Colorado Dawn (35 page)

“Take them back to St. Louis. If I allow them in here, everyone else will have to get by with less, and we’re strapped as it is. This is a private establishment that relies on donations and benevolence to survive, both of which seem to be in short supply at the moment. I’m turning away children every day, and the minute any of the children here turn fourteen, they have to leave to make room for more. There just isn’t space. I know you think I’m being cruel, but that’s the way it is. It was wrong of my brother to send you here in the first place. How long have you worked for him? You don’t look much more than a child yourself.”

“I’m nineteen.” She lifted her chin. “Perhaps we can reach a compromise. I would be willing to work here for you for just my keep if you would take these children in. I’m well-versed in orphanage life. I can clean, cook some, sew, and do laundry.” Impossible to keep the pleading from her voice, but she tried to steady her tone and at least appear professional. “Please, don’t turn us out.”

His face softened, and for a moment she knew hope, but he shook his head. “I told you it was impossible. You’ll think me an ogre, but I’ve got children sleeping on the floors right now. We’re barely getting by for food, and I’ve got an overabundance of girls here working for their keep as it is. I’m sorry, but there just isn’t room. I apologize for my brother getting your hopes up that there would be a place for you here and that he sent you on this hiding to nowhere. Now”—he rose, folded the papers into a tidy bundle, and handed them to her—“if you will excuse me, I’ve got things to see to.”

She found herself ushered out of his office without much ceremony. Five expectant pairs of eyes met hers, and she didn’t know what to say. How could she tell these little ones that not even an orphanage wanted them?

“Good night, Miss, er, Carter, was it? And again, I’m sorry I couldn’t help you.” Mr. Korbin nodded and strode down the hall toward the dining room.

“What does he mean he couldn’t help you?”

Eldora clutched the papers in one hand and pinched the headache forming between her eyes. “He says they are full up. There’s no room here for us.” Her shoulders sagged, and her mind refused to form a single coherent thought.

Phin scowled and shrugged, as if he’d known it all along, and Tick’s eyes got round. He slid close and tugged on her hand until she lowered it. He slipped his fingers into hers and gave her a look full of questions. Celeste said nothing, just waited patiently for more of life to happen to her.

“That’s ridiculous. I’ll be right back.” Sam yanked off his hat and marched away, his boots ringing on the hardwood floor.

Buckford’s brow furrowed. “I didn’t know an orphanage could turn away children in need.”

“Apparently they can, especially since this is a private establishment. There’s no room and barely enough money to keep food on the table as it is.”

Tick squeezed her hand until she looked down at him. “What are we going to do then? Are we getting back on the train?”

She smoothed his fair hair and tried to smile. “We’re not getting back on the train. Don’t worry. I’ll think of something.” Though she hadn’t a clue what.

Sam came back, his face a thundercloud. “That’s it. Grab the bags, Buckford. Phin, give him a hand.” He bent and picked up Tick and took Eldora’s elbow.

“Where are we going?” She anchored her hat and tried to keep up.

“We’re going to my brother’s house. I wouldn’t leave a dog I didn’t like in this place.”

B
uckford guided the team to a halt, and Sam looked up at the lighted windows of his brother’s town house. How would David and Karen react to him showing up with four extras in tow? He braced himself and jumped down. Only one way to find out.

“Come on, kids. We’ll have you warmed up in a minute. How does some hot chocolate sound?” He made his voice as jolly as he could, knowing he couldn’t make up for their being rejected again. None of the four had said a word during the ride, and he didn’t know what hurt worse, the dejection on Tick’s and Celeste’s faces or the resignation on Phin’s and Eldora’s.

He shouldered his way through the door, dropping the luggage on the floor by the hall tree. “Karen? David?” Dropping his hat on the newel post at the base of the stairs, he turned to Buckford. “Can you rouse the housekeeper for some hot chocolate?”

Karen appeared at the head of the staircase. “Sam, you’re back. I was afraid you might not make it before we left in the morning for Martin City.” Carefully, one hand on the rail and the other on the mound of her expectant motherhood, she descended. Before he could make introductions, she held out both hands to Eldora. “You must be Yvette. Welcome to the family.” Karen kissed a bewildered Eldora on the cheek. “And who are these young people?”

