Kathleen thought long and hard over the journey to Riverside Springs arguing with herself over whether she should tell Mia of her plans to adopt her. She sat beside the child in the back of Brian’s wagon. Liam entertained Toby and Finn while Kathleen nursed Mia. The girl had a fever, but it wasn’t too high. They all hoped it was just the torment of the last few days.
Soon they reached the center of town where Bridget’s daughter Mary-Jane was waiting for them. Or rather, she was halfway up a tree screaming hello. Bridget came running out of the new building with Angel behind her.
“Kathleen, so good to see you. Children welcome. You must all be parched. There is some lemonade on the table. Mary-Jane will you take them inside.”
Cindy jumped down from the wagon taking Pieter’s hand.
“Yes Ma.” Mary-Jane led the way, and the boys followed. Mia moved closer to Kathleen .
“It’s all right, Mia. You can stay with me. This is my sister, Bridget, and my sister-in-law, Angel. They both live here in Riverside Springs now, but they came from New York. This is Mia.”
“Afternoon Mia. Glad to have you with us. Do you mind if I give Kathleen a hug? I haven’t seen her in such a long time.” Angel stepped forward closely followed by Bridget.
“Angel, where is Shane?” Kathleen asked.
“He took the boys fishing. They were driving us mad asking when you would be coming.” Angel’s whole face lit up when talking about her children. “They got it into their head, Lily’s twins would come with you.”
“Not this time,” Kathleen replied. But Teddy is dead keen to come. So, Bridget, how are the plans for the orphanage going?”
“Slowly! I thought as soon as the building was up the pace would quicken, but one after another thing has gone wrong. Nothing major, but it’s slowing us down.”
Kathleen didn’t like seeing her sister look so troubled.
“Bella mentioned you had trouble with a certain lady,” Kathleen said.
“I wouldn’t call her a lady,” Bridget hissed before saying loudly, “Good afternoon, Mrs. Willis. Isn’t it a lovely day?”
“It was until your orphans turned up. So, this is the first batch you are going to impose on us.”
Kathleen immediately disliked the woman without even seeing her. Her scathing tone reminded her of certain members of Father Nelson’s church. Those who felt being poor or orphaned was a choice.
Taking a deep breath to settle her swirling stomach, Kathleen turned to look at the speaker as keeping her back to the woman would be rude. Mrs. Willis was holding a baby in her arms. No wait, it wasn’t a child. Kathleen’s eyes focused on the biggest cat she had ever seen. The poor animal was so overweight, her rolls had rolls. The woman’s skinny hand caressed the cat, the contrast only serving to highlight the suffering of the abused animal. How could anyone claim to love animals and mistreat a pet so badly?
She sensed she was being scrutinized. Lifting her head, her gaze locked with that of the older woman. Kathleen anchored her feet to the ground despite the temptation to take a step back from the unbridled hate spewing out from the woman. What had happened to this lady to make her hate people she had never met?
“You must be the do-gooder sister. You bear a passing resemblance to Mrs. Watson. Who is the waif at your side? What sob story does she bring to our town? Why is she hiding her face? Covered in scabs and other unmentionables, I assume?”
Mia turned her head into Kathleen’s dress. She could feel the little girl shaking. Fury threatened to take over Kathleen’s body. She clenched her fists, her fingernails digging into the palm of her hands. She wouldn’t dignify this woman by interacting with her, nor would she give Mrs. Willis the satisfaction of losing her temper. Instead, she employed the voice she used when dealing with Richard’s wealthier patients. Those who expected her to have been born on the best side of town.
“Please excuse me, Mia isn’t feeling too well. I best take her inside.”
Kathleen took Mia’s hand and walked away leaving the woman staring after her. Angel followed her inside.
“Kathleen, you did a wonderful job not losing your temper with that horrible woman. I have to get away or I will slap that awful woman. The things she says. Honestly, your priest should pray for her. And for us. One of us will murder her.”
“Someone should take that poor cat away from her. She is feeding it to death.”
“Victoria? Yes I suppose she is. I don’t care about that animal, she’s as vicious as her owner. Scratched some of the children in my class. If I had my way, I would stuff it.”
“Angel!”
Kathleen laughed. Angel may have grown from the 14-year-old kid she had met back in New York, but she hadn’t lost her spark or her ability to talk fast.
“Now Mia, what can I get for you?” Angel bent and spoke to the child, holding her gaze. Kathleen felt a swell of pride for the woman who had married her brother.
Mia looked up at Kathleen.
“Go on Mia. You can have anything you want,” Kathleen assured her.
“Can I have some lemonade please? I’m thirsty.”
“You can,” Angel said, smiling. “Come to the kitchen. Kathleen, do you want to find your room upstairs? Second door from the top. Bridget got it ready for you yesterday.”
Kathleen needed a few minutes alone. She was still shaking after her encounter and didn’t want to upset Mia.
“Mia, I will be right down just as soon as I change. You will be fine with Angel, but Cindy is here too.”
“She is, but she’s on the swing out in the garden,” Angel said. “Look Mia.”
Bella came in the door as they looked out to see Cindy lifting her skirts almost up to her drawers as she laughed and played on the swing. Kathleen thought she had never heard a nicer sound. Cindy looked younger than her years.
“Kathleen, looks like we need to teach her how to wear her new dress not just sew it for her,” Bella said, trying to keep a straight face, but she gave up. They all laughed. The children were safe, out of the eye of the public and they needed to let off some steam. Who cared if the twelve-year-old wasn’t behaving in a suitable fashion? She could learn manners in time.