A Baby Between Them Read online

  “Is he going to be okay?” Nora asked, concerned by the fact that the boy hadn’t yet opened his eyes.

  Cam met her gaze without answering, his expression reflecting his own worry.

  By this time, Maeve, Flynn and Will had also joined them, and Flynn had his medical bag at the ready. Flynn knelt down beside the much-too-still deputy and asked the others to give him some room. “Someone tell me what happened,” he commanded in his strongest no-nonsense physician’s voice.

  It was Mollie who answered. “He slipped and fell backward into the water,” she said, worry coloring her voice. “I think he must have hit his head on something because he sort of groaned and then went still.” She wrung her hands, oblivious to the state of her own clothing. “I waded in and held his head up out of the water until Sheriff Long came, but I didn’t know how else to help him.”

  “You did just as you should,” Flynn reassured her. He gingerly felt along Gavin’s scalp and suddenly the boy groaned and finally stirred. His eyes fluttered open and he looked around at them as if not quite certain what was going on. “What happened?”

  “You took a fall and went in the water,” Flynn said. “Now hold still while I examine you.” His hands were busy, exploring Gavin’s head and neck with practiced, efficient movements. “Tell me how you feel. Where does it hurt?”

  Gavin grimaced. “My head feels like it’s been hit with one of those croquet mallets, I’m soaking wet and I have water in my boots, but other than that I’m okay.”

  Flynn slid his hand under Gavin’s back. “Can you sit up?”

  “I think so.” Gavin put word to action and in moments was sitting up and answering Flynn’s questions in an intelligible manner. From his responses, it was obvious his confidence and sense of humor had survived intact.

  Now that the concern for Gavin had abated, Mollie turned to face Bridget. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Black. This is all my fault. I know I was supposed to be watching your little boy and girl, but I only took my eyes off Caleb for a minute.”

  “Tell us what happened.” There was a hardness in Will’s voice that commanded attention. He had stooped down to check on his children but this in no way diminished his presence.

  Nora wondered if Mollie was about to face the considerable force of a father’s anger. Instinctively she moved closer to the girl to lend her moral support.

  But Mollie, obviously distraught over what had happened, kept her attention focused on Will and Bridget. “The ribbons on Olivia’s shoe came undone and I stooped down to tie them up again because I didn’t want her to trip on them. I told Caleb to stay close, but he saw a lizard and went chasing after it before I could stop him. He tripped and fell into the pond.” She glanced toward the deputy. “Gavin was lightning quick, though—he went right in and plucked Caleb out. But then he slipped on the wet bank and fell backward.” Mollie pushed her hair off her forehead. “I made sure both children stayed sitting down away from the pond while I was helping Gavin.” She took a deep breath. “Like I said, this was all my fault, I should have been watching more closely. I can only say again how deeply sorry I am.”

  Nora’s heart warmed with pride for Mollie. Yes, a near disaster had happened under her watch, but children had a way of slipping past even the most watchful of caretakers. The important thing was, Mollie had taken responsibility for her actions, had kept her wits about her when it counted and hadn’t tried to run away. The girl had definitely come a long way in the past few weeks.

  “It wasn’t her fault.” Gavin stared past Flynn to Will and Bridget. “She was watching the twins real close like she said. And Caleb wasn’t in any real danger. The pond only comes up to his waist on this end.”

  Caleb threw his arms around his father. “I’m sorry I didn’t mind Miss Mollie, Papa. Please don’t be angry.”

  Will’s face softened as he stroked his little boy’s head. “I’m not angry, Caleb.” He glanced Mollie’s way. “Not at anyone.”

  Then he looked back at Caleb, tilting the boy’s head up to meet his gaze. “But now you see what can happen when you don’t mind what you’re told. You must promise me you will do better in the future.”

  The little boy nodded contritely. “Oh, I will, Papa.” Then he qualified his promise. “At least I will try.”

  Nora hid a smile at the toddler’s innocent honesty.

