Lilac Lane (Chesapeake Shores #14)(90)

“I suppose,” Moira said skeptically. “And time is of the essence since my mother is supposed to leave in just over a month. She won’t even be here for Halloween or Thanksgiving or Christmas.” Feeling surprisingly weepy, she added, “She won’t even see Kate’s excitement on Christmas morning. Doesn’t every grandmother want to witness an occasion like that?”

“And I imagine Kiera is no exception,” Luke said. “We could talk to Connor about getting an extension on her visa.”

“She has to say she wants that,” Moira said in frustration. “And I think her pride will keep her from asking, especially if Bryan’s not the one pushing for her to stay.”

“You know your mother better than I do, but would it hurt to just talk to Connor and find out if an extension is even feasible? Then we’d know whether to encourage her if she even hints at wanting to stay.”

Moira’s expression brightened. “That makes sense. Can you do that tomorrow, since I’m apparently going to be running hither and yon while she freaks out over the perfect ingredients?”

“Done,” Luke assured her. “Now come here. I’ve been feeling neglected since we’ve had very little of that free time you promised when you invited your mother to come to Chesapeake Shores.”

She laughed at him but immediately settled in his arms. “Are you perhaps thinking we could give her yet another reason to want to stay on?”

“I’m not sure I’m willing to ask her to stay so we can have more sex,” Luke teased.

Moira nudged him. “That is not what I was thinking. Well, not precisely, anyway.”

“Then what?”

“Another grandbaby might be the perfect lure.”

Luke’s startled gaze met hers. His lips curved. “Seriously? You’re ready for another one?”

“Or two,” she said. “Perhaps more.”

“But only to keep your mother around?” he asked as if to clarify. His gaze narrowed. “Or is this part of a plot to keep Megan from sending you off around the country for these shows of yours? You seem less and less inclined to go just when you should be feeling ecstatic at being in demand.”

“What lovely reasons for adding to our family,” she responded tartly. “I had no idea you were quite so cynical.”

“Realistic,” Luke corrected. “There’s usually something behind any decision you reach. I’m just trying to understand this one.” He studied her intently. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

She chuckled. “Yes, my darling husband. Your intuition is rock solid.”

“Moira, be serious for at least half a second here. Don’t you want the career Megan’s offering you?”

She hesitated. “I do and I don’t.”

“Which means?”

“After a successful show like the one in San Francisco, my head spins at the joy of knowing my photographs make people happy. Plus, I have to admit, it’s pretty heady being the center of all that attention. Then as soon as I’m away from that atmosphere, I panic that it was all a fluke and the next show will be a disaster, that perhaps I should stop while I’m on top.”

Luke smiled. “You’ve barely reached the pinnacle and you’re already afraid of tumbling down?”

She nodded. “I’ve not had much experience with success.”

“Then shouldn’t you treasure every minute of it and trust that Megan will guide you not only to more success, but will tell you the truth about when it’s time to stop? Do you not trust her judgment?”

She let Luke’s words sink in, desperately wanting to see things his way, to believe in herself as he and Megan so obviously did. “You think I need to make the commitment and go for it.”

“I do. You deserve every second of that joy you experienced in San Francisco and in New York before that.”

“And we can balance it with our family? I never want that to take second place.”

“We can make it work. I promise.”

“Even with another baby. I do want that, Luke.”

“With another half-dozen babies, if you’re willing,” he vowed.

Moira grinned. “Then I suppose we should get busy with that and tomorrow I’ll tell Megan I’m ready to seize the opportunities she finds for me.”

“You could call and tell her now before you change your mind,” he suggested.

“Right now I’m thinking only about the joy of making those babies, but if that doesn’t interest you...”

“Oh, it interests me,” he said, drawing her closer still. “Let’s give it a try.” He sealed his words with a kiss that stole her breath away just as he always did.





Chapter 21



Kiera knew she was behaving like something of a lunatic as she tore through the grocery store dismissing half of what she found. Moira trailed along behind her with the cart, Kate sitting in the child’s seat pointing out everything she recognized on the shelves and crying when it wasn’t added to the cart.

“Not today, baby girl,” Moira soothed. “We’re helping your grandmother shop today.”

“Get her the cereal. It’s her favorite,” Kiera encouraged. “Perhaps that will make her happy, so I can actually think.”