“Your children seem happy and healthy.”
“For the most part they are, except for Beth. She has a more delicate constitution. She frequently has croup in the winter months. Storm and Rena’s adopted daughter Susie has asthma pretty badly, and Lottie not as severely.”
“Liam had croup once and that’s hard to watch. At least you’re well qualified to treat Beth and your nieces.” Betsie stood. “Liam, stop right now, no running in the house. You know better than to act like that.”
Snickering, he and Parker slowed to a fast walk. With her hand over her mouth to hide her giggles, shy Beth kept pace with them.
Pearl watched them leave the house. “Grandpa lets the children use a shed at the back as a fort or playhouse.”
“He indulges children. I can’t believe how patient he is. I was so worried on the way here.”
“I can understand your wondering but the truth is he loves children in the house. He says it keeps him young.”
When time came for Drake and Pearl to leave, Betsie stood. “I’m surprised the afternoon passed so quickly. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better.”
Pearl hugged her. “We’ll see you at the Founder’s Day Celebration on Saturday. Perhaps you can bring Liam to visit us soon.”
Betsie didn’t see how but she appreciated the invitation. “Thank you, Pearl. In the meantime, I’ll look forward to seeing you on Saturday.”
Liam waved goodbye to his cousins.
Fiona linked her arm with Betsie’s. “Now wasn’t that lovely? Liam will sleep soundly tonight after playing with his cousins.”
Liam held on to Betsie’s hand. “I liked my cousins, ’specially Parker. When can I play with them again?
“You heard Pearl, we’ll see them on Saturday. That’s six days.” She glanced at her mother. “Pearl and Drake and their family are very nice. Such a handsome couple, too.”
“That they are. The Kincaid men are handsome as sin and they’ve each married a beauty.”
Behind them, Grandpa said, “Including yours truly. I’m lucky you agreed to have me, Fiona love.”
Fiona blushed. “Go on with you, flatterer. Sure and don’t I have a mirror?”
“Not unless you realize what a catch you are. Now, I believe I’ll sneak in a nap before supper.” He headed for the stairs.
“I’d like a cup of tea. How about you, dear?”
“I’d love one. Let’s go into the kitchen and save Polly the trouble.” Betsie walked toward the kitchen.
Fiona pulled her back toward the couches. “She doesn’t appreciate us going around her. No, I’ll ring for tea.”
“Mam, getting used to servants must have been a difficult learning experience.”
“I’m still not entirely used to the idea, but I must admit I enjoy the luxury. I go to more social functions than you’d believe existed in one small town.”
“You haven’t since I’ve been here. I hope you didn’t miss on my account.”
“My dear, if there had been an event, I’d have taken you to introduce you. You’ll have a chance to meet more people on Saturday at the Founder’s Day Celebration. Himself is the honoree, of course, and he also makes a brief speech. I suppose you’re going with Michael.”
“He hasn’t asked me. He’s invited us—you, Himself, Liam and me—to his home on Tuesday for dinner.”
“Yes, and we accepted. I’m eager to see the place since he’s lived there a while.”
“He said Himself advised him to buy a house. What I don’t understand is why he insisted on moving back home before the work was completed.”
“Oh, dear, this is still a small town. He’s protecting your good name.”
“That’s unlikely, Mam. He just grew tired of being here instead of his own place.” Betsie hated the bitterness that tinged her voice.
“Betsie, think. Can’t you understand what people are like? Some who saw you walking together or attending mass together would say things like ‘must be cozy them staying in the same house’ or ‘wonder which bedroom they’re using’. Michael is determined to protect you from malicious gossip.”
Betsie laid a hand on either side of her face. “My word, I never would have imagined. What horrid things to think, let alone say.”
“Most people in Kincaid Springs are kind and look up to Rob. But, one or two people are all that’s required to start vicious rumors. You know there are always people who resent anyone with more money than they have. They don’t take into account that Rob started with nothing and earned every penny with hard work and careful investments.”
