eleven
Percival Lawton was immediately captivated with his cousin Kaitlin. In a foul mood he had left Europe on a ship he felt was beneath his station. He’d lost badly at the gaming tables in London. With his best friends still in Europe, Percy resigned himself to a life of boring social rounds with his mother until he could soften her into giving him some more cash. But to his infinite delight he arrived home to find the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen living directly under his roof.
Kaitlin, in her grief, was unaware of the heart-fluttering she was causing within the chest of her cousin. She had been spending many hours reading and talking with her siblings. This didn’t leave much time for the other members of the household but Maureen understood, knowing they were going to survive this painful ordeal by those very actions.
Percy, on the other hand, was extremely frustrated over Kaitlin’s lack of response to him. He knew he was good looking, and indeed he was, but it wouldn’t have mattered if he were Prince Charming himself, Kaitlin was in no shape for a romantic attachment.
The thing that bothered Percy the most was the amount of reading Kaitlin did. He felt it a great insult that she could actually prefer a book to his engaging company.
It was not at all unusual to pass her bedroom on the way out of his own, and see her curled up in a chair reading her Bible. She also read in the library. Not books so much, but the newspapers. And not just the front page stories, as he did, but every page and every word, he was sure.
What Percy failed to see was how starved these children were for current news after living on an island for so many years. Oh, there had been contact, but never this daily fare of words to be devoured at their leisure. And Percy was right, Kaitlin did read every word, even the want ads. Sean was just as bad, and even Marcail could spend an hour with whatever page she’d been allotted.
All of these seemingly simple pleasures, such as reading a newspaper and having time to themselves were working wonders in the hearts of the Donovan children. Daily they felt the pain of their loss and the separation from their father, but also daily, God was their comfort. And not having extra emotional burdens was more beneficial than even they realized, but Maureen saw it and knew she’d handled things the right way. There was a little something bothering her, nagging just at the back of her mind, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. The children were fairly happy and eating well and she told herself she was worrying over nothing.
Unfortunately the secure world that Maureen had gone to such lengths to create for her nieces and nephew was about to be destroyed.
All four of the cousins were in the library reading one morning; Percy had joined them in an attempt to be near Kaitlin. He held the paper in such a way that he could watch her surreptitiously. He couldn’t believe that black hair. It haunted him. And those eyes, deep brown and set in a face with perfect skin. Her skin was a bit darker than he was used to, but all the more beguiling because of that fact.
Even in an unbecoming black dress, Kaitlin had the best figure Percy had seen in a long time. A desire to hold her in his arms was clouding his already poor judgment. He was sure she’d never experienced passion of any kind and he was equally sure if he could just hold and kiss her she would awaken to a love for him that would have her falling at his feet.
Percy really believed on this day that he could wait it out, wait for her to put aside her paper and then invite her to go for a drive with him. But it was not to be. How they could all sit and read for hours was beyond him. When he could stand it no longer he came swiftly to his feet.
“Would anyone care to go for a walk?” His voice was curt but it was lost on the readers.
“Not just now, but thanks, Percy,” Sean answered distractedly.
Percy was furious that Kaitlin had not even heard him. He tossed his head to show his irritation but Kate didn’t look up until he slammed the door on his exit.
Kaitlin’s surprised eyes met those of Sean’s, who only shrugged in equal puzzlement. They were both headed back to their papers when Marcail said quietly, “He’s in love with you, Katie.”
“Who is?” Kate questioned in genuine ignorance.
“Cousin Percy.”
Kaitlin waited a moment for Marcail to smile and tell her she was joking but it didn’t happen. The little girl was serious. A frisson of alarm shot through Kate and she looked over at Sean to see that he was just as surprised.
“Why do you say that, Marc?” Kaitlin asked cautiously.
“He watches you all the time. Just like Scott used to.”
“That doesn’t mean he’s in love with me.” Kate’s words didn’t convince Marcail who just stared at her older sister and gnawed on her lower lip. In fact, Kate’s words didn’t convince herself.
There had been a few signs, she realized that now. But the whole idea had been inconceivable to her. They were cousins! When they’d first met she thought he was quiet, because all he did was stare silently at her. But she saw now that she’d taken him by surprise.
Kaitlin put her paper aside and went to her room. She prayed a long time about the situation. When she came down for lunch she was feeling some better and was almost relieved to find that Percy was absent.
Over the next few days Kate was very aware of Percy’s actions toward her and knew that what Marcail had seen was true. Her cousin was infatuated with her.
Kate ended up in Sean’s room one night talking to him about the way she felt. He’d taken his parents’ room upon Percy’s return.
“I just feel so bad. I feel like I’ve done something to encourage him.”
“I don’t think you have, Kate. I mean you’re nice to people and he must have thought you liked him, well you know, in that way.”
“But I don’t and even if I did Sean, Percy and I are cousins!” The thought was so clearly distasteful to her that Sean laughed.
“Does it feel strange to be in this room?” Kaitlin asked when the laughter died down.
“A little. But in some ways I feel closer to Mother. Her clothes and things are still in here and I kind of like seeing them.”
