Instant Frontier Family by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-08-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Maddie wasn’t sure what to say to Michael as they walked home. She’d received fewer bonuses than usual, but more than she’d hoped with him standing beside her. She was certain the comments her customers had made about him being “Miss Maddie’s fellow” had not sat well with Michael.

But more important, she was certain he knew the owner of those trousers. Why was she afraid to ask? She’d never been one to run from a fight.

The streets were dark and nearly abandoned as they slogged their way toward the bakery. Though she’d refused his help in other ways, she could not deny that she was glad for his solid frame beside her. The golden light of the lantern bathed his face as he turned from side to side, ever watchful for trouble.

Maddie drew in a breath and plunged in. “Who else from Five Points or Irishtown came on the boat with you and Mr. Flannery?”

“No one.” He bit off the words as if the fact troubled him as well. “But those pants can’t belong to Patrick. He left New York to escape the violence just like I did.”

She didn’t like to think about the dapper Mr. Flannery as a member of the vicious gang. Yet the only other answer would be what she’d originally feared—that Michael was a member instead.

“And you’re certain of Mr. Flannery’s background?” she couldn’t help asking as piano music echoed from one of the houses they were passing.

“I’m certain,” Michael said, so firmly she wondered if he was trying to convince her or himself. “I had it from his own lips, and on the ship he often talked about the need to protect ourselves from them. If he spoke the same way in New York, I’m sure he didn’t endear himself to the Dead Rabbits. They liked to be the ones claiming to provide all the protection.”

All that did make it sound as if he hated the gang as much as Maddie did. “Perhaps it was a mistake, then,” she said, trying to take heart in the thought. “Perhaps we were right that the trousers hold some other meaning.”

“Perhaps,” he allowed, but his hesitation told her he thought otherwise.

They had little opportunity to continue the conversation for the next while. When they arrived at the bakery, they found that Ciara had set the table and laid out the blackberry preserves to go with the meat pie. Hoping the gesture was a peace offering, Maddie made sure to compliment her on her work.

Though Michael seemed too pensive to eat, Aiden tucked in.

“Isn’t it nice to have all the food we want?” Ciara said.

Maddie tried not to bridle at her sister’s smug smile. The girl seemed all too pleased to have gotten her way about the food and supplies.

“You should be thanking Mr. Haggerty for our dinner,” Maddie told her sister and brother. “He’ll be breaking his back to pay for it, starting tomorrow night.”

Michael chuckled, but Aiden frowned.

Ciara cocked her head. “Why are you breaking your back?” she asked.

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