When Seamus finished tying his shoe, Zaira asked both children all about the past few days, and they excitedly told her about the food they’d eaten, their bed on the sofa, the chores they’d done, and more.
Zaira surprised the children by handing a book to them, an illustrated book ofAesop’sFables. Although Jenny had already reluctantly returned to the kitchen to help Gavin with the supper preparations, Bellamy wasn’t in a rush and took a seat at the table while Zaira proceeded to read one of the fables to the children.
When she finished, she closed the book with a tender smile. “I wish I could stay and read another story, but I really need to go.”
She’d probably come to town to turn in her weekly chapter to theDaily Republican. It was about the time of week she usually did so. Although she hadn’t told him she was using the name K.S. Flanders, he’d guessed that was her column since it was new, and the story sounded like something she’d write—dramatic and intriguing.
And the kiss in segment two? Had she been describing the first kiss they’d shared in the pub? It had been romantic and passionate, and it had only made him want to kiss her again.
Moya held on to Zaira’s hand tightly. “Can you come tomorrow and read another story?”
Zaira brushed a hand over the little girl’s cheek. “I wish I could, but I’m afraid my parents don’t like me being in the city.”
Did they know she was here now? Or had she lied to them about where she was going?
His silent questions must have radiated across the short distance because she glanced over at him before focusing more intently upon the children and answering their questions about her family’s country estate.
“Bellamy?” Jenny’s voice rang up the stairway. “A man is here wanting to talk to you about taking in children.”
“Is that a fact?” Bellamy rose.
“Oh aye.”
Maybe word was already spreading that he was looking for families to house orphan children. If so, he hoped he would have a good list compiled before Riley returned tomorrow.
“Tell him I’ll be right down.” Bellamy was due back in the pub soon anyway. If only he could have had a few minutes more with Zaira, maybe even a wee bit of time without the children. But what would he have said to her? What would he have done?
He certainly wouldn’t have kissed her again. He’d only done so at the party because everyone had been calling for it and he’d felt pressured into it.
She rose, and the children did too, all three of them watching him expectantly. “Do you think the visitor has word about Mr. O’Reilly?” she asked.
“Maybe.” He didn’t want to disappoint anyone, but so far, all the information he’d uncovered about Seamus and Moya’s da had only led him to the wrong man. O’Reilly was a common Irish name, and Bellamy was surprised at how many Seamus O’Reillys there were in the city and surrounding area.
He made his way downstairs and out into the pub, where a young man was waiting to relay the news that a Seamus O’Reilly was living in the Carondelet district to the south of St. Louis, doing construction. The young man didn’t know if this particular Seamus O’Reilly was from Galway or if he had a wife and two children. But Bellamy could do nothing less than head down to Carondelet and find out if this was the Seamus they were searching for.
As soon as he returned to the kitchen, Zaira was waiting, her expression animated with anticipation. “Well?”
“It’s too late in the afternoon to go. I’ll wait until the morning.”
Seamus and Moya were less excited, probably because they’d already had their hopes dashed with each of his failed inquiries so far.
Moya held up her arms to Jenny, who scooped the little lass up and hugged her tightly, whispering reassurances that everything would be all right. Moya wrapped her arms around Jenny’s neck, and Jenny pressed a kiss onto the child’s forehead and then caressed her hair.
The two were growing really attached. What would happen to both if Mr. O’Reilly finally came to collect his children? Maybe it would be better to reunite them with their da soon, before they settled into life at the pub even more.
“On second thought,” Bellamy said, “maybe I should nip along now.” Carondelet was only a five-mile ride. He could ride there and back before darkness settled.
“The pub won’t be busy tonight, not with the ban on beer,” Gavin spoke up from the stove. He regarded Jenny with a worried look, probably because he realized that Jenny already loved the children and that she’d only be hurt when they left.
All the more reason to find the children’s da.
“I’ll take care of pouring drinks,” Gavin continued, “until you get back.” Tonight there wouldn’t be much pouring, maybe some whiskey or brandy or a few of their other hard liquors.
Bellamy shared a look with his brother-in-law—one in which they both silently agreed they needed to protect Jenny as best they could from heartache.
“Then I guess I’ll be running on.” Bellamy made it outside into the alley when the kitchen door opened, then closed with a bang.
“I’m going with you,” Zaira called, her determined footsteps thudding behind him.
