In Places Hidden by Tracie Peterson

Author:Tracie Peterson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction;Frontier and pioneer life—Fiction;Love stories;Christian fiction;FIC042030;FIC042040;FIC014000
ISBN: 9781493413584
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2017-12-22T05:00:00+00:00

Patrick arrived home to find Liam sitting by the door of his apartment. “And why would ye be waitin’ out here?”

Liam got to his feet and dusted off his threadbare pants. “Your landlady said Ophelia was sleepin’. I didn’t want to bother her, knowin’ that she’s sick.”

Patrick nodded. “’Twas considerate of ye, but come on inside.” He unlocked the door and ushered Liam in. “Just let me go check on her, and I’ll be back.”

He tossed aside his hat and coat and made his way to the bedroom. Someone had lit the bedside lamp and turned it low. Patrick could see his sister’s pale face in the glow. For a moment he feared she was gone, but her ragged breathing told him otherwise. He turned from the room, leaving the door open in case she called to him.

Liam stood beside the window, looking out into the night. “Were ye workin’ late?”

“No. I was called to a meetin’ with Caleb Coulter’s employer. ’Twas rather strange, to be sure. I’ve never really known if I could trust him.”

“’Tis a hard thing to know who can be trusted in this town.”

“Aye.” Patrick eyed his friend. “But for sure ye didn’t come all this way to be talkin’ about that.”

Liam chuckled. “No, for sure I didn’t. Ye need to go see Malcolm Daniels at his dance hall. My friend’s brother, Sean Gallagher, will introduce ye. Daniels is looking for a few strong-armed men to keep his customers in line. Sean’s brother Bert said there was a ruckus that ended with a couple of Daniels’ trusted men being killed, so he’s lookin’ to replace ’em.”

“When am I supposed to go around?”

“Tonight wouldn’t hurt none.”

Patrick glanced at the clock. “’Tis nearly eight o’clock. I suppose I could go. I hate leavin’ Ophelia again, but I know she’ll understand. She wants Caleb to be found as much as I do.”

“I’ll walk ye part of the way,” Liam offered. “It’s on me way home.”

“Let me go speak to Ophelia first, and then we can go.”

Patrick went back to the bedroom and pulled up a chair he kept for just such talks. “Ophelia, darlin’, wake up.”

She stirred but didn’t open her eyes.

Patrick put his hand on her shoulder and gave a gentle shake. “Ophelia.”

This time she opened her eyes, and when she realized who called to her, she smiled. “Paddy, ’tis good to see ye.” Her voice was but a whisper.

“I have to go again, but I wanted to talk with ye first. I have to check somethin’ out, and I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”

“Is it about Caleb?”

“Aye. I’ve had some word from Liam. He’s got me a possible job at the place where Caleb was last known to go.”

Ophelia nodded. “Then ye must be about it. I’ll wait up for ye.”

“No, ye need to sleep.”

She smiled and reached out to touch Patrick’s hand. “I’ll not be needin’ it much longer. Now go on with ye and find our Caleb.”

Patrick covered her hand with his. He didn’t want to leave her.

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