Lars didn’t know what the children needed — hugged, comforted, given something to do. His repertoire of skills didn’t include helping children grieve.
Uncertain if they’d eat, he fried eggs along with the last piece of ham and set it on the table. The children soon reappeared, dressed in their Easter clothes, and took their seats. Watching them push the food around on their plates, he wouldn’t force them to eat when he couldn’t seem to swallow his breakfast either.
“Drink your milk and we’ll head into town.” Lars hurriedly washed the few dishes then went outside and led Viking around to the door.
He dressed and settled the hat on his head.
“You two ready?” he asked, stepping inside the cabin. Sadie and Noah nodded their heads and followed him out the door.
Lars lifted Noah up to the front of his saddle, he settled himself on the seat then reached down and swung Sadie up behind him.
“Wrap your arms around me, Sadie, so you don’t fall off.” He felt her nod against his back and scoot a little closer.
The ride to town was quiet. He went straight to Ilsa’s shop. Walking the children around to the back door, he led them inside. Marnie glanced up at him, then at the children, taking in their tear-streaked faces. Immediately dropping to her knees, she opened her arms and both youngsters ran straight into them.
“What’s wrong?”
“Our pa is deaded,” Noah said between sniffles. “Lars said we can’t live in our house no more.”
“Can we stay with you?” Sadie asked, holding tightly to Marnie.
Lars knew Ilsa wouldn’t care if the kids were in the shop, but the question was if Marnie wanted to take on the responsibility of two lively children.
“Of course you’ll stay with me.” Marnie kissed first Sadie’s cheek and then Noah’s. “Have you had breakfast? Are you hungry?”
“Lars made us breakfast, but we didn’t feel like eating. I’m hungry now.” Noah stared at the toe of his shoe as Marnie rose to her feet.
“You two run up those stairs and wash your hands and faces then I’ll see if I can find something for you to eat. Okay?”
“Thanks, Marnie.” Sadie took Noah’s hand and walked sedately up the stairs.
“What happened?” Marnie whispered, grabbing Lars’ hand and squeezing it. The man looked ready to drop. She led him over to the worktable and pushed him down on a stool.
“I found Webster in his barn, shot. He had gangrene and died not long after I arrived. The kids don’t know. I’ll take someone back with me to bury him and pack up their things. I didn’t tell them how he died, just that he was dead.”
“I’m so sorry, Lars. It had to be extremely difficult to tell them.” Suddenly noticing the blood on his sleeve, Marnie tried to peel back the blood-caked fabric on his arm, making him grunt. “Is it a bullet wound?”
“No. Knife. Webster threw it at me. Glad his aim was off or I could have been in trouble.” Lars got to his feet and kissed Marnie’s cheek.
“Would you telephone Aundy and tell her I’ll be heading out to Nash’s Folly later this morning? Seems like the most likely place to store the things the kids might want someday, including the livestock, until we find a permanent home for them.”
Marnie didn’t even hesitate as the words spilled from her lips. “I’ll keep the children. I already love them and they know me. I don’t want them to end up separated or somewhere something bad could happen to them.” Marnie looked hopefully at Lars. “You did the right thing, bringing them to me. Please, let Sadie and Noah stay here.”
“You might change your mind after a week of being crowded into that little apartment.” Lars hadn’t thought that far ahead to realize there wasn’t a lot of room upstairs for two kids to run around.
“We’ll be fine. As soon as things settle down, I’ll enroll them in school. That will help keep them busy and out of trouble.” Marnie kissed his cheek then started up the stairs. “Take care of that arm, Lars. I don’t want anything happening to you.”
Chapter Twenty
“This is the best mattress we have in stock,” Mr. Johnson said, showing Marnie the selection of cot mattresses.
“I’ll take two, please. Do you have ready-made sheeting and pillows?”
“We certainly do. Right over here.” Mr. Johnson led the way with Marnie, Sadie, and Noah following along behind.
After selecting a set of sheets for each bed, along with pillows, Marnie added blankets to her growing pile of purchases. She turned to the ready-made clothing and selected two complete sets of clothes for each child.
