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her. Why would such a charming, handsome man throw away his life to hide in a church? “What made you want to become a priest?” she asked before she could check herself.
    His features softened. “My own dear mother. She’d alwayshoped one of her sons would enter the religious life. It happened to be me.”
    â€œBut don’t you want to marry and have a family?”
    â€œThat’s not what God has planned for me,” he answered quietly. His eyes held hers for several moments.
    She swallowed and tore her gaze away to focus on the road ahead.
    â€œThe rest of your questions will have to wait. There’s the church up ahead.” A few seconds later, Rylan pulled the horses to a stop in front of the building and jumped lightly to the dirt path below.
    Before Colleen could move, he jogged around and reached up to help her. Strong hands gripped her waist as he swung her easily to the ground. When she looked up into his face, she forgot to breathe.
    â€œSo tell me about Reverend Filmore. What’s he like?”
    She blinked to clear her thoughts. “He’s all right—for a priest.”
    He pinned her with a pensive stare. “Sounds like you don’t have much use for the clergy. Is that why you’ve taken a dislike to me?” Though his tone was glib, a glimpse of hurt crossed his features.
    â€œI haven’t taken a dislike to you.” She pushed by him. “But I don’t have much use for religion.”
    â€œAnd sorry I am to hear it, Miss O’Leary.” Reverend Filmore stepped out of the church.
    Colleen bit back an unladylike word and forced a smile. “Reverend Filmore, I’ve brought your new assistant, Rylan Montgomery. Rylan’s mother is a distant cousin of ours.”
    â€œIndeed? That works out quite well now, doesn’t it? Welcome, Mr. Montgomery.” The paunchy man descended the stairs to shake Rylan’s hand.
    â€œIt’s grand to meet you, Reverend. I’m honored to be under your tutelage.” He grinned and pointed to the buggy. “Mrs.O’Leary sent some used clothing and other items for the orphanage. Where would you like the boxes?”
    â€œWe have a storage room in the basement. Let me give you a hand.”
    Rylan lifted one of the cartons out of the buggy, broad shoulder muscles straining under his dark shirt. Colleen bit her lip and forced her gaze away. Why couldn’t he look more like Reverend Filmore? Older, with thinning hair and a stomach that protruded over his pants.
    While the men hoisted the rest of the boxes onto the grass, Colleen climbed onto the bench seat, ready to depart as soon as the back was empty.
    â€œI expect Mama will send me to fetch you later,” she said to Rylan when they’d finished.
    He paused to wipe the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, and then looked up at her. “Tell your mother I’ll be fine to walk home. The exercise will do me good, and it will save you the trip back.”
    She nodded to him, chin high. “That’s very . . . thoughtful of you. Good day, gentlemen.”
    With a flick of the reins, she clucked the horses into motion and set off, using all her willpower not to turn around and see if Rylan Montgomery was watching her.

6

    S EATED AT HER DRESSING TABLE on Saturday afternoon, Brianna hummed to herself as she prepared for Gil’s welcome-home party. Nerves danced an Irish jig in her belly as she imagined Gil’s reaction to seeing her dressed in all her finery—her green silk gown that showed off her shoulders and neck, her curls piled high in a most intricate fashion, with a few tendrils left loose around her face.
    Would he be impressed, or would he even notice?
    She pressed a palm to her stomach to quell the butterflies within. Ever since the afternoon at the corral, something significant had shifted in her relationship with Gil. A certain awareness had sprung to life on both sides, and