Maggies Marriage (Cloverleaf #2) by Gloria Herrmann

into a hug. “I know you do. I can’t imagine what you are going through, but I hope things get better.”
    Maggie hugged her brother back, wiping the wetness from her cheeks. She took the jar of sauce, adding it to the large stainless steel pot. “Enough about me. How are things going with you and Rachel?”
    “Good. Her friend is coming up to visit next month. She was supposed to get in this week, but I guess she is known for changing her mind. I’m a little nervous to meet her, to be honest.”
    “Really? Are you talking about her friend Chelsea? Rachel told me all about her, she sounds like a fun girl and one of Rachel’s best friends,” Maggie responded as she stirred the simmering contents in the pot, the sweet, tomato laden aroma filling the kitchen. She took out a tablespoon from the drawer and sampled it, then went in search for some herbs to add to the sauce.
    “Starting to smell good,” Liam commented as he pulled out an enormous serving bowl to put some salad fixings in.
    “Anyway, I wouldn’t be too nervous about meeting her friend.”
    “I know, it’s just our relationship is pretty new and…”
    “Are you worried because it’s someone from California?”
    Liam started chopping away at the head of lettuce and looked like he was considering what Maggie just said. “Maybe a little. I mean, at first I wasn’t so thrilled with Rachel being from there.”
    “Well, I’m sure her friend is kind and wonderful just like Rachel, otherwise how could they have been friends this long?”
    “I guess you’re probably right.”
    “Besides, I’m sure Rachel is excited to show you off.” Maggie hoped the little confidence builder was enough to reassure her brother. She could see his cheeks blush a soft pink.
     
    ***
     
    The morning before St. Patrick’s Day was cold, the sky a wicked gray with thick white streaks of angry-looking clouds. Rain drops started to splatter the windshield of Maggie’s car as she went to take Melanie to school. Maggie prayed the weather would improve, the town would be holding its annual celebration of the holiday that weekend. The Pacific Northwest’s spring weather was well known for the storms that would violently pass through, only to have the sun come out fighting, shining brightly as though not a raindrop had been spilt. You just never knew what to expect.
    After waving good bye to Melanie, she drove toward her brothers’ shop. It was only a few blocks away, and by the time her car pulled next to Patrick’s truck the sun was out and quickly drinking up the wetness left behind from the passing storm.
    “Morning, guys,” Maggie announced happily as she hung her lightweight coat on the metal hooks by the entry.
    Patrick leaned against the counter, coffee mug securely in hand as he gazed at a small stack of invoices. “Morning,” he replied, not even looking up. Maggie could tell he hadn’t had enough caffeine yet to actually interact with others.
    Daniel was gathering several tools to load into the work truck for the job they had to do that day. “Hey, Maggie, is it still raining?”
    “Nope, it’s already clearing up.”
    “Good, it looked nasty out there earlier.” Daniel smiled as he spoke.
    Maggie worked her way behind the counter and sat at the desk. She turned on the computer monitor and looked at her brothers. They were both so different: Patrick, always moody and serious, Daniel, joyful and happy. She wondered how these two men were able to work so well together, when they were such complete opposites. She had been helping out at the shop for a little over two weeks and she’d been able to watch her brothers in action. Patrick ran a tight ship, much like their father and Grandpa Paddy had. He was all business. She would catch him laughing, but only after Daniel had finally cracked his professional exterior. Daniel ran around the shop with an efficiency she didn’t know he possessed. He knew where every single tool was kept, what its purpose was, and