Read After the Storm for Free Online Page B

added, “It appears both you and the children were fed many lies by their grandmother.” He appraised her anew. “What did you do to incur such wrath?”
    â€œShe wasn’t pleased with discovering she had a daughter-in-law and grandchildren from Ireland.” She looked down at the handkerchief so he would not guess she was revealing only part of the truth. She must be as careful when speaking with the children. She could not let them know the appalling thing their father had done—the very act that she had been blamed for by his mother. A child should respect his athair , even if his actions were wrong. How many times had she spoken of what a wonderful man do athair —your father—was? She had believed that at the time.
    â€œThere must be more to all this than that.” His frown returned. No one could accuse this man of hiding his emotions.
    Knowing she had to bring this conversation to a close before she said something that would reveal more than she wished him to know, she said, “Mr. Jennings, I thank you for all you’ve done in watching over my children and me, but this is a problem I have to deal with myself.”
    â€œQuite to the contrary. Your problem became mine the day I brought the children here from Haven. I won’t have them hurt so badly again.”
    Cailin nodded cautiously. “I understand.” She must take care he did not use words to trip her up and cause her to betray herself and her shame. “I don’t want them hurt either.”
    â€œYou might find in here some answer to the riddle of why your children’s grandmother sent them away.” He held out a folded sheaf of papers. “These are the papers I was given by the Children’s Aid Society the day the children arrived. I haven’t read them since, so I don’t know if you can discover some clue to the truth.”
    â€œIf the Children’s Aid Society had any idea they had been lied to, the children wouldn’t have been here.”
    He nodded. “I thought of that, but if our situations were reversed, I can assure you that I would scrutinize every possible page for any hint.” He set the papers on the table when she did not take them. “I can understand if you want to wait until you feel better to read them, so I will leave these with you.”
    â€œThank you.” She stared at the papers. If there was a clue among the many words, she would not be able to uncover it. Although she recognized most of the letters, she could not decipher the combinations written in a neat hand. She gasped when she heard young voices through the window. “My children!”
    A wry smile tilted his lips. “They stayed quiet longer than I’d guessed they would.” Standing, he said, “Mrs. Rafferty, I’ll go and quiet them so you may rest. The doctor said that would be the best thing for you.”
    â€œThe doctor? A doctor was here?” Her fingers grasped the quilt. She would have drawn it to her chin, but it was tucked in too tightly at the end of the bed.
    â€œYour modesty wasn’t compromised during his examination, I assure you.” He paused, then said, “Doc Bamburger wouldn’t have allowed that.”
    A flame scorched her face, and she looked down at her hands. As she released her grip on the quilt, she said, “Forgive me, Mr. Jennings. I shouldn’t have suggested otherwise.”
    â€œOf course you should have.”
    Cailin’s head snapped up as she met the abrupt amusement in his eyes. “Pardon me?”
    â€œYou don’t know me from Adam, so you don’t have any reason to trust me.”
    â€œExcept that you’ve taken care of my children.” Her lips curved in a smile. “Or so you assure me.” Another screech came through the window. “It sounds as if they’re hale.”
    â€œAnd tormenting each other as only siblings can.” He motioned toward the tray.