A Baby Between Them
Winnie Griggs
Rich and powerful historical stories of romance, adventure and faith featuring spirited heroines and strong, honourable heroes.THE FOUNDLING’S FAMILY For two months, Nora Murphy has cared for the abandoned infant she found on their Boston-bound ship. Settled now in Faith Glen, Nora tells herself she’s happy. She has little Grace, and a good job as housekeeper to Sheriff Cameron Long. She doesn’t need anything more—not the big family she always wanted, or Cam’s love….A traumatic childhood closed Cam off to any dreams of family life. Yet somehow his lovely housekeeper and her child have opened his heart again. When the unthinkable occurs, it will take all their faith to reach a new future together.Irish Brides: Adventure—and love—await these Irish sisters on the way to America…
The Foundling’s Family
For two months, Nora Murphy has cared for the abandoned infant she found on their Boston-bound ship. Settled now in Faith Glen, Nora tells herself she’s happy. She has little Grace, and a good job as housekeeper to Sheriff Cameron Long. She doesn’t need anything more—not the big family she always wanted, or Cam’s love....
A traumatic childhood closed Cam off to any dreams of family life. Yet somehow his lovely housekeeper and her child have opened his heart again. When the unthinkable occurs, it will take all their faith to reach a new future together.
“And what brings that smile to your face, Nora?”
Nora turned to find the sheriff at her elbow. “Just thinking about how weddings bring out the romantic in even the most unexpected of hearts.”
She realized how that must have sounded and her cheeks warmed. She quickly changed the subject. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“Just the opposite,” he said. “Thought I’d offer you a ride back to your place.”
How thoughtful of him.
“I promised your brother-in-law I’d keep an eye on you in his absence,” he added.
Well, so much for his romantic interest, Nora thought. “Thank you, I would be most pleased to accept your offer of a ride. Would you mind holding Grace while I fetch her things?”
He backed up a step. “Better yet, why don’t I fetch her things for you?”
She’d never met a man so standoffish when it came to little kids.
She wanted to know why.
WINNIE GRIGGS
is a city girl born and raised in southeast Louisiana’s Cajun Country who grew up to marry a country boy from the hills of northwest Louisiana. Though her Prince Charming (who often wears the guise of a cattle rancher) is more comfortable riding a tractor than a white steed, the two of them have been living their own happily-ever-after for more than thirty years. During that time they raised four proud-to-call-them-mine children and a too-numerous-to-count assortment of dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, turtles and 4-H sheep.
Winnie has held a job at a utility company since she graduated from college. She saw her first novel hit bookstores in 2001. In addition to her day job and writing career, Winnie serves on committees within her church and on the executive boards and committees of several writing organizations, and she is active in local civic organizations—she truly believes the adage that you reap in proportion to what you sow.
In addition to writing and reading, Winnie enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and exploring flea markets. Readers can contact Winnie at P.O. Box 14, Plain Dealing, LA 71064, or email her at winnie@winniegriggs.com.
A Baby Between Them
Winnie Griggs
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness.
—Lamentations 3:22, 23
To my fabulous agent, Michelle Grajkowski, who remains my biggest cheerleader. And to my fellow authors in this continuity series, Renee and Cheryl, who made this experience such a great one.
Special thanks and acknowledgment to Winnie Griggs
for her contribution to the Irish Brides miniseries.
Contents
Chapter One (#u8ed38515-e851-5daa-ade2-2484c0b42790)
Chapter Two (#u28c8b37a-d930-5ee2-a466-9142a676b5be)
Chapter Three (#u79832f06-5369-5caf-96a3-fdfad350b90f)
Chapter Four (#ud9376385-f1c0-5f2b-bda9-9ca9d40ba18b)
Chapter Five (#u9df17cea-8a4e-5543-bcc2-06cb371acc33)
Chapter Six (#ua2ec376d-e7e6-5fa0-b54a-f3f40e6d41d2)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Three (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)
Questions for Discussion (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One
Faith Glen, Massachusetts, August 1850
Nora Murphy looked at her two younger sisters across the room and tamped down the pinprick of jealousy that tried to intrude on her joy at their good fortune.
After all, this was her sister Bridget’s wedding day to Will Black, a good and honorable man who loved her dearly. Everyone in town was gathered to celebrate here at Will’s home—Bridget’s home now, too. It was a joyous occasion and it would be selfish to put her own feelings above her sister’s.
So what if just a scant month ago Maeve, the youngest, had also married a wonderful man? No matter how it felt, Nora assured herself, it wasn’t truly pitiable to be the oldest and the only one still single and with no marriage prospects. After all, at twenty-five she had a few years left to her before she’d have to don her spinster cap.
Strange how in just a little over two months—a seeming eyeblink of time—her whole world had changed. Back then they’d lived in Ireland amidst the terrible burdens of the potato famine and the sickness that had taken so many of their friends and neighbors, and finally their beloved da. Suddenly orphaned and facing eviction, they’d been left all but destitute and desperate. The startling discovery of a possible inheritance across the ocean in America from an old suitor of their mother’s had been an answered prayer. She, Bridget and Maeve had left their homeland, headed for the land of promise with only their faith and the hope of finding a new home in the small town of Faith Glen, Massachusetts, to keep their spirits up.
They’d all taken jobs aboard the ship the Annie McGee to replenish their drained savings after purchasing their passage. Maeve, the youngest, had fallen in love with and married the ship’s well-to-do doctor, Flynn Gallagher, before they’d even set foot in America.
And now Bridget, the middle sister, had married Will Black, a mill owner and Faith Glen’s wealthiest citizen.
How wonderful that her sisters had found good, honorable men who loved them deeply and who could care for them extravagantly. It was surely a blessing from the Good Lord Himself. And she was certain the Good Lord had plans for her, as well. Whether or not those plans included marriage was another question altogether.
Father Almighty, I really do want to be obedient to You and to patiently await Your will for my life. But please be patient with me when I try to get ahead of You. I am prideful and too often try to control my circumstances.
“I brought you a glass of punch.”
Pulled out of her musings, Nora found Sheriff Cameron Long, the man who employed her as housekeeper and cook, standing in front of her. He had a cup in each hand and was holding one out to her. His always-ready, lopsided smile was in evidence, giving him a boyish look despite his imposing size. Really, the sheriff could be so considerate.
When he wasn’t being so maddeningly stubborn.
She looked up, meeting his gaze. Unlike her sisters, she had more of her father than her mother in her and had been the tallest of the three siblings. But Sheriff Long still towered over her, which was an uncommon but not entirely unpleasant experience.
“Thank you.” She accepted the cup and took a quick sip. “’Twas kind of you to bring it to me.”
He took a drink from his own cup. “If you don’t mind my asking, what are you doing over here by yourself? As a sister of the bride I would think you’d want to be in the thick of things.”
Nora waved toward the cradle that held her infant ward. “I’ll rejoin them shortly. I just put Grace down for her nap.”
She still found it hard to believe that no one had come forward to claim the newborn foundling who’d been abandoned during their voyage. Perhaps, for some reason, the child’s family members couldn’t reveal themselves. But whatever the case, Nora was guiltily glad they hadn’t. The idea of giving Grace up now was too painful to consider.
As usual, the sheriff avoided more than a quick look Grace’s way and merely nodded, then changed the subject. “I understand you made most of the cakes for this little gathering.”
“It was my gift to Bridget and Will.”
His smile broadened and his heather-blue eyes regarded her in that teasing way he had. Didn’t he realize there should be a certain formality between an employer and his hired help?
“And a mighty tasty gift it was,” he said, saluting her with his cup. “That was as fine a use of the Huntley-Black chocolate as I can remember. Most everyone is saying how good the desserts are and I saw several guests sneak back around for seconds.”
Bridget’s new husband owned and operated the Huntley-Black Chocolate Mill, a business that employed a large number of the town’s citizens. It had given Nora a great deal of satisfaction to devise a recipe using Will’s product for this reception. “I enjoy cooking and baking. I’m just pleased others take pleasure in the results of my efforts.”
“And I’m pleased I get to enjoy them on a regular basis.”
Her cheeks warmed at the more personal compliment. “Thank you. As I said, I enjoy cooking.”
He finished his punch and she expected him to drift away, but instead he nodded toward the other side of the room. “They make a fine picture, don’t they?”
Bridget had stooped down to say something to Will’s three-year-old twins—her new stepchildren—and the youngsters were giggling. Will stood next to his bride, looking on with a besotted smile.
Nora nodded. “They do indeed. They are all blessed to have found each other.”
“Do your Maeve and Flynn plan to stay here for a while?”
She followed his glance toward her other sister and brother-in-law. “No, I’m sorry to say. They’ll be returning to Boston as soon as they see Bridget and Will off. Flynn has some patients to look in on tomorrow.”
“Well, they can’t get their new home built soon enough. The folks in these parts are really looking forward to having their own doctor right here in Faith Glen.” Cam turned back to her. “And I’m sure you’ll be glad to have your other sister close by.”
“It will be good to have the three of us close together again.” Maeve and Flynn were having a home built here in Faith Glen but it wasn’t finished yet so they were currently living in Flynn’s family home in Boston.
Nora cast a quick glance back over her shoulder to make certain Grace was all right. She smiled at the sweet picture the babe made as she slept.
“Speaking of your sisters,” Sheriff Long said, “it looks as if they’re headed this way.”
Nora turned back around and sure enough, Bridget and Maeve were crossing the room toward her, arms linked and skirts swishing as they walked.
“Ladies.” The sheriff gave a short bow as Nora’s sisters halted in front of them. He smiled at Bridget. “I’ve already told Will more than once what a mighty lucky fellow he is.”
Bridget smiled in return. “Thank you, but I feel like I’m the one who’s been blessed.”
Cam widened his gaze to include all three of them. “I must say, all of the Murphy sisters are looking especially fetching today.”
