Dawn of the Golden Promise by BJ Hoff

of a thing, frightened and lost-looking. Even then, something about Quinn O’Shea had gone straight to his heart. And although it had been months before he saw her again, he never forgot her.
    It was pity, no doubt. He had ever been the fool for the abandoned children of the city—even the stray animals. Didn’t the other boyos on the force sometimes needle him about being soft for strays?
    He felt sorry for the girl, that was all, and he had let his sympathy get out of hand.
    But even as Denny turned the corner onto Hester Street, he knew that the feeling which had been growing inside him for Quinn O’Shea had little to do with pity. It was a different kind of feeling, unlike anything he had ever felt before…a feeling he couldn’t begin to define, but not at all what he would feel for an orphaned child or a stray kitten.
    Even though the wounded look in her eyes was much the same.

6
Of Age and Time
    Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be ador’d, as this moment thou art.
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
    THOMAS MOORE (1779–1852)
    O n Sunday, Sara and Michael Burke attended evening services at Jess Dalton’s small church on the edge of the Bowery.
    They found themselves visiting the new congregation more and more frequently, for they had never stopped missing the big pastor’s presence at their own Fifth Avenue church. Although the pulpit had been quickly filled after Dalton’s resignation, the new minister’s influence seemed pitifully weak by comparison. Privately, Sara suspected that their distinguished new pastor, Dr. Stockley, was far more likely to bore the congregation to death than to off end or disturb them.
    It was nearly dark when they started home in the buggy. With a sigh, she took Michael’s hand. “Wasn’t it good to hear a sermon with real substance?”
    He grinned at her. “You mean a sermon with some real controversy, don’t you?”
    Sara shrugged. “I don’t think Jess Dalton intends to be controversial. He simply attempts to preach the truth, and the truth often makes us uncomfortable. That’s not the pastor’s fault.”
    â€œStill, you’re a bit hard on Dr. Stockley, now, aren’t you?” Michael said, still smiling. “I’ve seen you biting your lip behind your white gloves. Your father would tell you—and not for the first time, I’m sure—that you’d best guard against a critical spirit.”
    â€œReally? Perhaps you didn’t notice that Father himself nodded off more than once this morning.”
    â€œUnderstandable, after the first hour,” Michael replied dryly.
    Sara leaned her head back against the seat. “Anyway, it was good to see the Daltons. I miss them terribly. Did you see how little Amanda is growing? They’ve started the paperwork on her adoption, you know. But Father says there may be complications, with her parents having been immigrants.”
    â€œWhat isn’t complicated where immigrants are concerned?” Michael muttered. “Nobody seems to know quite what to do about them.”
    â€œWell, I hope for Kerry’s sake everything goes smoothly—and quickly. She’s absolutely devoted to that little girl—they both are, of course. Amanda will have a wonderful home.”
    Michael nodded absently, and Sara could tell he was thinking of something else. Well, she had something more on her mind, too. She squeezed his hand. “I hope we have a child soon, Michael.”
    His surprise was obvious. “No doubt we will, sweetheart.” He paused, searching her eyes. “Sure, you’re not fretting about that already?”
    Sara looked away. “We’ve been married over a