Irish Rose Read Online Free PDF Page B

was available. She might not be traveled or have seen big cities, but she wasn't naive.
    If she'd felt anything in those few minutes alone with him, it had been the novelty. He was different, but that didn't make him special. And it certainly didn't warrant her thinking of him in broad daylight with her arms up to the elbows in soapy water.
    She heard the door open behind her and began to scrub faster. "I know I'm late, Mrs. Malloy, but I'll have it cleared up before lunch."
    "She's at the market, fussing over vegetables."
    At Burke's voice, Erin simply closed her eyes. When he crossed over and put a hand on her shoulder, she began to scrub with a vengeance.
    "What are you doing?"
    "I'd think you'd have eyes to see that." She set one plate to drain and attacked another. "If you'll excuse me, I'm behind."
    Saying nothing, he walked over to the stove and poured the coffee that was always kept warm there. She was wearing overalls, baggy ones that might have belonged to one of her brothers. Her hair was down, and longer than he'd imagined it. She'd pulled it back with a band to keep it out of her face, but it was thick and curly beyond her shoulders. He sipped, watching her. He didn't quite know what his own feelings were at finding her at the sink, but he was well aware of hers. Embarrassment.
    "You didn't mention you worked here."
    "No, I didn't." Erin slammed another plate onto the drainboard. "And I'd be obliged if you didn't, either."
    "Why? It's honest work, isn't it?"
    "I'd prefer it if Dee didn't know I was washing up after her."
    Pride was another emotion he understood well. "All right."
    She sent him a cautious look over her shoulder. "You won't tell her?"
    "I said I wouldn't." He could smell the detergent in the hot water. Despite the years that had passed, it was still a scent that annoyed Mm.
    Erin's shoulders relaxed a bit. "Thank you."
    "Want some coffee?"
    She hadn't expected him to make it easy for her. Still cautious, but less reserved, she smiled. "No, I haven't the time." She turned away again because he was much easier to look at than she wanted him to be. "I, ah, thought you'd be out by now."
    "I'm back," he said simply. He'd intended to grab a quick cup and leave, take a leisurely walk around town or duck into the local pub for conversation. He studied her, her back straight at the sink, her arms plunged deep into the soapy water. "Want a hand?"
    She stared at him this time, caught between astonishment and horror. "No, no, drink your coffee. I'm sure there're muffins in the pantry if you like, or you might want to go out and walk. It's a fine day."
    "Trying to get rid of me again?" He strolled over and picked up a dishcloth.
    "Please, Mrs. Malloy—"
    "Is at the market." He picked up a dish and began to polish it dry.
    He was standing close now, nearly hip-to-hip with her. Erin resisted the urge to shift away, or was it to shift closer? She plunged her hands into the water again. "I don't need any help."
    He set down the first dish and picked up another. "I've got nothing else to do."
    Frowning, she lifted out a plate. "I don't like it when you're nice."
    "Don't worry, I'm not often. So what else do you do except wash dishes and dance?"
    It was a matter of pride, she knew, but she turned to him with her eyes blazing. "I keep books, if you want to know. I keep them for the inn and for the dry goods and for the farm."
    "Sounds like you're busy," he murmured, and began to consider. "Are you any good?"
    "I've heard no complaints. I'm going to get a job in Dublin next year. In an office."
    "I can't see it."
    She had a cast-iron skillet in her hand now and was tempted. "I didn't ask you to."
    "Too many walls in an office," he explained, and lowered the pan into the water himself. "You'd go crazy."
    "That's for me to worry about." She gripped the scouring pad like a weapon. "I was wrong when I said I didn't like you when you were nice. I don't like you at all."
    "You know, you've only to ask and Dee would take you