  Flynn closed his bag, reclaiming everyone’s attention. “I don’t think Gavin has a concussion but he’s going to have a whale of a headache for the rest of the day. Just to be safe, someone should keep a close eye on him for the next twenty-four hours.” He turned to Gavin. “You shouldn’t make any sudden, jarring movements or do any heavy lifting for the next few days. And if you have any dizzy spells you come back to see me right away. Understand?”

  Gavin started to nod then winced and thought better of it. “Yes, sir.”

  Flynn stood and turned to Mollie. “It’s a good thing you acted so promptly, young lady. You most likely saved Gavin from drowning.”

  Gavin looked at Mollie, a new appreciation gleaming in his eyes. “Seems I owe you my life.”

  Mollie blushed.

  Nora wondered, was she embarrassed by being the center of everyone’s attention? Or was it just Gavin’s approving smile that put the pink in her cheeks?

  Will rose and moved to help Flynn stand Gavin up, thanking the boy for rescuing Caleb from his dunking. As everyone began to make their way back toward the house, Nora looked around for Cam. She finally spotted him, standing with his back to the trunk of a nearby oak tree.

  When had he moved away from them? More importantly, why had he moved away from them? She saw the strained look on his face, the clenched fists at his sides and headed his way without further hesitation.

  She stopped in front of him and it seemed to take a moment for him to register her presence. Even then he didn’t meet her gaze directly.

  She said the first thing that popped into her head. “You should change into some dry clothes.”

  His lips barely curved as he smiled. “I will in a minute.”

  “Is something the matter?”

  “I know how she feels.” His voice was hoarse, ragged.

  Something was definitely the matter. “What do you mean?”

  “I know how Mollie feels. The awful feeling of things going out of control caused by one moment of inattention, the helplessness to turn back time and fix it.”

  There was an underlying meaning to his words that she wanted desperately to understand. “But everything turned out okay.”

  His gaze locked on hers and he seemed to really see her for the first time since he’d started talking. “Yes. This time it did.”

  “Cam, does this have something to do with your own troubles?” She held her breath, wondering if he would push her away again.

  He held his peace for a long moment and she braced herself for the forthcoming rebuff. But then he let out a long breath and nodded. “You’re right. You deserve the whole story. And then you’ll finally understand.” He muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like “then it’ll be over.”

  “I’m listening.” Nora’s heart pounded in her chest, sending her pulse scurrying through her veins. She sensed that everything between them would change after this. And she wasn’t certain she would like where it went.

  Cam indicated they should walk and Nora fell into step beside him, following the edge of the pond. “After my mother died,” he began, “and I left my father’s house, I was on my own for a while. I worked in one of the factories in Boston, earning just enough to keep myself fed. One of the ways I survived was by finding a second job. When I wasn’t working in the factory, I helped a lady I’d met there by watching her little boy in the evenings when she went out to work her second job. She didn’t have very much, so she couldn’t pay me, but she let me sleep in her apartment so I had a roof over my head.”

  Nora’s gut clenched in sympathy for the harsh childhood he’d had. It was a wonder he’d grow
n into such a good, even-tempered man.

  “The apartment she had was just a tiny garret room in a four-story tenement, but it was better than sleeping on the street. Her little boy, Tommy, was three years old—just about Caleb’s age. I didn’t mind watching him—he was a sweet kid, full of curiosity and energy. After a while, it was almost like having a little brother.”

  She smiled, picturing what a great big brother he would have made to such a child.

  Cam raked a shaky hand through his hair and she knew he was getting close to the difficult part of his story. “But then one hot July evening a moth flew in the open window and Tommy tried to catch it. I didn’t realize what was happening until it was too late. Tommy followed that moth right out of that fourth-story window.”

  Nora couldn’t stop the gasp that sprang from her lips and her hand flew to her throat. “Oh, Cam, how awful.”

  He didn’t seem to hear her, his gaze was focused on something in the far distance. “I raced down the stairs, hoping, praying that somehow there’d been something there to cushion his fall, that he’d be okay.”

