Night Of The Blackbird. Heather Graham

great, Mum, and you know it,” Moira said.

      “He does seem decent,” Patrick acknowledged.

      “He’s a hunk,” Colleen said decisively.

      “Beady eyes,” Danny said, shaking his head.

      “Oh, God, that again,” Moira said irritably.

      “Well, I think his eyes are fine,” Katy said thoughtfully, taking the comment entirely literally.

      “Look again—they’re beady,” Danny said, staring at Moira.

      “Fine, I’ll take another really good look at the man, Danny,” Katy said, setting strips of bacon into a huge frying pan with incredible precision, getting more bacon into the pan than Moira would have thought possible. “But really, he’s courteous, and very handsome. And he does adore Moira.”

      “Yes, I guess he does,” Danny said grudgingly.

      “A vote of approval at last?” Moira inquired.

      “I’m withholding final judgment.”

      “And he’s been so effusive with his comments regarding you,” Moira said.

      “Really?” Danny asked.

      “Actually, no. He hasn’t mentioned you at all.”

      “Well, I’m just an old family friend. Not a real member of the family who he needs to impress.”

      “But you’ll definitely be on top of the guest list for the wedding,” Moira said over the rim of her coffee cup.

      Her mother gasped. “Moira Kathleen!”

      “No, no, no, Mum,” she said quickly, with a sigh. She had to watch this sparring with Danny in front of her parents. “We’re not planning anything—yet.”

      “I truly wish you every happiness,” Danny said. His eyes were steady on hers; his voice was sincere.

      For some reason, that made her more irritated.

      Maybe she didn’t want him to be happy for her. Yup, that was it. Completely. She wanted him to be sorry he’d blown everything himself.