Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason Read Free Book Online Page B

to the horses. The wagon rocked and groaned, then suddenly jerked forward, up and onto the road. Relief spilled through her tense shoulders. She tugged the reins to stop the horses and turned to thank the stranger for his help.
    When she didn’t see him, she hopped down from the bench and rounded the back of the carriage. Dismay rushed through her at the sight of the poor man on his hands and knees, dripping in mud. The wheels had spewed filth all over him.
    â€œOh, dear. I’m so sorry.” Without thinking, she rushed to help him, tugging on his arm. Too late she realized her shoes had become bogged in the mire. They squished in the brown sludge as she fought for footing. Before she could react, the man lost his balance and slid backward down the slight incline, pulling her with him into the soft mud.
    Colleen shrieked as wetness soaked her backside.

    So much for chivalry.
    Rylan fought the rise of laughter at the spectacle before him. The striking red-haired young woman sat sprawled in the mud, streaks of dirt dripping from her furious cheeks. He swiped ruefully at his own soaked attire. This was not the type of impression he’d hoped to make when he met the distant relatives who’d been kind enough to take him in. In fact, this whole day had not gone at all as planned.
    No one had arrived to greet him at the train station as promised, and he’d had to set out on foot—a fair distance indeed. Then he’d happened upon this young lady sleeping at the side of the road beside a drunken-tipped carriage, andhe couldn’t very well leave her there without offering his assistance.
    He pulled himself to his feet, grimacing at his besmirched clothing. God must have an odd sense of humor. Once he regained his balance, he held out a hand to the lady.
    â€œNo, thank you. I’ll manage on my own.” She glared at him as she tried to pull herself up, only succeeding in sliding farther into the mire.
    â€œPlease, I feel terrible.” He bit his lip to keep from smiling at her comical attempts to rise.
    â€œYou should feel terrible. This is all your fault.” She flailed her arms, flinging muck in all directions.
    He couldn’t keep the laughter in as he trudged closer.
    Her eyes blazed blue thunder. “You, sir, had better not be laughing at me.”
    â€œI’m laughing at this whole daft situation.” Despite her protests, he put a hand under her elbow and lifted her out of the dirt. “I never expected to spend the afternoon wallowing in a mud pit with a beautiful woman.”
    She speared him a furious glare and yanked away from his hold, only to lose her balance a second time. Rylan caught her before she tumbled once again. She landed against him with a thud, and the frantic beat of her heart fluttered against his chest. His amusement faded as his gaze locked with eyes the color of spring lilacs. Delicate skin and full lips startled Rylan, sending currents of electricity racing through his veins. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d held a woman in his arms. And never one of such startling beauty it robbed him of breath.
    The girl seemed as momentarily stunned as he. Taking advantage of her hesitation, he picked her up and carried her to a drier spot, where he managed to navigate the short incline to the road. Once beside the carriage, he set her gently on her feet.
    â€œA fine pair we are.” He took out a handkerchief from his pants pocket and attempted to wipe the mud from her face.
    â€œGive me that.” She snatched the cloth away from him and dabbed at her cheeks, smearing the dirt even more.
    â€œI doubt you’ll be wanting to go into town without a bath first.” He tried to joke with her, to ease the lines of worry from her face, but to his dismay, tears bloomed in those amazing eyes.
    â€œI was supposed to meet someone at the train. My mother will be furious with me.”
    He stopped brushing at the grime on his pants.