Page 3 of Reckless

I die a little more and glance up to find Michael watching me. My chest rises and falls rapidly as shame at my father’s behavior scorches my cheeks.

“Would you like to go for dinner, Margret?” My mouth gapes. I’m not sure if I like how brazen he’s being or not.

My father’s laugh is bitter and short lived. “My daughter.” Michael clenches his fists the movement we all see including my mother who steps toward Father.

“David. Please. Let’s pack up and go home.” My mother almost whispers.

“Be quiet woman,” My father doesn’t even look away from Michael. “No she doesn’t.” My father answers for me.

“I was talking to Margret.” My heart slams rapidly against my ribcage as Michael’s blue eyes intensify on me.

“Yes,” I say it as my father turns to me with thunder in his hard brown eyes.

Rain starts to fall from the sky and people run for cover.

“David lets go,” My mother tries again to reason with him but he won’t look away from me. I see so much in my father’s eyes. The worst is the disappointment.

“He’s a man now because he has money, but once it’s all gone. He will only be a boy.”

I flicker my gaze at Michael hoping he hadn’t heard my father’s insult, but he had. The hardness in his jaw tells me whatever small amount of restraint he’s holding onto is slowly slipping.

My mother grabs some apple tarts and starts to place them in the back of the car.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow at eight.” Michael’s words are said through clipped lips and he turns to leave.

“Over my dead body.” My father counteracts. I see the brief pause in Michael’s stance even as the rain starts to pour down.

“Is that really your wish?” The blood drains into my shoes at Michael’s words. He leaves and fear has me shaking. My father grips my arm tearing my gaze away from Michael.

“Have you lost your mind?” My father’s wrath scared me but nothing like what Michael’s threat did to me. Breaking free from my father’s grasp I run after Michael. He turns before I reach him as my father growls my name loudly.

“Please don’t hurt him,” I beg as the rain pounds down onto the field. Most people have gotten under cover, the ones who haven’t still run for some, unlike me and Michael. I’m soaked through but I need to make sure he wouldn’t really hurt my father. Michael doesn’t answer me but glares over my shoulder as my father continues to shout my name.

“Please.” He finally looks at me and his face softens.

“I won’t.”

The relief has my shoulders sagging as I step away from Michael.

“I’ll see you tomorrow evening, Margret Hegarty.” I’m smiling as I turn away but the smile slips as my father’s angry brown eyes seem to slice through the rain.

Chapter Three

Michael O’Reagan

I’m lingering along the main street of Monalty. People shuffle past me quickly but I don’t focus on them. I’m waiting for Margret. A curtain upstairs moves aside before falling back quickly. I’m imagining her looking out into the street wondering where I am. I’ve parked across from her house. I haven’t knocked on her door. Glancing at my watch it reads five past eight. No one keeps me waiting. No date has ever kept me waiting, they would be standing outside waiting.

The front door opens and Margret steps out. The dark red dress is daring. Her eyes dart to me and I hold her stunning brown eyes captive. A cream shawl hangs around her petite shoulders. The smile that burns across her face has her dipping her head and tucking a lock of chestnut brown hair behind her ear. Pools of water still linger on the street from an early downpour. I watch as Margret steps out onto the road avoiding each puddle. Her chest rises and falls quickly when she reaches me. The nervous flicker in her eyes has me reaching out my hand. She takes the offering. The heat that radiates from her pulses into my flesh.

“You’re late,” I say.

Her free hand flutters to her chest and she looks ready to apologise but instead she stands a little taller.

“No, Michael O’Reagan. You are.”

I can’t stop the smile that tugs at my lips. “Fair enough, Margret Hegarty.”

Her cheeks heat at her name. She takes one final look at her home before I walk us to my car.

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