“I harbored a grudge against Monk for leaving when he did. What must he think of me?”
Fiona chuckled, her eyes sparkling. “From the way he looks at you, I’d say he thinks you’re perfect.”
Betsie clasped her mother’s hand. “Do you really think so? I so hope he feels some affection for me. I know he enjoys Liam.”
***
Tuesday evening, Betsie wore the blue dress Monk had admired. Of course he always complimented her, but his admiration was greatest for the blue.
Grandpa drove the buggy even though Monk lived only a few blocks away. “We may eat so much we’re too tired to walk home.”
Liam peered around. “I like riding like this. We’re up high.”
Beside him, Betsie held his hand. Her insides quivered with excitement.
Grandpa drove around to the carriage house at the rear. A young man held the horses when they stopped.
Monk strolled out to meet them and helped first Fiona then Betsie from the buggy.
Grandpa helped Liam down and led him around the vehicle. “You don’t walk too close to the horses or they can kick you. You go on, Monk and take Betsie and I’ll bring Liam and my love.”
Monk offered his arm to Betsie and she accepted. They strolled to the front of the house.
“I hope you don’t mind walking further but I wanted you to arrive in the main entry. Besides, Mrs. Lopez is busy in the kitchen.”
“You’re kind to invite us. I admit I’ve been curious to see inside your home.”
“Mr. Hendrix said the addition will be finished by the weekend but Mr. Adair won’t paint until next week.”
He guided her up the steps and opened the front door. Inside, he paused until the others had caught up to them.
She peered around. The entry was large with white and black alternating tiles. A wide staircase covered in gold carpet curved upward. The banister was dark wood and polished to shine in the gaslight.
Monk gestured to the staircase. “Perhaps we should start upstairs.”
Grandpa hung his hat on the hall tree. “I’ve seen the place. Anyone mind if I take a seat in the parlor and wait for you?”
Monk chuckled and gave a slight bow. “A wise decision. This way you won’t be expected to ooh or ahh at any aspect of the house.”
“Durn right.” Grandpa headed into the parlor.
Betsie held Liam’s hand as they climbed. “The steps are nice and wide and easy to use.”
Monk opened the door to the first room. “This will be a guest room. I don’t have furniture for this one yet although I have furniture in most rooms.”
Betsie took note of the gold striped walls and darker gold draperies. “Nice wallpaper and draperies.”
“Next is the guest room that was used a few weekends ago by an investor who’d come to talk to me at the bank. He appeared to enjoy himself.”
Fiona sighed. “My, isn’t that a lovely four poster? Anyone would feel royal sleeping there.”
He opened another door. “This is a child’s playroom. Liam, what do you think?”
Liam rushed in and stared at the rocking horse, the table and chairs, the games, and the toys on the shelves. “This is a good place to play. Ma, can I play here?”
Betsie looked at Monk. When he smiled, she cautioned her son, “Just until supper. Be careful, dear. Remember, these aren’t yours.”
Monk looked at her. “Could be,” he said so quietly she wasn’
t certain she’d heard him correctly.
“Across the hall is a child’s bedroom.” He opened the door to reveal a room in blue with two children’s beds and a thick braided rug on the floor. Dark blue coverlets covered with white horses were on the beds.
Betsie said, “Perfect for a couple of brothers.”
“Next door is another child’s room. I guess it seems odd, but I always figured I’d have several children even though I’m getting a late start.” The room was pink with two children’s beds covered in frilly pink coverlets. A thick carpet of pastels covered the center of the floor.
“Precious for little girls. What if you have all boys or all girls?”
He shrugged. “Paint is easy to change.”
They moved to the end of the hall. “There’s a bathing room next door and also one on the first floor. This is the master bedroom.”
Betsie entered a room papered in soft green with draperies in a darker shade at the windows. Lace sheers hung behind the drapes. Ornate furniture in dark cherry included the bed, a table at each side, an armoire, a high chest of drawers, a dressing table with a chair, and two upholstered chairs separated by a small lamp table. A thick rug of predominately green shades broken by burgundy, cream, and blue covered the floor to within a foot of each wall. A dark green coverlet protected the bed.
