Hope Springs Read Online Free PDF Page B

laughs answered. “You always do manage to think of honeyed words, don’t you?”
    “And what if I further said that, if we have a céilí this Saturday, I’d like for you to be my particular companion for the evening?”
    She pulled away enough to look up at him fully. “ If we have a céilí? There is always a céilí.”
    He motioned with his head back toward the house. “With all that’s happened, I can’t say anyone will feel much like holding a party.”
    “So the Red Road’ll take that from us as well?” She pushed out an audible breath. “I hate that the Irish are always the ones who lose in this feud.”
    He took her hand in his. Hers were hardworking hands, roughened with years of labor, but tiny and gentle all the same. “I, for one, am feeling more optimistic all the time.”
    He turned her hand over and pressed a kiss to her palm.
    She blushed red as a strawberry.
    “Keep doing that, Tavish O’Connor, and I’ll begin to suspect you fancy me.”
    He loved when she teased him back. The first few weeks he’d known her, she had been far too serious. “What do I need to do to get you from ‘suspecting’ to ‘believing’?”
    “You could lend me a hammer and nails.”
    He laughed right out loud at the unexpected request. Her smile grew to a grin, sending his heart into a racing rhythm. He’d made progress in his courtship, quite a bit, in fact, but Katie was not one to be quickly won over. Slow and steady was the only approach that would work.
    “And what do you need the hammer and nails for, Sweet Katie?”
    “There’re a few things in my new room at Granny Claire’s that need mending.”
    “Tavish!”
    He jumped at Biddy’s sudden voice. She peeked out the door, her face frantic.
    “I need your help. Please.”
    He sprang to his feet. “Ian,” he whispered, his heart dropping to his toes.
    With Katie at his side, he rushed into the house, fearing the worst.

Chapter Five
     
    Katie followed close on Tavish’s heels, hoping desperately that they’d find Ian on the mend rather than worse off.
    “He’s thrashing about.” Biddy walked and spoke swiftly, a frantic edge to her voice. “He’s too big. I can’t hold him still, but I don’t want him hurting himself.”
    Did more movement mean Ian was improving? Or was this even more reason to worry?
    Ian was, indeed, moving about, enough to warrant concern. He might injure himself further. Tavish took up position at the side of the bed, holding his brother down by both arms. Katie, taking her cue from him, set her hands on Ian’s ankles, hidden beneath the blanket. She didn’t hold them so tightly he couldn’t move, but with enough force to keep him from kicking anyone.
    “Ian.” Tavish spoke sharply. “Settle yourself down, man.”
    “He’s in pain.” Biddy’s heartbreak sounded in each word. “I don’t know how to help him.”
    Ian’s expression remained anguished, though he seemed to settle a bit.
    “Have you any powders?” Tavish asked.
    Ian’s head jerked from side to side again, eyes pulled tight, mouth drawn.
    Biddy shook her head. “Your da went into town this morning and meant to bring some back, but he’s not come by yet.”
    Ian quieted a little, just as he had a moment earlier. Indeed, he settled a bit every time Biddy spoke.
    “Talk to him, Biddy,” Katie said. “I think it calms him.”
    A heart-wrenching mixture of hope and doubt filled Biddy’s face. She sat on the edge of the bed. “Ian, love?”
    He moaned deep in his throat, a sound of sheer pain.
    “Ian?” Biddy tried again. She set her hand on his cheek. “Come on, then. Look at me, darling.”
    He didn’t open his eyes. His grimace remained firmly in place. Still, he quieted.
    “We’re getting you something for the pain, love.” Biddy spoke soothingly. “’Twill help you rest, it will. You only need endure a bit longer.”
    Ian seemed calmer. Katie looked to Tavish, wanting his opinion. Their eyes met across the bed. He gave her a