Did his gaze linger on her just a heartbeat longer than her sisters? Nora pushed that ridiculous thought away. While she was honest enough to know she wasn’t plain, she also knew she couldn’t hold a candle to her sisters. Maeve was petite with beautiful curly red hair and the exquisite features of a porcelain doll. And Bridget was delicate, soft and dreamy-eyed with untamable hair that always gave her an ethereal look. Nora knew herself to be tall and rather thin, with hair that was plain brown and features that were pleasant enough but nothing out of the ordinary.
The sheriff held his hand out toward her and it took her a moment to realize he was offering to take her now-empty cup. Feeling her cheeks warm, she thrust the cup at him with a bit more force than necessary.
He raised a brow, but accepted the cup graciously enough. “I’ll take care of putting this away for you and let you ladies talk.”
“Must be nice having him pick up after you for a change.”
Nora frowned at Maeve’s words. “The sheriff is a good man and a fair employer.”
Maeve raised her hand, palm out. “I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. I just meant that after cleaning up after him all week I would imagine it would be a pleasant change to have him return the favor.”
Nora merely nodded, then turned to her other sister. “Will you and your new husband be off soon then?”
Bridget’s cheeks pinkened becomingly as she reached for her sisters’ hands. “Yes. But before we leave for Boston, I wanted to thank both of you again for all you did to help make my wedding day so special.”
Maeve, who’d supplied the beautiful gown Bridget wore, gave their sister a hug. “It was my pleasure. But, to be sure, your smile is the most beautiful thing you’re wearing today.”
Nora nodded her agreement before hugging her, as well. “And your joy is sweeter than my baking.” She stepped back, taking both of Bridget’s hands in hers. “I only wish Mother and Da could’ve been here to see you today.”
Romantically minded Bridget gave her a watery smile. “I do, too. Though I felt very close to them all through the ceremony.”
Maeve patted her arm. “They would have been very proud of you.”
Nora was certain of that, as well. She hoped their parents would also be proud of her. She’d done her best to hold their household together after their dear mother passed on ten years ago. But with Maeve and Bridget married now, the caretaker part of her life was over, at least as far as her sisters were concerned. She’d always thought she’d feel freer when this day came, not consumed by this sense of loneliness.
Of course she wasn’t completely alone. While her sisters had new husbands and lives apart from hers now, the Good Lord had provided her with companionship of a different sort. Nora glanced back toward the cradle and smiled. Her sisters had husbands but she had this sweet, sweet babe.
“I see Grace is taking a nap.”
At Maeve’s comment, Nora refocused on her sisters. They had linked arms again and were facing her with identical determined looks on their faces. What were they up to? “Yes. Poor wee babe is worn out from being around so many people today. I should be getting her home soon.”
Home. Such a small word for such a wonderful, wonderful thing. For the first time in her life, she finally had a place to call her own that no landlord could remove her from.
Bridget cleared her throat. “We have something to say to you before Will and I leave for Boston. And we want you to hear us out before you say anything.”
Nora’s curiosity—as well as her concern—climbed. Something told her she wasn’t going to be pleased with what they had to say.
“You’ve done a lot for us over the years,” Bridget continued. “So now it’s our turn to take care of you.”
Take care of her? Did they think her incapable of handling things on her own? Nora felt a protest form, but before she could say anything, Maeve chimed in.
“That’s right. I know you are working on making the cottage into a cozy home, but the new house Flynn and I are building here will have plenty of room. You and Grace could settle in with us easily enough. And Flynn would be as pleased as I to have you there.”
“Or you can move in right here with me and Will,” Bridget added quickly. “It would be nice to have you and Grace so close.”
Something inside Nora tightened. She was grateful, of course, but at the same time she had to swallow a feeling of annoyance. “Thank you,” she said, choosing her words carefully, “those are generous offers. But you’re both newlyweds with new households. Bridget, in addition to your new husband, you have two precious children and a mother-in-law to care for now. And Maeve, you and Flynn are building a new home and starting up a new medical practice here. Neither of you need to be burdened with additional responsibilities right now.” Besides, even if none of that were true, Nora would be uncomfortable living on what amounted to their charity.
Bridget drew herself up. “Nora Kayleigh Murphy, I’ll have none of that talk. You’re no burden, you’re our sister.”
As if the ground had shifted beneath her, Nora felt a sudden change in her relationship with her sisters. Ever since their dear mother had passed on ten years ago, she’d done her best to look out for her sisters. And when their da had passed on just a few months ago, she’d felt the mantle of responsibility for their little family wrap even more tightly around her. But now the roles seem to have reversed. In their new elevated positions as married women, her sisters were now trying to take on responsibility for her.
“I meant no insult,” she said, trying to smooth their ruffled feathers. “But that cottage was a gift to our mother. Remember how the mere idea of it gave us the courage to come to this country in the first place? The dream of having a home of our own gave us much-needed purpose through the long voyage.” She looked from Bridget to Maeve and back again. “It just seems wrong somehow to abandon it now that we finally have it.”
Bridget shook her head. “We wouldn’t be abandoning the place altogether, Nora. The Coulters would still live there.” James and Agnes Coulter were the elderly couple who’d been caretakers of the cottage for many years before the Murphy sisters even knew of its existence.
“Exactly.” Nora pounced on Bridget’s statement. “If it’s sound enough for the Coulters to live in, then it’s sound enough for me to live in, as well. Besides, the repairs are coming along nicely. Before you know it, it’ll be a fine, snug little home.”
“Perhaps it’s fine now while it’s still summer, but autumn will be upon us soon and with it colder, damper weather.” Maeve’s expression was unusually sober.
Keep your tone calm and reasonable, Nora told herself. “No more so than what we faced back in Ireland. In fact, I hear the weather is milder here.”
“If you won’t think of yourself, think of Grace,” Bridget insisted. “Shouldn’t she have the best accommodations possible?”
That set Nora back a moment. Was she being selfish and prideful? “I—” She rubbed a hand over the side of her face as she gathered her thoughts. “Of course Grace deserves the very best we can give her. But I’m not so sure what that is.” She dropped her arm and drew her shoulders back. “This is not something to worry over today. Let us see how things fare when autumn gets here.”
Bridget opened her mouth to speak, but Maeve placed a hand on her arm, shooting her a quick warning look. Turning back to Nora, she smiled. “Then we’ll not say more until then.” She wagged a finger Nora’s way. “But don’t think for a minute we’ve given up on this.”
Nora was quite certain they hadn’t.
* * *
Cameron Long set the two empty cups on the small side table that had been reserved for just that purpose. The three Murphy sisters stood together, pretty as butterflies in a spring meadow.
But to his way of thinking, Nora was the most compelling of the trio. He supposed it was the contradictions he sensed in her that intrigued him most. From the moment he’d first set eyes on her—tall and willowy with her hair pulled back in that tight little bun and her posture perfectly straight—she seemed to exude a no-nonsense air of practicality and discipline. But a moment later the infant she held had made some noise or movement that commanded her attention and her expression suddenly softened and she’d cooed some nonsense or other to calm the baby, and he’d glimpsed another side of her entirely. From that day forward he’d made a point of trying to get to the truth of who the real Nora Murphy was beneath her prim facade. He’d found her by turns amusing, irritating and admirable.
Looking at her today, he saw something new. Her dress wasn’t as frilly and fussy as the getups her sisters wore, but for once she’d worn something besides those serviceable homespun dresses she generally favored. The bright blue color and simple lines suited her perfectly. And while her sisters seemed somewhat softer and more relaxed than Nora, that touch of steel in her appealed to him.
Of course, she was a smidge on the bossy side, too, but he figured he could give as good as he got in that area. Truth to tell, it was a bit fun to watch her hackles rise and her finger start wagging and poking when she got riled.
All in all he was quite pleased that he’d ended up hiring Nora as his housekeeper instead of her sister. In fact, if he were the marrying kind, he’d probably set his sights on someone just like her. Not that that was either here or there. He’d decided long ago that he most certainly wasn’t the marrying kind, and never would be. A man with a history like his had no business raising kids. It’s why he never let himself get too close to any of the women he’d encountered over the years.
Shaking off those gloomy thoughts, Cam focused on the Murphy sisters again, then frowned. Something seemed to have upset his no-nonsense housekeeper. Not that she was making a big show of it, but he could tell by the appearance of that little wrinkle that furrowed above her nose whenever she was fretting over something. What could have put that crease there on what should be a happy day for her?
Before he could decide whether or not to saunter back over, the air seemed to clear and the sisters were hugging again. A tiny wail from the vicinity of the cradle diverted all three women’s attention and Nora bustled over to tend to Grace. But he could sense the eldest Murphy sister still fretted over something.
Perhaps he’d find out just what was bothering her when he offered her a ride home after the reception.
Chapter Two
Nora swayed and rubbed Grace’s back, trying to soothe the fussy infant as she watched Bridget and Will ride off in their carriage, followed closely by Maeve and Flynn in their own vehicle. The two couples would travel together on the road to Boston and separate once they reached the city—Maeve and Flynn to their home, Bridget and Will to the fancy hotel where they would spend their two-day honeymoon.
Grace finally settled down again, her head lolling against Nora’s shoulder. The last of the guests were dispersing.
Well, all except Mrs. Fitzwilliam and the McCorkle boys. The Murphy sisters had met the starchy, well-to-do widow on the voyage over here from Ireland. She’d seemed quite patronizing and standoffish at first, but in time she and the sisters had become friends. Learning that the dowager was traveling to America on a quest to find her prodigal stepgranddaughter, her only living relation, had endeared her further to Nora and her sisters.
Though Mrs. Fitzwilliam had yet to find the runaway, she was no longer alone. She had, in fact, become guardian to the three orphaned McCorkle brothers who had also traveled aboard the Annie McGee. Mrs. Fitzwilliam and the two younger boys had settled in Boston. The oldest boy, eighteen-year-old Gavin, had yearned for a bit of adventure and had wheedled his way, in the most engaging manner possible, into the role of Sheriff Long’s deputy-in-training.