Kaitlin nodded in understanding and walked around the room. She reached out to touch a handkerchief that lay on the dresser. The small scrap of cloth still held their mother’s fragrance. The scent brought tears to the young woman’s eyes. She took a moment to gather her emotions and then told Sean she was headed to the library to get her book and then to bed. Sean lifted the handkerchief after she left and his own tears came as he held it tightly in his hand.
“If you would just talk to me. Maybe I can help.”
“Just leave it, Mother. You know I don’t like to be nagged.”
“But Percy—”
Mother and son were in the library in a heated discussion as Kaitlin came down the stairs. That their voices were agitated did not register with her until she was close enough to hear every word.
“I mean it, Mother. Now just leave me alone.”
“It’s Kaitlin, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Percy’s voice was strained, belying his words.
“Yes, you do. You’re in love with her,” Maureen accused.
Percy’s chin jutted out on those accusatory words. “And what if I am?”
“Oh Percy, Percy, no. Don’t I give you everything? Don’t I let you have whatever you want? Kaitlin’s your cousin. She’s in mourning; please leave her alone.”
“Honestly, Mother,” the young man said with an offended sniff. “You’d think I was some ogre trying to throw myself at her.”
“Percy, you’re cousins!”
It was on those words that Kaitlin fled back up the stairs. Marcail was a very heavy sleeper so Kaitlin didn’t attempt to wake her before scooping her up and heading across the hall to Sean’s room. Sean was down to his pants in his preparation for bed and watched in surprise as his sister flew into the room and shut the door.
“Kate, what is the matter with you?”
&n
bsp; “Sean,” she panted as she lay Marcail on the bed. “Try to wake her while I find that newspaper you had earlier.”
“Katie, what—”
“Just do it!” she commanded sharply, but Sean just stood gaping at her. Kate turned the lamp high and sat on the floor beside the bed. The rustle of papers was loud in the still room. “Here it is!” Kate finally said.
Santa Rosa—Schoolteacher
Wanted Immediately
For Remainder of School Year
Apply Burt Kemp Real Estate, Santa Rosa
Kaitlin looked over at Sean in triumph. Sean stared at her in complete confusion, which reminded Kate that he hadn’t heard any of the conversation downstairs. She took a deep breath and told him the whole story.
“Kate, I think you could get that job but I don’t think we need to move away. I mean Percy hasn’t really done anything, and you told me you keep your distance.”
“So you think I’m overreacting?”
“Yes, I guess I do.”
Kate’s shoulders slumped. “When I realized I’d caused an argument between Aunt Maureen and Percy I felt terrible and then when Percy practically said he loved me, I panicked.”
“It’s okay, Kate.” They were silent for a moment and then Sean tried to encourage his older sister. “I guess it’s kind of nice to know that you could get a job if you needed to. Santa Rosa is that nice town that Aunt Maureen told us about, isn’t it?”
“She said she used to have friends there and she talked like it wasn’t too far away.”
Marcail had slept through the entire episode as well as Sean carrying her back to her bed. He spoke to Kaitlin before he took himself off to bed.
“I can see why it would upset you, Kate, but I think you’ll be okay. If you want, I can sleep in here with you.”
“No Sean, it’s all right. I’m probably just too tired.”
“Okay. Good night Kate.”
“Good night Sean, and thanks.”
It was some time before Kaitlin could sleep but as she prayed she became totally convinced that she had overreacted, which only made the incident that happened the next day even more upsetting.
twelve
“I’ve been wanting to talk with you, Kaitlin.”
“What about, Percy?” Kate smiled kindly and stood expectantly several feet in front of her cousin, in the library.
Percy was suddenly tongue-tied. Both of Kate’s black dresses were being pressed and so she’d slipped into a light-weight spring fabric of green and yellow. Percy found her enchanting.
The warm expectant smile slowly died on Kaitlin’s face as Percy’s gaze grew intense. Kate’s brain was telling her to get out of the room but she was so surprised she reacted too late. In the next instant Percy’s arms were around her, attempting to pull her close. Kate’s hands were on his chest pushing with all her strength.
“I’ve wanted to hold you from the moment I saw you,” Percy whispered. “Please don’t fight me, Kaitlin.” Percy’s head came forward and he tried to kiss her.
“No, Percy!” Kaitlin gasped as she twisted from side to side. She opened her mouth to call for help when a voice spoke in the doorway.
“Get your hands off my sister.” The voice was deadly cold and Percy froze in surprise. It was enough. Kate took advantage of the loosening of his arms and twisted free. She had just arrived at Sean’s side when Maureen and Marcail stepped through the door.
Maureen’s gaze went from her white-faced disheveled niece and furious nephew to her stone-faced son. Something clutched around Maureen’s heart and for the first time in her life she truly saw Percy for the immature, selfish and spoiled man that he was. Before she could say anything, Sean made a quick decision and spoke.
“Aunt Maureen, we appreciate all you’ve done but we’ll be moving to Santa Rosa. There’s a possible teaching position there for Kate. We’ll be leaving in the morning.”
