by Paty Jager
No wonder she worked so hard to get back to a life where she could be a woman of leisure. “Do you think it’s this cousin killing Irish boys thinking he’s getting rid of Patrick’s heir?”
She shook her head. “Nae. He wouldn’t dirty his hands. ’Tis someone he pays.” She captured his hands in hers. “We cannae let anyone know Colin is o’ Irish blood. Or his da’s name.”
“I’ll talk to Zeke and see what he thinks. He’s got more experience with this. In the mean time, we’ll all keep a close watch on Colin. Don’t tell him. I don’t want him causing a fight with some man who doesn’t have a clue what is going on.”
“Ah agree.”
He pulled her down against him and sought her soft lips. He’d held her long enough without tasting. She flowed over him and in him as the kiss deepened. Her insecurity and need for comforting made his chest ache. He wanted to be everything she needed, yet, wasn’t sure how.
He pulled out of the kiss. “Let’s go back to the warm house. This ground is cold.”
She hugged him one more time and then rose. He stood, bent to pick up the lantern, and drew her protectively under his arm.
“I’ll see if Clay and Hank can keep Colin interested in a game of dominoes while we talk with Zeke and Maeve.” She stiffened but nodded.
“Do they know who this man be?” She asked as he blew out the lantern and left it at the mine entrance.
His gaze drifted to the stamp mill. “Not exactly.”
She peered up at him. “But ye have an idea?”
He shrugged. She would be as volatile as her son if she knew who he suspected. They couldn’t divulge too much information. He hated keeping things from Aileen, but it was for the best. Too keep her safe.
“I’m not voicing my thoughts to anyone. No sense in causing trouble if there is none.” Her steps faltered. She didn’t like his answer.
They arrived at the kitchen door. Ethan folded both arms around her. In the darkness, her features were hard to distinguish. But he knew where to find her mouth. He leaned down, placing his lips against hers. When her body relaxed in his arms, he raised his head.
“Don’t run away.” He kissed her before she could say anything.
“Don’t fear my love.” He kissed her again. A sound beyond the door made her stiffen.
“And don’t be afraid for people to see us together.” He captured her lips once more, reveling in their softness and sweetness. She sagged in his arms, and he smiled against her lips.
The door opened. He glanced sideways and found Colin in the doorway, his arm in the air about to put his coat on.
“You looking for us?” Ethan asked calmly and pushed past the boy into the kitchen.
“Guess I don’t need to ask what you’ve been doing.” The boy’s voice dripped with anger.
Aileen started to pull away. Ethan drew her back against his side. Why did she fear her son seeing her with a man? He was tired of pussyfooting around the boy.
“No, you don’t have to ask.” He glanced at Aileen. The multitude of emotions contorting her face made him angry. “And you better get used to it.”
Colin rose to his full height, stretched his neck like a rooster charging into a fight, and glared at him. “You aren’t going to hurt my ma.”
Ethan slid Aileen behind him. “I won’t hurt your ma. But if you don’t back off and let her have a little happiness, I’m gonna put you over my knee and paddle you.”
“There’s no need to be goin’ at one another.” Aileen stepped from behind Ethan. She didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or be frightened the way the two of them battled over her.
She stood in front of Ethan, crossed her arms, and faced her son. “Ah enjoy my time with Ethan. And ah’ll no’ have ye spoilin’ it by actin’ like an eejit every time ye see us together.” Colin ducked his head. She smiled, pressed her lips together and swung around to the man standing so close behind her she could feel his heat. A reminder of the kisses they’d shared moments before made it hard for her to remain stern. She wanted to melt into his arms and revel in his love.
“And ah’ll no’ have ye puttin’ yer hands all over me when ye have the notion just to pique my laddie.”
“I’ve never—” She held up her palm toward him.
“Ye dinnae do it on purpose, but ye need to think o’ his feelings as well.” She glanced over her shoulder at her son. “He and ah have been through a lot. ’Tis hard for him to no’ be the man.”
