Page 40 of Choices of the Heart

Sometimes patients arrived at the most inconvenient times.

“I should see who that is.” The words emerged a little quivery.

She nodded.

He’d only just stepped away from her and toward the door when Joseph Archer burst inside, his arm around Katie.

“What’s happened?” Burke asked, alarmed by the franticness in Joseph’s expression.

“She’s in labor.”

Word of Katie’s impending arrival had spread, and the Archers, along with the entire extended O’Connor family, had gathered at the inn. Mrs. O’Connor and Maura Callaghan were with Katie. Maura, Sophie had been told, was a midwife.

With so many at the inn, Eliza was run a bit off her feet. Though her family would certainly have seen to their own needs and comfort, she clearly wanted them to feel welcome and looked after. She and Patrick did their best to see to everyone’s needs. Sophie, realizing there was more to do than those two could manage without warning, did what she could to help. She held little Eoin, keeping him safe and comforted. He leaned against her, his beautiful blue eyes struggling to stay open.

The elder Mr. O’Connor sat beside her. “It’s good of you to help Eliza and Patrick. They’re a bit overwhelmed, I fear.”

“I love being here at the inn. And their children are angels. Helping anyone in your family is my very real pleasure.”

“Well, we’re grateful for you.”

Sophie enjoyed spending time with the O’Connors. They were so welcoming and kind. She couldn’t imagine them rejecting someone for being “odd” or “overly enthusiastic.”

“What is your connection to Katie?” she asked him. “That the whole family came so immediately, even leaving thecéilíto do so, indicates she’s more than merely a neighbor to you.”

“I’ve considered her a daughter from almost the moment she arrived in Hope Springs. She’s allowed me to fill the role of father in her life, and ’tis an honor to do so.”

“Does she not have family here, other than Joseph and their children?” Sophie asked.

“She lost most all her family as a little girl, before she left Ireland. And she didn’t meet Joseph and his daughters until coming to Wyoming.”

“So she was alone when she came here.”

“Utterly so.” The knowledge seemed to sadden him still.

“Burke has told me a little of his history. He’s very much alone as well. He has no family. He never has.”

“He’s talked of that a bit. We know he grew up in an orphanage.”

“And yet, I don’t get the impression that he feels as much like family here as many others do. I think he struggles to know what his place is.”

Mr. O’Connor appeared to ponder that. “He’s not given any indication that he’s feeling neglected.”

“I don’t think ‘neglected’ is the right word. He’s never had family, so I imagine he doesn’t even believe it’s possible to find one. And yet, I get the very real impression that he needs it more than he lets on.”

“We ought to do a better job of showing him our appreciation,” Mr. O’Connor said. “He’s so able and competent. ’Tis an easy thing to forget he’d benefit from the connections we all need.”

Eoin started fussing. Sophie rose, still holding him, but walking about as she cooed softly to him. She suspected the poor boy was tired. It was late, and there was too much happening for him to fall asleep easily. Her steps took her past Eliza, who offered a quick whisperedthank you.

“My pleasure,” Sophie said quietly.

She bounced the little boy as he drifted in and out of slumber. She wandered from group to group, at times simply listening to the conversations, at times joining in. It was easy to feel at home amongst this family, to feel welcomed and wanted and seen. They had adopted Katie when she had arrived alone without family. Would they do the same for her if she were to stay?

No sooner had the question flitted through her mind than her eyes settled on Mrs. Archer, sitting comfortably in a chair, with Ivy lying on the chair next to her, her head on her grandmother’s lap.

Mrs. Archer would be returning to Baltimore, and she needed Sophie to go with her. She wouldn’t have made the journey to Hope Springs without the guarantee that she could return. And she couldn’t make the journey back without Sophie to help. Furthermore, if Sophie weren’t in Baltimore, Mrs. Archer would be entirely alone. Sophie had seen her sorrow when Joseph’s letter had arrived telling her he was not making his annual visit. The woman would be heartbroken if Sophie abandoned her as well.

The fleeting thought of remaining in Hope Springs had likely been an impossible one anyway. She had grown up in high society. She had no useful skills. What would she even do here? How would she support herself? She didn’t have anywhere to stay. She had something of a reputation for being overly enthusiastic about things. Rushing into the idea of staying had likely just been another example of that.

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