Simon raked his hand through his hair. He thought he’d prepared himself for this news but it hit hard just the same. While he hadn’t known her long, Miss Fredrick had been a truly good woman whom he’d come to admire and respect. Even more so now that he’d had charge of the children for just a few days.
As for the children themselves, not only had they known her longer, but the woman had been a mother to them. How was he going to tell them they’d lost her? And what sort of reassurances could he offer them about their future?
They still had the house in Hatcherville, of course, and he could escort them the remainder of the way as planned. But then what?
“What sort of arrangements do you want to make for her remains?”
Simon hadn’t even thought that far. “I’ll contact her brother right away to see what his wishes are.” Would Wilbur Fredrick regret that he hadn’t tried to get here sooner?
Dr. Pratt nodded. “In the meantime I’ll contact Mr. Drummond, the undertaker, on your behalf.”
Mrs. Pierce turned to him and cleared her throat delicately. “If you like, I can go through her bags to find a suitable garment to send to Mr. Drummond for her to be laid out in.”
He was both surprised and touched by her offer. It was something he wouldn’t have even thought about doing. “Yes, thank you.” He turned back to Dr. Pratt. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to figure out how to break the news to the children.”
“Of course, I’ll leave you to it. Again, you have my deepest sympathies. And know that Mrs. Pratt and I will keep you and the children in our prayers through the coming days.” He slipped his arms into his jacket and picked up his hat. “Don’t worry about showing me out. I know the way.” And with that, he left the room.
When they were alone, Mrs. Pierce eyed him with obvious concern. “Are you all right?”
He was touched by her concern. Having her here made him feel less alone, more able to deal with what was to come. “I’m still trying to get my bearings,” he admitted. Then he tried for a bit of levity. “Are you going to say ‘I told you so’?”
She gave a faint smile. “I wouldn’t do that. Especially at a time like this.”
He turned serious again, rubbing the back of his neck. “Do you have any suggestions for how to break the news to the children?”
“There’s nothing that will soften this news, so I believe the straightforward approach would be best. The important thing is to be ready to answer their questions—both those they ask and those they don’t.”
She gave him a sympathetic look. “And there will undoubtedly be tears.”
He cringed. He’d much prefer dealing with outbursts than with tears.
“Remember, other than Molly and Joey, they’ve all been through this once before.”
“I know.” And for his niece and nephew it had been barely three months.
He straightened his shoulders. “I’d best go ahead and get this over with.”
She gave him a look he could almost believe was approval. “Would you like to do this alone?”
“No,” he said without hesitation. “In fact I’d very much like for you to be there.”
*
Eileen stood in the doorway of the parlor, watching as the children filed in and arranged themselves on the available seating. Dovie was there, as well. Mr. Tucker, who’d called them together, remained standing, his expression solemn. She didn’t envy him his upcoming task.
She found it edifying, however, that he’d wanted her there, both when facing Dr. Pratt and now. Was it just for moral support? Or had he wanted her beside him for another reason?
But she would ponder that another time. Right now the important thing was helping the children deal with the news they were about to hear.
Fern pulled Molly up on her lap and had Joey sit close beside her. From the expression on the older girl’s face, Eileen could see she had a good idea what was coming. The rest of the children sat willy-nilly on the sofa and chairs. Some even sat cross-legged on the floor.
When they were finally all settled, Mr. Tucker took a deep breath, and she could almost feel him gather his strength to speak. She had to anchor her feet to the floor to keep from crossing the room and lending him the support of her presence. She would have to settle for helping him deal with the aftermath.
“The visitor who came by a little while ago was Dr. Pratt,” he began without preamble. “He had some sad news to deliver. I’m afraid Miss Fredrick has passed away.”
Emotions zinged around the room like beads from a broken strand. Confusion, denial, grief, anger, fear—she felt the plunk of them all against her skin.
“Does this mean we won’t see Gee-Gee anymore?” Joey asked.
“I’m afraid so.”
Audrey ran up and latched onto him, her lip quivering. “But, Uncle Simon, we’ve all been praying so hard.”
He placed a hand on her head, his expression twisting a moment before he spoke. “I know you have, sweet pea, but it was time for her to go home to heaven.”
As if they’d been waiting for a signal, several of the other children swarmed around him. It was as if they were drawing on his strength to give them comfort.
But whose strength could he draw on?
Seeming to read her thoughts, he cast a quick glance her way. Then, with an inhaled breath and crooked smile, he turned back to the children.
Eileen noticed that Fern hadn’t moved from the sofa, but there was a new tautness about her, as if she were trying to hold every bit of emotion tightly inside herself.
“You should have let us visit her.” Fern’s voice was tight with accusation. “We could have at least said goodbye.”
“I’m sorry, Fern. But she never woke up. She wouldn’t have known you were there.”
“But I would have known.”
The words were low—almost whispered—and for just a moment Eileen could see the hurting child inside her.
Then Fern straightened, and the hard shell was back in place. “What happens to us now?”
Mr. Tucker faced her over the heads of the other children. Did Fern see his sympathy as clearly as she did?