She reached back, and Colin slid his hand in hers. Pulling him forward, she made him look up at the man standing in front of them. “Ethan cares for me, for Shayla, and for ye.” When he tried to turn, she held his head. “Nae. Ye know he will no’ let anything happen to us. To me.”
Aileen gazed up into the dark, caring eyes of the man looming over them. He nodded and ruffled Colin’s hair.
“Go in the other room. Tell Zeke we’re back and see if you can beat Hank at dominoes.” Ethan’s deep voice was barely above a whisper as he instructed Colin. It wasn’t in him to hurt a child or a woman. The realization had been long coming, but it was the truth. She knew it now.
The boy shuffled out of the room. He would be harder to convince.
“Thank you.” Ethan put his hands out, grasping hers.
“For what?”
“For not tossing me aside like your son wanted.”
“He may be my first bairn, but he cannae dictate how ah feel.” She placed her hand on his cheek. He’d shaved for dinner. By this time of night he usually carried a stubble of whiskers. She ached to find security in his arms again tonight.
The door from the main room to the kitchen opened, but she didn’t step back. She curled next to Ethan and watched Zeke and Maeve enter.
“Looks like you found her.” Zeke’s gaze raked over the two of them.
“And you talked things out.” Maeve smiled and moved to the stove. Aileen remained wrapped in Ethan’s warm embrace while the woman poured four cups of coffee and placed them on the table.
“Sit. We have several things to discuss.” Maeve had positioned the cups two on one side, two on the other.
Ethan nudged her toward the chairs closest to them. She sat and wasn’t surprised when he claimed her hand in his. His fingers wrapped around, blanketing her with security.
The other couple sat across from them. Maeve smiled, but it didn’t light her eyes. Her face had become expressionless. Zeke, too, had taken on a less than comforting pose.
She glanced at the man beside her. He winked and gave her a reassuring smile that lit his eyes. Whatever the other two had to say, he was on her side.
“I’m assuming Ethan told you why we’re here?” Zeke glanced from her to his brother and back to her.
“Aye. Ye are after a man who killed a boy.” She wasn’t going to divulge anything else. She only trusted Ethan. He knew the truth. That was all that mattered.
“One the age of Colin.”
“Aye.”
Zeke studied her. “You wouldn’t happen to know why this man is killing Irish boys?”
Chapter 29
“If ah dinna know the man, how could ah know why he is killing boys?” Aileen glanced at Ethan. Had he told Zeke Colin was Irish?
“But your son is Irish. And this man seems to be after boys of your son’s age.” Zeke leaned forward. His intensity drove her back against the chair and her hand to clutch Ethan’s.
“How did ye know my son is Irish?” She didn’t like the man knowing so much about her family.
Maeve smoothed the front of her dress. “I asked him. He has an Irish name and with you being Scots I would have figured him to have a Scots name like Shayla.” Maeve leaned forward. “If he’s told me, who else do you think he’s told?”
Aileen turned to Ethan. “This is why we kept to ourselves. That and Mr. Miller’s death.” She grasped both his hands with hers. “He cannae go around tellin’ people about his da. Ah’ve told him that before.” She started to stand, to go in the other room and gi
ve her laddie a talking to.
“Sit.” Ethan pulled her back into the chair and smoothed the lines beside her eyes. “Zeke, we believe the man is looking for Colin. He’s an heir to an English estate. It seems Aileen’s first husband had just inherited before he died—”
“Was killed!” Aileen interrupted. He patted her hand.
“Was killed. Aileen believes by a cousin who took over the estate and is now trying to kill off the rightful heir. Colin.” Aileen stiffened as he told her tale.
“Okay, so we know he has finally found his target. All those other boys must have had a similar situation. Come to America with their Irish mother. The one thing our man didn’t know was that the real boy’s mother wasn’t Irish.” Zeke glanced at her.
“My name is common among Irish and Scots. That side o’ the family dinnae care for the likes o’ the O’Lears. Ah doubt any o’ them even know ah was Scots.” Aileen’s heart ached for the parent’s of the boys the man had killed.
