“You always speak of New York as if it were another planet instead of across the sea.”

“It’s as far as the moon as far as I’m concerned.”

With a laugh, Brianna glanced over her shoulder at him. He was more handsome than even he’d been as a boy. And the women of the village had talked of his angel face in those days. Now there was a good bit of the devil as well to add impact to those vivid blue eyes and quick, crooked smile.

The outdoor life he led suited him, and over the years his face had fined down to a kind of sculpted leanness that drew women’s eyes. A fact that he didn’t mind a bit. His unruly thatch of black waves defied proper combing. His body was tough, with muscled arms, broad shoulders, narrow hips. Brianna knew first hand that he was as strong as one of his beloved horses, and a great deal more gentle.

Despite the strength and ruggedness, there was something poetic about him. A dreaming in the eyes, she thought with affection.

“What are you looking at?” He wiped a hand over his chin. “Have I cream on my face?”

“No, I was thinking what a shame it is you haven’t found a woman to share your pretty face with.”

Though he grinned, he shifted with some embarrassment. “Why is it whenever a woman marries she thinks everyone should do the same?”

“Because she’s happy.” She looked down to where Kayla sat contentedly in her infant chair. “Don’t you think she’s looking more like Grayson?”

“She’s the image of you. Aren’t you, Kayla love?” He bent over to tickle the baby’s chin. “What are you doing about your mother, Brie?”

“Nothing, at the moment.” Wishing she didn’t have to think of it, she gripped her hands together. “She’ll have to be told, of course, but I want to give Shannon time to relax before that storm hits.”

“It’ll be a gale of some proportion. Are you sure she knows nothing about the matter? Has no idea there was another woman, or a child because of her?”

“As sure as I am of my own name.” Brianna sighed and went back to setting up family tea. “You know how things were between them. If Mother had known, she’d have hounded him to death over it.”

“That’s true enough. Brie.” Murphy skimmed his knuckles down her cheek until she looked back at him again. “Don’t take it all on yourself. You’re not alone in this.”

“I know that. But it’s worrying, Murphy. Things are still strained between Mother and me, and they’ve never been smooth between her and Maggie. I don’t know how much worse this will make it. Yet there’s nothing else we could do. Da would have wanted her to come, and have a chance to know her family.”

“Then rest easy for a while.” With his cup still in one hand, he cuddled her with the other and bent to touch his lips to her cheek.