Rory grinned. “So, that’s the way of it? Father Francis will be pleased to know that his clever machinations have worked at last. Can it be that our Ryan has finally found a woman who can hold his interest beyond a one-night stand?”
Ryan scowled at him. “Don’t be ridiculous. I barely know the woman.”
“Has there ever been an Irishman born who doesn’t believe that a lightning bolt can strike at any time? Love doesn’t always require years of nurturing to blossom, you know.”
“Thanks for the unsolicited lesson,” Ryan said dryly.
“I have much more wisdom I could impart,” Rory claimed cheerfully. “But why should I waste it on a man who’s determined to go through life alone?”
“You know, if you don’t learn to watch your tongue, I could fire you.”
“But you won’t,” Rory said confidently. “Who would cook your authentic Irish cuisine?”
“Maybe I’ll change the menu,” Ryan said, thinking of the newest addition to his staff.
“Not bloody likely,” Rory said.
“I don’t know. I’ve got someone coming by tomorrow. Father Francis thinks she’ll do rather well.”
Rory frowned. “Another cook?”
“Yes.”
“And would this be the angelic Maggie, by any chance?” Rory inquired hopefully.
“Absolutely not.”
“Is she from Ireland, at least?”
“No.”
“Well, there you go. How good can she be?”
“I’ve heard only raves,” Ryan said honestly. “She’s supposed to be excellent, so of course I hired her sight unseen.”
“She’s not coming for an interview? You’ve already hired a woman you’ve never even met for my kitchen?” Rory demanded, clearly horrified. “I can’t have some stranger—and a woman at that—underfoot all day.”
“Why not? Will she be a distraction? Surely you can rise above your need to make a play for anything wearing skirts, especially since this one’s married. And just in case you’re tempted, you should know that her husband will be working in front.” He gave Rory a steady look. “I don’t think it will be a problem, do you? There are some lines not even you will cross.”
Rory groaned. “These are more of Father Francis’s strays, aren’t they? I suppose we will find them at the shelter today, am I right?”
Ryan saw little point in denying it. He nodded. He considered telling Rory the rest, that his new helper barely spoke English and prepared only Mexican dishes, but decided his friend had had enough of a shock for the moment. Instead, he simply reminded him that there was a replacement waiting in the wings. “So, let that be a warning to keep a civil tongue in your head. And when you meet her today, be nice.”
“When am I not kind to everyone who works at the pub?” Rory demanded indignantly.
Ryan rolled his eyes. “You don’t want me to answer that, do you?”
“Okay, okay, I’ll be nice.” He regarded Ryan curiously. “Are you going to be seeing Maggie again?”
“She says she’s going to bring her family to help out at the shelter today,” he admitted ruefully.
“Well now, isn’t that splendid? Father Francis will have yet another blessing to count on Thanksgiving.”
“Go to hell, Rory.”
To Ryan’s disgust, the big man merely laughed. As far as Ryan could see, this was not a laughing matter. He was apparently surrounded by matchmakers who were going to take a great deal of delight in seeing him squirm. And they’d both handpicked Maggie for the task of accomplishing it, quite possibly because they’d both seen what he hadn’t been willing to admit—that he was attracted to her.
The noise level in the O’Brien dining room was at an all-time high, with squealing toddlers scrambling for Maggie’s attention and her brothers fighting for the biggest share of her mother’s pancakes. It was all music to her ears, even if she couldn’t seem to get a word in edgewise.
When her third attempt to interrupt the nonstop bickering fell on deaf ears, Maggie sent a beseeching look toward her mother.
“Enough!” Nell O’Brien said without even raising her voice to be heard above the din. It was her quiet, emphatic tone that caused even the littlest grandchild to fall silent. The skill had to be something she’d acquired in the classroom to control unruly college students. Clearly satisfied by the effect, she said mildly, “I think Maggie has something she’d like to say.”
“Since when does Maggie require your intervention?” Matthew asked. “Speak up, sis. You’ve never been shy about telling us to shut up before.”
