After a moment, one of the older girls returned, holding the hand of a woman. She was stooped and bone thin, and, even though she probably wasn't more than forty, her hair was heavily streaked with gray. Kit already knew the woman, but Colleen was visibly shocked.
"Hello, Mrs. Gallagher," Kit called out, cheerfully. "This is my friend, Colleen Murphy. She's staying with Mrs. Hendriksen.
"Agnes said you'd been under the weather. So I told her I'd come out to check on you. Well, not just you, of course, all of you."
"We're all right, Kit," the woman said, as she moved closer to the edge of the porch. She looked at Colleen and said, "It's nice to meet you, Miss Murphy. I'd like to ask you in... but well... I'm sure Kit has explained everything to you."
"We never intended to invite ourselves to tea," Kit assured her. "We are only checking to make sure you all have everything you need. Are you all well? Because, I know Dr. Thorne would come out." When the woman looked as though she was about to protest, Kit added, "She wouldn't expect money.
"In fact, she's getting married soon. You wouldn't have any lace for her, would you? Even if it's just enough to edge a handkerchief. I know she'd appreciate such fine work."
A smile spread across the woman's face, as she answered, "I'm sure I have enough for several handkerchiefs. Perhaps, I could well no, I don't suppose I could. But, maybe you could take the lace with you. I know you'll bring it back, should she find it unsuitable." Mrs. Gallagher turned to one of the older children and gestured for her to go fetch the lace.
Then she turned back to Kit and asked, "What's really going on? Has Sean done something illegal or anything even a bit shady?"
Colleen turned away, but Kit faced Mrs. Gallagher and said, "Well, not illegal. Perhaps, not even shady. The thing is, did you know he's been going to church each week since the new minister arrived in town?"
"Church? No, I hadn't realized he was attending church. I'd just assumed he'd found a Sunday morning poker game, or a new whorehouse that had Sunday specials," she answered, both pain and sarcasm ringing clearly in her voice.
"Ah, Mrs. Gallagher," Colleen began, "you mention 'new whorehouse'. I assume that means you knew about the one that was closed down last December?"
"Well, I knew he was finding company elsewhere. And, it was too regular to be him just finding the odd tart at the saloon. But, no. If what you meant was 'did I know where it was', then no.
"However, I heard about it. My oldest girls, the ones who work in town, told me everything they heard. Which was quite a lot as it happens."
"Yes, well... the thing is... the thing is... ah... Mrs. Gallagher, your husband... he... ah—"
"Don't be embarrassed, Miss Murphy. I know my husband was a regular patron of Harding's establishment. As a matter of fact, I found it a great relief."
Colleen flushed red, but Kit suggested, in a low voice, "Ah, perhaps the girls should go inside? I know it's not something we should speak of in front of them, but we do need to ask you a few questions."
"And, please,” Colleen added, "don't take offense with any of them."
"Of course not. Believe me, the fact that my husband is no good, does not come as a surprise to me. In fact, I'm not at all sure anything he did would surprise me."
"Really?" Colleen asked, clearly astonished.
"Well, perhaps that was unfair of me," Mrs. Gallagher answered. Then she shook her head and added, "No. I take it back. My husband is no good. And, while I might be surprised at what questionable activities he could come up with, that fact that he thought of them wouldn't surprise me, at all."
"I see," Colleen answered, as she again looked at the little girls surrounding their mother.
"Girls, please go inside for me. Miss Murphy and Kit need to speak to me." And when a few lingered in the doorway, she added, "Alone."
"We know that you lost a child, a son, several months ago. Have you voiced any opinion about adopting a son?"
"Adopting a son? No. I hated the idea that I was pregnant again." She flushed, as she hurried on. "Not that I don't love my children, or would hurt them in any way. And, I was devastated when Patrick died.
"But because... because I am determined not to have any more children." She looked at them, her eyes pleading, "I love my children. But, I can barely care for them adequately as it is, even with the older girls' help.
"And, I don't need a doctor to tell me that I'm growing weaker with every pregnancy. I need to take care of my health, so I'm around to care for the children I do have. God knows, Sean won’t take care of them, even if I were to die."
