Katie stood, her eyes fixed on Garth. She was not going to let him out of her sight no matter what Mrs. Hoffman or anyone else said. She had to talk to him.
Daniel stepped on Katie’s toes, squeezed past, and headed for the door.
“Let’s go.” Mrs. Hoffman elbowed Katie.
Rob and Garth moved into the aisle, and Katie stepped out of her pew.
Mrs. Hoffman gripped Daisy’s shoulder and steered her toward Katie. “Take charge of her.” She sent Katie a stern glance, then started down the aisle after Daniel.
Garth walked toward her, his wide smile lighting up his face. “Katie, I can’t believe you’re here.”
“It’s so good to see you, Garth.” She studied him. “You look…older.”
He nodded and seemed pleased by her comment. “It must be all the work I’m doing for Mr. Gilchrest. Where are you staying?”
“I’m at the Hoffmans’ farm, a few miles north of town.” She glanced over her shoulder, looking for Mrs. Hoffman. She had stopped to talk to an older woman who was eager to see the baby. Relief rushed through Katie, and she turned back to the boys.
Rob nodded to her, his gaze warm and friendly. “Hello, Katie. It’s nice to see you.”
“Hello, Rob.” He looked taller and had filled out since she’d seen him on the ship. “Do you and Garth work for the same family?”
“No, I’m staying with the Chapmans, but our farm is next to the one where Garth works.”
Katie turned to Garth. “Is it near Roslin?”
He nodded, his smile fading a bit. “I’m working for Mr. Eli Gilchrest. He has a sawmill and large farm about three miles west of town. But I spend Sundays with Rob at the Chapmans’. They’re fine folks, and they treat us both like family.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Daisy tugged on Katie’s skirt and looked up at her. “I’m hungry.”
Garth grinned. “Who’s this?”
“This is Daisy Hoffman. She’s three.” Katie glanced toward the door. Mrs. Hoffman was smiling and speaking to the reverend. Katie blinked and looked again. She didn’t think she’d ever seen the woman smile before.
“Let’s go outside.” Garth motioned toward the door.
Katie nodded, and the four of them walked up the aisle. Garth introduced Katie to Reverend Paxton at the door. She’d seen him when he’d visited the Hoffmans’, but they’d never allowed her to come out and meet him.
“Welcome to Roslin, Katie. I hope we’ll see you in church often.”
“Thank you. I hope so too.” She walked outside with Garth and Rob and stepped into the sunshine.
Garth stopped at the bottom of the steps and turned to Katie. “Why haven’t I seen you at church before now?”
“I’ve only been with the Hoffmans a few weeks, and they don’t come to church often. Before that I was in Belleville with Dr. and Mrs. Richardson. But they…Well, it just didn’t work out. They sent me back to the home.”
Lines creased Garth’s forehead. “What happened?”
Katie shook her head. “I did the best I could, but they had their minds set against me because I was a home child.”
Garth and Rob exchanged a serious glance.
Katie searched the line of wagons. Mrs. Hoffman handed the baby up to her husband as she prepared to climb aboard. “I don’t have much time. I’m sure the Hoffmans want to get back to the farm.” A wave of dizziness swept over her. She swayed and lifted her hand to her forehead.
Garth gripped her arm. “Katie, are you all right?”
“I’m just a little woozy, that’s all.” She blew out a breath and looked up at him, forcing a smile. She didn’t want Garth to worry about her.
Concern filled his eyes as he searched her face. “You look like you’ve lost weight, and you’re pale as a sheet. Are they feeding you?”
She brushed her hand down her loose dress. The Hoffmans didn’t have a mirror in their house, but she’d seen herself reflected in the pond and was surprised by how thin her face looked. “The Hoffmans eat what they grow and raise. There’s not always enough for everyone.”
He slipped his arm around her shoulders. “I’ll come and bring you something. I work hard, but I always have more than enough to eat.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” Mr. Hoffman’s voice rang out as he stomped across the grass toward them. “Step back and leave the girl alone.”
Katie started to pull away, but Garth held her next to him. “This is my sister. You’ve no call to shout at us.”
Mr. Hoffman narrowed his eyes and scanned Garth. “You don’t look like her brother.”
Garth straightened and met Mr. Hoffman’s hostile glare. “Well, I am, and we’re not only brother and sister—we’re twins.”
“Ha! I don’t believe that!”
Rob stepped forward. “It’s true, sir. I’ve known Garth since we lived in England. And this is his twin sister, Katie McAlister.”
Mr. Hoffman spit on the ground. “You’re a home child too.”
Garth scowled, obviously disliking the label. “I’m from England and proud of it. I work for Mr. Eli Gilchrest at his mill and farm west of Roslin.”
“I know Gilchrest. How old are you, boy?”
“Fifteen, and I do a full day’s work.”
Surprise rippled through Katie. Garth was fifteen now, and so was she. Her birthday had come and gone, and she hadn’t even realized it. Love and pride filled her as she watched Garth face off with Mr. Hoffman. He was a young man now, tall and strong and able to speak his mind.
Mr. Hoffman huffed. “It’s time to go. Get in the wagon, girl.” When she didn’t move, he grabbed her arm.
