Page 51 of A Steadfast Heart
David returned to the dining room, carrying a rag to wipe the table.
Kaitlyn laid her hand against Tillie’s cheek. Was it warmer than just a minute ago? She signaled David to come closer. “Get some washcloths and wet them with cool water from the well. Then come to the porch.” The boy nodded and closed the door.
Kaitlyn struggled to her feet with Tillie in her arms, then carried the child through the living room and opened the front door. Drew and Jo sat on the top step. Jo’s head was bowed and her shoulders were slumped.
“I know I’ve said that.” Drew’s voice was serious. “But not everyone leaves. I won’t leave you, not ever. Family sticks. And if Kaitlyn does leave, it isn’t because of you.”
Kaitlyn would have flinched if her arms weren’t full of Tillie. She’d known her leaving would hurt Tillie, but David and Jo as well? Could Michael do any more harm to this family than she already had? She took in a steadying breath. Best if she didn’t appear to be eavesdropping. Kaitlyn stepped onto the porch, her tread intentionally loud. “Tillie’s running a fever, Drew.”
Drew stood and signaled Kaitlyn to move closer. “Bring her this way.”
Tillie looked at Jo, then shook her head and slipped from Kaitlyn’s grasp. “I can walk. I’m not a baby, no matter what she says.” She sat on the lower step, away from Jo.
Drew sat next to her and placed a hand on her forehead. “Not feeling good, punkin?”
Tillie leaned against her father and shook her head.
Kaitlyn took the seat next to Jo. Drew and Tillie turned to face them. She carefully focused on Tillie, but after the whispers at the church picnic, Jo needed to hear her story too. “I have a brother who called me names, Tillie. In fact, he did a lot worse than that. If I leave, it won’t be because of you. It will be because of him.”
“What’d he do?” Tillie moved into her lap, always happy for a story and a cuddle.
David stepped onto the porch and handed Kaitlyn a washrag. She smiled her thanks and ran it over Tillie’s forehead and around her neck.
Jo sneered. “He probably called you ugly or something.”
“You’re not ugly. He’s ugly for saying it.” Tillie’s thumb settled into her mouth. They’d have to break that habit someday, but not right now.
“That’s what I wanted to tell you. If someone says something mean to you, you don’t have to listen. You can choose who you listen to. I had to choose to ignore what my brother said. Instead, I listened to my mother and my teachers.” She grinned. “I have to admit, they did sometimes point out a mistake I made. But their goal was to make me better, not to tear me down.”
And somehow that intention had always come through. Could she pass on that gift? She tightened her grip on Tillie. “Tillie, you always want to help. That makes you a good friend.”
“Me?”
Kaitlyn nodded. “You.”
“Pa, I’m a good friend.”
Drew nodded. He blinked a few times. “That you are, sweet pea.”
Kaitlyn looked up at David, leaning against the doorjamb. “David, you have your father’s way with animals. They respond to your combination of gentleness and firmness.”
David blushed and looked away, but not before she saw his smile.
She turned to Jo. “Jo, your determination is going to take you far in life. Once you make up your mind, you don’t let anything stop you.”
Jo didn’t smile, but her posture softened the tiniest bit. Kaitlyn would have to accept that.
This is your family.
The words whispered through her heart and settled into her soul. She couldn’t leave them. They needed her, and she needed them. She eyed her husband. Yes, husband. If that moment in her room hadn’t settled that fact, what would? “Drew, did you mean what you said earlier?”
He met her gaze, his expression determined. “Every word.” His voice settled a little deeper than normal.
How to warn the kids but keep it child friendly? “My brother’s name is Michael, and if he ever comes here, I want you to find your father or one of your uncles immediately. He’s cruel. He was mean to our animals and said I’d done it. He’d be mean to you too.”
Drew’s gaze warmed, and he reached for one of her hands. “Does that mean…”
She smiled at him, nodded slightly. Then she turned Tillie to face her. “Ask me again, Tillie.”
