The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy

as they chose were flowers with odd and charming names like flax and pinks and lady’s mantel and bee balm.
    She knew she’d forget names, or mix them up, but it was a wonder to be shown which bloomed in spring, what would flower in summer. What was hardy and what was delicate. What drew the bees and the butterflies.
    She didn’t feel foolish asking what she was certain were almost childishly basic questions. Mollie would just smile or nod and explain.
    “Old Maude, we would trade back and forth, a clumpor a cutting or some seeds. So most of what I have here, you have at the cottage. She liked romantic flowers, and me the cheerful. So between us we ended up with both. I’ll walk up your way one day, if you wouldn’t mind, and take a look to see if there’s something you need to be doing that you’re not.”
    “I’d appreciate that so much, especially knowing how busy you are.”
    Mollie cocked her head; her face was bright, as cheerful as her gardens. “You’re a nice girl, Jude, and I’d enjoy spending some time with you now and again over the gardens. And you’ve a pretty bit of polish on you. I wouldn’t mind seeing some of it rub off on my Brenna. She’s a wide heart and a clever mind, but she’s rough on the edges.”
    Mollie’s gaze drifted over Jude’s shoulder, and she sighed. “Speaking of it. Have you finally killed the beast, then, Mary Brenna?”
    “It was a struggle, a battle of sweat and tears, but I won.” Brenna swaggered around the side of the house. There was a smear of grease on her cheek and a dry crust of blood over her left knuckles. “It’ll run for you now, Ma.”
    “Damn it, girl, you know I’ve my heart set on a new one.”
    “Ah, that one’s years left in it.” Cheerfully, she kissed her mother’s cheek. “I’ve got to get on now. I’ve promised to go by and see to fixing the windows in Betsy Clooney’s house. Do you want to ride back with me, Jude, or would you rather stay awhile?”
    “I should get back. I really enjoyed myself, Mollie. Thank you.”
    “You come back whenever you want a bit of company.”
    “I will. Oh, I left my purse inside. I’ll just run in and get it, if that’s all right.”
    “Go right on.” Mollie waited until the door shut. “She’s thirsty,” she murmured.
    “Thirsty, Ma?”
    “For doing. For being. But she’s afraid to drink too fast. It’s wise to take things in small sips, but once in a while . . .”
    “Darcy thinks Aidan has his eye on her.”
    “Oh, is that so?” Amused, Molly turned to wiggle her eyebrows at her daughter. “That would be some fine and fast drinking now, wouldn’t it?”
    “Darcy told me she once spied on him while he was courting the Duffy girl, and when he’d finished kissing the lass, she staggered like a drunk.”
    “Darcy’s no business spying on her brothers,” Mollie said primly, then slid her gaze back to Brenna. “Which Duffy girl? Tell me later,” she added quickly when Jude came out again.
     
    “So you had a nice visit then,” Brenna began when they slid back into the truck.
    “Your mother’s wonderful.” On impulse, Jude swiveled to wave as Brenna pulled out of the drive with her usual speed and enthusiasm. “I’ll never remember half of what she told me about gardening, but it’s a good start.”
    “She’ll like having you to talk with. Patty has a hand with flowers, but she’s got her head in the clouds over Kevin Riley these days and spends most of her time sighing and looking moony.”
    “She’s awfully proud of you and your sisters.”
    “That’s part of a mother’s job.”
    “Yes, but it doesn’t always glow out of them,” Jude decided. “You’re probably used to it, so you don’t really notice, but it’s a lovely thing to see.”
    “Being what you are,” Brenna mused, “you pay moreattention to such things. Do you learn that, or do you just have it in you?”
    “I suppose it’s both—like the way I noticed that she was proud you’d been able to fix the refrigerator, even though she was hoping you couldn’t.”
    Brenna turned her head to laugh into Jude’s eyes. “Nearly didn’t manage it this time, frigging temperamental heap. But the thing is, my dad’s wheeled a deal for a brand-new one, oh, and a beauty it is, too. But we can’t seal the bargain and have it delivered for another week or two. So if we’re to keep the pleasure of the surprise, that wheezing son of a bitch has to last a bit longer.”
    “That’s so