The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy

rose.
    “Why? It’s a lovely day for being outside.”
    “Yes . . . yes, it is.” She turned off the machine to save the battery. “I lost track of time.”
    Because she said it as if confessing a sin to a priest, Aidan laughed as he unlatched the gate with his free hand. “You seemed to be enjoying yourself, and getting things done. Why worry about the time?”
    “Then I’ll just say it’s the perfect time for a break. I imagine the tea’s cold now, but . . .”
    She trailed off as she noted what he carried. Her eyes lit with delight and she hurried toward him. “Oh, you have a puppy. Isn’t it sweet!”
    It had been lulled to sleep during Aidan’s walk from thevillage, but stirred now as the voices woke it. The fierce yawn came first, then dark brown eyes blinked open. He was a ball of black and white fur, all floppy ears and big feet, with a thin whip of a tail curled between his legs.
    He let out an excited yip and immediately began to wriggle.
    “Oh, aren’t you adorable, aren’t you pretty? And so soft,” she murmured when Aidan passed the puppy into her hands. When she nuzzled his fur, he immediately covered her face with adoring licks.
    “Well, now, there’s no need to ask if the two of you like each other. It’s the love at first sight that our Jude claims not to believe in.”
    “Who could resist him?” She lifted the pup into the air, where he wiggled in ecstasy.
    “The Clooneys’ bitch had a litter a few weeks back, and I thought this one had the most character. He’s just weaned and ready for his new home.”
    Jude crouched, setting the puppy down so he could climb up and over her legs and tumble onto his back for a belly rub. “He looks ready for anything. What will you name him?”
    “That’ll be up to you.”
    “To me?” She glanced up, then laughed as the pup nipped at her fingers for more attention. “Greedy, aren’t you? You want me to name him for you?”
    “For yourself. I brought him to you, if you’re wanting him. I thought he could keep you company on your faerie hill.”
    Her hands stilled. “You brought him to me?”
    “You’re fond of the O’Tooles’ yellow hound, so I thought you might like having a dog of your own, from the ground up, so to speak.”
    Since she only stared, Aidan backtracked. “If you’re notinclined to dealing with one, I’ll take him myself.”
    “You brought me a puppy?”
    Aidan shifted his feet. “I suppose I should have asked you first if you were interested in one. My thought was to surprise you, and—”
    He broke off when she sat abruptly on the ground, gathered the puppy into her arms, and burst into tears.
    He didn’t mind tears as a rule, but these had come without warning and he hadn’t a clue of their direction. The more the puppy squirmed in her embrace and licked at her face, the tighter she held him and the harder she wept.
    “Oh, now, darling, don’t take on so. There now a ghra , there’s no need for all this.” He squatted down, digging out his handkerchief and patting at her. “Hush, now, it’s all my fault entirely.”
    “You brought me a puppy.” She all but wailed it and sent the pup into sympathetic howls.
    “I know, I know. I’m sorry. I should have thought it through first. He’ll be happy at the pub. It’s not a problem at all.”
    “He’s mine!” She curled herself around the pup when Aidan reached down. “You gave him to me, so he’s mine.”
    “Aye.” He said it cautiously. God above, a woman was a puzzle. “You’re wanting him, then?”
    “I always wanted a puppy.” She sobbed it out, rocking back and forth.
    Aidan dragged a hand through his hair and gave up. He sat down with her. “Have you, now? Well, then, why didn’t you have one?”
    Finally, she lifted her tear-drenched face. Her eyes continued to brim and spill over with tears. “My mother has cats,” she managed and hiccoughed.
    “I see.” As much, he supposed, as he could see througha fog of pea soup. “Well, a cat’s a nice thing. We’ve one of our own.”
    “No, no, no. These are like royalty. They’re gorgeous and aloof and prissy and sleek. They’re purebred Siamese, and really beautiful, but they never liked me. I just wanted a silly dog that would get on the furniture and chew up my shoes and—and like me.”
    “I think you can depend on this one for all of that.” Relieved, Aidan stroked her cheek, wet with tears and puppy kisses. “So you won’t curse me when he leaves a puddle on