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