“The house in Hatcherville is still there waiting for you all,” he said. “And don’t worry, no one is going to split you kids up—I won’t let them. We’ll find someone very nice and loving to take care of you.”
“There isn’t anyone else as nice as Miss Fredrick.” This comment came from Lily.
“Perhaps not, but we’ll do our best.”
“But what if you can’t find anyone?” asked Joey.
“I will,” he said firmly. “I promise you—” he glanced around the room “—all of you, that I will find someone who will not only love you but whom you can learn to love, as well.”
Eileen was surprised by the promise. She had no doubt he meant it. But did he know what he’d just committed himself to?
“For now,” he continued, “a very nice lady named Mrs. Leggett has agreed to travel with us to Hatcherville and stay in the house with you until we find that special someone to care for you permanently.”
The children didn’t seem entirely reassured by that news. Eileen could understand that, given all they’d been through. In fact, she would like to know more about this Mrs. Leggett herself. Would the woman understand these children and care for them as—
“Can’t we just stay here?” Molly asked.
Eileen froze, unsure how to respond to that. For a fleeting moment she wondered how it would be to—
“No, Molly, this isn’t our home.” Simon’s words and firm tone brought Eileen back to her senses.
Of course they couldn’t stay here permanently. What had she been thinking?
“But there’s plenty of room,” Molly insisted. “And Nana Dovie and Mrs. Pierce like us.” She turned to face them, her expression reflecting a sudden doubt. “Don’t you?”
Dovie gave her a broad, reassuring smile. “Of course we do.”
Eileen chose her words carefully. “
I do indeed like you, Molly. But there is another house waiting for you, the house your Gee-Gee purchased especially for you. And of course you must do as your uncle Simon says, because he only wants what is best for you.”
And staying here under her roof was obviously not what anyone would consider best for them.
Including her.
*
As the children headed upstairs for their afternoon quiet time, Simon reflected that for once he was glad Mrs. Pierce had set up routines for them to follow. In fact, he could use some quiet time of his own right now.
Unfortunately there was still a lot to be done.
He stepped out onto the front porch, feeling the need for fresh air and open spaces.
“So what will you do now?”
He looked over his shoulder, surprised to see Mrs. Pierce standing in the doorway. He hadn’t even heard the door open. Was that sympathy in her expression?
He turned back around to study the live oak that shaded one side of her front lawn. “After the funeral I’ll go on to Hatcherville with the children.” The enormity of that was still sinking in. “Hopefully Mrs. Leggett is still willing to accompany me to help with the children while I look for a permanent housekeeper and caretaker for the children.”
She joined him at the rail without saying anything.
Strange how today he found her reserve and quiet dignity rather soothing. “Do you know Mrs. Leggett?”
“Not well. I understand she grew up here in Turnabout, but moved away when she married her uncle’s apprentice. But all of that took place before I moved here. She moved back to Turnabout recently when her husband died.”
He nodded, understanding the woman’s need to be around family while she adjusted to the tragedy.
“How soon will you be leaving?” Mrs. Pierce asked a moment later.
Her tone and expression gave nothing away so he couldn’t tell what she was feeling. Was she merely curious? Or eager to see the last of them? “As soon after the funeral as possible.”
As he said the words it hit him that in a few days he’d not only be leaving Turnabout, but he’d be leaving her and would likely never see her again.
And that bothered him much more than it should have, given the length and nature of their relationship. But she’d somehow insinuated herself into his world, had tickled his curiosity to unlock her secrets. He wanted to figure out why she was the way she was, why preparing for any situation and having rigid routines were so important to her, why she seemed at odds with her neighbors—folks who from all appearances were good-hearted people.
And above all, he wanted to find out how to put a permanent dent in her remote, ice-queen guise.
None of which he could pursue now.
Before either of them could say more, the front gate opened, and Ivy and Mitch stepped onto the walk. He’d forgotten that they’d mentioned coming by to visit Dovie.
As soon as the greetings were exchanged he excused himself to head over to the depot. He felt guilty for leaving Mrs. Pierce to make the explanations and deliver the news without him, but he wasn’t in the mood to be around people right now.
Besides, he needed to get the telegram off to Miss Fredrick’s brother right away. He supposed, if the man wanted to bury his sister back in St. Louis, it would mean making that return trip himself. Miss Fredrick deserved the escort, even in death, and it was only right for the children to attend the funeral, whether Mr. Fredrick would welcome them there or not.
Would Mrs. Leggett agree to accompany them on that trip, as well? But it was the image of Mrs. Pierce getting on that train with them rather than Mrs. Leggett that flashed through his mind.
And why that had happened was something he didn’t want to explore at the moment.
Edgy and restless, Simon decided to take a walk when he left the depot. Hands jammed in his pockets, he wandered through town. Ten kids, and all of them his sole responsibility. This wasn’t what he’d signed on for when he agreed to escort them to their new home. He’d asked Miss Fredrick to take Audrey and Albert in because he couldn’t handle taking care of two kids.
