Page 104 of The School Mistress (Emerson Pass Historicals 1)

Rachel shuddered. “That poor girl. What will happen to her?”

“We’re trying to find a family for her. If not, we’ll keep her.”

“You can’t be an orphanage, Barnes,” she said, smiling. “First the Wus and now a little orphan.”

“I will be an orphanage if I have to be.”

“You and Samuel had a lot in common,” she said. “Both a couple of fools.”

“Will you be all right?”

“Eventually,” she said. “Not yet, but someday.”

Just before supper, Jasper announced the arrival of Simon and Pamela Lind. I asked him to bring them into the library where Quinn and I had been chatting about the Linds’ interest in adopting Louisa. Quinn was overjoyed by the idea, as I knew she would be.

I invited them to sit on the couch. Jasper promised to return with tea as Quinn and I sat across from them.

Simon and Pamela held hands and exchanged a nervous glance before Pamela blurted out their intention.

“We’ve talked,” Pamela said. “And we’d like to meet Louisa.”

“If she likes us, we thought we could take her home,” Simon said.

“She’s a very sad, damaged little girl,” Quinn said. “She thinks of herself as an animal, only worthy of shelter and food if she provides something in return. Convincing her otherwise may take time.”

“She’ll be slow to trust,” I said. “Especially you, Simon.”

“We understand.” Pamela looked into her lap. “My mother died when I was young. I was raised by a stepfather who hurt me.”

Simon handed her his handkerchief, and she dabbed at her eyes. “He’s the reason I could not have children.”

“Pamela, no,” Quinn said.

“Yes. When I ran away at sixteen, I was blessed to find Simon. His devotion and love changed me. He taught me to live and breathe and love. Otherwise, I don’t know what would have become of me.” Pamela looked up at Quinn. “There’s no one better than Simon and me to take her. I know the particulars of what it’s like to be raised by an evil man. And Simon knows how much patience and fortitude it takes to love a girl after years of torment.”

“We’ve prayed and the answer seems clear,” Simon said. “We’re meant to take her.”

“Would you like me to get her now?” Quinn asked.

“Why not?” Simon said. “No time like the present.”

Quinn scampered out of the room promising to return with Louisa.

“We have a room for her,” Pamela said. “And I can sew her a few new dresses.”

“We’ll pack up some of Josephine’s old things in the meantime,” I said.

A few minutes later, Quinn came in with Louisa, guiding her over to sit between us as she introduced her to the Linds. “This is Louisa.”

Quinn had her dressed in one of Josephine’s old dresses. The light blue color highlighted the child’s pretty eyes and fair hair, which Josephine had plaited into a braid that hung down her scrawny back. “This is Mr. and Mrs. Lind.”

“Hello, Louisa. It’s nice to meet you,” Pamela said.

Louisa gave them a shy smile. “I seen you at church a few times.”

“You were at church?” Simon asked.

“I looked through the windows. Pa said church was for weak people.”