Taking Risk Series by Toni Aleo
Clearing my throat, I sit at the edge of the chair and meet his gaze. “Since we are on the topic of Amberlyn, I want to talk to you about something.”
“Sure, what is it?” he asks, his eyebrows coming up before he shuts his laptop.
“I asked her to marry me,” I say, and a small smile graces my da’s usually stern face.
“I may have thought differently before, but after the way she has conducted herself, I can’t help but respect the girl. You were right, she is something, and I look forward to getting to know her.”
“She is amazing,” I boast, my heart soaring for her. “But she is young, Da, only twenty. I know I have a deadline that will be up in three months, but surely you can give me some more time. Let us have a long engagement.”
The smile drops so quickly, I almost don’t believe it was ever on his face. Shaking his head, he says, “No, Declan, I can’t do that. You have till October seventeenth to marry the girl or you’ll lose the distillery, and that’s final, son.”
“But Da, I’m her first boyfriend. What if it doesn’t work out?”
“Then you end it now,” he says with an annoyed look. “You have three months. Either marry her or let her go.”
“I won’t let her go,” I say with a vengeance. “I love her.”
“I guess we have a wedding to plan, then?” he says simply, looking down at his calendar. “October seventeenth a good day? It’s a Saturday. Be a nice enough time for a wedding, I guess.”
Tears burn my eyes as I look at my legs. “Da, please, a year. Give me a year. Just to make sure she wants to marry me.”
“If you aren’t sure yet, Declan, let her go. You are wasting your time. You need a wife.”
“We’ve only dated two months, Da!” I protest, but he isn’t budging.
“Do ya love her?”
“I do, you know that! That’s why I want to give her more time to make sure she loves me and wants to be with me for the rest of her life.”
“No, you either know or you don’t. Your ma and I met young, Declan, and look at us. I love her more now than I did then.”
“But Da—”
“No. Should we start planning a wedding or not?”
Shaking my head, I know that if I tell him no then Amberlyn will have my arse. She wants this, but it worries me that she won’t ten years down the road. But what am I to do? I won’t let her go, and I know she won’t allow me to give up the distillery, nor do I want to. As much as I don’t want to rush her, I feel we have no other choice in the matter.
Looking up at my father, I nod. “Yes, we will need to plan one.”
Chapter 4
Amberlyn
I’m cold.
Why am I cold?
Blinking awake, I look to the right to see that Declan isn’t there like he is supposed to be. Like he was when I fell into blissful sleep. That was by far the best nap I’ve ever had. Not sure if it was the drugs or if it was falling asleep with Declan close to me, but it was damn well needed. But where is he now?
“He went to talk to Ma and Da and then left. Hasn’t been back yet.”
I look across the room to find Fiona sitting with her computer in her lap. She smiles at me as she closes the laptop and says, “Good morning, by the way.”
I glance at the window and see that the sun is shining bright.
“Jeez, what time is it?”
“Nine. You were knocked out. Do you need anything?”
I shake my head. “Damn. No, I’m fine.” I get up slowly, my chest sore as I push back the covers. Cringing a bit, I sit up and meet Fiona’s gaze. “I wonder why he left. Wait, what did he have to talk to your dad and mom for?”
“Ask for your hand in marriage,” she says simply, leaning on her knees.
“What for? I already said yes.”
“Yeah, but he said it was done all wrong. Trying to right his wrongs.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t understand that, but okay,” I say, reaching for my phone to text him. I see that there is a text from him, saying to call him once I wake up. Rubbing my eyes, I look up at Fiona. “What did they say?”
“They say you’re too young,” she says, and I look up from my phone.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, and I tend to agree,” she admits. “Are you sure, Amberlyn? You can say no. You don’t have to do this because of everything he is gonna lose.”
“You’re right, I don’t, but I want to.”
“You aren’t doing this because of everything with the distillery?”
I shake my head. “No, not at all. It may rush us a bit, but I want to marry him because I love him. I believe with my whole heart that my mom sent him to me for a reason. He completes me, Fiona. I love him.”
