Page 46 of The Heart’s Charge

Yes, you will. Katherine opened the washroom door and placed a hand behind Alice’s shoulders to guide her through. You’ll see that we follow through on our promises. Give us a chance, and we’ll shower you with all the love and kindness you can stand.

She’d be surprised if Rawley and the others could be convinced to stay once the snatchers were caught. That crew was too free-spirited to willingly tie themselves down to a permanent dwelling. But Alice and Wart? Katherine’s heart throbbed with the need to shelter them. It was the same way she’d felt when she’d first encountered Abner all those years ago. Alice and Wart belonged at Harmony House.

Watch over her brother, Father. I haven’t even met him, but I feel your calling to bring him into our home. Maybe this is the true reason you brought Mark here. To rescue Wart. I stand ready to assist, however I can. Bring him home unharmed, Lord. Home to Alice. She needs him so.

Alice halted suddenly, causing Katherine’s prayerful thoughts to scatter as she bumped into the girl’s back. Abner stood before them, his arms filled with plates intended for the dining room.

He met the newcomer’s stare head on without his usual defiance. Katherine’s heart soared. It was so difficult for Abner to meet new people. They never failed to stare at the red birthmark on his face, leaving him angry and embarrassed. This time, however, he ignored Alice’s shock and offered a friendly grin.

“Welcome to Harmony House. My name’s Abner.”

Acting the perfect host. Katherine bit back a grin. She hadn’t had much time to prepare the children for their influx of visitors, so she’d simply explained that these were children who had no home and needed a safe place to stay. She’d asked Abner and the others to be kind and hospitable, and here he was doing exactly that. Putting his own discomfort aside to ease the discomfort of another. No mother could be prouder.

“I’m . . . Al.”

“Al, huh?” Abner didn’t look too sure about the boyish name, but he shrugged it off as unimportant. “Ruby and me are settin’ the table in the other room. Wanna help?”

A tight, bristling voice cut into the conversation. “Al’s not goin’ anywhere until I find out exactly why she’s been lyin’ to me for the last six months.” Rawley scowled at Alice, his eyes dark with betrayal.

Abner turned and glowered at the older boy, moving to place himself in front of Alice. “Back off.”

Rawley did no such thing. He advanced, his narrowed gaze switching from Alice to Abner. “I don’t back away from nuthin’, tomato face.”

Abner’s cheeks reddened to match his birthmark, and the plates rattled ominously in his hands.

Before the boys could come to blows and break half the plates in her pantry, Katherine jumped between them. “That’s enough.” She looked first at Abner. “Please see to your duties in the dining room.”

He peered up at her, a question in his eyes. She nodded, assuring him she’d look after Alice. He tossed one final glare at Rawley before making a silent departure.

Katherine turned to Rawley next, doing her best to keep her own hackles from showing. Reminded herself that this boy had been surviving on his own, possibly for years. Striking first before someone could strike him. Living by his own code, one that obviously valued honesty and trust. Perhaps she could build on that.

“While you are staying with us, Rawley, I must ask you to abide by our rules. We do not allow name-calling or other disrespectful behavior. Is that understood?”

The boy’s face closed down, his jaw clamping tight as he visibly struggled with his response. He glanced at the door and the other boys standing just inside, staring at him, waiting for him to decide their fate. Temptation to leave warred with his need to protect those in his charge.

“You and the others are welcome to stay here as long as you like,” Katherine said, saving him from having to verbalize a response to her edict. For now, it was enough to communicate her expectations. Collecting his agreement could wait. “Perhaps some of you will even choose to make Harmony House your permanent home.”

She placed a hand on Alice’s shoulder, and understanding flashed in his eyes. Understanding and . . . relief? Something clicked in Katherine’s mind. It wasn’t the dishonesty that bothered this leader of young men so much. As a survivor, he would know precisely what had motivated Alice’s disguise. However, to be in charge of a young girl, especially if her brother was no longer around, was a layer of responsibility he hadn’t anticipated or been prepared to accept. And what would happen as she grew older? Would she continue to be treated like one of the crew, or would she be a source of distraction and strife among them?

“However long you stay,” Katherine continued, meeting Rawley’s gaze, “you will treat the others as you would wish to be treated yourself. With kindness and respect. Can you agree to those terms?”

He sniffed and raised his chin. “I s’pose.”

“Excellent!” Katherine beamed a smile at him. “Then why don’t you ask Miss Southerland what you can carry to the table for supper? I’m sure you’re all starved.”

Her prediction proved true, as the giant batch of biscuits Eliza had made disappeared with staggering speed. Every drop of gravy and scrap of ham was consumed in record time. A bit of tension lingered in the air between Abner and Rawley, but Ted’s constant questions about railcar living and Rawley’s yarn-spinning skills kept a lively conversation going throughout the meal. Katherine had been happy to see Ruby and Alice engaging in a quiet side conversation of their own, both undoubtedly hungry for connection with another girl their own age.

Despite all the activity at the table, Katherine’s mind kept turning to Mark. He and Jonah had opted to eat outside, taking their plates of food onto the back porch. Whether in an effort to protect the ladies’ reputations or to discuss their investigation in private, she didn’t know. Both, most likely. Mark had hinted that they’d want to speak with Alice after the meal, and when the knock she’d been straining to hear finally rapped against the back door, she practically flew from her chair to answer.

She pulled the door open. Mark’s eyes lit with pleasure upon seeing her, and her insides hummed in response. She dipped her gaze and noticed the plates he held, one stacked upon the other.

“Here, let me take those.” She reached for the dirty dishes, and her fingers accidentally overlapped his.

His roguish smile made an appearance, as if he thought she’d touched him on purpose. She hadn’t. Not really. Had she? In truth, she’d been so enamored by the delight in his eyes upon seeing her that she hadn’t paid much heed to where her hands were going.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, quickly adjusting her hold so as not to trap his fingers against the plates.

“Don’t be.” Mark slipped his hand free of the dishes, then lifted it to caress the edge of her cheek with the back of one knuckle. “I like it when you touch me.”