When Franz left to find Rebekah, Maggie let Leo outside again, and admonished him to stay close to the house, maybe catch a few mice in the barn.
After cleaning up the kitchen, she went to check on her father. “Papa, can you hear me?” She brushed back his shaggy gray hair with gentle fingers. It seemed impossible that the frail man in the bed was her father. He’d always been bigger than life, tall enough to keep her safe from anything, with a deep voice that boomed with laughter. His eyes, green like hers, were clouded with sickness and pain.
“The doctor has asked me to be their housekeeper for a while, Papa. I’ll be close to you all the time, now.” He woke enough to squeeze her hand weakly then slid back into sleep with a slight smile that soothed her heart.
She stayed with him for a while, talking of nothing important, remembering other times they’d spent together, before he’d fallen ill. When she heard the doctor enter his office next door, she stood. “I have to go now, Papa. I have work to do. Sleep, and gain some strength. I’ll bring you some broth in a bit.”
Brushing away tears, Maggie slipped from the room and returned to the kitchen, glad to have a purpose to her days. “Let me see, now. Soup for Rebekah and Papa, and heartier fare for Franz and… Reverend Oltmann.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Her surprise at seeing Kris standing at the back door slid into a smile of welcome that seemed to make the sun shine just a little brighter and made her even prettier. “How good to see you again.” As she opened the door for him, a streak of black fur bolted past his legs and into the house.
“Do I need to try to catch him?” Kris started after Leo, unwrapping his warmest neck scarf as he went. He doubted he’d be successful, but he didn’t want the Bittners asking Maggie to leave because of a cat.
“Franz said it was fine for him to be loose in the house.”
Removing his heavy coat, he left it on a peg beside the door along with his hat and scarf. “So the good doctor hasn’t met your miniature panther,” he teased.
“Yes, he has,” she shot back, then grinned. “I’ll admit Franz was…um, surprised at his size.”
Kris laughed. “I can easily imagine that.”
“I’m so happy you’re here, Reverend—I mean, Kris. I want to tell you I found work.”
It took Kris a moment to shift his focus from her joy-filled expression to her words. “Work? But you were going to remain here with your father.”
“I will be here. Franz has asked me to cook and care for the house until Rebekah feels better. I was going to offer, since I want to do something to be of help, but he asked first.”
Kris couldn’t grasp what she was telling him. “Slow down a minute. You’re going to work for the Bittners?”
Her nod was quick and enthusiastic. “I know it won’t be for very long, but Doctor Bittner asked me to cook and clean so Rebekah can get the rest she and the baby require.”
“But, you shouldn’t—” As the joy in her eyes faded at his words, he tried again. It was, after all, her decision to make. “That’s wonderful, Maggie. I know Rebekah was glad you agreed.”
Maggie grinned, lighting up the room with her happiness. “Actually, she didn’t know. The doctor offered me the position, then went to tell her.” Her expression turned serious. “She won’t be upset, will she?”
“She’ll be glad for your help. Her life was difficult before she came to River’s Bend, and she tends to let Franz dote on her as much as he wants.”
“He doesn’t seem to mind,” Maggie teased.
“Indeed, he does not,” the doctor interjected from the doorway. “Hello, Reverend. What brings you to see us this morning?”
Kris shook the hand Franz offered. “I want to visit with Mr. Flanaghan, if he’s up to company.”
“I’m sure he is. Maggie, since I insisted Rebekah stay off her feet for at least two more hours, she asked me to send you up to our sitting room. She’d like to speak with you.”
Kris watched trepidation stiffen Maggie’s shoulders.
“Of course, Doctor Bittner. Let me fix another pot of tea—”
“Actually, she would like something to eat now. Your medicine this morning was just the right thing. She trusts you to know what she can keep down.”
With a beautiful smile, Maggie disappeared into the pantry. Kris tore his gaze from the empty doorway to find Franz watching him closely.
“She is a kind woman and generous with her talents. She will be a good helper for my wife, I think. Come. We will see Mr. Flanaghan together.”
Kris followed him down the short hall. “I can’t argue with your assessment of Maggie. I just wonder if she’s taking on too much, with her father being so ill.”