The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy

through written notes, she slid into the routine of research and analysis. She was deep into the study of a story on a crofter’s changeling when her phone rang.
    With her mind circling the crofter’s dilemma, she picked up the receiver. “Yes? Hello.”
    “Jude. I hope I’m not interrupting your work.”
    Jude blinked at the screen and tuned in to her mother’s voice. “No, nothing important. Hello, Mother. How are you?”
    “I’m very well.” Linda Murray’s voice was cultured and smooth, and just a little cool. “Your father and I are about to take advantage of the end of the semester. We’re going to New York for a few days to attend an exhibit at the Whitney and see a play.”
    “That’s nice.” It made her smile, thinking how much her parents enjoyed each other’s company. A perfect meeting of minds. “You’ll enjoy that.”
    “Very much. You’re welcome to fly in and join us if you like, if you’ve had enough of country living.”
    A perfect meeting of minds, Jude thought again. Andshe’d never quite been able to mesh with that lovely unity. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine. I really love it here.”
    “Do you?” There was faint surprise in the tone. “You always took after your grandmother, who sends her love, by the way.”
    “Send mine right back to her.”
    “You’re not finding the cottage a bit too rustic?”
    Jude thought of her initial reaction—no microwave, no electric can opener—and grinned to herself. “I have everything I need. There are flowers blooming outside the windows. And I’m starting to recognize some of the birds.”
    “That’s nice. You do sound rested. I hope you’re planning on spending some time in Dublin while you’re there. They’re supposed to have marvelous galleries. And of course you’ll want to see Trinity College.”
    “As a matter of fact, I’m going to Dublin for the day next week.”
    “Good. Good. A little respite in the country is all well and good, but you don’t want your mind to stagnate.”
    Jude opened her mouth, shut it again, then took a long breath. “I’m working on my paper now, as a matter of fact. I’m finding no end of material here. And I’m learning to garden.”
    “Really? That’s a lovely hobby. You sound happy, Jude. I’m so glad to hear it. It’s been too long since you sounded happy.”
    Jude closed her eyes and felt the burgeoning resentment fade away. “I know you’ve been worried about me, and I’m sorry. I really am happy. I suppose I just needed to get away for a while.”
    “I’ll admit both your father and I were concerned. You seemed so listless and dissatisfied.”
    “I suppose I was both.”
    “The divorce was hard on you. I understand that, betterI think, than you knew. It was so sudden and so final, and it took all of us by surprise.”
    “It certainly took me by surprise,” Jude said dryly. “It shouldn’t have. Wouldn’t have if I’d been paying attention.”
    “Perhaps not,” Linda said, and Jude winced at her mother’s easy agreement. “But that doesn’t change the fact that William wasn’t the man any of us thought he was. And that’s one of the reasons I called, Jude. I felt it would be better if you heard this from me rather than through the gossip mill or some letter from an acquaintance.”
    “What is it?” Something inside her belly clenched. “Is it about William? Is he ill?”
    “No, quite the contrary. He appears to be thriving.”
    Jude gaped at the sudden and undisguised bitterness in her mother’s voice. “Well, that’s fine.”
    “You have a more forgiving nature than I do,” Linda snapped back. “I’d prefer it if he’d contract some rare debilitating disease or at least go bald and develop a facial twitch.”
    Stunned as much by the uncharacteristic violence in her mother’s voice as by the sentiment, Jude burst out laughing. “That’s terrible! I love it! But I had no idea you felt that way about him.”
    “Your father and I did our best to maintain a polite front, to make things easier for you. It couldn’t have been comfortable for you, facing your mutual friends and colleagues. You remained dignified. We were proud of you.”
    Dignity, Jude mused. Yes, they’d always found pride in her dignity. So how could she have disappointed them by going into wild rages or having public snits? “I appreciate that.”
    “I think it showed enormous strength, the way you held your head up. And I can only imagine how much it costyou