20

AURORA DESCENDED the central staircase to the main floor of the orphanage. She could not get used to the stillness now pervading the building that once had bustled with activity and joy. Even the healthy children seemed subdued by the seriousness of the situation.

She brushed a weary hand across her forehead and tried to remember which day it was. Saturday? Sunday? How long had they been confined?

Her thoughts turned to her parents and the phone conversation she’d had with her mother. Although worried at Aurora’s proximity to the illness, Mama had accepted the situation with good grace and had promised to try to temper her father’s reaction. The last thing Aurora wanted was Papa to show up at the orphanage and create a scene.

An insistent pounding at the front door of the orphanage pulled Aurora from her reflections. Why would someone knock despite the warnings posted on the exterior?

Warily, Aurora opened the door a crack. An unfamiliar woman stood on the stoop, agitation evident in the angle of her stance.

“Can I help you?” Aurora tried not to gawk at the heavily made-up face, which stood out in stark contrast to the drab brown hair and threadbare coat.

The woman lifted her chin. “I wish to speak to the director of the orphanage.”

Aurora blinked. “I’m sorry, miss, but as you can see, we are under quarantine. You’d best try a telephone call instead.”

The woman’s pale eyes hardened. “My child is in there, and I will not have her exposed to this danger. She needs to come home with me.”

Nothing about the woman’s claim made sense. However, in her present state of agitation, Aurora doubted she would see reason. Best to see what Rylan wanted her to do.

“If you’ll wait here for a moment, I’ll see if Mr. Montgomery is available.”

Aurora went directly to Rylan’s office, where she found Gabe and Rylan involved in a serious conversation. The two men looked extremely grim as she entered.

“I’m sorry to bother you, but there’s a distraught woman on the doorstep. She says her child is here and she wants her out of harm’s way.”

Gabe got to his feet. “How can that be? Aren’t these children orphans?”

Rylan shook his head. “Not all of them. Some of them have a parent who can’t afford to keep them.” He rose from the desk. “Did she tell you her child’s name?”

“No.”

He let out a long breath. “I’ll speak to her outside. Make her understand the severity of our situation and pray to God her child isn’t one of those affected.”

A flurry of activity beyond the office doors drew Aurora’s attention. Rylan and Gabe preceded Aurora in the hallway. At the foot of the main staircase, Dr. Reardon stood, holding a child in his arms, speaking to Colleen.

Rylan surged forward. “Colleen, love. What are you doing here?” The slap of his shoes on the floor stopped the moment he saw the child. “Delia?”

Colleen flew to her husband and buried her face in his shoulder.

“I’m afraid she has the fever.” Dr. Reardon shot Aurora a concerned look over Rylan’s head. “We’re better to treat her here.”

Gabe moved forward to lay a hand on his brother’s arm. “You take care of your family. I’ll handle the woman at the door.”

Rylan nodded his thanks, while trying to comfort his distraught wife.

“I had to leave Ivy with Maggie,” Colleen sobbed. “The doctor said the risk was too great.”

“Shh, love. You did the right thing. Let’s go get Delia settled.”

The warmth of a hand on her shoulder brought Aurora’s focus back. Gabe pressed a handkerchief into her hands, and she realized that she, too, was crying.

“Would you care to assist me with the woman outside?”

She dabbed the moisture from her cheeks. “Of course. Thank you.”

When they opened the door and stepped outside, the woman whirled to face them. “I thought you’d forgotten me.”

“Forgive us for the delay,” Gabe said. “We had a slight emergency to handle first.”

The woman’s eyes widened. “What is going on in there?”

Gabe smiled at her. “First let me introduce myself. I’m Gabriel Montgomery. My brother runs this orphanage. And this is Miss Hastings, who is tending to the children who are ill.”

The woman took a distinct step backward and brought a gloved hand to cover her nose and mouth. “Is it smallpox?”

“Typhoid fever. May I ask your name?”

“Jolene Winters. I left my baby here a few weeks ago, but I’ve changed my mind. I want her back.”

Aurora’s insides turned to putty. The only infant at the orphanage was baby Ivy—the one Colleen had claimed as her own. She shot a nervous glance at Gabe, and from his expression, she knew he’d arrived at the same conclusion.

“You’ll be happy to know your baby has not been staying at the orphanage. The director and his wife have taken her into their home.”

Instead of being relieved, the woman appeared even more alarmed. “I demand to be taken there immediately.”

To Aurora’s great relief, Gabe stepped forward. “I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he said gently. “It’s against the rules.”

Aurora had no idea if that were true, but coming from Gabe, it sounded official.

Miss Winters lifted her chin. “Then I demand to speak with the director himself. Is he in there?”

Gabe hesitated, no doubt weighing the consequences for his brother. A breeze ruffled the hair on his forehead as his indecision played across his handsome features.

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll come back with the constable. I have a right to my baby.” The woman’s near hysteria rang in the air.

People passing on the walkway directed curious stares at them. St. Rita’s prided itself on its sterling reputation. The last thing the facility needed on top of an epidemic was a scandal involving the police.