Bridget had invited Mrs. Fitzwilliam and the two youngest McCorkles to spend the night at their home so Gavin would have an opportunity for a nice visit with them.
Esther Black, Will’s mother, stood near the gate, reassuring her twin grandchildren that yes, their father and new stepmother would most definitely be returning in just a few days. Ben MacDuff, the sheriff’s more seasoned deputy and former mentor, was hovering near Esther in a way that raised Nora’s brow. Was something brewing between the two, something deeper than friendship? Wouldn’t that be lovely for them?
“And what brings that smile to your face?”
Nora turned to find the sheriff at her elbow. “Just thinking about how weddings bring out the romantic in even the most unexpected of hearts.”
Seeing his quirked brow she realized how that must have sounded and her cheeks warmed. Trying to cover the moment, she quickly changed the subject. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“Just the opposite. Thought I’d offer you a ride back to your place.”
How thoughtful of him. But Nora needed some time alone to think over that conversation with her sisters and the half-mile walk back to the cottage would be just the thing. “Thank you but that’s really not necessary.”
“Sure it is. I promised Will I’d keep an eye on you in his absence.”
Well, so much for his personal interest in her well-being. “Both my brothers-in-law worry overmuch.”
His look chided her for her tone. “They don’t just feel a responsibility for you, you know. They care about you, as well. Is that such a bad thing?”
He was right—she was being too touchy about her new status. She took a deep breath and smiled. “You’re right. Thank you, I would be most pleased to accept your offer of a ride.”
He nodded his approval. “You can say your goodbyes to Esther and the twins while I get the wagon.”
A few minutes later, the sheriff had set the brake and hopped down to help her up. Since everyone else had either gone back inside or were on their way home, Nora stepped toward him. “Would you mind holding Grace while I fetch her things?”
He backed up a step. “Better yet, why don’t I fetch her things for you? Just tell me where to find them.”
She’d never met a man so standoffish when it came to babies. “Everything is in a canvas bag next to the cradle.”
“Easy enough. I’ll be right back.”
True to his word, Cam was in and out of the house in just a few minutes. Swinging the bag with an easy rhythm, he deposited it in the back of his flatbed wagon then turned back to her. She noted the instant he realized he’d have to hold Grace in order for her to climb up into the wagon. His smile faltered and he darted a quick look around as if searching for someone to take his place.
But when she held Grace out to him, he swallowed hard, raked his hand through his hair and took the child, holding her as if she would bite him if he pulled her too close.
Nora climbed up quickly then reached down to take Grace from him. Looking as if he’d just survived a face-off with a bear, Cam quickly moved to the other side of the wagon and climbed up beside her. With a flick of the reins and a click of his tongue he set the horse in motion.
As the horse slowly plodded through town, Nora mulled over what the future might hold for her. How much time did she have to get things in order? “What are autumns like here in Faith Glen?”
He cut her a curious glance. “Well, now, the nights will start getting cooler come mid-September but the days will usually remain passably mild through October. You’ll start to see more rain along about October or November, too.”
The summer here in Massachusetts had been much warmer than what they’d experienced back in Ireland—it seemed that would work to her advantage when they moved into fall. She and Grace would be fine right where they were for another couple of months at least.
“If you’re worried about how you’ll fare at the cottage once the weather turns colder,” he continued, “I promise I’ll do my best to get the biggest of the cracks in the roof and walls fixed before the worst of it sets in.”
He, Will and Flynn had already spent one entire day making repairs around the place when Bridget and Nora had first moved into the cottage a few weeks ago. Since then, all three had come by to advance the repairs as often as they could, but then Will had proposed to Bridget and wedding plans had superseded everything else. “That’s kind of you. But actually, both Bridget and Maeve have invited me to live with them.” She tried to maintain a neutral tone. “All I have to do is choose between them.”
* * *
From the too-even tone of her voice, Cam could tell Nora was not at all pleased with the idea. Is that what had upset her earlier? If so, was it the choosing between her sisters or the moving from the cottage that bothered her? “And what did you tell them?”
“That I’d think about it.”
“And have you?”
She cut him a guarded look. “I haven’t had much time. They only brought this up when they were preparing to leave earlier.”
“But you’re not overly pleased with the idea.” Didn’t her sisters know how their offer would strike their independent-minded sister?
She sighed. “I like having my own home.” She frowned, as if just thinking of something. “Of course, Bridget and Maeve do each own a third of the cottage, as well.”
The sisters had shown him the deed when they first arrived in town, so he was familiar with it. “That they do.”
“But then there’s Grace to consider.” She seemed to be talking more to herself than to him. “A few windy drafts won’t bother me, but if the repairs aren’t all done in time…” She glanced his way. “No offense meant, but there’s a lot of work to be done and you do have your sheriffing to do. I don’t expect you to take on the role of my full-time handyman.”
Cam could think of worse ways to spend his free time than in Nora’s company. “Not full-time, but I do have two deputies, now.” He let that sink in a moment since he’d hired Gavin McCorkle, a youth she’d met on her voyage over, at her insistence. “That gives me a lot more free time on my hands.”
She worried at her lip. “But if you are going to spend more time working on the cottage, I’d want to pay you.” She sat up straighter. “I suppose you could hold a portion out of my salary to cover it.”
He knew good and well she needed every bit of that money to support her household, especially now that Bridget’s wages wouldn’t be helping supplement it. But he also knew better than to argue the point. “I’m certain we can work something out along those lines.”
She fussed a moment with Grace’s blanket and he could see the wheels turning in her mind. “Do you think I’m being selfish by denying Grace the opportunity to grow up in a fine home like the ones Bridget and Maeve could offer her?”
Nora Murphy was lots of things—obstinate, bossy, opinionated—but she was also the least selfish person he knew. “I think, as long as her needs are met and she feels truly loved, it doesn’t much matter where she grows up.”
He was rewarded with one of her rare approving smiles.
Looking considerably lighter of spirit, she lifted her head and changed the subject. “Any luck yet finding out who that girl was who nearly ran Gavin over?”
Cam flicked the reins, frustrated that he hadn’t been able to resolve that particular matter to his satisfaction. The female thief had stolen his horse while he was helping with the repairs at the Murphy sisters’ cottage a few weeks ago and had almost gotten away with it. Gavin’s quick action had slowed her down and allowed Cam to recover his horse but she’d managed to elude capture. That didn’t sit well with him, not at all. It was his job to keep the peace in these parts and it was the one thing he was good at. Or at least he’d thought so until that wily slip of a girl had outfoxed him.
More worrisome than his injured pride, though, was the question of what she’d been doing near the cottage that day. The place was a half mile from town out near the shoreline and had nothing about it to tempt a thief.
Not only had he been there that day, but Will, Flynn and Maeve had been visiting, as well. Not to mention Mrs. Fitzwilliam and Gavin’s two brothers who’d all come in from Boston to see the cottage the Murphy sisters had crossed an ocean to claim.
Had the little thief followed one of the guests there hoping to find an easy mark? Or had she been there for some other reason?
He didn’t want to worry Nora with any of his as yet unfounded suspicions, though. “No, and no sign of where she’s holed up yet either.”
Nora’s free hand fluttered then dropped back to rest against Grace. “I know she’s a criminal, but I’m worried about her. She looked so young. The girl must be truly desperate to have turned to a life of crime.” Nora shivered. “I hate to think of what might have happened to me and my sisters if we hadn’t had this place to turn to.”
Intrigued by the hint at what her past might have been like, he tried to learn more. “Were things so bad for you back in Ireland?”
She shot him an abashed look, as if sorry she’d said as much as she had. “There were some who had it worse. At least, thanks to the unexpected inheritance of the cottage, we were able to come here and find a home waiting for us.”
She shifted Grace to her other shoulder. “Maybe Gavin’s thief has left Faith Glen by now.”
That was a very deliberate changing of the subject if he’d ever heard one. There was a lot she was leaving unsaid when it came to her former life. Was it so painful to talk about? Or did she just feel it was none of his business?
As for her question… “Maybe,” he temporized. Because he doubted it, now more than ever. Just yesterday Ellen Kenny had mentioned that something had gotten into her root cellar and made off with some dried apples. Cam was inclined to believe it was a “someone” not a “something.”
But again, there was no sense worrying Nora with that. He returned to the subject of her former life. “You never did say how you three came to possess the deed to Laird O’Malley’s place. Was he a relative of yours?”
His question seemed to make her uncomfortable. She shifted in her seat and fussed with the baby for a moment. “Actually, he was a suitor of our mother’s before she married our da. When she turned down his proposal, Mr. O’Malley left Ireland and came here. Apparently he never forgot her. He sent her the deed to the cottage and said it was for her and her heirs if she or they should ever need a place to call their own.”
Cam remembered the deed had been dated twenty-six years past. “Pined for her all that time, did he?” If the late Mrs. Murphy was anything like her three daughters he could see where such a thing would be possible.
Nora nodded. “So it seems. But we didn’t know anything about him or about the deed. We only found it by chance when we were packing up our things to leave.”
Interesting. “So you were planning to leave your home before you knew about this place?”
She cut him another of those I’ve-said-too-much looks. But this time she didn’t immediately change the subject. “The stone cottage where we’d lived all our lives did not actually belong to us, nor did the land. When our da passed, Mr. Bantry, the landlord, told us he’d decided to lease it to a relative of his instead. We had no choice but to leave.”
Cam’s brow lowered. “Are you telling me this Bantry fellow kicked you out of your home while you were still in mourning?”
“It was his right,” she said with a shrug.
But he could tell the memory still stung. His hands tightened on the reins as he thought of what fate could have befallen them if they hadn’t had Laird O’Malley’s cottage to fall back on. It was a good thing an ocean separated him from this blackguard Bantry, otherwise he’d be sorely tempted to teach the man a lesson or two about looking out for those in his care. “So this bully Bantry kicks you three out of your home, you find a twenty-six-year-old deed to a cottage an ocean away, and decided, just like that, to come to America all on your own.” He shook his head. “That took a lot of courage.”
