Nora smiled indulgently. “I enjoy listening to your stories.”
Bridget snagged a blueberry from the bowl on Nora’s worktable. “You always were a good listener. Now, your turn. Tell me what’s going on with you. The bakery business seems to be going well. I’m hearing good things from your customers.”
Nora felt a glow of pleasure that her baking was being so well received. “I feel truly blessed that the people here have been so willing to support my efforts. The whole thing has grown much faster than I expected. I had to do a bit of quick rearranging with my routine this week to fit everything in.” Then she grinned. “And for the price of one pie a week of his very own, Gavin has agreed to do my deliveries.”
Bridget laughed. “Was that his idea or yours?”
“I suggested it, based on a bargain I made with Mr. Platt, but Gavin jumped on it. He had been lamenting the fact that so few of my baked goods made it to their lunch table and the idea of having a pie all to himself perked him right up.”
Bridget laughed again. “He’s a growing boy.” Then she sobered. “So is it all going as well as it appears?”
Nora grimaced. “Except for one thing. It seems I’ve reached my limit as far as what I can produce. I actually had to turn away a customer yesterday.”
“But, surely that’s a good thing?” Bridget placed her elbows on the worktable. “I mean, it’s better than not having enough customers to buy your wares, isn’t it?”
“Yes, of course. But it also means I’ll never be able to earn more than I am today.” Was she being greedy to want more?
“Oh.” Bridget plucked another blueberry and chewed thoughtfully for a moment. “Is there some way you could find other items to bake, items that cook more quickly and can be parceled to more customers, things like cookies or tea cakes?”
Nora stopped what she was doing and looked at her sister with new appreciation. She’d never cooked those types of items before but she felt certain she could master them. “Bridget, that’s a wonderful idea.” Her mind started turning over possibilities. “I would have to do a little experimenting, of course, but I think I could get quite a few additional items baked each day if I worked it just right.”
Bridget laughed. “Glad I could help.” She wagged a finger Nora’s way. “Just make sure you don’t wear yourself out with all this extra work. There are people who count on you to be at your best.” She reached down and adjusted Grace’s blanket. “Like this precious babe given into your care.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t take on more than I can manage.” Nora went back to stirring the stew that was simmering on the stove. She appreciated her sister’s concern but she was much sturdier than those close to her seemed to realize. In fact, to provide for her household and achieve her goals, she could be quite resourceful.
The outer door opened and Nora felt a little stab of disappointment to see it was Gavin rather than Cam. Silly of her, of course.
The young deputy sauntered across the room and sniffed the air. “It sure does smell good in here.”
Bridget laughed. “The aromas from Nora’s cooking are more alluring than any fancy perfume.” Then she nodded toward the paper in Gavin’s hand. “What do you have there?”
“It’s a letter that just arrived from Mrs. Fitzwilliam. She said to tell you both hello.”
“Everyone is doing well I trust,” Nora said.
Gavin nodded. “Yes, but she’s feeling frustrated that her investigator hasn’t located her granddaughter yet.”
Nora wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “I’ve been praying for a happy reunion between them.”
Bridget nodded. “As have I. I hope the girl is all right.” Then she stood. “Well, I enjoyed the visit but I should be going now. I want to stop by and visit a moment with Agnes and James before we leave.”
Nora nodded. “They’ll be pleased to see you.”
Bridget crossed the small room and Nora opened her arms for a hug.
“Take care of yourself,” Bridget said.
“Of course.” Nora squeezed her sister’s shoulder then stepped back. “Enjoy your trip and make certain you pay special attention to all the wonderful sights. I want to hear all about them when you get back.”
Bridget exchanged a few words with Gavin then gave a final wave as she headed out the door.
As Nora went back to her cooking, she reflected on the unexpected and interesting turn her sisters’ lives had taken since they’d left Ireland. Still, she didn’t envy them their big houses and ability to travel to exciting places.
