Page 31 of Valley of Dreams

“Is so.” Aidan pointed directly at the man in question. “That’s him, sitting right there.”

All eyes turned to where Eliza, Lydia, and Patrick sat.

Ivy looked back to Aidan. “That’s not a brother, that’s a beggar man.”

What Eliza wouldn’t give to take a razor to Patrick’s face. It would be so much easier to sort him out if she could see his features rather than the mass of unkempt hair he carried around.

Patrick stood, tucking his loop of twine in his pocket. He stepped to Mr. Archer and offered his hand. “Pleasure.”

Mr. Archer nodded in return. “Finbarr tells me you have offered to begin building his house.”

“Assuming he has the means of doing it.”

Mr. Archer motioned to the house. “Step inside. We’ll sort out what can be managed.” But he didn’t walk in that direction. Instead, he looked back at Eliza. “I suspect you are our new housekeeper.”

Oh, heavens. What an impression she was making. She jumped to her feet, tucking Lydia up to her. “Yes, sir. I only paused a moment in doing the laundry. I am not shirking my responsibilities, I assure you.”

He didn’t look upset. “A pleasure to meet you. What would you prefer to be called?”

“Eliza, please.” She set her hand on the top of Lydia’s head. “And this is my daughter, Lydia.”

“Maura spoke very highly of you,” he said.

That only added to the weight she felt settling on her shoulders. “I hope I can show myself worthy of her praise.”

Ivy kept her arms around Finbarr’s waist as the group moved toward the house. Eliza and Lydia remained near the clothesline, but only for a moment. Lydia ran—to the extent she could—toward Patrick.

“I-und!”

He turned back, not ignoring her little plea. Eliza reached Lydia at the same time he did.

“She’s delaying you,” Eliza said by way of apology.

“I can take her inside with me.” The offer was so unexpected she couldn’t even respond. “She’ll not run off into the fields or the fire while you’re seeing to the laundry.”

“I can’t ask that of you. You’re meant to be discussing your building project.”

“It’d be no trouble at all to hold her while talking with Finbarr and Mr. Archer. She’ll be an angel, I’m certain of it.”

In the nearly two weeks she’d known him, Patrick hadn’t ever said so many words together at once. And for those words to be ones of praise for her beloved little girlandan offer of much needed help? They touched her heart deeply.

“I will sort out a way to manage Lydia and the laundry at the same time next week, but it’d be a godsend if I didn’t have to solve that problem right this moment.”

“I’m no miracle from heaven,” he insisted.

“No. Apparently you’re a beggar man.”

She hoped he was smiling at least a little.

He scooped up Lydia, who, as always, declared “I-und!”

“Do you like your beard and hair so long?” Eliza asked.

“In Canada it’s needed to keep a fella’s face from freezing.”

“But what is it needed forhere?” she asked.

“See to your laundry, Eliza Porter. I’ll keep watch over your daughter until you’re done.” He tipped his head, then, with Lydia held easily in one arm, walked inside.

---