Sean could see he’d shocked his aunt speechless. But he wasn’t finished. He turned to his cousin and spoke in a voice so like his father’s that both his sisters and aunt could only stare at him.
“If you ever touch my sister again, I’ll thrash you to within an inch of your life.” Sean did not wait for an answer before he ushered his sisters from the room.
He’d seen a flicker of fear in his cousin’s eyes and knew he’d been taken seriously. The truth was that he’d never hit anyone in his life, but he also knew, with the way he was feeling right then, that he was more than capable of carrying out his threat.
“Who will we live with?” Marcail wanted to know.
“We’ll figure that out when we get to Santa Rosa,” her brother told her. The Donovan children had been talking for over an hour. They had all three prayed and tried to think of what their father would have done in the same circumstances.
“The problem is that this would never have happened if Father had been here,” Sean stated logically. “I am really sorry, Kate.”
“Stop apologizing.”
“But if I’d listened to you last night—”
“It’s all right, Sean. We just underestimated the way Percy would act. We’re also causing problems between Aunt Maureen and Percy so I think it’s best this way.”
“Is it my fault that he did that, Katie?” Marcail wanted to know. “Because I said he loves you?”
“No Marc, it’s not your fault. Percy is a grown man and he knew better than to try and hug me when I didn’t want to be hugged.” Kate was surprised at how normal her voice sounded. Every time she thought of Percy a shiver ran through her. She folded her arms across her chest and tried to push the whole episode out of her mind.
“Now, we need to take a vote. Do we leave for Santa Rosa in the morning and pray that God gives me a job? Sean?”
“I vote we go.”
“Marc?”
“I want to stay with you and Sean. But mostly I want Father to come back.”
Kate hugged her where they sat on the floor of the girls’ bedroom. A few minutes later there was a knock at the door. Sean answered it.
Aunt Maureen stood on the threshold looking pale with strain and worry. Sean held the door wide and she entered wordlessly.
“Is there anything I can say, Kaitlin?” The older woman came straight to the point.
“It’s not your fault, Aunt Maureen.”
If only that were true, the older woman thought, but said in a voice that shook with emotion, “Are you really going to leave?”
Kate went to her. “Aunt Maureen, I have to tell you something. When I came downstairs last night, I heard you and Percy talking. I panicked when I heard how he felt about me because I thought I’d done something to cause that.”
“Oh no, my dear, please don’t think that.”
“Well, I’m feeling better about it but the thing I need to tell you is about the ad I saw for a teaching position. You said Santa Rosa wasn’t too far from here.”
“About a day’s ride on the stagecoach.”
“Well, yesterday morning I saw this ad and for some reason I couldn’t get it out of my mind. At first I just thought it was because I knew I could apply. I think I was feeling prideful about being an experienced teacher but then after I eavesdropped and panicked, I told Sean I wanted to go and have a try for that job.
“Last night we figured I was overreacting but now we’ve talked and taken a vote. We’ll check the fares and time schedule this afternoon and leave tomorrow morning.”
“What will I say to your father?” Tears appeared in Maureen’s eyes and Kate put her arms around her.
“I’ll write Father. I’m not saying that he won’t be furious with Percy but he also trusts Sean, Marc and me to do the right thing. When he gets back here and if I’m still teaching, he can come to Santa Rosa. If not we’ll go wherever he wants.”
“You sound very confident that you’ll get the job,” Maureen commented.
“Well, I guess I’m not that confident but I’m headed that way to find something and we’ll
have to wait to see what tomorrow brings. The thing I want you to remember, Aunt Maureen, is that we know God will take care of us.”
Maureen nodded and went with them to check the stagecoach timetable. Feeling as though she were living a bad dream, she watched her brother’s children pack their things that afternoon. The following morning Maureen drove them into town for the nine o’clock stage. She’d given them extra money for the trip and knew the line was a dependable one . . . but the papers were always filled with stories of robberies. It was tempting to call them back, but they were handling it all so well she knew she needed to leave well enough alone.
Percy made himself very scarce until after Maureen had returned to the house, whereupon he asked for more money to return to Europe. Maureen was more than happy to comply and Percy was surprised at how generous she was until he looked at his mother’s face. It told him he would never get another penny from her.
Two hours later the Donovans were wondering about their decision. Nothing they had ever experienced had come close to preparing them for stagecoach travel. Their dark clothing was covered with dust, and it was so stuffy inside the coach that Marcail felt sick. The colorful language of their driver made their eyes open wide on more than one occasion. Well, they’d paid the fare to Santa Rosa, so Santa Rosa it was going to be.
Please God, Kate prayed as she looked at the strained face of her sister, please let our money hold until I can get work. And Lord, if we’ve made a mistake, show us, so we can go back to Aunt Maureen’s.
She had much more she wanted to say to her heavenly Father but Sean was thrown almost on top of her when the coach dropped into a rut in the road. He came so hard against her she knew she’d have a bruise. Her last coherent thought before her mind refused to think any longer, was that she hoped Santa Rosa would be worth all of this.