“It’s just mad is all. So quick and everything.”
“Maybe, but I don’t see myself with anyone but him.”
“’Cause he’s all you had. Hell, you ain’t even had him!”
I smile. “True, but I will, and it will be perfect.”
“Or it could go to hell and then you’ll be stuck in a sucky sex life.”
I laugh as I roll my eyes. “I doubt that will happen, but I can guarantee you, we will have sex before we marry.”
“Thank God.” Fiona decides with a shake of her head.
“Yeah, just to make sure, but I know it will be great. We just get each other. On so many levels.”
“I guess, I mean yous are cute and all sugary sweet for each other, but it just worries me is all.”
“Why?”
“I feel like you’ll regret it later.”
“No, I won’t,” I say with all the conviction in my heart. “I know he is who I am supposed to marry, I just do. In my gut.”
“I don’t know about that gut of yours. You not only dated Casey Burke, but then you blocked a shot for Declan. That gut gets you in trouble,” she says with a grin, but I set her with a look.
“First, didn’t you date Casey?”
“Oh, fuck off,” is her response and I laugh.
“And if someone were about to shoot Kane, wouldn’t you try to save him?”
She stops laughing for a moment and sends me a look. Slowly, she nods. “I would.”
“Okay, and if Kane asked you to marry him, wouldn’t you?”
“You’re making this a losing battle for me,” she says and I smile.
“Because it is. I may be young, but I know what I’m doing.”
“Okay,” she agrees. “I’ll be right beside you all the way through, then.”
“Thanks, couldn’t do it without my maid of honor.”
“Damn right, ya couldn’t!”
Smiling, Fiona gets up and closes the distance between us. Wrapping an arm around my waist, she hugs me tightly to her and I lean my head to hers. In the short time since I met her, I feel as if I’ve known her my whole life. She is the sister I never had, and I couldn’t replace her if I tried. While I respect what she just did here, I’m pretty sure I would have been a little broken if she hadn’t agreed to stand beside me.
“I love you, Fiona,” I whisper, and her arms tighten around me.
“I love you, too,” she says softly. “I worry for ya, you know that.”
“I do.”
“That’s why I said something. It isn’t that I don’t believe in yous two, I do. I think yous two are made for each other, but it just makes me nervous. Getting married isn’t something to toy with, ya know?”
“I do, but I also know that this kind of love doesn’t come around. Back in America, I never would have met someone like Declan. Someone who would love me without sex.”
“Shit, ya usually wouldn’t get that here. Declan is one of a kind.”
“And all mine,” I say with a grin.
We don’t say anything for a moment as we hold on to each other. Within the next couple months, so much is gonna change. I’m going to move out, I’ll be a married woman, and I won’t have this time to just hug my cousin. It scares me, but then I think I’l
My Declan.
“You’re going to be the Whiskey Princess.”
I smile. “Weird, huh?”
“Yeah, especially since you have to be dressed to the nines eighty percent of the time.”
I hadn’t thought about that. Ew. “Eh, I’m sure that won’t apply to me.”
She laughs. “If you say so. They’ll have you walking in heels and your hair and makeup done every morning. No more buns or jeans, I can tell you that.”
Pulling away, I look over at her. “No. Ugh.”
“Bet ya! Those O’Callaghans are pristine all the time.”
“Well, I’ll be pristine in a pair of shorts and a tee, working the bar.”
She laughed again. “You have no clue what you are getting into. You won’t be working at the bar anymore. You’ll be going to have tea with old people and shite.”
“No way,” I say with a shake of my head. “I’m not going to change who I am.”
She eyes me for a second and slowly nods her head. “I sure as hell hope not.”
I can see in her eyes that she is doubtful, but I don’t believe a word she says. They may be basically royalty and perfect, but being an O’Callaghan isn’t going to change me.
I’ll still be me.
And that’s how Declan will want me.
“Hey, girls.”
I look up to see my aunt standing in the doorway, a smile on her face.
