a great stress reducer,” Nell promised. “It’ll come in handy whenever you’ve worries on your mind.”
“In that case, bring it on,” she said. “I’ve plenty of challenges ahead, it seems.”
As she turned to go into the kitchen with Nell, she cast a last worried glance in Noah’s direction, then dutifully followed her great-grandmother. She still couldn’t seem to concentrate on Nell’s words, though.
“Child, my first impression of Noah is that he’s a fine young man with a quick wit and a good head on his shoulders. I think he’s capable of putting Mick’s fears to rest,” Nell said at last. “All your grandfather wants is to know that you’re loved.”
“Love doesn’t always solve all the problems, though,” Caitlyn said, thinking of how many things needed to be resolved to make this situation right. Some of the obstacles seemed insurmountable.
“Of course it does, at least if it’s the real thing,” Nell said impatiently.
“Then why do people say that love isn’t always enough?”
“Because they don’t understand that the problems don’t just vanish when you love someone. Love takes work and compromise and understanding and respect. Do you and Noah have those things?”
“I’m willing to work at the relationship and I respect Noah more than anyone I know outside of this family,” Caitlyn said. “I think I understand his hopes and dreams.”
“And he understands yours?”
“He says he does.”
Nell smiled. “Then it’s the compromising that’s the sticking point?”
“For me,” Caitlyn admitted. “I’m half-O’Brien, after all. We’re stubborn and sure of ourselves and we want what we want.”
“I can’t deny any of that,” Nell agreed. “But look around at this family, Caitlyn. Is there a single one of us who hasn’t compromised on the important things at one time or another? Your own mother is here, rather than in New York where she’d envisioned her future. Even your grandfather—and we both know how stubborn he can be—has given up control of his company and stopped most of his traveling, so he can spend more time with your grandmother the way she always hoped he would. Dillon gave up his life in Ireland to live here with me, when I told him I couldn’t be separated from my family.” She met Caitlyn’s gaze. “I could go on and on. Do I need to?”
“No,” Caitlyn said. “But Mom and Grandpa Mick both got to live their dreams at least for a little while before they compromised. And you and Dillon visit Ireland every year.”
“And you feel as if your dream will be lost forever if you don’t grab on to it right now?” Nell asked, smiling.
“Something like that,” Caitlyn conceded, realizing that was part of her O’Brien need for immediate gratification.
“And those places you’ve dreamed of going, will they disappear?” Nell asked.
“Of course not. But I made a promise to be back soon,” Caitlyn said, clinging to her plan. “I don’t like the idea of breaking that promise. Promises are meant to be kept, especially one as important as this. You taught me that.”
Nell smiled. “Don’t throw my old lessons back in my face,” she scolded. “A delay doesn’t mean you’ll never keep your word.”
“I’m not sure that people who are counting on me for so much will be able to see it the same way,” she argued.
Once more Nell regarded her with a touch of exasperation. “This need you’ve seen in these places? Will that be wiped out anytime soon?”
“I’d like to think so, but realistically, no.”
“Then you and Noah could start this life together, perhaps, and then follow your dream a few years from now. You could even do it together, am I right? You’d be twice the help to people who need it.”
“But once we have children, we can’t just run off to save the world at the drop of a hat,” Caitlyn said.
Nell smiled at that argument, clearly dismissing it. “Haven’t you noticed the size of this family?” she asked. “I imagine there’s someone who could care for your children for a month or two if you wanted to volunteer in another country. Isn’t that what we do for one another?”
“It’s what you did for Grandpa Mick when Grandma Megan left,” Caitlyn replied, beginning to see what she meant. “You stepped in to help raise Mom, Kevin, Bree, Jess and Connor.”
“And your Grandma Megan helped out with Little Mick while Connor and Heather were working things out. We all did our part with Davey, too, while Kevin was getting over Georgia’s death and before he met Shanna.” She gave Caitlyn a penetrating look. “See what I mean?”
“Actually, I do,” Caitlyn said.
It just remained to be seen if she and Noah could reach the sort of compromise Nell was talking about, one they could both live with. The first step, she thought, was releasing that tight grip she had on the plan she’d formulated for her future.
* * *
Mick O’Brien’s office was lined with bookshelves and littered with architectural blueprints. There was a sweeping view of the bay through the French doors. A leather chair sat behind a massive mahogany desk with clean modern lines. The presence of toy trucks and even a few scattered dolls, though, told the real story of the man who ruled the O’Brien clan. He had a soft spot for his grandchildren. Perhaps he would, as well, for this unexpected baby who’d be his first great-grandchild.
“Sit,” Mick told Noah, his tone gruff. “And don’t look so worried. My instincts are telling me that you and I might be on the same side.”
“Really?” Noah said, not convinced of it. He suspected Mick was about two critical answers away from wanting to draw and quarter him.
Mick chuckled. “I’m sure you’ve heard the stories, that I’m a meddler, that I’m overly protective when it comes to my family.”
Noah smiled. “Those are the rumors.”
“Definitely true,” Mick confirmed. “But I’m also a pragmatist. This baby’s coming, whether I approve or disapprove. I just want to ensure that the baby’s interests and my granddaughter’s are protected.”
“That’s all I want, too,” Noah told him with complete candor. “I love Caitlyn, sir. I’ve been very clear with her about that and you need to know it, too.”
“Are we agreed, then, that marriage is the answer?” Mick asked, though it was less a question than a statement.
“I want to marry her, no question about it,” Noah confirmed. “I’ve been eager to start a family with her for a long time now. The only thing preventing me from asking was knowing how dedicated she is to this dream of hers to go back to Africa to practice medicine.”
“And I totally admire her for that dedication,” Mick said. “O’Briens understand
