She stood a moment when he turned and stepped out of the dance. Then, because she couldn’t resist, she darted to one of the arches and watched him walk, with a whistle for the dog, over his field.

Not a man to underestimate, she mused. And she watched until he’d disappeared behind a rise, unconsciously rubbing her warmed knuckles against her cheek.

Chapter Seven

Shannon didn’t know how to approach her first visit to an Irish pub. It wasn’t that she didn’t look forward to it. She always enjoyed new things, new places, new people. And even if she’d been resistant, Brianna’s obvious pleasure at the idea of an evening out would have pushed her into going.

Yet she couldn’t quite resolve herself to the idea of taking a baby to a bar.

“Oh, you’re ready.” Brianna glanced up when Shannon started down the stairs. “I’m sorry, I’m running behind. The baby was hungry, then needed changing.” She swayed as she spoke, Kayla resting in the crook of one arm, a tray with two cups of tea balanced in the other. “Then the sisters complained about itchy throats and asked for some hot toddies.”

“The sisters?”

“The Freemonts, in the blue room? Oh, you probably missed them. They just came in today. Seems they got caught in the rain and took a chill.” Brianna rolled her eyes. “They’re regulars, are the Freemonts, so I try not to mind their fussing. But they spend the three days a year they have here doing little else. Gray says it’s because they’ve lived with each other all their lives and neither ever had a decent tumble with a man.”

She stopped herself, flushed, then managed a weak smile when Shannon laughed.

“I shouldn’t be talking that way about guests. But the point is, I’m a little behind things, so if you wouldn’t mind waiting?”

“Of course not. Can I—”

“Oh, and there’s the phone. Blast it, let it ring.”

“Where’s Gray?”

“Oh, he’s investigating a crime scene, or killing someone else. He snarled when I poked into his studio, so he’ll be no help at the moment.”

“I see. Well, can I do something?”

“I’d be grateful if you could take the baby for a few minutes, just while I run this tray upstairs and pamper the sisters a bit.” Brianna’s eyes gleamed. “It won’t take long; I used a free hand with the whiskey.”

“Sure, I’ll take her.” Warily Shannon shifted Kayla into her arms. The baby felt so terrifyingly small there, and fragile. “I haven’t had a lot of practice. Most of the women I know are concentrating on their career and putting off having children.”

“A pity, isn’t it, that it’s still so much easier for men to do both. If you’d just walk her a bit. She’s restless—as anxious I think to get out and have some music and company as I am.”

With an enviable grace, Brianna darted up the steps with her tray and doctored tea.

“Restless, Kayla?” Shannon strolled down the hall and into the parlor. “I know the feeling.” Charmed, she skimmed a finger down the baby’s cheek and felt that quick jolt of pleasure when a tiny fist gripped it. “Strong, aren’t you? You’re no pushover. I don’t think your mother’s one, either.”

Indulging herself, she snuck a kiss, then another, delighted when Kayla bubbled at her.

“Pretty great, isn’t she?”

Still starry-eyed, Shannon looked up and smiled as Gray strode into the room. “She’s just beautiful. You don’t realize how tiny they are until you’re holding one.”

“She’s grown.” He bent down, grinned at his daughter. “She looked like an indignant fairy when she was born. I’ll never forget it.”

“She looks like her mother now. Speaking of which, Brianna’s upstairs drugging the Freemont sisters.”

“Good.” Gray seemed to find that no surprise, and nodded. “I hope she does a good job of it; otherwise they’ll keep her busting her ass for three days.”

“She seems to do that pretty well on her own.”

“That’s Brie. Want a drink before we go, or would you rather wait for a pint at the pub?”

“I’ll wait, thanks. You’re going with us? I thought you were killing someone.”

“Not tonight. They’re already dead.” Gray considered a whiskey, opted against. He was more in the mood for a Guinness. “Brie said you wanted to do some painting while you’re here.”

“I think I do. I brought some things with me, enough to get started anyway.” Unconsciously she was mimicking Brianna’s movements by swaying the baby. “She said I could use the car and try Ennis for more supplies.”

“You’d do better in Galway, but you might find what you need there.”

“I don’t like to use her car,” Shannon blurted out.

“Worried about driving on the left?”

“There is that—but it just doesn’t feel right to borrow it.”

Considering, Gray eased down on the arm of the sofa. “Want some advice from a fellow Yank?”

“Maybe.”

“The people around here are a world unto themselves. Offering to give, to lend, to share everything, themselves included, is second nature. When Brie hands you the keys to her car, she isn’t thinking—is she insured, does she have a driving record—she’s just thinking someone needs the car. And that’s all there is to it.”

“It isn’t as easy from my end. I didn’t come here to be part of a big, generous family.”

“Why did you come?”

“Because I don’t know who I am.” Furious that it had come out, that it had been there to come out, she handed him the baby. “I don’t like having an identity crisis.”

“Can’t blame you,” Gray said easily. “I’ve been there myself.” He caught the sound of his wife’s voice, patient, soothing. “Why don’t you give yourself a little time, pal? Enjoy the scenery, gain a few pounds on Brianna’s cooking. In my experience, the answers usually come when you least expect them.”

“Professionally or personally?”

He rose, gave her a friendly pat on cheek. “Both. Hey, Brie, are we going or not?”

“I just have to get my bag.” She hurried in, smoothing her hair. “Oh, Gray, are you going then?”