Page 25 of A Wager with the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match #3)

25

Alannah crouched in the alley behind Oscar’s Pub. The shed had been locked when she’d arrived a short while ago. With the pub still lit up and busy with patrons, she couldn’t simply enter through the front entrance and ask for Bellamy.

As she’d tried to decide what to do next, the back door of the pub had opened, and Bellamy’s sister, Jenny, had stepped outside to dump out a basin of slops. Alannah had quickly approached, given her name, and asked for Bellamy.

Now as she waited for the matchmaker, her pulse kept bolting at every sound. She didn’t think anyone had followed her to town. But once Shaw and Charlie realized they’d been fooled, they might try to track her. She hoped they would give up the hunt, but she had to remain vigilant just in case they hadn’t.

At a shout from down the alley and the thudding of running footsteps, she flattened herself against the shed’s splintery wood.

If Bellamy didn’t come soon, maybe she would return to the stable where she’d tied the horse and find a dark corner to hide in.

The night sky was hazy, as it often was in the city with so much coal dust from the factories and steamboats. Even so, the air was fresher after the recent rain, the stench of sewage and garbage not as nauseating as she usually found it.

If only she were in Tralee, standing on the beach, listening to the waves. As she waited for the usual stab of homesickness in her chest, it didn’t come. If anything, there was only a dull ache.

Was that what time away did? Or was she less homesick because of something—someone—else? The truth was, with each passing day, she longed less for her homeland and more for Kiernan. It was almost as if he had become her new home, that she was content as long as she could be near him.

She knew it couldn’t be that way, that she had to resist those feelings—for his sake. Even so, she wished he were right beside her with his strong and steady presence. He would know what to do and how to get her out of the danger with Shaw. Not that she couldn’t figure it out for herself, because she could. And Zaira was helping, so she wasn’t alone.

It’s just that Kiernan understood her like no one else ever had.

She pressed a hand to her pocket and the outline of the book he’d given her. Her heart swelled with an aching need for him. She could only pray again that he’d remained safe and that Torin had too.

The back door of the pub swung open, and Bellamy stepped outside. He held several bottles in each hand and carried them to a crate next to the rubbish bin. He deposited them, then stretched and started to cross the alley toward the shed.

She didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until he neared the shed door. Should she make her presence known yet?

He opened the shed, then stepped inside, leaving the door open a crack.

Without waiting for an invitation, Alannah pushed up and glanced down the alley both ways. Seeing no one, she sidled along the shed wall until she reached the door. As she slipped through into the dark interior, Bellamy was beside her in an instant and closing the door.

“What happened?” His voice was more anxious than she’d ever heard it before.

“The Farrell gang attacked the brickyard.”

“Ach, tell me it isn’t so.”

“’Tis so, and I’m sorry it is.”

He muttered through the clanking as he locked the door. A moment later, the striking of a match was followed by a small flame. He worked quickly to light a lantern and then turned to her.

“Kiernan rode out to the brickyard,” she whispered. “And so did Mr. Shanahan.”

Bellamy’s brows were furrowed above his dark eyes. “And then someone from the gang tried to kidnap you?”

“Oh aye, Shaw himself.”

“The devil.”

“Zaira took my horse and cloak and rode out toward the brickyard, pretending to be me. And she sent me to town.”

Bellamy released an exasperated breath. “That girl. She’ll be the death of me yet.”

Alannah could understand Bellamy’s frustration with Zaira’s recklessness because it mirrored her own. “She told me to find you and stay in your studio.”

“Did she now?”

Alannah still didn’t understand what Zaira had meant by studio , but from the crease in Bellamy’s forehead, he obviously wasn’t pleased with the pretty redhead.

“I’m sorry to impose, Bellamy.” Alannah glanced around the shed for the first time. It was filled with shelves of supplies, casks of beer, and crates of other liquor. She wasn’t sure what a studio looked like or what it was for, but the shed didn’t appear any different than other storage units she’d been in. “Can I stay here until the morning?”

