Orphan Train Sweetheart. Mollie Campbell
you that Mr. Hartley has been here for several years and I’ve never known him to be anything but a good fellow. This committee would never approve a placement that we know would be harmful to a child.”
Tension started to creep up Simon’s shoulders at Mr. Collins’s offended tone. And the uncertain looks the other committee members shared didn’t help any. “Of course, I know you wouldn’t. I didn’t get the opportunity to meet the man, that’s all. I prefer to know who the children go with. But I’m sure the placement will turn out fine if you say so.”
Turning away from the table before Mr. Collins could berate him again, Simon went to join the line of children. Charles was the only boy left. Simon was surprised to see that a young couple had gathered James and both of his sisters, Gertie and Helen. People rarely took more than one child. Would the siblings be able to stay together?
Fifteen-year-old Ada was the only girl left. She stood with her arms crossed and her face holding a deliberately disinterested expression that Simon knew all too well. As he watched, an older woman with a kind, wrinkled face hobbled up to the girl. He couldn’t hear what they said, but it only took a moment before Ada’s face relaxed and the girl threaded her arm through the woman’s. He nodded to Ada in encouragement as the two went to the approval committee together. That might be the perfect companion for an independent, older girl.
Movement at his side caught Simon’s attention. Cecilia, looking at him with shining eyes. Eyes that he could get lost in if he let himself. But he couldn’t do that. His mission was to rescue children from the streets. Romantic thoughts about a pretty woman in some frontier town would only hinder his goals. No matter how much he might wish otherwise.
* * *
Cecilia watched Simon, wondering why she was so drawn to him. He was grumpy and often sharp. But when she’d looked over and noticed a sappy, approving grin on his face, something inside her had to know what had made him so happy. Until he looked at her and glared. Why did he glare so much?
Refusing to allow his attitude to affect hers, Cecilia nodded in the direction of the approval committee. “Did you see the sweet couple that was talking with Gertie, James and Helen? They’re so kind and I think they might consider taking all three children.”
She watched his gaze shift to the cluster of people at the table. Eleanor and Robert were new in town, but she had spoken to them several times and very much enjoyed their company. They had been married for a few years and Eleanor had confessed her disappointment that they didn’t have children yet. She had been so excited about the orphan train stopping in Spring Hill.
But Simon’s expression remained stoic. Didn’t anything please this man? She tried again. “Isn’t it wonderful? Three siblings staying together and going to a happy home. I doubt you could ask for a better placement.”
Watching his face, Cecilia thought she saw his jaw relax and lips soften for a brief moment before his expression hardened again. “That would be nice. But I doubt that young couple can handle three older children. I’m afraid they’ll change their minds in a few weeks. James can be quite a handful.”
Cecilia couldn’t help herself. His tone was so condescending. Resting her hands on her hips, she faced Simon head-on. “I’ll have you know, that’s a lovely couple and I have no doubt that they understand what they’re getting into. They can handle three children.”
Finally meeting her gaze, Simon raised one eyebrow with deliberate slowness. “I’m not saying they aren’t good people with good intentions. But taking on three orphans is a lot of work that they might not be prepared for. I’m not going to intervene in the placement. I just don’t think it will last.”
“That’s awfully cynical. I would have thought that someone who helps create families for orphans would have a little more faith in people.”
His eyes slid away, focusing somewhere on the floor behind her. “Actually, it does the opposite. When it comes to orphans, most people aren’t as kind and compassionate as you are. I know that from personal experience.”
Trying to determine from his expression if that comment meant what she thought, Cecilia refused to let the moment pass without finding out a little more about him. “You’re an orphan, too?”
His jaw tightened. “Yes. And no, I don’t want to talk about it. Believe me when I say that I know what they’ll face in life. And it isn’t always nice, even if they do find a good home.”
Cecilia glanced at the children again, her heart aching for them and for Simon, for the pain in their lives that she didn’t understand. She couldn’t imagine the kind of hurt the little ones had felt over and over as they’d continued on the orphan train, stop after stop, without being chosen. “Well, I still think that Eleanor and Robert will handle those three without a problem. You’ll see. It will be one of the orphan train’s most inspiring success stories.”
Simon shrugged and crossed muscular arms over his broad chest. Cecilia squeezed her eyes shut as she turned away, chiding herself for noticing such things. She had a sure path before her and letting her heart hope for the love of a man who was leaving soon wouldn’t serve her purpose well. She had to stay unemotional while she fulfilled her commitment to help with the visits. Even if Simon was terribly handsome. In a brooding, gruff sort of way.
Clearing her throat, Cecilia kept her eyes focused anywhere except on him as she moved the conversation to a safer topic. “What kind of help will you need from me for the next few days?”
“Tomorrow, I’d like to visit Mr. Hartley. I didn’t get a chance to meet him and after what happened with Charles, I don’t know if I trust him with Patrick. I’d like to go get a feel for the situation now, rather than wait for our official visit in several weeks.”
Cecilia was about to answer when her sisters, Cat and Coralee, called to them from across the room. The two made a striking pair. Coralee always had a regal bearing and exuded complete confidence. And then there was Cat. Their youngest sister was small and delicate, with a perfect figure that would make any eastern socialite jealous. She had the most animated face Cecilia had ever seen and she was effortlessly delightful in public. Of course, her sisters had experienced her mood swings, but few other people saw anything but perfection from Cat. As much as she loved her sister, Cecilia had always thought it was rather sickening.
After her sisters greeted her with hugs, Cecilia nodded in Simon’s direction. “This is Simon McKay, the placing agent. Simon, you met Cat yesterday. This is our other sister, Coralee Hadley.”
Simon nodded in greeting to her sister, then stepped back as Coralee took one look around the room and started grinning. “Cecilia, this is wonderful. Have the children all found homes?” Since adopting twins Louisa and Phillip, Cecilia’s older sister had a soft spot for adoptions. She had been as excited as anyone when they’d found out the orphans were coming to Spring Hill.
Glancing toward the front, Cecilia noticed for the first time that only Charles remained. His head hung low and no one seemed to be paying any attention to him. A wave of helplessness washed over Cecilia. He had been so worried about not being chosen and now his fears might become reality.
Turning to find Simon still behind her, Cecilia grabbed his arm. “Simon, Charles is all by himself up there. What if no one wants to take him?”
His eyes slid closed as a pained look crossed his face. Cecilia wondered if he had felt the hurt of being overlooked in favor of other children. She certainly knew what it felt like to live in someone else’s shadow. Her spine straightened. She wasn’t going to let that happen to such a sweet little boy. But as she took a step toward him, Coralee spoke up. “We can’t have the little fellow left out. I’ll go talk to him.” Waving across the room, Coralee got the attention of her husband, Jake, and gestured for him to join her. Together, they went and spoke to Charles in low tones.
Simon’s eyebrows rose. “Are they interested in adopting more children? I don’t want him to get his hopes up if they’re only being nice.”
Resting her fingers on her chin, Cecilia tried to think back,