The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy

ballads and great, whirling reels. She would have to research them as well, their sources, their irony, their humor and despair.
    She hugged the new inspiration to her, and let the music sweep her away.
    By the time they were done, the room was crammed with those who’d wandered in from other areas of the house or outside. And the last note, the last sharp stomp of feet were greeted by wild applause.
    Brenna staggered over and dropped at Jude’s feet again. “Ma’s right, I can’t keep up with her. The woman’s a wonder.” Swiping an arm over her brow, she sighed. “Someone have mercy and get me a beer.”
    “I’ll get it. You earned it.” Jude got to her feet and tried to squeeze her way through to the kitchen. She received several requests for a dance that she laughingly declined, compliments on her ham that gave her a dazzled glow and on her looks that made her think several of her guests had been enjoying the kegs quite a bit.
    When she finally reached the kitchen, she was surprised that Aidan was behind her and already had her hand caught in his. “Come outside for a breath of air.”
    “Oh, but I told Brenna I’d get her a beer.”
    “Jack, take our Brenna a pint, will you?” he called it out as he pulled Jude through the back door.
    “I love listening to you play, but you must be tired of it by now.”
    “I never mind making a few hours of music. It’s the Gallagher way.” He continued to pull her along, past the pack of men huddled near the back door, toward the curving path of candles nestled in the grass and garden. “But it hasn’t given me time to be with you, or to tell you how lovely you’re looking tonight. You left your hair down,” he said, tangling his fingers in the tips of it.
    “It seemed to go better with the dress.” She shook it back and lifted her face to the sky. It was a deep, deep blue now, the color of a night that would never fully become night because of the white ball of moon.
    A magic night of shadows and light when the faeries came out to dance.
    “I can’t believe what a state I got myself into over this. Everyone was right. They said it would just happen, and it did. I guess the best things do.”
    She turned when they reached the spot where she’d imagined putting an arbor. Behind them the house—her house, she thought with warm pride—was lit up bright as Christmas. The music continued to pour out, tangled with voices and laughter.
    “This is how it should be,” she murmured. “A house should have music.”
    “I’ll give you music in it whenever you like.” When she smiled and slipped into his arms, he guided her into a dance, just as she’d dreamed he would.
    It was perfect, she thought. Magic and music and moonlight. One long night where the darkness was only a brief flicker.
    “If you came to America and played one song, you’d have a recording contract before you’d finished it.”
    “That’s not for me. I’m for here.”
    “Yes, you are.” She leaned back to smile at him. Indeed, she couldn’t imagine him anywhere else. “You’re for here.”
    And it was the magic and the music and the moonlight that pushed him before he had the words ready. “And so are you. There’s no reason for you to go back.” He eased her away. “You’re happy here.”
    “I’ve been very happy here. But—”
    “That’s enough right there to keep you. What’s wrong with just being happy?”
    His abrupt tone had her smile turning puzzled. “Nothing, of course, but I need to work. I have to support myself.”
    “You can find work to content you here.”
    She had, she thought. She’d found her life’s work in writing. But old habits die hard. “There doesn’t seem to be much call for psychology professors in Ardmore at the moment.”
    “You didn’t like doing that.”
    He was starting to make her nervous. A chill slid up her arms and made her wish for a jacket. “It’s what I do. What I know how to do.”
    “So you’ll figure out how to do something else. I want you here with me, Jude.” Even as her heart gave one wild leap at the words, he continued on. “I need a wife.”
    She wasn’t sure if the thud was her heart dropping again, or just simple shock. “Excuse me?”
    “I need a wife,” he repeated. “I think you should marry me, then we’ll figure out the rest of the business later.”

SEVENTEEN
    “Y OU NEED A wife,” she repeated, keeping her voice calm, spacing the words evenly.
    “I do, yes.” It wasn’t precisely