Free The O'Malley Brides by Stevie MacFarlane Page B

creature Ms. O’Malley was, horrible one minute and endearing the next.  He would have to think about this.
     
    Rebecca answered the phone just as Tess was getting ready to hang up.  Slightly out of breath she plopped down on the sofa.  “Hello?’
    “Rebecca, I almost hung up.  Are you busy?” Tess asked.
    “No, I’m just a little out of breath.  I have been trying to find something and not having much luck.  How are you , Tess?”
    “I am fine.  It is you I am worried about.  No baby yet I see?”
    “No,” Rebecca laughed.  “Mason says it’s a girl so we have to expect her to be fashionably late, but tomorrow is D-day.  I have been trying to wait for Maggie and Nick to get back, but the doctor says if I don’t go into labor by tomorrow, they will induce it.   I’m not looking forward to that part, but unless I want to still look like the great pumpkin at Christmas, I don’t have much choice,” she laughed.
    “So you are feeling okay?” Tess asked , concerned.
    “I’m just frustrated right this minute.  Mason has been stuck to me like glue.  I swear it’s a wonder I get to go to the bathroom alone,” she sighed. 
    “Is there anything I can do?  I can come over and help you search for whatever it is you are missing?” Tess offered.
    “No, I don’t think that will work.  I have to find this object when Mason is not around and I have a very limited window of opportunity right now.  If I don’t find it before that baby is born, I will have about six weeks give or take a few days to locate it.  I might have to take you up on your offer then.” Rebecca moaned.
    “Are you okay?  Are you having pains?” Tess asked.
    “No , Mason just came in so I guess I’m done looking for the time being.  Anyway, thanks for calling Tess.  Come see us at the hospital okay?”
    “I will , Rebecca.  Good luck, I will be praying for you both.”
    “Keep that thought,” Rebecca laughed.  “I might need a whole lot more of those in six weeks. Talk to you later , Tess.”
    Tess hung the phone up and began to gather her things.  I t had been a very strange day.  Rory had not made an appearance , so she had been on edge all day for nothing.  Maybe he would no longer want a woman who ran from him. 
    Dell had been very quiet all day but when Tess walked into his office after knocking qui ckly, he had been eating a good- sized cake with a fork.  Pink icing coated his upper lip and he had a strange smile on his face. 
    “Are you almost ready to leave , Dell?” Tess asked.  “I have to catch my bus and it is starting to rain.  I hate it when it gets dark so early.”
    “Sure, give me a couple of minutes and I’ll give you a ride.  I h ate to see you walking in this weather,” Dell responded, shoving the cake back in the box.  He was a little embarrassed that he hadn’t offered Tess a piece instead of diving into it like a starving fool.  In truth , Dell was very health- conscious.  As a rule he usually stayed away from junk foods, especially sweets.  Bridget couldn’t have picked a more tempting peace offering.  He had been unable to resist the luscious confection. 
    Dell took his fork to the break room and washed it while Tess turned off the copier and got her coat and purse.  After locking the door they headed out behind the office to the parking lot.  Tess was nervous, half expecting Rory to appear, but he did not.  There were a couple of cars down the alley that she did not recognize but then she did not usually walk back here.  M ost of the time she walked the few blocks to Maggie’s house.  Now she was headed in another direction.  The Rose and Thistle was on the other side of the city, too far to walk, especially in poor weather. 
    Dell opened the passenger car door for her, noticing her tight lipped expression.
    “Is everything okay,” he asked.  You look a little nervous.  I can assure you I am a gentleman and you’re perfectly safe with me.”
    “I am fine