“If only it were that easy. The mother included proof in the child’s bag of meager belongings. Even Daniel could not dispute the letter he’d taken from the hospital the night he ran away, which the girl snatched to keep him under her thumb until she had her way. The locket she stole was an heirloom, and it might have provided Daniel with the jolt he needed to search for his family and thus avoid all of this baby-drama. She included a photo of herself and Daniel. He recognized her as the woman from the small town where he’d stayed, and even recalled viewing the locket he’d discovered in his pant’s pocket with the family emblem etched on the back. But, that too, mysteriously disappeared. The child’s mother is a thief and a conniver, and we shall pay the consequences of her ill-doing.”
“People all across the country are trying to recover from their war losses. Perhaps she simply needed a friend, and God allowed her to give aid to Mr. McAlister while he recovered.”
“You are far too gracious. The girl is a scamp,” Mrs. McAlister said, allowing no room for mercy. “Thomas tells me he does recall a woman watching him and Daniel as they left the village, where he was known as the town beggar, if you can believe that. My son has no need to beg. When the truth of his identity came to light, Thomas watched the people who’d let his son near starve to death, eat crow pie.”
“Another reason to be thankful for the child’s mother. She brought him food and dressed his wounds as best she could. God does work in mysterious ways.”
“But now, the child! No, I am not ready to be a grandmother before my son’s wedding day. Whatever will our friends think?”
So, it all boiled down to pride. Gwen should not be surprised. “I’ve come to realize that it really only matters what the Good Lord thinks. We do our best to extend His hand, but in the end, his plans are all that matter.”
Mrs. McAlister clucked her tongue again, “Have you always talked in such riddles?”
When Gwen opened her mouth to respond, the woman put her hand in the air to stop her words. “Never mind. You’re not on trial, but this mother who has abandoned her child, is.”
“And she claims Daniel is the father. I do see a likeness, if you call dimples and a mischievous smile hereditary,” Gwen said.
“Well, the floozy should not have left the toddler on our doorstep, but I suppose, if she didn’t have the fortitude to come forth with her claim prior to Daniel’s leaving her town, I understand her cowardice. If she were merely a fortune-seeker hunting for a man and respectability, you’d have thought she’d have come inside and ordered Daniel to marry her.”
“Perhaps she didn’t know she was pregnant when your husband arrived in town to bring Daniel home,” Gwen said becoming thoughtful. “Daniel has been home for ten months. If she were three months pregnant and unaware, that would put the child’s age at nineteen months, which seems to be fairly accurate.”
“But if Daniel had feelings for the woman, why would he not have been upset at leaving her to return to his childhood home, even if he couldn’t remember it?”
“He should be able to answer that, Mrs. McAlister. That period of time is not lost,” Gwen said.
“He should be, but he won’t!” The mistress of the house was clearly upset. “He just walked out and left his mess for us to clean up.”
“What will you do?” Gwen asked.
The woman lowered her eyes and spoke to the marble floor in subdued tones. “I was hoping you would take the child to your cabin until Daniel comes to his senses and helps us to make the right decisions for us all.”
“Me?” That was the last solution she’d expected. “Your husband employed me to help your son recover to his former self, or, at the very least, come to grips with his memory loss, provide therapy to regain strength in his legs and emotional support to get over this hurdle in his life. There was never mention of a baby.”
“We would increase your pay substantially if you took on the extra burden,” Mrs. McAlister said. Gwen immediately recognized where the entire conversation had been leading. “And perhaps the child’s presence will serve to provide motivation for Daniel. He seems to be a pleasant little guy. And if I were to be honest, I do see that spark of resemblance you mentioned. Daniel always possessed a smile a mother could not deny.”
“So, you suspect Daniel could be the father.”
“Oh, Nurse Peters, I have no idea. I only know that at the moment, the toddler is motherless and needs tending to.”
Gwen exhaled, long and hard. “I have no mothering skills, but I will try my best until Daniel comes around and the family figures out what’s to be done.”
Mrs. McAlister rested a hand on Gwen’s arm. “That’s all we ask, dear. Daniel will take you to town to shop for the boy. We can’t have the child wandering the grounds looking like a rejected puppy. I’d suggest that Arthur take you, but the more hands-on Daniel is in his son’s welfare, the quicker we shall settle this affair.” At that, she turned abruptly. “Thank you, Miss Peters. Your sacrifice to expand your calling is duly noted and appreciated.”
Daniel was physically and mentally exhausted when he reached his chalet. He stomped his feet to be rid of the dirt from his shoes and proceeded to march across the clean floors to slam his fist on the dining room table.
“Of all the low-down, deceitful women,” he murmured.
He’d been stretched to his limit, coming into these strange surroundings where his
