An O'Brian Bride For Christmas

By Jude McLean

Christmastime is here and due largely to the remarkable efforts of Sondra and Simon, the harrowing threat of the last few months is over. What better way to celebrate than with a lavish wedding? But Sondra insists she wants a courthouse ceremony. Simon isn’t convinced and is determined to make it an extraordinary celebration for the love of his life.

Join the O’Brians as they transform the drab wedding into an enchanting winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, a Bitsy ring-bearer, and holiday cheer. Don’t forget the champagne and sprinkles because this is one Christmas none of them will ever forget!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jude McLean
• Release date: Nov 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798392585045

Jude McLean

Jude McLean holds a deep-rooted affinity to Ireland. She can’t be there as much as she would like. With her writing, she can be there as often as she wishes and bring her readers along for the ride. When Jude isn’t writing, you can find her in the kitchen creating lavish desserts and meals, all the while happily singing as she waves a wooden spoon. She laughs too loud, swears too often, and can eat an entire cake all by herself. But she promises her readers will never go without a laugh, a gasp, and a smile.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Sunny, I’ll be fine. It’s just the flu or a cold or something. Simon O’Brian held his stomach, willing it with all his might to please, for the love of Jesus and Christ almighty, please stop flipping topsy-turvy.

Are you sure?

Of course, love. Uh-oh, the stomach bile was creeping its way up again. Go to your shop. You’ve got that new shipment coming in today and, he belched and waited a beat, excuse me. This conversation needed to wrap up fast. I’ll be here when you get home and I promise I’ll take it easy. Nothing but television and naps.

Would you like me to make you some tea before I go and maybe some crackers?

She just had to mention food.

Simon clapped his hand over his mouth and made a mad dash to the toilet. After emptying his stomach—again, he stumbled through the bedroom doorway and ever so carefully laid face down on the bed. Surely there couldn’t be anything left to upchuck. He was pretty sure the quarter he’d swallowed when he was four years old clinked inside the toilet bowl.

Sondra Keane entered their bedroom and pulled back the duvet to help the love of her life get comfortable and stay warm. In the course of an hour, his face had turned three shades of green. She placed her palm over his forehead, assessing if he had a temperature. He did. Simon, I can’t leave you. Not like this. I’ll get you something to ease your stomach.

No! He hadn’t meant to shout, but shout he did. I mean, no need, love. He turned over and laid his head on a pillow. I’m just going to lie here and go to sleep now. You don’t need to be here for that. Bitsy leaped onto the bed and stretched out between Simon’s body and his arm. There now, you see? I have all the nursing I need right here. Bitsy licked his arm and snuggled her little face against him.

Well, if you’re sure?

I’m pos— A belch erupted from his throat without warning. Excuse me. I’m positive. You go and I’ll be here when you get back. And I promise to call if I need anything.

Sondra kissed her fingertips and pressed them to his forehead, then Bitsy’s. You take good care of your daddy, Bits. I won’t be gone long. With that, she left.

The moment he heard her car drive away, Simon rolled onto his side and looked at Bitsy. Your mum is going to be the death of me.

He had things to do, important things, but they would all have to wait because right now all he had strength for was a nap and another prayer that he didn’t have any more spare change lingering in his stomach.

Darcie stood inside her kitchen, wearing a contented smile, as she gazed through the glass doors at her partially wintry backyard. Beyond the panes, delicate snowflakes drifted gracefully through the air, gently blanketing the ground before melting away. The snowfall was just enough to create a Christmasy atmosphere without causing any concerns. As she took in this picturesque scene, she couldn't help but reflect. Not only would this be her first Christmas in Ireland, but her first Christmas with Connor. The beautiful thought filled her with so much joy she thought her heart might burst.

While Darcie daydreamed, the music of Elvis Presley singing I’ll Be Home For Christmas danced through the air causing her to sway, and the scent of popcorn popping was making her mouth water. Being pregnant with twins meant she was almost always hungry, which wouldn’t necessarily be a problem except that she had eaten only ten minutes before.

And thirty minutes before that.

Okay, okay, so she’d had three breakfasts, and it was only 10:02, so what?

She popped a kernel of popcorn in her mouth and scrunched her nose. It needed salt and butter. But this popcorn wasn’t meant for eating, it was meant for garland. A tradition she’d had with her parents that she had never given up. Even when she was at the convent, she’d had strands of popcorn garland hanging in the kitchen. She had called it bird food, so the other Sisters didn’t get upset.

The last of the garland popcorn was finished popping and Darcie poured it from the popper into the large bowl that was near to overflowing, then carried it to the table. Her dog, Bootstrap, followed her every move. Butter and salt or not, he wanted that popcorn and was waiting to seize the opportunity to get some. Once she was seated, he parked beside her, staring with his big brown eyes, pouting. Who could say no to that face? He’d learned that from Bitsy. Thanks a lot, Bitsy. Oh well. Darcie scratched the dog between his ears then looked at the clock on the kitchen wall. Sondra would arrive any minute.

