To Find Her Place (Redemption's Light #2) - Susan Anne Mason Page 0,12

discipline was warranted, not sensitivity. But now was not the time to begin voicing his opinion. Not when he didn’t fully understand the dynamics involved. “Whatever I can do to help, let me know.”

A relieved look came over her face, and she flashed him a warm smile. “Thank you. That poor child has been through so much. I want to make this transition as smooth as possible.”

“Then smooth is what we’ll aim for.” Garrett grabbed his overcoat from the hook. “Lead on.”

4

In the hallway, Jane stopped to put on her coat, since the overcast skies indicated it might rain. She had hoped to give Mrs. Shaughnessy more than five minutes’ notice before she brought Mr. Wilder over for the first time, so the matron could have the house and the children in tip-top form. But it made sense for him to come with them now.

Jane reached for her satchel and allowed the tension to ease out of her shoulders. Despite all the commotion over Martin, she’d managed to telephone Mama while Melanie was seeing to the boy and was relieved to find her mother in better spirits. Even so, Jane was thankful that she’d asked their neighbor to check on Mama, as she had the previous day. Mrs. Peters was quite familiar with her mother’s condition, and Jane trusted her to know if the situation called for Jane to come home.

“The children’s shelter is just a short walk around the block,” she said as they waited for Martin and Melanie.

“It’s certainly handy having the shelter so close by.” Mr. Wilder had donned his fedora and trench coat, then waited for Jane by the door.

“It is indeed. I usually go over at least once a week to speak with the matron, check on things, and visit the children.”

His dark brows rose. “Really? Is that part of your job as directress?”

Heat rose in Jane’s cheeks. “That’s a matter of interpretation. Mr. Mills’s view was that the shelter was best run by Mrs. Shaughnessy. He preferred to concentrate on the child protective services. But since I’d already established a good rapport with the children and staff at the shelter, I decided to remain as involved as possible, without sacrificing any other aspect of my job. So even if it’s on my lunch, I make time to visit them.”

Just then, Melanie emerged from the reception area, one hand on Martin’s shoulder. He was wearing a brown knitted sweater, one of several they kept on hand for just such an emergency. It would be fine for the short walk to the shelter, where they would have to find more clothes for him until they could retrieve his few belongings from the McElroys.

“Thank you, Melanie,” Jane said. “We should be back in half an hour or so.” Jane took Martin’s hand. “All right. Let’s go get you settled, young man.”

She led the way outside and along the sidewalk. The cool autumn air was a nice change from the stuffiness inside, chasing away the beginnings of a headache. Jane inhaled deeply. Somewhere a fireplace was going, the lingering smell of smoke scenting the air.

They walked in silence for several minutes until Jane felt the need to break the ice between the two males. Clearly Martin did not trust Mr. Wilder, and the man wasn’t doing much to change Martin’s view.

“I was a caseworker with the agency for several years,” she said to Mr. Wilder, “which is where I met Martin. Isn’t that right, Martin?”

The boy nodded, but his eyes remained glued to the ground.

“You must be very familiar with the children, then,” Mr. Wilder said.

“I am. I try to learn something about each one and spend time talking to them individually.”

Mr. Wilder slowed his long strides to match hers and Martin’s. “I’m glad you’ll be able to introduce me. A stranger appearing out of nowhere might make them uncomfortable.”

“That’s very perceptive of you. Have you had much experience with children, Mr. Wilder?”

He glanced over at her. “If that’s your subtle way of asking if I have any children of my own, the answer is no. But I do have a niece and two nephews, so I know a bit about kids.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Jane hastened to clarify. “But your familiarity with children could prove helpful in this job.”

“I also know a little about the foster care system. When I was growing up, our neighbors were foster parents for several children, one of whom became my best friend.” He lowered his voice. “Nelson told me a