Colleen crossed the room and stopped to help Aurora fold the blankets.
“A couple more days and Delia should be able to go home.” Aurora picked up a bundle of laundry to take to the basement.
Instead of smiling, Colleen’s expression became somber. “I have a favor to ask, Aurora.”
“Of course. What is it?”
“That phone call I received earlier was about my mother. She’s taken a turn for the worse and is asking for me. My father and sister want me to come home.”
Aurora set the laundry down. “I’m so sorry, Colleen.” Aurora couldn’t imagine Mrs. O’Leary, such a vital, energetic woman, lying close to death. “What can I do?”
“Take care of my daughter.” Tears shone in Colleen’s eyes. “As much as I hate to leave her, if Mama dies, I’d never forgive myself for not going.”
Aurora impulsively wrapped her in a tight embrace. Any old resentment she held toward Colleen and her family had vanished—one good thing to come out of this shared crisis. “You know I’ll look after Delia like she was my own.”
“Thank you.” Colleen’s whisper was barely audible. “I’d better go. I have to freshen up and pack a few things. Rylan will take me to the train.”
“I’ll be praying for your mother.”
Colleen nodded and left the room.
Aurora talked to each of the children and made sure they were resting comfortably before gathering the bedding and hurrying out into the hallway. She descended the stairs, heading toward the basement utility room, still preoccupied with Colleen’s troubles. She rounded a corner and smacked straight into a hard chest. The pile of laundry slid to the floor. At the same time, a hand grasped Aurora about the waist to steady her. She looked up into Gabe’s twinkling eyes.
He grinned. “Most girls don’t fall quite so literally into my arms.”
A blast of heat warmed her cheeks. “Gabe. I . . . I’m sorry. I didn’t expect anyone to be down here.”
He held up a toolbox with his other hand. “Rylan asked me to fix a clogged sink.”
“I see.” She knelt to gather the fallen linens, and he immediately set the tools aside to help her.
In the dimly lit corridor, with their heads bent together, the space seemed much too intimate. Their hands tangled in the sheets as they rose. Gabe freed one hand and lifted it to cup her chin. She raised her eyes to his. The twinkle had disappeared, replaced with an intensity that caused Aurora’s heart to bang hard against her ribs.
“Aurora, mo ghrá.” His husky voice sent shivers down her spine. “I want to kiss you. I’ve wanted to for a long time.”
She couldn’t seem to move, her gaze focused on the cleft in his chin.
He lowered his face toward her. “If you want me to stop, say so now.”
Fleeting thoughts of her father’s disapproval flashed through her mind, but she pushed them away. For weeks she’d dreamt of this moment. She was not about to let her father ruin it.
“Don’t stop,” she managed to whisper.
When his lips met hers, the force of emotion that coursed through her nearly melted her bones. His arms tightened around her, capturing her close to his chest. The warmth of his lips sent thrills rioting through her body.
At last, she pulled back to catch her breath, unable to squash a wave of regret. “We shouldn’t be doing this. You’re heading back to Ireland in a few weeks, and I’m starting nursing school.”
He caressed her cheek with his thumb, making coherent thought virtually impossible.
“What if I told you I’m reconsidering my departure?” Desire darkened his eyes.
“But you love your homeland. I know from all the stories you’ve told me. And what about your mother? You said you couldn’t leave her.”
“Maybe I’ve found something I love more.”
His lips claimed hers once again, erasing all reasons for her protest. When he drew away at last, her head spun.
His gaze held hers. “I think I fell in love with you before I even knew your name. The moment I spied you across the room at the O’Learys’ party, I was mesmerized by your beauty. Then once I met you, I became captivated by your kindness.” He brushed a kiss to her temple. “Now after seeing you with these children, I know you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”
He lowered his head toward her again, and though she knew she should resist, everything in her yearned for the warmth of his lips on hers. Nothing had ever felt so thrilling, so right.
