“He says the same of you,” Rogan commented as he stepped up to take Shannon’s bag. He gave Brianna and Kayla a kiss before stowing the suitcase.

“Don’t forget to take your vitamins,” Brianna told Maggie, then leaned into the car to kiss her and Liam goodbye.

“I didn’t realize you were coming, Maggie.” Nor did she know how she felt about it. Turning, she gave Brianna a quick embrace and kissed Kayla on the tip of her nose.

“Fly safe.” Brianna jiggled the baby, watching the car until it was out of sight.

It was a short trip to the airport under leaden skies and drizzling rain. Shannon thought back to the day she had landed at the airport that shared her name.

She’d been all nerves and repressed anger. Most of the anger had faded, she realized. But the nerves were still there, jumping now as she considered what this short trip would change in her life.

There was little fuss on their arrival. Shannon decided Rogan was a man who tolerated none when it came to business. In short order they were seated on his private plane with Liam bouncing at the window, pointing out every truck or cart that came into view.

“He’s a traveling man, is Liam.” Maggie settled back, hoping they’d be airborne soon so that she could have a cup of tea. She’d been suffering a great deal more morning queasiness with this pregnancy than she had with her first. And she didn’t care for it.

“It’s wonderful he can have the experience,” Shannon commented. “I always appreciated it.”

“You did a lot of traveling with your parents.” Rogan slipped a hand over Maggie’s, wishing every bit as strongly as she that the morning sickness would run its course.

“My father’s favorite hobby. One of my earliest memories is of arriving at the airport in Rome. The rush and the voices, and the color of it. I guess I was about five.”

The plane began to taxi, and Liam hooted with delight.

“He likes this part best.” Maggie kept a smile glued to her face as the takeoff roiled her stomach. Damn, damn, damn, she thought. She would not throw up the pitiful dry toast she’d choked down for breakfast.

“Me, too.” Shannon leaned over, pressing her cheek to Liam’s so they could share the excitement together. “There it goes, Liam. We’re up with the birds.”

“Birds! Bye. Bye-bye.”

Bye. Shannon sighed a little. Murphy was down there. They hadn’t had their full night together as they’d hoped. Between the trip and the rain and a horse with a split hoof, they’d barely had an hour alone.

And time was running out. She was going to have to think of that very soon. New York wouldn’t wait forever.

“Bloody hell.”

As Shannon looked back, surprised, Maggie tore off her seat belt and bolted out of the cabin. The lavatory door slammed behind her.

“Bloody hell,” Liam repeated, diction for once nearly perfect.

“Is she airsick?” Shannon reached for her own belt, wondering what, if anything, she should do.