Once a Thief

Fourteen

Danielle sat at the breakfast table in the kitchen, wan and nervous from the events of the day before as well as her bad dreams last night. Fear sliced though her when she remembered how she’d broken down when she saw Mrs. Parker in her doorway and how close she’d come to revealing everything. Thankfully she’d had the good sense, while sobbing in the woman’s arms, to overcome her moment of weakness and insist it was only a case of nerves stemming from the stress of the day.

Although she didn’t think for a moment the dear lady believed her, at least she hadn’t pressed the issue. Danielle knew when it was time to tell, it shouldn’t be to this gentle lady.

Today was Sunday, so she wouldn’t have to face Sutton again quite yet. She’d planned to go to church with the family but wasn’t ready to face Mrs. Parker, either. So she waited until she heard them leaving then came down to the kitchen, where Sally and Nell were bringing the remains of breakfast from the dining room.

“There you are,” Sally said. “You sit right down in the dining room and I’ll get you a hot breakfast. This is all cold.”

“I can just eat some toast.”

“No, you can’t. Mrs. Parker told me to make sure you ate a good breakfast and Mrs. Kramer said make it fresh and hot.”

“Then, if you don’t mind, I’ll sit here in the kitchen.” She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down.

“Now why would I mind?” Sally glanced at Nell, who was getting the dishpan out. “Nell, I’ll take care of the dishes in a bit. Why don’t you finish up in the dining room and set the table for dinner? After that, you can get ready and go to second service at your church.”

After the girl had scurried out of the room, Sally laid slices of bacon in a skillet and broke two eggs into another. When she had everything ready, she set them on the table, poured herself a cup of coffee, and sat across from Danielle. “What’s wrong with you, girl? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Danielle gave a short laugh. “Maybe I have. Or something worse.”

“Now what would you be meaning by that?”

Danielle stirred her coffee and didn’t say anything.

A loud huff caused Danielle to raise her head and look at Sally. The normally cheerful cook’s lips were tight and she almost glared at Danielle. “Now you listen here, young lady. I know something is wrong and I have a feeling you’re needing to get it off your chest.” She folded her arms and waited.

Could she? Would Sally keep her secret? Danielle knew the kind cook wouldn’t intentionally do anything to hurt her, but was she ready to tell? She knew she wasn’t. At least not everything.

She sipped her coffee then looked at Sally. “I saw someone yesterday. An evil man. It frightened me to see him. Especially to see him in my present world.”

Understanding dawned on Sally’s face and she nodded. “Aye. That can be a frightful thing. It’s happened to me before.”

“I can’t say any more, Sally. At least not now.”

“Of course you cannot. It’s too fresh in your mind.” She stood and placed her hand on Danielle’s head. “Father in heaven, please be watchin’ over this young one. Keep her safe in Your own hands and lead her according to Your paths and purposes for her life. In the name of Your own Son, Jesus, amen.”

Danielle took a trembling breath and felt peace wash over her. How blessed she was to have good Christian people to pray for her. “Thank you, Sally.”

“You’re welcome, and now, you eat that breakfast. You’ve not touched it.”

“I will. I promise. I couldn’t before, but I will now.” She picked up her fork and before long, she’d eaten every bite. Prayer really does change things.

She washed her dishes and hurried up to her room. In a few minutes, she’d changed her clothes and put on her hat. She grabbed her coat and rushed down the stairs. If she hurried, she’d get there before the sermon started.

❧

As the Kramers seated themselves, Blake noticed with dismay that Danielle wasn’t among them. She hadn’t missed a service of late, and her absence bothered him.

The choir filed in to their places, and he turned his attention to the service. Opening his hymnal, he tried to enter into worship, but he couldn’t seem to push away his concern for Danielle.

As the organ music faded away, he heard a rustling of skirts and turned to see Danielle scoot in past Mr. and Mrs. Kramer and the twins and take a seat beside Mrs. Parker. She still looked a little pale but otherwise seemed fine.

At the end of the service, he hurried out as fast as possible and caught up with Danielle just as she was getting ready to step into the Kramers’ carriage. “Danielle.”

She turned as he spoke her name and smiled. “Hello, Blake.”

“Would you allow me to take you home?”

“Well. . .” She looked at Mrs. Kramer, who nodded and smiled

Mr. Kramer tossed him an understanding glance. “Why don’t you come to dinner, Blake?”

“I believe I will, sir.” He helped Danielle into his buggy, got in, and flicked the reins.

“So are you ready for another grueling rehearsal tomorrow?” Was that a shiver? “Are you cold?”

“No, I’m quite comfortable.” She smiled, and he relaxed. He’d probably imagined the shiver.

After dinner, they spent a few hours rehearsing, then Blake suggested a walk around the block. They bundled up and headed down the sidewalk, her hand tucked into his arm.

