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Trevor’s fingers curled around the disk. “I like living alone.”
“That may be, but it’s making mistakes you dislike most of all.”
“True enough. I have to go now. I have a meeting.”
“I’ll walk with you a ways. ’Tis a fine summer we have in store. You’ll hear the cuckoo call if you listen. It’s a good omen of things to come. I’m wishing you luck on your meeting, and with Darcy.”
“Thanks, but I know how to handle both.”
“Oh, well, now, I believe you do, or I wouldn’t be in so cheerful a mood. She’ll be handling you as well. It helps the last of this waiting, if you don’t mind me saying, to be entertained by the pair of you.”
“I’m not part of your plan.”
“It’s not a matter of planning. It’s a matter of what is, and what will be. You’ve more say in it than I, and you’ve little enough.”
Carrick stopped. He could see the cottage now, the creamy walls, the sunny thatched roof, the rainbow spread of flowers. “Once she would have come out to meet me, her heart pounding, her eyes bright. Fear and love so mixed together neither of us could untangle them. And me so sure I could dazzle her with gifts and promises that I never held out to her the single thing that mattered.”
“No second chance?”
A wry smile twisted Carrick’s lips. “There might have been, had I not waited so long to take it. I’ll go no farther than this, until the waiting’s done. Handle Darcy, Magee, before she handles you.”
“My life,” Trevor said briefly. “My business.” He strode down the slope toward the house and his car. But he couldn’t resist a glance back.
It barely surprised him that Carrick had vanished. All that was left was the green hill, and sweetly, brightly, the two-tone call of a bird.
The cuckoo, Trevor supposed. He couldn’t think of anything more apt.
Put it aside, he ordered himself and continued to walk. Tuck away the sentiment over long-dead relatives and their sweethearts, visits with faerie princes, and messages for beautiful ghosts.
He had business to attend to.
But he slipped the chain around his neck, and tucked the silver disk under his shirt, where it lay to warm against his heart.
EIGHT
THE HOME TEAM always had the edge. Trevor knew it going in, but didn’t see a way around it. Not only was the house Gallagher turf, but the village, the county, the whole damn country was theirs. Unless he found a way to shift the meeting to New York, he would just have to play it as underdog. Added to that, they outnumbered him. It couldn’t be helped.
Not that he minded working a deal when the odds were against him. The challenge of it only made the satisfaction of success sweeter.
He’d already worked out his approach. The questions, the doubts, the general unease of what he supposed would be termed his paranormal experiences would just have to wait until after business hours.
The minute he knocked on the door of the Gallagher house, he was representing Magee Enterprises. It was a responsibility, and a privilege, that he took very seriously.
Darcy opened the door, a sassy smile on her face, her head tilted at the perfect angle to display both arrogance and humor.
Jesus, he’d like to take her in one quick gulp and be done with it. Instead he greeted her with an easy grin. “Afternoon, Miss Gallagher.”
“And a good day to you, Mr. Magee.” Deliberately provocative, she stepped toward him rather than back. “Don’t you want to kiss me?”
He wanted to swallow her whole. “Later.” She gave her head a little toss that sent her clouds of dark hair tumbling back. “I might not be in the mood later.”
“You will be, if I kiss you.”
She shrugged, though she was faintly irritated, then moved back to let him in. “I like confidence in a man. Mostly. The rest of us are in the kitchen, awaiting your presence. Is this to do with your theater?”
“Partly.”
Irritation clicked up another level, but she spoke coolly as she led him toward the rear of the house. “And a mysterious man as well. Now I’m in love for certain.”
“How many times would this make?”
“Oh, I stopped counting years ago. I’ve such a fickle heart. How many is that for you?”
“Still batting zero here.”
“That’s a pity. Here’s himself come to call,” Darcy announced over what seemed to Trevor to be a heated conversation around the table.
“If I’m interrupting . . .”
“Not at all.” Aidan rose and waved a hand toward Brenna and Shawn, who sat scowling at each other. “If these two don’t snap at each other six times a week, we’re worried enough to ring up the doctor.”
