The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy

first place. Make a bargain with me.”
    He made a restless movement with his shoulders. “What bargain?”
    “Let me pick the next, just one, to show Trev. I had fine luck with the first, didn’t I?”
    “You did. That you did. All right, then. Brenna’ll bring you a song tomorrow so you can see what you think of it.”
    “I’ll look forward to it.” Trevor hesitated. The trouble was, he realized, he liked these people. “I wish to God you’d get an agent.”
    “Isn’t she bad enough?” Shawn countered, jerking a thumb at Brenna. “Hounds me day and night as it is, and read every word in the contract you sent twice over. My eyes would have bled. We’ll just go on as we are.”
    “It keeps my end of it less complicated.” Trevor set the subject aside and turned back to Aidan. Businessman now to businessman. “The three of you are Gallagher’s, and Gallagher’s is Ardmore. The theater’s going to be part of that, and because of it will benefit all of us here. The two are linked, for the very practical reason that your business is already established, already considered a center for music. Bringing the three of you forward as the first act to perform will get us a lot of press. Press means tickets, and tickets mean profit. For Gallagher’s and for the theater.”
    “I follow that well enough. But that we are Gallagher’s is another point. Running the pub is what we do.”
    “And how much will it add to Gallagher’s reputation when the three of you perform, and record, Shawn’s music?”
    “Record?”
    “For Celtic Records. We’ll have the CD’s available at the theater,” Trevor went on smoothly. “And we have a reputation of our own—artists, packaging, promotion, distribution. You can’t manufacture this kind of hook. The three of you were born into it.”
    “But we’re not performers, we’re publicans.”
    “You’re wrong. You’re natural performers. I understand the pub’s your priority. I’m counting on that. But this could be, would be, a very interesting, profitable, and satisfying sideline.”
    “Why does it matter to you?”
    It was the first question Darcy had asked, and Trevor shifted his attention to her. “Because the theater matters to me, and I never settle for less than the best. It means profit,” he added. “Isn’t that the bottom line?”
    Aidan said nothing for a moment, then nodded. “You’ll appreciate that this is a bit of a surprise to us all, and is something we need to think over and discuss. The five of us have to be agreed, one way or another, on the matter. The overall picture, so to speak, before we can even consider discussing details. Of which I can only imagine there are many.”
    “Understood.” Knowing it was time to step back and let the idea percolate, Trevor got to his feet. “If you have any questions you know where to find me. Brenna, take your time coming back. I’m going to the site.”
    “Thanks. I’ll be right along.”
    Darcy tapped a finger on Aidan’s arm to keep him in place. “I’ll walk you out,” she said to Trevor.
    There were so many thoughts whirling through her mind. She knew it was important, vital, to snatch the most significant of them and get a firm hold. So she kept all those thoughts to herself until they walked outside again.
    “Sure and it’s quite the surprise you’ve brought us today, Trevor.”
    “So I see, but I wonder why it’s such a surprise. You’ve got ears and brains. You’ve heard how the three of you are together.”
    “Maybe it’s that I’ve already heard it.” She glanced back, knowing her family was already discussing the matter. Still, she wanted her own thoughts and feelings settled before she added them to the mix. “You’re not the impulsive sort, not with business.”
    “No.”
    “So this isn’t something that just popped wild into your head.”
    “I’ve been playing the angles since the first time I heard you sing. You’ve got a voice that goes straight to the gut, right after it’s broken the heart. It’s quite a talent.”
    “Hmm.” She strolled by, down the narrow path through Jude’s garden. “And this notion you’ve come to us with today, you’re thinking it’ll enhance our mutual concerns.”
    “Not think, Darcy. I know. It’s my business to know.”
    She turned her head, studied him over her shoulder.
    “Aye, I suppose so. And how much would you be paying for this enhancement?”
    Now he smiled. Trust her to get right down to the sharpest