Her lips pinched into a prim line. “It wasn’t as if we had many other choices.”
She could downplay it all she wanted, he still thought it a brave thing to do.
Then Nora’s expression softened into a smile. “Isn’t it a wondrous thing how, twenty-six years ago, the Almighty was already laying the groundwork so that me and my sisters would be taken care of in our time of need?”
Her comment caught Cam off guard. A lesser person would be grumbling to God for putting them through all that Nora and her sisters had obviously endured. Yet here she was, praising Him instead for the good that had come out the other side of that valley.
“How long have Will’s mother and Ben known each other?”
She was obviously ready to turn the subject to a less personal topic. “Quite a while I’d guess. Certainly since before I wound up in Faith Glen, back when Ben was sheriff himself instead of stepping back to be deputy.”
That expressive brow of hers rose. “Oh, I didn’t realize you weren’t raised here. Where are you from?”
Now it was his turn to shift uncomfortably. Trust his sharp-witted housekeeper to pick up on that. “I was born in Boston. I didn’t move here until I was nearly sixteen.” And that was all he was going to say on that subject. “So why the interest in Ben and Esther?”
“Oh, just something I noticed today that made me wonder if they were more than just casual friends.”
“Ben and Esther?” He grinned at the thought. “Now wouldn’t that beat all?”
She waved a hand. “Oh, I’m probably wrong. Weddings just tend to bring out the romantic in folks.”
“Speaking of Ben,” Cam added, “he and Gavin pounced on that last slice of the pie you left for me Friday. Thought I was going to have to wade in and referee when they started arguing over who got the biggest piece. They said to tell you it was the best they’d ever tasted.”
He saw her cheeks pinken and her blue eyes light up at the praise. Delight looked good on her.
“That was nice of them to say. Maybe I should stick an extra pie in the oven come baking day. Wouldn’t want Faith Glen’s fine, upstanding lawmen to be found squabbling over a bit of pastry.”
Was no-nonsense Nora making a joke? “You won’t get an argument on that score from me. Just add the ingredients to my tab at the general store when you do the marketing.”
They rounded the last bend and the cottage came into view. Just as he had every time he’d been here since the incident with the horse thief, Cam carefully studied the area around the cottage for anything that might look suspicious or out of place. But, just as before, nothing seemed amiss.
Still, he’d make his rounds before he left, same as always.
He didn’t intend to take any chances. As sheriff, it was his duty to protect Nora Murphy, whether she wanted that protection or not. The memory of another time, of another young mother he’d let down intruded, but he determinedly pushed it aside.
There was no way he’d ever allow such a thing to happen again on his watch. He didn’t think he could survive such a tragedy a second time.
Chapter Three
Nora leaned back and inhaled a breath of in-this-moment contentment. The sight of the cottage as they rounded that final bend always filled her with such joy and pride. Already this felt like home to her. How could her sisters believe she would ever want to leave it?
She glanced down at Grace and made a silent pledge. I promise you that, whatever else shall be, in this home you shall never want for love.
“You know, I was thinking,” her companion said slowly, “most of the urgent repairs are done on the place. Before you spend all your money on additional repairs, you might want to look into getting yourself a horse and wagon of your own.”
Nora’s cheeks heated in embarrassment. Had she overstepped on his kindness somehow? Since the day she’d moved into the cottage a few weeks ago, he’d insisted on bringing his wagon around to pick her up in the mornings and bring her back in the evenings. She’d protested at first, but as usual he’d ignored her. He’d said at the time that it was no trouble, but she wondered now if perhaps he’d changed his mind.
“Of course,” she said quickly. “I didn’t intend to take advantage of your kindness. You’re a busy man and it’s an easy walk into town from here—”
“Hold on,” he said, interrupting her. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t mind one bit giving you a lift into town on workdays. In fact, it gives me an opportunity to start my rounds by checking things out on this side of town.”
She wasn’t entirely convinced that he was being completely honest. “Then was there some other reason you brought this up?”
“What I was thinking was that if there’s ever any kind of emergency out here it would be handy for you to have your own transportation.”
“Emergency?”
“You know, like if one of the Coulters or Grace got hurt or took ill.”
“Oh, I see. I hadn’t really thought of that.” But she was thinking of it now. The Coulters were quite frail. And if something should happen to Grace…
“I can find you a good deal,” the sheriff assured her. “I’ll even loan you the money and you can pay me back a little at a time.”
Seemed he was always doing that—loaning those in need the means to get by. Well, she wasn’t one of his charity cases. “That’s very kind of you but we’ve managed to make do this long, we can get by a bit longer until I can save up the funds.”
“No offense, and I know you have your pride and all, but I really think we should go ahead and take care of this now.”
Of all the high-handed— “Sheriff Long, I appreciate your concern, but this is really not your decision to make.”
Her not-so-veiled reprimand failed to have the desired effect. “Now don’t go getting all prickly on me.” His tone contained the barest hint of amusement, setting her teeth on edge.
“Because,” he continued, “as a matter of fact, this does concern me. I’ve worried about Agnes and James out here on their own for years now, but haven’t been able to do much more than check on them regularly. If you had a vehicle—”
“Well, they’re not on their own any longer,” she interrupted. “I’m here to keep an eye on things.”
“Yes you are, and that does relieve my mind a bit. But that doesn’t change the fact that James and Agnes are getting on in years and you have an infant to take care of which limits your ability to just take off and go for help if help’s needed. So, being the conscientious lawman that I am, I’d still feel obligated to come out here on a regular basis to check in on things. Now, if I knew you had a means to go for help if something…unexpected happened, then I wouldn’t feel as if I had to come out here and check on things so often.”
She clamped her lips shut and glared at him. He was trying to manipulate her but it wouldn’t work. “I apologize,” she said stiffly. “I had no idea you were inconveniencing yourself on our account.”
She brushed at her skirt with her free hand. “Well, you can set your mind at ease. James and Agnes may be unable to get around very well, but I’m perfectly capable of running to town for help if an emergency should arise.” She lifted her chin. “So there’s no need for you to continue to check in on us any more than you do any other citizen of Faith Glen.”
“But that’s my job. You wouldn’t want me to shirk my duties, would you?”
She held back her retort, settling for merely glaring at him. Not that he seemed at all appreciative of her restraint.
“Tell me,” he asked equably, “how would you feel if James or Agnes got hurt or took ill while you were in town and they were alone out here with no way to go for help? I know I certainly wouldn’t want something like that on my conscience. Especially if it was just a bit of pride that kept me from providing them with the means.”
She felt her resolve fade, but glared at him resentfully. “You, sir, do not play fair.”
The sheriff’s little-boy grin reappeared, signaling that he knew he’d won.
But she wasn’t going to let him have his way altogether. “I don’t want anything fancy mind you. A serviceable cart and pony will do just fine.”
He swept his hand out to indicate the rickety wagon they were currently riding in. “As you can see, my tastes don’t usually run to fancy.” He pulled the vehicle to a stop near the front of the cottage. “I should be able to find something for you to take a look at on Monday.”
He hopped down and strode over to her side of the wagon. This time he didn’t hesitate to take the baby from her, though he still held Grace with more trepidation than enthusiasm.
Once she was back on the ground and he’d returned Grace to her, the sheriff snatched the bag with Grace’s things from the bed of the wagon and escorted Nora inside without waiting for an invitation.
They found the Coulters in the kitchen. Ben had driven them home earlier, and the older couple had already changed out of the clothes they’d worn to Bridget’s wedding and were back in their everyday work clothes. Agnes sat at the table, darning a nearly threadbare sock with knobby fingers that had lost much of their nimbleness. James sat nearby, reading silently from a well-worn Bible.
Both looked up when they entered. Cam set the bag on the table and turned to James. “Good news. Nora here has decided to get a cart and a pony to pull it.”
Nora shook her head as she set Grace in the cradle that sat next to the table. Leave it to the stubborn lawman to make it sound like it had been all her idea.
James, however, seemed to approve. “Good thinking,” he said, smiling in her direction. “Now, make sure you let Cam here help you pick it out. He knows a thing are two about livestock and wagons.”
Nora nodded dutifully, refusing to look the sheriff’s way.
“That’s high praise coming from you, James,” Cam said. Then he turned back to Nora. “James worked with horses and carriages for years before he moved here to Faith Glen.”
Interesting. She was ashamed to say she hadn’t given much thought to what Agnes and James’s lives had been like before she met them. “It’s reassuring to know I have such talent under my roof.”
But James just waved off their praise. “That’s all in the past now. But I should go out to the barn and make sure it and the barnyard are in good enough shape to house your horse and wagon when they get here.”
The sheriff nodded. “You’re right. Why don’t the two of us go look things over and see if there’s anything that might need immediate attention?”
James pushed himself up from the table. “It’s been a while since anything other than the cow and a few cats sheltered in that old barn. And the fence around the barnyard couldn’t hold in a spindly foal, much less a full-grown horse.”
“Pony,” Nora corrected.
James’s brow went up and he glanced toward Cam.
The sheriff merely shrugged and smiled that infuriating humor-her smile of his.
Rubbing the back of his neck, James turned to face Nora. “Well, if that’s what you think best, I won’t speak against it.” He nodded toward the counter. “There’s fresh milk for Grace. I milked Daisy after we got in from the wedding.”
“Thank you.” Nora moved toward the milk pail. “I’m sure Grace will be fussing for her bottle any minute now.”
James waved Cam forward. “Come along, boy. I’ll show you what I think needs tending to first.”
“Lead the way.”
Much as the sheriff could irritate her with his high-handed ways, at times like this Nora couldn’t help but admire Cameron Long for the way he deferred to the older man. He had a way of helping people without robbing them of their dignity in the process.