Fire flashed in Garth’s eyes. “Let go of my sister!”
All over the churchyard, people turned and watched them.
Mr. Hoffman tightened his hold. “Don’t try to order me around, boy!”
“You’ve no call to be harsh with her.”
“She works for me, and you’ve got nothin’ to say about it.” Mr. Hoffman tugged her toward the wagon. “Get on up there.” He gave her a shove, then stood guard, watching while she climbed into the back of the wagon.
Tears burned Katie’s eyes as she sat down next to Daisy. Why did Mr. Hoffman have to treat her like that? What had happened to darken his soul and make him lash out at everyone?
Mr. Hoffman climbed into the driver’s seat and clicked to the horses. The wagon jerked and rolled forward. Katie sniffed back her tears and turned to look over the side.
Garth lifted his hand, his face somber. Rob stood by his side and raised his hand as well.
Katie waved to them, her throat clogging and a headache pounding behind her eyes.
As the wagon bumped down the road through town, a light misty rain began to fall. Katie wrapped her arms around herself and closed her eyes, wishing she could shut out the painful world around her. A powerful shiver raced through her, making her teeth chatter. What was wrong with her? Help me, Lord. I need You!
Whatever it was, she was certain she’d never felt this sick and miserable in her entire life.
19
Birds sang in the nearby trees as Andrew climbed Pleasantview’s front steps with Henry at his side. Energy pulsed through him as he considered what lay ahead. This morning Laura planned to meet with the matron and tell her the truth, and he and Henry would be with her to lend their support.
His thoughts returned to the previous evening and their time with Laura and Rose at the hotel. He was grateful she’d found the courage to be honest with Henry. His friend had been surprised by her confession, but he’d listened with an open mind and in the end he’d been sympathetic and offered his help.
Laura’s admission that she’d stolen her sister’s file had been a twist he hadn’t expected. It allowed her to learn where her sister had been
placed, but it could end up causing her more problems with the matron. Still, he had to admire her determination. She deeply loved her family, and she would not let anything stop her from finding her siblings and reuniting her family.
Henry lifted his hand to knock on the front door, but then he glanced at Andrew. “You understand we walk a very thin line here. The law is on the matron’s side, and there is no guarantee she will understand Miss McAlister’s position or tell us how to find Grace.”
Andrew’s stomach tensed, and he nodded. “I understand.”
“Still, I’m optimistic. It seems the Lord has His hand on Miss McAlister and her family, in spite of her questionable methods of conducting her search.”
“Her cause is just.”
“I believe it is. And if we listen to the Lord and follow His direction, I think we’ll see a positive outcome.”
Relief flowed through Andrew. “Thank you, Henry. That’s what I needed to hear.”
Henry knocked and stood back.
A few seconds later, the door opened, and Rose smiled out at them. “Good morning, gentlemen.” She opened the door wider and invited them in.
Laura stepped out from behind Rose, her cheeks pink and her golden hair caught up in a pleasing style.
He stared at her until Henry cleared his throat. Andrew blinked and looked away. “Good morning, Miss McAlister.”
“Good morning.” Laura brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
He noticed her fingers trembled, and his chest tightened. So much depended on this meeting, and he could tell she was worried. “Everything is going to be all right. We’re here to support you. Just remember what we discussed last night.”
“Thank you. I will.” Her voice sounded soft and strained.
“Miss McAlister, do you have your sister’s file?” Henry asked.
She nodded and pulled the slim file from behind her skirt.
“Good. It’s important that you return it to Mrs. Woodward, but please wait until I mention it to her.”
“All right.”
Rose motioned down the hall toward the matron’s office. “Shall we?” Henry stepped up beside her, and they all started down the hall.
Laura hesitated and shot an apprehensive glance at the office doorway. Andrew stepped toward her, but he resisted the urge to put his arm around her shoulder and pull her close to his side. That would not be an appropriate way to treat a client. Still…
Like a shift in the direction of the wind, the truth blew through his mind. His feelings for Laura ran much deeper than those of a solicitor for his client.
When they’d first met at Bolton, he’d thought of her as a member of the staff who needed his help during a family crisis. But on board the Parisian he’d discovered she was a unique young woman with admirable inner qualities and striking outer beauty.
Her commitment to the girls in her care and to her family had struck a chord with him and made him realize how much he admired her. Now he felt a strong desire to protect and defend her against anything that would cause her harm.
He frowned and tried to dismiss those thoughts. This was not the time to contemplate his feelings for Laura. They had an important goal that morning, and he needed to focus his thoughts on how to navigate this meeting.
But as he glanced at her lovely face and read the mixture of courage and anticipation, he knew the time was coming when he would have to make a decision about his feelings for Laura.
They stopped at the matron’s door. Laura straightened her shoulders and knocked twice. There was no response, so she knocked again.
Rose glanced down the hall. “I just saw her at breakfast not more than an hour ago. I wonder where she could be.” She reached for the doorknob and tried to open the door, but it was locked.
A stout, middle-aged woman in a gray dress and small straw hat walked in the front door and strode down the hall toward them. Andrew recalled meeting her on the day of the tour, but he didn’t remember her name or position.