“This is a beautiful room.” Betsie liked this better than she did her room at Mam’s.
Monk gestured to the contents. “You can see this is far more furniture than I need but Sarah said I should think of the future. I decided she was right because I wanted everything to match.”
Fiona walked to the window. “A lovely view of your back garden. I see your gazebo is almost completed.”
Although Betsie saw there was a back stairway, Monk guided them toward the main stairs. “Shall we leave Liam playing for now?”
“I’d better tell him we’re going downstairs.” Betsie opened the door. “Liam, what are you doing? You can’t climb like that.”
“I wanted to reach that bear. I won’t fall or hurt anything.”
Monk retrieved the stuffed bear. “Better you should ask for someone to get things for you. If you fell, your ma would be really mad at me.”
Liam’s eyes widened. “At you? I’m sorry, I don’t want that to happen. I was being careful so I wouldn’t fall.”
Betsie started to scold her son but Monk put a hand at her waist and gently pulled her toward him. “Your grandmother and mother and I are going downstairs now. If you want to stay here and play, you may, but no more climbing. All right?”
Liam hung his head. “I promise.”
Leaving the door open, the three adults went to find Grandpa. He was in the parlor reading a copy of the latest newspaper.
Grandpa lowered the paper. “Tour concluded?”
Monk sat in a chair near the fireplace. “The major portion is. We can see this floor a little at a time.”
Betsie sat beside her mother on the couch. “Sarah did a wonderful job decorating your home.”
Monk stretched his legs in front of him. “I’m pleased with the finished results. I was certainly glad she volunteered to help. I would have been hard-pressed to do half as well.”
A Mexican woman who appeared to be in her late thirties came into the parlor. “Dinner is ready. Please go into the dining room.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Lopez. I’ll get Liam.”
Liam came running down the stairs. “I heard a lady say dinner’s ready. I’m hungry.”
Mrs. Lopez smiled. “Ah, you are the young man Mr. Magonagle has mentioned. He has a special chair for you.”
Betsie took Liam’s hand. “He’s always hungry. I think he’s already grown an inch since we arrived in Kincaid Springs.”
While Mrs. Lopez disappeared, Monk ushered the rest of them into the dining room.
Fiona took in the lovely china and tablecloth. “My goodness, Sarah thought of everything.”
Monk lifted Liam onto the high chair. “I chose the china. The pattern reminds me of one Nate’s parents had.”
Betsie let Monk assist her to her chair. “This is beautiful and unusual. How did you find it?”
“Mr. Novak let me go through his catalogues. This is a Limoges French set in a pattern called Rosalinde. Getting it here took quite a few weeks.”
Mrs. Lopez pushed a cart on which she’d set the serving pieces. “Because of the warm weather, Mr. Magonagle skipped the soup course.” She set out a ham glazed with an orange sauce, candied sweet potatoes, green beans, applesauce, spiced beets, and broccoli.
Grandpa tucked his napkin across his lap. “What a feast.”
Betsie served hers and Liam’s plates. “I think we’ll skip the beets for Liam. I’d hate to stain the tablecloth or the rug.”
Monk shook his head. “There’s no reason to skip anything if he wants to eat it. A home is to be lived in.”
She raised her eyebrows. “All the same, we don’t want this one to appear too lived in, do we?”
Liam shook his head. “No brolli, Ma.”
She cut up his ham and sweet potatoes. “I know. Liam, please eat carefully so you don’t make a mess.”
He picked up his fork. “Ma, I’m a big boy now.” His voice carried indignation that she had questioned his ability to eat neatly.
Monk laughed but Betsie couldn’t relax until Liam had finished eating.
The meal ended with apple pie and whipped cream. Mrs. Lopez furnished a warm, wet cloth to clean Liam’s hands and face.
Betsie took the cloth from her. “Thank you.” When she was certain he was clean enough to touch other surfaces, she set him down.
