in disarray, a tired smile creasing her face. She embraced both women. “Mrs. Warren, it’s so good to see you. You, too, Mrs. Russell. And Jake. I’m sorry we’re in such a dither around here, but someone dropped another little one off a few days ago. A darling child. She’s been at death’s door ever since.”
Mrs. Warren gasped. “Oh! Is there anything we can do to help? Did you send for the doctor?”
Mrs. Brooks looked pained. “I’m afraid there’s no money for a doctor.”
Livy moved to the stove and started brewing a fresh pot of coffee.
“May I see her?” Mrs. Warren said. “And I’d dearly love to see the rest of the children.”
“Of course.” Mrs. Brooks glanced at Livy. “Bless you, Livy. I could use a fresh cup. Are there any of those tea cakes left?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Wonderful. I hope you all will have a cup of coffee with us.”
“We’d love to.”
“Come along, then. I’ll introduce you to our latest addition. Mary’s sitting with her now.”
The women filed out, leaving Jake and Livy alone. Livy busied herself with the baskets, remembering the last time he’d stopped by and his insinuation that Lavinia might be jealous of her. With Livy’s past hanging over her head and Jake’s distrust of the street kids, Lavinia didn’t have a thing to worry about.
Jake leaned over and scratched the cat behind the ears. She purred in satisfaction. “Looks like she’s made herself at home. Ever settle on a name?”
Livy sorted the clothes into piles. “The girls insist on Ginger. Georgie and Seth are sticking to their guns with Tiger. I’m not sure which group will hold out the longest.”
Jake chuckled and leaned against the table, arms crossed over his chest, his gaze lingering on her face. “You look tired.”
Livy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to ignore the way his presence filled the kitchen. “You, too. Has something happened?”
“An old friend died.”
He looked so pained that Livy longed to soothe the frown from his brow. Instead, she reached for a child’s shirt and smoothed its wrinkles. “I’m sorry.”
“He lived a long life, but it’s still hard to see him go. He was a good man.” He cleared his throat. “But what about you? Looks like you and Mrs. Brooks have your hands full.”
“The little girl isn’t the only sick one. Georgie and Grace have the sniffles. We’re hoping and praying they don’t get any worse.”
“Ma and Mrs. Warren would be glad to help out. If you and Mrs. Brooks work yourselves to the bone and get sick, who’ll take care of the children?”
Livy smiled. “From what I remember, you and Sheriff Carter will get your turn.”
He shook his head. “Uh-uh. The sheriff’s going to get that mess with Lavinia sorted out as soon as they have a board meeting. We’re not going to have a bunch of young’uns running around the jail.”
“We’ll see. Mrs. Brooks doesn’t back down easily.”
Jake eyed her. She turned away and swallowed a smile. He and Sheriff Carter were too easy to tease when it came to dumping the children on their doorstep.
She put the tea cakes on a platter and carried them to the table. “So how’s Lavinia?”
“She’s fine as far as I know. Why do you ask?”
She shrugged. “Just wondering.”
A horrified look crossed his face. “What’s that battle-ax said now?”
Livy shook her head. “Nothing.”
Jake grunted, his face screwed up, looking like a horse chewing on a sour apple. Tingles spread out from Livy’s spine. If Jake felt anything at all for Lavinia, he sure didn’t act like it. Not that she wanted him to care about her. But what if he did? The thought sent an unexpected thrill through her, shocking her with its intensity.
Mrs. Brooks ushered their guests into the kitchen. The pastor’s wife put a hand on her arm. “Now listen, if she doesn’t get better by nightfall, you send for the doctor. We’ll figure out some way to pay the man. She’s such a little tyke. Please, Mrs. Brooks. I’d never forgive myself if she . . . if she died.”
Mrs. Brooks sniffed and wiped her eyes with her apron. The tender hug the preacher’s wife bestowed on her brought tears to Livy’s eyes as well. These women were kindhearted Christians, a lot like Mrs. Brooks. Everyone wasn’t like Mrs. Johansen and Lavinia MacKinnion.
Thank You, Lord, for sending someone our way who loves and cares for the orphans as much as we do.
Livy wiped her eyes and placed some saucers on the table with