Bridget opened her mouth to speak, but Maeve placed a hand on her arm, shooting her a quick warning look. Turning back to Nora, she smiled. “Then we’ll not say more until then.” She wagged a finger Nora’s way. “But don’t think for a minute we’ve given up on this.”
Nora was quite certain they hadn’t.
* * *
Cameron Long set the two empty cups on the small side table that had been reserved for just that purpose. The three Murphy sisters stood together, pretty as butterflies in a spring meadow.
But to his way of thinking, Nora was the most compelling of the trio. He supposed it was the contradictions he sensed in her that intrigued him most. From the moment he’d first set eyes on her—tall and willowy with her hair pulled back in that tight little bun and her posture perfectly straight—she seemed to exude a no-nonsense air of practicality and discipline. But a moment later the infant she held had made some noise or movement that commanded her attention and her expression suddenly softened and she’d cooed some nonsense or other to calm the baby, and he’d glimpsed another side of her entirely. From that day forward he’d made a point of trying to get to the truth of who the real Nora Murphy was beneath her prim facade. He’d found her by turns amusing, irritating and admirable.
Looking at her today, he saw something new. Her dress wasn’t as frilly and fussy as the getups her sisters wore, but for once she’d worn something besides those serviceable homespun dresses she generally favored. The bright blue color and simple lines suited her perfectly. And while her sisters seemed somewhat softer and more relaxed than Nora, that touch of steel in her appealed to him.
Of course, she was a smidge on the bossy side, too, but he figured he could give as good as he got in that area. Truth to tell, it was a bit fun to watch her hackles rise and her finger start wagging and poking when she got riled.
All in all he was quite pleased that he’d ended up hiring Nora as his housekeeper instead of her sister. In fact, if he were the marrying kind, he’d probably set his sights on someone just like her. Not that that was either here or there. He’d decided long ago that he most certainly wasn’t the marrying kind, and never would be. A man with a history like his had no business raising kids. It’s why he never let himself get too close to any of the women he’d encountered over the years.
Shaking off those gloomy thoughts, Cam focused on the Murphy sisters again, then frowned. Something seemed to have upset his no-nonsense housekeeper. Not that she was making a big show of it, but he could tell by the appearance of that little wrinkle that furrowed above her nose whenever she was fretting over something. What could have put that crease there on what should be a happy day for her?
Before he could decide whether or not to saunter back over, the air seemed to clear and the sisters were hugging again. A tiny wail from the vicinity of the cradle diverted all three women’s attention and Nora bustled over to tend to Grace. But he could sense the eldest Murphy sister still fretted over something.
Perhaps he’d find out just what was bothering her when he offered her a ride home after the reception.
Chapter Two
Nora swayed and rubbed Grace’s back, trying to soothe the fussy infant as she watched Bridget and Will ride off in their carriage, followed closely by Maeve and Flynn in their own vehicle. The two couples would travel together on the road to Boston and separate once they reached the city—Maeve and Flynn to their home, Bridget and Will to the fancy hotel where they would spend their two-day honeymoon.
Grace finally settled down again, her head lolling against Nora’s shoulder. The last of the guests were dispersing.
Well, all except Mrs. Fitzwilliam and the McCorkle boys. The Murphy sisters had met the starchy, well-to-do widow on the voyage over here from Ireland. She’d seemed quite patronizing and standoffish at first, but in time she and the sisters had become friends. Learning that the dowager was traveling to America on a quest to find her prodigal stepgranddaughter, her only living relation, had endeared her further to Nora and her sisters.
Though Mrs. Fitzwilliam had yet to find the runaway, she was no longer alone. She had, in fact, become guardian to the three orphaned McCorkle brothers who had also traveled aboard the Annie McGee. Mrs. Fitzwilliam and the two younger boys had settled in Boston. The oldest boy, eighteen-year-old Gavin, had yearned for a bit of adventure and had wheedled his way, in the most engaging manner possible, into the role of Sheriff Long’s deputy-in-training.
Bridget had invited Mrs. Fitzwilliam and the two youngest McCorkles to spend the night at their home so Gavin would have an opportunity for a nice visit with them.
Esther Black, Will’s mother, stood near the gate, reassuring her twin grandchildren that yes, their father and new stepmother would most definitely be returning in just a few days. Ben MacDuff, the sheriff’s more seasoned deputy and former mentor, was hovering near Esther in a way that raised Nora’s brow. Was something brewing between the two, something deeper than friendship? Wouldn’t that be lovely for them?
“And what brings that smile to your face?”
Nora turned to find the sheriff at her elbow. “Just thinking about how weddings bring out the romantic in even the most unexpected of hearts.”
Seeing his quirked brow she realized how that must have sounded and her cheeks warmed. Trying to cover the moment, she quickly changed the subject. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“Just the opposite. Thought I’d offer you a ride back to your place.”
How thoughtful of him. But Nora needed some time alone to think over that conversation with her sisters and the half-mile walk back to the cottage would be just the thing. “Thank you but that’s really not necessary.”
“Sure it is. I promised Will I’d keep an eye on you in his absence.”
Well, so much for his personal interest in her well-being. “Both my brothers-in-law worry overmuch.”
His look chided her for her tone. “They don’t just feel a responsibility for you, you know. They care about you, as well. Is that such a bad thing?”
He was right—she was being too touchy about her new status. She took a deep breath and smiled. “You’re right. Thank you, I would be most pleased to accept your offer of a ride.”
He nodded his approval. “You can say your goodbyes to Esther and the twins while I get the wagon.”
A few minutes later, the sheriff had set the brake and hopped down to help her up. Since everyone else had either gone back inside or were on their way home, Nora stepped toward him. “Would you mind holding Grace while I fetch her things?”
He backed up a step. “Better yet, why don’t I fetch her things for you? Just tell me where to find them.”
She’d never met a man so standoffish when it came to babies. “Everything is in a canvas bag next to the cradle.”
“Easy enough. I’ll be right back.”
True to his word, Cam was in and out of the house in just a few minutes. Swinging the bag with an easy rhythm, he deposited it in the back of his flatbed wagon then turned back to her. She noted the instant he realized he’d have to hold Grace in order for her to climb up into the wagon. His smile
