Unending Devotion (Michigan Brides #1)(73)

“The boy needed a good kick in the pants.” Dad leveled a look at Connell that contained a hint of admiration—or the closest thing to admiration Dad could muster. “It was long overdue.”

Connell swallowed a rise of nausea. Was Dad proud of him for beating Tierney senseless? After he’d tried all his life to do the right things, to work hard, to make Dad proud, he’d finally earned the coveted favor by getting in a fistfight?

He shook his head, disgust adding to the heavy weight in his middle. He pressed the coarse sleeve of his mackinaw to his busted lip and winced at the pain.

“Get up.” Dad nudged Tierney.

His brother rolled to his side and groaned again.

A flash of red in the door caught Connell’s attention. He blinked through the painful swelling in his eye in time to see Lily turn away.

“Lily. Wait.”

But she dashed across the hallway and disappeared.

He shoved away from the wall and skirted past Tierney.

“Good fight,” Tierney croaked.

Connell stopped and stared at his brother.

Blood trickled from Tierney’s nose and dripped onto the thick Turkish rug. He cracked one eye into a narrow slit, and a corner of his mouth lifted into a grin. “Guess you’re gonna marry that woman.”

Connell’s heartbeat slammed to a halt.

“You never fought like that for Rosemarie.” Tierney edged himself up onto his elbows, cringing with each slight movement. “Guess that means you’ve finally found someone worth fighting for.”

Tierney’s words were like a fist in his gut, knocking the wind out of him. Tierney was right—at least about not fighting for Rosemarie. The day he’d found her with Tierney, he’d walked away. Sure, he’d been outraged and devastated at Tierney’s betrayal. But he’d retreated like he’d always done. He’d opted for peace and safety.

What had happened this time to push him to fight for Lily?

He’d grown to care about her. He wouldn’t deny that. He glanced to the hallway, and his heart resumed beating at double the speed.

But he couldn’t marry Lily. Could he?

“Don’t worry,” Tierney mumbled. “I won’t try anything on her while you’re gone.”

If Tierney had meant to reassure him, his promise had the opposite effect. With a growl, Connell stuck his boot onto Tierney’s breastbone and pressed down.

Tierney cried out as Connell twisted his heel deeper.

“If Lily tells me that you so much as look at her the wrong way, I’ll make you wish you were blind.”

Tierney gave a weak laugh.

“And leave Daisy alone too. Stay away from her. Stay away from them both.”

He gave Tierney a last shove before stepping away from him. He didn’t know when he’d have the chance to return to Bay City to see Lily, not during the busiest time of the lumber season. Of course Mam had reassured him the girls could live there as long as they needed.

But if he wasn’t around to make sure Tierney stayed away, how would he be able to keep them safe?

“Just go home.” Connell’s tone was as hard as his muscles. “And start being a good husband and father.”

He started toward the door, but Dad shoved the stack of bills against his chest. “Take this. Clean up the mess ye made. And leave James Carr alone.”

Connell hesitated. He’d stood up to Tierney. Could he stand against the pressure of Dad too?

Dad slapped the wad harder.

Connell took it and stuffed it into the inside pocket of his mackinaw. “I’m taking the cash, but I’m going to handle the situation the way I think is best.”

Then, without waiting for Dad’s reaction, he exited the room.

“Lily,” he called softly. His footsteps echoed in the deserted entryway. He strode toward the parlor and peeked in.

She was standing near a big bay window and staring through a crack in the thick curtains.

“Lily?”

She didn’t turn. Instead, she lifted her chin.

“I’m sorry about what Tierney said.” Connell stepped into the room and made his way around the love seat.

“I promise he won’t demean you like that again,” he said, coming up behind her.

She stared outside at the snow-covered lawn and the wide muddy street beyond.

He waited for her to turn. The lacy collar of her dress covered most of her neck, leaving only the long graceful curve behind her ears exposed. The soft creaminess beckoned him to bend and taste, even though he knew he wouldn’t, or he’d unleash the passion that was growing each time he kissed her.

Her shoulders and back were rigid.

“Lily,” he whispered, daring to touch a hand to her waist.

She didn’t resist him.

Slowly he spun her around until she faced him. And he tipped her chin up until she had no choice but to look at him.

Her eyes glistened with sadness. “I wanted your family to like me.”

“They do like you.”

“They think I’m a loose woman like Daisy.”

“Don’t listen to what Tierney says.”

“I’m from a completely different class altogether, and now the rumors only make it worse.”

“You’re not from a different class. My parents started as nothing more than poor Irish immigrants.” He released his hold on her chin. “Besides, I didn’t take you as the type of woman who cares what others think about her.”