But if she was honest with herself, she did envy, just the tiniest bit, the happiness and loving families they’d found. She offered a silent prayer asking for forgiveness for that envy, and then added another prayer for guidance.
She hadn’t forgotten what Ben had revealed to her about Cam’s childhood. In fact it had been on her mind quite a bit lately. She was certain the Almighty wanted to use her and Grace to help him somehow—she just hoped she recognized the opportunity when it came.
Which didn’t mean she had changed her resolve to guard her heart. She wasn’t sixteen any longer, she was a grown woman and she wouldn’t repeat the mistake she’d made with Braydan Rourke. No, she was concerned for a friend, that was all.
* * *
Nora entered the cottage that evening with a smile on her face. She had dozens of ideas spinning in her head for how to implement Bridget’s idea of smaller bakery items and, since tomorrow was Saturday, she planned to spend most of the day trying them out.
And Cam’s announcement that he intended to come by tomorrow to “do a little work around the place” had only added to her happy mood. It would be good to see progress being made on the repairs to the cottage.
Why his upcoming visit would cheer her up beyond that she refused to consider.
She found Agnes in the kitchen, darning a sock.
“I understand your baking business is doing quite well,” the woman said by way of greeting. “In fact I hear you’ve had to turn away a few customers.”
So, apparently Bridget had discussed her concerns during her visit out here this morning. Nora felt a momentary twinge of annoyance which she pushed away as best she could. She placed Grace in the kitchen cradle and gave Agnes a smile. “A body can only do so much. And I’m working on a few ideas to help me produce more.”
Agnes gave her a pointed look. “Wearing yourself out is not the answer. But what if you had some help?”
Nora paused. Surely Agnes knew she couldn’t afford to hire anyone. “What do you mean?”
Agnes set her sewing in her lap and met Nora’s gaze. “I mean I can help you with your baking.”
Nora was deeply touched by the generosity of the older woman, but she had no intention of taking advantage of her that way. “Oh, that’s very kind of you to offer but I couldn’t—”
Agnes raised a hand to halt her protest. “Nonsense. I figure James and I are benefiting from this new endeavor of yours so we might as well do what we can to help. James is already taking care of your horse and driving you to town in the mornings. Helping with your baking will give me a chance to contribute, as well.”
“But you already help me watch over Grace and do the housework. There’s no need—”
Agnes sighed deeply. “Of course, if you don’t think my cooking will be good enough, I’ll understand.”
Nora was horrified. She hadn’t meant to hurt Agnes’s feelings. “Oh, no, that’s not it at all. I just don’t want to impose—”
The grandmotherly woman beamed at her. “It’s settled then. I know I’m not as good a cook as you are. But there are many things to be done that don’t require a lot of skill. Like peeling and slicing apples, hulling nuts, measuring out ingredients, keeping an eye on the oven and such.”
As Agnes picked up the sock and began plying her needle once more, Nora had the distinct impression that she had been rather expertly manipulated into accepting her friend’s help.
Agnes
was a lot more wily than her sweet appearance indicated.
* * *
The next morning, Nora rose before dawn and, as soon as she had Grace fed and freshened up, stoked the stove and went to work on her baking. Mrs. Ferguson, the wife of the foreman out at Will’s chocolate mill, had placed a large order for a family gathering she was hosting Sunday afternoon. Happily, she had left the flavors up to Nora. Which gave Nora the perfect opportunity to do a bit of experimenting. She planned to try to mix Will’s chocolate with both blueberries and maple syrup for what she hoped would be two very deliciously distinctive pies.
Nora sang softly as she worked, as much to entertain Grace as to keep herself company.
Before she could get the first pie in the oven, Agnes and James joined her in the kitchen.
Nora gave them a guilty grimace. “I hope my rattling around in here didn’t wake you.”
“Not at all.” Agnes crossed to the cupboard to fetch two cups while James moved to the stove to get the coffeepot.