Zeke stared at Ethan. “Now that we know he’s after Colin we sit back and wait for him to attempt something.”
“Nae!” Aileen shot to her feet. “My laddie will no’ be used for bait!”
“Shh.” Ethan stood, drawing Aileen against his chest. Her body trembled as she clung to him. He wanted to stave her fears and be her strength.
“Ah’ll no’ lose my laddie. Ah cannae.”
“You’re not going to lose him. There will be one of us with him at all times.” Ethan kissed the top of her head. He would do anything for this woman and her family. “I promise.”
She stared at him through tear-filled eyes. “It’s a promise ye better keep.”
Keeping her son alive could mean the difference between him holding her in his arms for the rest of their lives or losing the only woman he’d ever love.
“I will.”
She turned to Zeke and Maeve. “Don’t be tellin’ my laddie what ye know. He’s got a hot head and could harm himself.” She pushed out of his arms. “Ah’m goin’ to tuck Shayla in and talk with Colin about keepin’ his past quiet.”
Without so much as a good night, she slipped through the doorway. Ethan stared at the closed door. She was too strong for her own good. Would she remain here in the protection they could provide for her son, or would she try to slip away?
“We need to keep an eye on both Colin and Aileen.” He sat back down and stared across the table at his brother.
“You think she’s going to bolt?” Zeke took a sip of coffee.
“I’m not sure. She’s a strong woman who fights for what she believes in. And she believes her son deserves his estate in England. If she thinks there’s a possibility he’ll be killed or lose it, I’m sure she’ll take off.” He glanced at his sister-in-law. “What do you think?”
“You want my opinion?” Her stunned response made him chuckle.
“Yes. You’re a woman. Maybe not a mother yet, but if you were in her shoes, what would you do?” With his question, he had finally drawn his sister-in-law to his side. He saw it in the softening of her face and the slight curve to her lips.
“She loves you. She also believes in you. Your truth. I’d say, she’ll stick around. Unless something does happen to the boy. Then you better be prepared.” The sympathy in her eyes expressed what he already knew. If the boy was killed, he wouldn’t have a chance with Aileen.
“So we keep the boy safe.” Zeke stood, took his wife’s hand and helped her stand. “It’s been a long day.”
“I have something else I need to tell you.” Ethan motioned for them to sit back down. “The other night when I brought Shayla and Aileen home from town after dark, there was a man on horseback watching us. I could have called him out, but I didn’t want him to know I saw him. It might be your killer, but there was something familiar about his shape…” He shook his head. He’d been trying to place the person ever since he saw him. “Anyway, just keep an eye on the whole family.”
Zeke nodded.
Clay poked his head through the doorway. “Hey, are you ready to head home? I’m tired of being beat by Hank.”
“I just want to make sure Aileen is fine, and I’ll be ready to go.” Ethan turned to Zeke. “I’m glad you and Maeve are staying here.”
Zeke slapped him on the back. “Big brother, I won’t let anything happen to your woman.” He gathered Maeve against him and the two left the room.
Ethan picked up the cups and carried them to the drain board. He pulled the coffee pot from the stove, added some wood, turned the damper down, and blew out the lantern.
He entered the living quarters and found Aileen standing by the wood stove. Moving quietly, he caught her around the waist and drew her body against his, kissing her neck.
“Where’d everyone go?” Her scent and lush body drove him crazy. He wanted to gather her in his arms and find a place to show her how much he cared for her.
“Hank and Clay went to check on the stamp mill and get the horses ready. Zeke and Maeve and the bairn are in bed.” She rested her head against his chest.
He spun her to face him. “Everything will be all right. Zeke and Maeve know what they’re doing, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you or the children.”
“Ah know. Ah told Colin to no’ be tellin’ anythin’ about him to anyone.” She shook her head. “By his reaction, he’s said somethin’ to someone, but ah didn’t want to pry and get him worried.”
