Kisses and Scandal (A Survivors Series Anthology ) - Shana Galen Page 0,60
but they’d already found me.”
“Who? How?”
A sharp tap at the door startled her into silence. “Mrs. Lavery? Are you well?” Mrs. Jacobs asked.
She winced, then motioned for Caleb to get behind the door. “I’m fine, Mrs. Jacobs,” Bridget called. But she knew that wouldn’t satisfy the lady, so she went to the door and opened it a crack. “I’m so sorry. I thought I saw a rat.”
Mrs. Jacobs stabbed her hands on her hips. “All that racket because you saw a rat! I thought you’d been set on by murderers. First, those men looking for Mr. Smith, now this.” She started away, but Bridget slid out the door and went after her.
“What men looking for Mr. Smith?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but three men came here looking for him. They said they were from the magistrate and he’d stolen something. Asked to search his room, but when they went in, lo and behold, he had already cleared out. Thieves and whores have taken over the city, I tell you.”
“Where are these men now?”
“How should I know?” Her eyes narrowed. “What’s it to you?”
“I just wondered how you could be certain they came from the magistrate. Was the magistrate with them?”
“How I could be certain? How I could be—do you think men just go about impersonating city officials? Why, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
Bridget nodded. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Course I’m right.” She pointed a finger at Bridget. “No more screams out of you.”
“No, madam. Again, I’m sorry.” She went back to her room, closing the door quietly and locking it. Caleb stood against the wall, arms crossed.
“I was in here when they arrived.” He gestured to a valise near her table. “I thought I’d better wait to leave until it was safe.”
“When will that be?”
“After dark. I doubt they left anyone to watch the place, since it was clear I’d already taken my belongings and gone, but I don’t want to risk being seen.”
“Should I go out and look around?”
He crossed to her and put his hands on her arms. “No. Stay inside. I’ve been sitting here the past hour worrying about you. Where is James?”
She closed her eyes, and he led her to the bed, sitting beside her. “I didn’t find him. I went to the hospital, but no one was there to see me today. It’s Sunday, and only a few nurses were working, and they had more work than they could handle. I was told to come back tomorrow.”
“Then you go back tomorrow.”
“I have to teach tomorrow and won’t be able to go back until evening.”
He stroked her hair. “I know it’s difficult to wait.”
She nodded. “I just want to see him, hold him, know he’s all right. I know one more day is nothing after all these years, but it feels like forever.” She swiped at her eyes. “And now I’m crying. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“You’re tired, and you haven’t eaten. I have bread and apples in my valise.”
He rose and fetched them, tossing them in the center of her small bed. “You need these for your travels,” she said.
“I’ll buy more. Eat.”
She lifted an apple and bit in while he dug under her pillow and produced a handful of paper notes. “For you and James.” He pressed them into her hand.
Bridget gaped at them. “Five pounds? I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”
“Then accept it for James.”
She nodded and secreted the notes in a drawer. “I have something for you as well,” she said, returning to the bed. She reached underneath and pulled out the box. “I would have shown you these before, but I didn’t realize you’d have to leave so soon.”
She opened the cover and drew out the sketch of James when he’d been an infant. “I drew these of our son.” She handed him the first one and watched his face as he studied it. His expression turned from wonder to joy to pride.
“He’s beautiful. Like his mother.”
“More like his father.” She handed him the second drawing. “He has your eyes.”
Caleb touched a finger to the drawing. “He does.” He looked up at her. “He really does.”
“I don’t think I got the color quite right.” She placed a hand on his temple. “But then, I don’t think anyone could. Did you mean it?” she asked.
His brow furrowed.
“When you said you’d never loved anyone else. Did you mean that you loved me?”
“I still love you.”
She swallowed her uncertainty. “Then don’t go. I want us to be