right person for the job.”
“Nonsense. You’re exactly what that poor child needs.”
“You saw for yourself how difficult he is. I’m not sure if I … I don’t know if I’m—”
Mother lifted one hand to cut her off then crossed to sit on the bed, patting the spot beside her. “Come over here.”
Slouching like a disciplined child, Addie slunk to join her.
Mother caught her hands, wringing in her lap, and held them still. “I’ve watched you win the trust of innocent creatures in the past, from hurting children to feral cats. It’s your gift.”
“But don’t you see? That’s the problem. Ceddy Whitfield is both. He’s a wounded boy but wilder than any beast I’ve ever seen.”
“Not really. Unsettling behavior seems more extreme from a cherubic child.”
“If you offer food to a wild animal, it won’t shriek and sling it in your face.” She touched her still-damp curls. “I don’t think I could bear that happening again.”
Mother had the nerve to laugh. “A touch of clotted cream is good for the complexion, honey. Don’t underestimate yourself. You can bear more than you think.”
“I’m not so sure anymore.”
“Then I’ll be sure for you,” Mother insisted. “This is your chosen vocation, Adelina. All your work with children up to this point was to prepare you for this position. You won’t tuck tail and run when it counts the most.”
Tears spilled down Addie’s cheeks. “You have entirely too much faith in me, and I fear it’s misplaced.” She met the familiar brown eyes, seeking comfort in their depths. “I’m frightened, Mama.”
“Of course you are. We’re all afraid when confronted by our destiny.” Reaching beneath her high-buttoned collar, Mother’s searching fingers emerged with the beaded necklace she wore so often it seemed a part of her. Pulling it over her head, she slipped it around Addie’s neck and patted the speckled stone dangling at the end. “There now.”
Addie gripped the polished bloodstone. “What are you doing? Not your mother’s jasper necklace. I couldn’t.”
“Hush, now. They don’t belong to you yet. That privilege comes on your wedding day.” She squeezed the hand that held the pendant. “Just wear it for courage until I see you again. When you feel the weight against your heart, think of your grandmother. She was the bravest woman I’ve ever known.”
Lifting damp lashes, Addie searched her face. “Are you sure?”
“I’ll feel better knowing you have it.”
With a ragged sigh, Addie shook her head. “I haven’t decided to stay.”
Mother gave her hands a final squeeze then stood and walked to the door. “I want you to pray before you make up your mind. That’s all I ask. If you feel you should leave on the afternoon train, I’ll help you pack.”
Addie gave her a grudging nod and watched the door close at her back. Mother had best be ready to help because she’d already made up her mind. She just hadn’t the nerve to say so.
Grinning like a fisherman with a bobbing cork, Mr. Robb’s head wagged. “Why, sure I have time to talk to these young fellows about Catfish John.” The twinkle in his eyes deepening, he motioned toward the door. “If you don’t mind waiting whilst I make a quick purchase, we’ll sit outside and chat a spell. These old bones can’t abide the chill in here for long.”
“Very good, sir,” Pearson said. “We’ll wait for you there.” He opened the door to the accompanying overhead jingle then followed Theo out of Weisman’s into the warm sunlight.
Theo braced his hands on his hips and stared down the street. “You suppose that old coot knows anything?”
Pearson shrugged. “We’ll have to take our chances, won’t we? Right now he’s our only lead.”
Theo pivoted toward the door. “I think they’re playing us for ninnies.” He pointed. “Listen at them in there. They’re laughing at us.”
Pearson pulled a wood-slatted chair around and took a seat. “Let them
“Nonsense. You’re exactly what that poor child needs.”
“You saw for yourself how difficult he is. I’m not sure if I … I don’t know if I’m—”
Mother lifted one hand to cut her off then crossed to sit on the bed, patting the spot beside her. “Come over here.”
Slouching like a disciplined child, Addie slunk to join her.
Mother caught her hands, wringing in her lap, and held them still. “I’ve watched you win the trust of innocent creatures in the past, from hurting children to feral cats. It’s your gift.”
“But don’t you see? That’s the problem. Ceddy Whitfield is both. He’s a wounded boy but wilder than any beast I’ve ever seen.”
“Not really. Unsettling behavior seems more extreme from a cherubic child.”
“If you offer food to a wild animal, it won’t shriek and sling it in your face.” She touched her still-damp curls. “I don’t think I could bear that happening again.”
Mother had the nerve to laugh. “A touch of clotted cream is good for the complexion, honey. Don’t underestimate yourself. You can bear more than you think.”
“I’m not so sure anymore.”
“Then I’ll be sure for you,” Mother insisted. “This is your chosen vocation, Adelina. All your work with children up to this point was to prepare you for this position. You won’t tuck tail and run when it counts the most.”
Tears spilled down Addie’s cheeks. “You have entirely too much faith in me, and I fear it’s misplaced.” She met the familiar brown eyes, seeking comfort in their depths. “I’m frightened, Mama.”
“Of course you are. We’re all afraid when confronted by our destiny.” Reaching beneath her high-buttoned collar, Mother’s searching fingers emerged with the beaded necklace she wore so often it seemed a part of her. Pulling it over her head, she slipped it around Addie’s neck and patted the speckled stone dangling at the end. “There now.”
Addie gripped the polished bloodstone. “What are you doing? Not your mother’s jasper necklace. I couldn’t.”
“Hush, now. They don’t belong to you yet. That privilege comes on your wedding day.” She squeezed the hand that held the pendant. “Just wear it for courage until I see you again. When you feel the weight against your heart, think of your grandmother. She was the bravest woman I’ve ever known.”
Lifting damp lashes, Addie searched her face. “Are you sure?”
“I’ll feel better knowing you have it.”
With a ragged sigh, Addie shook her head. “I haven’t decided to stay.”
Mother gave her hands a final squeeze then stood and walked to the door. “I want you to pray before you make up your mind. That’s all I ask. If you feel you should leave on the afternoon train, I’ll help you pack.”
Addie gave her a grudging nod and watched the door close at her back. Mother had best be ready to help because she’d already made up her mind. She just hadn’t the nerve to say so.
Grinning like a fisherman with a bobbing cork, Mr. Robb’s head wagged. “Why, sure I have time to talk to these young fellows about Catfish John.” The twinkle in his eyes deepening, he motioned toward the door. “If you don’t mind waiting whilst I make a quick purchase, we’ll sit outside and chat a spell. These old bones can’t abide the chill in here for long.”
“Very good, sir,” Pearson said. “We’ll wait for you there.” He opened the door to the accompanying overhead jingle then followed Theo out of Weisman’s into the warm sunlight.
Theo braced his hands on his hips and stared down the street. “You suppose that old coot knows anything?”
Pearson shrugged. “We’ll have to take our chances, won’t we? Right now he’s our only lead.”
Theo pivoted toward the door. “I think they’re playing us for ninnies.” He pointed. “Listen at them in there. They’re laughing at us.”
Pearson pulled a wood-slatted chair around and took a seat. “Let them
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