He refused to look over at her and see the pity in her eyes. It was always either revulsion, suspicion or pity when he talked about his childhood as an orphan. But her quiet words etched in his heart. “Simon, I’m sorry. I hate that you had to go through that. But I hope you see that those experiences have given you empathy far beyond what most people feel. They formed you into a caring, dedicated man who is making a difference.”
He didn’t answer. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t. Her response was so different from any he’d experienced that he didn’t know how to handle it.
They reached the outskirts of Spring Hill without speaking again. As they approached the bustling streets, he finally mustered the courage to glance at Cecilia. “Can I drive you home?”
He could see the hesitation in her face. What was it about him that made her want to keep him at arm’s length? She’d agreed to spend the morning with him visiting Patrick, but she’d refused to let him take her home. Was she more put off by his past than she sounded? If he’d looked at her after divulging his past, he might have seen revulsion instead of understanding, after all.
Trying to find a hint of her feelings in her expression, he forced his tone to stay light. “I hate to leave a lady to walk home by herself. It’s not polite.”
But instead of disarming her, his words seemed to have the opposite effect. She drew herself up taller, jaw tight and chin in the air. “Really, it’s fine. I’m quite capable of getting myself home without an escort. Please stop here and I’ll walk.”
Simon shook his head. This woman was either excessively independent or very uncomfortable spending one more minute with him. He reminded himself that it was none of his business either way. He needed her help for a few weeks and then he would be gone. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll stop assuming you’d welcome chivalrous behavior.”
He pulled the buggy to an abrupt stop. For a moment it looked as if she wanted to say something. But then she clamped those rosy-pink lips tight and climbed out of the buggy before he could offer his assistance. Not that he thought she’d take it if he did.
“Thank you, Simon. The hotel staff can help you send word for me when you’re ready to make more home visits. I hope your time in Spring Hill will be pleasant.” And with that, she turned on her heel and started to walk away.
It was all Simon could do to keep his mouth from hanging open at her rude dismissal. Several minutes of deep breaths finally calmed the flash of heat that filled his chest. He couldn’t decide if he should go after her and give her a piece of his mind or let her continue her haughty walk home. She disappeared around the corner at the end of the street and he decided it was best to let her go. He wouldn’t force his presence on her any more than necessary since that’s what she seemed to want. As he raised the reins to steer the horse back to the stable, a voice called his name. “Mr. McKay?”
An older woman approached the buggy with quick, efficient steps. Her dark hair was graying, but she had piercing eyes that looked like they wouldn’t miss a thing. He climbed down and tipped his hat to her. “Yes, ma’am. I’m Simon McKay.”
The woman stuck out a hand and gave him a firm shake that would rival any man’s. “I’m Lily Holbrook, Cecilia’s aunt. It’s sure nice to meet you.”
Ah, the sisters’ illustrious aunt. Simon couldn’t help smiling. “It’s my pleasure, ma’am.”
She waved his formal greeting off with one hand. “It’s Lily to everyone around here, son. No need for fancy niceties with an old woman like me. Now, I wanted to talk to you.”
That caught his attention. He’d never even met this woman. Giving her his full attention, Simon watched her expressive face as she spoke. “It’s about my other niece, Catrina. Have you met her?”
“Cat? Yes, I’ve spoken with her several times.”
Lily continued with a brisk nod. “Then I’m sure you’ve noticed the way she has of flitting around from thing to thing. She doesn’t seem to have much interest in settling down and getting married, which is fine for now. But I’m afraid if she doesn’t fill her time with something beneficial, she’ll get herself into trouble out of sheer boredom.”
Simon tilted his head, trying to understand why Lily had stopped him to discuss Cat’s flighty personality. “And what does that have to do with me?”
He immediately flinched at the way his words sounded. Why did he always have to act tough and cold? Thankfully, his tone didn’t slow Lily down one bit.
“I hoped you’d consider finding a way to include her in some of your work. If she had a cause, something to care about, she might lose a little of that restlessness that could get her into a mess.”
Running one hand over his chin, Simon thought for a minute. He could understand a restless spirit. He knew what it was like to wander with no purpose. And he could see how Cat’s self-assured air could be covering up a disquiet hidden deep inside. But he was already in over his head spending so much time with Cecilia. Could he stand working with another woman for the next few weeks?
Lily stood with her hands on her hips, waiting for his answer. “Let me think about that, Lily. I’m sure there’s a way to involve her in working with the children.”
“Thank you, Simon, my boy. Now, you have a nice day and make sure you stop by my place sometime for a meal. Lily’s Café, over on First Street. It’ll be on me.”
With a wink, Lily turned and walked away, a spring in her step that belied her age. Simon started to smile until he remembered that promising to find a way for Cat to help meant letting another woman into his space. Cat was the sort of woman who drew most men’s attention, but Simon couldn’t let himself get distracted by a pretty face. Yet the face that flashed in his mind wasn’t Cat’s. It was Cecilia’s wide eyes and flushed cheeks that filled his thoughts.
With a shake of his head, he forced thoughts of women away. He had things to do. There were reports to write and send back to the Children’s Aid Society. And he had to organize the paperwork the approval committee had completed when the children were placed out. Then he would take a few days to call on prominent residents of Spring Hill and enlist their assistance in helping the children acclimate to their new homes, as he did at every stop. It was one small way he tried to ease the transition for the orphans and the town.
With all he had to do, the week went by quickly. It was Monday before Simon was able to figure out how he could include Cat in his work. He sent the boy who ran errands for the hotel to deliver a message to Cat, asking her to meet him at the café for supper that evening, so he could explain his idea.
Simon had been able to spend some time exploring the town of Spring Hill and had found the café on one of his walks. Tonight, he took his time, ambling down the boardwalk to enjoy the crisp evening air. The town had captured his interest over the last few days. It was both wild and quaint, frontier and civilization rolled into one. He had seen many towns, large and small, on his travels with the orphan train, but none had grabbed his attention like Spring Hill.
This place had somehow gotten him thinking about what it would be like to settle down. To stop traveling the country, indulging his restlessness. He could almost see himself marrying, building a house, having children of his own. But every time the blissful vision played in his mind, it was interrupted by the memory of his best friend’s youthful face covered in bruises.
He could feel the fear again when he remembered Michael telling him about the horrors of life with the cruel couple who’d taken him from the children’s home they’d been in together. He couldn’t help shuddering when the cold emptiness crept back in like it had the day Michael had died trying to escape them. And, every time, the overwhelming guilt renewed Simon’s determination to help every orphan he could, even if it took the rest of his life. He refused to fail another person like he had Michael.
In spite of the pull he felt to remain in Spring