Winnie Griggs - A Baby Between Them

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?”