James, who walked with a limp he’d acquired before she ever met him, led the way, talking to Cam about spare timbers to brace up the barn’s north wall.
“Cameron is a good man.” Agnes made the pronouncement as if she thought Nora might argue with her.
Instead Nora merely nodded and proceeded to get Grace’s bottle ready. When she finally spoke, she deliberately changed the subject. “It’s a pity you and James couldn’t stay for the reception,” she said over her shoulder.
Grace started fussing and Agnes set down her darning and rocked the cradle with her foot. “When you get to be our age,” the older woman answered, “you don’t spend much time away from home. But the ceremony was lovely and Bridget was beautiful.”
“That she was.”
Agnes gave her a knowing look. “You’re going to miss having her under the same roof with you, aren’t you?”
Nora thought about that a moment. It would certainly be strange not having either of her sisters living in the same house with her. They’d never been all separated like this before. No more shared bedrooms and late-night whispers, no more working side by side at their chores, spinning stories for each other and dreaming together of their futures. She would miss that special closeness. But it wasn’t as if she’d never see them again. Soon they would all be living in the same town and there would be opportunities aplenty to visit with each other.
She smiled at Agnes as she moved back to the table. “I suppose I will a wee bit. But it’s the natural order of things for siblings to grow up and start separate families of their own.” She lifted Grace from the cradle. “And I still have Grace, and you and James, here with me. That’s plenty of family to keep a body from feeling lonely.”
Agnes, her eyes a touch misty, reached over and patted Nora’s hand. “You’re a good girl, you are, Nora Murphy, to be adding James and me to your family. And we feel the same about you and that sweet little lamb you’re holding, as well.”
And right then, Nora knew with certainty that she could not abandon this place, this life, no matter how much Bridget and Maeve tried to convince her otherwise.
Almighty Father, surely You didn’t bring me to this place just to have me leave it. Help me to make the right choices to build a good life here for all of us. But always, according to Your will.
Agnes spoke up, reclaiming Nora’s attention. “Do you mind if I ask you a question of a personal nature?”
Nora smiled. “You know you can ask me anything. What is it?”
“When you and Bridget first arrived here you mentioned that you discovered the deed to this cottage only a couple of months ago, and that none of you girls knew anything about Mr. O’Malley before then. I’ve been waiting ever since then for one of you to ask about him and I confess to being a bit puzzled that you haven’t. Are you not the least bit curious?”
Nora shifted Grace in her arms, giving herself time to think about her response. Truth to tell, she’d been a bit afraid of what might come to light if she learned too much. Laird O’Malley had obviously loved her mother a great deal in his youth, and had continued to love her until he died. But had her mother returned that love? Had she secretly pined for this man who had traveled to America and never returned? And if so, what had she felt for their da?
No, Nora wasn’t at all sure she wanted to know the answer to that question.
But Agnes was waiting for her response. “I already know that he was a generous man who loved my mother very much,” she said carefully. “I’m not sure I need to know more.”
Agnes studied her closely for a moment and Nora tried not to squirm under that discerning gaze. Finally the woman resumed her darning. “I see. Do you mind if I tell you something of him? I think he deserves that much.”
Nora knew it would be churlish to refuse, so she gave in graciously. “Of course.”
“Mr. O’Malley was a good employer, fair and not overly demanding. He loved this place, especially the garden, which he tended to personally.” She smiled reminiscently. “There was even a rumor that he had buried a treasure out there, but of course that’s nonsense. Even so, after he died we would sometimes find an occasional youth sneaking out here and digging around, trying to find it.”
Nora was relieved she hadn’t gone down a more personal road. “So he was happy here.”
“Ah, no, I wouldn’t say happy.” Agnes continued to focus on her stitches. “There was a sadness about him, a sort of lost emptiness that seemed to weigh him down. Many’s a day he would spend walking along the beach and staring out over the ocean as if looking for a ship that never came.”
Had he been yearning for her mother all that time? Better not to dwell on that. “Did he have many friends here?”
“He kept to himself for the most part. He wasn’t shunned or outcast, mind you, he just never made much of an effort to get close to anyone, more’s the pity.”
Nora’s curiosity got the better of her. “Did he ever speak of his life back in Ireland?”
“Not to me or James. But then, he was a very private person and never spoke about much of anything.” Agnes sighed. “I always sensed the man had a good heart—he never uttered a harsh word in my hearing and he could be generous if he became aware of a need. It’s such a sadness that he spent so much time dwelling on his past rather than enjoying his present.”
She knotted and snipped her thread, then began putting away her sewing things. “Anyway, in his own way, Mr. O’Malley provided for all of us in this household and I just thought you ought to know the sort of man he was.”
Grace had finished her bottle by this time, and Nora lifted her to her shoulder. “Thank you for sharing that with me. It sounds as if he was a very lonely man.” How sad to have loved someone so deeply and not have had that love returned.
She remembered how dejected and hurt Bridget had been when it looked as if Will would be honor bound to marry another woman. Thankfully, it had worked out happily for them in the end, but what if it hadn’t? Would her sister have recovered from that blow, especially after she’d already suffered being left at the altar once before?
Giving your heart so completely to someone else was a dangerous thing, especially if one had no assurance that the feelings were returned. She had made that mistake once. Back in Castleville, there’d been a young man, Braydan Rourke, who’d lived in the village near their cottage. Braydan was handsome and strong and had a winning smile and generous heart, much like Cam. He’d been kind to the Murphy family, helping them out when Nora’s father had injured his foot and couldn’t tend to his crops for a few weeks.
As she always had for their da, Nora had carried Braydan’s noonday meal and flasks of water out to the fields, and during those breaks they had shared many a conversation. She’d been sixteen at the time and was enthralled when Braydan had confided his dreams of a better life to her. It embarrassed her now to remember how quickly and completely she’d fallen for him. At least she could take some small comfort in knowing that no one had suspected what a love-struck fool she’d been. Because when her da returned to the fields three weeks later, Braydan had not only left their farm but left Castleville itself without a backward glance and she’d never heard from him again.
It had been a painful lesson, but she’d learned it well. She would not so easily give her heart to a man again. Perhaps she was better off focusing her love on Grace.
James and Cam entered the kitchen just then, pulling Nora from her somber thoughts. The two men were sharing a laugh and Nora was caught again by how caring the sheriff was toward the Coulters, how boyish he looked when he was in a good humor and how his laugh could draw you in and make you want to smile along.
It would be so easy to develop stronger feelings for such a man. In fact, if she was honest with herself, she would admit that she already felt that little telling tug of attraction when he was around. His gaze snagged on hers and she could almost convince herself that his eyes took on a warmer glow. Almost without thought, she found herself responding in kind.
But then she dropped her gaze. That way lay heartache. She would not become another Laird O’Malley. Sheriff Long was her employer, nothing more. And if at times he seemed to treat her with special warmness, she needed to remind herself that that was just his way. Despite his nonchalant manner, she’d seen over and again how caring and protective he was of those around him. It was what made him such a good lawman. But she wasn’t in need of his charity or his protection. Her life had been hard, but it had taught her how to take care of herself. And that was exactly what she would do.
As she fussed with Grace, Nora heard Agnes invite the sheriff to stay for dinner. She mentally held her breath while she waited on his response. When he refused, she wasn’t certain if it was relief or disappointment that whooshed through her.
Later that evening as she lay in her bed, Nora found herself restless and unable to sleep. Not that this vague sense of discontent had anything to do with her earlier realizations about her relationship with the sheriff. No, it was most likely due to knowing Bridget was no longer part of the household—nothing more.
After all, it wasn’t as if her heart was in any real danger since she’d come to her senses in time. And she was perfectly content to settle for Cam’s friendship.
Turning over on her side, she steadfastly ignored the little voice in her head that wanted to argue the matter with her.
Chapter Four
On Monday morning, Nora patted Grace’s back as she stared out the kitchen window at the gloomy weather. The rain had slacked off to a drizzle but it was still falling steadily. If it didn’t let up soon it would make for an unpleasant ride into town this morning.
Not that she was one to let a bit of weather get in her way. There were four mouths to feed in this household, and, as her sisters had pointed out on Saturday, there was still lots of work to be done on the cottage itself before the cooler weather of autumn settled in. Work that required funds for supplies.
And there were more immediate needs cropping up every day. She’d awakened this morning to the sound of water dripping from the ceiling onto her bedchamber floor. Two hand spans over and those drips would have landed right on Grace. That had been a sobering sight.
But there was reason to be optimistic, as well. Just last night she’d had an idea for a way to bring in some extra money. She hadn’t worked out all the details in her mind yet, but that was another reason she was eager to get to town today despite the weather—she’d really like to get Sheriff Long’s opinion on this scheme of hers. After all, he had much more knowledge of Faith Glen and its people than she did.
Grace hiccupped and Nora patted her back. Then she frowned as she came back to this morning’s weather. She didn’t mind getting wet herself, but it wouldn’t be right to take an infant out on such a day if it wasn’t truly necessary.
But what other choice did she have?
“Surely you’re not going to take that little lamb out in this rain.” Agnes Coulter crossed the room, a soft smile on her face.
Nora shook her head. “I don’t really want to.” She glanced out the window once more. “Then again, perhaps if I wrap her really well…”
Agnes tsked. “You have another choice. You can leave Grace with me and James.”
Nora immediately thought of a half-dozen reasons why she couldn’t do that. The Coulters were elderly and frail. And they’d never had children of their own. Did they even know how to take care of an infant? And what about Grace’s favorite lullaby—could either of them sing it to her when she got fussy?
She gave Agnes what she hoped was a convincing smile. “That’s very kind, but I wouldn’t want to impose on you that way. It’s not raining very hard. Perhaps it will let up—”
“Don’t be silly. I know you’re as attached to that baby as a turtle is to its shell, but you can’t keep her by your side all day, every day. You both need a break from each other occasionally.”
Both women turned as the back door opened and James limped in carrying a covered pail that no doubt contained fresh milk.
