“Traveling aggravates my digestion. But I suppose I could tolerate a bit of inconvenience.”

This time it was Shannon’s warning glance that held back Maggie’s snarl. “I’d be grateful,” she said between clamped teeth. “I’ll have Rogan arrange to have the plane take you when it suits.”

Twenty minutes later Brianna listened to the front door close behind her mother and Lottie, then crossed the kitchen to give Maggie a hard hug.

“That was well done, Maggie.”

“I feel as if I’d swallowed a toad. Her digestion be damned.”

Brianna only laughed. “Don’t spoil it.”

“And you.” Maggie spun to jerk an accusing finger at Shannon.

“And me?” she returned, all innocence.

“As if I couldn’t see the wheels turning in your head. ‘Sick as a dog, she is, Mrs. Concannon. Snaps like a terrier.’ ”

“Worked, didn’t it?”

Maggie opened her mouth, then closed it on a laugh. “It did, but my pride’s sorely injured.” Catching movement through the window, she moved closer and peered out. “Well, look what Con’s rooted out of the bush. There’s three men coming this way, Brianna. You may want to make a new pot of tea.” She stared out for another moment as a smile bloomed. “Christ Jesus, what a handsome lot they are. I’ll take the jackeen,” she murmured. “The two of you can scrabble over the others.”

While Shannon tried to adjust her suddenly jittery system, Maggie went to the door and threw it open. Con bolted in first, streaking under the table to vacuum up the crumbs Liam had been considerate enough to drop.

“Cake.” His senses as tuned as the hounds, Gray spotted the treat the moment he crossed the threshold. “With the marshmallow stuff. Guys, we’ve struck gold.”

“Da.” Liam bounced in his chair and held up sticky fingers. Rogan had the presence of mind to stop by the sink and dampen a cloth before he went to his son.

Murphy just stood there, his cap in his hands, his eyes on Shannon. “You’re back.”

“A couple of hours ago,” she began, then her eyes widened as he marched to her, pulled her to her feet, and kissed her the way a wise man only kisses a woman in private.

“Welcome.”

She didn’t have a single breath left. She drew some in and nodded. She would have given her shaky legs the relief of sitting again, but he held firm to her arm.

“Come with me.”

“Well, I . . .” Her gaze darted around the room, where everyone was suddenly intent on their own business.

“Hold on to yourself, Murphy,” Maggie said lightly as she got out fresh plates. “Shannon’s a present she wants to give you.”

“Yes. That’s right. I . . .” She trailed off.

“I’ll get the box for you,” Rogan offered.

“Will you have some tea, Murphy?” Brianna asked.

“No, thank you.” He never took his eyes off Shannon’s face. “We can’t stay just now. Shannon’ll have dinner with me tonight.”

“And breakfast,” Gray murmured in Brianna’s ear.