Page 102 of Valley of Dreams

Joseph watched the two move slowly around the side of the house. “He was that way with my girls, an absolute godsend when they were little, and we didn’t have Katie with us yet. I don’t know what I would have done without him. We don’t see that side of him much anymore.”

“Katie told me he and Emma had something of a falling out,” Eliza said.

Joseph nodded. “He struggled a lot after the fire that took his sight. He pushed a lot of people away. She took the brunt of that a few too many times.”

“Harrowing experiences cause ripples of pain.” She’d experienced far too many of them herself. “A lot of people can get caught in them.”

“Indeed.” He spoke with the regret of one who knew those ripples all too well.

It was odd having something in common with a rich man. She’d not have believed that possible before coming here. Everything was different in Hope Springs. Making this valley her home brought her greater hope than she’d had in some time.

“I’ll talk with Dr. Jones,” he said. “If he’s comfortable with the spot I’m thinking of to the north, then I’ll send a telegram to the stage company to see ifthisproposal satisfies them. With a little luck, we may get this inn built after all.”

“I have every faith that we will.”

Finbarr came around the other side of the house, still holding Lydia’s hand and walking at a pace she could keep up with. He held his cane in his other hand, sweeping the ground with it as he walked. Lydia’s other hand held her doll, as always. Did Patrick realize what a perfect gift that had been? He’d given her unending joy. No matter the current difficulty between herself and that man, she was grateful to him for that bit of thoughtfulness.

“Finbarr,” Joseph called out. “Ian’s oldest is coming to help tomorrow since Aidan is needed at home. We’re getting an early start.”

“I’ll be here,” Finbarr answered.

Joseph looked to Eliza, dipping his head in a very gentlemanly gesture of departure. “I will keep you informed.”

“Thank you.”

He slipped into the house. Eliza met up with Finbarr as they reached the porch steps.

“Thank you for walking around with her. Watching her and having an adult conversation is difficult when she’s being cooperative. It’s nearly impossible when she’s impatient.”

“Ivy was even more that way than Lydia when she was tiny. That girl couldn’t have held still if her life depended on it.”

Eliza grinned. “She still can’t.”

Finbarr laughed a little. “I do like that lass. I think everyone does.”

“Thank you again for looking after Lydia. I won’t keep you from heading home.”

“Actually, I wouldn’t mind staying and playing with her while you finish the laundry. There’s no one at Tavish and Cecily’s other than me. It’s a little . . .”

“Lonely?” Eliza guessed.

“I was going to say quiet.”

She suspected, no matter what he was going to say, that “lonely” was what he meant. She wouldn’t force him to confess as much.

“I will happily accept your offer. She’s been sitting on a blanket just over this way. I imagine she’ll sit there with you if you show ample interest in her doll.”

“Ivy made me an expert in that.”

They were soon situated. Eliza scrubbed the laundry, able to truly focus on her task for the first time in weeks. Usually she was too worried about Lydia wandering off or toddling too near the fire.

“Memma!” Lydia called.

Eliza looked up. Sure enough, Emma had joined them. She stood near the blanket, watching Finbarr with uncertainty. After a moment, Emma’s gaze shifted to Eliza. “Mama wanted me to tell you the sewing circle is moving to Maura’s house tomorrow on account of Mrs. Callaghan feeling a little poorly.”

“She’s not seriously ill, I hope.”

“I don’t think so,” Emma said. “But Dr. Jones lives on their land, so he’s nearby if she needs him.”

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