She looked around the table, and he saw the way she braced herself. “And there’s another thing. Mollie will need a place to stay. Renting a room would take most everything she earns so that’s not a good solution.”
Cam sat up straighter. He had a good idea what was coming next and if he was correct he didn’t like it one bit.
She took a deep breath. “So I plan to invite her to stay right here at the cottage.”
He’d been right. Of all the fool, pigheaded, poorly thought-out notions. Apparently Maeve and Flynn felt the same way. Their protests were swift and overlapping.
“Oh, Nora, you can’t let that girl near Grace—”
“Absolutely not. You’re my wife’s sister and I have a responsibility to—”
Cam was in complete agreement. Just because Nora was feeling softhearted didn’t mean he would allow that girl to live under the same roof as her and Grace. Not to mention the Coulters.
When she turned to him, he gave her his answer in one terse sentence. “Not on my watch.”
He refused to be moved by her obvious disappointment.
“It’s the right thing to do,” she insisted. “Mollie needs good people around her to teach her to trust again.” She stared Cam down. “The way Ben did with you.”
That approach wasn’t going to work with him. “Ben didn’t have to arrest me to get my attention.”
She brushed aside his comment. “Besides, if she lives with me, she’ll be able to spend some time with Grace under my and the Coulters’ watchful eyes. I can also teach her how to care for a baby and observe to see if she really can take on such a responsibility.”
He saw her hand slide down to touch the edge of the cradle.
“You can’t seriously be thinking about handing Grace over to her?” Maeve asked.
“No, of course not. But as Grace’s mother, Mollie has a right to be part of her life.”
Cam tried again to make her see reason. “I know she seems sympathetic enough now that she’s been caught, but she has yet to prove herself trustworthy. She could even be dangerous.”
“I don’t think so. Remember, she did bring Grace back of her own accord.”
Was she so determined to look for the good that she could ignore the bad? “Nora, she didn’t once offer to make amends for any of her wrongdoings. She left Grace out in the yard, hoping you would find her quickly, and then up and ran off again. She’s here now only because we caught her. If we hadn’t, she’d still be out there doing goodness knows what.”
“You need to listen to what he’s saying,” Flynn added. “I can’t agree to leave that criminal here with you unless I’m absolutely convinced she’s harmless. And maybe not even then.”
“But—”
“No buts.” Flynn could sound very authoritative when he tried. “If Cam wants to allow Mollie to work off her debts rather than go to prison, that’s his business. But allowing her to stay here with the four of you is completely out of the question.”
Nora leaned forward earnestly. “But I truly believe, for Grace’s sake as well as her own, that Mollie needs to spend time with Grace. And the only way for that to happen is for her to stay here with us. Please, trust me to know what I’m doing.”
“I have to ask this.” Cam locked gazes with her. “Do you really think you can trust that girl not to try to abduct Grace again?”
He saw a vein in her throat jump, but she nodded. “Yes, I do.”
Cam let out a frustrated breath. “That’s very trusting and even charitable of you, Nora, but you need to let common sense prevail over your softer instincts.”
Nora grimaced. “I’m no paragon.” She expanded her gaze to include them all. “I still have trouble forgetting that Mollie abandoned her newborn baby. And that just a few days ago she stole that beautiful little girl away from me without so much as an explanation, leaving me to worry my heart and soul raw over Grace’s fate.” She took a deep breath then let it out slowly. “But in her own way, I think Mollie really does love Grace, so I have to believe she has good in her. And when it comes down to it, I have no right to judge her.” She glanced around the table again. “None of us do.”
She looked to the Coulters. “But I’m not the only one this affects. Agnes, James, can you be comfortable having her in the house with us?”
Agnes looked at her husband and took his hand in hers. There seemed to be a moment of silent communion between them, then she turned back to Nora. “Everyone deserves to have someone who believes in them, to have a chance to make things right with their life if they’re willing to take it. We’re willing to stand behind your decision to help the girl.”
Nora gave them an approving smile. “Bless you for your generous spirit.”
“Well, my spirit is not so generous.” Flynn’s tone was firm. “I cannot allow you to endanger yourself this way. And I know Will will feel the same way when he hears of it.”
“It is kind of you to be concerned about my welfare, Flynn, but I’m capable of deciding this for myself. I’m only discussing this with you all because I want you to understand why it means so much to me.”
Cam hid a smile at this appearance of her stubborn, independent streak. There was a lot to admire in her spirit if not in the plan itself.
“Nora, be reasonable,” Maeve pleaded. “Your heart is in the right place, but if you won’t think of yourself, think of Grace and Agnes and James.”
“Mollie wouldn’t hurt us,” Nora insisted. “She’s not violent. And if she steals from us or runs away, then we will survive just fine.”
Flynn softened his tone. “You want to believe everyone is as well-intentioned as you and your sisters are, but the truth is that there are bad people in this world. And until I’m convinced that she is as harmless as you believe, I can’t allow you to put yourself or Grace in danger.” He gave Maeve’s hand a squeeze, as if to reassure himself that she was safe, as well.