"So, he never spoke to you about adopting a son?"
"No. I would have fought him if he had. I know he says he wants a son, that he needs a son to help him with the farm. But, the truth is he doesn't do a thing around here. The girls help me with the kitchen garden. That and with the canning. But the only thing Sean does is hunt when the whim strikes him."
She looked at them both sharply, and then asked, "Why?"
"Because the oldest girl we rescued from Harding's place gave birth to a little boy a month or so back. And, we believe your husband has somehow convinced the new minister that you two would make the perfect parents for the child."
"But that's ridiculous," she exclaimed. "And, why on earth would a minister believe him? Even if he is new."
"For a couple of reasons," Kit said. "The first is that your husband seems to want a son very badly." She remained silently, but nodded.
So, Colleen continued, "And, then we think he believes he's actually the boy's father. Although, I'm quite sure he hasn't expressed that to the new reverend."
"Oh, of course. I should have expected that answer." She turned away for a moment, before she swung around to face them again, and asked, "Is he?"
"There's a very good chance," Kit said flatly.
"I see."
"Does the girl want to rid herself of the child?" Mrs. Gallagher asked.
"No, not at all. She wants to keep Jacob with her."
"Please don't misunderstand my next questions, but why does he think she doesn't want her baby?"
"We don't think he's even considered the possibility she wouldn't want to be relieved of the child. Or, how you would care for the infant, since he still needs to nurse every few hours.
"This is what we, at least Colleen and I, believe. He wants a son. Kathy has a son. And he believes he is the child's father. So, naturally, he thinks he has the right to take the baby," Kit said.
"Yes," Moira Gallagher sighed, "that sounds like how Sean thinks. Or, rather, doesn't think. But, he's said nothing to me. And, to be honest, I doubt he would.
"He's much more likely to just arrive home with the boy and a most implausible explanation."
"I see," Colleen said.
"And," Mrs. Gallagher added, "I'm not at all sure I could do anything about it, if he did. I have to think about my girls. He's got a bad temper. Most of the time he takes his frustrations out on me. And, to be fair to him, much of that is verbal abuse.
"But I can't risk him going after one of the girls. The older ones, who can out run him and take care of themselves, are often in town, working. But the younger ones are too small and afraid to defy him."
"Mrs. Gallagher," Colleen began, "I'm sure we could help you and your girls if you want to... to leave your husband. I don't know what the divorce laws are. But, truly ma'am, it might be safer to just leave the man. Especially, if you're concerned for you or your children's safety."
"Yes, ma'am," Kit echoed. "There are people who'll help you. And keep you and the girls safe from harm."
"Thank you, girls," Mrs. Gallagher told them. "And, there may soon come a time I'll need that help.
"You see," she continued, "I am determined not to become pregnant again. I've already refused Sean his... his rights once. But, he was so drunk he passed out before he could hit me, or even argue with me. But, he will approach me again, soon. Especially, since there's no brothel for him to visit."
&nb
sp; Kit went to her and took her hand, before she said, "Mrs. Gallagher, I swear to you, we'll speak to some others and figure out a way to protect you all.
"But now, we should probably leave. After all, we don't want Mr. Gallagher to find us here. It will be much wiser for us to come up with a plan before he knows what's happening."
"Yes," the older woman answered, before adding, "please, just wait one moment." She stepped just inside the door and called out, "Shelia..."
The girl appeared, smiled and answered, "I'm here, Mama." Then she handed Kit a small bundle.
"Thank you, Mrs. Gallagher. I know the doctor will love the lace. And, we'll make sure Miss Meg sees it, as well."
*****
As Lynn's time grew closer, Victoria came to see her almost every day. Finally, one night, after Lynn and Kathy went to bed, she asked Colleen and Kit to go upstairs until Miranda called them back downstairs.
"What is going on, Victoria? Is there something wrong with Lynn? Or the baby?"
"Yes and no," the doctor answered. She allowed Miranda to refill her tea cup, as she went on, "Lynn is so slight even for a twelve-year-old."