Sam’s innards squirmed. “Karen, I figured Aunt Tabitha would’ve wired you by now with the news. This is Eldora Carter, and these children are…I guess they’re her wards. They need a place to stay tonight. I hope you don’t mind. If it’s a problem, I can put them up in a hotel.” He tilted his head and gave a half grin. Weariness had set up an ache in his muscles, and he lost a moment thinking of how good it would feel to sink into a bed that wasn’t rocking and swaying.

A small furrow appeared between Karen’s brows. “Of course they’re welcome here. We’ll find beds for everyone. But where is Yvette?”

“Can we talk about that later? The kids are tired and hungry, and I’m worn clean through. Where’s David?”

He and Karen measured glances, and she patted his arm. “We’ll talk later. David is in the sitting room. Why don’t you take your guests in and make introductions, and I’ll see about some supper?”

When she’d disappeared, Eldora put her hand on his arm. “Are you sure about this? I feel terrible, crashing in without warning. Perhaps it would be best if we left.”

“Where would you go? Don’t worry. Karen and David will welcome you. They’re nice people. They’d never turn away three kids in need, especially when they hear what happened at the orphanage.”

Sam helped Eldora out of her coat and hung it beside his, then ushered everyone into the warm sitting room. A healthy fire glowed in the fireplace, and the smells of pine boughs and cider wrapped around them. David sat in a chair, his head back on the antimacassar, a heavy book open on his knees.

“Hello, David. I’m back.”

His brother sat up, scrabbling for the book before it hit the floor. “Sam? I’m afraid I dozed off. It seems like ages since Buckford went to get you. Welcome back.” David set the book on the table beside him, rose, and held out his hand.

Sam grasped it, taking in the content expression and wide smile. A year ago, he wouldn’t have given short odds on David’s future happiness, but after quite a struggle, it appeared that he and Karen were on a sure footing, at peace and much in love. “Thanks. It’s good to be back in Colorado.”

“And where is your lovely bride? Karen and I have been so anxious to meet Yvette ever since we got your letter about the engagement. I have to say, you’re a fast worker.”

Sam squelched a sigh. He should’ve cabled, but it wasn’t something he’d wanted to put in a telegram, and he’d figured Aunt Tabitha would’ve let folks know. “The wedding didn’t come off. But I did bring someone with me.”

“How come this book doesn’t have any words in it?” Tick turned the heavy cream page. “The paper’s all bumpy.”

David turned to the voice. “Who might you be?”

“David, these young folks are Tick, Phin, and Celeste. Also with them is Miss Eldora Carter, who is looking after them.”

“How do you do?” A hundred questions lingered in David’s voice, but he didn’t voice them. “And to the one who asked the question, the book has words, but you can’t see them. I read with my fingertips, not with my eyes.” He smiled. “I’m blind. The little bumps tell me what the words are.”

“You can’t see anything?” Phin’s eyebrows rose. Then he glanced about the room, as if appraising the décor. He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away when Sam sent him a warning glare.

“I’m afraid not. But I try not to let that slow me down too much.” David indicated the chairs before the fireplace. “Miss Carter, won’t you sit down?”

Celeste appeared not to notice anything else, having dropped to her knees beside a low table. In the center of the table, a small crèche stood, surrounded by carved nativity figurines. The little girl had her hands clasped beneath her scarf-wrapped chin, and her eyes were round as pennies.

Eldora perched on the edge of her seat as if she expected someone to yank it out from under her. “I’m so sorry for barging in like this. Sam said you wouldn’t mind, but I realize what an imposition it is.”

David resumed his seat with a chuckle. “We’re used to the unexpected where Sam is concerned. Tell me, how did you two meet?”

Before she could answer, Karen came in with Buckford. The butler smiled at Celeste and winked at Tick. Karen eased down onto the arm of David’s chair and took his hand. “Buckford is going to take the children into the kitchen to eat. That way we can visit without interruption.”

When the children had followed Buckford out of the room, Sam leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees. “To answer your question, Dave, Eldora and I met at the orphanage in St. Louis. I was there to pick up Aunt Tabitha. Eldora was put in charge of these kids, getting them to Denver, and Tabitha asked me to look out for all of them. You know she’s recently joined the board of the children’s home in St. Louis? Anyway, due to one thing and another, we got delayed halfway across Kansas for a few days, but we finally made it into town tonight. When we showed up at the Denver orphanage, they wouldn’t take the kids. So I brought them here.”

