The Hallmark Channel's 'Chesapeake Shores'

Mick and Megan O'Brien

By Annette Zoaps

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'The Whiskers of Machu Picchu'

Chapter 1

"Thirsty much?"

As Megan sits at a table at The Bridge, a familiar voice from behind brings her to attention.

"Mick, you're home! I thought your plane was still hours away."

"I managed to catch an earlier flight that shortened my layover," he explains. "So, what are you doing with three cherry sodas in front of you?"

She laughs. "Apparently, I'm the keeper of the colas. This one's mine, and these are Carrie and Caitlyn's."

The girls are nowhere to be seen, so Megan gestures for him to take a seat.

"I'd could use one of those," he says. "You know how flying makes you thirsty."

"Here, take mine, and I'll get something for you at the bar. A soda, or something stronger?"

He drains her glass in seconds. "Iced tea, if you wouldn't mind. Thanks."

After she brings their drinks — two glasses of tea for him and another cola for her — she has a chance to study the man who's been vacationing in Machu Picchu for four weeks.

"I suppose you hate the beard, too," he says, running a hand over his whiskers.

"I think it suits you." She's glad for an excuse to keep staring at him. "A very nice look, in fact." She regrets the too-personal remark as soon as it leaves her lips.

He laughs. "You're the only one who thinks so. I just met our sons on my way in, and Connor said I look like that old, framed picture of my grandfather. Then Kevin compared me to the 'geezer on the frozen fish sticks box.'"

"They wish they could rock a beard like their dad."

At his broad smile, she glances down self-consciously. In a moment she's gazing at him again, but trying to be less obvious about it.

"Grandpa!" The girls spy Mick and run to him, throwing their arms around his neck, as he embraces them, one in each arm.

"Did you bring us something?" Caitlyn asks, running her hand over Mick's furry cheek and making a face.

"We're supposed to wait until he gets home before we ask," Carrie reminds her in a whisper.

"Would I forget to buy souvenirs for my two favorite granddaughters?"

"You forgot to send us a postcard." Caitlyn pouts. "You sent one to Mimi, but nobody else."

Megan's eyes are apologetic. "I didn't mean to turn it into a big deal, Mick. I brought it to the house thinking they'd received one, and that we could compare them and enjoy looking at the pictures of the different places you'd been. I'm sure it just got lost in the mail, girls."

Mick goes along with her excuse. "Yes, blame the mailman. At least it was only a postcard and not your presents!"

The youngsters laugh and dash away.

"There they go, not even a kiss for their grandfather. Must be the beard." He scratches his chin.

Megan fixes her eyes on the girls, trying not to reveal her own thoughts about kissing the man in the beard.

"Thanks for the save, by the way," he says.

"Oh, no problem. I figure you sent me a card because we're old-school." She pulls it out of her purse and looks it over, front and back — pausing at the now-familiar message he penned. "Everyone prefers texting to sending mail these days. Thanks for including me in the family text group. I enjoyed following your adventures."

He reaches for the card and looks at it.

"Wish you were here," he reads. "Miss you."

"I got a few questions about that." She laughs. "I reminded everyone that you were teasing me, because not only do I hate flying, I hate spiders, snakes and other creepy-crawlies. I knew you were picturing the fits I'd be having if I were there."

"They bought it?" he says with a melancholy look.

"It's true, isn't it?" she asks.

"No."

Megan's gaze locks on his face as she tries to read his expression, her heart beating crazily.

"I supposed there's no point pretending," he begins. "I meant every word."

"Since when?" Her words are a challenge, but her voice is soft with hope.

"Funny thing. I've been planning to visit Machu Picchu almost all my life. But when I boarded the plane, I suddenly felt depressed. And then as I got farther and farther from home, I felt empty inside, and it got worse with each mile I traveled."

"Of course. You missed home, and all of us waiting here for you."

He flips the card to its address side and slides it across the table toward her, placing his finger next to her name.

"I missed everyone, yes, but you most of all."

She holds her breath for a brief moment and dares to rest her hand on his.

"I missed you, too. You're larger than life, you know. There's a terrible, empty hole in our lives when you're not around. But you seem a little surprised that you would miss me."

"Yes. And the realization shamed me."

Her eyes are questioning.

"I missed you because I care about you, Megan — very much. I was clueless about my own feelings, which leads me to believe I've been taking you for granted all over again. Just like when we were married."

"You're not my husband anymore. What you feel — or don't feel — is your choice, and there's no shame in it. You don't even have to notice whether I'm around or not." She laughs sweetly.

"Considering how devastated I was the last time you weren't around, you'd think I would have learned my lesson. I don't want to be that man again: arrogant, over-confident, full of himself. The man who ignored you. The man who lost you," he finishes softly.

"I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere," Megan whispers.

Mick's relieved smile speaks to her heart that he really does care.

"I just want you to know how important you are to me," he says.

She nods, removing her hand from his as she sees their daughters approaching.

"Dad! The girls said you were back." Abby bends to give Mick a hug, her sisters following on her heels.

"Is it really you behind that scruff?" Bree teases. "You look like a Shakespearean king."

"Or maybe a court jester," Jess corrects, tentatively patting his cheek. "Ooo, it tickles!"

Megan sits with her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand, enviously watching her daughters needle their father.

"Megan — a little help?" He laughs.

"I'm afraid we're outnumbered," she says. "But it would be nice if they had mercy on a weary traveler, especially if they hope to get the souvenirs you brought home."

"As long as one of those souvenirs isn't Montezuma's revenge," Jess says, wrinkling her nose.

"Jess! Ugh! I know the girls can't wait for their presents." Abby glances toward her daughters across the room. "So we need to send Dad home."

Mick and Megan watch the girls go back to their table and turn shyly to each other.

"Where were we?" Mick asks.

His eyes tell Megan that he hasn't forgotten a thing, but she humors him.

"We agreed that we missed each other." She tries to speak matter-of-factly, but her eyes ask the question: What's next?

He seems to pick up on it.

"Want to come to the house with me and help wrap souvenirs? You know I'm all thumbs."

"I could do that," she says with a smile. "I'll tell Abby that she won't need to give me a ride home."

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See Chapter Two

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If you love Mick and Megan as much as I do, be sure to check out my other stories:

NEW! Hallmark's Chesapeake Shores Mick and Megan O'Brien, The Whiskers of Machu Picchu, 2 chapters

Hallmark's Chesapeake Shores Mick and Megan O'Brien, Come Let Me Love You

Hallmark's Chesapeake Shores Mick and Megan O'Brien, Fear of Flying, 3 chapters

Hallmark's Chesapeake Shores Mick and Megan O'Brien, The One That I Want

Hallmark's Chesapeake Shores Mick and Megan O'Brien, Where the Wind Blows

Hallmark's Chesapeake Shores Mick and Megan O'Brien, Once a Promise

Hallmark's Chesapeake Shores Mick and Megan O'Brien, Mother of the Bride, 2 chapters

Hallmark's Chesapeake Shores Mick and Megan O'Brien, Love Song

Hallmark's Chesapeake Shores Mick and Megan O'Brien, First Kiss

The Hallmark Channel's 'Chesapeake Shores' — Mick & Megan O'Brien, 9 chapters

Chesapeake Shores — Megan at the Met — Mick and Megan O'Brien, 6 chapters

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I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has been reading and making positive comments about my stories!

I appreciate it more than you know!

Annette Zoaps