Lilac Lane (Chesapeake Shores #14)(50)
“It’s San Francisco, too,” Kiera said wistfully. “Wouldn’t you love to see it? Remember when we used to look through those picture books from America and dreamed of traveling there someday even before your grandfather came over here? I never thought such a day would be possible, but here we both are.”
“Seeing San Francisco would be nice,” Moira admitted. “But this is a big show, bigger than any I’ve had before. Megan says I’d have to be gone at least three weeks.” She shook her head. “No, I can’t possibly be away so long.”
“And why not, if it’s what’s needed? It seems like a small sacrifice for such potentially impressive rewards.”
“Our agreement was that I’d never be away longer than a week—ten days at the absolute outside. Megan’s kept to that promise until now, but she says there’s no bending on this. The gallery owner is adamant about the commitment. He wants me there for extensive media coverage, a big opening night party and private meetings with some of his biggest collectors.”
“Then you’ll go for three weeks,” Kiera said decisively. “Luke and I will manage things with Kate quite well. We have Carrie as backup if we need to use the day care.” She gave Moira a hard look. “I’ve seen for myself that Kate loves it there. And the staff seems more than competent to look after her needs. I know perfectly well that I’m here as little more than window dressing, the Irish grandmama come to visit. We settled that weeks ago.”
Moira winced. “It wasn’t like that.”
“Of course it was. You and your grandfather were worried about me and dreamed up as many excuses as you could find to lure me here. You wanted me to feel needed. Don’t fret over the deception. I’m grateful. I find I like it here. It’s given me time with your grandfather and with you.”
“And with Kate,” Moira added.
“The best part of all,” Kiera agreed. “When you were a wee one, I was never able to experience the joy of the moments as I am with Kate.”
Moira looked surprised. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
Sorrow stole over Kiera at the memory of how little time she’d had for her own children. “Ah, Moira, you’ve no idea how many regrets I have about the things I missed with you and your brothers. All I could do back then was keep my head down and put one foot in front of the next to be sure we had food on the table and clothes that wouldn’t shame you.”
Moira sighed. “I suppose I never stopped to think about how difficult it must have been for you, how much you were missing. I just wanted a mum who was home, who baked cookies and such.”
“You’ve had a taste of my cookies,” Kiera reminded her wryly. “Were you really missing so much?”
The comment drew an unexpected burst of laughter. “Perhaps not so much.” Moira studied her intently. “You really wouldn’t mind helping out while I’m away?”
“It’s what I came for,” Kiera assured her. “And it would be my pleasure. Perhaps Luke, Kate and I could come to the opening of your exhibit and spend a day or two, if we wouldn’t be in the way. I wouldn’t mind getting a glimpse of San Francisco myself.”
Moira studied her, as if looking for any hint of reluctance, then seemed to come to a conclusion. “Then that’s exactly what we’ll do,” Moira said. “I’ll talk it over with Luke and we’ll work out the details. You should see more of the country. Truth be told, you were right about the daydreaming I did when we looked at those books. I wouldn’t mind riding on a San Francisco cable car and seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. I just don’t like being parted from Luke and the baby.”
“Which is why we’ll turn part of the trip into a family vacation, something that was all too rare when you and your brothers were young. That’s another of my regrets.”
“You took us to the beach,” Moira said. “I remember those Sundays when you’d pack a picnic and we’d take the train to the shore.”
“If you treasure those memories, I’m glad,” Kiera told her. “But there should have been so many more. I made it harder than it needed to be by not reaching out to my father. There’s a lesson in that for you.”
Moira laughed. “Yes, I can see that.”
Kiera reached over and took her daughter’s hand. “I’m proud of you, Moira.”
Moira seemed stunned by her praise. Kiera couldn’t miss the sheen of tears in her eyes and realized how rarely those words had probably been spoken. She’d never meant to be so stingy with them, but time had rushed by and then it was almost too late. Seeing how touched her daughter was, she realized that no matter how old or independent a woman was, no matter the depth of her pride or the loudness of her claims not to need anyone, she was never beyond wanting the approval of someone she loved.
*
Kiera was eager for a chance to speak to Bryan about everything he’d told her earlier in the day, but he seemed to be deliberately avoiding her. He even made it a point to come to the bar when it was at its busiest to inquire if she’d mind getting a ride home with Luke.
“I have a few things that will keep me here later than usual. There’s no need for you to wait around.”
Though she’d been about to argue, something in his expression told her it would be a waste of her breath. Her silent acquiescence, though, didn’t mean that she was ready to let the subject drop. Nor did she intend to wait long for answers.