Midnight Kiss (Moonlight Romance)

by Haley Whitehall

He nodded to her and walked out of the room, softly shutting the door behind him.

  She sipped the tea thinking about Mr. Seever. The man was risking his job by letting her aboard the steamboat. Why? He figured she was running from something but had not asked for any details.

  Should she confide in him?

  No. She needed to get as far away from him as possible. She didn’t want to be at risk of repeating her mistake. Mrs. Bowden had caught her husband kissing her. She wouldn’t stand for her husband to take a mistress and had made that very clear to him and to her. A few days after that she’d been sold.

  If Mr. Bowden had really been in love with her as he had claimed he wouldn’t have discarded her like a toy. That’s all she had been to him though. A toy.

  As soon as she got to St. Louis, Mr. Seever and she would go their separate ways.

  Chapter 4

  The Queen Bee docked in St. Louis. Matt finished his duties and then reported to the captain’s office for a parting handshake and to collect his pay. He walked past his room on the way back. He had not seen April on the docks. Could she still be hiding in his room?

  He pushed the door open and saw April standing with her gunnysack of belongings, trembling. She looked so young, so scared, so vulnerable. He wrapped his arms around her and the tears lingering in her eyes wetted his shoulder. “It is all right, April,” he said into her hair. “You can go ashore now.”

  “I-I don’t know where to go.”

  Both of his eyebrows shot up. “I had figured you were coming to St. Louis for a reason.”

  “Oh, yes. I came here for work.”

  “Good. Do you need directions to your employer’s? I know the town quite well.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t have an employer,” she said, spacing her words out wide enough for a train to chug through. “I don’t have a job.” She cried, sobbing into his shoulder again.

  She didn’t have a job? Why hadn’t she confided in him before now? Of course, he’d stayed out of his room as much as possible keeping distance between them for his own sanity.

  Matt stiffened. He raised his hand wondering if he should comfort her more. It tore at him seeing her so upset. Finally, he gave in and rubbed gentle circles on her back. “Shh. Don’t worry, April. I know somewhere you can stay.”

  With me.

  He bit back that suggestion. Likely that would only frighten her away. She’d probably seen the way he looked at her. Despite wanting to hide it, he didn’t keep his attraction much of a secret.

  “Where?” she asked in a small voice.

  “There is a midwife in town—Mrs. Brown. She doesn’t mind having women stay with her for a few days.”

  April took a step back and dried her tears on the back of her sleeve. “Oh. That sounds nice. Thank you, sir.”

  He nodded. “So what kind of work are you looking for? I might be able to help.”

  “I’ve worked as a housekeeper and nanny.” April glanced away and worried the front of her dress.

  Nanny? This wasn’t just luck, this was providence. His heart soared along with his body temperature. Damn it. Should he offer her the job now?

  No, one night ashore with his children would help prepare them for all the changes to come. “I’m sure you’ll be able to find employment. Housekeepers and nannies seem to always be in high demand.”

  She gave a slight nod, uncertain.

  “A good night’s sleep will help you feel better and improve your outlook.” He debated whether to offer his arm, but she might get the wrong idea. Instead he held the door open for her. “I’ll show you the way to Mrs. Brown’s and introduce you.”

  She walked a step behind him, a death grip on her gunnysack of belongings. He itched to take the bag out of her hands and carry it for her. He struggled to act uninterested and unconcerned. Mrs. Brown would take good care of her. But he wanted to be the one to see to her needs. Perhaps he could discuss his plan with Mrs. Brown. If the old woman thought it was a good idea they’d put it into action and he’d see if it worked.

  * * * *

  Matt led April past all the shacks along the waterfront and into town. The walk ended far sooner than he would have liked because Mrs. Brown lived on the outskirts of town. “This is Mrs. Brown’s house,” he said, stepping up to the porch and knocking on the door.

  April fidgeted on the step below him. She looked younger than her years, her nerves clearly devouring her from the inside out.

  “Mrs. Brown will be happy to have company, I promise.”

