Read Online Wild Irish Roots (The Mystic Cove Series) by Tricia O'Malley - Free Book Online

her mother to speak.
    "Ah, so this is a delicate matter. When was the last time you had your menses?" Fiona asked softly.
    "My menses...you mean my period? I just..." Margaret trailed off as the realization hit her. She'd had her period about a week or so before that night with Sean. And they hadn’t used protection. She counted back the days and literally felt the blood drain from her face as she realized that she was late. Her mouth gaped open as she met Fiona's eyes.
    Fiona smiled gently at her, "It only takes once, honey."
    "No, no, no," Margaret pushed back from the table as panic raced through her. Sweat beaded across her back and she punched her fist into her other hand repeatedly.
    Fiona just watched her for a moment before sighing and opening the bag. She pushed a white and black box across the table at Margaret as Margaret looked at her in horror.
    "What is that?"
    "It's a home pregnancy test. They are said to be fairly accurate," Fiona said.
    "No. No, this can not be happening," Margaret said, backing away from the box.
    "Why don't you just see first before you jump to any conclusions?" Fiona asked.
    Margaret turned and glared at her. "But you know, don't you? You can see it?" Margaret couldn't bring herself to call it a baby. A baby! Her head swam at the thought.
    Fiona nodded. "Aye, I can. But you'll never believe me unless you see for yourself. So, go on, test," Fiona gestured to the box.
    Margaret stared at it, her future in Boston dwindling away from her at a disastrous speed.
    "Fine," Margaret said and grabbed the box, slamming her bedroom door behind her. Her hand shook as she moved into the bathroom and put the box on the counter. Opening the box, she read the instructions, the paper shaking in front of her face. On an oath, she sat to perform the test.
    Minutes ticked by as she waited. Pacing the room, Margaret felt panic swell up in her, threatening to close off her airway. The door cracked open and she whirled to see Fiona standing there.
    "I haven't checked yet," Margaret said angrily.
    Fiona nodded and gestured for her to do so.
    Her back ramrod straight, Margaret marched to the bathroom and looked at the test.
    Positive.
    Her heart dropped to her stomach and she slipped into a ball on the floor. Wrapping her arms around her legs, she pressed her face to her pajama pants and let the tears flood her. She jerked slightly as her mother's arms came around her.
    "Shh, it'll be okay. This is probably just the hormones. We'll take care of it. You'll be fine."
    "Having a baby out of wedlock is not exactly accepted in this country, you know," Margaret gasped against her legs. God, if she thought would be shunned for her gift, she could only imagine for her pregnancy.
    Pregnancy. She was pregnant.
    "You'll have to tell him, of course," Fiona said matter-of-factly. Margaret whirled on her in horror.
    "I will do no such thing! He left me," Margaret said.
    "Aye, and now you've a babe to think of. He'll know one way or the other," Fiona said and stood. She held her hands down to her daughter and Margaret allowed her to pull her up.
    "Let me get you some medicine for your stomach. I don't want you to upset the babe with your histrionics," Fiona said and left the room.
    Margaret paced the room. Her baby. A baby. How had this even happened? She shook her head with a soft laugh. She knew how it had happened. In the best and the worst moment of her life.
    Placing a hand on her belly, she wondered if she could feel her baby. Could she know that a baby was there? Letting down her guards, she reached inward.
    And gasped, as a little glow of love and light reached out to her from within.
    Her baby.
    A profound sense of joy filled her. Unable to move, unable to speak, Margaret gaped down at her stomach.
    Her baby. Nobody else's.
    The wheels turning, Margaret straightened her shoulders and went to take Fiona's medicine.
    A thought occurred to her as her hand reached for the door.
    Conceived in the cove.
    All daughters of Grace