“And what would that be?” Seamus Kelly called out.
“I will fell, cut, and deliver a wagon full of logs to be divided amongst the winning team.”
That brought a murmur of excitement. Obtaining wood was a time-consuming thing, and winter tended to sneak up on the people of this valley.
“Put together your teams. We’ll break in a couple hours’ time for a bite to eat, then push through ’til we’re done. And we’ve acéilíawaiting us at the end of the day, though that means listening to Seamus yammering all night.”
Seamus took the taunting in stride; he always did. The group wove about, forming their teams.
Patrick spotted Eliza not far distant, sitting with Maura at one of the tables hauled over for the day. Lydia sat on the table, clutching her doll and handkerchief and wearing the shoes Patrick had brought back for her from the depot. They were building more than just an inn that day. They were building a home for two people who meant the world to him. They were building a fresh start and a brand-new future. Patrick felt more and more certain that he’d be granted a place in that future. He couldn’t believe Eliza would kiss him the way she had if she didn’t care for him as much as he did for her.
Quickly enough, four teams were assembled. The appointed heads of each approached Patrick for their assignments. He answered their questions, gave some further instructions, then declared the competition started.
Everyone there had helped build homes throughout the valley. They wouldn’t need much input from him. He’d keep an eye on it all, walk around to make certain everything was as it ought to be. Overall, there wasn’t much for him to do. He didn’t dare join his family’s team, as he was meant to be impartial. He’d help anywhere he was needed, though.
Not long after the inn raising began, Eliza found him. “I cannot believe everyone came to help with this. So many people didn’t even like the idea of an inn when it was first presented.”
“You heard their worries and didn’t brush them aside.”
“I care about this town. I would never do anything to hurt the people here.”
“Is that why you’ve decided not to serve liquor at the inn? Not every stage passenger or driver will be happy about that.”
She slipped her hand in his. “I’ll serve them all the tea they want. I mean to have plenty on hand.”
Tea.That word stirred emotion in his heart; he knew what she was telling him. She’d made the decision for his sake.
“I don’t want you to ever feel anything other than at home here,” she said.
He raised their entwined hands and kissed the back of hers. “This will be home to you and Lydia. Finbarr’s house isn’t so far from here, plenty near enough for visiting regularly. That’ll make this one of my favorite places.”
“You will come visit, then? You’ll not be so close as you are to the Archers. I’ll miss seeing you every day.”
He leaned near her ear and whispered, “I believe we can sort out a solution to that difficulty, love.”
Someone shouted his name from the building site. He pressed an all-too-brief kiss to her all-too-tempting lips before moving to see what was needed.
As the day went on, there was no opportunity for anything more between him and the woman he loved than smiles and quick words in passing. While the building was going on, he was in constant demand. During the lunch break, she was.
Through it all, Ma’s words echoed in his mind.Be brave. You need only ask her.
Be brave.
By the time the inn was framed and the winning team declared—the O’Connors, Callaghans, and Scotts, despite having chosen one of the more difficult sections of the inn—Patrick’s resolve to be brave had evolved into a plan.
The tables were gathered together and laden with foodstuffs for thecéilí. The chairs were moved to form the usual groupings, with room for dancing and a spot for a fire and tale telling. The musicians gathered, chatting and laughing.
Patrick snagged Ryan and Thomas from among them, then pulled Ian, Tavish, and Keefe aside as well. “I’m needing a favor from the lot of you.”
“You still owe us a wagon of wood,” Tavish said. “Are you truly wanting to add to that debt?”
“I’ll risk it,” Patrick answered dryly. “Besides, Ma’d skin you if you turned me down on this. ’Twas her idea, in a way.”
“What is it you’re needing?” Ian asked.
“A song. I know you know it. We’ve sung it before, ages ago.” He looked to his newer brothers-in-law. “I actually don’t know if you lot know it, seeing as I didn’t knowyouages ago. But it ain’t a tricky one. Even if you’re new to it, the chorus is the same thing again and again, and that’s the bit I need your backing on.”
“We’re quick studies,” Keefe said. “Get on with you; we’ll join in.”
