Page 44 of Calling on the Matchmaker
Opening his eyes, he took a step back. Her lashes had fallen, her cheeks were flushed, and her mouth had parted just slightly as if she’d been hoping he’d kiss her.
The inferno inside him flared hotter. Bother it. He wanted to kiss her again. But he couldn’t. He had to wait until he knew for certain she was willing to marry him and wasn’t doing everything in her power to get out of matrimony.
“I know you didn’t come here to get me involved in the search.” Even with his resolve, he couldn’t keep from teasing her. “You came because you wanted me to kiss you again.”
Her eyes flew wide, and she raised a hand as though to slap his cheek but stopped midway. “I didn’t come here to kiss you, so I didn’t. And you’ll mind your manners not to say so.” She gave a huff and pushed past him out of the storage closet.
He followed on her heels, and when they were out into the alley, he clasped her arm, halting her from running away from him.
As she faced him, the sass was back in her blue eyes, and she lifted her dimpled chin. “For your information, I was in the area and stopped by to see how you fared after the fight last night.”
“So you were worried about me, were you now?”
“No, I was checking to see if you were dead or alive. I didn’t want to send Madigan to uncover your dislikes—the real ones this time—if you were dead.”
He grinned. “Go ahead. Send him. I’ll give him another list.”
“Maybe I will.”
Heavy flakes of snow had begun to fall, so he reached for her hood and gently raised it over her head. As he lowered his hand, he let himself graze a patch of freckles on her cheek. “I know why you came to me, Finola.” He kept his voice low, wanting her to know he was done with the fun and games. “You came because you know I’ll do anything to help you.” She started to shake her head, but he finished before she could interrupt. “And if you didn’t know it, now you do.”
She remained quiet. In spite of her hood, a snowflake fell onto the tip of her nose.
He wiped it away.
She cast her sights to the gravel of the alley.
“Will you be going with the Sisters of Charity into the Kerry Patch today?”
“No, I’m staying with Mam. She needs me.”
“Would you let me come with you next time you go?”
Her gaze darted up to his. “Why?”
“I’d like to hear directly from the people what they need.” He didn’t have to do it for his campaign since his popularity was soaring—even more so now that he’d signed the papers making the match with Finola official. He’d gained Shanahan’s support along with his influence among the wealthy communityof St. Louis. Even so, Riley wanted to accompany her and truly did want to meet more people.
“Let me go with you tomorrow,” he insisted, “or whenever you next go. I promise I’ll help and won’t get in your way.”
She hesitated, then after a moment nodded. “Alright. You can come. But this is serious business, and I won’t be having you distracting me from serving the poor folks.”
“I can’t help it if my good looks and charm distract you.”
She narrowed her eyes at him.
He laughed.
She spun on her heels and began to walk away, but not before he saw her lips twitch.
With a warmth he wanted to hang on to forever, he watched her until she disappeared around the corner—not caring that he was staring or that she could turn and catch him in the act.
16
Finola scooped the last spoonful of broth into Mary’s mouth and at the same time brushed limp hair from the young woman’s forehead. “There, now.”
From the thin pallet upon the floor of the crowded apartment, Mary tried for a smile. “You’re an angel, so.” She reached out a bony hand, a tattered blanket falling away to reveal her skeletal arm.
Finola sat back on her heels and took the hand, a familiar helplessness stealing through her. “I wish I could do more for you and your family.”
