Page 141 of On The Rocks

I opened my mouth to ask the others if they were hungry when a commotion sounded from the door.

Glancing over, my eyes widened when I watched Maureen and Aislynn heaving armfuls of bags through the door. “Jesus, Ma,” I heard Donovan complain from the street. “Get a move on. These gifts are heavy.”

“Stop your whining,” Maureen clapped back. “You’re supposed to be a big, strong man. Get a move on with those, will ya?”

My heart soared, and I clapped my hands together gleefully, crying out, “Oh my God. How lovely!”

“Don’t just stand there, Callum,” Maureen snapped, walking inside and nodding toward the long table situated under the window. “Pull that out for me, will ya. We need to set up for dinner. Ezra, come and help. You know what an eejit he is. He’ll probably break something, the clumsy little shit.”

Donovan appeared in the doorway, juggling bags and boxes full of brightly wrapped presents. “Someone give us a hand.” He grinned at Tadhg, who hurried over to grab a box, which was about to topple from under Donny’s arm.

Within fifteen minutes, we’d unpacked all the bags and boxes and set the table. Callum even dragged the old microwave in from the shed so we could make sure the food was served piping hot. Donovan went behind the bar to fetch everybody’s drinks while I began to heat up all the plastic containers we’d transported the food in.

I’d discovered that the two men, Kev and Brains, who were sitting at the table when I came in, were military Veterans who’d recently come to town to work for the Speed Demons after receiving treatment at a Veteran hospital in Northern Colorado. They had no family in the area, and although they’d been invited to the clubhouse, they preferred something more low-key. Ezra was a widower who’d lost his wife eighteen months before, and the gentleman with him was his brother, Arthur.

Finally, we were all seated, our plates laden with delicious-smelling hot food, and Aislynn flashed her megawatt smile around the table. “Who wants to say grace?”

Silence fell over the table.

“Da always did it,” Tadhg murmured sadly.

My heart panged.

This was the first O’Shea family Christmas without Lorcan, and in spite of everything Maureen had told me that morning,I knew they were feeling his absence. Their relationships with their patriarch may have been difficult, but I knew from experience how much they’d be missing him that day in particular.

Maureen cleared her throat, her eyes bright with moisture. “It’s time to start new traditions. Callum, you’re the eldest. Would you do the honors?”

Automatically, my hand reached for his, and I squeezed his fingers, trying in my own way to offer strength and comfort. My heart tugged softly as he squeezed them back and raised his glass.

“I’m not gonna say grace,” Callum announced. “On this occasion, I wanna toast my aul fella.”

My eyes lowered, and I blinked away the threat of tears.

“Da,” he began. “May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And rains fall soft upon your fields.” Callum’s voice lowered, his tone turning husky. “And until we meet again. May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”

Maureen smiled and raised her glass along with her son. “To Lorcan, Merry Christmas, love.”

We all held our drinks high and repeated as one,

“Merry Christmas.”

—————

I watchedCallum lock the door behind his mam and slump back on the couch.

This was the first time we’d been alone together since I threw him out, hence why my palms were clammy and my throat feltdry. Maybe I should’ve left with the others, but I wanted to ensure he was okay because something seemed really off with him.

My hand unconsciously went to the locket fastened around my neck.

After Ezra, his brother, and the other two men left, the family exchanged gifts. I’d gotten some lovely—and very expensive—perfume from Maureen, along with clothes from Aislynn and luxury cosmetics and toiletries from the boys that I reckon their ma shopped for.

My favorite gift, though, was my locket.

On one side, it held a picture of Callum and me on our wedding day. I’d almost cringed when I saw it. I looked so terrified, and my face was red where I’d been crying. Of course, Callum looked gorgeous, but then he always did. The other side of the locket held another picture, one of my parents on their wedding day.

Maureen had a couple of old photographs, and Callum had chosen one of them and had it digitally resized to make the picture fit.

It was the most beautiful, thoughtful gift anybody had ever given me.

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