Restless Hearts by Marta Perry

Author:Marta Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2007-11-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“This is going to look terrific.” Nolie ran her paint roller over the wall of Fiona’s living room, then stood back to admire the effect of the light moss green. “I love to paint. It makes everything look so fresh and new.”

“You’ve come to the right place, then.” Fiona divided her smile between Nolie and Aunt Siobhan, both clad in jeans and T-shirts, bandanas protecting their hair. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help.”

And your support. She wanted to add that, but was still reluctant to expose how much they all meant to her.

“It’s a pleasure.” Aunt Siobhan, looking as young as one of her daughters in the casual clothes, swept a brush along the woodwork. “And besides, it gives us a chance to catch up with you. How is the practice going? Is it building the way you expected?”

Fiona frowned, watching the dingy tone of the wall disappear with a sweep of the roller. “I’m not sure just what I expected. I’m getting by, so far.” She wouldn’t tell them how slim her bank account had become. “But the Amish should be a large part of a nurse-midwife practice in this area, and so far that’s not happening.”

Siobhan’s concerned expression seemed to say that she read what wasn’t spoken. “You know that you can come to us if you need anything, don’t you?”

Her throat tightened. She still wasn’t used to the open-handed, open-hearted way these relatives had accepted her. “Thank you, but it hasn’t come to that yet.”

“Is this reluctance of theirs because of your mother’s family? Have you had a chance to talk with them yet?” Nolie’s roller moved in time with her question, efficient as always. No wonder she was able to juggle her family and her life-altering work so smoothly.

“I’ve talked with an aunt and a cousin,” she said. “So far my grandparents haven’t been willing to see me.”

Distress filled Siobhan’s eyes. “I’m sorry. That just seems so heartless—”

“It’s not that,” she said quickly. “I thought that at first, but it seems my grandmother ended up hospitalized with severe depression after my mother left. They’re trying to protect her, not hurt me.”

“Even so, it affects your livelihood,” Nolie said. “It’s so unfair.”

And now she had that business with the vandals to add to her potential problems. At least according to Ruth, they’d been scared off before they’d done more than tip over a display stand. Even Ruth didn’t know her involvement. Ted had said he’d keep her part quiet for the time being, but he clearly wouldn’t bend any regulations for her. She’d come up against that rigid cop mentality of his a couple of times, and she didn’t like it.

“Is something else wrong?” Siobhan’s words were soft, but they pierced Fiona’s heart. Her aunt Siobhan just saw much too clearly.

The longing to pour all her worries into her aunt’s sympathetic ear almost overwhelmed her. Almost, but not quite. The old habit of holding back, not rocking the boat, was too strong to be overcome that easily.

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