Free Reclaimed Love: Banished Saga, Book Two by Ramona Flightner

more a day,” Gabriel said.
    “You seem preoccupied, Liam,” Amelia murmured as she moved to sit. She stroked his shoulder in an attempt to ease his tension.
    “I am. One of the men from another level, Brian O’Shaughnessy, didn’t pick up his tag today.”
    “His tag?” Gabriel asked.
    “When we go down the mine, we put a metal tag in a bowl to show we are working. When we end shift, we pick our tag out of the bowl so everyone knows we are…”
    “Safe,” Amelia murmured with a gentle squeeze to Liam’s shoulders.
    “Yes,” Liam said as he reached up to grip her hand. “When we left, they were looking for him.”
    “All we can do is pray they find him, healthy and whole,” Gabriel said.
    “Aye, ’tis all we can do. But it always makes me wish there was more I could do other than go to the wake and pay my respects.”
    After an awkward pause, Gabriel spoke. “Amelia, can you tell me about the upcoming fall dance at the Hibernian Hall?”
    She smiled as she settled into her chair. “Yes. We will have the McNamara band, and there should be plenty of dancing. I have heard that there will be a number of eligible women there, Matthew.” At Ronan’s snort, Amelia arched an eyebrow at him. “And what has you amused, Ronan? You just might find a woman who interests you.”
    “Set your trap for wee Matthew here,” Ronan said as he attempted to mimic Liam, “but I have no interest in a wife and responsibilities. I am too young to contemplate anything so drastic as marriage.”
    “Many would argue you are nearly decrepit at twenty-eight,” Liam said.
    “Seeing as I’ve used up half my mining years, yes, I can see that,” Ronan said with a laugh.
    “Half your mining years?” Gabriel asked.
    “Most say our work expectancy is short. We’ll only ever put in about fifteen years in the mine. It’s part of the reason we’re paid so well. Besides, there are too many women I have yet to meet on a certain street,” Ronan said with an impish smile as he referred to Mercury Street and Butte’s Red Light district.
    “Don’t you dare mention that name in this house,” Amelia said with a tap to his hand.
    “In fact, maybe my unencumbered friends would care to join me tonight? Matthew? Gabe?” Ronan looked toward them as he finished his stew.
    Gabriel shook his head in denial, but Matthew jumped up to join Ronan. “I thank you for a delicious meal, Amelia,” Ronan said.
    “Ma’am,” Matthew muttered, flushing red. They left, allowing in a blast of cold air.
    “Liam, talk some sense into that partner of yours,” Amelia demanded as she washed the dishes.
    “He’s young and unmarried in a city filled with ample opportunity for … adventure, love,” Liam said with a roll of his eyes toward Gabriel. “How d’ye expect him to act?”
    “More like Gabriel!”
    “Now, ’tisn’t fair, as the man’s got his woman,” Liam said with a nod in Gabriel’s direction. “She might be across a great continent. But sure, he’s still got his woman.” When Amelia opened her mouth to argue, Liam set Nicholas down, rose and covered her lips with his fingers. “What Matthew didn’t tell you is that the ore cart that got Johnny Fitzgerald was meant for him. He jumped out of the way just in time. The lad needs somethin’ to take his mind off of nearly dyin’ today.”
    ***
    GABRIEL LEFT THE EGANS and decided to go to the local pub. He had no desire to sit by himself in the small room at the boardinghouse. As he entered, he noted that a button accordion player had joined the fiddler tonight with most conversation at a low din out of respect for the music.
    Gabriel collected his pint and found a seat at an empty table a short distance from the music. Round tables and chairs scattered around the room were filled with off-duty miners. Spittoons sat near the foot of each table. Men leaned against the long wooden bar. Knicks and scratches from the multitude of drinks and patrons scarred the oak wood surface.