Several minutes later, the enormous double doors opened and the officiants filed out, followed by the six newly ordained men. Olivia scanned the group for her brother’s face, the one she’d cherished since childhood. Unlike Leo and Tony, whose sole purpose seemed to be to torment her, Sal was the brother who always looked out for her and intervened when Leo and Tony’s teasing turned mean-spirited.
Dear Sal. How she’d missed him since he’d entered the seminary. Tears misted her vision, and she hastily blinked them away. She would not allow anything to spoil one second of her brother’s finest moment. There would be time for grieving later.
At last she spotted him, the second to last to emerge. His wide grin showed off his straight white teeth, and his dark eyes reflected a joy Olivia could only envy. The clergy formed a line to greet the congregants as they emerged, a bit of a breeze fluttering their robes.
If only Olivia dared to approach them to give her brother a kiss of congratulations. But Mamma, Papà, and Leo would be out soon, and she wouldn’t create a scene that would ruin Sal’s triumphant day.
As more well-wishers gathered round, Olivia dared to venture closer, drawn in by the exuberant greetings, the laughter and tears of the proud family members. For a brief second, Sal looked in her direction, and her heart jumped into her throat. Did he see her? Would he acknowledge her?
She lifted a gloved hand in silent greeting. The smile froze on his face, his eyes changing from joyous to sympathetic. He gave the barest of nods in her direction before the person in line claimed his attention.
Her father appeared next. Olivia shrank back into the shadows, but still, some force compelled her to keep watching. Papà wrapped Sal in a bear hug, practically lifting him off the ground. Then he took out a handkerchief and mopped his eyes.
“You made me so proud today, my son,” he said in Italian.
Mamma elbowed Papà out of the way so she could kiss Sal’s cheeks, then Leo came forward to offer a handshake. Sal said something that made all three of them laugh out loud.
Olivia’s shoulders drooped under the weight of her sorrow. It was torture watching her family and not being able to join in their happiness. She pressed gloved fingers to her lips to keep a sob from escaping.
Was this how her life would be from now on? Relegated to the shadows, stealing glimpses of her family from afar? Would anything change if she ever made something of herself and achieved respectability once again? Would her parents then be able to forgive her and welcome her back into their hearts?
Her gaze fell to the ground. If that ever happened, it wouldn’t be anytime soon. She lifted her eyes for one last glimpse of Sal in his vestments, then, with a heavy heart, turned and walked away.
Olivia arrived back at Ruth’s to find the house in an uproar. Three of the residents were huddled in the front sitting room, chattering like nervous magpies—a highly unusual activity for the women, who usually remained sedate.
Had one of the residents gone into labor? She mentally ran through each of the women. No one was really near their expected delivery date. So, what could it be?
Olivia skirted by the parlor, intent on making a bracing cup of tea before finding out the cause of the drama. But in the kitchen, she found Mrs. Neale in a tizzy as well. The cook’s brown hair had escaped her cap, which sat askew on her head. She muttered to herself as she pulled pots and pans from a lower cupboard.
“Mrs. Neale?” Olivia halted in the doorway. “Is something wrong?” Please let it not be another leaky pipe. She scanned the floor for any evidence of water, but everything seemed dry.
“You could say that. An inspector from the city turned up. Here to conduct a surprise inspection, or so he claims.”
Olivia frowned. “But we had an inspection done before our official opening. Why would they need to do another one so soon?”
“I haven’t a clue. You’d best ask Mrs. Bennington.”
“Where is the man now?”
“In the basement. He wants me to clear out these cupboards because he’s coming here next.”
“Try not to worry, Mrs. Neale. I know you keep an immaculate kitchen.”
Olivia headed down the back corridor to the basement stairs. Her emotions still raw, she purposely channeled her sorrow into anger to give her courage.
Picking her way carefully down the stone stairs, she entered the musty basement, cool air wafting around her. “Hello,” she called. “Are you down here?”
“Over by the water heater,” a male voice answered.
If she had any idea where the water heater was, that statement might have been useful. She headed across the dirt floor in the direction of the voice, ducking to avoid cobwebs, and finally spotted a light in the far corner.
“I’m Miss Rosetti, the co-directress.” She pulled herself up to her full height as she approached a man dressed in dark overalls, a cap covering his head.
“Barney Cameron, city inspector.” He held out his badge for her to see.
“May I ask what brought about this visit? A full inspection was done before we opened.”
“We had an anonymous complaint. Probably a neighbor. Said there were some serious plumbing issues and possibly rats in the cellar.”
“Rats? That’s absurd.” Olivia scanned the dark floor, resisting the urge to climb on one of the boxes against the wall just in case.
Mr. Cameron crouched down and aimed his flashlight at the corner. “Not really. There are fresh droppings here.”
Goose bumps broke out over her skin. “Well, I’m sure we’re not the only house with this issue. Can’t you set a few traps to take care of the problem?”
The man
