“How?” she argued. “I have nothing to sell, no work. No one will want me when they find out what happened. How will I ever repay everyone?” She choked back another sob and buried her face in a handkerchief.
Kris tried not to let his panic show as he patted her shoulder. “Maggie, please. A way will present itself. You must trust that God will help you.” Before he could figure out what else to say to calm her, a hiss sounded at his feet. Leo, deciding it was Kris’s fault his mistress was crying, left off devouring the hunk of ham he’d purloined and jumped into Kris’s lap, digging in with his claws to gain purchase. Kris felt the fabric of his pants tear as the cat, tail sticking straight up, stomped across his legs to Maggie, where he became all gentle, solicitous male, rubbing under her chin, purring and cuddling close. Her arms closed tightly around the cat, leaving Kris with more stinging wounds and feeling oddly bereft.
“It’s all right, baby,” she cooed. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Baby, indeed. “Dry your tears, Margaret Flanaghan.” He used his best preaching voice, hoping to get through to her. “There’s nothing wrong with accepting a helping hand now and then. Allowing others to help you blesses them and you shouldn’t take that away from them. Rebekah and Franz have invited you to stay with them for as long as you need. Allow them to give you that time to be with your father, to determine what is next.”
Maggie closed her eyes as she stroked the cat, taking deep, calming breaths, visibly pulling herself together. “I still have to find a way to repay their kindness.”
“There is no debt, Maggie.” How could he make her understand? “They offer from the bounty of their life because they are able. A simple thank you is all you owe.”
Maggie sniffled through a fresh batch of tears. “No one has been this kind since we left home. Or even before.” Heaving a deep breath, she faced him. “Thank you.”
“There,” he smiled. “That wasn’t too hard, was it?” The curving of her lips told him the crisis had passed. “Now let’s get some milk for Leopold and more coffee for you, then I’ll show you to your room.”
He waited for her nod of agreement before getting a bowl and heading into the pantry. The cat unbent enough to accept his dinner from Kris, drawing another watery smile from Maggie. Kris stared for a moment, caught up in her sorrow, before forcing himself to walk to the stove.
As they both sipped at a cup of sweetened coffee, and the cat applied itself to the milk, they chatted about her trip west. When the conversation paused, Kris realized Leopold was purring contentedly from inside the valise. Evidently confinement was more palatable on a full stomach. He carried their cups to the sink then turned to Maggie. “Are you ready?”
With a nod, she hefted the snoozing feline, case and all, and followed Kris up the stairs.
CHAPTER THREE
After Leo and his travel container were settled in the bedroom, Maggie walked Reverend Oltmann to the front door. Much taller than she, and dressed all in black, he seemed a formidable man, but she knew how gentle he was.
Recalling Jones’s face when he was confronted by the preacher made Maggie smile. Served the old bully right to learn how it felt to be intimidated by someone bigger than him.
Kris wrapped a long, woven yellow scarf around his neck as she opened the door. “Thank you for your kindness tonight, Reverend.” Maggie shivered, partly from the cold air, but mostly from the memories. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been there.”
“I’m just thankful I was. And I wish you’d call me Kris. If you don’t, I’ll feel I’m taking liberties calling you Maggie.”
His smile was warm, lighting his dark eyes from within and making her want to get closer to him. “I promise I’ll try to remember, Kris. Goodnight.”
“Get some rest.” He settled his hat and touched the brim in farewell. Maggie watched until he reached the end of the walk, then locked the front door. After allowing Leo outside for a while, she returned him to their room and went to check on her father.
All but one of the big oil lamps had been extinguished, leaving the room heavy with shadows. The doctor sat near the window, cradling a cup of coffee in both hands and staring into the darkness. His youth had surprised Maggie when she first met him. His coloring resembled Martha’s, who had introduced him as her younger brother.
“Did the good Reverend go home, then?”
She nodded, then realized he couldn’t see. “Yes. He’ll be back in the morning. He’s been so kind. You all have.”
“We are only glad to be of help to you. Did your little cat find the room acceptable?”
Maggie stared at him. “How did you know about Leopold?”