Unpardonable Sin-16

1

Chapter 112

The circumstances of Tom’s nephew’s unplanned excursion into the darker underbelly of New York City the previous night, had given Megan O’Donnell a reprieve. 3

This morning brought that to an end as she argued with her ‘Uncle Dev’. She didn’t want to be his ‘His Good Little Girl’. She hit him with a final assertion. “A cub reporter doesn’t just up and ask for two weeks unscheduled vacation.” 4

“I cleared it with your boss.” Thomas Devlin’s words slapped her back into her proper place. “Come on Meg, I need this favor big time. Murray understands.”5

Oh sure, Murray would understand. Besides how important was she, the news would come in just fine without ‘Little Meg’. Her colleagues weren’t beneath showing how little they respected her writing ability. And the copy she turned in was axed so badly, she couldn’t recognize it. The guys figured she was just their boss’s penitence for some debt he owed. Damn, it infuriated her.6

So here she had spent a whole day moving Tom’s family out to Westchester—sharing greasy burgers and fries with the two boys and failing badly on trying to keep them entertained. Even her fascination with Seamus had worn off. Oh, it wasn’t the guy’s fault. She’d only seen him for a few minutes before he passed his kids on to her like she was a paid nanny. Shit! It was his fault. What right did he have to assume her life was so insignificant? On Tom’s say so, Seamus expected her to take responsibility for his nephews while he handled his important business. 7

She’d been fuming inside and trying to hide it from the kids when a spark of genius hit her. Why not? She might be able to unload this burden on someone else and in the process create a happy man. 8

***9

Pat O'Donnell would be the last to admit it but Megan knew he was clearly enjoying his daughter's surprise. "Loosen up, relax, bring the ball back slowly." He held the shoulder and gently pushed on Colin’s spine as he continued to instruct.10

"Dad, I’m sure the boys have bowled before."11

Oddly it was the boy who corrected. "Megan, he's teachin' me the right way."12

Seamus O'Donnell grinned at her as he offered. "Lads can do with a bit of instructions."13

"My dad can be overbearing. I want the kids to have fun not figure they're in a money match."14

"But they like the attention. Let's you and I take a look at the bar, unless you'd rather play?"15

Megan was quickly up and out of the bench with a, "No thanks," and an offered, "Bring back anything, Dad?"16

"Beer," answered the man who, obviously having decided the ball was too heavy for Colin, was busy testing others. His fifty-eight years lay easy on Pat O’Donnell. The evenness of the gray lacing his hair gave sheen to the black instead of dulling it. Age added extra fat to fill out a lanky frame and a face that had once been gaunt. An active man, he still had the stance of an athlete and his daughter was proud of him. 17

Megan grumbled, "My dad should have had a dozen sons." Then felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment as she realized it was a petty and jealous remark. She forced an immediate laugh to cover it as she slid into the seat across from Seamus at the small table.18

"He's got a liking for them,” O’Donnell said and ginned as if in understanding. “It's grand for a man to be that way. Now me. I prefer them well cooked."19

"And I'm suppose to believe that? Sorry, lad, Tom gave you up. He told me how you've had the full care of those boys since they were infants."20

"Sure, as if I'd a choice? Number of times I tried drowning 'em." Seamus’s grin widened. "Didn't the wretched little blokes pop back to the surface.” 21

Their laughter was interrupted as a waitress confronted them with an impatient pout. "Beer, Megan?" He asked, "or would you be after having something stronger?"22

"Beer's fine. Shouldn't we bring the others back something first?"23

"Forget them, not likely they'll be missing us." He waved the waitress off.24

"You're not nice."25

"Me, a nice man? Who'd label me with such a dreadful title--surely not Tom?"26

"You're nuts." Suddenly her humor fled and she said, "I'm sorry about what happened to Colin."27

"And, sure, you had nothing to do with it." He quickly changed the subject with, "Your father spoke of a camp. You'll spend the time with us?"28

Her mouth parted in a slight grimace as she admitted. "Dad wants to take you and the boys. I doubt I'm part of the deal. He hasn't asked me since I turned fifteen and ruined his weekend bitching about the dirt and bugs."29

Setting two frosty mugs on the table, the waitress moved off and Seamus curled his large hand around Megan’s much smaller one. When she didn't pull it away, he began to play with her fingers. "Poor Dad." She remembered. "He once drove twenty miles to find me a tooth brush. I'd forgotten mine and wouldn't go to sleep without brushing." She wrinkled her nose. "Dad's camp is antiquated. He can afford better but he won't fancy it up."30

"I'll see to a dozen brushes." Seamus promised. "And gallons of soap. Come with us?"31

It was a long time before Megan recaptured her hand. Longer still that the beer sat untouched while the frost turned to pools of moisture around the bottom of the mugs. They talked about everything and nothing. Megan would never recall the words spoken only the feeling of being very important to this man. The charming sensuous tone of his voice drew her into the depth of his eyes that seem to go on forever. The brashness and cocky attitude, she found in most good-looking guys, didn’t come through, and she wondered if he really wasn’t aware of how attractive he was. How stupid! To think he never looked in a mirror. She sensed the smart thing—run a way girl. But he’d fashioned a cocoon for two—him and her and she couldn’t find an exit.32

Too soon Colin was at Seamus’ back jabbering excitedly. "I pulled a one forty last game." Then he demanded, "What happened to our cokes?"33

"Didn't want to interrupt the game." Pulling the chair next to him out for Colin, Seamus used his foot to shove another out for Sean as he asked, "How did you do?"34

The older boy shrugged and said, "all right."35

While Colin admitted, "Sean beat me every game, but he's bigger."36

Pat O'Donnell had claimed his own chair from another table. "Size has nothing to do with winning." He motioned the waitress over. "Boys want hot dogs and cokes. Got a light beer?"37

"Matts? Miller?"38

"Matts will do me. You practice," he corrected the youngster. "You can take on the best. Megan use to be good. Beat her old man a time or two. Then she got lazy. Seamus? Been thinking, got some friends on the force. You're going to be tied up ‘til noon tomorrow. How's about I take the boys out to the police range in the morning. Wouldn't do Colin any harm to meet some New York cops socially."39

Brought a squeal of pleasure from the boy with the plea, "Can we?"40

"Suppose, if O'Donnell wants to put up with you. Sound like fun to you, Sean?"41

"Sure," Sean said like it didn't matter.42

"What kind of scores you run up?"43

His, "One fifty-better," lacked enthusiasm. 44

"Better is right." Pat O'Donnell clapped Sean's shoulder. "He got a two hundred." Then pressed, "Thought about the camp, Seamus. We could boat up to Canada. Haven't had the old tub out for a spell, going to need some cleaning up. Boys tell me they’re good sailors." He threw a mock punch at Colin's jaw.45

Colin giggled. "Sean can't swim so good."46

Noticing the quick spark of anger in the older boy's eyes, Megan hoped Colin was a better than average swimmer. "Dad," she offered. "I could drop you and the boys off in the morning then get the van gassed up and packed for you."47

"I don't think so. . ."48

"Come on Meg," Colin begged. "We'll have a grand time. People will think we're all related."49

Suddenly the sulky Sean grinned and surprised her with, "We'll need a cook, unless your pa's better'n Seamus."50

"Thanks loads kid. Just what I want to do--cook."51

"She's coming," her father said. "Just likes ta be teased."52