As she threaded popcorn onto a string and denied Bootstrap any more popcorn, regardless of his impressively pitiful expression, Sondra called out from the front door. Darcie called back that she was in the kitchen. She could hear Sondra’s footsteps on the hardwood and noticed that instead of her usual confident strides, it sounded more like Lurch was entering her home. Each step dragged before the foot plopped onto the floor.

Then Lurch appeared in the kitchen. The sight was a shock to say the least! Darcie watched as it, er, Sondra slumped her way onto an opposite chair at the dining table.

Hi there, are you feeling okay? Darcie asked.

Sondra flopped her elbow onto the table and her chin on her hand. Fine. You?

Fine, she’d said. She looked like … well, Darcie was too nice to say what Sondra looked like. She didn’t use words like that. Did you forget something this morning?

I don’t think so. Like what?

A hair brush, a wash cloth, soap? That was Darcie’s way of saying Sondra looked like … how could she put it without using an offensive word? A hot, sweaty fry-up.

Bite me.

Oh yeah, Sondra’s fine alright. And a Merry Christmas to you too! What’s wrong? This isn’t like you.

Sondra turned her face away and stared at the falling snow and started eating the popcorn kernel by kernel, not caring that it tasted like cardboard. So I’m eating my feelings. Have you got a problem with that?

Darcie couldn’t believe Sondra was able to swallow the bland popcorn. On any other day she would have spit it out the moment it hit her tongue. Whatever it is, I’m sure we can work it out. What can I do to help?

Sondra’s expression warmed. I miss seeing you every day. She reached her hand across the table to hold Darcie’s.

When Darcie took Sondra’s hand, she accidentally dug a fingernail into her skin. I’m sorry. My nails are growing so fast I can’t keep up with them. I miss you too. But I don’t think that’s what’s really bothering you.

After a minute, Sondra's face twisted. Her tastebuds had finally sent a message to her brain: spit it out! Ewww. Why did you let me eat this? It needs butter, salt, and sprinkles. I’ll get some. Sondra stood up to go find the ingredients.

No, you won’t. This is for the garland. If you want popcorn for eating, I’ll make you some. I want some too anyway. You just sit here. I’ll make us some tea, and I made a gingerbread cake this morning. Shamus gave me a recipe that has ground peppercorns in it. We can have that too. Sweets soothe the soul like nothing else.

Darcie got up to make more popcorn and make tea. Once the water was boiled and the tea brewed, she poured them each a cup and added some whiskey to Sondra’s. She took the tea to Sondra while the popcorn finished popping.

Sondra took a deep whiff of the hot whiskey and closed her eyes. You always know what I need.

Darcie softly smiled and went back behind the counter to finish their popcorn. She melted the butter and sprinkled it over the top while tossing it in. Even distribution being the key to perfect popcorn, she then added salt and held up two kinds of sprinkles. Sondra pointed to the red and green tiny Christmas-stocking-shaped sprinkles as she drank from her cup. Darcie nodded and shook in the sprinkles and dumped them everywhere except in the bowl when Sondra had an outburst.

I made a huge mistake!

Darcie looked down at the scattered red and green edible stockings. No worries, Bootstrap handled the floor cleanup while she handled the countertop. Okay, whatever it is, I’m sure we can work it out. Having gathered the stray stockings, she continued with the prep. Since Sondra always appreciated directness, she didn’t bother mincing her words. What’s this mistake that’s got you protesting a shower? Darcie’s question was met with a scowl and Sondra sitting back in her chair with her arms crossed. Fine, then. I’ll take my kindly meant intentions elsewhere.

Sondra grinned with a proud snort. You know you sound more Irish every day? And yes, please kindly do. Darcie smiled back at her and waited with a look in her eye, telling Sondra that nobody would leave that table until she explained herself. I don’t want to get married! she blurted.

What? What do you mean? Of course, you do. You love Simon! Darcie brought the fresh bowl of popcorn over and placed it in front of Sondra then stood beside her, circling her free arm around her shoulders.

Sondra leaned into her friend, laid her head on her pregnant belly and relaxed, until one twin gave her a kick. Apparently, they would not be sharing their cozy space at the present time. Sondra snickered and sat up. I do want to marry Simon. What I meant was I don’t want to get married at the courthouse. But I swore up and down to him that I do! It was my stupid idea! Darcie patted her shoulder, then sat down beside her while Sondra shoved a handful of popcorn in her mouth and continued talking with her mouth full, crunching with kernels falling from her mouth. "And now my wedding is going to be more like a funeral! I might as well show up in my bathrobe and