“She does? How?”
“Magdalena Allen arrived today, too. I offered to help with her baggage and Mary asked why I was at the train station.”
Lee whistled.
Lance gave him a sideways glance. “What was that supposed to mean?”
“Come on, Lance—the sparks that flew between you and Magdalena at Sully and Claire’s wedding were obvious to everyone—except you and Magdalena.”
“Pot calling the kettle black?” Lance asked.
Lee scowled. “I—the situation with Mary is complicated.”
Lance chucked. “Okay, fair enough. So you’re aware of the dance that takes place between the two of you.”
“She’s still grieving her husband,” Lee observed.
“She was, Lee.” Lance paused as they reached the front porch of his house and office. Lee looked at him curiously. “Don’t get me wrong, I know Mary misses her husband and I know she loved him, but I think what’s causing her angst at this point is her feelings for you, and her guilt over that.”
Lee’s brow furrowed. “I have to admit I’ve thought of nothing but Mary since Sully and Claire’s wedding. She was so beautiful..."
“Is that why you’re here? You have two weeks off before beginning a new intensive at the university for a potentially history-making course, and you decide to spend it here in Bareglen? I know it’s not because you missed me.”
Lee chuckled. “There are a handful of people on this earth that I enjoy spending time with Lance, and you’re one of them,” he confirmed, then paused. “What about you? How long will Magdalena be here, and how do you feel about her being here?”
Lance huffed. “She’ll be helping at the orphanage for three months. Teaching,” he clarified, and then added, “she’s an enigma.” His voice trailed.
“She’s been hurt.”
“Why do you say that?” Lance’s eyes locked onto Lee’s.
“She has all the telltale signs. She’s defensive, closed… “
“She intrigues you,” Lance cocked his head at his friend.
“She’s a puzzle.” Lee corrected. “The more I explore the intricacies of human behavior and the human mind, the more intrigued I become with creating a benchmark—or consistent methodology for diagnosing and accurately defining underlying behavior patterns.”
“She intrigues you,” Lance stated again.
Lee laughed. “She does.” He paused, waiting for Lance to open the door to his house before continuing. “Magdalena has been hurt, Lance. I’m not sure by what, or who, but she’s hiding something behind her independence and refusal to let anyone get close to her. It’s going to take some time to get beyond that—to gain her trust.”
“I never thought I’d admit this, Lee, but I think you could be right. I’ll be patient. As patient as I need to be because there’s something about that woman that makes me feel like—like she’s meant for me.”
SEVEN
“Hey sleeping beauty,” Mary smiled as Magdalena entered the kitchen.
“I’m sorry I fell asleep, Mary. Tell me what I can do to help.”
“There’s no need to apologize, Magdalena. We’ve all made that trip from Philadelphia to Bareglen Creek, and it’s exhausting even under the best of circumstances. I’m glad you could get some rest—you looked like you needed it.”
“Yes,” Magdalena chuckled, “I’m starting to feel human again. Where’s Jim?”
“Just finishing a few chores, and then he’ll be in for dinner.”
“It’s good you have him here to help.”
Mary sighed and looked at her hands. “Yes, it is good and I appreciate him, but he can’t put his life on hold simply because I lost Mike.”
“Mary,” Magdalena moved closer to Mary and took her hands in hers, “Jim loves being here. I overheard him at Claire and Sully’s wedding telling your parents that Bareglen Creek is beginning to feel like home to him.”
"Wow, I’ll bet that went over big.”
Magdalena chucked and raised an eyebrow. “Yes, well, your mother wasn’t happy to hear it, but your father seems to think Jim can manage business interests for him here.”
“How do you know all this?” Mary asked incredulously. “Why hasn’t Jim said anything about this to me?”
“Well, let’s see. I’m Claire—your sister’s—best friend, and it seems she overheard your father and Sully talking the other day. I think your father realizes that Philadelphia may not be the right location for all of his children, long-term, despite the fact that your mother will probably never give up that hope.”
Mary smiled. “My mother is nothing if not tenacious, but I know she loves us.”
“She does,” Magdalena agreed.
“Who loves who?” Jim asked as he walked through the front door. “Magdalena!”
Magdalena rushed to Jim’s side to give him a hug. He picked her up and whirled her around, only setting her on the floor when she squealed.
“Welcome to Bareglen Creek, it’s good to have you here.”
“It’s great to finally be here, Jim. How have you been? You’re recovering?”
“Nope. I’m fully recovered with an official sign off from Doc Holloway,” he confirmed with pride.
Mary chuckled at the grimace on Magdalena’s face at the mention of the handsome Doctor Lance Holloway, but knew better than to comment. “Jim, why don’t you get cleaned up, and then we’ll have dinner.”
“Thank God, I’m starving.”
Mary rolled her eyes. “You’re abused, you are.” She shook her head.
“What can I do?” Magdalena asked.
“Dinner is almost ready. If you want to set that table that would be great.”
Magdalena moved toward the shelves holding the plates. “Jim looks good. I have to say it feels good to be in Bareglen Creek—I’ve heard so much about it.”