And he’d made those kids promises just now, promises that he had no way of knowing if he could fulfill. What kind of man did that?
He looked up to find himself on the outskirts of town. He hadn’t been out this way before. With a shrug, he continued walking, this time paying a little more attention to his surroundings.
He made a mental note of a spot he passed that looked promising for gathering more firewood. A little farther along stood a trio of persimmon trees that were heavy with fruit. He could tell that as soon as they had the first frost here, the fruit would be ready to pick. Maybe they could make an outing of it. He could bring the kids here to help him pick a bucketful or two. It would make for a tasty addition to Mrs. Pierce’s pantry.
Then he remembered they wouldn’t be here for first frost.
Simon halted abruptly. What was he doing? He should be back at the house before the children came downstairs.
No matter whether he wanted it or not, they were his responsibility, not that of Dovie or Mrs. Pierce.
He did an about-face and marched quickly back in the direction of town.
*
Eileen sat in the parlor, adjusting the hem and seams of the skirt from one of her mourning dresses. Providing the children with appropriate mourning clothes for Miss Fredrick’s funeral seemed the least she could do.
Her mind, however, was on Mr. Tucker.
Where was he? He’d said he had to send a telegram, but he’d been gone for over an hour now. Ivy and Mitch had already taken their leave. The children had come downstairs a few minutes ago. They were more subdued than normal but that was to be expected. When they’d asked after Mr. Tucker and learned he was out, however, she’d seen several exchanged glances among the older children. It hadn’t helped that they’d heard the blast of a train whistle soon after.
Were they worried he’d abandoned them? She was absolutely convinced that Mr. Tucker would never do such a thing, but she was irritated that he wouldn’t realize that his disappearance at a time like this would affect the children in that way.
And she intended to tell him so.
Just as soon as he returned.
Chapter Fourteen
As it turned out, when Mr. Tucker returned, Eileen didn’t have the heart to scold him. Though he wore his usual smile and had the same easy manner with the children, she could see the small lines around his eyes that spoke of worry or weariness, or both.
An hour or so later, Lionel showed up with a telegram for Mr. Tucker.
She watched as he read it. He clenched his jaw as tight as a bully’s fist. Then he handed her the telegram without saying a word.
Eileen shifted her gaze from his face to the paper in her hand and read the terse missive.
BEST TO BURY HER THERE. PLEASE SEE TO ARRANGEMENTS.
WILL ARRIVE TUESDAY TO ATTEND FUNERAL.
W. FREDRICK
When she looked up again, he was pacing.
“A surprising decision,” Eileen said carefully, “but I’m sure he has his reasons.” Though she couldn’t quite curb her curiosity about what those reasons might be.
His pacing didn’t slow. “I’ll admit that it does simplify matters for me. But it just seems wrong to make this her last resting place, a town where she has no ties and there will be no one to mourn her.”
“It is her body that is being laid to rest,” Eileen said gently, “not her spirit. Those who loved her don’t need a headstone to remember her by.”
He finally stopped pacing and met her gaze. “You’re right, of course. And I don’t have a right to judge—her brother does plan to attend the funeral after all.” His expression eased. “This also means I won’t have to put the kids through a return trip to St. Louis.”
He nodded his head as if coming to a decision. “But whatever her brother’s plans, I intend to make certain Miss Fredrick has the best funeral service I can arrange.”
She believed him. “Have you ever met Mr. Fredrick?” she asked.
“No. But Sally told me about him in her letters. He apparently didn’t approve of his sister taking in all the children. There were some…issues. The two of them had harsh words over it and were barely on speaking terms.”
She wondered what he meant by issues. But she respected his reluctance to spread gossip so she let the subject lie.
“That’s a shame,” she said instead. “Especially since his sister went to such great lengths to build a family for these children.” Then she had another thought. “Do you think he’ll want to take in the children now—he is related to three of the girls, isn’t he?”
“I doubt he’ll want to take them in.”
That wasn’t really an answer. “But if he does, will you allow them to be split up that way?”
“I don’t know that I could stop it. He is, after all, their closest relative.”
“Oh.”
He must have heard the concern in her voice because he gave her a reassuring smile. “As I said, that’s one thing that I don’t have to worry about—I’m sure he won’t want to take them.”
Eileen wasn’t entirely reassured but she let the matter drop. After all, the matter was really none of her concern.
So why did she feel so personally touched by their situation?
*
Simon received a second telegram from Wilbur Fredrick the next morning. This one asked him to have Miss Fredrick’s personal effects gathered up to be given to him when he arrived. He also wanted to make certain the funeral was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, the day he and his wife were due to arrive.
It appeared the man didn’t plan to spend more than the one night in Turnabout. Which was fine by Simon. The less the children were exposed to the man, the better.
He spoke to Mrs. Leggett again, and she assured him she was still willing to go with him to Hatcherville to take care of the children.
With Mrs. Pierce’s permission, Simon invited her and her daughter over to allow them and the children to get acquainted.
Love Inspired Historical November 2014 Page 12