“Howya, Ma,” Fiona says. “What’s up?”
“Come on to the pub with me for a minute.”
We comply, and I hate the way they treat me like a fragile piece of glass. Holding my hand and making sure I don’t die on the way. It’s annoying, but I know they do it because they love me. When we reach the pub after a short walk, we go through the side door, and as I come through, the room erupts in cheers. I smile as I take in all my regular patrons and then the big “Welcome Home, Amberlyn” sign. Tears sting my eyes as I am passed around, hugged softly, and kissed by almost everyone. I have missed my pub family; some of these people I see every day. I know that Mr. Little loves his corned beef hash. That Mrs. Kettle needs lavender in her tea. That Timmy loves his whiskey straight. That Brian would marry me or Fiona, or hell, even my aunt. I know these people. Their life stories. They are my family.
When I’m seated at the bar with Richard in front of me, I smile. He comes in every single Sunday with his guitar to sing. His wife, Laney, sits at the table to the left as he sings songs with his soft, crooning voice. It reminds me so much of my father’s, and that’s why he is probably my favorite person.
Cupping my face, he says, “You gave us all a scare.”
I smile. “I’m sorry. It’s so good to be home though.”
“Sure, sure. Now, let me play for ya.”
Pulling my knees up to my chest, I lean on them softly as I nod my head. With a grin on his face, he starts to sing a song I’ve heard many times before. One he knows is one of my favorites, “Wild Mountain Thyme.” My dad used to sing it a lot, and it made my heart just sing in my chest. When the whole pub starts to sing along with him, I join in and it feels so right. Closing my eyes, I sing like I was singing with my dad while my mom sat to the side, tapping her foot on the floor as she read. I can see it so vividly. I can smell my father’s cologne and the roast in the Crock-Pot, and I can recall the feeling of being so surrounded by the love he gave me. His dark eyes would be on me while his fingers ran along the strings of his guitar.
“Sing for me, love,” he would say and I would.
Soon my mom would join in, and we would all start to laugh because she couldn’t sing for shit, but it was her. And we loved her.
When the song ends, I open my eyes and smile. “Beautiful.”
“Your voice, it is. I didn’t know you could sing, Amberlyn,” he says, his eyes playful. “I’ll have to do duets with ya from now on!”
Everyone cheers for that, causing my face to burn with embarrassment. “No way! I was just singing along.”
“Ah, hush, you have the voice of an angel. Sing for me!”
“No!” I say, giggling as I wave him off. Soon everyone is urging me on, and I shake my head, still laughing. “You guys are crazy!”
“Come on then, Amberlyn! Do it!” Fiona calls and I shoot her a dirty look, but I know they aren’t gonna give in until I do what they ask.
“Fine. Pick a song I know,” I say to Richard.
“‘Parting Glass,’ yeah? I’ve heard you hum it before,” he asks and I smile.
“Yeah,” I nod, and I pray I can get through the song without tearing up. Clearing my throat, I am surprised by how much I want to do this. I always said I would never sing it without my dad, but now, after facing death, I feel like singing it will bring him even closer to me. Keep his memory alive and burning in my heart.
Not waiting for Richard to start playing, I start to sing, causing the pub to go quiet. When Richard joins in, our voices harmonize together almost like my dad’s and mine used to. My eyes are locked on his as we sing the verses I learned from my dad. He lets me take the lead, harmonizing with me, and it’s such a lovely sound. I wait for everyone to join in, but they don’t. It’s just me and Richard.
As I sing the last line, Richard does a flair with the guitar, causing everyone to cheer out loudly as my throat goes tight. I miss my dad so much. Every dream I have, he is never there, only my mom, and I would do anything to see his face again. Even in a dream. Standing up, Richard wraps his arm around me, hugging me softly as a lone tear rolls down my face.
In my ear, he whispers, “I’ve sung that with your da many times, my dear. Let me just say, he raised one hell of a singer, and what a beauty she is.” Pulling away, he meets my gaze and wipes away my tear. “He’d be very proud of ya.”
