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.”