  She didn’t even crack a smile.

  He rubbed the stubble sprouting on his chin. Mrs. Brown had brought Allison around. She could help April, too.

  Finally, the midwife answered the door. “It is nice to see you again, Mr. Seever.” She looked past his shoulder to April. “I see you brought someone with you.”

  “Yes, ma’am. This is April. She just arrived in St. Louis and is looking for a place to stay the night.”

  “If it wouldn’t be any trouble, ma’am,” April put in, her voice wavering.

  “My dear, didn’t Mr. Seever tell you I stay here all alone? I have plenty of room. Come in, come in, both of you.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t stay,” Matt said. “I need to get home. Another time.”

  Both Mrs. Brown and April looked disappointed. He nearly gave in wanting to make both of the women happy, but his children had been waiting a long time to see him.

  “Mrs. Brown may I talk with you a moment?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Of course. Make yourself comfortable, April. I will be right back.”

  Matt stepped outside and Mrs. Brown joined them. “Is something wrong, sir?”

  “Not exactly.” Matt shifted his weight. “I’m just in an awkward position. April was a stowaway I found on the Queen Bee. She said she was looking for a job as a housekeeper or nanny.”

  Mrs. Brown’s mouth formed a circle. “Oh, that’s perfect for you.”

  “Yes, I know, but I’m afraid if I asked her to work for me she’d turn me down.” He paused trying to think of what to say next. “She’s not as skittish as Allison was, but she’s uncertain. I haven’t asked her many questions…she’ll be more comfortable opening up to you.”

  “I can try. Do you think she’s running away from something?”

  “Yes. But I don’t know what.”

  Mrs. Brown pressed her lips together and did not respond.

  “So I was thinking,” Matt said to break the silence, “maybe you could talk to her about working for me. I’m hoping if it wasn’t my idea she’d be more receptive.”

  “I can do that, sir.”

  “Good. Feel free to come with April tomorrow. I know Seth and Hannah would love to see you.”

  Mrs. Brown smiled, the wrinkles around her eyes deepening. “I’d love to see them, too.”

  “I hope they haven’t been too hard on you.”

  “No, they really are sweet younguns. They just need a woman’s direction.”

  Matt looked out into the busy street at the people walking by and the wagons heading down to the docks. “I know.”

  Having April around would help them, even if she never agreed to a relationship with him. It would be torture to keep his hands to himself, but he’d endure the misery for the sake of his children.

  *

  April had feigned being tired from her travel so she didn’t have to talk much more with Mrs. Brown the night before. Morning light brightening the room, she dreaded their next conversation. Standing in her corset in front of the small mirror in her room, she debated what to wear. She didn’t have much to choose from, and finally decided on the sky blue dress. She dressed and stepped into the hallway. The smell of fresh bread and brewing coffee drew her to the table.

  “How did you sleep, dear?” Mrs. Brown asked.

  “Quite well, thank you.”

  Mrs. Brown smiled, and motioned to the chairs. “Oh good. Take any seat you’d like. It is just the two of us.”

 
The rectangular rough-hewn table seemed large for a single woman. She must entertain a lot of guests. A plate with a fried egg set in front of two of the chairs. April pulled back one of the chairs in front of a place setting and sat. Mrs. Brown cut her a thick piece of bread, slathered it with butter, and passed it to her.

  “You have a lovely home, Mrs. Brown,” April said.

  “Thank you. My husband and I built it.”

  “Is your husband—?”

  “He passed away several years ago.”

  “Oh. Sorry to hear that.” April took a bite of her bread before she said something else unpleasant.

  Mrs. Brown frowned for a moment before light returned to her eyes. “My children are all scattered around the South. All sold from me years ago. To help fill the emptiness in my life I help out anyone I can.”

  April swallowed the bread she had chewed too long. “Like me?” she asked before washing down the bite with some coffee.

  “Yes, my dear. People like you. Lots of folks pass through St. Louis without any kin or place to go.”

  “Colored folks you mean.”