  She knew instinctively that that had not been the case.

  “His mother found him before I did. She was kneeling on that grimy sidewalk, holding the broken, bloody body of her only child.” He swallowed hard. “When she saw me she started screaming, telling me it was all my fault, that I had killed her baby.”

  Nora grabbed his hand and squeezed it, the need to touch him, to console him, overwhelming her. “Oh, Cam, she had to have been out of her mind with grief. But no matter what she said, it wasn’t your fault.”

  “Tommy died while under my care, because I didn’t watch him closely enough.” His face hardened. “Don’t you understand? My dad was a mean drunk and a miserable human being, but as far as I know, he was never responsible for anyone’s death.” He grimaced. “I can’t say the same about me.”

  What a terrible burden he’d carried all these years. “You were just a boy—”

  His eyes blazed at her, but she knew his anger was all directed inward. “Don’t try to sugarcoat this, Nora. I was twelve years old. Old enough to be on my own, old enough to hold down a man’s job and old enough to know exactly what my responsibilities to Tommy and his mother were.”

  He pulled his hand out of her grasp. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time I changed out of these wet clothes. Give my regrets to your sister and Dr. Gallagher. I’ll see you at your place this evening.”

  And with that he marched off toward the town square without so much as a backward glance.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Nora took her time returning to the house. She ached for Cam, for the lonely, guilt-ridden boy he’d been, for the torments that still haunted him as a man. So much about him was clearer now. And so much had become clearer about her own feelings for him.

  Quite simply, she loved him. She loved his courage and his honesty, his generous spirit and his ability to feel the pain of others. She loved his stubborn determination, even when it was misdirected, and his maddening tendency to hold himself to a higher standard than those around him. And she loved the quiet, unobtrusive way he had of helping others while allowing them to maintain their dignity.

  For good or ill, she was totally, achingly, deeply in love with Sheriff Cameron Long. She wasn’t nearly as certain how he felt about her.

  But one thing was certain, no matter how long it took, and no matter how much he rebuffed her efforts, she would make it her mission to help him see his own character.

  She climbed the shallow stairs to the terrace to find everyone gathered there, including Gavin, who now seemed to be wearing some of Flynn’s clothes. A quick glance Mollie’s way showed her to be wearing one of Maeve’s dresses. It seemed the Gallaghers went the extra mile when it came to the comfort of their guests.

  Nora let everyone know about Cam’s departure, giving his need to change clothes as an excuse. If anyone thought it odd for him to leave without saying goodbye to his hosts, they didn’t say anything.

  Later, as they sat around the outdoor table enjoying their meal, Maeve turned to Gavin. “I have a surprise for you. Your brothers will be at the open house tomorrow.”

  Gavin’s face split in a wide grin. “Sean and Emmett? That’s terrific. It seems like forever since I saw them.”

  “You have brothers?” Mollie asked from her seat between Gavin and Nora.

  “Yep. In fact they were the two boys who spotted you that day you nearly ran me over with the sheriff’s horse out at Miss Nora’s place.”

  “Well, glory be.” Mollie smiled wistfully. “I always wished I’d had siblings. Where have they been staying?”

  “In Boston. A woman we met on the ship coming over here took us all under her wing and she’s been taking care of my brothers since we got here.”

  “That’s right,” Maeve interjected. “Mrs. Fitzwilliam and the boys plan to stay overnight with us so you’ll be able to have a nice long visit.”

  “Mrs. Fitzwilliam!” Mollie popped up from her seat and Nora saw her face drain of color. “Mrs. Elizabeth Fitzwilliam?”

  “Why yes, dear.” Maeve stared at Mollie in concern. “Do you know her?”

  Mollie nodded and sank back into her seat as if afraid her legs would buckle. “She’s my grandmother.”

  “Your grandmother!” The three sisters stared at each other, starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

  Nora felt excitement bubble up inside her at the realization of what this meant. God’s ways really were mysterious—and magnificent.

