Seamus was watching his sister, his eyes too sad and too mature for a boy of six. After several long seconds, he nodded. “Okay.”
Zaira released an inner sigh.
“But if you try to separate us,” Seamus interjected, “we’ll leave again, and you’ll never find us.”
Had someone at the orphanage threatened to separate him from Moya? Was that why he was so afraid? “I promise you and Moya will get to stay together.” Zaira wasn’t sure how she’d keep that promise, but she intended to do so one way or another.
14
Bellamy followed Zaira through the back door of the pub, with Moya in his arms and Seamus on his heels.
Jenny, mixing batter in a large bowl at the worktable, and Gavin, slicing bread across from her, abruptly halted their supper preparations to stare.
As the back door closed and enveloped Bellamy in the heat of the kitchen along with the strong odor of fried fish, he could hear Moya’s stomach growl. She’d fallen asleep during the ride back to the pub, and now she lifted a sleepy head and sniffed the air.
“Jenny and Gavin, this is Moya.” Bellamy nodded at the lass then the lad. “And that is Seamus.”
“Pleased to meet you both.” Jenny wiped her hands on her apron. If she was surprised by their filthy condition, she didn’t let it show. Instead, her eyes held questions.
“We were wondering”—Zaira flashed a bright smile filled with enthusiasm that was hard to resist—“if you might consider letting Seamus and Moya stay in the apartment until we can locate their father.”
Jenny’s eyes widened, the request clearly taking her by surprise.
On the way home from the encampments along the river, Zaira had brought up the possibility of the children staying with his family. Bellamy had agreed it was the best solution since having the children live at Zaira’s house would tempt her to remain in the city instead of getting away from the cholera.
“Their mam has gone to heaven,” Zaira continued, “and so they currently don’t have a place to live.”
“I see,” Jenny said kindly as she glanced again from Moya to Seamus. “I’m sorry to hear of the loss.”
Seamus studied her in return.
Bellamy had already explained to the children that he was taking them back to the pub. At first Seamus assumed he and Moya would have to sleep in the shed. But Bellamy had indicated that if Jenny and her husband were agreeable, the children would stay in the apartment above the pub.
“We do have plenty of room, so we do.” Jenny shared a look with Gavin.
He nodded.
Jenny smiled at Seamus. “We’d be happy to have you for as long as you need.”
“I’d be happy too.” Moya was now looking at Jenny, her eyes filled with hope.
Seamus didn’t smile back, but the stiffness fell from his shoulders.
Bellamy allowed himself a full breath. He hadn’t necessarily been worried, but a part of him had wondered if having the orphans might be too much for Jenny—a glaringreminder of the children she’d never been able to have for herself.
“Do you have work for me?” Seamus peered around the kitchen, which was as untidy as usual.
Zaira tsked. “Of course not—”
“I’ll not be staying nowhere for nothing.” Seamus straightened to his full height, which wasn’t much taller than Bellamy’s waist. “I’m used to working hard and can do a lot more than you’d expect.”
“Oh aye,” Bellamy spoke before Zaira could turn down the boy’s offer. “Naturally, we’ll have work for you.”
“Bell-amy.” Zaira shot him a narrowed look. “We’re not placing conditions on him.”
“No, of course not,” Jenny added, speaking directly to Seamus. “God’s blessed us with a good home and plenty of food, and we can do nothing less than share our bounty.”
Zaira started to nod.