“Miss Hastings? Are you down there?” Dr. Reardon’s disapproving voice broke the silence.
Aurora jumped back, bumping into the wall behind her. She glanced at Gabe, sending him a silent plea to remain hidden. If Dr. Reardon found them here together . . .
Gabe kissed her hand, which sent goosebumps racing along her arm. “You go. I’ll take care of the laundry. Remember, you’ve done nothing wrong.”
She longed to kiss him again, but instead she whirled around and ran up the stairs, smoothing her hair and apron as she went.
She emerged from the dark stairway onto the main floor, where Dr. Reardon paced the carpet. “I’m here, Doctor. Is anything wrong?” She hoped he took her breathless state as a result of climbing the stairs.
His forehead creased in an unbecoming manner. “Where have you been? I’ve been searching the building for you.” His mustache practically quivered with indignation.
Aurora fought to keep the heat from her cheeks. “I was bringing the linens to the basement. What did you need me for?”
He stalked toward her, then scanned the hallway. Mrs. Taft was seated at her position at the reception desk, and two nuns stood talking nearby. “Perhaps we’d better continue this conversation in private. Please follow me.”
Like a student about to be chastised by the principal, Aurora reluctantly followed him to Rylan’s office. He ushered her in, and she took a seat across from the large desk. He, however, crossed to the window and remained standing.
“I am very disappointed in you, Aurora.”
Aurora’s mouth dropped open, but she quickly closed it. She had done nothing she could think of to merit his disappointment. However, the use of her Christian name made her feel it must be a personal issue.
“For what reason?” Her voice sounded clipped and cool to her own ears.
“Your growing . . . obsession . . . with Mr. Montgomery has interfered with your work.”
She schooled her features to hide her outrage. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
His head whipped toward her. “I doubt the laundry is responsible for your disheveled appearance. The fact that I saw Mr. Montgomery go downstairs mere minutes before you leads me to a very natural conclusion.” He folded his arms and leaned toward her. “Do you deny you were together?”
Aurora gripped her hands together on her lap to keep from throwing something. How dare he besmirch such a beautiful moment in her life? The kisses they’d shared were a sacred expression of their sincere feelings.
She pushed up from her chair and tilted her head in imitation of the ladies in her mother’s social circle. “My relationship with Gabriel is none of your business. If that is all, I must be getting back to work.”
“I’m afraid I’m having second thoughts about recommending you for the nursing program.”
Aurora’s feet stalled. She tensed and shot him a frown. “That is not fair. My personal life has no bearing on my abilities as a nurse.”
“I must disagree. The way you conduct yourself in private has a direct bearing on it.”
She whirled and marched back to the desk, slapping a palm down on the polished surface. “I will not stand here and let you insult my morals. Gabe and I shared a kiss, that is all. I find your jealousy far more suspect.”
His cheeks reddened, but he did not respond.
“I suggest we forget this conversation and continue to serve our patients.” She straightened. Then with a flick of her skirts, she bustled out of the room.
As she he
aded back to the common room, she congratulated herself for not backing down. For once, she had stood up for herself in the face of male dominance. At the same time, she prayed she hadn’t ruined her chance at achieving her dream, for without Dr. Reardon’s endorsement or, worse yet, with his disparaging remarks concerning her conduct, she might never get into nursing school.
27
NEVER HAD A NIGHT STRETCHED OUT as incessantly as this one. Adam’s muscles seized in painful spasms, stiffened from the hours spent sitting on the hard chair beside his mother’s bed. He must have dozed off in an unnatural position that left his neck screaming for relief. If he didn’t get up and move, he feared his limbs would freeze in place. The sound of Mama’s labored breathing brought momentary relief, for at least it meant she was still alive.
Adam rose and stretched his back. In the semi-darkness, he scanned the room. Brianna and Gil must have left for a small respite. Perhaps to check on Deirdre and Connor, who were still fighting the illness themselves, though by no means as severely stricken as Mama.
