Patrick's Promise (Cloverleaf #3) Read Free Page A

June, and he knew that the water only looked inviting. If he dared to actually venture out for a swim, he would get to feel how icy and chilly the calm waters actually were.
    His niece waded over to him as she carried a pastel pink bucket. “Uncle Patrick, I got some dry dirt to help make the castles.” She dumped the contents of the bucket, which half landed on the mound of squishy muck the boys were playing in, and the other half fell on his bare legs.
    “Well, that’s a good idea, Melanie,” Patrick said as he brushed some of the dirt off.
    Melanie gave him a cheery grin. Her cheeks were a tad too pink, and her bobbed, rust-colored hair shimmered in the afternoon sunlight. “I should go get my dad to come play too. I wonder if Uncle Liam and Uncle Daniel would want to play. Do you grown-ups like making sand castles?”
    “I think it’s almost time to go eat, sweetheart, but yes, us grown-ups love making sand castles, especially with a bunch of wonderful kids like you guys,” Patrick said as Finn and Connor toppled onto him.
    “Kids, time to come inside,” Patrick could hear Rachel call.
    He peeled the boys off him. “Okay, you guys hungry?” Finn and Connor nodded in unison.
    After gathering some of their toys, the children followed Patrick up the slightly steep hill, as he led them to a deck off the side of the cabin. Rachel and Maggie stood there waiting with large colorful beach towels in their arms.
    “You guys look like you had a lot of fun, but I’m thinking maybe you need to hop in the shower.” Rachel laughed as she ushered the children inside.
    Maggie remained planted and glared at Patrick. “So just how long are you going to keep this nonsense up?” she hissed once the children were out of earshot.
    Patrick released a long sigh and looked up toward the sky—not a single cloud was present. He inhaled deeply, taking in the rich, pine-scented air, hoping it would calm him.
    “Seriously, Patrick, this has gone on long enough.” Maggie’s voice was laced with irritation as she moved in closer, her gaze burning into his.
    “I guess you don’t see why I’m upset.”
    “I already apologized. I mean come on, this is ridiculous,” she said, her hands on her hips.
    Patrick grunted. There was no point in trying to sort this out with her, especially now at Liam’s house. Maybe eventually they could sit and talk it out, but right at that moment he wanted nothing more than to put a little distance between them. “You know, I think I’ll go check on the boys and see if Rachel needs help with them.”
    “You can’t just keep walking away. How are we ever going to get over this, Patrick?” Maggie demanded.
    “We will eventually, just not right now.” Patrick moved past her, leaving her with her mouth slightly gaped open. He knew he was probably taking this argument further than it needed to be, but he wanted to ensure that such a thing never happened again.
     
    ***
     
    Patrick carried a sleeping Finn in his arms, and Liam had an exhausted Connor draped over his shoulder. They worked silently, putting the kids in their car seats. After buckling them in and closing the door, Patrick could tell Liam wanted to talk. He wasn’t really in the mood and wanted nothing more than to go home.
    “Whatever it is you have to say, just get it out,” Patrick said as he leaned against his SUV.
    “Oh man, I hate seeing you guys fight like this. Dinner was uncomfortable and weird.”
    When dinner had been served, Patrick had sat as far away from Maggie as possible. During most of the dinner he would feel her glare at him, tears peeking behind her green eyes. He felt a little stab of guilt—he wasn’t a monster, and sure as hell didn’t want to see his sister cry. It didn’t help the situation that she was also pregnant, and that seemed to gain her some sympathy votes from the rest of the group.
    Several months ago, long before Maggie pulled her stunt, she had come home from Seattle, leaving Michael behind.