Mrs. Trask came out of the cabin, shielding her eyes from the bright sun with one hand as she watched Jake help Coralee down from the wagon seat. The woman looked disheveled and weary, clothed in a work dress that had seen better days. Jake tried hard to relax. He wondered if children could smell fear like the wild dogs he used to chase out of Ma’s vegetable patch.
Mrs. Trask didn’t bother to approach the wagon, leaning against the cabin just outside the door. “Have you come for the little ones, then?”
Jake could only offer a curt nod. Mrs. Trask pushed away from the wall. “Good. I’ll get their things.”
He was sure he turned pale as the woman returned to the house. “What am I going to do with two babies?” The words came out haltingly.
Coralee rested a hand on his arm and Jake was sure he saw a hint of humor in her expression. “It will all work out. I can help you with them until we find a family. Cat can handle the shop on her own for a bit longer.”
They both turned as Mrs. Trask came back with a small bag. She waved a hand to her daughter, who gathered up two of the little ones in the yard and walked them over. Louisa and Phillip held on to the Trask girl’s legs for dear life as Jake took in their matching chubby cheeks, round noses and rosy mouths. Two pairs of clear blue eyes stared up at him.
He didn’t know if he should reach for them or wait until they came over on their own. But Coralee started gently coaxing them closer to her. His heart hammered against his ribs. She was beautiful, kneeling in front of the twins, making silly faces and talking in a calm voice.
Jake had never spent time around children. Ma had lost several babies after his birth, leaving him an only child. He had never minded it, maybe because he’d had such good friends in Alan and Coralee. But now, faced with two tiny people that were his responsibility, Jake was falling apart.
Coralee had pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and convinced Louisa to come closer. They admired the lacy trim, then with a quick twist and several knots, Coralee formed the piece of cloth into a simple doll. Louisa giggled with delight and hugged the doll close. How did Coralee know how to do that?
Standing, she went to the wagon and rummaged in her apothecary case, returning with a small tin. She knelt by Phillip, who moved close to watch her with great interest. With a dramatic flourish, she showed the child how to pull the lid open and place several rocks inside. It was a simple toy, but the boy took it with great seriousness. He knelt in the dirt to pile more rocks in the tin and dump them over and over.
It seemed like the most natural thing in the world for Coralee to help the children relax. Jake had no idea how to do that. How was he going to care for these two when he couldn’t even convince them to look him in the eye? Not knowing what else to do, Jake took the children’s bag from Mrs. Trask and loaded it into the wagon. Coralee lifted each child into the back, then climbed in and sat on the floor with one twin on each side of her.
She shrugged when she noticed him watching. “I’ll sit back here with them, so they won’t be afraid or try to stand and fall.”
Another wave of apprehension washed over Jake. It hadn’t even crossed his mind that they might fall out of the wagon if he left them in the back by themselves. He had never been in a position where he knew so little about something so important. Even when he’d started medical school, he had studied beforehand to teach himself basic anatomy and procedures. He had wanted to have some knowledge going in. But now that he was responsible for the needs and safety of two little people, he had no idea what to do.
He thanked Mrs. Trask for keeping the children, then directed the wagon toward town. The entire way, Coralee kept the twins entertained by telling stories and singing little songs. This was a side of her that he had never seen. It came so easily to her, while he was struggling to find even a few words to say to the little ones.
Once in town, Jake drove the wagon to the café to drop Coralee off. He was so distracted by the weight of having the twins in his care that he almost drove straight past the building. Why on earth had Liza trusted him with her children? He parked the wagon behind the café and turned to Coralee and the twins.
“Well, here we are.”
Coralee glanced up from the children. “It’s suppertime and I’m sure they must be hungry. Why don’t you all eat with us tonight?”
“Oh, yes. Thank you.” Jake hated that he was still at a loss. Of course, they would be hungry. His medical training had taught him all about children’s physiology and illnesses. But he was realizing how little that had to do with the day-to-day responsibility of raising them. He glanced at Coralee again, wondering if the desperation he felt was showing on his face.
It must have been pretty obvious because she scooted close behind the wagon seat and reached up to touch his arm. “Just come in and have supper. We’ll help you with anything you need.” Relief calmed a little of his fear. He wouldn’t be on his own with the twins just yet.
Jake jumped down and helped Coralee out of the wagon. He hesitated before gingerly lifting Louisa into his arms. Was he holding her right? He didn’t want to hurt her. With great care, he handed the little girl to Coralee. Picking up Phillip, Jake started to feel a bit of confidence. After all, he hadn’t dropped Louisa.
Coralee led them inside and called for her sisters.
Cecilia peeked in from the kitchen, gasping when she saw the children. “Oh, Coralee, they’re darling!”
Coralee just smiled as Cecilia turned to Louisa. “What a lovely dress. Is that your favorite color?”
Louisa’s smile was cautious but she seemed to enjoy the attention. “Yes, pink.”
“And it looks beautiful on you. Is that a doll you have?”
The little girl held out the handkerchief doll Coralee had made. “Coree made it.”
Cecilia winked at her sister. “That Coralee is very talented, isn’t she?”
Louisa nodded happily. “She’s nice.”
Jake’s heart melted a little. These poor children needed that sort of kindness right now. No matter what his personal feelings might be where Coralee was concerned, he hoped she would be a bright spot in the twins’ lives.
Through the conversation, Phillip just watched with wide eyes. When Cecilia tried to engage him, he buried his face in Jake’s shoulder. A surge of protectiveness took Jake by surprise. He rubbed the boy’s back and rested his cheek on the small blond head.
Cecilia couldn’t seem to get enough of the twins. “Oh, they’re just the most precious little things. Don’t you just wish you had a dozen of them?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, the ladies all froze. Jake wondered what the sudden tension meant. Cecilia blushed. “I’m sorry, Coralee. That was insensitive.”
Looking from one woman to the other, Jake had to ask. “What’s wrong, Cecilia?”
Silence followed his question. Even Louisa and Phillip seemed to pick up on the change in atmosphere and stilled. Finally, Coralee threw up her hands. “Not that anyone needs to know, but Cecilia forgot for a moment that Alan and I were never able to have children. I may never have children. That’s what’s wrong. Now, I’m going to get the food ready.”
Coralee