Aurora opened the front door. “If you’ll come in and have a seat, I’ll get him for you.”

Miss Winters pointed to the warning sign. “What about the contagion?”

“You’ll be safe in the waiting area.”

“Fine.” Miss Winters swept past them into the building.

Aurora turned back to Gabe. The sorrowful look on his face matched the dread that filled her heart.

How would Rylan and Colleen handle losing baby Ivy and possibly little Delia, as well?

So this was how it would feel to have Maggie as his wife, caring for their infant daughter.

Adam leaned back in his chair and watched Maggie rock the baby. The glow from the fire highlighted the expression of love on her face as she cooed and sang to the little girl. The poignancy of the moment, the contentment he felt at simply being in their presence, created a warm bubble in Adam’s chest.

If only this were real, or even a distant possibility.

They’d spent a pleasant day together. Adam had fixed a few things around Rylan’s house that needed repair, and Maggie cooked a wonderful meal of fried chicken and mashed potatoes while little Ivy dozed. For a brief moment in time, it seemed as though they existed in their own little cocoon—safe from the Neill Fitzgeralds of the world, safe from those who knew of Adam’s criminal past, and safe from the threat of an epidemic.

A noise in the hall had Adam snapping to attention. He motioned for Maggie to stay put in her rocker as he headed into the hallway. The front door opened as Adam reached it, and Rylan entered. Words of greeting died on Adam’s lips when he spied the woman standing behind his brother-in-law.

“Jolene. What are you doing here?” Though he asked the question, his gut told him the answer.

That and Rylan’s stricken countenance.

“You two know each other, I see.” Rylan made way for Jolene to enter.

“Yes. Why is Jolene with you?”

Rylan’s ravaged expression told of the ordeal he’d been forced to bear. “She came to St. Rita’s . . . to claim her daughter.”

Adam’s mouth went dry. Deep down, he’d suspected Jolene would eventually change her mind and regret giving Ivy away.

Jolene pushed forward. “Is my baby all right? Has she got the fever?”

“So far she’s fine.” Despite the emotions threatening to engulf him, Adam managed to keep calm.

“Where is she?” Rylan asked tightly.

“In the parlor with Maggie.”

By the time the three of them entered the room, Maggie was on her feet, clutching the bundle to her shoulder. Her wide eyes moved from Adam to Rylan and then landed on Jolene. Maggie’s arms tightened around the baby. “What’s going on?”

Adam wished he could spare Maggie this pain. But no matter how much they disliked it, Jolene had a right to her child. “Maggie, this is Jolene. Ivy’s mother.”

“My baby.” Jolene pushed past him across the carpet.

Maggie stepped back, protectively shielding the child, who let out a howl. Maggie began to sway. “Shh, darling. Everything’s all right.”

Though Maggie’s tone was soothing, her glare was fierce. “You’ll not be taking this child without Colleen here. She’s mothered this baby from the moment you chose to discard her like a worn-out toy.” Moisture rimmed her eyes, magnifying their pale beauty, as she turned to Rylan. “Does Colleen know about this?”

He nodded. “Aye, but she couldn’t leave Delia.”

Adam moved between the women. “Jolene, we won’t know if Ivy’s contracted the fever for a week or more. It would be in her best interest to let her remain here, where the doctor will come to check on her.”

Jolene plucked at the top button of her coat, panic in her eyes.

Adam laid a hand on her shoulder, hoping to calm her apparent agitation. “If she hasn’t shown any signs of illness in the next week, you can take her then.” It wasn’t much, but it would bide them time and give Colleen a chance for a proper good-bye. He prayed Jolene’s concern for her child would outweigh her desperation to take her now.

She wrung her hands together. “I know what you’re doing. This is a trick to get me to change my mind. Well, it won’t work.” She clamped her thin lips together and lunged for Maggie. “Give me my child.”

Maggie held her ground, not releasing her hold on Ivy. “If you care about your daughter’s well-being, you’ll leave her where she’s better off. What will you do if she develops typhoid?”

A hint of fear flickered over Jolene’s face before a hardness settled there. “If she needs a doctor, I’ll find her one.”

“And medicine? Will you be able to afford that? Do you even have a decent place to live?” Maggie’s voice quivered.

Jolene lifted her chin. “It may not be as fancy as this, but I have a room. And a job. I’ve friends who will help me take care of her when I’m . . . working.”

Adam’s gut clenched, knowing exactly what type of work she’d be doing. He forced himself not to picture the saloon and the type of accommodation Jolene would have there. Adam didn’t know all the legalities involved in this type of situation, but if Rylan was allowing Jolene to take the baby, it must mean she had the law on her side. Still, Adam would make it a point to see that Ivy was properly cared for, and if he found otherwise, he’d call in whatever authorities necessary to ensure the child’s well-being.

Rylan seemed to come out of a daze. He turned to Maggie and released a ragged breath. “I’m afraid we have no choice, Maggie. Give her the child.”