Cam’s jaw tightened. Flynn had a brother’s right to look out for Nora, and while he didn’t out and out mention his partial ownership of the cottage, Cam knew Nora was aware of her brother-in-law’s ability to enforce his will in this matter.
He couldn’t bear the hurt, defeated look in her expression, especially not after all she’d gone through the past few days. “What if she had protection here?” he asked impulsively.
Flynn frowned. “Are you talking about giving Nora a weapon? I don’t think—”
“No, not a weapon.” How could Flynn think he would do something so reckless? “A person.”
Flynn studied him suspiciously. Cam couldn’t blame him. “What did you have in mind?” the doctor asked.
“As lawmen, Ben, Gavin and I all have a responsibility to provide protection to the citizens of Faith Glen, including this group here. In that role, we could take turns staying here at night, acting as prison guards.” Not that he intended to let Gavin and Ben take very many “turns.” “Sleeping in the parlor, of course,” he added quickly.
Flynn frowned thoughtfully. “That seems to be a possible compromise. But I’m still not certain this is the right thing to do.”
Nora crossed her arms. “I am.”
Maeve placed a hand on Flynn’s arm and a look passed between them. Finally Flynn turned back to Nora. “Let us agree to this much at least. We’ll make no decision until Will and Bridget return and we can get their input.”
Nora jumped on the suggestion, obviously relieved that the door hadn’t been shut completely. “Agreed.”
“Bridget offered us rooms in her home.” Maeve was obviously ready for a change of topic. “We plan to stay there at least until they return. Longer if you need us to.”
Cam still had one more issue he wanted to nail down. “In the meantime, supposing you got your way in this, where exactly would you have Mollie sleep?”
“She could take Bridget’s old room,” Nora answered, “the one upstairs across from mine.”
Cam stood and turned to Flynn. “I think the two of us should have a l
ook and see what would be required to make it secure.”
“All right. At the minimum we’ll want to be able to lock it from the outside.”
Cam noticed Nora open her mouth to protest, but then she clamped it shut again. At least she was learning to pick her battles.
* * *
Nora watched Cam and Flynn leave the room together and felt some of the tension ease from her body. Cam’s last-minute change of heart toward her plan had been both welcome and unexpected. Did he finally believe in what she was trying to do? In her?
She knew Flynn was only looking out for her, but she hated that he had such control over what she did. The sooner she could buy her sisters’ shares of the cottage, the happier she would be.
“Don’t blame Flynn.” Maeve placed a hand over hers on the table. “He only wants what’s best for you and Grace. We both do.”
“I know. But you understand why I want to do this, don’t you?”
“I understand that you have a good heart and that you always try to take care of those who have no one else.”
Nora smiled at her sister’s exaggerated praise, and her avoidance of a direct answer. “I keep thinking about what might have happened to us if we hadn’t had this place to come to. Mollie didn’t have that chance.”
“I know. And I agree that she had a rough time of it.” Maeve’s expression grew solemn. “But you need to see the other side of this, as well. She wasn’t in our situation, not really. It sounds like she had a good home and a grandmother to watch over her at one time. Even if the woman didn’t treat her well she provided for her. And Mollie threw that away to run off with a not-so-nice boy who made shiny promises she couldn’t resist.”
Nora was surprised by Maeve’s rather straightforward assessment. When had her baby sister developed such a mature outlook? “I’m not blind to her weaknesses,” she explained. “Mollie looks for the easy way out of her troubles, she doesn’t take responsibility for her choices and she doesn’t realize what havoc her actions cause. But she wants what’s best for Grace and she has now seen how difficult life can be. I think she’s ready to learn a better way and she deserves a chance to do so. So yes, I know she’s not without her faults, but neither is she a villain.”
Maeve gave her a hug. “Then that’s good enough for me. I’ll support you in any way I can.” She released Nora. “Now, let’s talk about how we’re going to convince the others.”
Chapter Eighteen
The next morning, Nora walked into the sheriff’s office, pushing the baby buggy before her.
Cam frowned. “I told you not to worry about coming in today.”
She glanced toward the cell, nodding a greeting Mollie’s way, then turned back to Cam. “I know. But I’m ready to get back into my regular routine.”
He studied her closely. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”
He smiled. “To the point as always. In that case, welcome back. We’ll all be glad to have something besides our own cooking to eat.”
Cam walked over to the stroller and had a look at Grace. “How’s ladybug doing this morning?”
Nora smiled. “She’s doing fine. And if you’ll keep an eye on her for me I’ll get breakfast started.”
He grinned down at the infant. “I think you and I have the better part of that deal,” he told Grace.
Nora’s heart swelled with happiness as she went into the jailhouse kitchen. Cam had come a long way from not wanting anything to do with Grace. Was he finally beginning to understand that he was not his father?
Humming, she grabbed a bowl from the shelf and pulled eggs from her basket. Behind her she heard Gavin come in.
“Miss Nora’s here!”
She smiled at the obvious pleasure in his voice. “Good morning, Gavin,” she called over her shoulder. “Is this a two- or three-egg morning?”
