Page 79 of The Formation of Us

“Patrick?” Iris dropped to her knees beside him. “What are you doing here?”

“Getting killed by crazy women.” He rubbed his head and pushed to his elbow. “What did you hit me with? I’m bleeding like a stuck pig.”

Faith rushed to the counter and raised the lantern wick. The right side of Patrick’s forehead was covered in blood. “Good grief,” she said, grabbing a clean linen off the shelf. She rushed it to Iris, who pressed it to Patrick’s head. “You stupid man. Don’t you ever sneak in here again.”

“Sneak?” He winced. “I sent a damned note.”

They all gaped at him.

“You idiot!” Iris punched his shoulder. “I didn’t get the note. Some white-haired man gave it to Cora, and it scared us half to death.”

“I had one of the men I work with deliver it.” He groaned and sat up. “I told him to give it to the pretty lady with black hair.”

“Well, he forgot that part because he gave it to a four-year-old girl and told her to give it to her mother.”

Faith’s legs gave out and she sank to her knees. “Patrick, if I had any strength left, I’d wallop you again. You just scared ten years off my life.”

“Mine too,” Aster said, “and I don’t have any to spare.” She nodded to Iris. “Finish him off.”

“Don’t tempt me.” Iris pinched his arm. “Are you insane?”

“I’m injured, and my ass is planted in six inches of wet soil. I’m about to sprout mushrooms in places I can’t mention.”

She stood and tugged him to his feet. “Come over to the counter so I can patch you up.”

Faith’s legs quaked as she got up, but she needed to make sure Patrick was all right, and that he wouldn’t tell Duke what happened out here.

Iris dabbed the blood off his forehead and Faith was relieved to see only a small gash in his hairline.

Iris scowled. “You’re going to have a goose egg and a sore head for a while, but you’ll survive. Now, what was that note all about?”

“This.” He pulled a folded paper from his pocket. “I got your letter, but I’m not taking no for an answer, Iris. You care about me. I know you do. And I care enough to marry you.”

Faith exchanged a surprised look with Aster. Patrick had teased Iris, but no one thought he was serious. At least, Faith hadn’t.

Iris pushed the paper away. “Stand still so I can finish this.”

Patrick scowled, and Faith wanted to leave them to their private conversation. “I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell anyone about what happened here tonight,” she said, praying he wouldn’t ask for an explanation.

He braced his elbow on the counter. “No one would believe me anyhow.” He tipped his head so Iris could clean the gash with iodine. “What are you afraid of, Iris?” he asked quietly.

“Nothing. This gash on your head should prove that.”

But Faith could see Iris was afraid: She wouldn’t meet Patrick’s eyes, and her fingers trembled as she taped a thick pad of gauze over the bleeding wound.

“Done.” Iris stepped away. “Go home, farm boy.”

He sighed and asked, “Are you afraid you won’t live up to my expectations?”

“I’m afraid you won’t live up to mine.” She threw the towel at his chest, then stormed outside, letting the door bang shut behind her.

Faith’s jaw dropped, but Aster caught her hand. “Come on, hon, let’s go back to the house and figure out how you’re going to get rid of that damned property.”

Chapter 24

Faith had Iris wrap her hair into a pretty twist in back of her head, then added a sprig of forget-me-nots to match her new blue dress. The outfit was so beautiful and gay, Faith wished she could sneak into the Barkers’ foyer and peek in their big beveled mirror.

To celebrate Duke’s thirty-first birthday, they were going to Union Hall to see Ashton’s theater company presentRip Van Winkle. She heard him knock at the door, then Cora’s feet pounding across the floor. The little girl couldn’t wait to give Duke his birthday gift.