Page 5 of The Past

I loved that and tucked it away into my knowledge base on how a strong, independent woman should be.

“I don’t need a birthday to give ye something, but in this instance, I made it.”

I tipped my head curiously but was too excited to question her much more.I lifted the box lid and gasped at the maroon and cream silk staring back at me.

“Oh, wow,” I murmured as I lifted the racing clothes up to behold.“This is for me?”

“Of course.Ye need something to wear once ye start competing, don’t ye?”

I glanced at Rory, whose eyes shone with satisfaction.He knew my dad didn’t want me riding steeplechase, and yet he happily defied him so I could pursue my dreams.

Tears welled but I blinked them away.“They’re beautiful,” I said softly, setting the silks down to lift out the pair of matching cream jodhpurs.“Thank ye so much.”

“I can’t wait to see ye wear them,” Kathleen said with a firm nod as she tossed the towel on the counter.“Now I have to run to the pub for a bit.”

Another reason my mam didn’t like Kathleen was because she owned a pub in Fethard and that was just too indecorous, but I thought it was fabulous.Kathleen brushed by Rory, who reached a hand out, their fingers grazing.

Just a small touch of affection and I vowed that I’d have that in my life one day.

“We’ll head over to Kildare on Sunday,” Rory said after Kathleen had left.“I got track time for ye to practice on.”

Excitement flared in my chest, but I kept my face carefully neutral.“Are ye serious?”

He nodded.“Aye, but it stays between us, yeah?Yer da wouldn’t be pleased.”

That was an understatement.If my da knew I was racing, jumping, training for something more than a quiet, obedient life, he’d put a stop to it before I could blink.But Rory, the younger of Patrick Conlan’s two sons, saw me.He knew what I wanted and was hell-bent on helping me achieve my dreams.

“I won’t say a word,” I promised.

Rory smiled in satisfaction.“Yer welcome for supper tonight.Kathleen’s making a roast.”

“Kathleen’s far too good for ye, ye know.”

Rory laughed.“Aye, I reckon she is.But don’t tell her that—she’ll start thinking she’s got the upper hand.”

I was about to accept the invitation when a familiar voice interrupted, calling from outside the open windows.

“Fiona!”

The door flew open with barely a polite knock, but we were all family here, so it didn’t matter much.

I turned to see Paddy striding into the kitchen, his auburn curls sticking to his forehead with sweat.He was panting and leaned forward with his hands on his knees.

“Ma sent me,” he said between breaths, indicating he must have run the entire way.“Says yer to get back to the house and cleaned up.We’re having company.”

I frowned.“Who?”

Paddy shrugged.“Mr.Kavanagh and his son Brian, I think.”

I groaned loudly, my mood souring instantly.“Of course we are.”

Rory gave me a knowing look, but he said nothing.He was silently disapproving of my father’s attempt to push me into the Kavanagh family.

“I swear to God,” I grumbled, dragging my hands through my hair, “ye’d think I was one of Da’s broodmares the way he’s trying to pair me off.”

Paddy snickered.“Brian fancies ye, though.”

“Brian fancies himself,” I corrected.“And he only wants me because our da and Brian’s da think it’s a grand idea.”

---