The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy

asked.
    “Well, now, some might disagree with that. It’s the business of it that’s weighing on you, Aidan. And better you than me. I mean it sincerely. Carrying the Gallagher name is standing enough, legal or otherwise, for my needs.”
    Shawn turned back so he could look at the pub, the dark wood, the cobbled stone, the etched glass that caught winks of sunlight. “It’s done well enough till now, hasn’t it? When the time comes, your children, and mine and Darcy’s, will work it out for themselves.”
    “You might marry a woman with other ideas.”
    Shawn thought of Brenna, shook his head. “If a woman didn’t believe in me and my family enough to trust in this, I’d have no business marrying her.”
    “You don’t know what it is to be in love beyond reason. I’d have walked away from here, from this, from everyone, if she’d asked it of me or wanted it so.”
    “She didn’t ask it of you, or want it so. You might have desired a woman who would have, Aidan, but you’d never have lost your heart to her.”
    Aidan started to speak, then huffed out a breath first. “An answer for everything. And it’s not a little vexing that each one seems a right one.”
    “I’ve given the matter some thought over time. Now you give me one, as I’ve a question. When you love a woman, beyond reason, does it hurt, or give you pleasure?”
    “Both, very often at the same time.”
    Shawn nodded as they started back. “I thought that might be the case, but it’s interesting to hear it confirmed.”

It was a fair and fresh evening, and business was brisk as the wind that tripped in over the sea. Music drew customers, some to listen while they sipped their pints, others to join in on the chorus, and more than a few who found the music pulled them to their feet to dance.
    Despite the fast pace, Shawn found time to pop out now and then. And once, watching Brenna circling the tables in a pretty waltz with old Mr. Riley, he pondered an idea.
    “I’ve a notion here, Aidan.” Shawn served two orders of fish and chips at the bar himself. He took a glass to pull himself a Harp and cut his thirst. “You see Brenna dancing there?”
    “I do.” Aidan topped off the last layer of two Guinnesses. “But I don’t believe she’s running off with him to Sligo, no matter how often she promises.”
    “Women are born to deceive a man.” Taking his moment, Shawn sipped, enjoying the way Brenna moved in the old man’s bony arms. “But I’m watching them, and the others who’ll get up now and then, and I wonder wouldn’t it be interesting if when we shuffle things about with the theater, we found someplace for dancing.”
    “That’s what the stage is for now, isn’t it?”
    “Not professional dancing, but this sort. You know, how they do in a beer garden, but I’m thinking more intimate.”
    “Well, you’re thinking that’s for certain.” But Aidan paused long enough to watch, scan the faces, consider. “It’s something we might slide around with Magee when we get to the design of it all.”
    “Ah, Brenna, she had a kind of design she sketched up. I have it in the kitchen still. Maybe you’d like to take a look, and if you like what you see, you might be interested in the more formal drawing I asked her to do.”
    Intrigued, Aidan looked away from the dancing and into his brother’s eyes. “You asked her, did you?”
    “I did, because I think she knows what we want and what Magee should build. Is that a problem for you?”
    “Not a problem, no problem at all. It’s making me think, Shawn, that you had it right about the legalities of things not changing the heart. I’d like to see what our Brenna has in her mind.”
    “That’s fine, then. And if you like what you see, you could send it off to Magee for his thoughts.”
    “I could, but I’d think the man would have his own designers.”
    “Then we’ll have to find a way to bring him ’round to it, if it’s what we want. Couldn’t hurt,” Shawn murmured, still watching Brenna, “to have our fingers in it early on.”
    “It couldn’t,” Aidan agreed.
    However prettily Brenna could dance, Aidan needed her back behind the bar shortly. He caught her eye, sent her a quick signal. But even as she acknowledged it, he saw her gaze slip past him to Shawn. Even though he was a bystander, Aidan felt the heat of it.
    “I’ll thank you not to distract my bartender when we’re three-deep around here.”
    “I’m just standing, drinking my