“It’s a wonderful place, Magdalena, and completely different from Philadelphia. It’s obviously much smaller, but the people are good sorts. The orphanage where you’ll be working is run like a tight ship by the Sisters—and the children will be lucky to have you.”
“Claire told me that you volunteer there, too?”
“I do when I can. It’s hard to find the time with all the responsibilities of the farm—,” Mary paused. “But I love working with the children. It’s difficult in some ways, but the sisters do everything they can to ensure the children’s needs are met and that they are loved.”
“Raphael seems like a great kid.”
Raphael is a pill,” Mary agreed, “and eager to learn, and help. We don’t know everything about what he endured before he came here, but Doc Holloway said there were signs of abuse.”
“Oh no!” Magdalena exclaimed. “That’s horrible. Is there anything I should be aware of when I work with him?”
“No. He won’t want you to treat him differently from the others.” She paused. “Doc Holloway volunteers there, too.” She added, watching Magdalena’s response.
“Really? That’s nice.”
Mary smiled. “He’s a good man, Magdalena.”
“That has nothing to do with me.” She quipped with eyebrows raised at Mary as she turned toward her, then added, as she bit her lower lip, “He’s awfully intense.”
“He’s all that, for sure. The words annoying and demanding also come to mind,” Mary’s eyes narrowed.
Magdalena snorted. “I suppose it’s not easy being a doctor in the Wild West. My father has access to the best and latest science and medicines in Philadelphia. I remember hearing Lance—Doctor Holloway—” she corrected, “telling my father at Claire’s wedding that waiting for medicines and medical equipment has been one of the most difficult challenges for him.”
“Speaking of challenges,” Magdalena added with a pointed look at Mary, “did I hear Doctor Holloway say that Lee Jamison is here?”
The red in Mary’s cheeks deepened. “Yes, he said he’s visiting for a few weeks.”
“Hm.” Magdalena grinned,
adding the final plate to the table.
EIGHT
“You must be Miss Allen?” Sister Theresa stood behind her desk and pointed for Magdalena to sit in the chair across from her.
“Yes, Sister Theresa, it’s a pleasure to meet you and an honor to be here.”
Magdalena sat quietly while the Sister’s nearly black eyes locked with hers.
“We’re glad to have you here,” Sister Theresa added after a long moment.
Magdalena smiled.
“We’ve managed to set up some semblance of a one-room schoolhouse, Miss Allen. It’s not going to be what you’re accustomed to—but we’ve done the best we can. You’ll have a wide range of ages to teach, and approximately thirty children in all, starting at age eight.”
Magdalena’s eyes widened.
“Is that a problem?” The Sister challenged, her face stern.
“No, not at all, Sister Theresa.”
“Have you taught in a setting like this before?”
“Not in an orphanage—no—but I shadowed a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse and I’m comfortable with the dynamics and challenges.”
“Good. Unless you have questions for me, we can begin with a tour.”
“That sounds good. I may have more questions after the tour,” Magdalena confirmed as she followed the sister out of her office.
As they left the main building, Magdalena heard, “Miss Allen! Miss Allen!” Turning in the direction of the young voice, she saw Raphael racing toward her at top speed.
“Raphael!” She greeted him with a smile and an “oomph” as he slammed into her body for a hug. She took two steps back, laughing.
“Raphael,” Sister Theresa scolded. “You nearly knocked Miss Allen over. Please apologize to her.”
He hung his head. “Yes, Sister Theresa.” He looked up at Miss Allen’s smiling face, and the worry lines in his disappeared. “I’m sorry, Miss Allen!” His dark eyes sparkled into hers. “It’s wonderful to have you here and I cannot wait for Monday!” Then he raced off toward a small group of boys beyond the main orphanage building.
Magdalena chuckled. “He’s quite something, that one. Mary told me he only has one speed, that one.”
The sister’s stern look softened for the first time since Magdalena had met her. “He is a very special boy—with a lot of enthusiasm despite all he has been through.” Her demeanor changed. “Follow me to the schoolroom.”
Sister Theresa’s robe billowed around her legs in the wind, and she reached up to hold her habit in place. It was black, like her robe, with a white lining.
Magdalena followed her toward a small, whitewashed building, noticing that the buildings behind them, of which there were three, were generally in good condition. They each had a wooden crucifix over the main entry door, and the largest building sat off to their left.
Several children were outside playing in a small group with the supervision of two additional Sisters.
“How many Sisters are at the orphanage full-time?”
“There are three of us full-time, and the order sends additional sisters as needed for training and support.”
“There are no men?” Magdalena hesitated. “Have you had any problems?”
“We have been very fortunate. We trust God to protect us, and the town’s people and sheriff are very involved with the orphanage. Whenever there is trouble or danger nearby, the sheriff always sends a deputy to stay with us until the danger has passed.
Magdalena released a breath she didn’t even realize she was holding. She had a lot to learn about life in Texas. Her mind briefly shifted to Claire’s story of the bandits who shot and nearly killed her brother Jim, and even Sheriff Sully had been kidnapped and injured.
