He didn’t appear to hear her as she entered the barn. He was crying. She walked quietly until she got closer, then made a rather loud noise. She didn’t think he would appreciate her seeing him cry. He rubbed his sleeve across his eyes.
“Do you have that wood I asked for?”
“Yes, ma’am. I was just coming in. Had to finish something first.”
“What are you working on?” Cara asked.
Abe stood to one side, and it was only then Cara glimpsed the beautifully carved cradle. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked from the cradle back to the boy and back.
“It’s ma’s birthday on January second. I know Pa won’t have remembered and I didn’t want the day to pass without her having a present. She didn’t get nothing for Christmas.”
Cara put her hand out, tentatively wondering if he would let her touch it.
“It’s beautiful. Your ma will be so pleased.”
“You saw ma? Is she alright? Will she live?”
“I don’t know Abe. It would be wrong of me to say yes when the real answer is in God’s hands. But she is fighting. She doesn't want to leave you all.”
“And what about him? Is he gone?”
Taken aback by the change in his tone, she couldn’t answer but shook her head.
“I hope he dies. It's all his fault we’re living like this. Ma didn’t want any more babies. She told him she wasn't able to look after the ones we had. He kept drinking. Not listening to her. He’s already promised Mary to one of his cronies and for what? A few bottles of beer. He makes me sick.”
Cara listened with horror as the boy continued ranting about his father. Mary? She was only thirteen years old. Surely he couldn’t mean what she thought he meant?
The boy fell silent. Cara gave him a quick hug–it wasn’t appropriate but she didn't care. The boy was hurting.
“Abe, together we won't let anything happen to Mary, I promise. Now let’s get you back into the house. You need to warm up and I have to get back to the little ones. I need to give them a bath.”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes. I’ll help ya with the bath. I've done it before for ma.”
“That would be real nice, thank you.”
It was an exhausting evening but by midnight, all the children had been bathed, scrubbed and deloused. The beds had been stripped, too, and Cara had started on the laundry.
“Ellen seems to be getting stronger. I don’t know whether it’s my doctoring or your coffee.” Colin smiled the sweetest smile. Cara had to fight every instinct not to go into his arms and kiss him. She focused on the washing instead.
“Cara, you should get to bed. You’ll be exhausted in the morning.”
“I will once I get these wrung out. I couldn’t put the children to bed in those covers. Not when they were so clean.”
He stood at the door. She could feel his eyes watching her. She turned to catch his gaze. “Am I doing it wrong?”
“What? No, of course not. I was just thinking.”
“About?”
“You’ll make someone a wonderful wife and a fantastic mother. I never thought you would have so much patience.”
“With my red hair?”
He smiled. “It has nothing to do with your hair but…well, you haven’t always been known for patience.”
Cara giggled. “I guess that’s true. If I had been a boy, Mama may have called me Jude.”
They both laughed. He moved closer to her, taking the now dripping sheet from her hands and putting it to one side before pulling her closer.
“Thank you for today, Cara. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Embarrassed, and afraid Mary would come and catch them, she moved away. “It was nothing. Anyone would have done the same.”
“No, they wouldn’t, Cara. It takes a very special person to do what you did today.”
He bent down to kiss her but his lips landed on her forehead. Like as if he was proud of her rather than romantically interested in her. She tried not to cry, putting down the flood of emotion to tiredness.
“My goodness, I didn’t realize it was so late. I best get to bed.” She moved so quickly she almost ran out of the door.
Colin sat down, his shoulders slumping, not just with tiredness but with despair. He had hoped working so closely together would have been enough to break through the barriers that had grown between them. But it didn’t seem to be the case.
Chapter 26
The 6th day of Christmas
December 30, 1876
Morning came early as Ellen O’Malley gave birth to another baby girl. The labor, thankfully, was quick and relatively painless. The baby was very small, although it seemed healthy enough. Most surprisingly of all, Fergus O’Malley seemed to be recovering, too.
“I think I should bring you to all my visits, Cara.”
“I am glad he is recovering but I want Draven to come and have a word with him before he gets too much better,” Cara said firmly.
“Draven?”
Cara told him quietly what Abe had told her the night before. At the look on Colin’s face, she grabbed his arm. “Leave it to Draven.”
“I’m not going to do anything to him, although I want to beat him senseless. What do you take me for?”
She didn’t get a chance to answer as with a look of hurt, he went back into the bedroom to check on Ellen.
She leaned against the door frame. She didn’t think he would hurt Fergus O’Malley because of Colin’s past, but just because any right-minded human being would feel that way towards a man who could treat his own daughter so badly. How could she explain that to Colin? Would his past never leave them alone?
Cara walked slowly out to the barn where Abe was busy working.
“Abe, you have a new sister. I think your ma would love to see the present you made.”
Abe grinned before smoothing down the wood one last time. “Is ma and the baby all right?”
“Yes, they are.”
“And him?”
Cara hated to see the look in his eyes. “Your pa is doing better.”
Abe didn’t look up but his grin was replaced by a scowl. Cara moved out of his way as he headed to the house, the cradle under his arm.
