Her Irish Surrender by Kit Morgan Read Free Book Online Page B

men taken care while he kept an eye on the back of the store.
    “We’ll take it,” Mr. Van Cleet spoke out of the blue.
    Lorcan jumped at his voice and almost dropped a cookie. “Set the book on the counter, I’ll be right there.” He finished with the two men, collected their money and glanced to the back of the store as they turned to leave.  They’d shared no parting words with the stranger, and Lorcan began to wonder who he was. He appeared to be quite interested in Miss Dermont, and began to engage her in polite conversation.
    “There a problem, son?” Mr. Van Cleet asked.
    Lorcan pulled his attention back to the task at hand. “No, sir. Is this the only book you want?”
    “Yes, this should do fine. Polly and I plan on visiting Scotland one day. Want to read up on it first.”
    Lorcan looked the Van Cleets over. They were well into their seventies now. He stared at the book a moment, glanced in Miss Dermont’s direction when he heard her laugh, then forced his attention back to Mr. Van Cleet. It was harder than he thought. He stood there like a dote, and said nothing.
    “Oh I know what you’r e thinking,” Mr. Van Cleet said, thinking his look was for them. “What are two folks our age doing planning a trip like that?  Well, you’re never too old, is the way we look at it.” Lorcan continued to stare, his eyes darting to the back of the shop of their own accord. Mr. Van Cleet chuckled. “He got into town last night. Got himself a room at Upton’s.  Nice enough fella. Seems like he’s pretty interested in Miss Dermont …”
    “Lorcan shook himself. “He’s staying at the boarding house with you?”
    “Yesiree,” Mr. Van Cleet said as he turned his gaze toward the rear of the shop. “Name’s Walker, says he’s from Colorado. Come out west to farm and ranch.  Told us last night he’s looking for two things, one of which is land.”
    Lorcan continued to watch as the man called Walker carried on his conversation with Miss Dermont. “What’s the other thing?”
    “A wife,” Mr. Van Cleet said matter of fact.
    Lorcan met his gaze and felt his body go stiff, his hands already clenched into fists. It was a gut reaction, one he had no control over unless he really thought about it.  But why would he want to punch the man’s face all of a sudden?  He had no claim on Miss Dermont, he was the one trying to put her on a stage a few days ago to be rid of her! Thanks to his mother, that wasn’t about to happen. Maybe he should be praying Mr. Walker took more than a liking to the girl, court, and then marry her.  She’d be off his hands, out of his hair, and life could get back to normal.  That, and he wouldn’t have to work with her and feel guilty about marching her straight to the boarding house almost the moment she got off the stage ... 
    But right now, it wasn’t guilt Lorcan was feeling.  Instead, he felt like punching the poor fellow’s lights out. Before he knew it, he had moved out from behind the counter, and was marching to the back of the shop. “Miss Dermont?”
    She’d been laughing at something Mr. Walker said, and looked up at Lorcan with a b rilliant smile. It took his breath away. “Mr. Brody?”
    He stared at her a moment, “There’s work to be done,” was all he said. He nodded to Mr. Walker, then turned on his heel and strode back to the counter.
    “Abrupt, isn’t he?” he heard the man say at his retreat.  Lorcan glanced over his shoulder and both were staring after him.
    He went behind the counter, and proceeded to collect payment from Mr. Van Cleet just as his mother came down the stairs, a tray in her hands. “Good morning, sir. Have you found a book you like?”
    “No ma’am, I’m not here looking for a book. I came because I heard you were the best pie maker in Oregon City.”
    Mrs. Brody blushed a deep red. “Oh, dear me. I can’t say that I’m the best, but I do try.”
    Lorcan had Mr. Van Cleet’s purchase wrapped in brown paper at this