  Mrs. Brown tipped her head to the side and her lips quirked. “Mostly, but not all. A few white people like Mr. Seever do not see themselves above asking me for help.”

  What had Mr. Seever asked her to help him with? It was a nosy question so April didn’t ask.

  Mrs. Brown picked up her cup of coffee and took a drink, looking at her over the rim. “So how can I help you?”

  “I’m looking for a job, ma’am.”

  Mrs. Brown bobbed her head. “And what kind of job?”

  “Housekeeper, nanny, maid. I’m a decent cook, too.” I don’t really want to be a nanny.

  “That’s wonderful, April. I already have a couple ideas in mind.” She paused and took a bite of bread. “Do you like children?”

  What kind of question was that? She’d been a nanny for many years. “Yes, ma’am. I guess most women got the mothering instinct. I’ve taken care of many babies and young children.”

  “Good, good.”

  April sat up straighter in the chair, her stomach coiling. She got the funny feeling this was a job interview.

  “Do you like, Mr. Seever?”

  April’s mouth gaped and her heart gave a resounding thud. “Excuse me?”

  Mrs. Brown laughed. “Oh no, not like that. I was just wondering if you got along with him. Felt comfortable with him.”

  April’s ears burned and she felt the heat spread into her cheeks and down her neck. She felt too comfortable with him. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Mr. Seever has two young children. A boy and a girl.”

  Her breath hitched. She could already see the gears in Mrs. Brown’s mind turning. “He never mentioned it, ma’am.”

  “That was out of their privacy, I’m sure. None of the crew of the Queen Bee knows he has children.”

  “Oh.” So he wasn’t intentionally keeping information from her, or was he? He could have mentioned it last night when he dropped her off at Mrs. Brown’s. He’d seemed in a hurry to leave. Instead of trying to run away from her, maybe he was in a hurry to see his children. That she could understand.

  Why keep his children a secret though? That was odd. “So he’s not married?”

  “No. His wife died right after the war. That is why he needs a nanny. The woman who has been looking after his son and daughter is with child and it has become very difficult on her. I am sure she would be relieved if you could take care of the children.”

  “Just until she has the baby?” I might be able to do the job for a few months.

  “Are you planning on moving on?”

  April glanced at her coffee. “I don’t know. I guess I imagined she’d want her job back.”

  “Perhaps. It would be a job for you at least for now.”

  “Yes, I know. How old are the children?”

  “Hannah is six and Seth just turned eight.”

  April’s heart twisted in her chest. Billy was eight when he died. “I don’t know,” she said, her voice cracking. “I much prefer to look after babies.” They didn’t run off and minded better.

  “Babies grow up, my dear,” Mrs. Brown said. “You can’t just leave a house and look for another job when the baby is a few years old.”

  Yes I can. And I have.

  “Mr. Seever is in desperate need of a nanny. Could you work for him until he finds a permanent replacement? Allison adores those children, but taking care of them could cause her to lose her baby.”

  April clenched her teeth. If she refused this job and Allison lost her baby in a way she’d be responsible for another death. If she agreed to be Mr. Seever’s nanny she’d be responsible for both of his children…

  This decision didn’t come with an easy answer. She looked up and saw the silent plea in Mrs. Brown’s eyes.

  “Well what do you think, dear?” she asked softly.

  “I suppose I could go talk to him about temporarily taking care of his children.”

  Mrs. Brown exhaled and looked visibly relieved. “I was hoping you’d agree. The pregnancy has been hard on Allison. She’ll appreciate your help with Seth and Hannah.”

  Mrs. Brown tried her best to put her at ease, but the old woman’s small talk went in one ear and out the other. She couldn’t focus on the conversation. Her mind kept drifting back to Mr. Seever and the two children who would be in her care. I’ll be responsible for them. Her chest tightened and her palms grew sweaty. She rubbed her tongue against her teeth.

  She should say no. But she desperately needed a job. Mr. Seever was a kind man. If she took a different job she wouldn’t have previous knowledge of her employer. And her track record for finding decent people to work for was poor.

