She turned to point at the table they’d arranged in the back of the room. “Yes, and they’ve already selected a good number of families. We shouldn’t have any trouble placing out all of the children.”
Nervousness tightened Simon’s chest. Although many towns were able to approve parents by a committee beforehand, there was always a chance that one of the children would be placed in a home where they wouldn’t be treated well. He swallowed hard around the dry lump in his throat. He couldn’t bear to see any of the children abused. Like Michael.
Shaking off the unpleasant memories, Simon turned back to Cecilia. “I guess everything is in place, then. I’ll head back to get the children assembled and bring them over. But there’s something I need to ask you first.”
Her open expression and encouraging nod unnerved him. He wasn’t used to people being so trusting. “I was hoping you might agree to help me with visiting the orphans with their new families after they’re placed out. The Children’s Aid Society tries to assure that there are two adults evaluating each home. Unfortunately, Miss Wright has decided to leave immediately and travel to Chicago, so I’m left without the second opinion I need to make complete reports.”
She dropped her gaze and pursed her lips. “And all you need is for me to visit the children with you?”
Was helping him—and the children—so distasteful that she had to use that tone? Maybe she wasn’t as caring and agreeable as he’d thought. He fought to keep his tone friendly. He needed her help, after all.
“Yes, that’s it. I usually wait several weeks so they have time to adjust to each other. Then we would make a brief stop at each home to interview the children and the parents. You would need to record your impressions about the suitability of each placement. Nothing more.”
She tapped slim fingers on her chin as she considered his request. Finally she met his eyes, lips turning up in a hint of a smile. “Certainly, I’d love to help the children in any way I can.”
Simon nodded, his throat turning dry. One thing he hadn’t considered until that moment was that he would have to be careful, spending so much time alone with Cecilia. The last thing he needed was a woman thinking he would put down roots and settle in a frontier town like this just for her. But he had Cecilia’s agreement to help him complete his task. He would have to pray she would look out for the children’s best interests and not hinder his work.
Cecilia offered to help him get the children, so together they left the building and walked back to the hotel.
The town was the epitome of frontier life with its uneven planked boardwalk, wide dirt streets and rough buildings covered with flimsy façades. Here and there, he caught a glimpse of buildings that were nicer, put together with more thought and effort, but a large part of the town seemed to have been thrown together in a hurry.
At least the hotel was a respectable place. The Thomas House, run by a kind older couple of the same name, had been a good choice for their stay. As he and Cecilia approached the front door, an older man came out and held it open for them.
Simon was surprised to see the children already lined up inside. Each one had on the new clothes the residents of Spring Hill had provided and carried a small bag with their meager belongings inside. The oldest girl, Ada, held baby Clara in one arm. They stood just the way Miss Wright had insisted on, with their chins held high like little soldiers.
Simon gestured for them all to come outside and line up in front of the building. Once they were in place, he walked in front of the row, examining each child. All ten faces—four boys and six girls—were scrubbed clean and their clothing was neat. But almost every set of eyes showed at least a hint of fear.
He stopped his pacing and tried to smile at each of them. “Well, children, it’s time to go and meet your new families. I expect each of you to behave well. Address adults as ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am.’ Say please and thank you. Speak when spoken to.”
Simon swallowed the lump of emotion rising in his throat. Oh, Lord, let them each find a good home. Licking dry lips, he finished his talk before the waves of feelings got the best of him. “I know you’ll make me proud today. Let’s go.”
He nodded to Ada, who spun on her heel and led the line of orphans down the street, chin still pointed in the air. Simon and Cecilia followed at the rear, behind Charles, one of the oldest boys. As they got closer to the school, Charles’s steps slowed, almost imperceptibly, until Simon was walking next to him.
The boy looked nervous, fidgeting with the bottom button on his slightly too large donated jacket. “Mr. McKay, sir, what if they don’t want one of us? You said this is the last stop. What if someone isn’t picked?”
Charles’s dark head hung low, nearly breaking Simon’s heart. He rested a hand on the child’s shoulder as they walked. “I assure you, Charles, no one will be overlooked today. There are more than enough families in Spring Hill who are excited to have a child join their home. Each of you is sure to find a good match today.”
The boy nodded and sped up to keep pace with the others.
Feeling Cecilia’s eyes on him, Simon turned to see the look of pity on her face. “The poor dear. I can’t imagine the fear the children must feel. I do hope the day goes as well as we expect. For their sakes.”
Simon couldn’t bring himself to respond beyond a noncommittal nod. No, she couldn’t imagine what the children were feeling at that moment. His own life experience had taught him how pivotal this day would be for the orphans. It could mean the difference between life and death.
He tried to brush aside the memories of childhood horror that started to rise but the surge of heartache must have showed on his face, anyway.
Pausing, Cecilia stopped him with one hand on his arm. “It looks like there’s more on your mind than the children. I know we’ve only just met, but if you need to talk, I’ve been told I’m a good listener.”
He couldn’t help the pang of longing that hit him with her earnest words. As much as he would need help in this town for the weeks ahead, there was no way he was going to divulge his past or his feelings to her. No matter how pretty she looked, with that encouraging smile lifting her pink lips. Simon couldn’t imagine that such a lovely young woman would commit to traveling the country with the orphan train rather than having a family of her own. And there was no way he was walking away from the one thing God had called him to do for a selfish reason like his own emotions.
“I’m anxious to get all the children placed out to good homes and return to New York. Nothing more.” He winced at his gruff tone. So much for his determination to be nicer to her.
Drawing herself up straight, she trained her eyes on the children as they entered the school. “You aren’t fond of the frontier?”
Trying to sound more pleasant, he shook his head. “It’s not that. There are always more children on the streets in New York. These trips take so long, it feels like I’m missing the chance to help someone. And I can’t stand that.”
* * *
Cecilia turned to see Simon’s eyes scan the prairie behind the school. Her heart beat a little faster at the view of his strong profile and she chided herself. This was about the children, not about spending time with the handsome placing agent. He had just stated that he would return to New York as soon as he could. Was she going to be so silly as to put her heart in a position that would only lead to being hurt again? No, she couldn’t let that happen.
Squaring her shoulders, she followed Simon up the stairs as he held the door to the school open. Entering the familiar room, she was pleased to see that all the children were standing in one very straight line in front of the large blackboard. The only sounds were the ticking of the clock on the wall and a slight shuffling of feet now and then. It appeared the children knew what was expected of them for the event.