“You can come inside and upstairs to our living quarters.”

“I’ll not be putting anyone else in danger more than I already have.”

He started to protest again, but then his jaw ticked. “Zaira. She’s in danger, isn’t she?”

Alannah tried to swallow the lump of fear that had lodged in her throat ever since Zaira had ridden away.

Bellamy didn’t wait for her answer and began to fumble at the lock. “I’m going after her.”

“Hopefully, no one bothered her, and she made it to the brickyard.”

Bellamy was already opening the door. “Turn off the light and latch the door so that no one can get in. You’ll be safe until I get back.”

“I thank you, Bellamy.”

He stepped out and closed the door. His rapid footsteps headed toward the stable.

Alannah locked the door, extinguished the lantern, then lowered herself to a crate.

A minute later, the clopping of a horse’s hooves passed by the shed. The pace picked up into a gallop and a moment later faded into the distance.

Alannah released a tense breath, then settled in to wait. And to pray that no one would get injured. Surely God wouldn’t allow any more bad to happen in her life, not after letting her suffer so much already. She’d had her lifetime quota. It was time for something good to happen for once.

At a rattling of the door, Alannah jerked her head up, and her eyes flew open. She hadn’t meant to doze, had tried to stay awake and prayerful. But as the minutes had passed and then an hour or more, her eyes had grown heavy.

The stress of the night had exhausted her more than she’d realized.

At a soft knock, Alannah stood and fumbled through the darkness to reach the door. The only person it could be was Bellamy. He had to be returning with news.

“Alannah?” came a woman’s soft whisper. Zaira.

“Oh aye.” Alannah unlocked the door, and Zaira pushed inside. “Whyever are you here? You didn’t get into trouble now, too, did you?”

Zaira closed the door behind her. Then without answering, she stepped to Alannah and drew her into a hug.

Alannah could feel the young woman trembling. Her hair had come loose, and the hood was down. “What’s wrong?”

Zaira just squeezed her tighter.

Unease prickled Alannah’s spine. Had Zaira gotten into trouble with Shaw and Charlie? Maybe they’d harmed her. Or Bellamy.

Alannah pulled back. “Did they hurt you?”

In the dark, only Zaira’s outline was visible, but it was enough to see the young woman shake her head. “No. I’m unharmed. Shaw and Charlie stopped me on the road to the brickyard, but when they realized I wasn’t you, they let me go.”

“Is Bellamy okay?”

“He’s fine. I was already at the brickyard when he found me.” Even with the positive news, Zaira’s voice contained a grave note.

A vise wrapped around Alannah’s throat. She couldn’t keep from reaching out and gripping Zaira’s hands. “Kiernan?” Oh please, God above. Not Kiernan. If something had happened to him...

“Kiernan had left for the city by the time Da and I got there.”

“You’re sure he’s okay?”

“’Tis Torin—” Zaira’s whisper broke on the edge of a sob.

Alannah’s body stiffened for what she knew was to come.

“I’m sorry, Alannah,” Zaira choked out the words. “Torin was killed.”

Alannah could only picture her brother as he’d been earlier that day at the pond, his blue eyes wide behind his spectacles as he’d gazed between her and Kiernan. His kind eyes had pleaded with her to accept Kiernan. Had he known that he didn’t have long to live? Maybe he’d wanted to make sure she was taken care of when he was gone.

Torin was gone.

He’d never walk up behind her and surprise her. He’d never give her one of his easy grins. He’d never wrap his arms around her in a hug.

Tears sprang into her eyes, and a sob clawed at her throat.

As Zaira pulled her close again, Alannah fell against the young woman and buried her face, letting the sorrow rise up and spill over. Although she wanted to rail and cry out, she let the cloak and Zaira’s shoulder muffle her sobs.

It hadn’t mattered how much she’d prayed or pleaded with God. He hadn’t answered her and had taken the last of her family from her anyway.