  She sighed and resigned herself to being Mr. Seever’s new nanny.

  After washing the dishes, April returned to her bedroom, brushed and fixed her hair. She wanted to look presentable for him. Her heart fluttered and she tried to shake away the feeling. She needed to look presentable for the job. Nothing else.

  She put on her bonnet and tied it tightly under her chin. “I’m ready,” April said, walking into the parlor with her gunnysack of belongings.

  Mrs. Brown put on her coat. “I’ll get to show you more of the town,” she said, stepping outside.

  “That will be nice,” April replied to be polite. Really she didn’t care about the town. They were all the same. No one gave a second thought to a colored woman, letting her go for the slightest offense because there were so many women trying to get jobs.

  How long would she last with Mr. Seever? Could she handle a six and eight year old?

  She folded the fingers on her right hand and she dug her nails into her palm. She could still back out.

  “We’re here,” Mrs. Brown announced, motioning to a large two story brick building.

  April glanced around. They were? They hadn’t ventured too far from the waterfront and were still in the outskirts of the city. The building Mrs. Brown indicated did not look like a home, it looked more like a warehouse.

  Mrs. Brown headed up the staircase leading to the door on the second story. April picked up her skirts and took the steps after her. Mrs. Brown knocked.

  “Come in,” a female voice shouted.

  Mrs. Brown opened the door and April timidly followed her. The living space covered the entire second story, but was furnished with only the bare essentials. Mr. Seever and his children lived here?

  Scanning the room, April’s gaze fell on the bed on the left side. A pregnant colored woman lay on top of the sheets. She sat up and Mrs. Brown raised her hand. “Stay there, dear. We’ll come to you.”

  The woman smiled and lay back on the pillow. “You brought a guest.” For being startled from her rest, she didn’t seem the least bit upset.

  “Yes, Allison this is April. April this is Allison. April is new to town and I thought I’d introduce her to a few friends.”

  “I’m glad to meet you, April,” Allison
said. “I’ve lived in St. Louis most of my life. It is a nice place to live.”

  “I’m sure I’ll adjust.”

  Mrs. Brown sat in the chair by the bed and picked up one of Allison’s hands. “How are you feeling?”

  Allison sighed. “Fine. I’ll be happy when the baby is born. George doesn’t want me to move at all.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s even trying to cook.”

  Mrs. Brown laughed. “I think I can make you a few decent meals.”

  “That would a blessing.”

  “And April is willing to watch the children.”

  Allison’s tired smile bloomed into a grin. “Oh thank goodness. They are well behaved children. You shouldn’t have any trouble.”

  April mentally grunted. From her experience children of any age were seldom well behaved. “I’ve worked as a nanny for many years. I’m sure we’ll get along fine.”

  “Where are the children?” Mrs. Brown asked.

  “Downstairs with Mr. Seever. I don’t think they’ve left his side since he got back. You’d have to pry them off with a crowbar.”

  Mrs. Brown shook her head. “I should have known. Well, we will let you rest, dear. Let me know if you need anything.”

  “George will let you know when it is time. I think that’s all I need right now.”

  “I’ve delivered many, many babies,” Mrs. Brown said in an encouraging voice. “You have nothing to worry about.”

  Allison rubbed her stomach. “I’m not worried, anxious, but not worried.”

  Mrs. Brown gave her hand a squeeze and then walked to the door.

  April felt awkward standing there. She needed to say something and finally spoke. “I look forward to seeing you again, Allison.”

  Allison nodded and then closed her eyes. The woman looked in desperate need of a few hours of sleep.

  “Mr. Seever will be grateful to get the children out of his hair for a while,” Mrs. Brown said.

  “I’m sure. So Mr. Seever and the children live here, too?”

  “Heavens no! I thought the children would be with Allison. Mr. Seever works here.”

  “I thought he worked on the Queen Bee.”

  “That, too. Although he’s been saying for a while he’s going to retire from the water.”