“Three please.” He stepped into the doorway. “It sure is good to have you and Grace back.”
“Thank you. I’m happy to be back.” And she most definitely was.
“Did you bring any of those big fluffy biscuits with you?”
She laughed. The hopeful question made it quite clear just what Gavin was most happy about. “I certainly did. And I brought along some plum jelly to go with them.”
The sound of Ben entering and talking to Grace completed her feeling of things returning to the way they should be. These three very different men were part of her family now.
A few minutes later, Cam took Gavin’s place in the doorway. “Smells good.”
She smiled over her shoulder. “I’ll be ready to serve in just a minute.” Did he feel that same little tug of anticipation when they were together, that extra little tingle of awareness?
“Anything I can do to help?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Thanks, but there’s no need. I’m almost finished.”
He didn’t move away but rather crossed his arms and stared at her with his smoky blue eyes. “I saw Flynn over at his building site when I made my rounds yesterday evening. The house looks like it’ll be finished soon.”
“It’ll be good to have him and Maeve here permanently.” Why did the room always feel so much smaller, more intimate, when Cam was in here with her? She wouldn’t let herself wonder if he felt the same way. No, he’d made his lack of interest in her beyond friendship perfectly clear.
She lowered her voice. “Did you say anything to Mollie about my plan to help her?”
“Not yet. I thought we’d wait until Will and Bridget returned home and a definite decision was made.”
Nora nodded. “That’s probably best.” She arranged five plates of food on a large wooden tray, then selected five cups from a nearby shelf. “Do you know if she prefers tea or coffee?”
“Tea.”
Pleased that he’d taken the time to find that out, Nora prepared enough tea for two cups while she poured up three cups of coffee for the men.
She met his gaze, trying not to be distracted by the way he was looking at her. “I think it would be safe to let Mollie eat with us, don’t you agree? I mean, it’s not like she can escape with all three of you here keeping an eye on her.”
Cam rolled his eyes, then nodded. “But only while she’s eating. Then it’s back inside the cell she goes.”
“Of course. You’re in charge.”
And she wouldn’t have it any other way.
* * *
Cam wandered out of the kitchen and moved to his desk. He had found himself on edge around Nora ever since Grace had been taken. At first he’d put it down to the tension that had permeated that whole situation. It was only natural, after all, that the heartbreak she’d been going through would touch him—it would have touched any man with half a heart. And the fact that she’d turned to him for comfort had only made it that much more intense.
But he was no longer sure that was the whole story.
Because he was ready to concede that she’d gotten under his skin way before that terrible incident, he just hadn’t wanted to admit it before now.
The thing was, what did he plan to do about it?
She knew the whole ugly business about his father and it hadn’t seemed to change her opinion of him. That was a testament to her own goodness. After all, if she was willing to forgive Mollie who’d wronged her so terribly, why wouldn’t she have sympathy for someone who’d gone through what he had?
What she didn’t know about, though, was his darkest secret. The one that triggered his nightmares. The one that kept him from ever pursuing the future he longed for. The one that no one, not even Ben, could ever know about.
So he had his answer. What did he intend to do about it?
Not a single thing.
* * *
Nora got word midafternoon that Bridget and her family were back home. It was Cam who gave her the news and he insisted Nora immediately take Grace and go reassure her sister that everything was okay.
And Nora, in turn, insisted t
hat he accompany her.
By the time they arrived at Bridget and Will’s home, Nora could tell that Maeve and Flynn had updated them on most of what had happened.
Bridget ran to greet Nora, hugging both her and Grace as if afraid they would suddenly disappear if she let go.
When they all finally took their seats in Bridget’s parlor, Nora looked around and suddenly felt as if she was on trial.
“Maeve and Flynn told us what you’re wanting to do,” Bridget said. “And we’ve all been discussing it at great length.”
Nora couldn’t discern from Bridget’s expression how she felt about it.
“We think your motives are admirable,” her sister continued, “especially given what you’ve been through.”
Nora sensed a “but” coming.
“But we’re concerned that your trust may be misplaced,” Maeve said, right on cue. “However, we also know how much this means to you and how determined you can be to follow through on your plans to help someone.”
Did this mean she would have their blessing?
“Cam’s offer to volunteer his and his deputies’ protection for your household seems like a good compromise,” Flynn conceded. “But we have a few stipulations.”
Stipulations? Nora braced herself. “And those are?”
“I had an idea yesterday while I was inspecting the construction on our home,” Flynn explained. “We could add a structure to your cottage, a simple, single room on the back that was connected to the cottage but that had a separate entrance. It would allow Cam or one of his deputies to stay there as a guard in relative comfort and close proximity, without giving anyone cause for censure.”
Nora wrinkled her nose. “Add a room? But doesn’t that seem a bit extreme?”
“Not at all.” Flynn tugged on one of his cuffs. “In fact, the men I have working on our home can take care of something simple like that in one, maybe two days.”
Will leaned forward. “And since Flynn plans to take care of having the room built, I will see that it’s furnished properly.”
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