She followed, hoping Ellen was awake and well enough to thank her son properly. He may be the eldest but he was hurting and needed his ma.
She was just in time to see Abe go to his pa’s bed first. She didn’t hear what the boy said but she saw the look on anger on Fergus’s face. The man tried to get up. Cara called for Colin as she rushed to restrain Fergus, but it was too late. His face turned purple as his good hand clutched his chest. He fell back on the bed, his face now ashen.
Cara turned away, gathering the children who had followed her into the bedroom and ushering them outside, at the same time calling for Mary. Colin passed her in the doorway.
“What happened to Pa? Why did he look like that?” one of the boys asked her.
“Your pa isn’t well love,” Cara couldn’t remember the youngster’s name. “Now I need you to go with Mary, she will take you outside to play for a while. I have to go back to help Doc.”
The boy nodded, his eyes so wide open they looked too big for his face. She waited until all the remaining children had gone outside with Mary before she turned back.
Taking a deep breath, Cara walked back into the bedroom. The first thing she saw was the sheet drawn up over Fergus’s body. Abe was on the floor, his head in his hands. Colin was talking softly to Ellen and thankfully the twins were still fast asleep.
“Abe, come on love,” Cara said quietly, putting her hand on his shoulder. “Come outside. That’s it, walk slowly now, you’ve had a shock.”
Colin caught her eye and nodded in approval before turning his attention back to Ellen. Ellen called to her son.
“Abe, my darling boy. The present you made for your sister is mighty fine. She will look like a princess.”
Abe didn’t seem to register what his ma was saying.
The haunted expression in his eyes worried Cara. She moved her arm around his shoulders. “Come on love, let’s get you a hot drink.”
Abe walked through the kitchen and straight out to the barn.
“He always goes there when he’s upset. It’s his place,” Mary said as she watched her brother. “He’s sensitive, our Abe. Pa says he’s like a girl inside but that’s just cause Pa is mean.”
Cara rubbed the girl’s arm tenderly before taking a hot drink out to the barn. She knocked on the door to alert Abe to her presence.
“I got you a drink, Abe. It will help with the shock.”
“Don’t want anything. You best call for Draven to come,” he replied.
“Draven? Why?”
“I killed pa. I will be locked up.”
Cara put the drink down and rushed to the boy’s side. “You didn’t kill anyone love. Your pa was sick. He was going to die anyway. You know that.”
“But you said he was recovering.
“Sometimes it can look like a patient is getting better but then they take a turn for the worse. Nothing you did made any difference. Your pa would have died whether you were there or not.”
“You didn’t hear what I said to him.”
“It doesn’t matter Abe, you didn’t kill him.”
The boy didn’t seem to be listening. “I told him he should be rotting in hell for what he planned to do. You know, with Mary and the girls.”
Cara took a deep breath fighting the nausea in her stomach. The girls. Mr. O’Malley had thought about selling all of his daughters. Was that how girls like Jolie, Pearl and the others ended up working in places like La Maison des Chats? She knew she had to be careful. As despicable as Fergus O’Malley might have been, he was still the lad’s father.
“Abe, you didn’t do anything to your pa. You were angry and you were right to feel that way. You were protecting your sisters like a big brother should.”
“Do you have a brother?”
Cara was taken aback. She didn’t want to speak about Thomas but she guessed she had to.
“Yes, love I do. His name is Thomas.”
“Did he protect you?”
Ha! Thomas didn’t protect anyone other than himself.
“I guess he did what he felt was right.” Cara had to bring the subject back to the O’Malley’s. “Abe, you are a wonderful son and big brother. Maybe you shouldn’t have said what you did but you didn’t kill your pa. I promise you are not responsible.”
Chapter 27
Colin stood just inside the barn door listening to Cara talk to Abe. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop but when he walked into the barn, they didn’t hear him approach. He didn’t want to interrupt what he felt was an important conversation. As he listened to Cara comfort the younger boy, he heard more than she said. Her comments about Thomas were enlightening. As far as he knew, Thomas had never tried to protect Cara. If anything, he had done the opposite. He had used every opportunity to get Cara into trouble with her mother. Yet Cara didn’t say a word of this to Abe. Her loyalty, although misplaced, was commendable.
Listening to her, he realized what his heart had been telling him all along. She was the perfect wife for a doctor. For him. Full of compassion, empathy and more than a little stubborn and self-determined. She was loyal and caring while also being funny and so very attractive. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her how much he loved her. How he never wanted her to leave him. He would love and protect her as long as he lived. But he couldn’t do that. It wasn’t the time.
He coughed loudly to announce his presence. The pair jumped apart as if they had been found doing something they shouldn’t. Cara’s face was flushed and Abe, his expression was a combination of guilt and fear.
“Cara, Ellen is asking for you. Could you go in to her please? I want a word with Abe.”
Cara looked at Abe, uncertainty written all over her face but he nodded. “Be kind to him,” she whispered as she passed by Colin. Just what did she think he was going to do?