Agnes immediately started back across the room, her finger wagging like a gossipmonger’s tongue. “James Barnabas Coulter, stop right there. Don’t you dare go tromping water and mud across my clean floor.” She made shooing motions with her hands. “Set that pail down and take yourself back out on the stoop and make use of the bootjack and dry off with that feed sack before you come back in.”
“No need to yell at me, woman,” James grumbled. “I was just trying to get the milk inside before Grace started wailing for her breakfast.” But despite his aggrieved tone, James did as he was told.
Nora lay Grace down in the blanket-lined cradle and hurried over to retrieve the pail before Agnes tried to carry it herself. The older woman nodded her thanks and moved back toward the table, while Nora moved to the counter to strain the milk through a cheesecloth.
“This kind of weather is hard on his hip,” Agnes said as the door closed behind her husband. “He doesn’t like me to make a fuss over him, though.”
Nora could hear the affection in the older woman’s voice. The couple had been married for over fifty years she’d learned. Would she ever find that kind of love for herself?
An image of the sheriff, with his smoky blue eyes and straw-colored hair, floated through her mind at that thought. Realizing where her mind had drifted, Nora pulled herself up short, reminding herself of what she’d resolved just two days ago. There would be none of that. Better to remember that the man was not only her employer but more often than not she found herself at odds with him.
She watched Agnes’s expression soften as Grace latched on to one of the woman’s gnarled fingers, and Nora wrestled with the idea of leaving Grace in her and James’s care. She’d barely been separated from Grace for more than a few hours since she’d first laid eyes on the squalling babe aboard the Annie McGee. The few time that they had been separated, Grace had been with one of her sisters. The Coulters, for all their kindness and good intentions, seemed hardly up to the job of caring for a baby. And she didn’t want to put them to the test when she wasn’t at least nearby to observe.
Nora set the bowl of milk aside and moved back toward the table. She resisted the urge to pick Grace up, instead letting Agnes continue to play with the child.
“See, Grace and I will get along just fine.” Agnes smiled up at Nora, and then, as if she read something in Nora’s face, her own expression changed to resignation. She reached over and patted Nora’s hand. “It’s okay, Nora girl. I understand.”
Rather than making Nora feel better, Agnes’s words shifted Nora’s perception of the elderly couple. Yes, the Coulters still wore the frailness of their advanced years, but both Agnes and James had come a long way since she’d first met them. They moved with new purpose now, and the pinched, resigned looks they’d worn when she’d first met them were gone.
Besides, Grace was very little trouble and was still of an age where she stayed wherever she was placed. It wasn’t as if they would have to chase after her.
As Agnes had said, she needed to accept that she couldn’t have Grace with her every minute of every day, and this was an ideal time to see how both she and Grace would handle being apart.
Nora had a feeling that Grace would handle it much better than she would.
Taking a deep breath she smiled at her friend. “Actually, you’re right, it would be irresponsible of me to take Grace out in this weather simply because I like the pleasure of her company. If you’re certain you don’t mind, I’d be most grateful to have you and James watch over Grace for me today.”
Agnes’s face split in a wide grin and she tapped Grace’s chin. “Did you hear that, sweetling? You’re going to spend the day right here with me and James.”
Nora studied the woman’s awkward movement and gnarled fingers and wondered if she’d made a mistake. But it would be too cruel to tell her she’d changed her mind now.
As Nora placed a clean apron and half-dozen fresh baked biscuits into a hamper to take with her, she thought that maybe she’d see if the sheriff would mind if she only worked a half day today. She mentally grimaced. One thing was for certain, he’d no doubt be glad she was leaving Grace with the Coulters for a change. She still hadn’t figured out why Grace made him so uncomfortable, but there was no denying that she did. Would it be prying if she asked Ben if he had some insights into why?
Fifteen minutes later, Nora stood in the cottage doorway, tying the ribbon of her wool cape. She winced as she spotted droplets trickling down the wall near the parlor chimney. They were making progress on repairs but there was still so much to be done around here.
As she stared out at the lane, she wondered if perhaps she was assuming too much by expecting the sheriff to come out to fetch her in this weather. After all, he was under no obligation—
Right on time, she spied his wagon lumbering up the drive. Despite his sometimes lackadaisical demeanor, she had to admit the man was always punctual. He was wearing a long brown coat similar to what the fishermen back in Ireland wore, and what the sailors aboard the Annie McGee had worn. She thought wistfully about how nice it would be to have something to wear on a day like today that shed water so nicely. Perhaps she would add that to her growing list of necessary purchases.
As soon as the wagon drew near, she pulled the hood of her cape up over her bonnet and grabbed the hamper that rested at her feet.
No point standing on ceremony on a day like today.
And with that thought, she took a deep breath and prepared to dash out to meet him.
Chapter Five
By the time Cam had set the brake and hopped down from the wagon, Nora was already out the door. Fool woman, why couldn’t she let a body help her every once in a while?
He waved her back to the house and she stopped short. Frowning at him, she turned and dashed back to shelter.
He reached under the wagon seat and grabbed the oilskin coat he’d brought with him, then marched over to meet her. “Here, Ben sent this for you to use. It’ll keep you drier than that bit of wool you’re wearing.”
Her eyes widened and her lips pinched into a straight line. No doubt she was unhappy with his tone. But there was a hint of appreciation in her eyes, as well. “That was very thoughtful of Ben.” She didn’t sound convinced that it had been his deputy’s idea. Then she motioned him inside. “Come in off the stoop while I put this on.”
He shook his head. “I don’t want to track inside your house. Besides, I won’t get much wetter than I already am.”
She sighed, as if she were dealing with a stubborn child. But she didn’t comment. Instead, she reached for the coat.
But Cam was having none of that. Instead he shook out the folds, stepped a little closer and held it up to assist her into it. After only the slightest of hesitations she allowed him to do so.
He was just being polite, he told himself. And if he happened to enjoy the fact that the action brought him close enough to brush a hand against her neck, to inhale the scent of cinnamon and flowers that seemed a part of her, well, that was just incidental.
Once the coat was wrapped around her, Nora turned to offer him a smile. “Thank you.”
He cleared his throat. “Here.” He handed her a fair-sized square of the oilcloth. “I didn’t think you’d want to wear one of Ben’s hats, but this will work almost as well. Just tie it over your headgear.”
She took it without protest, quickly folded it into a triangle and covered her head, bonnet and all, tying it firmly under her chin.
That was one thing he liked about Nora, she didn’t put on airs or complain. Good qualities to have in a housekeeper. And a friend.
He was relieved to note Grace wasn’t anywhere in sight. It saved him the trouble of convincing her that the baby should stay inside on a day like today. “Glad to see you had enough sense not to take Grace out in this.”
She nodded and he saw her worry at her lip a moment. “Agnes offered to take care of her and I couldn’t turn her down.”
He gave her an approving smile. “No reason why you should. It’s about time you let Grace out of your sight for a bit.”
She immediately stiffened and crossed her arms over her chest. “Of course I’m protective of her. That poor child was abandoned once already in her short life. I want to do all I can to make certain she feels loved and secure with me.”
It seemed he’d gotten her back up yet again. He raised his hands, palms out. “I wasn’t criticizing. It’s obvious how much you love that little girl and I’m sure you’re doing a fine job caring for her. It’s just rare that I see you without Grace nearby.”
Nora’s feathers seemed a little less ruffled at that. “It’s just for today.” She glanced back over her shoulder. “You don’t think watching Grace will be too much for them, do you?” She’d lowered her voice so that it didn’t carry back to the kitchen.
He smiled. “They’ll be fine.” Then, wanting to reassure her further, he added, “And if it makes you feel better, Agnes worked as a nanny for some very prominent families in Boston for a number of years. I hear she was quite good at her job.”
Some of the tenseness left her shoulders. “That’s good to know.” She gave a sheepish smile. “I suppose you think I’m being foolish.”
“I’d never dare think such a thing,” he said with mock seriousness. He was pleased when his teasing added a little spark to her expression.
Cam took the hamper from her and offered her his arm. “The ground is slippery,” he said by way of explanation. “Ready?”
She nodded and took his arm. He could almost believe the no-nonsense Miss Murphy was suddenly shy. Almost.
They crossed to the wagon quickly, dodging puddles along the way. Cam made note of a number of maintenance issues that would need seeing to in the coming days.
He helped her climb onto the wagon and, once she was settled, handed up the hamper and then sprinted to the other side. As he took his own seat he saw her pull the coat more tightly around her. The sudden urge to draw her closer—to protect against the elements of course—surprised him.
He cleared his throat. “Sorry there’s no cover on this wagon. I’m afraid even with the coat you’ll be damp by the time we get to town.”
She didn’t seem concerned. “It appears to be letting up now. And a bit of soft weather won’t hurt me.”
“Soft weather?”
“Back in Ireland, when the weather turned all misty and damp, which was quite often, we’d say we were having a soft day.”
There was a faraway look in her eyes, as if she were seeing her homeland in her mind. He flicked the reins, wordlessly directing the horse to turn the wagon back toward town. “Do you miss it much? Ireland I mean?” He kept his tone causal but he found himself tensing as he waited for her answer.
She seemed to consider his question a moment before speaking. “It’s my birthplace and I have a lot of fond memories of growing up there.” She grasped the seat on either side of her and leaned slightly forward. “Ireland will always be a part of who I am. But near the end of our time there, there was so much sorrow and pain, so much loss and uncertainty, that I’m grateful to be here and have this chance for a fresh start.”
She flashed him a smile so full of hope and promise that it took his breath away. “Only yesterday I was thinking how nice it was that this place—both Faith Glen and the cottage itself—already feels like home to me.”
Her words warmed him, made him sit up taller.
Not that he read anything special into them. He was merely glad to know his housekeeper was happy here.
