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The Hallmark Channel's 'Chesapeake Shores'
Mick and Megan O'Brien
By Annette Zoaps
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'The One That I Want'
Chapter 1
Mick walks into an upscale restaurant on the edge of town and is surprised to see Megan dining in the company of a tall man with a slender build. Her attention is focused on her date, giving Mick the opportunity to slip into the adjoining bar area without her noticing.
He texts Connor and tells him to meet him there. Minutes later, his son arrives, entering from the side parking lot.
"Sorry I'm late. Is the dining room packed tonight?" Connor asks, before noticing his father's agitation. "Good God, Dad! You look like you're about to blow a gasket!"
"It's your mother," he says, gravely.
"Is she sick? Hurt? What are we doing here?"
"She's in there," he points to the next room. "With some guy."
"So, what's the big deal?"
"Did you know she's seeing someone? What do you know about him?"
"It's the first I've heard of it, and why should I care? She's a grown woman and can take care of herself, like she did in New York City all those years. Better question, why do you care? You're huffing and puffing like you want to blow someone's house down."
"She's with another man, and you aren't concerned?"
"What do you mean, another man? How many men does she have? Oh, you mean besides you! Ha! You're jealous! Okay, now I'm concerned."
"Good. About time. What kind of man is she getting mixed up with?"
"Oh, I'm not concerned about him, I'm concerned about you!"
"Me!"
"Look at you! Your face is flushed. You're making fists. If they walked through here right now, you'd challenge him to a good old Irish bar brawl —don't deny it!"
Mick's hands unclench and his posture sags a little as he stares sadly at the bar top.
"Gee, I'm sorry I teased you, Pop. I had no idea how you felt. But if you care so much, why aren't you asking her out?"
"I planned to, but I never found the right moment."
"The fact that she's at the house at least five or six times a week hasn't given you an opening? When did you turn into a shrinking violet? Sorry, there I go again."
"Why don't we just leave by the side door and forget dinner."
"I agree, let's go somewhere else."
Mick nods and starts to stand, when Connor stops him.
"But I say we march out the front door and just happen to run into her. Then she'll have to introduce us to the guy she's with. And if she acts nervous for you to meet him, that might tell you a little something about where her head's at where you're concerned. But let me go first so she's sure to wave me over. Then you mosey in behind me."
Mick smiles. "You're a good son, young man."
"Hey, if Mom's going to get involved with anyone, I'd rather it be you. And I'm betting she'd rather it be you, too."
Mick's eyes brighten at the thought.
. . .
Connor casually exits the bar and pretends not to notice Megan, whose eyes have never failed to spot one of her children in a crowd — as he well knows.
"Connor!" she calls, as he acts surprised to see her.
"Hey, Mom! What brings you here?" He approaches and bends to kiss her cheek, nodding to her companion.
"I could ask you the same thing!" she replies.
"I was just having a drink with this guy." He gestures behind him, as Mick rounds the corner with a broad grin.
Megan's back stiffens and her fingers tighten around her napkin.
"Hi, Mick," she says, her voice going slightly hoarse.
"Megan! You look lovely. So, who's this?"
Mick extends his hand, which the man rises to shake. Connor, too, greets the stranger with his hand outstretched.
The man glances at Megan, who seems to have trouble clearing her throat.
"Hi, I'm William Dean. I'm on staff at city hall."
"Oh, a working dinner?" Connor suggests.
He smiles. "Not this time."
"This is Connor, my son," Megan begins, finally finding her voice. "And his father, Mick."
"Oh," William says, as it dawns on him that Connor's father would be Megan's former husband.
"Nice to meet you," Mick says, sounding far more confident than he did ten minutes earlier. "We didn't mean to interrupt. Enjoy your dinner."
With a wave, father and son exit to the lobby.
. . .
"Your ex-husband, huh?" William says.
"One and the same," Megan says with a sigh.
"Coincidence, you think?"
"With Mick O'Brien, you just never know," she says wistfully.
"You seem a little rattled," he says, his eyes sympathetic.
"Oh, we have a past that's —well, it's past. It is. It really is." She pretends to wave away thoughts of the man she once loved.
"Have you two ever explored a reconciliation?" he broaches.
"Nooooo! That ship has sailed," she assures, as she suddenly spies a familiar figure at the entrance to the dining room. "Now why is Mick still here?"
William turns to look.
"I'd better make sure everything's all right. His mother had a health scare recently. Excuse me?"
She doesn't wait for an answer, but pushes back her chair and steps purposefully toward her ex.
. . .
