Free Heart of the Lonely Exile by BJ Hoff Page B

failed to find delightful. “Why would it be awkward?”
    â€œWell…”
    â€œBecause he’s an Irish policeman and she’s Sara Farmington?”she challenged shrewdly.
    â€œCertainly not!” He frowned at her. “But according to Sara, the sergeant is almost betrothed to Nora Kavanagh.”
    â€œAlmost is a long way from the real thing,” she huffed. “Especially in this case. It seems to me that Nora Kavanagh is more interested in spending time with Evan Whittaker than Sergeant Burke.”
    He stared at her. “It seems that way to you, does it?”
    â€œIt does. And that poor Englishman looks at her as if the sun daily rises in her eyes.”
    Jess sighed. Hadn’t he learned long ago there was no arguing with the Irish? “Your intentions are the best, love, but I honestly think we might be well-advised to wait. Just for a while.”
    Knitting her brows together prettily, Kerry considered his words. “Oh, pshaw! But—perhaps you’re right. Sara does seem determined that Nora and the sergeant will wed.”
    He nodded. “Sara’s a determined young woman.”
    â€œBut no match for the Irish, should Sergeant Burke have a mind to court her.”
    â€œWhich you believe he does.”
    â€œWell…I’m not saying he’s aware of it just yet. But, yes, yes, I believe he does.”
    Laughing, Jess took her arm and started out of the tent. “You are incorrigible, Mrs. Dalton.”
    â€œJust you wait and see, Jess,” she countered smugly. “I have one of my feelings about Sara and the sergeant.”
    Having learned that Kerry’s “feelings” were not to be taken lightly, Jess wisely remained silent.

7
Confrontation
    Like a tide our work should rise,
Each later wave the best;
Today is a king in disguise,
Today is the special test.
    JOHN BOYLE O’REILLY (1844–1890)
    O n Saturday night, Daniel and Tierney had their first real argument.
    Their natures being as different as they were, it was only natural would have a falling out every now and then. They had fussed more than once since becoming roommates. But tonight was the first time Daniel had seen Tierney truly riled with him.
    He had occasionally glimpsed the blistering, white-hot anger that seemed to lurk deep inside Tierney. It would spark and blaze without warning, never failing to catch Daniel off-guard when it did. Even so, this was the first time he had encountered it on such an intensely personal level.
    Had the hour not been late, forcing them to keep their voices low, what began as an argument could have easily turned into an ugly row. And all of it over a part-time job.
    It had been a nice enough evening to begin with. At Tierney’s urging, Uncle Mike had taken the both of them to a meeting sponsored by some of the city’s journalists—a meeting to raise funds for Ireland. There had been a great display of patriotism in the hall, both Irish and American, and Daniel had felt pleased and proud of his connection to both countries.
    Later, lying in bed, Tierney on his sagging mattress and Daniel on the makeshift cot Uncle Mike had moved in for him, they rehashed their week.Only when Tierney raised the subject of Daniel’s taking an after-school job at the hotel did the argument catch fire.
    Tierney seemed to find it unthinkable that Daniel would not sign on at the hotel in a shake. “Are you daft? What do you mean, you don’t think you want the job?”
    At Daniel’s whispered caution, he lowered his voice. But his tone lost none of its harshness as he went on. “I’ve been pestering Walsh for weeks to find you something better than sweeping up. And now that he’s about to make a place for you in the lobby, you don’t want it?”
    Hurt and somewhat surprised by Tierney’s sudden flare of anger, Daniel hurried to explain. “It’s just that I talked with Dr. Grafton last week,