“You said you’d leave the details of the house to me,” Brenna reminded her husband.
“You’re talking about the materials and colors of the kitchen counters and such. Who does the bloody cooking?”
“The blue laminate’s pretty and sensible.”
“The granite’s subtle and strong. It’ll last two lifetimes.”
“Well, we’ve only this one to concern us at present, don’t we? Trevor—”
Even as she turned to him, Trevor held up a hand. “No, absolutely no. Don’t even think of asking me for an opinion. I have no opinion when it comes to arguments between husband and wife.”
“ ’Tisn’t an argument.” Sulking, Brenna sat back, folded her arms. “But a discussion. I can have the laminate done in a wink. Do you know how long it’ll take to do the damn business in granite?”
“When it’s right you wait.” Shawn leaned over, kissed her softly. “And then you treasure.”
“You think you’ll get around me that way?”
“I do, yes.”
She sucked in a breath, then let it out on a huff. “ Bastard,” she said, with great affection.
“Well, now that we’ve settled that vital and thorny matter . . .” Aidan gestured Trevor to a chair. “Can we get you a beer, then, or some tea?”
Their turf, Trevor reminded himself as he sat. “A beer’d be great, thanks.” He glanced at Jude. “How are you doing?”
“Good.” She didn’t think he’d want her to mention she felt as if she had a semi parked on her bladder. “Aidan said you didn’t stop in the pub for lunch today. Why don’t I fix you a sandwich?”
“I’m fine.” He reached over, laid his hand on hers. “Sit. I appreciate you all taking the time to meet with me on such short notice.”
/> “It’s not a problem.” Aidan put the beer in front of Trevor, then sat. Head of the table. Advantage, Gallagher. And they all knew it. “Not a problem at all. Brenna tells us the building’s going up right on schedule, and I have to say that’s a bit of a surprise in these parts.”
“I have a good foreman.” He toasted Brenna, then sipped. “I think we’ll be ready by next May.”
“So long?” Darcy looked both shocked and horrified. “And will that noise be part of the whole for a year?”
“What noise?” he replied nonchalantly. When she sputtered, he simply rolled over her. “I hope to scatter in a few performances, primarily for the locals, by next spring. Warm things up. But I’m aiming for the third week in June for the grand opening.”
“Midsummer,” Darcy commented.
“The middle of summer is July.”
“Don’t you know your pagan calendar? Midsummer’s June twenty-second, and a fine choice. A night for celebrating. Jude had her first ceili on that night last year, and it turned out well, didn’t it, darling?”
“Eventually. Why the month delay?” Jude asked him.
“Basically to cover our asses, to build anticipation, to book acts, generate press. My plan is to have a small,intimate opening in May. Exclusive. Invited guests, which would include the village, family, and a select number of VIP’s.”
“That’s very clever,” Darcy murmured.
“It’s part of my job. It’ll generate interest, and publicity, in the official June opening. And give us time to tweak any details that need tweaking.”
“Like a dress rehearsal.”
He nodded at Darcy. “Exactly. I’d like your help with the guest list for the area.”
“That’s as easily done as said,” Aidan told him.
“And I’d like you to perform. The three of you.”
Aidan reached for his own beer. “In the pub.”
“Onstage,” Trevor corrected. “The main stage.”
“In the theater?” Aidan set his beer down again without drinking. “Why?”
“Because I’ve heard you, and you’re perfect.”
“Well, now, Trev, that’s flattering to be sure.” Thoughtfully, Shawn reached for one of the tea biscuits Jude had set out. “But all you’ve heard from us is a bit of fun. It’s not as if we’re a professional act or anything of that nature. The kind you’re looking to have in your theater.”
“You’re exactly what I’m looking for.” His gaze skimmed to Darcy, lingered a moment, then moved on. She’d yet to say a word. “Showcasing local talent is part of what this project is about. Mixing that, together with new and established acts. I can’t think of anything more appropriate than having the Gallaghers perform, and perform a selection of Shawn Gallagher’s music, at the first showing.”
“Mine.” Shawn went very pale. “At such a time? I don’t mean to tell you your