When Lars returned to town with the children’s belongings, she sorted through them. Most of their clothes were too threadbare to be anything but rags.
Lars brought their cots, but left the pathetic mattresses and pillows behind. Rapidly making a list of what the children needed, she hurried to Mr. Johnson’s store while Tony helped Lars clear out the storage room in the apartment where the youngsters would sleep.
“Is there anything else I can get for you, Miss Jones?” Mr. Johnson asked, smiling at the two children who had remained subdued and quiet while Marnie was shopping, other than to answer if they liked the clothes she picked out for them.
“We’ll need flour, sugar, a pound of cheese, and half a dozen pickles, please.”
“Certainly. I can have everything delivered to you shortly. Would that be satisfactory?”
“That would be much appreciated, Mr. Johnson. If you can add two pieces of candy to the total, I think that is all we need today.” Marnie opened her reticule and removed money to pay Mr. Johnson.
He grinned and opened the lid on a jar, filling a small paper sack with colorful jellybeans. “I can’t sell you two pieces of candy today, but I’m happy to throw this in.”
“That’s very kind of you, Mr. Johnson. Thank you,” Marnie said, placing a hand to the backs of her two charges.
“Thank you, sir,” Sadie said, offering what was almost a smile.
“Thank you!” Noah’s eyes shone brightly at the prospect of having several pieces of candy to eat.
“You’re most welcome.” Mr. Johnson smiled then gave Marnie the total.
As she counted out the money to pay her bill, the two women who’d been less than kind with their comments entered the store, glaring at her.
“Oh, dear,” Mr. Johnson muttered with a note of dread, handing Sadie the sack with the candy.
“Thank you, again, Mr. Johnson.” Marnie straightened her shoulders and ushered the children toward the door.
The two women blocked her way, arms crossed over their ample bosoms. The more outspoken of the two shook her finger at Marnie. “I can’t believe anyone would leave their children in your care. What is the world coming to?”
“It’s outrageous!” her crony agreed.
“Sadie, Noah, please run along outside and wait on the bench by the door. I’ll be right there.” Marnie smiled at the children when they glanced back at her before going outside. She stepped closer to the women until she stood toe-to-toe with the bossier of the two. “Those children, my life, and my choices are none of your business or concern. I’ve asked for the good Lord’s forgiveness, he’s granted it, and that’s all that truly matters. However, should you or any of your friends decide to continue to verbally assault those two children or me, I will make sure every single person in this town knows both of your men spend their Thursday evenings at Miss Clementine’s place. Good day.”
Marnie marched out the door without a backward glance, grabbed the children’s hands, and ushered them to Ilsa’s shop.
“Are you mad, Marnie?” Noah asked as she closed the back door with more force than necessary.
“I’m fine, Noah, but thank you for asking. You two come upstairs and we’ll make dinner.”
“That’s right, Sadie. Now try this word.” Marnie offered encouragement as Sadie and Noah worked from the same McGuffey’s First Eclectic Reader, since the little girl was sorely behind other students her age.
The two Webster children had been in school for three days and Marnie could already see improvement in their reading skills.
“C-O-W. Cow.”
“Excellent.” Marnie patted her on the back. “What about this one?”
“R-E-D. Red.” Sadie stared at the words a moment then smiled. “The red cow. It says ‘the red cow.’ Just like Lulu.”
“Very good.” Marnie kissed the top of Sadie’s head.
“I miss Lulu,” Noah said, leaning against Marnie’s side.
“Me, too. Can we go visit her soon?” Sadie gave Marnie a pleading look.
“Yes. Aundy and Garrett invited us to come for lunch Saturday. You can see the chickens and Lulu, and play with Nik’s dogs, Sam and Ralph. Aundy even has a pet sheep named Butter.”
“She does?” Noah asked, grinning as he looked at Marnie.
“She most certainly does.” Marnie wrapped her arm around the little boy and pulled him close. “Do you think it’s about time for a snack before bedtime?”