“You’ve never been this noisy before, and I’m out of practice,” she retorted. “Okay, here’s the deal. I more or less promised that we’d spend this morning helping at a homeless shelter in the city.”
“Promised who?” Matthew demanded with more curiosity than resentment.
“Must be that handsome man who brought her home last night,” her sister Colleen said with a smug expression. “Mom says after meeting him last night, her heart was still all aflutter this morning. I’m sorry I missed him. Count me in, Maggie. I want to get a look at any guy who can make Mom swoon.”
“There’s definitely a man involved?” their oldest brother, John, asked. “Then we all go, am I right? We can’t have a stranger breaking our Maggie’s heart.”
“This has nothing to do with anyone breaking my heart,” Maggie said. “It’s about helping those less fortunate on Thanksgiving.”
“That may be your reason for going,” John conceded. “Mine’s less pure.”
“Mine, too,” Colleen said. “My heart hasn’t gone pitter-pat over a man in ages.”
“Thanks a lot,” her husband said, frowning at her.
Colleen grinned at him. “I meant for a man other than you, of course.”
Daniel leaned over and planted a noisy kiss on her lips. “That’s better, love.”
“What’s this about a handsome man?” Katie, the youngest O’Brien, inquired as she returned from the kitchen with a glass of orange juice. “Where? Can I meet him?”
“He’s entirely too old for you,” Maggie said.
“That’s the truth,” her father chimed in. “Our Katie’s not to even think of looking at a man until she’s at least twenty-five. She’s our baby.”
Katie rolled her eyes. “Dad, I’m twenty-four, and I hate to break it to you, but I’m already dating and have been for some years now.”
“Dating, yes, but you’ve a full year to go before you even think of getting serious about anyone. Besides, this Ryan fellow is Maggie’s,” he said with a grin aimed at Maggie.
“He’s hardly that,” Maggie protested. “We’ve just met.”
“But you’re interested enough to be dragging us all the way to Boston on Thanksgiving,” her father said. He turned to her mother. “Nell, what do you think? Is this man worthy of our Maggie’s attention?”
With a wink in Maggie’s direction, her mother placed her hand over her heart. “If I were just a few years younger…” she began, only to be cut off by her husband.
“Nell O’Brien, shame on you, saying such a thing in front of me, the man who’s given you all these fine children, to say nothing of nearly thirty years of my life.”
“Darling, I’m old and I’m married, not dead,” she teased. “Ryan Devaney is a handsome devil. You’ll see.”
“So it’s settled? You’ll all go?” Maggie asked, not as concerned about her brothers’ declared motives as she probably should have been. They talked big, but they’d stay in line. Her father would see to it.
“Of course,” her father said. “You knew we would.” He turned to his wife. “You’ll be okay without our help for a few hours?”
“I’ll be relieved to have you all out from underfoot,” she said.
“What about the kids? You can’t be looking after all of them, as well,” her father said. He gazed around the crowded table. “Which one of you will stay to help out?”
“Garrett O�
�Brien, the day I can’t look after three toddlers is the day they’ll be putting me in my grave,” her mother retorted. “I raised this bunch of hellions with little or no help, didn’t I?”
“Then it’s settled,” her father announced. “We’ll be leaving in an hour. That will put us there by ten. Is that what you promised, Maggie?”
“Yes, Dad. Thanks.” She turned a narrowed gaze on her brothers. “And when you meet Ryan Devaney, I expect you to be on your best behavior. Is that understood?”
“When have we not been perfect gentlemen around your boyfriends?” Matt inquired indignantly.
“Well, there was the time we ran off that Carson fellow,” John conceded.
“He was a wuss,” Matt countered. “She was better off without him. Okay, aside from that one incident, have there been any others?”
“Just see that this isn’t one of those times when your protective instincts kick into gear,” Maggie pleaded. She shot a warning look at Katie. “And you remember what Dad said.”