"Something wrong?" she asks. Her brow furrows as she positions her small frame as if to block his way to the dining room and prevent another meeting between the man she's out with, and the man who has filled her thoughts for the better part of 35 years.
"Everything's fine. I was hoping I could steal you for a moment."
She opens her mouth to protest.
"I swear, it'll only take a minute."
She nods.
"Megan, I'm sure he's a great guy …" He indicates William. "But don't get too serious —yet."
She inhales sharply. "You're not my father! And you're not my husband anymore. Why are you giving me advice?"
"I'm sorry, that's not what I'm trying to say. I meant, don't commit to someone before —before you give me a chance."
"You! You? I'm on my first date since I moved back home, and suddenly you're interested?"
"I've been interested for awhile, but I didn't have the nerve to do anything about it."
She gives him a skeptical look.
"I can prove it." He takes out his phone, makes a few swipes on the screen and shows her a web page. "I bought tickets last week to a play in Baltimore, and I want you to go with me."
The page reveals the date the tickets were purchased and the date of the performance, but the title of the play is hidden from her view.
He goes on. "If you have a conflict, I can exchange them for another day." His voice trails off, suggesting the day he chose is significant. "Would you consider going with me? I promise, it'll be fun," he urges with a smile.
She hands back his phone and clasps her hands across her midsection in an effort to still the butterflies that suddenly decided to take wing.
Forcing a smile, she says, "Sure, why not. I'm free that day." She tries not to blink nervously, but fails.
"Thank you. I guarantee you won't regret it." He awkwardly bends and gives her a kiss on the cheek, then turns and is out the door before she can react.
. . .
"I'm sorry for the interruptions," Megan says as she settles back in her seat.
"That's all right. I enjoyed meeting your family."
"I know that's a lie," she laughs.
"I did! I think I have a better sense about what makes you tick."
"Oh? And what's that?"
He takes her hand. "I may be taller, smarter and better looking."
Megan stifles another laugh.
"And a heck of a lot of fun to be with."
"I have no doubt." Her eyes sparkle with glee.
"But that guy?" William points his thumb toward the entryway. "He's the one who makes you come alive."
Megan catches her breath. "Heaven help me." She sighs.
. . .
Only Connor is aware of the tension that surrounds his parents. Megan sees the twinkle in his eyes, as she and Mick are overly cautious about staying out of each other's personal space while cleaning up after a family dinner one weeknight.
"Three more days!" he whispers to his mother when their paths cross behind the kitchen counter and the rest of the family is out of earshot.
"Shh!" Megan hushes. "Don't turn it into a big deal."
"Well, isn't it?"
"No, it's not," she declares, but a sudden flutter of nerves tells her that she's lying to herself.
"He thinks it is, and the day he picked says it all." Connor cocks his head toward Mick, who's scowling at his son while clearing plates from the table.
"Connor, please drop it," she says softly. "We'll work it out for ourselves —or not."
"I'd say the 'not' is not very likely."
She looks at him curiously.
"Dad's crazy about you, with an emphasis on 'crazy.' You should have seen him in the bar when he realized you were on a date!"
"I had a feeling you didn't stumble into the restaurant by accident." Megan smiles and tries not to glance at Mick. "He'd throttle you if he knew you were sharing his secrets."
"Just thought you should know." He winks and exits the kitchen, leaving his parents alone in the room.
Mick is at Megan's side in an instant, placing his stack of plates in the sink and turning to search her face.
"Okay, what did he say?"
She chuckles. "He was just teasing that our date is coming up soon."
"He needs to keep his mouth shut. Not that I don't want to shout it to the world, but I'd prefer not to be under a microscope until, you know. Speaking of which, how was the rest of your evening with William?"
"We shared a lot of laughs," she enthuses, and notices a cloud come over Mick's expression.
"Go on," he says with a catch in his voice.
"I have to be honest. He's smart, attractive and loads of fun. But there's one thing he's not."
Mick's eyebrows raise hopefully. "I can't wait to hear even one flaw in this paragon of virtue."
"He's not you."
"You say that as though being me is a good thing. There were times you didn't think so."
"I'm not blind to your good qualities, Mick. I see them every day."
"And William's good qualities? How can a mere mortal like me compete with him?"
"He's amazing, no question. But we've agreed to be friends and co-workers, and nothing more."
"And I didn't even have to challenge him to a duel!"
She laughs. "Just because William and I aren't together doesn't mean that you and I will be."
"Oh, I'm more than willing to remind you of those good qualities you say I have. I'm not sure what they are, but I'll just watch and see what makes your eyes light up —hmm, like they're doing right now."
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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
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