“Yep!” Noah picked up a tin Marnie had filled with molasses cookies earlier and set it on the table. Sadie got out three glasses while Marnie retrieved milk from the refrigerator. She felt fortunate Ilsa had left the furniture and most of the kitchen tools in the apartment when she and Tony moved into their house.
After filling the glasses, Marnie removed the lid on the tin and gave each child two cookies. A loud pounding on the back door drew her attention. She set down the milk and ruffled Noah’s hair. “Don’t gobble them up too fast.”
“We won’t,” Sadie said, taking a bite of her cookie.
Another loud knock sounded as she hurried down the stairs. Marnie flicked on the electric lights, illuminating the workroom, and unlocked the door.
Expecting to see someone standing there, no one greeted her. About to shut the door, a noise at her feet drew her gaze down and she stared at a baby girl in a basket.
“My gracious, little one. What are you doing out here?” Marnie looked around outside but saw no one moving about. Picking up the basket, she carried it inside and set it on the worktable.
The baby began to cry, so Marnie picked her up and tried to soothe her. Dressed in a frilly white gown, the baby looked to be about six months old. With wisps of blond curls poking out from the bonnet on her head, plump cheeks, big blue eyes, and a sweet baby fragrance, the infant appeared to have been well cared for and loved.
She shifted the baby to her hip and pulled an envelope bearing her name from the basket. Opening the flap with her fingernail, she unfolded the sheet of paper and read it, then read it again.
Dear Marnie,
I can no longer provide care for my baby. I know you’ll give her a good home without judging where she came from.
Her name is Sophie Elizabeth, but I call her Sophie. She was born the ninth day of December.
Please take care of her, love her, and give her the chance for a happy life.
Sincerely,
A working girl who loves her little girl
None of her former coworkers had given birth to a baby in the last year. Marnie racked her brain trying to think whose baby she held then realized she might never know. Harlots were as talented at hiding pregnancies as they were at preventing them. If the mother of little Sophie didn’t want to be found, she likely never would be.
“Well, Miss Sophie, it looks like my apartment is about to get crowded.” Marnie kissed the baby’s cheek and held her close. The baby stopped crying, but wrapped a little fist around a lock of Marnie’s hair and buried her face against her shoulder.
She walked to the telephone on the wall and placed a call to Caterina’s restaurant, hoping to catch Kade without having to contact the sheriff’s office.
“This is Caterina. May I help you?”
“Hello. This is Marnie Jones. I was wondering if Deputy Rawlings was there, by chance.”
“Hi, Marnie. Kade just finished his supper. Did you need something?” Caterina asked.
“Yes. Could you please have him come to Ilsa’s shop? It’s not an emergency, but something that needs attention. If he’s off duty, I can call the sheriff’s office.”
“No, Kade will be right there. Is there anything I can do?”
“Thank you for the offer, but I’m afraid not. Have a nice evening, Caterina.”
Marnie hung up the phone and turned around to find Noah and Sadie staring at her.
“Where’d she come from?” Sadie asked, walking over and touching the baby’s hand. Sophie lifted her head and looked at Sadie with interest. The little girl smiled at the baby and earned a shy smile in return.
“Someone left her at the door. Deputy Rawlings is on his way over.”
“He ain’t gonna take our baby is he?” Sadie gave Marnie a concerned look.
“She’s cute,” Noah said, patting the baby’s foot where it peeked out from beneath the blanket Marnie had draped around her. “I want to keep her.”
“Did you two finish your milk and cookies?” Marnie asked, wanting to distract the children. She wouldn’t mind keeping the baby, but she wasn’t making any promises until she heard what Kade had to say.
“Yes, ma’am.” Sadie kept her gaze fastened to the baby.
“Then I’d like you to go brush your teeth, wash your faces, and get ready for bed.” Marnie tilted her head toward the stairs. “I’ll tuck you in as soon as the deputy leaves.”
“Okay.” Sadie shuffled toward the stairs, dragging her feet while Noah followed along behind.
They were halfway up the stairs when the back door opened and Kade walked in accompanied by Lars.