“Can I go play more?”
Betsie glanced at Grandpa. “I’m not certain how much longer we’ll stay, so listen for me calling you.”
Grandpa stood. “I believe I’ll read the rest of the article I started. Comfortable chair, Monk.”
Fiona took his arm. “I think I’ll sit with you, Rob.” She gestured to Betsie. “You two go right ahead with the tour.”
Chapter Fourteen
Monk took Betsie’s arm. “Perhaps you’d like to see the new addition.”
“I’d enjoy that.”
“First, this is a small study or library. I admit I don’t spend much time here. I take books to the parlor or bedroom to read.”
Bookcases covered three walls with plenty of shelf space to add more books. Windows made up the fourth side.
“I love to read also. I recognize some of the titles.”
“Next to this is the entrance to the solarium. I’ve always wanted a spot where I could see the outdoors from the comfort of my home. This would function as a family room where children could play in inclement weather while their mother and I read or talked.”
Even though the room wasn’t complete, it was far enough along that Betsie envisioned its final version.
“An inviting room. The fireplace will provide warmth in winter and the many windows will open to allow a breeze in summer. Obviously, you’ve thought this through carefully.”
He stood with his hand at her back waist. “I’ve dreamed of my own home for a long time. This one is measuring up to all my goals. I’ve been eager to show it to you and get your opinion.”
“How could I think it’s anything but wonderful? I see the gazebo with a swing, too. You’ve thought of everything, Monk.”
He took both her hands in his. “You must realize I hope you’ll agree to share this with me. You and Liam.”
She teased, “You’ve given up foisting me off on someone else?”
He wrapped his arms loosely around her. “I’m hoping you don’t want anyone else. If you need more time, I’m willing to wait as long as you need.”
She rested her hands on his chest. “I don’t need more time. I know I want to be your wife.”
He lifted her up and swung her around. “You’ve made me very happy. I don’t have a ring yet in case you wanted to help choose one.”
“Whateve
r you choose will be perfect.” She held onto his shoulders to look into his eyes when he set her feet on the floor. “Can we wait a few days to announce our engagement? I want to savor this feeling privately for a while before I share it.”
He appeared solemn as he brushed a curl from her face. “If that’s what you wish. How soon are you thinking of an announcement?”
She mulled his question over for a few seconds. “After the Founder’s Day Celebration, maybe at Sunday dinner. What do you think?”
“That sounds good. Let Grandpa have his day on Saturday then we’ll tell everyone on Sunday.”
“Does that mean you’ll come to the Presbyterian Church with the family this time?”
“Yes, if I can sit beside you.”
She leaned against his chest. “Where else, dear Monk? Although, Liam will want to sit beside you, too.”
“I don’t mind if he’s between us as long as the three of us are together.” He cupped her head with his hands. “I want to seal this with a kiss.”
“Just one?” she teased.
He swept her into his arms and brushed his lips against hers. His gentle kiss increased in fervor until he broke the embrace.
“I… um, I think we’d better go back to the others before I lose control.”
“Or I melt into a puddle at your feet.”
Back in the parlor, Grandpa nodded with his head against his chest. Fiona had stretched out with her head on the couch’s arm.
Betsie smiled at Monk and whispered. “I could have kissed you again.”
Monk cleared his throat. “Perhaps I should get Liam.”
“Would you? He may have fallen asleep too.”
Grandpa raised his head. “I wasn’t asleep, just resting my eyes for a bit.”
Fiona raised up and yawned. “I was asleep. Good food and good company relaxed me.”
Monk came down the stairs carrying Liam, who was asleep. “He’d crawled into one of the beds in the blue bedroom.”
Betsie tsked. “Made himself at home, didn’t he?” She was glad he felt comfortable here for it would be his home soon.
“I’ll carry him to the buggy. Hold on to my arm. I haven’t had gas lights installed yet.” He turned to Grandpa. “Would you like for me to drive the buggy to the front?”
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