A grin spread across her sister’s face. “You are staking your claim, then?” She turned to their father. “Told you I could make her admit it. That’ll be five bucks, please.”
Maggie stared at the two of them. “You already knew about Ryan and you had a bet going?”
“Well, of course we did,” Katie said. “It’s taken you practically forever to show an interest in anyone.”
“I’m picky.”
“You’re impossible.”
“I was beginning to worry that I’d have to explain to my children about their poor old aunt Maggie living all alone up in Maine in a cold and lonely spinster’s cottage.”
“I ought to make you stay home today,” Maggie declared.
“As if you could,” Katie responded. “Watching you get all starry-eyed over some man is going to be better than watching you stuffing tissues in the bodice of your prom dress.”
“Katie O’Brien, that was supposed to be our secret forever,” Maggie said, as everyone at the table hooted.
“Which just goes to prove you should never trust a kid sister,” Katie retorted.
“I’ll remember that. Just wait till you bring home the man of your dreams,” Maggie said direly.
“Now, girls, that’s enough squabbling,” their father said, ever the peacemaker. “Today’s a day to be grateful for family.”
“And I am,” Maggie said. “At least all family except my traitorous baby sister.”
Now not only did she have to worry about Ryan’s reaction to her arrival at the shelter, but which one of her family members was likely to be first to try to embarrass her.
The St. Mary’s Shelter was just down the block from the church. When Maggie and her family arrived, it was already bustling with activity. Even so, Father Francis spotted her the minute she walked in and came over with a welcoming smile.
“Ryan mentioned you might be here this morning. Thank you for spending part of your holiday with us. It’s a generous thing you’re doing.” He surveyed the group with her and beamed. “And this must be your family.”
Maggie introduced the priest to everyone, even as her gaze searched the room for some sign of Ryan. Father Francis caught her.
“You’ll find Ryan and Rory in the kitchen,” he told her with a grin. “But if I were you I’d stay out from underfoot for now. Our Rory is a bit of a tyrant. He has them on a tight time schedule. He’ll not be wanting any distractions. I believe the ladies can use some help with setting the tables.” He turned to her father and brothers. “And your help will be welcome in setting up the remaining tables and chairs. We’re expecting a large crowd today, so we’ll have to keep things moving. The first guests will arrive at noon and the last won’t be out of here much before three.”
Maggie, Colleen and Katie went to work with the other women, though Maggie was constantly on the lookout for Ryan.
“Where is he?” Katie demanded when there had been not so much as a glimpse of him for more than an hour.
“You heard Father Francis,” Maggie said. “He’s helping in the kitchen. And where is Colleen, by the way?”
“I haven’t seen her for some time now,” Katie said. “She’s probably in the kitchen where you should be. Can’t you think of some excuse to go in there? If you don’t, I will.”
“Katie O’Brien, you’ll do no such thing,” Maggie protested. “We came here to help where we’re needed, not to gawk at Ryan Devaney.”
Katie grinned. “Then you’re no sister of mine. I’d rather look at a handsome man any day than make sure the place settings are lined up properly.”
“He’ll come out of the kitchen eventually,” Maggie said. “Until then I’m not bothering him.”
“Patience won’t earn you sainthood,” Katie admonished. “And I’m not sure it’s ever done much to snag a man.”
“I am not out to snag Ryan,” Maggie insisted. “I’m just a little curious about him.”
Colleen arrived just in time to overhear her remark. “We’re all spending part of our holiday at a homeless shelter just so you can satisfy your curiosity?” she asked skeptically. “I don’t think so. We’re here because you have the hots for this guy. And since I just came from the kitchen where I got a good look at him, I have to say, way to go, Maggie!”
“You’ve been in the kitchen?” Katie demanded, looking as if she’d been cheated out of her favorite dessert. “Then I’m going.”
Maggie scowled at both of them. “Don’t make me regret asking you to come today.”
“I just want to see what he looks like,” Katie argued. “Where’s the harm in that? I’m sure Colleen didn’t go in there and create a scene.”