"Thirteen-year-old, please," Miranda corrected, smiling.
"Yes, I'd forgotten she celebrated her thirteenth birthday. Still, she is small for her age. However, her baby is growing at an alarming rate."
"Do you think she might be having twins?" Miranda asked.
"No. I admit, I thought she might for a while. However, I've spent a lot of time listening to her belly. And I've never heard even one sound that might be a second heartbeat.
"No, I think we have to prepare for this being a very large baby. So, I believe it would be best if I take Lynn to stay in town, along with Kit."
"But... why?" Miranda asked.
"I'd like to keep them both in the hotel with me. When I have to leave town to see a patient, Kit will stay with her. I'll also speak with Meg, Eva, and Neil to keep a close watch on her, and to come for me at the first sign of labor."
"What's wrong? Please, Victoria, tell me what's wrong."
"I'm hoping nothing," the doctor insisted. "The best scenario would be that she does have twins. But, as I've said, I don't believe she will. So, I need to monitor her labor closely. And, be prepared if the baby is too big for her to deliver."
"And... if you decide it is... then what?"
"I'll operate."
"Operate?" Miranda echoed, her voice filled with concern. "I've never heard of operating to birth a baby."
"It's a fairly new procedure. Although, some might say it's older than Christianity. It's called a 'Caesarian Section'. Legend has it that Julius Caesar was cut from his mother's womb."
"It sounds dangerous," Miranda stated.
"It's no more dangerous than any surgery. And, it's a fairly straight forward operation.
"Although, I truly hope it isn't necessary," the doctor said, with a sigh.
"So it isn't as simple as you said."
"No," Victoria insisted, "it really is an easy process. But, I would have to use a morphine based medication to control the pain, afterward. I'm not at all sure how susceptible Lynn may be to becoming addicted again.”
"Oh," Miranda groaned, as she sank back into her chair.
As Miranda sat, digesting this last bit of news, the doctor went to the bottom of the stairs and called Colleen and Kit down again.
"Girls, pour yourself some tea. We need to speak to you both." Once they were seated at the table with their tea, Victoria began, "Because Lynn's baby seems so large, and I've decided to bring her into town. Kit, you'll stay with us at the hotel. And you'll be with Lynn whenever I need to leave town for a few hours.
"So, I'd like you to make sure your things are packed up by the time I get out here tomorrow."
"Yes, ma'am," Kit said. Then she asked, "Should I say anything to her about it?"
"Just say that I've decided to keep her closer to me, now that it's nearly time for the baby."
Colleen stared into her tea for several minutes, before she asked, "But, what's the real reason?"
"There's a chance, a very slight chance, Lynn's baby might be too big to be delivered. And, I want to be near the surgery, just in case I need to use an alternate measure."
"That doesn't sound good!" Colleen said, frowning.
"It's just a precautionary measure," the doctor insisted. "And, even surgery will be less painful than if Lynn tried to deliver the baby naturally, if he's as big as I think."
Kit asked, "Are you considering one of those Caesarian operations? Dr. Cooper spoke about it, just before he left town."
"Yes. I'm hoping it won't be necessary, but we need to be ready."
"Is this absolutely necessary?" Colleen asked.
"Yes. At least, it's necessary for us to be prepared," Victoria said, in what she hoped was a reassuring voice. "Really, girls," she continued, "the alternative might be the baby or Lynn, or even both, of them dying."
At this, both girls sat rigid in their chairs, and sighed. Then they acquiesced. "Yes, ma'am. We'll do as you say."
*****
Later that night, Colleen and Kit sat up in their beds, whispering to each other. "At least," Kit hissed, "this will give me a chance to speak to the others about Mrs. Gallagher and her girls. I don't feel comfortable about leaving them out on that isolated place."
"No, neither do I. But, what do you think the others can do? I mean, Gus and the doctor have the monetary resources. But, officially, I don't think they have a legal leg to stand on," Colleen said. "However, from what I've heard of Gus, he can perform miracles. So, if anyone can figure out a way to help them, he can."
"That's true enough," Kit agreed.