Eldora’s eyes were bright in the firelight. “I am so sorry, Mrs. Mackenzie. As I told your husband, I realize what an imposition this is. I begged the superintendent to take us in, but he was adamant. They didn’t have the room or the money to feed any more children.”

Karen nodded her understanding. “Don’t worry. Sam did the right thing bringing you here. They just built that new orphanage, and it’s already full to bursting. There’s talk of adding two new wings come spring. With all the consumptives pouring into the state, and most of them not getting well, the orphanages are filling up quickly.” She glanced over at Sam. “Your mother has been approached about starting an orphanage in Martin City. With the central location, it would be ideal for the mining communities. You know how quickly disaster can strike up there.”

“That sounds perfect for Mother. You know how she likes organizing people.”

Eldora stood. “Mrs. Mackenzie, I should go supervise the children. I don’t like leaving them alone. You never know what mischief they might get up to”—she grimaced—“though they are biddable children for the most part. Will you please excuse me? And thank you for taking us into your home tonight. I’ll do my best to find a place for us tomorrow.” She bobbed her head like a servant.

Sam stood, but his good manners went unnoticed, for she hurried out of the room without a backward glance. He eased down, at a loss to explain her sudden departure.

“Sam, what happened with Yvette?” Karen took Eldora’s vacant seat. “We thought you’d be bringing us a bride, and you’ve brought us three children and a caretaker instead.”

A sigh built in his lungs, and he pushed it out. “Yvette turned out to be a beautiful gold digger. She wanted the Mackenzie name and money and didn’t care a nickel about me. I was a sucker, fell for her in a big way, and I made a lucky escape, finding out what kind of girl she was before we walked down the aisle.” He smiled, trying to make light of it, but it stung like salt in a wound.

David shook his head. “That’s too bad. Your letters were—” He stopped, as if not knowing how to say it without making Sam feel worse, and spread his hands, palms up.

“I know. I let myself go on about her, but when I found out what she was really like, all that outer beauty soured. All I could see was the grasping, money-grubbing dollar signs in her eyes. At that, I don’t know who was worse, her or her mother. Hortense Adelman makes a squanderer look like a skinflint. As it is, they weren’t just after the money. Yvette came to me at the train station and made one last plea. She’s—” His collar tightened, and he grimaced. A bad taste entered his mouth, talking about her this way, but it had to be told. The family deserved to know why the wedding had been called off. If only there was some way to tell it without making him seem such a thickhead. He sighed again. “She’s in the family way. The baby isn’t mine, I assure you. The father of the child refused to marry her.”

The indignant expression on Karen’s face gratified him. “You sure made a lucky escape. Imagine if you’d married her.” Her scowl softened. “But I have it in me to be sorry for her, too. What will happen to her now?”

“I left her in the care of Aunt Tabitha. If anyone can sort things out, it’s her. I imagine she’s tracking down the previous suitor, and she’ll make him do right by Yvette. Hortense will be appalled, but”—he shrugged—“she’s no one to blame but herself, really, raising her daughter to be so acquisitive.”

“And how are you taking it? You sound right enough, but it had to hurt.” David rubbed his finger along his jaw.

A chuckle escaped Sam’s lips. “Truth be told, I’ve hardly had time to think on it much. Tabitha pitchforked me into looking out for Eldora and the kids, and it seems to have been one crisis after another. There’re issues with all of the kids that make them less than ideal for adopting, and all of them came to the fore on the trip.”

“What issues?”

“The little boy has heart trouble, which reminds me, we need to get to a drugstore first thing in the morning for more medicine. The little girl—David, she wears a scarf over her mouth all the time because she’s got a harelip. It’s bad enough that you can’t help but be startled by it, but I spoke with a doctor in Kansas who said it was operable. The thing is nobody will adopt kids with problems like that. That’s why the director in St. Louis was shipping them out. Seems he was looking for a quick way to get rid of all of them.”

“What about the older boy?” Karen rubbed her stomach with her fingertips, a light in her eyes that bespoke maternal feelings.