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The Hallmark Channel's 'Chesapeake Shores'
Mick and Megan O'Brien
By Annette Zoaps
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'Fear of Flying'
Chapter 1
Megan fills the overflowing dishwasher at the O'Brien home with the breakfast serving dishes, cups, saucers, silverware and glasses. She closes it, starts the wash cycle and turns to the sink, where the remaining plates soak in warm, soapy water.
She sighs contentedly as she washes them, happy to pitch in for her family.
"Someone should be helping you," Mick says, walking into the kitchen and directing a stern look toward the dining table, where three of their adult children sit.
"Shh, they're all involved in serious business, and I don't mind," she says, handing Mick a dishtowel. "Here you go, 'someone.'"
He chuckles and goes to work drying the plates she sets in the drain rack.
"So, what are you up to today?" she asks.
"I'm flying out soon for a quick trip to Boston. I have meetings tomorrow morning, then I'll be back in the afternoon."
"You're flying?" she asks, trying unsuccessfully to keep the mixture of dismay and anger from crossing her face.
"Please don't start, Megan. I know you hate that I fly, but it's perfectly safe."
"Your plane scares me," she says simply. "It always has."
"One rough landing with you twenty years ago, and you never let me forget it."
"I know you love to fly …"
"I'll love it till the day I die."
She looks at him, horrified.
"Sorry, poor choice of words. Look, I keep my plane serviced, I schedule regular physicals with my doctor and I only fly when the weather forecast is good, more or less. And if the worst should happen, I have an insurance policy that'll provide for Ma and the kids — and for you, too, if you must know. What else could you ask for?"
"I don't want your money!" she exclaims, her horrified look intensifying.
"Well, you don't want me," he says without emotion.
"You have no idea what I want!" she snaps.
After a brief stare-down, they realize the room has gone stone-cold silent. They glance at their children, who are looking back at them, mouths agape.
"Let's finish this in my office," Mick says, leading the way down the hall.
"Yes. Please!" She marches after him.
Closing the door behind them, he moves to his desk and perches on the corner. She joins him, leaning back against it, her slow simmer fizzling out.
"What is this really about, Megan?"
"I'm worried. I can't help it."
He shakes his head. "Your fears are irrational — you know that. And I don't know what to say that'll help you feel better. What I really have to wonder is why now, and why me? I don't see you getting upset when our kids go off on their adventures."
"I don't know. Maybe because I'm back in Chesapeake Shores? Maybe because I'm too involved in everything you do?"
"I wasn't going to put it so bluntly." He softens his words with a grin. "But since you mention it, my business is none of your business anymore."
"I know." She smiles sheepishly. "I have no right to dictate anything to you. I'm sorry for putting you on the defensive, and for making my worries your problem."
He ponders for a moment. "I have an idea. Are you free this afternoon?"
She shakes her head. "I'm not flying to Boston with you!"
He laughs. "I wouldn't ask. But does your car have a full tank of gas?"
"What? I'm not sure."
"Then we'll take my car to the airport in Baltimore, and you can drive it home. Then tomorrow? You'll have to come and pick me up."
"You'll fly commercial?" She looks as shocked as their children did a few minutes earlier.
"If I can get a seat this late."
He slips around the desk and drops into his office chair. Within seconds, the website for his preferred airline is up, and he's looking at the seat availability.
Megan is instantly at his side and peering over his shoulder.
"It appears that first class has a few seats open," he says.
"You always say first class is a ridiculous extravagance." Megan expels a breath in disappointment.
A few mouse clicks later, the seat is booked and he's printing his boarding pass.
"You're taking it?" She says, surprised.
"Some things are worth the cost," he says, standing and gently placing his hands on her arms. "Your peace of mind, for one thing. Megan, you still matter to me — even if you are irrational sometimes." He winks.
"Clearly you still matter to me, or I wouldn't be in such turmoil over a silly airplane."
"My plane is not silly. It's an incredible piece of machinery," he says, giving her arms a squeeze before sliding his hands around her shoulders to surround her in a comforting hug.
"You're right."
There's no place for her arms to go but around his waist, so she embraces him gladly. "If your plane is important to you, it's important to me."
"Thank you. Can we talk when I get back — maybe find out what's really troubling you? Meanwhile, we'd better get on the road or I'll miss my flight!"
. . .
After quick hugs to his children still seated around the table, Mick hurries Megan to his car and they drive off.
"Why is Mom going with him to the cross-town airstrip?" Connor wonders. "He usually just leaves his car and picks it up the next day."
"To finish their fight?" Bree frowns.
"They don't look like they're fighting now," Abby observes. "But what else could it be?"
"Maybe they figured out a way to fight and actually make up?" Bree suggests.
"Ha! Good one!" Connor laughs.
. . .
As soon as Mick's car pulls into the airport drop-off zone, he and Megan open their doors and get out.
He takes a moment to adjust the driver's seat for her, and when their paths cross in front of the vehicle, Megan stops him.
"Thank you for doing this, Mick."
She gives him a hug, which he returns.
"Fly safely," she says, releasing her hold on him.
"I will."
She gives him a wistful smile. "You can't promise that."
He shrugs apologetically. "You drive home safely."
"I will."
She starts to turn, when he catches her hand.
"You can't promise that, either," he says, and she sees realization dawning in his eyes.
He pulls her into another hug, and in it, she feels a little of the same desperation that's been dogging her recently.
"Call me when you're on the ground," she requests, squeezing him tighter.
"The very second," he promises. "You'll be safe at home by then."
"We'll both be fine." She smiles nervously. "See you tomorrow."
After a slight hesitation, he kisses her forehead before turning to retrieve his carryon from the back seat and waving goodbye.
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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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