She turned wide eyes on him. “I didn’t realize this was a trek to the shops.” Her tone was light and teasing. “How very exciting for you to do a bit of shopping.”
“We’ve not fooled you. This’ll be nothing but a pleasure jaunt.” That brought to mind something he’d meant to ask her. “Are you needing anything you’ve not been able to find at the mercantile? I can fetch it and bring it back for you. I’d be happy to.”
The thinnest sheen of worry tugged at her mouth. “We need winter coats, and Lydia needs proper shoes. Do you suppose those could be purchased there?”
“I can’t imagine they couldn’t be. A bigger town like that’d be more likely to carry ready-to-wear coats and shoes in all sizes.”
She pressed her lips together, brow pulled low. “I wonder how much it all would cost. Saving to pay part of the inn myself is my new plan. I have to be careful of my coins.”
“Your new plan for the inn.” He rubbed her hands between his, hoping to keep them warm in the chill autumn air. “Did Joseph Archer hear from the stage company?”
“No, and he doesn’t think that’s likely a good omen.” She slipped her hand free and moved to sit on the steps. “I’m trying not to lose hope entirely, but I’ve been chasing this dream for so long—even before I came here—and it’s become more of a struggle to be optimistic.”
Patrick sat beside her. “And are you thinking you’ll leave if the inn doesn’t get built?”
“Itwillget built,” she said, “even if the stage company won’t agree to make it a stop. I’m determined not to lose this dream.”
“Will you have enough business, do you think, if stage passengers aren’t stopping?”
She sighed and leaned her head against him. “That’s why I need to save money first. If I have some put aside, then I’ll be able to stay open even if I don’t have as many guests as I need. But I can’t be certain Joseph or Jeremiah would still invest in the inn with that much risk involved.”
He put his arm around her. “I wish I had answers for you, darlin’.”
“Building the inn was meant to be your next job, and your livelihood,” she said. “If it’s not built, willyouleave Hope Springs?”
He honestly didn’t know quite what he’d do. Finbarr might let him work his land in exchange for a roof over his head and a bit of the profits. But he wouldn’t enjoy it. Still, Eliza didn’t enjoy housekeeping, andshewasn’t rushing off to the next opportunity. Learning to like work he’d not prefer to do was a small price to pay for staying in Hope Springs and staying with her.
“I’ve been running long enough,” he said. “I think it’s time I put down some roots.”
“And you’ll be putting them down here?”
He leaned his head against hers. “Provided no one objects.”
“They’d better not.”
Patrick grinned. “And what’ll you do if someone disapproves of my staying?”
“I would givethemreason and plenty for leaving.”
He laughed long and deep. She was a delight.
“I was so certain during our stage ride that you were a happier person than you seemed,” she said. “I’m so glad I was right.”
He squeezed her shoulders and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m glad, too.”
The door opened behind them, and quick steps crossed the porch.
“Enough sparking, you two,” Tavish said as he sped down the steps beside Patrick. “We’re for Thomas’s fields now.”
The rest of the brothers and Da were hot on his heels.
“What about lunch?” Patrick asked. “That’s what we came in for.”
“Already ate,” Ciara’s husband, Keefe, tossed back. “You nap through a meal, you go hungry.”
Thomas flipped around, walking backwards so he could face Patrick as he said, “I’d wager he wasn’t napping.”
“You had best go,” Eliza said. “The teasing will only get worse if you don’t.”