"So, it's decided," Colleen said, "You'll speak to everyone about the Gallagher woman's predicament. And I will try to check on them, even if I have to ask Jake for a ride."
"But," Kit reminded her, "only when Miranda and Kathy aren't likely to notice the two of you are gone.
"You know," she added, "Miranda thinks that Jake is interested in you. Perhaps, you could use that to your favor."
"You want me to lead Jake on?" Colleen said, shaking her head in protest.
"No. Just tell him what we're doing. I'm sure he'll go along with it."
"But, won't that make him think I'm interested in him?"
"No, because it's Miranda he likes. She just doesn't see it yet."
*****
"Lynn, dear," Miranda began over breakfast, "the doctor was here last night, after you and Kathy went to bed. And, she's coming again this afternoon to bring you and Kit back to town with her.
"She has some patients she needs to visit out of town, and decided it would be safer for you to be in town, with Kit looking after you."
"Is everything all right? I mean, is there something wrong with my baby?"
"No, except he's a very big baby," Miranda answered in a cheery voice. "So, you and Kit, both, will be saying in the hotel with the doctor at night. You can spend your day either with Kit in the surgery, or at the workshop.
"You've often said you want to learn how to sew. Now is as good a time as any.
"Or, you can learn to knit or crochet. That would give you something to do in bed after the baby comes."
"All right, then," Lynn said, "I'll go pack."
"There's no need," Kit said, "I packed for us both earlier when you were playing with Jacob."
Lynn turned to look at Miranda, and asked, "And, you all swear there's nothing wrong with the baby? You'd tell me if something was wrong, wouldn't you?"
"If something was wrong," Miranda said, choosing her words, "we would definitely tell you."
Chapter Thirty-One
Kit took advantage of Eva giving Lynn a knitting lesson to speak to Meg about the Gallaghers.
"Ah, Miss Meg," she began, "could we go in the back and talk for a minute?"
"Of course," Meg answered. She looked at the girl, and then announced, to the workshop, in general, "I'm not feeling well all of
a sudden. So, I'm going to lie down for a few minutes. And, Kit will make me some tea.
"Eva, please take any messages for me, all right?"
"Yes, ma'am," Eva said, looking from Lynn's knitting and over to Meg. Even before Meg and Kit left the workshop, several of the girls looked as if they were about to start chattering, when Eva told them, "No one needs to gossip. Just continue with what you all doing." And the chatter ended immediately.
Meg smiled as she entered the residence behind the workshop. Eva had certainly come a long way in managing the workroom. But then she saw Kit's face, and asked, "What is it?"
"Well, I'd like a chance to speak to Mr. Gus, and Neil, and even the sheriff if you could manage it. And, of course, the real trick will be leaving Lynn alone.
"So, I was hoping I could talk to you, and you could speak to the others."
"All right," Meg said.
"It's about Mrs. Gallagher and her girls. Colleen and I took advantage of Miranda's cold a week or so ago and went to see them."
"Are they well?"
"Yes, I suppose so. You know Gallagher doesn't do anything to provide for them. That's why I asked Mr. Gus to hire Bridget, without speaking to her father. I mean, Mrs. Gallagher told us it was all right."
"What exactly am I supposed to tell the others?"
"Well, we figure it's Gallagher who wants Jacob. So, we asked Mrs. Gallagher if she wanted to adopt him, or even knew about her husband trying to adopt him. And her answer was no.
"The thing is, ever since the baby, Patrick, died he has gotten more and more irritable. She's afraid, Meg. Afraid for both herself and her girls. We need to do something for them."
"Yes, I suppose they do need help. But Kit, what can any of us do? Good man or not, Mr. Gallagher is Mrs. Gallagher's legal husband and the girls' father."
"Well, can't you at least speak to the others about it? Please," Kit said softly.
"Yes, all right," Meg promised. "I'm just not sure what I'm supposed to explain to them."
*****
Victoria and the girls were just leaving the restaurant when Lynn doubled over and groaned. Kit and the doctor hurried her out the door, across the street, and into the surgery.
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