“No sense frittering the day away in bed,” Agnes continued as she placed the cups on the table. “Getting an early start on your baking, are you?”
Nora nodded. “I promised Mrs. Ferguson I’d deliver her order this afternoon.” She turned to James, who was filling the coffee cups. “I’m hoping you’ll drive me to her place once I have everything ready.”
“Of course.” James lifted his cup and inhaled the steaming brew as if it were ambrosia. “I suppose you’ll need something to pack your pies in so they’re protected from the jostling. I think there are some bits and pieces of lumber out in the barn that I can use to fashion a few shallow crates from.”
Nora started to protest that she didn’t want to cause him extra work, then, remembering what Cam had said about folks needing to feel useful, thought better of it. “Oh, that would be wonderful, if you’re sure it’s not too much trouble.”
“You just leave it to me.” James’s chest expanded noticeably. “I’ll take care of it as soon as I tend to the animals.”
When James headed outdoors a few minutes later, Agnes carried their cups to the counter. Then she turned back to Nora. “Have you had your breakfast yet?”
“The biscuits are almost ready to come out of the oven. I’ll have one with a bit of jam in just a minute.”
“Nonsense. That’s not a proper breakfast. As soon as James brings in the fresh eggs I’ll get a proper breakfast whipped up.” She looked around. “In the meantime, what can I do to help?”
“If you would keep an eye on Grace for me while I roll out this pie crust that would be lovely.”
“Of course.” Agnes smiled fondly at the cradle. “But that’s hardly work.”
Nora smiled and waved toward a bowl on the counter. “Well, you did mention something about peeling and slicing apples.”
Agnes nodded and moved toward the drawer where the knives were stored. Nora watched her, and offered up a quick prayer of thanksgiving. It was as if in her adult years she had been gifted with the grandparents she’d never known as a child.
Strange how it was that none of the three other people living in this house were related to her by blood, but she felt as close to them as if they were her true kin.
Thirty minutes later, as Nora and the Coulters were pushing back from the breakfast table, there was a quick knock at the back door and Cam stepped inside. “Mmm-mmm, it sure does smell good in here.”
Nora waved him in. “If that’s a hint that you’re hungry, there are a couple of biscuits left from breakfast that you can have with some of Agnes’s strawberry jam.”
“Now there’s an offer too good to refuse.” He nodded toward the pie cooling on the counter. “Been hard at work already I see.”
Agnes pulled a clean plate and coffee cup from the cupboard. “Isn’t it wonderful how well Nora is doing with this new business of hers?”
“That it is.” Cam took a seat at the table. “The smells wafting from my office have made it a very popular place for folks to visit lately.”
Cam reached for one of the biscuits from the platter, then paused. “Oh, I almost forgot.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a letter which he held out to Nora. “This came for you just before I headed here this morning.”
Nora wiped her hands on her apron and accepted it. “It’s from Maeve.” Why would her sister send a letter when she was supposed to come for a visit in two days? Worried, Nora quickly ripped open the missive and scanned the enclosed page.
“I hope it’s not bad news,” Agnes asked, and Nora heard the anxious note in her voice.
A moment later her hand went to her throat. “Oh my goodness.”
“What is it?” Cam pushed back from the table and stood. “Are your sister and Dr. Gallagher all right?”
Nora looked up quickly to find three pairs of eyes studying her in concern. “Maeve and Flynn are fine,” she reassured them. “But there’s been a terrible fire at a local hotel there in Boston.” She closed her eyes momentarily before continuing. “Two people were killed and over thirty were injured, some of them quite severely. Flynn and Maeve are postponing their visit so they can provide medical assistance.”
Agnes wrung her hands. “Oh, those poor people.”
Nora sent up a silent prayer that the injured parties would find strength and healing. She would miss seeing Maeve and Flynn, but she knew they were doing what they needed to do.
She turned to Cam, who had returned to his chair. “Thank you for bringing this out to me.”
“It was no problem. I just wish it could have been happier news.”
