Free Irish Linen by Candace McCarthy Page B

late to continue. The roads are terrible.”
    John agreed. “We’ve had three full days of rain the early part of the week,” he said.
    Her heart thumping, Meghan shot Lucas a surprised look. Why hadn’t he said something to her sooner? Her skin began to tingle as she realized that he was just being reasonable. It was late, and the road was in deplorable shape. For them to travel at night would not only be foolhardy but dangerous.
    Still, she had no money. How could she expect Lucas to pay for two rooms?
    He would have to, she thought. She certainly wasn’t going to share with him!
    Lucas knew that he’d surprised Meghan with his intention to stay, but he had considered their options, and staying at the Pattersons’ presented the safest and wisest thing to do. He drew Meghan forward to meet his friend. “Meghan, this is John Patterson. John, this is Miss McBride. Meghan McBride. I met her on the Mary Freedom. We’re traveling together.”
    He felt Meghan tense. “I’m afraid her fiancé left her stranded in Philadelphia.”
    “Oh, you poor dear!” a feminine voice exclaimed, and a short woman with an ample bosom hurried forward to greet her guests. “Good day to ya, Lucas,” she said quickly, before turning her attention to Meghan. “Who do we have here?” she asked.
    Lucas performed the introductions. The woman was John’s wife, Anne Patterson, with hair the rich color of chestnut. Anne wore a gown that was neat, well made, and protected by a white apron. She wiped her hands on her apron before she extended one to Meghan, who accepted the greeting.
    “Are ye hungry?” Anne asked.
    Meghan nodded, her eyes widening at the woman’s accent. “Ye’re from me homeland,” she said. “Where?”
    Anne smiled. “County of Cork.” The corners of her mouth rose higher when she heard Meghan gasp. “Aye,” she said sofdy. “Me grandmother spoke of the McBrides.” As she talked, she gently urged Meghan toward a lovely part of the room where a table sat near a back window. She paused and glanced back. “Aren’t ye coming, Mr. Ridgely?” she asked.
    Filled with amusement over Anne’s mothering of Meghan, Lucas nodded and followed closely behind with the woman’s husband. His enjoyment of the situation grew as he continued to eavesdrop while he waited for Anne to move so he could sit down.
    “Ye said yer da passed away?” Anne was saying.
    “Aye,” Meghan said.
    “Oh, ye poor lass! Come to America all by yerself! Why it must have been a frightening experience for ya.”
    Lucas stifled a smile as Meghan met his gaze and blushed. “Meghan is a strong woman, Anne.”
    Anne spun suddenly as if just remembering that he was there. “Oh, for certain, she must be!”
    “Allow Lucas to be seated, wife,” John Patterson suggested softly. “The man’s recently crossed the sea as well.”
    The woman nodded and moved aside, and Lucas was able to sit across from Meghan. Anne clucked and fussed over the two, seeing that they were comfortable, before leaving to prepare their meal.
    John stayed behind for a moment to apologize. “Anne means well, but she can be a bit overbearing.”
    The sight of Meghan’s smile nearly took Lucas’s breath away. “Your wife’s lovely,” she said. “She reminds me of me late mother.” She blinked several times and then looked down at her place setting, before lifting her gaze “Made me feel welcome, she did.”
    Lucas nodded, his gaze on Meghan. “You don’t have to apologize to me, John. You know how I feel about Annie.”
    With a few murmured words about helping his wife and seeing to their rooms, John poured each a glass of water, then left, leaving Lucas and Meghan alone. The dining hall was quiet, but not uncomfortably so. Lucas’s explanation of their situation followed by John’s assumption that they would need two rooms instead of one made Meghan relax and study the common area.
    Like the foyer, the room welcomed her with warmth. A fire burned on the hearth,