She shivered. There was crime and danger in Philadelphia where she was from, but it felt different here. Maybe it was her imagination, or the stories she’d heard from Claire, but she felt a level of unpredictability and lawlessness in the air.
She appreciated the wide open space and fresh air, but she couldn’t shake the sense of unease as she glanced at the hills surrounding the orphanage.
NINE
It was day three at the orphanage, and Magdalena was beginning to feel like she was getting a handle on managing the various ages and learning levels of the children at the orphanage.
At the end of day one, she’d felt like she’d been stampeded upon by a group of longhorns, like Colossal, the one Mary had in her corral at the farm.
At the end of day two, she’d just been completely exhausted, but not quite at the stampede level.
Now it was day three, and although tired, she felt a sense of accomplishment as she excused the children for the day.
Raphael often hung around, offering to help her straighten the classroom, but today she’d sent him off with the other children.
Texas was hot, and she brushed a plastered piece of hair away from her face and took a deep breath, pulling the collar of her dress away from her sticky neck, grabbing a book to use as a fan. She paused, enjoying the sensation of the air moving across her skin from her fan, and walked to her desk to take a long drink of water.
It was then that she felt the prickling sensation that someone was watching her, and assumed it was Raphael. She turned.
“Ra—,” she froze.
“Miss Allen,” Doctor Holloway cocked his head in her direction. He was leaning against the doorjamb, his athletic body filling the entire space, his steel-blue eyes watching her, entirely too handsome for his own good—or hers.
The intensity of his gaze sucked the air from her lungs, and her hand moved to her stomach to quell the butterflies taking residence there.
His eyes followed her hand to her stomach and then worked their way back up to her face.
She felt her flushed face growing redder by the second and then bristled as his mouth turned up ever so slightly at the corners. Her eyes narrowed. He’s enjoying my discomfort! She forced herself to move behind her desk and took a seat.
“Doctor Holloway, what brings you to the schoolroom today?”
He smiled, but then sobered. “Two of the youngest are sick and Sister Theresa called for me.”
“Are they all right?”
“Yes. It appears to be a stomach bug. It will probably spread amongst the children,” he gave her a pointed look, “but I’ve instructed them on the best ways to try to contain it at this point.”
“I’ll keep an eye out for it. Is that all?” She asked with an eyebrow raised, feeling only slightly guilty at her abrupt attempt to dismiss him.
He edged away from the door and moved toward her, rather than away, not stopping until he reached her desk, and sat on the edge of it. “How are you?”
She gulped as her nerves pulled tight. Her heart thumped madly at his proximity, and she debated moving away from the desk but knew that would only serve to make her look like she was impacted by him. Which she wasn’t.
“I’m fine, and you?” Her stomach flipped at his scrutiny.
“Make sure you stay hydrated,” he advised. “Philadelphia is hot in the summer, but Texas takes heat to a whole new level.” He studied her. Long seconds passed.
She drew a deep breath, then stood, moving away from her desk. She felt his eyes follow her as she gathered materials to review for her classes tomorrow.
“Class is dismissed, doctor,” she turned and her gaze locked on his. “Thank you for your concern about the children. I’m sure Sister Theresa will be in touch if further cases develop. Have a good evening and please close the door behind you.” She swept through the door, leaving it ajar, and moved across the yard toward Sister Theresa’s office, stiffening her spine at the soft chuckle she heard as she breezed through the door.
TEN
Magdalena hadn’t noticed him yet. She was flushed and fanning herself with a book, then she walked toward her desk, reaching for a glass of water, taking a long drink. The action accentuated her graceful, beautiful neck. She was tall, standing at 5’8”, and slender.
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Suddenly she froze in place, then turned toward him. She wore a blue dress, cinched tight at her narrow waist. Her thick, honey-brown hair was pulled up in a tight bun with wisps framing her face, a few sticking to her neck. Her nose was straight, petite and charming, and her lips full and rosy—rosy like her cheeks.
Her eyes opened wide with surprise when they met his and she immediately moved her hand to her stomach.
He didn’t try to hide his scrutiny, and for the first time, he felt like he’d caught her without her guard up.
Her flushed face grew redder, and he noticed the pulse beating fast at the valley of her throat. Her eyes narrowed, and then her guard came up.
He fought to keep his hands casually at his sides, when what he really wanted to do was move to her side and brush the hair plastered to her neck gently away, and cup her face—drink her in. His reaction surprised him, but he’d learned long ago during hospital rotations to keep his thoughts and feelings out of his face—unreadable.
“Doctor Holloway, what brings you to the classroom today?” She asked.
He smiled at her. “Two of the youngest are sick and Sister Theresa called for me.” He found himself wanting to protect her from it, but the truth was, it would likely make its way through the entire orphanage. She was tired—it would make her more susceptible.
Her eyes immediately reflected concern. “Are they all right?” She asked.
“Yes. It appears to be a stomach bug. It will probably spread amongst the children,” he gave her a pointed look, trying to mask his concern for her, “but I’ve instructed them on the best ways to try to contain it at this point.”
CHARMED Boxed Set 1, Hero Hearts Historical: Inspirational Western Romance Page 14
