a young woman with two daughters. They’d married three years ago and had yet to have children of their own.

“Stephanie’s pregnant!” she blurted out. “Patrick? Is this the secret you’re not telling me?”

More laughter. “Hey, I’m not saying another word. When you get your client’s affairs in order, come home and find out for yourself.”

“That is so not fair!” Claire said, sounding as though she were still in high school. “I’m going to call her myself as soon as I hang up.”

“She’s been sworn to secrecy, just so you know. And Stephanie is my wife; her loyalties lie with me.” More cackling across the lines.

If she thought he could see her, she would roll her eyes and stick her tongue out like she did when they were kids; but they were adults, and she would do the adult thing.

“You are an asshole, Patrick O’Brien.” There, now that was the adult way to handle her older brother.

“Some may agree with you, but don’t count my wife as one of them,” Patrick cautioned her. “She’s loyal to the end.”

“Yes, Stephanie’s a gem. She had to be to marry you. So, you won’t give an inch?” Claire waited, hoping he’d cave, but her brother was as stubborn as she was. An Irish trait the entire O’Brien family shared.

“Not even a centimeter,” he said.

“Then what am I supposed to tell the girls, and the rest of the gang?” Since she had planned on spending Christmas with the family, she had all their gifts wrapped and stuffed inside three extra suitcases in preparation for her flight to Colorado. Now, she’d have to mail them, and most likely, at this late date, they wouldn’t arrive until after Christmas.

“The truth, just like you told me. You have a wealthy client who just happens to be dying. How convenient for you,” Patrick said a bit smartly.

“Look, this isn’t funny. I have three giant suitcases stuffed with presents for the entire family. I had every intention of spending the holidays in Colorado. I miss my family. Plus, I am long overdue for a vacation.”

“Look, I understand. Really I do, it’s just the rest of the gang. It’s just difficult for them to understand why you always seem to be too busy to spend time with them, especially the kids,” Patrick said, then added, “And us.”

Claire wanted to choke Patrick but couldn’t. Did he really believe this was her choice? Surely he remembered how terrified she was of flying? Thoughts of spending hours in the air, with nothing but miles of water between her and land, almost caused her to refuse to make the trip. But unless she was prepared to lose Donald as a client, she really didn’t have a choice. Damn Patrick for making this harder than it already was.

“I’ll make you a promise. The second my work is finished, I’ll fly straight to Denver from Ireland. Deal?” she asked.

“You’ve got yourself a deal. For now, I won’t tell the others you’re traipsing across the pond. Is that a deal?”

Unsure of how long Donald would need her to remain in Ireland, though clearly it couldn’t be more than a couple of days, she readily agreed to delaying news of her trip to Ireland to the rest of the family. “It’s a done deal.”

Pressing the END button on the phone, Claire could only hope to keep her promise. It was that magical time of year, a time to enjoy and to cherish those whom she loved so dearly. If she broke her promise, Patrick would taunt her for the rest of her life.

Decision made, she quickly dialed the number for the travel agency the firm used. Twenty minutes later, she had a reservation to leave for Ireland in four hours.