Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason Page A

be such a bad thing. Especially if the good reverend-in-training kept the eldest O’Leary sister duly preoccupied for the near future.

    Colleen tapped an impatient foot on the floral carpet in the parlor. If she had to listen to one more story from Rylan Montgomery about growing up in Ireland, she’d scream. He was the most infuriating man she’d ever met. And it was criminal the way he went around in ordinary clothing, charming everyone with his dreamy eyes and dimples. He should be forced to wear his priest’s garb so unsuspecting girls wouldn’t think . . .
    She pulled herself upright against the cushioned back of the settee. The white-and-gold clock on the mantel chimed nine o’clock. She shot to her feet, smoothing out the silk skirt of her lilac dress and feigned a deep yawn.
    â€œIf nobody minds, I think I’ll head up to bed early. I’m especially tired tonight.” She moved to kiss her mother, trying not to notice Rylan’s gaze following her.
    Mama patted her arm. “The carriage ride into town must have worn you out.”
    Rylan’s laughter rang out over the room. “More than you’ll ever know, Mrs. O’Leary.”
    Colleen stumbled, her foot catching in the hem of her dress. By sheer willpower, she righted herself.
    A frown crossed her father’s features. “What do you mean by that, young man?” He turned his attention to Colleen and pinned her with a withering stare. “Nothing happened to the carriage, I hope.”
    Colleen gritted her teeth while planting a kiss on her father’s cheek. “It was nothing, Daddy,” she fibbed smoothly. “The horses gave me a bit of trouble, that’s all. Cousin Rylan drove on the way back, and everything was fine.”
    She kept her gaze averted from the side of the room where Rylan was seated, sure he was mocking her with his trademark grin.
    Her mother rose from her seat. “Tomorrow I’d like your help collecting some items to give Rylan for the orphanage. Maybe you could accompany him to the church if we’re ready in time.”
    Using all her self-control, Colleen smiled sweetly at her mother. “Of course, Mama.”
    She bid the room a cordial good night, and on the way upstairs, silently planned to develop one of her famous headaches in the morning.

    Rylan whistled on his way down the grand central staircase of the O’Leary home the next day. Cousin Kathleen, as she insisted he call her, had surely done well for herself. His gaze swept the tiled marble entranceway and the crystal chandelier suspendedhigh above the ornate railing. This mansion was indeed a far cry from his family’s thatched cottage back in County Cork.
    At the bottom of the stairs, Rylan stopped to peer into the gold-framed mirror and make sure his clerical collar wasn’t crooked. In honor of his first day as an intern with Reverend Filmore, he figured he should dress the part. Truth be told, he was having trouble adjusting to the tightness of the collar, as well as the drabness of the black shirt and pants that made up his uniform. He supposed he’d get used to it eventually. The most important thing was witnessing his dear mother’s tears of pride the first time she’d seen him in his priestly attire. Her joy made every itch of the uncomfortable cloth bearable.
    â€œGood morning, Rylan.” Kathleen appeared from the direction of the dining room. “I hope you’ll take some breakfast before you leave.”
    He smiled at the handsome woman, so fresh in her white blouse and rose-colored skirt, auburn hair swept up on her head. “Ah, yes. I’m a firm believer in a good breakfast to start the day off right.”
    Kathleen laughed. “Well, go on in and enjoy. I’m on my way to get those things I promised you for the orphanage.” She glanced at a small watch pinned to her blouse.
    â€œI’ll be sure and check with you before I go,