“Abe, your father’s death was a foregone conclusion. His heart was too diseased to fight off the fever. You are now the man of the house. It is a tough burden at a young age but we, everyone in Noelle, will help you.”
Abe looked at him with disbelief.
“You mean I didn’t kill him?”
“No son, you didn’t. It just looked that way because you came in just as he tried to say goodbye to his family.”
Colin crossed his fingers hoping God would forgive the white lie. But the last thing this family, in particular this boy, needed was to carry any guilt for the death of a monster such as Fergus O’Malley. After Cara told him of O’Malley’s plans, he had been fit to cut the man down himself.
“Come on son, I need help removing your pa’s body from the bedroom. Your ma, baby sister and the twins need space to recover.”
“Is ma going to be alright?”
“Your ma is a strong woman in every sense. She will be just fine now, you mark my words.”
Colin watched Abe straighten up, he could almost see the weight of guilt fall from his shoulders. “I guess I will go check on ma and then I best get digging a grave.”
“The ground will be hard due to the weather. We’ll get help from the village for that.”
“So will I help you carry pa out here?”
“Good boy.”
“Thanks Doc. Your friend Cara is a nice lady too.”
“That she is.” Colin responded but he was talking to himself. Abe had already left.
Cara sat at the kitchen table drinking some fresh coffee. She should be making dinner or baking so Ellen could rest, but she couldn’t get the strength to stand up. She was so tired but it was a good tiredness. She was upset the family had lost their father, but she couldn’t bring herself to mourn Mr. O’Malley. From what little she knew of the man, he had made his family miserable. At least now Mary and the girls would be safe. Abe should be okay too.
She looked around at the pristine kitchen. Who’d have known working as a maid in the convent orphanage would have proved so worthwhile? She was exhausted, but for the first time since leaving the orphanage, she felt useful. It was a good feeling and one she wanted to continue having. She could be a part of Noelle’s community, a useful addition to Colin’s life.
She’d loved being part of Colin’s world, working with him side by side. He was a wonderful doctor not letting his personal opinions impact on the care he provided to his patients. She knew he hated what O’Malley planned to do with his children but he had done as much as possible to make sure his patient survived. It wasn’t his lack of skill that had resulted in the man’s death. She stood up and went into the bedroom where Colin was talking to Ellen.
Colin looked up, “Cara, it’s time we headed back to town. I’ll be back tomorrow to check on you, Ellen. In the meantime, there is plenty of food. Mary and Abe can cope so you rest as much as you can.”
“Yes, Doctor. Thank you for everything. I wish I could get to your wedding but I guess I’ll have to wait for the first christening,” Ellen said softly.
Cara flushed bright red as she waited for Colin’s response, but she waited in vain. He didn’t say a word in reply but walked out of the bedroom to talk to the children. Cara heard him giving strict instructions that Ellen wasn’t to lift a finger and if they needed him they should come to town immediately.
“You must think me a wicked woman, Miss Cara.”
“Why?” Cara asked not hiding her shock.
“My husband isn’t cold in his grave and I haven’t shed a single tear for him. And I won’t either. That man wasn’t the one I married. I mourned for my real Fergus long ago. That man was evil, he was mean to our children. He led them a dog’s life and his plans… Oh Miss Cara, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. But now my children are safe. I don’t need to sleep with half an eye open anymore.” A tear rolled down Ellen’s cheek.
“Shssh now Ellen, you need to rest, don’t be getting worked up.”
> “I’m not crying for him. I’m crying as I should have had the strength to get rid of him when he first turned bad. But he’s gone now. It’s just me and my children.”
“No, Ellen it isn’t. You’re part of Noelle’s community. Once people hear your husband is dead, I am sure you will be inundated with offers of help. Abe shows real skill with his workmanship. He should be able to earn some money selling the stuff he makes. Doc Colin will advise him.”
“He is a fine man, your doctor.”
Cara looked at Ellen but didn’t respond.
“I know there’s something not quite right between you but I tell you something, Miss Cara. That man is head over heels in love with you and pardon my bluntness, but you would be a fool to let him go.”
Cara sighed before giving Ellen a quick hug and the baby a cuddle.
“Miss Cara, I thought I would name the baby after you. Would that be alright?”
Cara swallowed hard, her eyes filled with tears. She nodded, unable to speak.
“Are you coming, Cara?” Colin shouted from outside. Cara gave the baby a quick kiss. She left the room and quickly found Abe so she could hug him too before she left. “Come and find me if you need anything or if you just want to talk.”
Abe blushed bright red but nodded his thanks.
Cara ran outside to where Colin stood waiting with their horses.
Both of them were exhausted as they rode back into town. Colin didn’t have the energy to speak, never mind fight, with Cara and judging by how pale she looked, neither did she. They rode in silence until they reached the livery where they gratefully handed over both horses to be looked after.
Colin escorted Cara home. “Go to bed and rest. I’ll call tomorrow. We will talk then,” he said, exhaustion making his voice gruff.
She was obviously too tired to argue as she nodded before going indoors.
Chapter 28
The Maid_The Eighth Day Page 10