by now. But Katie’s child had never seen the light of day, and Katie had died with the babe. Livy swiped at her tears and hurried to the stove. She didn’t have time to mourn a sister who’d lived on the streets and thought the young dockworker who’d professed love for her would take care of her and her child. He’d taken off as soon as he found out Katie carried his baby. Katie never heard from him again, and his abandonment sucked the life from her.
Livy didn’t blame her sister for the choices she’d made. More than once, Katie had held her close and whispered that as soon as she married, they’d have a real house to live in, with real beds and food to eat.
They’d enjoyed a pipe dream.
One Katie never woke from.
* * *
Livy, Mrs. Brooks, and Mary spent two days and nights taking care of the little girl and the other children. Two others came down with colds, making the entire lot of them grumpy.
On the third afternoon, Livy stood in the kitchen and surveyed the mess, hands on her hips. Dirty pots and pans from Mrs. Brooks’s steeped poultices littered every surface along with the dishes from breakfast and the noon meal. They were all exhausted from caring for a houseful of sick children. Even Seth seemed listless. Livy frowned. Could he be getting sick too? The last thing they needed was another sick child to deal with. She closed her eyes.
Forgive me, Lord. I didn’t mean it. We’ll take it one day at a time and take care of every last one of these children as long as we have strength in our bodies.
She turned to Mary. “Come on. Let’s get this kitchen cleaned up while the others are busy with their lessons.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Thanks, Mary.” Livy gave the girl a quick hug. “You’re always willing to do whatever I ask.”
The girl ducked her head at the praise.
Livy washed while Mary dried, and soon they were down to scrubbing pots. “Do you miss going to school?”
Mary shrugged. “Some. But Mrs. Brooks teaches us just as much as Miss MacKinnion.”
“Really?” Livy scrubbed at a baked-on spot. “That’s good.”
“I miss seeing some of the girls, though.”
“Well, as soon as Sheriff Carter and the rest of the school board have their meeting, you should be back in school.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
When they were done, Livy put Mary to work peeling vegetables. Livy chopped up the leftover ham from breakfast and dumped it in the pot. Later, she’d bake some corn bread, and they’d have a warm, filling supper tonight.
The jingle of a harness drew her attention. She dried her hands and hurried to open the door.
Jake’s mother and the preacher’s wife picked their way across the frozen ground, both bundled against the cold. A wagon sat in the alley, a man reaching into the back for something. Livy smiled as she recognized the set of Jake’s shoulders. A tingle of pleasure skittered down her spine when she spotted her black scarf wrapped around his neck. She shifted her gaze to the two women and realized she’d kept them standing outside.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Warren. Please come in.” She held the door wide, and the women stepped across the threshold.
“Thank you.”
They looked around the spotless kitchen, appreciation on their faces. Livy sent up a prayer of thanksgiving. How embarrassing if these ladies had seen such a mess.
“Can I take your coats?”
“Thank you, dear.”
The women placed large baskets on the table and unbuttoned their heavy outerwear. Jake’s mother smiled at her. “I hope you don’t mind, but we’ve brought a few things over from the church for the children.”
“Of course we don’t mind.” Livy could barely keep her eyes off the bounty. “We’re very grateful.”
“Jake has a couple more things to bring in.”
As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door. Jake lugged in two large hampers filled with clothes and what looked like blankets. Livy itched to go through everything right there on the spot.
His gaze caressed her. “Afternoon, Livy.”
“Jake.” Her cheeks burned.
Livy turned to Mary, who stood silently by. “Ladies, this is Mary Gregory. She’s a huge help around here. I don’t know what we’d do without her.”
The ladies murmured greetings.
“My girls have really missed you at school.” Mrs. Russell smiled.
“I’ve missed them, too, ma’am.” Mary lowered her gaze, blushing.
“Mary, why don’t you tell Mrs. Brooks we have visitors?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mary left the room, and a few moments later Mrs. Brooks hurried into the kitchen, her hair and clothes