Maggies Marriage (Cloverleaf #2) by Gloria Herrmann Page B

large windows that looked out to the street.
    “What do you suppose you will have today, dear? What does that grandchild of mine in there want?” Mary said as she motioned toward Maggie’s belly.
    Maggie laughed. “I was craving some fries, but now I’m thinking I may go with their chowder.” She shivered. Warm soup sounded excellent on this stormy day.
    “You know, that sounds wonderful. I think I could go for a bowl of that myself.”
    The waitress appeared shortly and took their orders, promising to return with two glasses of water for them.
    Mary sighed. “I know you don’t feel like discussing Michael, but I really feel like we should.”
    “Oh, Mom, I’m not quite sure what to say. I just started working at the shop, Mel’s in school now and making friends. Things are going pretty well, considering.”
    “Maggie, I’m glad you are helping your brothers, but I’m trying to look at the future, the bigger picture.” Mary smiled at the waitress as she returned with their drinks.
    “I’m not looking too far into the future because honestly I have no idea what that will hold. For now, I know a couple of things: I’m here in Birch Valley, Mel is in school and around people who love her, and that I want a future with Michael, just not in Seattle.” Maggie’s tone was firm.
    “Well, no use discussing it any further I suppose. We love and support you, but I do hope you can work things out with Michael.”
    Their soup came to them steaming hot, contained in large homemade bread bowls. Maggie inhaled the sharp scent of the clams, and dug right into the creamy goodness that sat before her.
    “This soup is amazing,” Maggie said as she savored the rich flavors.
    Mary nodded in agreement. Lunch continued with more neutral conversation, which was an enormous relief. Maggie drove them back to the shop and Mary got into her own car after hugging her tight. There was no shortage of love in her family.
     
    ***
     
    The sunshine was out on full display the next morning, which also happened to be the morning of St. Patrick’s Day, as Maggie and Melanie walked to the school. Maggie was a little hesitant to make the trek to school considering yesterday’s temperamental weather. As they entered the aging brick building, the inside was fully decorated with various shades of green garland, there were leprechaun cut outs and shamrocks of every color of green imaginable clinging to the walls. A banner with a giant painted rainbow made up of children's handprints which lead to a glittery pot of gold made Maggie smile.
    “Mom, isn’t that so pretty?” Melanie was in awe of the decorations. The community was primarily made up of Irish-Americans, and they went all out for St. Patrick’s Day. The town celebrated with a fun parade and activities for the residents. Grandpa Paddy didn’t see what all the fuss was about, back in his home country of Ireland they didn’t celebrate the holiday the same way as Americans did. Suffice to say, green beer, corned beef, and cabbage were not something Maggie’s grandfather grew up on, at least not until he arrived in America.
    After gazing at and enjoying the decorations with Melanie, Maggie saw Rachel leaning against the counter chatting with Karen.
    Karen smiled and excused herself to answer a phone call back at her desk.
    “Good morning, Miss Melanie. You look positively gorgeous in that green sweater,” Rachel said happily and then went to hug Maggie. “How are you doing?” she whispered in her ear.
    “I’m okay,” Maggie answered as she pulled away. She was starting to get tired of everyone asking her how she was doing. She knew Rachel meant well, they all meant well, but she was sick of answering the question.
    “Are we all ready for class today?” Rachel asked Melanie, patting the girl’s rust-colored hair.
    “I love her hair color,” Rachel told Maggie as she ran her own slender fingers through her cropped blonde hair.
    “Yeah, something we both inherited from