Cam brushed that thought aside and changed the subject. “Oscar Platt over at the livery has a wagon and horse for sale that I think might be just right for you. He’ll have it ready for you to look at after lunch if that’s agreeable.”
Her brows drew down. “I thought I’d said to find me a pony and a cart.”
Was she going to be stubborn about this? “I think the horse and wagon will work out better for you in the long run,” he said patiently.
But she wasn’t appeased. “Sheriff Long, I understand that you think you always know what’s best, but I’ll have you know I have been making my own decisions for quite some time now.”
He shook his head. No matter how many times he asked her to call him Cam, she insisted on using the more formal title of his office. But he did admire her spirit. “I’m sure you have, but that’s not the point. Oscar owes me a favor and he’s offering a good deal on the animal, which I am willing to pass on to you. You won’t find a better value for your money anywhere.” He raised a brow. “Unless you’re so set on a pony and cart that you’re willing to do without while you search for one? I suppose I can continue to worry about the Coulters for another few days.”
She clamped her lips shut at that and they rode along in silence for a little while. When she finally spoke again, she surprised him by changing the subject. “I’d like to ask your opinion on a matter I’ve been mulling over the past few days.”
So, she wanted his opinion on something, did she? And from her tone it was something of import to her. Best not to read anything into that, though. No doubt she turned to him because he was her boss and the town sheriff—an authority figure of sorts. Still, she deserved his full attention.
He sat up a bit straighter. “Ask away.”
“It’s a matter related to finances.”
Was she worried about owing him for the horse and wagon? Or the repairs that were still needed on the cottage? The woman did have more than her fair share of pride. “Go on.”
“I mentioned to you on Saturday that my sisters would like me to move in with one of them. Well, I’ve decided, much as I love my sisters, that I would definitely prefer to stay right where I am.”
That didn’t surprise him at all. In fact it was the decision he would have predicted she’d make.
“The thing is,” she said carefully, “in order to do so, I must prove to them, and to myself, that I can handle such a responsibility, both temperamentally and financially.”
“Do you doubt that you can?”
“I believe I have the temperament and skill to do it, of course. But I spent some time after services yesterday figuring out what monies I’ll need to provide for the basic needs of the four of us.”
So, she considered the Coulters part of her responsibility, did she? Nora might have an excess of pride but she also had an excess of heart to match. “Perhaps you won’t need quite as much as you think.”
She gave him that prim spinster-aunt look. “Oh, no, I’m quite good at figures. After Mother passed on, Da left me to handle the household finances.”
Another responsibility she’d shouldered. How old had she been when she’d taken that one on?
“Anyway, even being conservative,” she continued, “the figures were daunting. And I know that there’s not just food and everyday supplies to think about. I need to consider the repairs that still need to be done to the house and now to the barn.” She raised a hand. “Whatever you were planning to say, please don’t. I simply cannot let you continue to work at the cottage without pay.”
She shifted in her seat. “There will be the added expense of the—” she paused a moment and eyed him primly “—the wagon animal to see to.”
Still smarting over his insistence on a horse, was she?
“And while I am quite good at stretching provisions if I do say so myself,” she sat up straighter, a proud lift to her shoulders, “I need to make certain there is sufficient food on the table each and every day for four people.”
No doubt about it, in spite of her prickly exterior, Nora Murphy had a nurturing streak a mile wide. But where was she going with all of this? “If you don’t think I’m paying you enough—”
She shook her head vehemently. “Oh, no, I’ve no complaints on that account. The wage you pay me is more than generous, and, the Good Lord willing, I truly think I can make it stretch to cover most of our expenses.”
“So what is it that’s worrying you?”
“There’s something else I need to do to make the cottage truly a home for me and Grace as well as the Coulters.”
“And that is?”
She clasped her hands in her lap, squeezing them tightly together. “As Colleen Murphy’s daughters and heirs, the cottage belongs to all three of us. Since my sisters now have homes of their own, I would like to purchase their portions from them.”
Now that did surprise him. Not the idea that she wanted to stake her claim to independence, that was absolutely in character. But that she thought her sisters would require, or even accept, payment from her. He didn’t know Bridget and Maeve well, but he knew them well enough to know they’d be affronted at even the suggestion. “You really think they’d expect you to buy it from them?”
“Oh, I’m absolutely certain that they would simply give it to me if I asked them to, but that’s not what I want. I won’t feel like it is truly mine unless I do what’s right and proper.”
“And what’s to say that them giving you their portions is not exactly what is right and proper?”
“My conscience. So, I need to find another way to earn money in addition to the work I do for you.”
Stubborn woman. “I see. Then you want to cut down on the hours you spend working for me—is that it?”
“Not exactly. Actually, I think I have the perfect solution, but I wanted to get your thoughts on it.”
He was both intrigued and a bit flattered by her request for his counsel. “I’m listening.”
“I’d like to make pies and cakes to sell here in town.” She announced her plan as if it was the answer to all her problems. Then she looked at him expectantly.
He tried to wrap his mind around what she’d just said. “Start a bakery business you mean?”
“Yes, but on a very small scale.” She seemed less certain now. “You did say that folks seem to like my cakes and pies.”
“Absolutely. I can’t say as I ever tasted better.”
His answer seemed to buoy her confidence once more. She smiled up at him with the raindrops glistening on her long dark lashes, vividly brightening her blue eyes, and he had to blink to clear his suddenly muddled thoughts.
“And Will has asked me to consult with his chocolatiers on how to improve his chocolates,” she continued, “so perhaps I could somehow combine the two things.”
Did she really understand the amount of work that would be involved in such an undertaking? “You’d have to make an awful lot of baked goods to make any sort of profit at it.”
“I know. And I’m not afraid of hard work. But I would need your help.”
She’d managed to surprise him yet again. “You want me to help you do your baking?” His only foray into baking was biscuits and he wouldn’t exactly be bragging on his results.
But his question earned him a grin. “Nothing so challenging. I would, of course, do a lot of my baking at home. But I’d like to do some of it during the day, as well. Only, well, that would mean using your oven.” She fluttered a hand in an uncharacteristically nervous gesture. “I promise not to do any less work for you than I already am.” The words were rushed, as if she was trying to forestall an objection. “I can continue to clean and wash and cook your meals while my baked goods are in the oven.”
He didn’t for a minute doubt that she would be conscientious about her work. “Where do you plan to sell these delicacies?”
The look she shot him let him know she realized he hadn’t answered her question. But she followed his lead. “I thought perhaps Mrs. James at the general store might be willing to sell some goods on commission for me and perhaps Rosie over at the boardinghouse would take some to serve to her boarders, as well.” She stared at him expectantly. “What do you think?”
She really had given this some serious thought. “I think it’s certainly worth a try. I might be able to drum up a few other customers for you, as well.” That earned him a grateful look. “In fact,” he added, “the workers over at the mill might be a good group to talk to.”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought about that. I’ll speak to Will when he and Bridget get back into town.” She eyed him uncertainly. “So you’re agreeable to my baking while I work for you?”
“On one condition.”
“And that is?”
“That you start small and don’t work yourself to exhaustion.”
She nodded. “I understand. I wouldn’t be very useful as a housekeeper if I didn’t have the energy to do my job.”
Cam didn’t comment. If she thought that was his reason then far be it from him to say otherwise.
Chapter Six
Nora shook her head over Cam’s insistence that he drop her off at the door to his office, but she was grateful nevertheless. As he handed her down, she noticed that where the ends of his hair had gotten wet, the straw color had darkened to chocolate brown and had started to curl just the tiniest bit. She found her thoughts straying to what it might feel like to test the spring of that curl against her fingers.
Shaking off that totally inappropriate thought, she said a quick thank-you and bustled into the sheriff’s office. She greeted Ben and Gavin, both of whom were sipping cups of the thick liquid that passed for coffee inside these walls when she wasn’t around.
“Well, aren’t you a pretty sight on a dreary morning.” Ben’s smile changed to a frown. “Where’s Gracie? Nothing’s happened to her I hope.”
“No, no, Grace is just fine. But I didn’t think it would be wise to take her out in this weather so I left her with the Coulters today.”
He nodded. “I suppose that was the right thing to do. I’m sure going to miss having that little girl around today, though.”
Ben and Gavin had both warmed up to Grace quickly enough. They even helped watch her when Nora was particularly busy with some chore or other.
Nora turned back to Gavin. “Did you have a nice visit with your brothers and Mrs. Fitzwilliam after the wedding?”
Gavin nodded. “I sure did.” Then he grimaced. “If only Mrs. F would quit trying to talk me into returning to Boston with them.”
Nora raised a sympathetic brow. “She means well.”
He shrugged. “I know. And I’m grateful that she’s seeing that my brothers go to school. But that’s not for me—this is where I want to be.”
“Give her time. She’ll come around.” Nora untied her makeshift rain hat. “How goes her search for her granddaughter?”
Gavin shook his head. “No sign of her yet. I think Mrs. F is beginning to feel a bit discouraged.”
Nora’s heart ached for the older woman. “I will continue to pray for the two of them.”
As she hung the hat on a peg, Ben rejoined the conversation. “You’ll find a pair of freshly cleaned rabbits in there.” He nodded toward the kitchen. “Andy Dubberly brought me those yesterday evening in exchange for a favor I did for him. Thought they might be good for lunch.”
“How wonderful.” Nora was genuinely delighted. This being a coastal town, fish was plentiful and inexpensive, so that was what she usually purchased when she did the sheriff’s shopping. But red meat was a welcome change. “And I know just how to cook them.” She was already going over the list of supplies she’d need to make her da’s favorite rabbit stew. Carrots, onions, turnips—
“I have the stove already warmed up for you, Miss Nora.”
Nora smiled at Gavin’s not too subtle hint that he was ready for the morning meal. “Thank you. I’ll have breakfast ready quick as can be.”
She shook herself out of the borrowed raincoat. “And thank you for the use of your coat,” she said to Ben. “It was most welcome on the ride in this morning.” She hung it next to the hat. “It certainly kept me drier than I would have been without it.”
