“She’s found a new way to make jam or she’s hosted another coffee morning?” He looked up, grinning.

“No, she’s off on a trip out West with her friend Letitia Blackstone. They’re going to visit Letitia’s daughter—the one whose husband is building a bridge across the Mississippi River.”

“Good God,” Daniel said. “Mother on a trip out West? I thought a journey from Westchester to the city counted as a long journey for her. I hope her health is up to it.”

“She’s as strong as an ox, Daniel. And it will be good for her. She’s taking Bridie along for company.”

“Amazing.” Daniel went back to eating. “I suppose it’s too late to dissuade her?”

“Why stop her? Travel broadens the mind. One needs adventures.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“And my other letter was from Sid.” I held it up to him. “They’re having a lovely time in Paris. Sid’s discovered a long-lost cousin and started writing poetry. Gus has an introduction to Reynold Bryce—”

Daniel grinned. “I shouldn’t have thought Gus painted in a style he’d approve of. Didn’t he do all those portraits of the angelic child, copies of which now grace half the nurseries in America?”

“He moved on and became an Impressionist, so I’m told.”

“But Gus is certainly not an Impressionist.” Daniel chuckled. “I’m not sure how you’d define her painting. Bad, I’d say, but I suppose you’d leap to defend her.”

“It’s not my cup of tea,” I said, loyalty struggling with honesty, “but I’m not a qualified critic of the arts. I don’t think we fully appreciate modern art, such as the pictures Gus paints.”

Daniel snorted as he picked up his glass and took a long swig of beer. “Well, good for them. At least they’re enjoying themselves and staying out of mischief with that damned suffrage movement.”

“Sid wanted to know if policemen ever got time off to travel,” I said. “She and Gus want us to join them.”

“Travel to Paris? On a policeman’s salary?” Daniel laughed. “Those women have no idea what it’s like to live in the real world.”

I chose not to add that Gus had offered to pay my way if necessary. That would only insult Daniel’s pride.

“I’m rather glad they’re away for a while, to tell the truth,” he said. “It gives you a chance to concentrate on your husband and son, and not get any more silly ideas in your head.”

“Daniel Sullivan, don’t you dare talk to me like that,” I said angrily. “I think it’s just grand to be a wife and mother, but I’ll get all the silly ideas I want, thank you very much.”

He laughed again. “I love it when you’re angry. Actually I was afraid you were becoming too docile of late. Not the wild Molly from Ireland I first fell in love with.”

“If you say any more patronizing things to me, you’ll still find me wild enough, I’ll warrant,” I said, giving him a challenging stare that made him laugh all the more. I came around the table to him and he grabbed my wrist, drawing me down toward him. “And I wouldn’t mind a good wrestle either,” he said, his face now inches from mine. “I’ve been so damned preoccupied that we’ve hardly had a good.…”