Free Longing for Home by Sarah M. Eden

The air’s far warmer near the fire.”
    Katie kept right where she was. “If not for Tavish being so infernally bossy, I’d have stayed out of your way entirely.”
    “‘Infernally bossy.’” Mrs. O’Connor smiled broadly. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard him described so perfectly.”
    Tavish shook his head but didn’t seem offended.
    “Come on now.” Mrs. O’Connor motioned her over again.
    “I’m not meaning to put you out at all, only to wait for the rain to pass.”
    “Oh, and I suppose the storm’ll pass faster if you martyr yourself in the coldest corner of the house?” She clicked her tongue and shook her head.
    Tavish crossed back to them. “You’d best give over, Sweet Katie. The only woman I’ve ever known who could beat Biddy for stubbornness was my own mother, and that is saying something.”
    From across the room, Ian tossed out a remark of his own. “Keep on standing there insulting both my mother and my sweetheart, and I’ll see to it you don’t eat tonight, brother.”
    The jab didn’t seem to affect Tavish in the least. He held the blanket out to Katie. She slipped off his coat and traded him for it. Their hands brushed. The tiny moment of contact sent a shiver through her that had nothing to do with how cold she was.
    Oh no you don’t, Katie Macauley. There’ll be none of that.
    She snatched her hands back quickly. “I thank you for the blanket.” She spoke in her most freezing tones.
    Tavish raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.
    Mrs. O’Connor eyed her with concern. “I’ve a feeling that quilt won’t be enough, even with the fire. What you need is a fresh change of clothes.”
    Her other two dresses were in her carpetbag, likely near as soaked as the one she had on.
    “I can lend her my clothes,” Tavish said, his tone thoughtful to the point of drama. “Of course, I’d have nothing to wear then, myself.”
    Katie refused to blush at that comment. Indeed, she set herself quite firmly on ignoring it.
    Mrs. O’Connor rolled her eyes, something Katie had rarely seen a grown person do. The childlike gesture made Katie smile inside despite the awful day she was having.
    “Miss Macauley’s been through enough tonight without being subjected to that,” Mrs. O’Connor said. “You leave your clothes on and quit trying to embarrass the poor thing.”
    “Trying to make her smile was all I was hoping for.”
    “And you setting the table was all I was hoping for,” Mrs. O’Connor replied. “Set yourself to it while I find Miss Macauley a dress of mine.”
    “I couldn’t take one of your dresses, Mrs. O’Connor.” Katie’s wish to keep in the corner was evaporating like water on a summer’s day.
    “I’m not making you a present of it. I’ll be wanting it back just as soon as your own clothes are fit for wearing again.” She stepped nearer a curtain hanging in a doorway. “Come on, then. Let’s find you something dry.”
    Katie might have objected again but remembered Tavish’s warning in the barn. The O’Connors would insist on helping her, would work at getting her to accept their help. She’d be less of a burden if she accepted gracefully. Katie resigned herself to it.
    They stepped past the curtain into a small bedroom. The bed took up nearly the entire space, save a trunk at the foot and a small table. Mrs. O’Connor opened the trunk and pulled out a neatly folded dress in a shade of very light blue and a pair of homespun woolen stockings.
    “You’re not quite my height,” she said, “but I think this’ll fit well enough.”
    Katie accepted the bundle. “It’s thankful I am for your kindness, Mrs. O’Connor. I fear I’ve nothing to offer in return beyond an eagerness to do whatever work you might have for me.”
    Mrs. O’Connor’s eyes brightened as she smiled. “Promise to call me Biddy, and I’ll consider us quite even.”
    ’Twasn’t remotely a fair trade, but Katie nodded her agreement.
    “Bring your clothes with you when