After the Storm by Jo Ann Ferguson

well.”
    Cailin laughed. “Now I understand all the talk about Kitty Cat. I thought Megan was making up tales about a kitten. I couldn’t imagine how a kitten could have a new pink dress.”
    â€œIt’s clear you’ve learned a lot about us already.”
    â€œSamuel said no one stays a stranger long in Haven.”
    â€œThat’s very true. Does that mean you’re going to be staying?”
    â€œFor a while, at least.” She looked down at her frayed gown. “I don’t want to tear the children away from their familiar surroundings again until I’m ready to take them back home to Ireland.”
    Emma nodded and sighed. “I think you’re wise. It’ll give them time to say their goodbyes and for you to finish your mourning.” Her gaze slipped to the dark dress on Cailin’s lap. “Right from when I first saw you, I thought you needed to think about healing your heart.”
    Cailin shifted, uneasy with the turn of the conversation. Outside, the children were cheering each other in whatever game they were playing. She heard something hit a stick with a whack and more shouts. When Emma did not react, she did not jump from her seat to make sure nobody had been hurt.
    Jump from her seat? She could hardly move without sending her head spinning.
    â€œIf I’ve offended you by my comments,” Emma said, “I’m sorry.”
    â€œYou haven’t. I’m curious why you thought that about me.” If she had betrayed herself and the truth to Emma, she might have done the same with Samuel. She did not want him to demand the truth when the children might overhear. The longer she could conceal her shame, the less likely it would be that anyone would discover it.
    â€œI don’t know. Just the hollow sound of your voice that night, even though you were clearly glad to be in Haven and so close to a reunion with your children. Now you’ve found them, so don’t forget to take care of what’s inside you, too.”
    â€œI won’t,” she said, touched by Emma’s concern for a woman she had just met.
    â€œI was a widow, too.” Emma said the words so slowly that Cailin would have guessed she wanted to avoid speaking them. Was Emma mourning for her late husband even though she had remarried? “I know how hard it is to rebuild your life. If you wish an ear to listen, please come and talk with me.”
    â€œYou’re very kind.”
    â€œAnd I’m overstaying my welcome when you should be resting. Brendan told me not to stay long.” She stood and put the stool back by the dressing table. “He’s very protective. He said more than once that he wanted you to get well so you wouldn’t die.”
    â€œThey thought they had lost me once.”
    Emma nodded. “I can understand that.”
    But I don’t ! Cailin wanted to shout. I don’t understand how anyone could hurt a child by telling such a lie .
    â€œThis is for you.” Emma held out the box. “I saw you had only a small bag with you, so I thought you might need some things.”
    Cailin looked into the box. She picked up a comb from among the other personal items and smiled. “Thank you. I do need these things.” She hesitated, looking from a lacy collar to Emma. “I’m not sure how I can pay—”
    â€œThese are a gift, Cailin.” She raised her hands. “Don’t look so chagrined. You don’t know much about the folks in Haven yet.”
    She had no chance to answer as the door swung open again. She was about to greet the children when her eyes were caught by Samuel’s. Once again, it was as if the rest of the world had dissolved. The children’s voices, Emma’s greeting, the sunshine hot on the back of her neck … everything dwindled into nothingness. Except for those green eyes that seemed to be seeking deep within her.
    He looked away to answer Emma’s greeting,