  Gavin, however, still didn’t seem convinced. “But her granddaughter’s name is Mary.”

  Mollie’s nose wrinkled. “Mary is my real name, but I go by Mollie—it’s what my parents always called me. But grandmother never would. She said Mollie was too common.” She seemed truly distraught now. “That’s how it always was between us. Please, she can’t know I’m here.”

  Gavin stared at her earnestly. “But, Mollie, she’s been looking for you. That’s why she came to this country. She thought you were already here and wanted to find you and make certain you’re okay.”

  “But, I thought—surely she was happy to see the last of me? We didn’t get along at all and she was constantly berating me and telling me what a hoyden I was.”

  Gavin’s brow came down. “I know she can be gruff and unbending at times, but in the short time me and my brothers have been with her I’ve seen below that to a very lonely and well-intentioned woman. She’s been very good to all three of us, boys who were strangers to her before we boarded the Annie McGee and who were far from genteel. And she’s mentioned you often, how she wishes the two of you had been able to get along better and how she hopes you haven’t run into difficult situations.”

  Mollie didn’t appear at all convinced. “She may have been nice to you, but she wasn’t like that with me. If she’s been looking for me, it’s only because she wants to tell me again what a disappointment I am to her. I just couldn’t bear to go through that again.”

  Nora touched Mollie’s arm, claiming her attention. “Don’t you think everyone deserves a second chance?” she asked gently.

  Mollie stared at her for a long moment, then slowly nodded. “Of course.” She swallowed hard. “I’ll meet with her tomorrow.”

  “Good.” It was Nora’s turn to put on a brave face. “And you can introduce her to her new great-granddaughter.”

  * * *

  That evening, dusk was settling in before Cam showed up. He seemed to have recovered from his earlier dark mood and conversed easily with everyone around the supper table. He listened to the news about Mollie’s relationship with Mrs. Fitzwilliam with suitable interest and even added his own reassurances to the still-nervous girl.

  But Nora wasn’t fooled. Without being able to put her finger on exactly what had changed, she sensed that he’d somehow distanced himself from the rest of them.

  Or was it just from her?

  Later, before N
ora could pull him aside for a few words in private, he excused himself, declaring his intention to turn in early.

  Nora watched him exit through the kitchen door, feeling her heart grow heavy. Was he so afraid to spend time alone with her? Or rather did he now resent her for having forced his story out of him?

  Mollie was apparently unaware of any undercurrents. She was full of nervous, bubbly chatter that she seemed determined to share with Nora. She talked about the beautiful home the Gallaghers had built, declaring it to be finer than even her grandmother’s. She talked about the incident at the pond, about how quick and gallant Gavin had been in his rescue of Caleb. And about how scared she’d been for both Caleb and Gavin. But mostly she talked about her nervousness around facing her grandmother the next day.

  Nora, whose mind was still on Cam, only half followed the girl’s conversation until she mentioned Grace’s name. She immediately gave the girl her full attention. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

  “I said, I know the transgression my grandmother will have the most trouble with is the fact that I had a baby out of wedlock. I just don’t want her to look down her nose at Grace the way she did with me. Grace is the one good, innocent thing that came from all my wickedness.”

  Nora smiled reassuringly. “I don’t think you need to worry about that.” At least she hoped this was true. “She’s been very fond of Grace, ever since she spent time with all of us on the Annie McGee. And look at how your grandmother has behaved toward the McCorkle brothers. It’s obvious Gavin cares for her. Doesn’t that speak of a softer side of her?”

  Mollie shook her head. “That sure doesn’t sound like the grandmother I left behind in Ireland. I half expect to see a stranger who happens to have the same name as my grandmother show up at the Gallaghers’ tomorrow.”

  Nora gave Mollie a pointed half smile. “People change.”

  Mollie grimaced. “All the same, I’d prefer to see how she reacts to the rest of my story before I tell her about Grace.”