Page 59 of A New World for the Irish Daughter

“I’m closest to you,” Maggie replied, and as the waltz started up, Brendan took her into his arms.

For a few moments, they simply danced, Maggie achingly conscious of the way he held her, the breadth of his shoulder under her hand, the feel of his palm pressed to hers. All she could concentrate on was the feel of him, but then thoughts started to trickle in, and with them, doubts. The certainty she’d felt mere moments ago suddenly seemed like something to question.

She hadn’t seen this man in three months. She hadn’t spoken to him properly in years.And yet… and yet, she knew. She knew her own heart, but she didn’t know Brendan’s. At all.

But maybe, Maggie reflected, that didn’t matter. Maybe all she could do, all sheneededto do, was speak the truth of her own heart rather than guess what was in Brendan’s, after all this time.

“I thought I’d see you somewhere in town,” she told him, her voice a little croaky so she had to clear her throat. “Around somewhere, in one of the stores or on the street, but I haven’t caught so much as a glimpse of you.”

“I’ve been working for a dry goods store on Seward.”

“You mean Hamilton’s?” she asked. “I know it.” She’d been in the store several times, but she’d never seen Brendan in there.

He nodded. “Yes, I mainly work in the office in the back, doing the accounts, but sometimes behind the counter.” He paused, smiling crookedly. “I wondered if I’d see you in there sometime.”

Maggie shook her head slowly. “I’m amazed that you didn’t,” she said.

“Were you looking for me?” he asked, and she couldn’t tell if he was serious or teasing.

“Yes,” she admitted. “I was.” She hesitated, and then began, “Brendan?—”

Just then, the waltz ended, and the room fell silent before people started to clap, and the moment to say something—and she hadn’t even known what she was going to say—had passed.

“It was good to see you, Maggie,” Brendan said quietly, and with a jolt, she realized he was saying goodbye.

“You can’t leave!” she exclaimed, trying for a laugh. “Don’t you know the tradition? Whoever you dance the last waltz with must accompany you in to supper and dine with you.”

Brendan smiled, although Maggie thought she saw a certain sorrow in his eyes. “I’m sure you will have no end to the young men who would gladly take on that role,” he replied.

“But I’m meant to dine withyou,” Maggie protested, hoping she didn’t sound too desperate, but then she realized recklessly that she didn’t care if she did. “Brendan, please take supper with me,” she implored with quiet earnestness. “I… I have things I want—things Ineed—to say to you.”

Brendan stared at her for another moment and then gave a brief, terse nod, his only reply.

It wasn’t until they were seated and the servers were bringing out platters of steaks and bowls of beans that they were able to speak again.

“So, how have you been, Maggie?” Brendan asked. “I’ve heard about you, you know. The firecracker of a nurse who’s brought in a native child to live with her.”

“I hardly think I’m that notable,” Maggie replied with an uncertain laugh. “But yes, Sheetka lives with me. She lost her mother to the influenza, and her father has never been interested. I’m not even sure who he is, or if he’s still in Juneau. Likely he’s a prospector who has headed for the hills.”

“Likely,” Brendan agreed. “And if he doesn’t come back… what will you do?”

“I don’t think she ever knew her father properly, so whether he comes back or not, Sheetka will stay with me,” Maggie replied firmly. “At least I hope she will.”

“Some people don’t like it,” Brendan remarked mildly, and Maggie’s temper flared.

“I don’t care if the whole town doesn’t like it,” she retorted. “Ido.”

“I can see that,” he replied in the same mild voice. “And I’m not saying anything against it, far from it. But it’s a hard road you’ve chosen, that’s all.”

“Yes, and it won’t get any easier if no one ever walks it,” Maggie replied fiercely. “Sheetka might not have an easy life, but maybe her daughter or granddaughter will, or at leasteasier, because of what has gone before. Because of us.”

Brendan chuckled softly, a sound rich with affection that made a fluttery kind of pleasure ripple through Maggie. She wanted to hear him laugh like that again. “You haven’t lost your spirit, I see,” he remarked quietly.

“No,” Maggie answered after a moment. “Truth be told, I thought I had, back in San Francisco. After what happened in Chicago…” She paused before continuing with difficulty, “I thought I’d never feel… passionately… about anything ever again.”

“You seemed to care about your nursing, back in San Francisco,” Brendan remarked as he took a bite of bear steak.

“I did,” Maggie agreed. “But even then it felt like something was missing. I was lonely in San Francisco,” she confessed. “More even than I realized at the time. I didn’t fit in at the hospital, even though I tried and… and certain people did their best to make me feel welcome.” She felt rather than saw Brendan tense at her mention ofcertain people. He couldn’t possiblyknow about her association with the Browns, much less that brief kiss she’d shared with Phillip, but perhaps he guessed something of its nature.