Laura turned toward the woman. “Miss Hanson, we’re looking for Mrs. Woodward. Have you seen her?”
“Yes, I’ve just taken her to the train station.”
Laura’s eyes widened. “The train station?”
“That’s right.”
Rose addressed Miss Hanson. “I didn’t know she was planning a trip.”
“She wasn’t, but she received a telegram right after breakfast.” The woman leaned toward Laura and Rose and lowered her voice. “Her sister suffered a terrible fall, and she broke several bones. I’m afraid it’s quite serious. Mrs. Woodward has gone to Oshawa to see what needs to be done.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Rose thought for a moment. “Did she say when she planned to return?”
“She has no idea how long she’ll need to stay with her sister.” The woman puffed up like a peacock. “She put me in charge while she’s away.”
“Oh, well then perhaps you can help us.” Rose motioned toward Henry. “Did you meet Mr. Dowd and Mr. Frasier when Mrs. Woodward gave them a tour of the home the other day? They’ve been commissioned by the British government to visit some of the receiving homes and offer their recommendations about child emigration.”
Miss Hanson pursed her lips and looked them over. “Yes. I met them. Good day, gentlemen.”
Henry sent her a winsome smile. “Miss Hanson, it’s good to see you again. We had hoped to meet with Mrs. Woodward about an important matter, but since you’re now in charge, perhaps we can discuss it with you?”
She relaxed a bit, apparently charmed by Henry’s words. “Well, I’ll help you if I can.”
“Mrs. Woodward gave us a list of children who have been placed in and around Belleville. I’d like to add one more child to the list, but I need to know where she has been placed.”
“If you already have your list, why do you want to add another child?”
“We had an inquiry from one of her relatives, and we’d like to see how she’s doing in her new situation.”
Miss Hanson’s expression cooled. “I’m sorry, but I can’t give you that information without Mrs. Woodward’s permission.”
“The girl is only seven years old, and she just arrived a short time ago,” Henry added.
Miss Hanson frowned. “As I said, I cannot give you any more information. You’ll have to wait until Mrs. Woodward returns.”
“I understand, but we’re only going to be in Belleville a short time. After that, we have to visit the children who have been placed on farms outside of town.” He took a folded paper from his suit coat pocket. “Here’s the list Mrs. Woodward gave us. I’m not sure if we’ll have time to visit all these children, but I did want to follow up and visit that particular little girl.”
“What’s her name?”
“Grace McAlister.”
Miss Hanson pursed her lips. “I don’t recall her. I doubt she came through Pleasantview.”
Laura’s face flushed, and her fingers coiled around the side of her skirt.
Henry gave a firm nod. “I’m quite sure she did.”
Miss Hanson glanced around the group, then focused on Henry again. “Well, we’ll just have to wait and see. You can leave a note for Mrs. Woodward, and I’ll give it to her when she returns.”
“But that might be too late for us to pay the little girl a visit.”
Miss Hanson drew herself up. “As I’ve already said, I can’t give you that information. Now you’ll have to excuse me. I have important matters to tend to.” She turned with a flounce of her skirt and strode away.
Rose blew out a breath. “What are we going to do now?”
“We’ll leave Mrs. Woodward a note requesting a meeting. You and Miss McAlister can accompany us on our visits to the children in Belleville.”
Laura’s gaze riveted Henry. “You mean Katie?”
/> “You said she’s staying with Dr. and Mrs. Richardson on Maple Street.”
Laura flipped open her file and scanned down the page. “That’s right. The address is 232 Maple Street, Belleville.”
Henry pulled another piece of paper from his pocket. “I spoke to the manager at the hotel this morning, and he gave me this map. We have two children to visit who live near Pleasantview. Then we’ll hire a small carriage at the livery and drive to Dr. Richardson’s home across town.”
A smile broke across Laura’s face. “Oh, thank you! I’m so grateful!”
Rose looked at Henry. “I’m sure we can ask Mildred and Ethel to cover our duties in the infirmary. That should free us to accompany you.”
“Very good.” Henry nodded, looking pleased.
“We’ll just go up and speak to them, then collect our things. We should be ready in just a few minutes.” Rose hooked arms with Laura, and they headed down the hall.
Andrew watched Laura climb the stairs, her face bright with hope.
But unsettling questions stirred his spirit. Would they find Katie today? If they did, would they be able to convince her caretakers to release her into Laura’s care? And what would Mrs. Woodward say when she returned, especially if they went over her head and took charge of Laura’s sister?
* * *
Later that morning, Laura stepped into Nelson’s General Store with Andrew, Rose, and Henry. The bell overhead jingled, and the spicy scent of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg greeted her. A neat stack of firewood sat beside the door, and rows of canned goods lined the shelves. Piles of potatoes, onions, carrots, and turnips filled the bins by the wall on the right.
A bald man with ruddy cheeks and a wide smile stepped out from behind the counter where several jars of brightly colored penny candy were on display. “Good morning. Welcome to Nelson’s General Store.”
Henry reached out and shook the proprietor’s hand. “Thank you. We’re looking for Mr. Walter Nelson.”
“You found him. What can I do for you?”
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