Her Irish Surrender by Kit Morgan Page A

I had to rescue her off a barn roof!”
    Miss Dermont’s eyes grew wider.
    Lorcan forced back a smile and continued on. “Another time, she was trapped by a pack of, well, let me just sa y, they were no gentlemen. Dogs they were, nothing but dogs…”
    Mr. Walker looked at Miss Dermont, aghast. “Well don’t just stand there man, let’s be off!”
    Mr. Van Cleet had his face in one hand by this time, and shook his head.
    Lorcan shook his own, not sure if the dramatic Mr. Walker had caught on yet.  If Mrs. Fitzsimmons was in any real danger, he’d have shot out of the store to her rescue, not stand here being gabby about it. He took one last quick look at Miss Dermont, who stood with her mouth half open, brow furrowed in confusion. He caught her eye, and a tiny gasp escaped her as their eyes locked. And Lorcan, for the first time since her arrival, felt his heart warm.
    He spun on his boot heel and hurried from the shop.
    Mr. Walker looked between Miss Dermont and Lorcan’s retreating form, then gave a dramatic wave of his hand. “Right then, we’re off!” With that, he was out the door after him.
    As soon as the shop door closed, Mrs. Brody let loose a snort of laughter. Mrs. Brown was quick to join her.
    “What’s so funny?” asked Adaline.
    Mr. Van Cleet gave her a broad smile. “Mrs. Brody, Mrs. Brown. Don’t you think it would be wise to send Miss Dermont to help the lads?  After all, Mrs. Fitzsimmons is bound to be frightened after her ordeal, and a woman’s touch might be needed.”
    “Oh, Mr. Van Cleet, you are such a …” Mrs. Brody chuckled, then sobered. “You’re quite right.” She turned to Adaline. Best fetch your shawl dearie, and go help. As soon as you have her, bring her back here. She’ll be wanting her breakfast I’m sure.”
    “Breakfast?” Adaline asked. What was going on?  Unless … Rather than think on it further, she did as suggested and went to a coat rack behind the counter and reached for her shawl.  Wrapping it around her shoulders, she took one last look at the amused faces staring back at her, and left the shop.  From the forced looks of sincerity on their faces, Mrs. Fitzsimmons had to be quite the lady, or perhaps something more. 
    And she was.
    By the time Adaline reached the boarding house and went through the back gate, Lorcan was already half way up the enormous oak tree that graced the yard.  Mrs. Fitzsimmons, as Adaline began to guess on the walk over, was near the top branches and wailing as any cat would in her predicament.  But it wasn’t just Mrs. Fitzsimmons who was in a fix, but Lorcan as well.  Adaline watched him slip, and cling to a branch for dear life.  If he fell, he could be injured or worse.
    She sucked in a worried breath and ran to the base of the tree, ignoring Mr. Walker. “Mr. Brody! What are you doing?”
    “I told him not to go up there,” Mr. Walker put in.
    She gave him a single glance, then returned her attention to above. “Can’t she come down on her own?”
    “Mrs. Fitzsimmons likes being rescued,” he said as he got himself situated, then continued his climb. “I’ve kept count. This makes the fifth time this month I’ve saved her from death’s door.”
    Adaline took a step back to better see what was happening, and clasped her hands before her.  She didn’t realize until then, she’d been holding her breath. The sight of the big man up in the branches, and knowing what could happen should he fall, was almost too much.  As was the fact this hulk of a man was going to all this trouble to rescue a cat. 
    “C’mon now, Mrs. Fitzsimmons,” Lorcan coax ed overhead. “Don’t ye know yer breakfast is waiting? Where have ye been the last few days anyway?”
    The sound of his brogue sent a chill up her spine, and she took another step back to better see his progress.
    “What a fool,” Mr. Walker mumbled.
    Adaline didn’t look at him, instead keeping her focus on Lorcan. “How high up is he?”
    “A good