“Thank you,” I say softly.
“Simply stunning.”
I whip my head to the side to see Declan standing there, a grin on his face. “Hey!”
I hop off the stool and into his arms. Pain explodes across my chest, and I scold myself for that dumb move, but I’ve missed him. He’s been a constant presence since I got shot, and I don’t think I like being apart. As I kiss his lips softly, he smiles against mine, and I know it’s because we are in front of the whole pub, but I don’t give two shits. He’s my man!
Parting, I smile up at him, running my finger along his jaw. “They threw me a little welcome home party.”
“It was Declan’s idea,” I hear Fiona say, and my grin grows as his cheeks warm with color.
“Oh, really?”
He shrugs. “Sure. Everyone’s missed ya.”
I grin and he sends me a grin back before he unlocks my arms from around his neck. My brows come together as he says, “Sit down, sweetheart.”
I do as he asks, and then he takes my hand in his. “I heard this song a couple years ago. I saw the artist perform it here, right, Fiona?”
Fiona grins as she nods. “Yeah.”
He meets my gaze again and kisses my knuckles before saying, “And yeah, he was amazing, but I never thought about this song until about an hour ago.” He pauses, lacing our fingers together, and I can feel the nerves coming off him in waves. He hates crowds, and I am surprised he is saying this much, but I appreciate it. “I was in my library and the thought of you was heavy on my mind. Like always,” he says, sending me a grin that I return. “And all of a sudden, this song comes to mind. This is how I feel for ya, and it describes ya perfectly. So, yeah, let’s have at it.”
Richard starts to play and I fully expect him to start singing, but to my surprise, it is Declan who starts to sing. It is a lovely sound too! Deep but with a little bit of a softness to it. I recognize the song almost immediately as Ed Sheeran’s “Fall.” It is one of my favorites, and hearing Declan sing it has my heart coming out of my chest. While he doesn’t have the voice Ed Sheeran has, his voice is beautiful just the same, and I am in complete awe of him. The song lyrics
The whole pub has fallen silent again, and everyone is in total shock. As am I. Out of the corner of my eye, I see someone hold up their phone but Fiona takes it away, shaking her head. She really is so amazing. I meet Declan’s gaze again and can see that he is nervous, but my God, he has no reason to be. He is beyond amazing. Squeezing his hand as his voice fills the pub, I am flabbergasted.
As the song ends, I stand up, wrapping my arms around his neck as I kiss his lips while everyone claps and hollers out for him. Love explodes in my heart for him, sending tingles through my body as we share a long kiss. His fingers are tight at my waist, and I can feel his heart beating against my chest, almost in time with mine. Parting, we share a smile, but when I go to say something, he shakes his head before falling down to one knee.
Holding my hand in his, he looks up at me and my heart kicks into hyperspeed. I know what he is doing, but seeing him down there just makes it extremely real.
“I would have never done that before,” he says softly. “Sing for ya like that.”
“Sure the hell wouldn’t,” I hear Kane call out, and I hadn’t realized he was here, but he is, wrapped around Fiona like a glove.
Smiling, I look back down at Declan and cup his jaw. “It was beautiful. Thank you.”
“Anything for ya, Amberlyn. Really. Anything and everything you want, you’ll have because I honestly can’t live this life without you. I can’t believe I found ya, across a lake, looking so gorgeous. You stunned me. First glance, I was a goner. When I first talked to you and you poked me in the middle of my forehead, I knew I was going to love you my whole damn life. You’ve taken over my thoughts, my heart, and brought me out of the shell I’ve lived in for so long. I became alive when I met you.”
Tears burn my eyes as I hold his gaze. “Oh, Declan,” I say softly, and he smiles.
“Nothing feels like you. Nothing can add up to what you give me. I want to say I chose ya first, but I didn’t. My heart did, and by the time my brain and the rest of my body caught up, I was gone with ya. I never want to let ya go. So,” he says, pausing. I glance over to where he is looking as Fiona hands him a book. Meeting my gaze again, he says, “I want you to have this.”