Read Online After the Storm by Jo Ann Ferguson - Free Book Online

Megan.”
    Her nose wrinkled. “I don’t want to wear it.”
    â€œYou don’t have to wear it. Just go and get it and have it ready in case Rhea has some other chores for you.”
    She nodded before she followed Rhea out of the room.
    Samuel walked back toward the bed. “I know. I spoil them.”
    â€œSome spoiling is good for a child.” She drew up her legs and stretched her toes. Locking her arms around her knees, she did not care about her unladylike position. She needed to stretch her muscles after the long train ride and the days of being sick. “It makes a child know he or she is loved.”
    Again that single eyebrow rose. “Your opinion is different from the women in Haven, who have told me it is bad for a child.”
    â€œIt can be, if it’s done too much.”
    â€œAnd how much is too much?”
    â€œI don’t know. I never have gotten to the point where I believed I loved my children too much.” She smiled at Brendan and his younger sister.
    Samuel motioned toward the door. “Brendan, you’ve got your chores in the barn, and, Lottie, you should check that your rabbit is doing well.”
    â€œMama,” Brendan asked excitedly, “did you know I have a cow of my own?”
    â€œI heard you say something about taking a cow to a fair, but that’s all.”
    â€œI’ve got my own cow.” His chest seemed to swell two sizes as he said with pride, “Samuel lets me take care of her all by myself, and I’m going to take her to the fair to be judged.” He grinned so broadly that she laughed.
    Cailin wondered how many different ways she would see signs of Samuel’s affection for her children. When Brendan left, his sister following to feed the rabbit, she said, “I cannot thank you enough for your kindness to them, Samuel.”
    â€œThey make it easy.”
    â€œThey do.” She was so glad to be able to agree with him. “And I can’t thank you enough for your kindness to me as well.”
    He gave a nonchalant shrug. “Folks in Haven look out for each other. That’s why I settled here last year.”
    She glanced around the room. The furniture appeared as if it had been standing here for years, because it fit the room so perfectly.
    â€œYou look surprised,” he said.
    â€œI assumed you’d been here for a long time if you were able to have children placed out with you by the Children’s Aid Society.”
    Everyone was astonished when Samuel offered to have the three children placed out with him. Three children for a bachelor ! She silenced the voice in her head. Until she knew where she had heard those words, it was worthless thinking about them.
    â€œNo one stays a stranger long in Haven, so there would have been several to speak on my behalf.” He laughed, astounding her again. “People mind their own business and yours as well, but only out of caring for one another. I’m told that it isn’t unusual in a small town.”
    â€œSo you didn’t live on a farm before?”
    His face closed up again, and she knew she had asked the wrong question, although she could not guess why. His answer was terse. “No, I lived in Cincinnati.”
    She was curious what sort of place Cincinnati was, but did not ask. Clearly this was not a topic he wished to discuss with her, and she had something else she wanted to talk to him about.
    â€œLottie is wearing spectacles,” she said.
    He nodded. Picking up the plate, he held it out to her.
    She took the last piece of toast. Once she had started eating, she found she did not want to stop until her stomach was full, a sensation she had nearly forgotten. She started to take a bite, but he lifted it out of her hand. When he slathered it with more of the strawberry jam, he handed it back to her.
    â€œIf you’re going to eat cold toast,” he said, his smile returning, “at least have it be good-tasting