Just then the kitchen door swung open and Ryan emerged, bearing a huge platter of sliced turkey and followed by a large man carrying trays filled with sweet potatoes and dressing. Ryan’s hair was tousled, his blue shirt perfectly matched his eyes, and he was wearing snug jeans that hugged his narrow hips. Maggie’s mouth went dry, putting to rest any notion that she was here merely to satisfy her curiosity.
“Oh, my,” Katie murmured, then gazed at Maggie with approval. “Your taste has definitely improved while you’ve been away. Not a one of the men you’ve dragged home in the past held a candle to this one.”
Before Maggie could respond, Ryan caught sight of her. A slow smile spread across his face, but then his gaze shifted to the commotion at the shelter door, where a long line of people waited impatiently to be admitted. His expression grew troubled, and he turned to murmur a few words to the man next to him, who surveyed the long line, then nodded and hurried back to the kitchen.
Ryan walked in Maggie’s direction. Hoping to stave off an embarrassing interrogation, she escaped her sisters and went to meet him.
“I see you’re here to do your good deed,” he said.
Maggie ignored the faint edge in his voice. “I promised I would be,” she said cheerfully.
His gaze clashed with hers. “Not everyone keeps their word.”
“I do,” she said emphatically, returning his gaze with an unflinching look. “I saw you looking at the crowd a minute ago. Is there a problem?”
“The line is longer than I anticipated. I was just asking Rory if he thought we had enough food. He’s convinced we do, but he’s gone back to the pub to bring over another turkey just in case.”
“Is there anything I can do? There are some stores open today. I could make a run to pick up extra food.”
“No need. I’m sure Rory has it under control. What about your family, Maggie? Did you convince them to come today?”
“My sisters are over there,” she said, noting that Colleen and Katie were staring at them with unabashed curiosity.
Ryan grinned. “Ah, yes, I recognize one of them. She was in the kitchen earlier. I thought she seemed a bit more interested in me than in the whereabouts of the napkins she claimed to be looking for.”
“Sorry about that. Nosiness is a family trait, I’m afraid.”
�
��And your brothers? Are they around?”
“Along with my father,” she told him. “They’re scattered here and there. Father Francis has seen to it that none of us are idle.”
A genuine, full-wattage smile spread across his face then. “Watch out for Father Francis,” he warned. “He’ll have you all signed up for regular duty here before the day’s out, if you’re not careful. When it comes to caring for his strays, he’s totally shameless.”
“I can think of worse places to spend my time,” Maggie said.
Her answer seemed to disconcert him for some reason. He promptly mumbled an excuse and headed back to the kitchen, leaving her to stare after him.
For the rest of the afternoon, she caught only glimpses of him as he worked. He seemed to know most of the people there. He joked with the men, flirted with the women and teased the children, but there was always a hint of reserve just below the surface. Whenever he happened to catch Maggie watching him, he quickly looked away as if he feared that she might see beneath the superficial charm.
Even her brothers, usually oblivious to such things, noticed the byplay between them.
“Sis, he’s all wrong for you,” her younger brother warned. “Too many secrets. And don’t even think about making him one of your projects. I don’t think he’ll appreciate it. Something tells me your Ryan is troubled by dark moods.”
“When has that ever stopped me?” she replied.
“Unfortunately, never,” Matt said. “But this time you could be in way over your head.”
“Have you even talked to him?” she asked testily.
“You wanted us to steer clear of him,” John reminded her.
“As if my wishes ever mattered to you before,” she scoffed. “Well, if you had talked to Ryan, you would see that he’s one of the good guys. In fact, you ought to know that just from the fact that he’s here today.”
She glanced across the room to where Ryan was serving slices of pumpkin pie to a very pregnant woman and her two dark-haired children. The look on his face was impossible to interpret, but she tried nonetheless. Dismay and sorrow seemed to mingle with friendly concern. She had the sense that he was talking to this woman but seeing something else entirely, something from his own past, perhaps.
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