Adam’s gaze fell on the prone figure of James, half lying on the bed, his arm splayed out over the quilt to grasp Mama’s fingers. With his eyes closed, lines of grief etched into his face. A measure of sympathy rose in Adam’s chest. How would he feel if Maggie were lying in that bed, at death’s door with Adam powerless to help her? His gut clenched at the mere thought.
During the night, he’d listened to James murmur words of encouragement, of love, and finally of pleading for Mama not to leave him. To fight to get better, for her family’s sake.
These past few days, Adam had witnessed the deep love and undying devotion James had for his mother. What would her death do to him? Send him spiraling into a despair so dark he might never emerge whole again? Adam prayed God would not allow that to happen.
He moved to the window and held aside the curtain to look out over the front lawn, where the soft pink hue gave evidence of the sun about to rise. For a moment, Adam tried to picture his mother as a young woman, pregnant and scared, worried that the man she loved might reject her. Yet James had loved her so much, he’d been willing to marry her, give her his name, and even raise her illegitimate child as his own.
Was Maggie right about Adam being ungrateful for what he’d been given in life? That by focusing solely on the lack of love from James, he hadn’t appreciated all the other incredible gifts he’d been given?
Adam hung his head. I’m sorry, Lord. I’ve been so blinded by hatred and bitterness that I couldn’t see Your blessings.
Years of resentment and hostility began to seep away, while the need for repentance burned hot in his veins. His anger seemed so pointless now, as Mama lay fighting for her life.
A muffled cry sounded behind him. He spun around. “Mama?”
But except for the faint rise of her chest, she remained still. James’s face was buried in the pillow beside her, his frame shaking.
Adam froze by the window, paralyzed by his father’s weeping. Part of him wanted to slip unseen out the door. The other part, filled with compassion, wished to ease James’s pain.
He walked to the bed and laid a hand on his father’s shoulder. James stiffened at the contact, as though he hadn’t realized anyone else was in the room.
“Would you like to pray with me?” As soon as the words left Adam’s lips, he waited for the cold rebuke, remembering how his father had only endured church services to please Mama. He doubted James had any real faith, but simply bowed to his wife’s wishes.
James lifted his head, hair a tangled mess, three days’ growth of beard making him appear vagrant-like. He didn’t even attempt to wipe the moisture from his face, but merely nodded. “Would you begin?”
Adam held out a hand to the man who had raised him. James hesitated for a brief second and then sat up on the bed. He grasped Adam’s hand as though it were a lifeline, the one thing saving him from falling apart.
With his free hand, Adam entwined his fingers around his mother’s limp hand and bowed his head. He emptied his mind and allowed the Lord’s words to enter his soul. Immediately the words from the hymn Maggie had been playing came to him.
“‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.’”
With perfect recall, he recited the twenty-third Psalm. When he neared the end, he became aware of the door opening and other people entering the room. His heart swelled with love and gratitude for his family—a family he had failed to fully appreciate. From now on, he would work hard to reestablish broken bonds and repair the fragile relationships. Family, he realized, consisted of more than blood or genes. It was made up of love and respect and shared experiences. As he prayed for his mother’s recovery, he also prayed silently for his family’s forgiveness, that they would give him the chance to make amends for the past.
When their prayers ended, James raised his head again, his focus landing on Adam. A host of emotions passed over his features.
“Thank you, son,” he said. “I’ve never been a religious man, but those words brought me a great measure of peace. Katie would have loved to hear you pray that way.”
Adam swallowed, unused to words of approval from James. “The best thing that happened to me in prison was meeting John McNabb. He taught me the true meaning of being a Christian.”
A hand squeezed his shoulder. Adam looked up to see Brianna’s gentle smile, her green eyes brimming with unshed tears.
“We’re so glad to have you back, Adam. I hope you won’t stay away from home as much now.”
