answered, “It’s still not your fault. I’m sure you were only trying to help.”
“Fine. Then let me keep doing that now. I need to, Ellis. Please.”
Graciously, he didn’t ask why. He just considered her words, then let out a breath. “So, we’ll go together.”
Her burden lessened a fraction, for at least they had a plan. When they traded smiles, the space between them became far too quiet, too close. And yet, Lily hesitated to leave.
Spread over the sofa, the sheets remained smooth and unused. A restless night lay ahead for them both.
After all, discoveries awaited. Surely nothing of the worst sort. “You do know we’re likely worrying over nothing, what with a wealthy banker willing to raise the children. We could very well find out that everything turned out for the best.”
“Absolutely,” Ellis said. “We could.”
Together they almost sounded convinced.
Chapter 17
Morning arrived in a blink. Wafts of coffee and baking bread seeped through the bleariness. For a moment, Ellis was back in his parents’ home, waking to the scent of his mother’s rolls.
Since their disastrous outing a week prior, he hadn’t reached out to his folks. It wasn’t for lack of courage; he just didn’t know what to say. Other than act like it never happened, or apologize and shoulder the blame. Either route was standard when dealing with his father. But honestly, Ellis was just too tired to slap another bandage over the festering reality of the man’s disapproval.
Besides, how could he ask for any level of respect until the mystery of the Dillards was put to rest?
A pair of small eyes peeked from the hallway, drawing Ellis back to his actual surroundings. “Heya, Samuel,” he whispered, not wanting to wake anyone, and got a wave in return.
The kid had been a surprise, no question about it. But so much more about Lily became clear. Ellis had long ago seen how smart and skilled she was at her job. Now he had a sense of her bravery too.
Sitting up, he stretched his back. After years of the rickety bed in Philly, a cushioned sofa was pretty darn comfortable, though it had still taken half the night to catch some shut-eye. “Any idea of the time?”
Samuel shook his head.
Through an opening in the curtains, light from the overcast sky gave only a hint to the hour. Ellis’s pocket watch was stored in his suit jacket, slung over the rocking chair by the window. As he rose to retrieve it, Samuel approached. He presented a linen napkin tied into a wad, causing Ellis to cock his head.
“It’s a snail,” the boy explained proudly.
“Oh yeah. I see it. A real swell one too.”
A smile, lined with perfect baby teeth, bloomed on Samuel’s face. Then he scurried off, and the memory of another boy—Ruby’s brother—swung back at Ellis. The round face and large eyes, the thick lashes. The vision of Calvin fueled Ellis for the day’s mission.
In a flash, he threw on the rest of his clothes. Down the hall, he was surprised to find the family around the dining room table, already dressed and finishing breakfast. He assumed their low voices were intended to keep from disturbing their unplanned guest. But when he said “Good morning,” the discussion snapped off.
Lily returned the greeting, as did her mother, who brought him a plate of biscuits and fried ham. Ellis took a seat, not quite hungry after his full supper the night before. He dove in regardless. He was halfway done when Lily’s father spoke to him over the rim of his coffee mug.
“Family’s headed to mass soon. You attend mass on Sundays?”
Ellis swallowed a bite of bread, aware he was again being scrutinized. This time, he didn’t bother to get creative. “I was actually raised Protestant, sir, but I did grow up going to church.”
Silence gripped the room, confirming the man’s stance.
Lily interjected, “We really should set off soon, Mr. Reed…if we’re going to make a stop for work on the way back to Philly.”
Rising from the table, Ellis thanked the family, his cue to pack up undeniably welcome.
• • •
The majority of the drive passed without conversation. Not that Ellis minded. Lily, up early with her son, dozed through even the car’s rattling. With sun rays reaching through the clouds and warming her face, she couldn’t have looked more peaceful. It was the first time he’d seen her hair worn down over her shoulders—by daylight anyhow. In ladies’ trousers and a casual shirt beneath her coat, with barely a touch of makeup,