The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy

on the counter. “Christ. Christ! What this does to a man! My soul’s shaking, I swear to you. I never knew there was more to feel than I’ve already felt. That I could love like this in a heartbeat’s time. There she is, not an hour old, and I’d kill for her. Die for her. When I think I might have missed them if fate hadn’t opened the door for me.”
    Trevor said nothing, could say nothing.
    “I’ll owe you all of my life for this one night.”
    “No.”
    “I will. If one day you’re blessed with a child of your own, you’ll know just how much is owed.” Aidan shook himself, turned back. Any more, he thought, and he’d embarrass the man beyond redemption. “The Irish are sentimental sorts. Let’s have a drink here, so I can get my legs back under me.”
    Trevor figured that if the toasting kept up at this pace, he would not only lose his legs, he’d fall on his face. But he raised his glass with Aidan to the new mother, and then to the child.
    By the time Aidan went back up and Darcy came back down, he felt that he was watching a revolving door through the deep amber haze of Jameson’s. And that seemed perfectly fine.
    It only took one look at his face, at the cheerful and decidedly sloppy grin that was as endearing as a boy’s, the tousled hair and the loose body stretched out in the chair, to clue her in.
    Since the look of him had her wanting to cuddle him just as she’d cuddled her niece, she walked over and patted his cheek. “Sure and you’re on your way to being piss-faced, aren’t you, darling?”
    “I never drink more than two. You lose focus.”
    “Of course you do, and that’s a fine and upstanding rule just begging to be broken on such a night.”
    “It would’ve been rude not to toast the baby.”
    “Unforgivably.”
    “Are we toasting the baby again?” There was just enough sweet hope in his tone to make her chuckle.
    “I think it’s time we made our way over to the pub, then we’ll see about that. Let’s get you to your feet. You can lean on me.”
    “I can stand up.” Vaguely insulted, he pushed back from the table. The minute he was upright, the room took one slow, rather lovely spin. “Whoa.” He put a hand out. “I’m all right. Just finding my balance.”
    “Well, let me know when you’ve located it.” She glanced toward the bottle, winced at the level. She hadn’t realized how much they’d gotten into the poor man between them. “We’ve abused you sorely, and after all your heroics, too.” Gently, she slipped an arm around his waist. “We’ll go over and get you a meal. I bet you’d like something hot in your belly.”
    “You. I’ve already got you there, and in my head. Every damn place. Aidan kissed me, so it’s your turn.”
    “We’ll get to that, by and by.” With her arm around his waist and his tucked companionably around her shoulders, they staggered down the hall.
    “Let’s go see the baby. I’m crazy about babies.” He tried to steer toward the steps as they passed, but she kept him heading for the door.
    “Are you, now?” Well, what a revelation. “We will go see her, in the morning. Ailish is sleeping now, like an angel, and God knows, Jude needs some rest.” She managed to open the door, lead him out.
    The fresh air swept over him like a wave, made him sway. “Man, what a night.”
    “I warn you, if you pass out, I’m letting you drop where you fall.” But even as she threatened, she tightened her grip.
    “I’m not going to pass out. I feel great.” The stars were out. Thousands of them sparkling, winking, gleaming against a sky of black glass. There might never have been a storm.
    “Listen, you can hear the music from the pub.” He stopped, bringing her closer to his side. “What’s that song? I know that one.” He concentrated, until it swam clear in his mind. Then to Darcy’s surprise and delight, he began to sing.
    Standing in the sea breeze and starlight, she joined him on the chorus, adding harmony.
      Her eyes they shined like diamonds.
  I thought her the queen of the land,
  And her hair hung over her shoulders
  Tied up with a black velvet band.
    He grinned down at her, shifting until he could get both arms around her. “It always makes me think of you.”
    “Under the present circumstances, I’ll take that as a compliment. I didn’t know you could sing, Trevor Magee, and in such a fine, strong voice. What other surprises have you in store for me?”
    “We’ll get to that, by and