“I’ll do my best.” His gaze moved past his sister to Gil, the man she would marry in a few weeks. Adam was astounded to see admiration shining on Gil’s face. He swallowed and rose to face his former nemesis. “Gil, I hope you can accept my apology for my past behavior. It’s taken me a long time to understand that my resentment was a result of misplaced anger—totally unwarranted by you.”
Gil fixed him with a solemn look. “All I’ve ever wanted is for everyone to get along.” Gil held out a hand to Adam.
Astounded by the ease with which Gil accepted his long-overdue apology, Adam shook his hand. “Thank you. It’s more than I deserve.”
“I only hope we can move forward from here as a family.” Gil tilted his head toward Brianna. “Especially with our wedding approaching.”
“I second that.” A voice from the hallway joined the discussion.
“Colleen!” Brianna whirled around to embrace their sister. “How long have you been there?”
Colleen gave a shaky smile. “Long enough to hear Adam’s beautiful prayer and his apology. I’m just sorry it took Mama’s illness to bring about this family reunion.”
She pulled away from Brianna and moved to kneel by the bed, grasping Mama’s hand in hers. “I’m here, Mama. I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner, but I’ve been busy nursing Delia back to health. She wants to see her grandmother soon.”
For a second, Mama’s eyelids flickered. Adam, along with everyone else in the room, froze, but other than a raspy breath, she remained the same.
A knock echoed in the room as Dr. Shepherd entered. “May I have a moment with my patient, please?”
Grateful for a momentary escape and for time to recover his equilibrium, Adam strode out into the hallway and straight into Maggie.
Maggie gave a cry of surprise as Adam barreled into her, practically knocking her out of her shoes.
Adam grabbed her arms to keep her from toppling over. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.” He scowled. “How long have you been standing out here?”
She swiped at the telltale moisture on her cheeks. Dare she admit that she’d overheard the entire conversation?
“Long enough.” She rubbed her hand across his upper arm, attempting to convey the depth of her emotion.
He avoided her eyes. “If you’ll excuse me, I need some air.”
She swallowed a rush of disappointment and stepped aside to allow him by.
She had no time to process his reaction before the rest of th
e family filed out of the bedroom. Gil and Brianna crossed to another room, likely to check on their siblings. Mr. O’Leary paced the carpeted corridor, appearing almost ill himself, his clothing and hair disheveled, a growth of beard hugging his jaw.
Colleen came up beside him. “Daddy, why don’t you go and rest awhile? We’ll all be here with Mama.”
He shook his head. “If I’m gone, it might give her the chance to slip away.”
His dazed stare fell on Maggie, and he frowned. In all the confusion, he probably hadn’t realized she was in the house. Now that Colleen had arrived, Maggie no longer had the excuse of being here in her stead. And in light of Adam’s reunion with his family, he no longer needed her support. Yet, how could Maggie leave until she knew the outcome? If, God forbid, Mrs. O’Leary passed on to her heavenly reward, Adam would be stricken with an inconsolable grief, one Maggie felt compelled to help him through.
“What are you doing here?” Mr. O’Leary practically barked at her.
Maggie flinched and stumbled for a suitable answer. She must seem like an interloper at this intimate family time.
Colleen put an arm around her shoulders. “I asked Maggie to come in my stead when Delia was still so ill. I knew she’d be a help to the family, just as she was at the orphanage.”
Mr. O’Leary’s frown eased slightly.
Colleen squeezed Maggie against her. “Maggie is as dear to me as Brianna and Dee-Dee. I don’t know what I’d have done without her.”
Maggie smiled. “I’m glad to be of help. Can I do anything for you now?”
Mr. O’Leary studied her. “I heard the piano playing some time ago. Was that you?”
“Aye.”
“My Katie loves the piano. If anything other than her family will help her recover, it will be music. Perhaps you could play again for a while.”
A Worthy Heart Page 25