James, who still sat at the table, leaned back in his chair. “You planning to do some work out here today?”
Cam nodded as he slathered a generous dollop of jam on his biscuit. “I thought I’d work on the roof.”
“By yourself?” James asked.
“I know Will and Flynn have helped out before, but they’re both busy men. I figure if I wait until they’re able to lend a hand it might never get done.”
“Anything I can do to help?” James asked.
Nora held her breath waiting for Cam’s response, ready to intervene if he accepted James’s offer. Allowing James his dignity was one thing, but there was no way she’d let the elderly man try to climb a ladder up onto the roof.
But she should have known Cam would handle it well.
“Thanks,” Cam said easily, “but I can’t let you do that. It wouldn’t be right, being as Nora here is paying me for my labors.”
Nora jumped in quickly. “That’s right. Besides, James, you’ve already promised to fashion those crates for me.”
Cam raised a brow. “Crates?”
That spurred a lengthy back and forth discussion between the two men on what James was trying to do and the best way to go about it.
Agnes and Nora exchanged knowing smiles and went back to their kitchen work.
* * *
By midmorning Nora was ready to escape the hot kitchen for a spell. Thinking that her handyman-for-the-day might be feeling something of the same, she grabbed a few items from the larder, placed them in a basket, then carried it and Grace outside. She set the basket down and shaded her eyes, looking up to find Cam pounding away at the roof with a hammer.
When he spotted her he paused and leaned back on his heels. “Well, hello there. Dare I hope you have something in that basket for me?”
She grinned. “If you’re ready for a break, there’s a jar of apple cider, some berries and a couple of slices of cheese I might be willing to share.”
He stood, apparently quite at ease on the pitched roof. “Now, that sounds really good. Just give me a minute to climb down.”
She watched him, admiring the animal-like grace with which he moved, and the play of muscles in his back and arms as he descended the ladder. Was it wrong of her to admire such agility and strength? After all, God had formed him this way.
Nora shifted her gaze to Grace. Not wrong perhaps, but dangerous to her peace of mind.
A moment later he had made it to the ground and she was able to give him a friendly smile. “I’ve been baking all morning which means the kitchen is nearly as hot as the inside of my oven. So I thought we might find a shady spot out here to have our snack.”
He returned her smile, pulling a large handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his hands. “Good idea. How about under that tree over by the garden?” At her nod he scooped up the basket. “You are going to join me aren’t you?”
She planted a kiss on the top of Grace’s head. “We certainly are.”
He gave a satisfied nod, then led the way, whistling. Within minutes he had set the basket beneath the tree and spread the picnic cloth.
Nora carefully placed Grace on the blanket between herself and Cam, then pulled the simple fare from the basket.
“Colleen’s Garden.”
She looked up quickly to see Cam studying the weathered sign nailed to the nearby tree.
“Colleen was your mother’s name, wasn’t it? I remember it from the deed.”
“Yes.” Nora leaned back on her heels. “Apparently Laird O’Malley planted all of this for her.” She looked around at the garden. She had done lots of weeding these past few weeks but it still needed a great deal of work to bring it back to life. “It must have been quite lovely at one time.”
Knowing Cam was bound to be thirsty, she shook off the wistful musings and poured him up a large glass of the cider.
He drained it quickly then held his glass out for more. As she poured, he glanced toward an old rickety bench that sat a little ways from the tree. “Looks like that was part of the original setup, as well. It doesn’t appear to be very safe, though. Probably best no one tries to sit on it until I can get it fixed.”
“Don’t worry. None of us here plan to risk our necks that way. Though it would be lovely to have a comfortable place to sit out here.” She sat back again as he retrieved the glass from her, then she watched as he absently swatted at a fly that flew a little too close to Grace’s face. How could this man ever believe he would harm a child placed in his care?
Please, Heavenly Father, give me the words and the opportunity to help Cam see how wrong his thinking is on that score.
A Baby Between Them Page 10