For a moment, Maggie remained frozen, as though she hadn’t heard him, but then, with a quiet sob, she lifted Ivy from her shoulder. Her fingers trembled as she pushed the blanket away from the baby’s face. “God be with you, little one.” She kissed the top of Ivy’s head, and then, instead of handing the baby to Jolene, Maggie held her out to Rylan.

Adam had seldom seen such anguish on a man’s face as he lifted the still-whimpering infant.

“Good-bye, sweet Ivy. We were blessed to have you in our lives for a short time. We’ll pray for you always.” He kissed her and then handed her to Jolene, tears streaming down both cheeks.

Adam’s throat tightened so that he could barely breathe.

In direct contrast to their sorrow, Jolene’s face lit with joy. “My sweet girl. It’s okay now. Your mama’s here.”

Adam couldn’t look at Maggie, couldn’t bear to see her grief. Couldn’t think of the almost-finished cradle Ivy would never sleep in. Or the pain his sister must be enduring. “I’ll walk you to the streetcar, Jolene.”

“Wait. You’ll need another blanket. Ivy mustn’t get a chill.” Maggie rushed from the room, and seconds later her footsteps sounded on the stairs.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Rylan said in a strangled voice, “I’d best get back to the orphanage.”

Moments after Rylan left, Maggie returned with a bonnet and a thicker woolen blanket.

“Thank you,” Jolene said softly as she accepted the bundle.

Maggie’s bottom lip quivered. “Just take good care of her.”

Adam longed to stay and comfort her, but for the baby’s sake, he wanted to make sure Jolene didn’t walk the whole way to the saloon. The streetcar would be quicker and safer. “I’ll be back soon,” he said to Maggie. “Lock the door behind me.”

Aurora paused outside the sickroom to lay a hand over her stomach. What could she say to a woman whose daughter was fighting for her life and who’d just lost the infant she’d hoped to adopt?

“Are you all right, Miss Hastings?” Dr. Reardon’s voice sounded behind her.

“Yes.” She straightened. “Just trying to determine what to say to Colleen.”

The doctor touched her shoulder, and she turned to face him. “As a nurse, this is only one of the difficult things you’ll be required to do. If you’re having doubts, you may need to rethink your decision.”

She straightened her back. “I can handle it, Doctor. I won’t change my mind—no matter how difficult.”

Approval lit his brown eyes, and he gave a slight nod. “Good to know. Now, let’s go in and check on our patients.”

With a swish of his white coat, he sailed into the room, confidence evident with every step. Eight small beds, four on each side, now swamped the room. If any more children fell ill, they’d have to use one of the dormitories or set up beds in the common room. Dr. Reardon was treating Mrs. Norton, and now two of the nuns who had fallen ill, but they were being treated in their own rooms.

Aurora fought back waves of weariness. How she longed for a full night’s sleep. But even the thought brought a rise of guilt. How could she complain when the children were suffering so?

“Aurora.”

Her heart lightened at the sound of her name, and she turned with a ready smile for Gabe. The only blessing in this nightmare had been spending so much time with him. Gabe had been a pillar of strength throughout this whole ordeal, quietly doing whatever tasks she or the doctor required of him. The fatigue was affecting him, too. She could tell by the shadows beneath his eyes and the lines bracketing his mouth. Still, he managed a grin as he came toward her. “You do realize the doctor is in love with you, don’t you?”

She gaped at him. “What are you talking about?”

“The man can barely keep his eyes off you. Not that I blame him.”

She smoothed the front of her apron, hoping to hide the heat rising in her cheeks. “You’re talking nonsense when we’ve work to do.”

He sobered. “That’s why I’ve come. To see my niece. Any sign of improvement?”

“The doctor is checking Delia now. Why don’t you come in with me?”

He nodded. “I’ve got a few minutes to spare before I start moving beds into the common room. The doc needs a bigger area to work in.”

They entered the room, and Gabe headed straight for Delia’s cot. Colleen and Rylan hovered near the foot of the bed while Dr. Reardon examined the girl.

Aurora made a quick tour of her patients, making sure all the other children were comfortable before joining the group at Delia’s side. The girl lay, eyes closed, unmoving beneath the blankets.

Dr. Reardon jotted a few notes on his clipboard and looked up, his expression grim.

“I’m afraid Delia is experiencing the worst of the illness. All we can do now is keep her hydrated, monitor her symptoms . . . and pray.”

Colleen pressed her face into Rylan’s shoulder, silent sobs shaking her frame. Gabe offered the pair his condolences and then grimly left the room, presumably to continue his tasks downstairs.

Aurora longed to go after him, but her patients here needed her attention.

She straightened her back and moved to the first bed. “Doctor, would you check on Felicia, please? Her temperature has risen and her pain seems worse.”

“Right away.”

Aurora accompanied Dr. Reardon as he examined all the children and made notations on their charts.

When he finished, he rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I’m worried about Johnnie and Felicia,” he said quietly. “They don’t seem to be responding as well as the others. We must watch them carefully for the next forty-eight hours.”

Aurora nodded. She’d observed the same thing. If she thought she was tired now, the next few days would test the limits of her stamina.

Please God, help us all get through the worst of this disease.