He glanced at her face, but it was just dark enough to prevent his seeing her expressions. Maybe this would be a good time. “Danielle, I think I’m falling in love with you.”

He heard her gasp as she stopped still. She pulled her hand away and faced him. “What?”

“I said I’m falling in love with you.” There, he’d left out the word think this time.

“But. . .but you can’t.” She stared at him with wide eyes.

Blake laughed. “What do you mean, I can’t?”

“You just can’t, Blake. I. . .I. . .oh, I can’t explain.” Stunned, he watched as she ran down the sidewalk and into the Kramer home.

He walked back to the house and got his buggy from the stable, wondering what had gone wrong. They’d been so happy lately and the day had been wonderful. He’d been sure Danielle was beginning to feel the same way he did. Had he completely misread the affection he’d thought she hadfor him?

He flicked the reins. As the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves beat a rhythm on the brick-paved street, he pondered Danielle’s reaction to his declaration of love.

In a few short minutes he arrived at his own house. He greeted his parents who were relaxing in the parlor then went up to his room.

No, he was sure Danielle cared for him. But then. . .why had she reacted the way she had?

Making a sudden decision, he went downstairs and asked to speak privately with his father. They retired to the library and closed the door.

After they’d seated themselves in the deep leather chairs near the fireplace, Blake’s father smiled. “You came in at just the right time, son. I was so sleepy I was about to excuse myself and go to bed but dreaded the displeasure which would have surely crossed your mother’s face.”

“You know Mother could never be displeased with anything you do, Father.”

“You know, I believe you’re right. She loves me as much as I love her. But I’ve not spent much time with her lately, due to the workload. Sometimes I feel like I’m being unfaithful with work as my mistress.”

Blake raised one eyebrow. “Then maybe you should slow down. . .hire an extra attorney.”

“Umm. Maybe.” He gave Blake a sideways smile. “Probably won’t, though.”

Guilt bit at Blake’s conscience. He knew why his father wouldn’t hire anyone. He was holding the spot in case Blake decided to come back.

“Now”—his father threw him a keen look—“what did you want to discuss with me?”

Blake tried to think how to begin then just blurted it out. “I think I’m in love. No, I know I am.”

“Ah. . .with the pretty Miss Gray, I presume?” His father pursed his lips and winked.

“We’ve spent a lot of time together the past few weeks because of theater rehearsals and our own private sessions. I started to truly respect and admire her and I believed she felt the same. I still believe she does. But when I spoke of my love for her, she ran away. With no explanation. Perhaps I mistook her friendship for something more, but I don’t really think so.” Blake stopped. When put into words there hadn’t been a lot to say. “Maybe I’m being foolish.”

His father shook his head slowly. “A man usually knows when a woman cares for him. Perhaps there is some obstacle you aren’t aware of.”

“Perhaps. I know very little about her past. Just what she’s told us all about growing up in an orphanage and that her brother died.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “If there is an obstacle, I wish she’d tell me what it is.”

❧

Danielle paced her bedroom floor. Why had she run off like that? Surely she could have thought of something to say without bolting like a frightened child. What must Blake think of her?

But what could she have done? She couldn’t truthfully say she didn’t return his feelings, because she’d known for some time she was falling in love with him. Sometimes, she felt it so strong it was almost painful. But it wouldn’t be fair to accept his love while hiding her past. Even though she’d never taken part in a theft, until that last one, she’d still been part of the gang.

Even if he loved her enough to overlook her past, the fact remained that Sutton was evil and she couldn’t risk a chance on his taking revenge on Blake or his family. He might even harm Jimmy to get back at her if he knew she was in love with Blake.

Oh, why did Jimmy and I have to end up at Sutton’s when we were children? If only they had run another way that day on the docks. Of course, they’d probably have been caught even if they hadn’t run into Cobb. And more than likely they’d have been placed in an orphanage. Maybe they would have been better off if they had been caught and placed in an orphanage. At least they wouldn’t have been raised with thieves and robbers. They wouldn’t have received their criminal education at the hands of Sutton. But they would have been separated, perhaps even adopted by separate families, never to have seen each other again. No, in spite of everything, she was glad that hadn’t happened.

But what now? She knew Sutton would come up with some scheme involving dishonest acts on her part. He could even find a way to force her back to the gang. She was strong, but she knew she had no power against Sutton. All she could do was try to convince him it was to his benefit to allow her to continue at her present course. If she only had more time, somehow, surely she could find a way to get Jimmy away from him.

If Jimmy weren’t there, she would almost be willing to turn Sutton over to the authorities. But of course, she wouldn’t want to get Cobb in trouble. And most of the gang there had fallen in with Sutton the same way she and Jimmy had. Homeless, with no one to care for them, they were easy prey.

Dear God, please show me what to do. Protect us all from that wretched man. And, oh Father, please don’t let Blake hate me. Even if I can never accept his love, please find a way to let him know I do care for him.