Homeport

at home with her baby daughter.
    “You must be very proud of them.”
    “They’re good kids. Educated.” She beamed at Ryan as she said it. “All my children went to college. Patrick’s a freshman. He knows all about computers.”
    “Really.” It seemed a much safer topic, so Miranda smiled at him. “It’s a fascinating field.”
    “It’s like playing games for a living. Oh, Ry, I’ve got some of the data you asked me to access.”
    “Great.”
    “What data?” Colleen stopped eyeing Miranda and narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Ryan.
    “Just cleaning up a little business, baby.” He gave her hand a casual squeeze. “Mama, you outdid yourself tonight.”
    “Don’t change the subject, Ryan.”
    “Colleen.” Maureen’s voice was mild, with honed steel beneath. “We have company. Help me clear the table. I made tiramisu, your favorite, Ry.”
    “We’re going to discuss this,” Colleen said between her teeth, but rose obediently to clear plates.
    “Let me help.” Miranda started to rise and was waved back by her hostess.

    “Guests don’t clear. You sit.”
    “Don’t worry about Colleen,” Patrick said the moment she was out of earshot. “We’ll handle her.”
    “Shut up, Patrick.” Though Ryan smiled over at Miranda, she caught a glint of discomfort in his eyes. “I don’t think we mentioned what Colleen does.”
    “No, you didn’t.”
    “She’s a cop.” With a sigh, he rose. “I’ll give them a hand with the coffee.”
    “Oh, wonderful.” Blindly, Miranda reached for her wine.
     
    She kept out of the way, obeying the house rules by retiring to the living room after coffee and dessert. Since Giorgio was busy grilling her on what she did, why she wasn’t married, her mind was well engaged. No one seemed bothered by the angry words coming out of the kitchen.
    When Colleen stormed out, Patrick only rolled his eyes. “Here she goes again.”
    “You promised, Ry. You gave your word.”
    “I’m keeping it.” Obviously frustrated, he dragged a hand through his hair. “I’m just finishing what I started, baby. Then it’s done.”
    “And what does she have to do with it?” She jabbed a finger at Miranda.
    “Colleen, it’s not polite to point,” Giorgio told her.
    “Oh hell.” And tossing something uncomplimentary in Italian over her shoulder, Colleen strode out of the house.
    “Damn it.” Ryan blew out a breath, offered Miranda an apologetic smile. “Be right back.”
    “Um . . .” She sat another moment, nearly squirming as Giorgio and Patrick stared at her. “I’ll go see if Mrs. Boldari needs any help after all.”
    She escaped into what she hoped was some area of sanity. The kitchen was big and airy and carried the warm, friendly smells of the meal. With its bright counters and sparkling white floor, it was a picture out of a grocery store checkout magazine.
    Dozens of incomprehensible pictures executed with crayon crowded the front of the refrigerator. There was a bowl of fresh fruit on the table, and cafe curtains at the windows.
    Normality, Miranda decided.
    “I hoped you’d bend your rule and let me give you a hand.”
    “Sit.” Maureen gestured to the table. “Have coffee. They’ll finish arguing soon. I should wallop them both for making a scene in front of company. My kids.” She turned to an efficient home cappuccino maker and began to fix a cup. “They got passion, good brains, and wide stubborn streaks. Take after their father.”
    “Do you think so? I see a lot of you in Ryan.”
    It was exactly the right thing to say. Maureen’s eyes turned warm and loving. “The firstborn. No matter how many you have, there’s only one first. You love them all—so much it’s a wonder your heart doesn’t break from it. But there’s only one first. You’ll know, one day.”
    “Hmmm.” Miranda declined to comment as Maureen frothed the milk. “It must be a little worrying, having a child go into law enforcement.”
    “Colleen, she knows what she wants. Never goes any way but forward, that girl. One day, she’ll be a captain. You’ll see. She’s mad at Ryan,” she continued conversationally, as she set the cup in front of Miranda. “He’ll charm her out of it.”
    “I’m sure he will. He’s very charming.”
    “Girls always chased after him. But my Ryan’s very particular. He’s got his eye on you.”
    It was time, Miranda decided, to put the record straight. “Mrs. Boldari, I don’t think Ryan was completely clear about