“They’ll be gone before the day is out,” he promised. “Now, come in the rest of the way, Gram. Maybe you’d like to hear some of the demo CDs that Moira has chosen for possible music for opening night?”
“I’d love it,” Nell said.
“I’ll turn the speakers up while you and Grandfather look around,” Moira said.
Within half an hour, not only did Luke have their enthusiastic approval, but he had a final selection for the singer and band for the opening. The choice had been unanimous. It was one more thing to tick off on that endless to-do list of his. At this rate, he might actually get this place open on schedule.
He glanced at Moira, who had her head together with Nell’s as they debated his choice of china, and smiled. Apparently the design he’d chosen had been dismissed as boring and the order canceled. He’d decided it was a small price to pay to have them so happily involved.
Thinking of his grandmother’s earlier advice, he thought it was entirely possible that once he had O’Briens up and running successfully, he’d put his mind to the rest of his future and whether this was, in fact, the woman he increasingly wanted to share it with. In just the past twenty-four hours he’d become aware that the decision might be far easier than he’d ever imagined such a momentous one could be.
Mick dropped by the family’s real estate management company office on Main Street, hoping to catch up with his brother. As usual, he found Susie at her desk, but no sign of Jeff.
“Where’s your father gone now?” he grumbled.
Susie gave him an amused look. “He’s left just to annoy you.”
Mick tried to control his smile, but couldn’t. “That sassy mouth of yours is going to get you into trouble one of these days, young lady.”
Susie laughed. “But I live for those moments,” she responded. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“Not really. I just thought your father and I should have a chat about Luke and Moira.”
“No, you shouldn’t,” she said very firmly. “You should leave them alone, stay miles and miles away from them, keep your mouths firmly shut.” She gave him a penetrating look. “Am I getting through to you?”
“You’re making your opinion plain, if that’s what you mean,” he said. “Do you honestly believe it will make a difference?”
She sighed. “Sadly, no.”
He studied his niece intently. “You feeling okay?”
“I’m feeling great,” she said. “All clear of cancer on my last follow-up.”
“That’s great news, darlin’. You and Mack given any more thought to adopting children?”
She gave him a resigned look. “There are absolutely no topics that are off-limits to you, are there, Uncle Mick?”
“Not when it comes to family,” he said easily. “And I know you’re perfectly capable of telling me to butt out, if you don’t want me to know something.”
“Butt out,” she said.
“Is that because there’s something to tell?” he asked. “Or because there isn’t? Is Mack balking? I know he had his doubts about being a good father, but we all know better. I could convince him that he’ll be a fine one.”
Susie shook her head. “Mack’s on board. I’m the holdout. And that is all I intend to say. This is between me and my husband. It’s not a group decision.”
Mick relented. “Fair enough. When is Jeff due back?”
“Sadly, he’s just parking the car out front, which means he won’t be able to avoid you,” she said.
Mick leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Always a pleasure to see you.”
Susie chuckled. “Maybe from your perspective,” she said, just as Jeff came in.
“You here to see me?” he asked Mick.
“I am, but I’ve been catching up with your daughter in the meantime.”
“Be careful, Dad. He’s on a mission,” Susie warned as she grabbed her purse and headed for the door. “I’m going to Sally’s to grab a sandwich. Call me on my cell phone if he gets to be too much for you to handle.”
“I’ve been dealing with Mick since birth. I know all his tricks,” Jeff responded. In his office, he gave Mick a knowing look. “I’m guessing this is about Luke and Moira.”
Mick regarded him with amazement. “How’d you figure that out? It didn’t surprise me that Susie did, but you’re usually less intuitive.”
“Because everything’s running smoothly at the real estate company. There are no family crises that I’m aware of. That leaves my son’s social life for you to fret over.”
“Tell me you’re happy about the way things are,” Mick said. “Is Moira the woman you’d have chosen for him?”
“She beats out Kristen Lewis by a country mile,” Jeff retorted, then sighed. “But no, probably not. She was a hard woman to warm up to when we were in Dublin.”
“She was at that,” Mick agreed. “She seemed different when I picked up Dillon and her at the airport yesterday. She was a bit more mellow.”
“She was the same at Ma’s last night,” Jeff added. “And Luke was obviously delighted to see her. Maybe, just this once, the rest of us could stay out of it and let them work through things on their own.”
Mick lifted a brow at the suggestion. “That’s the difference between you and me. You’re content to sit on the sidelines. I like to take charge and be sure things work out for the best.”
“That’s the problem,” Jeff said. “You don’t always know what’s best, any more than I do.” He gave Mick a knowing look. “This is really about Ma, isn’t it? She’s told you to steer clear of her relationship with Dillon, so that’s left only Luke and Moira for you to focus on.”
Mick sighed with frustration. “When did you get to be so smart? Yes, it’s driving me