“I’ll check around tomorrow. Maybe I can figure out who he’s been spending time with lately.” He bent his head. “In the mean time, how about a good night kiss?” Their lips met. It wasn’t a hot passionate mating. He wanted to show her she meant more to him than the heated coupling of the night before.
He slid his lips across hers, opening slightly and tasting her. She sighed, melting against him, and he deepened the kiss. The thought of never having her to hold or indulge slammed into his ribs like a hammer. He would do everything possible to make sure nothing happened to her son.
Booted feet thumped across the office floor.
“It’s time for me to go.” He kissed her once more and gently turned her toward the bedrooms.
She motioned with a hand toward the wood stove. “The fire…”
“I’ll get it. Good night.” Ethan opened the stove door as Clay entered the room.
“Ready?”
“Just let me fill the stove.” He shoved the firebox full and closed the door. “Ready.” He glanced at the hallway even though he knew she wouldn’t be standing there.
Zeke sleeping in the building made it easier for him to leave. There was trouble afoot, and he didn’t like being over the ridge when he should be here, protecting the people that had found a place in his heart.
****
The next day, Aileen couldn’t shake the feeling of someone watching her. Which was ridiculous, she hadn’t left the building all morning. Ethan had appeared while she prepared the morning meal. He ate along with the bairn and his brother and sister-in-law.
When Zeke and Colin left for the stamp mill, he’d stayed behind to show her more about her job in the office. With the mill running, she was now in charge of logging in the information Hank brought her about each miner and the gold removed from their rubble.
Working with the numbers was exciting. When she did a figure right she was not only proud of herself, but of Ethan for giving her the chance to prove she could be more.
There it was again. A prickling along the back of her neck. She glanced up from the entry book and stared out the office window. Several men mulled around in front of the mill. None stood still and watched her. The hair on her arm bristled. She walked around the counter and over to the window.
The Irishman and Clay stood at the corner of the stamp mill. Clay had his back to the office—and the Irishman. Yes, his gaze darted in her direction while he conversed with Clay.
She hurried into the living quarters. She’d get the rest of the material Mrs. Fellowes gave her for curtains and make a pair for
the office window.
Colin came through the kitchen door. “Ma, I’m going to start filling ore carts. It’s our day at the stamp mill on Sunday, and I want to keep the mill running all day with our diggings.”
“That’s an ambitious thought,” she said, turning and smiling. He grew taller every day, becoming a man.
“Ah haven’t been in the mill for a while. How about ah come and help ye?” She turned to go change into her work clothes.
“You stay here. I like you doing woman’s work instead of men’s.” His changing voice stayed deep and the conviction in his words stopped her.
“Ye sound so much like a man and act so much like a man—” She crossed the room and embraced him. “Ah’ll miss my laddie, but ah know ye are goin’ to be a fine man.”
He pulled out of her arms. “Ma, why are you so mushy lately? If falling in love makes you that way, I’m staying away from girls.”
Aileen burst out laughing. “Ah laddie, ye’ll find ye cannae stay away from them any more than ah can tell my heart no’ to love again.
“Wait for me. Ah’d like to help with the first cart of our ore that is put through the stamp mill.”
He nodded, understanding her need to have a hand in something so momentous. “Eat some cookies while ye wait for me to change.”
“Where’s Shayla?”
“She and Maeve are out lookin’ for something to use as a table center piece.” She shrugged. With winter sneaking closer every day, she knew the woman had taken up the task as a means to spend time with the child. Why, she wasn’t sure, but at least she knew someone watched over her daughter.
Colin shook his head in disbelief and reentered the kitchen. Aileen hurried to the room she shared with Shayla and quickly donned her trousers and work shirt. She rarely thought of the clothes in terms of Mr. Miller’s any more. Over the years, they had become hers. Putting them on, once again, brought back insecurities she thought she’d shed. She shook her head to expel the unwanted thoughts and hurried to the kitchen for her coat and Colin.
Together they walked to the mine. Knowing the amounts of gold the other miners had crushed from their rubble, made her anxious to see what they could press from their rock.