“Lars!” Both children shouted, making the baby cry as they clamored down the stairs and launched themselves at him. He hunkered down and drew them both against his chest, hugging them tightly. As he stood, he held a child in each arm as he walked over to Marnie.
“You’re collecting youngsters faster than a dog does fleas.” The teasing grin he gave her was full of mischief and male flirtation.
“So it would seem.” Marnie smiled, trying to calm the crying baby as well as her own nervous excitement at seeing Lars. He hadn’t been around the last several days and she missed him more than she wanted to admit. “I heard a knock on the door and found her when I answered it. There’s a note there on the worktable.”
Kade read it then studied the baby. “I can try to find the mother, but honestly, I think this little one is better off somewhere else, if you get my meaning.”
“I do, and I don’t mind keeping her, but I wanted to make sure the authorities were aware of what happened.” Marnie continued rocking the baby in her arms and Sophie finally quieted. She fisted a handful of the lace trim on Marnie’s shirtwaist into her hand and stared at the two men.
“You’re going to need some baby things. I’ll see what we’ve got that the twins have outgrown.” Kade tickled the baby under her chin, making her duck her head shyly. “You sure you want to take all this on?”
Marnie knew he wasn’t just talking about the baby, but included Sadie and Noah as well. “I’m sure.”
Kade nodded his head, and pulled out the notebook he kept in his pocket. Quickly jotting down a few notes, he asked Sadie and Noah for their statements, making them giggle. Lars set them down on the worktable and reached for the baby. Much to everyone’s surprise, she went straight to him. A contented sigh puffed out of her little lips when he rocked her in his arms.
“Do you think Ilsa would mind if we borrowed Laila’s cradle, just for tonight?” Marnie asked, pointing to the cradle Ilsa kept in the shop for her baby.
“No, go right ahead and use it.” Lars slid off the baby’s bonnet and brushed at the blond curls on her head. “With that blond hair and blue eyes, she’ll fit right in with our family.”
Marnie ached with love for him as she watched Lars place his big hand on the baby’s tiny head and hold her so gently in his strong arms. Despite his work that demanded so much of his attention and his ability to stare down hardened criminals, La
rs possessed a gentle spirit and a tender heart.
“I’ll carry it upstairs for you,” Kade said, easily lifting the cradle and taking it upstairs while Marnie carried up the basket with the baby’s few belongings.
Upon returning downstairs, she set Noah off the worktable. Sadie jumped down as she reminded them it was past time for bed.
“Hurry and get ready then I’ll come tell you good night.” Lars gave them a look that warned them not to argue and they ran up the stairs.
“Thank you both for coming. I didn’t realize you were also at Caterina’s, Lars.”
“I wasn’t. Kade happened to catch me on his way out the door.”
“I’m glad he did,” Marnie said, trying not to let her heart shine too brightly in her eyes, since Kade was standing beside them making funny faces at the baby. Sophie cooed and waved a chubby hand at him, making them all smile.
“I’ll carry her upstairs for you, then I’ve got…” Lars swiveled his head toward the back door where someone rapped insistently.
“You’re popular tonight,” Kade said as Marnie hurried to answer the door.
“Lewis! What are you doing here? It’s too late for you to be out.” Marnie drew the little boy inside and gave him a warm hug.
“Miss Daisy sent me over here to tell you that man you asked about is there,” Lewis said, trying to catch his breath. “She told me to run fast as I could to tell you.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Marnie dug a coin from the pocket of her apron and patted his back. “You run straight back. Run fast.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The boy took off out the door.
“Give me the baby. You two need to get over to Miss Clementine’s.” Marnie took Sophie from Lars. “The man I asked Daisy to watch for is Ed George. He’s one of her regular clients when he’s in town.”
“You’re amazing, sweet thing.” Lars pecked her cheek as he and Kade charged out the back door and disappeared down the street.
Chapter Twenty-One
Lars and Kade ran by the sheriff’s office long enough to get the deputy on duty to accompany them to Miss Clementine’s and grab a handful of cartridges for their weapons.
Marnie (Pendleton Petticoats Book 4) Page 25
