TRUE TO HER WORD, Carly returned to work just four weeks after giving birth to Megan. While she was enthralled with her daughter, she was near stir-crazy after one month confined at home. She wanted to be out amongst her contemporizes, in the thick of her business in all its brisk direction. She missed being in command of her staff, of giving instructions that she expected to be followed to the letter.

    She felt in charge of her own little family that included Liam and the baby, but there was always the specter of Liam's other family hovering about. Rory and Denise were harmless enough, as was the aged Phoebe, but Shannon rubbed Carly the wrong way. The woman seemed to be quietly judging Carly's worth as a wife and mother, although Shannon had yet to speak a word of criticism. Carly could see it in Shannon's eyes: the disapproval, the dislike, the obvious inferior regard in which she held her cousin's wife.

    Liam did not protest when Carly returned to work. After their ruction in the hospital, he decided to let his wife have her way. Besides, it gave him more time with his baby daughter. Megan was the apple of his eye, and he realized with some guilt that he preferred being alone with her rather than having Carly nearby, fidgeting and restless.

    But he had a responsible job as well, and could not very well become a stay-at-home father. A few weeks after Megan was born, Liam set about looking for a day babysitter. He went through Mariko Woods' employment agency, but she had trouble finding a qualified sitter with references in the Larkin City area.

    "The older women are too severe, and the young ones are too flighty with no experience," Mariko told Liam with regret.

    Both Shannon and Dana offered to look after Megan during the day, as did his childhood nanny Bridget Maloney. Liam thought it was an excellent plan. He broached the subject with Carly as they were getting ready for bed three weeks after Megan's birth.

    After they settled under the covers, Liam spoke. "I haven't been able to find a qualified babysitter for Megan in the Larkin area. Any ideas?" He was irritated that his wife had not concerned herself with the particulars of finding someone to look after Megan during the day, but he held his tongue.

    Carly sighed. "I'd suggest my mother, but she lives too far away." She turned her head on the pillow to look at her husband. "Are you sure there isn't one soul in Larkin City qualified to help us?"

    "For the time being, there is no one," Liam replied. He sat up, fluffing the pillows behind his back. "You know, we're overlooking the obvious here. Dana and Shannon are home all day, and both of them have agreed to look after Megan until we can find someone to come in. Bridget even volunteered to help."

    Carly grew still. She wouldn't mind Dana looking after her daughter, but she did not want Shannon wielding any kind of influence over Megan. Choosing her words carefully, Carly said: "I think Dana would be more suitable as she has young children. And I think perhaps Bridget might be too old to take on the demands of a baby. Shannon's kids are basically grown, and she might be out of touch."

    "Out of touch with what?" Liam wanted to know.

    Carly shrugged. "She's not used to little babies, whereas Dana is."

    "Shannon and Bridget have helped Dana with the twins all along," Liam argued, keeping his voice even with effort. "Jesus, Carly. What's the harm in having three sitters – at no cost, I might add – rather than one? Besides, Shannon and Dana are family. They're more trustworthy than some stranger from an agency."

    She pushed her head back into the pillow, closing her eyes. She wanted to blurt out her hatred of Shannon, but she instinctively knew this would infuriate Liam and perhaps alienate him from her. Again, she chose her words carefully. "I'm not sure Shannon is the right person to look after our daughter," she whispered so that Liam had to lean close to hear her.

    "Why ever not?" he demanded. "She's one of the most level-headed people I know."

    Carly rolled over, propping her head on her elbow so that she could look at her husband. "That's the thing," she began with forced hesitation, knowing the tone of her voice would draw Liam in. "I don't agree with you. I think Shannon is unstable. All that stuff she went through with Mike Sullivan would leave anyone unbalanced, and she's also a bit of a hermit. I really do think she hates me, although I've given her no cause to dislike me."

    Liam stared at her, made incredulous by her words. Uttered, they were so removed from reality and he could not fathom how she formed them. "You're wrong," he said. "Where do you get your ideas, Carly? Shannon has never treated you badly, nor has anyone else in the family. Shannon is no way unstable. My God, she's the sanest of our lot, if the truth is known. I think your ideas and fears are groundless."

    Carly lowered her eyes, looking at her hands on the sheets. "I don't want that bitch looking after my child, enforcing the notion that I'm an unfit or disinterested mother," she wanted to scream. Instead, she murmured: "I can't help how I feel, darling. I cannot imagine the stress of going to work and worrying about Megan, whether you agree with me or not."

    Liam wasn't buying it. "Then stay home and look after Megan yourself," he snapped. "Problem solved."

    She had pushed him too far. He would brook no slur against his family, even if it meant throwing her aside in the process. She did not think he would literally throw her aside, but he would distance himself from her emotionally which would only serve to lessen her hold on him, and therefore his family and their fortune. She loved Liam, but the possibility of losing the prestige and the financial backing of his name was enough to shake her innate hatred and distrust of Shannon, and to let the bitch mind her child.

    Carly reached over and stroked he husband's face. "Please accept my apology," she said softly. "I've been emotional and somewhat irrational since Megan was born. The doctor says it's natural. He called it a shifting of hormones. I think if I can get back to work I'll return to normal, feel more like my old self."

    Liam peered at her. "Are you sure?"

    She nodded, still touching his face. "Yes, I'm sure of it. You'll see. Give me a week or so back at work and I'll be the wicked woman you married."

    He grinned. "Promise?"

    They kissed, and then Liam drew her into the circle of his arms. After several minutes she heard his even breathing, which signaled his descent into sleep.

    Carly remained motionless in his arms. She was burning with fury inside, angry that Liam had won the first round about the care of their daughter. She knew Megan would be safe in Shannon's company. Despite her hatred of the woman, she was aware Shannon would never harm a blood relation. That Liam won the argument was as if Shannon had won, too.

    "The bitch," Carly thought sourly as she rolled away from Liam to find her own slumber.