Loving Liam (Cloverleaf #1) Read Free Page A

Actually, dinner’s almost ready. I just got done having the kids help set the table.”
    “Great, I’m starving,” Daniel chirped.
    Both men stood, stretching and eyeing each other.
    “I’ll let Mom know you guys are ready to eat,” Maggie said as she turned away.
    As soon as she was out of earshot, Liam looked at Daniel and said, “I didn’t think she acted funny or like anything was wrong.”
    “I don’t know, Liam, but earlier she did act like something was wrong. Maybe she’s fine now. You know how women can be, all moody and stuff,” Daniel said as he led the way to the dining room, from which wonderful smells of pot roast and vegetables were wafting.
    Liam took his place at the large table, where his family was gathered. Meals at this house were always loud and filled with the sounds of dishes clinking and several conversations happening all at once.
    Grandpa Paddy was seated at one end of the table and Liam’s father at the other. They were having a lively debate regarding something they read earlier in the newspaper. Maggie was bringing different dishes to the table as Mary brought a pitcher of water out and began filling everyone’s glasses. Connor flicked a spoonful of peas across the table at his twin, making Finn cry loudly.
    “Connor, don’t throw peas at your brother,” Patrick scolded, wiping the loose peas off the table.
    Melanie giggled and forked in a mouthful of creamy potatoes. Daniel sneakily flicked a lone pea at Connor and quickly looked at his plate and started eating.
    “Mary, come and sit down. You are working too hard, lass,” Grandpa Paddy commanded in his deep brogue.
    Maggie took her seat next to their father, who eyed her and asked, “Where’s Michael? What has he been up to these days?”
    Shifting uncomfortably, Maggie replied, “He had a lot going on this week, Dad. He needed to get some loose ends all tied up before the holidays.”
    “Well, he’s missing out on a terrific pot roast tonight, I’ll tell you that,” Pat commented before he put another piece of the succulent meat in his mouth and sent a sweet look toward Mary.
    “Yes, my compliments to the chef,” Grandpa Paddy added when Mary took her place next to him.
    “Yeah, Mom, everything is great,” Liam said before taking a sip of his water.
    “Grams, you are such a good cook.” Melanie motioned to her mother for another helping of potatoes.
    “Well, thank you, everyone. I’m just so glad we are all here together. Too bad Michael isn’t here,” Mary said as she helped herself to some peas while giving her grandson a warning look as he aimed another spoonful of peas at his brother.
    Daniel seized the opportunity to flick another pea, this time at Liam.
    Liam just rolled his eyes. This was his family, and he adored every one of them.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
    Rachel
     
    The sun was high in the cloudless sky, and Rachel was sweltering as she jogged up the concrete stairs. She was panting hard but remained in rhythm with her friend Chelsea as they neared the top platform that gave them a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean.
    “I can’t believe you’re serious about this, Rachel!” Chelsea said with annoyance before she sipped from her hot-pink sports bottle that matched her workout attire.
    “I think I just need a change of scenery, and it’s a great opportunity for me.” Rachel looked beyond the vast, blue waters, trying to imagine what moving to a new place would be like. She could feel the warm rays of sunlight on her shoulders and trails of sweat running down her back.
    Rachel Montgomery had always lived in Newport Beach, California. She assumed she would spend her entire life here, as she had no reason to venture out of this well-sought-after area. To most, living in the wealthy beach community would be a dream come true, but it was all she had ever known, so perhaps she was a bit jaded. Her father, a well-respected plastic surgeon, had a successful practice