“We could remember both parents and name the second child, Sophie.”
“That would be wonderful. Will you care for them? Sophia loved the idea of being a mother and having a family. I hate the idea of their being placed in a large orphanage and possibly being sent to different homes. The only family they have is each other.”
Katie walked around the parlor bouncing the tiny girl in her arms. She knew all too well what it felt like to realize you didn’t have a family. Miss Edie and Miss Ethel gave her a family and seven wonderful sisters. How could she not do the same for the innocents that needed a family?
Turning to look at the Boyds, she said, “My guardians were not going to accept any children younger than five since they don’t believe they could offer adequate care as they grow older. However, I have decided to make my life here in Howard House and care for as many children as I can. I will be happy to take care of Sophie and Josie.”
Mrs. Boyd stood and clutched her hands to her chest. “Thank you, thank you. I was distressed to think the babies would be separated. Would we be able to see them occasionally?”
“Any time at all. You are always welcome,” Katie assured.
Mr. Boyd passed the infant he was holding to his wife and said, “We have some things in the cart for the girls. Hilda helped Sophia sew some clothes, and we had some left from when our children were young. Not expecting twins, we don’t have a lot, but we brought what we could and also the things Sophia had with her.”
He hurried out the door, and Mrs. Boyd asked, “Sophia had a few things of her own. A Bible, a few trinkets, a picture from her wedding day. Nothing of great value but things the girls might treasure. Will you keep them?”
“Of course, and each girl here has their own trunk with things they will cherish when they are grown. Some came with their own trunk, others like my older sister, Ella Grace, only has her family Bible. Family connections are important to each of us.”
Mrs. Boyd wept openly and hugged the sleeping infant a bit closer. She smiled when her husband returned with the box of necessities for the girls. Laying the baby on the settee, she asked to hold the second infant for a moment before handing her back to Katie. “Thank you again, and God bless you.”
“Thank you, oh I neglected to ask their surname, and do you know which baby is which? Who was born first?”
“Their surname is Ellsworth. In the chaos yesterday morning, I can’t remember which girl was born first. When Sophia began to struggle, I just laid them down together.” Mrs. Boyd answered with her head down. “I should have paid more attention.”
“Nonsense,” Katie replied. “You were under a great deal of stress. They have a house full of sisters now, and they can pick which one is Josie and which is Sophie. We’ll do our best to try and tell them apart. Each child has a small difference, I hope.” She smiled doing her best to reassure Mrs. Boyd.
“That’s all we can ask for,” Mrs. Boyd responded as she and her husband hurried from the house to their cart.
Katie closed the door just as Ella Grace was hurrying down the street toward the house. Mrs. Boyd stopped and asked, “Excuse me, are you familiar with Howard House? Is it as nice a place to live as people say?
“It certainly is. I spent nearly my entire life with Miss Edie and Miss Ethel. I don’t know where I’d be if not for their love and kindness.”
Mrs. Boyd nodded and climbed into her wagon. Ella Grace watched the couple leave wondering why they questioned her.
Ella Grace opened the door to Howard House and called out, “Hello, anyone home?”
“Shh,” Katie said with a finger to her lips. “They’re sleeping.”
“Who’s sleeping?”
“Sophie and Josie, come look. Aren’t they the sweetest little girls you’ve ever seen?”
Ella Grace looked down at the babies asleep on the settee and answered, “They are beautiful, but I thought Miss Ethel and Miss Edie weren’t accepting small children. These are newborns.”
“They are, they were born yesterday. Their mother passed right after the second birth, and their father died in the collapse. They don’t have anyone.”
Ella Grace couldn’t stop the tears as she picked up one of the sleeping babies, “They have us, but I thought you were going to Portland.”
“I did, too, but as soon as I held one of these blessings, I knew my place was right here helping Miss Edie and Miss Ethel. I felt God tell me this is my purpose.”
“I was hoping you’d change your mind, Katie. I thought my news might help you decide, but it seems the Lord stepped in first.”
“What news?”
Ella Grace broke out into a broad grin, “I’m going to have a baby.”
If Katie weren’t holding a sleeping infant, she’d let out a squeal. “That’s wonderful. Is Michael happy?”
“He’s losing his mind. He decided I shouldn’t work at the Inn, he wants to hire a housekeeper and a cook. I’m supposed to stay home with my feet up and read,” she laughed.
“You can always come here and help with the babies. Tell Michael it’s training for when you have yours.”
“That’s a lovely idea, but I have another one. Since you’re not going to Portland, we have plans to make. Katie, you need a husband.”
The End
The next book in the series is Wanted: Man of Honor. You can read a sneak peek at: http://georgemcvey.weebly.com/silverpines-preview.html
You can find me at http://mariannespitzer.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mariannespitzerauthor/ All my Sweet Western Romances, Mail-order Brides of Gentle Falls, can be found on my Amazon author page and all are available through Kindle Unlimited.
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Wanted: Innkeeper: Silverpines Series (Book 6) Page 12