Touched by Fire by Gwyneth Atlee

Author:Gwyneth Atlee [Atlee, Gwyneth]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Historical Romance
Published: 2011-12-01T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

Once, Hannah would have found it far too painful to face daily reminders of the children she could never have. But as days passed without word from Daniel, she walled off the portion of her heart that still dreamed of a future with him. Instead, she found it easier to focus on those orphaned by the fire.

Now as she tended the children, she felt almost grateful for their need. When, within a week, she was strong enough to move into the orphanage, they kept her busy dawn ‘til dusk. And sometimes even longer. Nightmares skittered throughout the wooden structure in the darkness, leaping bed to bed. Only rarely did darkness pass undisturbed by screaming or a child’s tears.

Three year-old Charlie, so cheerful in the daytime, often crawled in bed with her at night. Hannah held his hand until both fell asleep.

She had never felt so needed in her life, so absolutely certain she was where she should be. She had no time to bemoan the unfairness of her circumstances; here fate had dealt everyone an awful hand.

Two other women helped with the twenty-odd children living there. At least once a week, Bess Brannon came and visited or spelled her for an afternoon.

“I’ve seen John Aldman,” she confessed near the beginning of December. “He’s been by twice. Once to ask about you, and another time to visit me. I like him, Hannah, very much.”

“He’s a kind and decent man,” Hannah said, but inside, her heart ached. If John could come, why hadn’t Daniel? Had she wounded his pride so badly he was never coming back?

But Bess hadn’t finished talking about John. “My mother says it would be foolish to fall for someone who’s just lost everything. Father scowls a lot and mumbles about farmers whenever I bring up his name. But I don’t think money’s so important.”

“John will be all right. He’s a man with plans, and a good head on his shoulders, too.” Hannah wondered why she couldn’t just ask about Daniel Aldman, instead of prattling on about his older brother.

“Mother would like me to marry someone as rich as her cousin, Mr. Simonton. He’s a very good man, I suppose, but you should see him. Twice my mother’s size,” Bess said.

“I have some other news,” she continued. “You know how cold the hall here is at night. It’s simply not a proper place for children during winter, and the social club is ready to get back their hall. The Presbyterians are putting up a bigger orphanage behind their church, staffed by their members. It’s been decided they’ll move the children there within the week.”

“That’s not far,” Hannah said. “And surely, they’ll need all the help they’re offered. I’d like to go there with the children.”

“I’ve already asked,” Bess said. “They have enough volunteers for now. But don’t worry about a place. We still need you here, Hannah. There’s someone who would like to talk to you about it this afternoon. Oh, and I almost forgot. I’ve brought you another dress for winter, and a cloak.

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