Ben shook his head. “It’s Cameron you should be thanking. The boy let himself into my place before dawn and grabbed my coat without so much as a knock or a may-I.” Then the older man smiled. “But I’m very pleased to see he put it to such good use.”
So it had been Cam’s idea, not Ben’s as he’d led her to believe. “Well, thank you anyway.” She moved toward the kitchen. “Now, I believe this is a three-egg morning for the lot of you.” She wagged a finger at the two deputies. “And no snatching the biscuits while my back is turned.”
Nora found herself humming as she moved to the room she had nicknamed her “galley.”
The sheriff and Ben had living quarters in a small two-story building behind the jailhouse. Ben lived on the lower floor and the sheriff on the upper. Both homes, if one could call them that, were quite small. They each had three very small rooms—a kitchen, a parlor and a bedroom.
Gavin, the newest member of the peacekeeping team, slept in one of the two cells at the jailhouse. He couldn’t afford to stay at the boardinghouse and there was nowhere else.
She’d decided almost from the outset to do the cooking in Ben’s quarters instead of the sheriff’s since it was on the ground floor and meant easier access for everyone. She also insisted on feeding them at the same time so neither had to eat their meals cold. But when Gavin came on the scene it really made Ben’s tiny place seemed cramped and uncomfortable.
Especially since Cam wouldn’t hear of her excusing herself to work elsewhere while they ate. Instead, he insisted she share their meals with them and would not even listen to her very reasonable arguments on why it was inappropriate for the hired help to sit down to dine with her employer.
I need to make sure you’re keeping your strength up so you can handle these chores I hired you to take care of, he’d said. And, on another occasion he’d made the outrageous statement that I can’t have a cook who won’t eat her own cooking in front of me. So she’d finally given in.
Which meant four people sat down to eat two meals a day in Ben’s cramped quarters.
But when she’d returned to work the Monday after Gavin became a permanent resident, the men had had a surprise for her. She’d arrived at the sheriff’s office to find that they’d cleared out the jailhouse storeroom and set up a makeshift kitchen in its place. The sheriff had said it was so he could eat in the office where there was more room, but she suspected it was as much for her benefit as anything else.
Whatever the reason, Nora had been delighted with the new arrangement. There was a brand-new stove already stoked and ready for her to put to use. One wall was lined with shelves that now contained foodstuffs, cooking implements and rudimentary serving dishes. A small but sturdy table stood near the opposite wall. And the room even had a window that not only let in the sunlight but provided her with a view of Ben and Cam’s living quarters.
Water had to be hauled in, of course, but there was a small water barrel in the corner and Gavin, bless him, usually took care of keeping it filled for her.
She’d nicknamed the storage room-turned-kitchen her “galley” because it reminded her of the kitchen aboard the Annie McGee where she’d spent a good deal of her time on their voyage from Ireland. She’d worked as a helper to the ship’s cook.
So now she started her days in here, fixing up a hearty breakfast for everyone.
Nora continued humming as she cracked three eggs for each of the men and one for herself. The more she thought about her baking venture, the more excited she became. And now that she knew the sheriff wouldn’t be opposed to her combining her job here with her new business, the way seemed clear for her to give it a try. It was certainly a generous concession from him, and she was determined to make certain he didn’t regret it.
He was right about starting small, of course. Maybe two pies and a cake of some sort each day this week. Hopefully it would grow from there. And if things worked out well, perhaps one day she could have her own little bakery right here in Faith Glen.
By the time Cam came back in, Nora had the morning meal almost ready. “There’s a fresh pot of coffee here on the stove,” she called out to him. “You have just enough time to grab a cup before I serve breakfast.”
Cam joined her in the galley, his large presence filling the small space. “Something sure does smell delicious. That’s the kind of aroma a man likes to be greeted with on a day like today. I should have set up a kitchen in here ages ago.”
Just as she turned to retrieve a platter, he reached around her to grab the coffeepot from the warmer. The minor collision that ensued caught Nora completely by surprise.
His arms reflexively closed around her to keep her from falling and she pressed her hands on his chest in an effort to maintain her balance. For a frozen moment of time they were locked in an embrace that took her breath away and pushed everything else aside. She couldn’t move, couldn’t think straight. All she could do was feel—feel his arms around her, feel his heartbeat beneath her palms, feel the warmth of his breath on her forehead.
Then everything came rushing back in, including her wits. Flustered, she took a hurried step back and he released her, dropping his hands to his sides. Unable to look at him directly, she cast a sideways glance his way, trying to figure out what he was thinking. But his expression was unreadable.
“I’m so sorry.” She was appalled by the stammer in her voice and swallowed, trying to get herself back under control. Where was that resolve she’d counted on?
Before she could say more, he spoke up. “My fault entirely. I shouldn’t crowd you here in what is indisputably your domain.” If his tone was any gauge, he’d been entirely unaffected by the momentary contact.
She mentally cringed at the implication behind that betraying thought. Of course he’d been unaffected. It had been nothing more than a little everyday mishap. Her own reaction was no doubt due to the fact that she’d been caught off guard. She wouldn’t allow it to be anything more.
His expression changed to one of concern. “I hope I didn’t hurt you.”
Mercy, did she look as rattled as all that? Nora attempted a reassuring smile. “No, no, I’m fine. Don’t think anything of it.” Please don’t think of it.
“Well, then, I’ll just leave you to your cooking. I can get that cup of coffee later.”
“Nonsense.” Glad of an excuse to turn away, Nora quickly poured him up a cup. She turned and handed it to him, careful to keep their hands from touching. Then she made shooing motions with her hands. “Now, if you’ll leave me to finish up in here, I’ll have breakfast ready to serve in just a moment.”
Raising the cup in a friendly salute, he left the galley and joined Ben and Gavin.
Nora turned back to the stove but had to force herself to concentrate on the task at hand.
Because she could still feel the beat of his heart under her palms. And she didn’t understand why that should make her feel so flustered.
* * *
Cam sipped his coffee without tasting it. Hang it all, what had just happened in there? It had been a simple accident, a reflexive response to a minor collision, nothing more. Yet it had affected him more than it should have, and from the expression on Nora’s face just now, it had affected her, as well.
Only he wasn’t sure in just what way. As far as that went, he wasn’t sure exactly what he was thinking or feeling about it either.
Truth to tell, he was having trouble getting his thoughts clear from the warm feel of her hands against his chest, the sight of her suddenly wide blue eyes and the sound of her quickly inhaled breath that inexplicably seemed to suck all the air from the room.
This was definitely not a good development. He liked Nora well enough. To be honest, maybe a sliver more than “well enough.” But it wouldn’t do for him to start having stronger feelings. And not just because she was his housekeeper.
“Hey, sheriff.”
Gavin’s hail brought a welcome break from Cam’s muddled thoughts. “I’m listening.”
“I almost forgot to tell you—Mr. Lafferty stopped by while you were out fetching Miss Nora. He said someone’s been raiding his garden and he wants you to do something about it.” Gavin shook his head. “He sure was mighty angry.”
Ben snorted. “Amos Lafferty’s not happy unless he’s got something to complain about. Why, if someone walked up and handed him a fistful of coins he’d likely complain because it wasn’t in a shiny leather pouch.”
Cam grinned at Ben’s very apt description of the town’s most cantankerous citizen.
Ben leaned back in his chair. “It was likely just a deer or fox or some such deciding to take a midnight graze through his place.”
Ben was probably right. Still… “All the same, I think I’ll go have a look around after breakfast. If there is somebody raiding his garden I want to put a stop to it.”
Ben shrugged. “Suit yourself. If you want to go tromping through a muddy garden in the rain on a wild goose chase, that’s your business.”
“I don’t mind a bit of rain,” Gavin piped up. “Can I go with you?”
Cam eyed his overeager deputy, then nodded. “Sure. You can ride Ben’s horse since he plans to stay in out of the rain.”
He moved to his desk and gathered the few papers that had accumulated since yesterday and stashed them in the top drawer. That effectively turned his desk into a dining table at mealtime, with each of the four of them taking a side.
Right on cue, Nora bustled across the room carrying a large tray. He knew better than to offer to help since prior experience had taught him that she’d only lecture him on how he should get out of the way and let her do her job. Still he watched her, looking for signs that she was at all rattled by their earlier encounter. But she seemed as efficient and unflappable as ever. She didn’t once make eye contact with him, but that could be nothing more than her being distracted by planning for her new venture.
Five minutes later she had everything laid out before them and all four took their seats. After they said grace, Cam nodded to Nora. “Did you tell Ben and Gavin about your idea for a new business?”
Ben paused in the act of spreading jam on his biscuit. “A business venture? Are you going to be a woman of means soon?”
Nora laughed. It seemed there was no lingering nervousness on her part.
“Nothing so spectacular,” she said. “I’m thinking about baking a few extra pies and cakes to sell around town.”
“Well, now, I’m guessing you’re going to have people lining up to buy them.” Ben pointed his fork her way. “And if you need someone to do your tasting for you, I hereby volunteer.”
“That’s a mighty generous offer,” she said dryly, “but I don’t think I’ll need to impose on you.”
Cam noticed the way her eyes brightened when she was in a teasing mood. Not that he saw this side of her often. Which was really too bad.
Gavin, however, didn’t seem to find the subject a teasing matter. “You mean you’re going to be baking all kinds of desserts in here and we aren’t going to be able to eat any of them?” The boy looked absolutely crestfallen.
Nora laughed. “Don’t worry, Gavin, I’ll still make sure you gentlemen have something fresh for dessert every day.”
“Well, I for one think it’s a dandy idea.” Ben scooped up a forkful of egg. “And now that the folks in town have had a chance to sample your baking talents at your sister’s wedding reception, I don’t think you’ll be wanting for customers.”
Her cheeks pinkened. “Why, thank you, Ben. I certainly hope you’re right.”
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