Read Online Hope Rekindled by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online Page B

to help me out during the summer. ’Course, when school began, he was only able to come for a few hours after classes. A smart one, your brother.”
    Christopher knew from his mother’s letters that Jimmy was quite interested in his education. He hoped to promote that interest and keep his brother motivated to continue his education.
    “Yes, sir. Good people. Your ma was one in a million.”
    “Thank you for saying so,” Christopher said, the ache in his heart becoming more pronounced.
    “She’d send over a loaf of just-baked bread from time to time. Probably the best I ever ate. And cookies as big as dinner plates.” He smiled and shook his head. “Everyone in the neighborhood is going to miss her.”
    It touched Christopher to hear this tribute to his mother, but he felt as if his own emotions might boil over at any moment. He paid the man for two days. “I don’t know how long I’ll need him, but I’ll return and pay additional fees should it be longer.”
    “No problem. You’re staying with Mrs. Maynard, and I can always check up on you there.” He smiled and handed Christopher the reins. “Colleen owes me a hot meal. I think she’s sweet on me anyway.”
    It was the first time Christopher had felt like smiling in days. He could well imagine the stocky Mrs. Maynard and the tall, skinny Mr. Rothberg. “Could you direct me to the closest telegraph office? I need to send a message to Texas.”
    Rothberg walked with him and the horse to the front of the stable. “Just turn right at the second street. You’ll go down about six blocks and then you’ll see a row of businesses. The telegraph office is on the corner.”
    “Thank you.” Christopher stepped into the stirrup and mounted the horse. The gelding was well behaved and stood stock-still. “I’ll be in touch.”
    The horse acted as if they were old friends. He quickly complied with Christopher’s directions and seemed completely at ease with the city traffic. The area had changed a great deal since the last time Christopher had been back. Everything looked foreign to him—felt foreign, too. Of course, most of his adult life had been spent elsewhere avoiding his Irish heritage—avoiding the pain of seeing his father helpless.
    “Helpless is exactly how I feel,” he muttered.
    His parents were dead. His mother gone—truly gone. He hadn’t even been able to say good-bye. He thought about his last letter home. What had he told his mother? What kind of affection had he offered? His eyes blurred, but he refused to give in to the pain of his loss. He could grieve later. For now, there was work to be done.
    He thought again of the children who barely knew him. It wouldn’t be easy for them to see him as their authority or rescue.
    “Nothing will be easy for them now.”

     
    “And this is your youngest brother, Jonah. He just celebrated his seventh birthday two days before the fire,” Mrs. Maynard declared. She finished the introductions and took a seat beside the boy.
    Christopher let his gaze travel over the ragged quintet. Jimmy and Tommy glared at him with expressions that suggested they wanted nothing he had to offer. They were angry and hurting, and the appearance of a big brother offered no comfort. Darcy, at the age of thirteen, was quite a young woman. She admonished nine-year-old Emma to sit up straight and reached over to straighten her sister’s pigtails. The three youngest were quite petite—perhaps even underfed. No doubt they had less to eat than their older brothers. Christopher shook his head, feeling guilty for not having done more.
    Jonah continued to watch him with wide eyes and a look that seemed almost fearful. The boy’s intensity caused Christopher to rethink how he would approach them. Somehow he had to win their trust—had to help them to see that he was there to help.
    “I realize that none of you know me very well, but I can tell you honestly that I grieve our mother’s loss as much as you do.” He paused and