Page 82 of Bargain with the Irish Devil

“I was thinking, it feels like I should be doing more to support Declan’s place. Or am I wrong, and I should stay in the background?”

Aoife’s relief is clear. “Oh, thank goodness. Yes, my dear. I was so worried. While I wanted to say something I’m aware of how shy you are and your own concern over your pregnancy. It’s why Orla and Brenna were picked as probable women for Declan. They were raised to know they needed to be a part of the community and suffering with our old customs and ideals.”

I’m stunned. “Brenna was supposed to be with Declan?”

Her wince tells me all I need to know. “Yes, but my dear they only met all of two times. Declan wasn’t interested in the girl. I was so grateful when Declan showed interest in you. Brenna would not have fit him at all the way you do.”

“Did they…”

“Dear, they had a conversation in a coffee shop and lunch once. He didn’t even kiss the girl. Don’t be resenting her or him for a bad idea they abandoned before it got very far at all.”

Giving in, I nod. “Okay, so… What should I do? And how do I do it?”

“I believe it starts with the wives of Declan’s men. We’ll have them around and do more of an introduction than you’ve had so far. You will be much like Declan. Listen to their concerns and complaints. Then you take them to Declan, if there is something that can be done to help them or you want to help them, you let Declan know, He’ll tell you what to do or take care of the matter himself.”

Aoife sets a date for almost two weeks from the day. Once Aisling is back from her honeymoon.

When I talk to Declan about it that night, his head falls to mine. “Thank you. I appreciate you more than you could ever know.”

“Even more than you would have been if you’d married Brenna?” I ask.

He sighs and closes his eyes. When he opens them, they’re glowing a fierce bright blue. He nudges his head deeper into mine. “I didn’t want her. And she didn’t want me. All she wanted was a means to have a family and stay in Chicago instead of going back to Ireland. We both were a means to an end for each other.”

A means to an end? What did Declan want… “You wanted a family.”

His hand goes around my neck. “Yes, I wanted a family. But it’s like I said. If the choice was between you or a child—I pick you every damn time.”

He wanted a family. I told him, because I believed I couldn’t, that I couldn’t have children. And he still picked me over her. “M’fhiorghra.”I whisper.

“From the first moment I met you,m’fhiorghra.”

It isn’tuntil five months along after our appointment to confirm the baby’s sex that we have our first argument. I was certain it was a boy, and although the remarkably clear sonograms we’ve been getting might have shown it last month, the baby wouldn’t cooperate.

At our appointment, it’s confirmed I was right.

“And we have a boy.” The woman sonographer declares, even if we could clearly see for ourselves.

Declan sighs.

I smile up at him. “I told you.”

Shaking his head, he chuckles. “Aye, you did.”

Once we’re home, he urges me up the stairs. “It’s time for your nap. You didn’t sleep last night. Now that it’s confirmed, you can redo the guest room for your boy.”

I hesitate. “What’s the rush?”

“Love, it’s silly to wait to redo the room. What are we going to bring him home to? He needs the basics, at least. I don’t want you worrying about paint colors with a new baby in the house.”

“I’m silly? It’s silly for you to listen to my fears and not at least give it a few more months?” I’m so annoyed I want to hit him.

Sighing, he attempts to put his hands on my arms. I’m too pissed and back away into our bedroom, as far away from our bed as I can get. “I’m mad at you. Don’t do that thing you do.”

“Miranda, the sonograms have been great. He is perfect. You’re out of the first trimester. Why can’t you let yourself believe in this?”

I sag into him. When his arms go around me, I welcome how tight they are. The fear of losing the baby has passed. But I can’t explain why I feel something is still off about my pregnancy—it’s nothing I can even pinpoint myself. If I say it, he’ll think I’m crazy.

“Okay,” I give in. “How mad are you that it’s not a girl?”

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