Whatever Tomorrow Brings (The Californians 1) (7 page)

"But Father, you were so sick... I really think I should go.

"It's out of the question, Kaitlin, although I appreciate your offer."

Kaitlin and Sean looked grief stricken and Father was thankful that Marcail was not here. He knew it was very hard to talk as if their mother were already dead but it was better to know ahead of time what the situation would be. Patrick turned to his sister.

"You're sure, Maureen? I mean, I can make other arrangements."

"Don't be ridiculous, Patrick. Of course they can stay here."

"I'd be happy to go with you, Father."

Patrick's eyes filled with tears over the sincerely spoken words from his son. He knew very well how fresh his son's memory of the trip over was.

"I know that wasn't an easy offer for you to make, Son, and I thank you, but no, I want you to stay here.

"Now, I'm not going to make a promise to you that I'll be right back. I've prayed about this and right now I don't think I can go back as a pastor in Hawaii. I'm returning to settle things and gather our possessions. I'll return to San Francisco as quickly as I can. I want you to understand that I'll be back as swiftly as God wills. If something deters me, I trust God to care for you. As your Aunt said earlier, this is your home for as long as you need it."

Everyone went their separate ways when Father was finished. He sat for a long time hurting, but sure in his heart that he'd done the right thing by warning the family of his plans.

Three days later his conviction was confirmed when Theresa Donovan, beloved wife and mother, slipped peacefully and with little pain, from her afternoon nap into the waiting arms of her heavenly Father.

ten

There were few mourners at the funeral and Kaitlin was glad. Never in her life had she wanted privacy more. Not from the family, she was desperate to be near them. But the hardest thing she'd ever lived through was dealing with the undertaker-a stranger coming and taking her mother's frail body away to prepare for the burial. Every time she thought of it she felt ill.

Without warning, all the duties her mother had performed-the washing and cooking, the teaching and loving-rushed into her heart like a tidal wave. And just as suddenly, the weight of being the eldest daughter crowded in upon her.

I'm not ready to be a mother figure to Sean or Marcail, God. Her heart cried out to her heavenly Father and, even though she was looking into the grave, she was very conscious of Marcail's little hand seeking comfort within her own. Sean stood to the other side of her, so close that his shoulder brushed her own. Father had knelt down on the far side of Sean as though lessening the distance to his wife's body might comfort him in some small measure.

Kaitlin watched him rise a few moments later and, out of the corner of her eye, caught the movement of a man approaching.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Donovan," Dr. Weston spoke quietly as he stepped inside the small family circle.

"Thank you for coming." Father shook the doctor's hand and did nothing to hide his tears. Dr. Weston turned and spoke to Sean before moving on to Kate. Kaitlin was thankful for his kindness even as she became aware that Marcail was trying to hide behind her. Kaitlin held tightly to her hand and gave a little warning squeeze. Marcail did remember her manners and thanked the doctor politely when he expressed his sympathy to her but her eyes clearly spoke her distrust. Father had taken time for a long talk with Marcail, as he had planned, but Kate wondered when the nine-year-old would understand that Dr. Weston had nothing to do with their mother's death.

Dr. Weston spoke at length with Maureen, bringing her tears on afresh. The family watched him move toward his small carriage. It seemed the best time to follow suit. Within minutes the family was aboard their own transportation and headed back to the Kent home.

It was with great pain that the children bade good-bye to their father two weeks later. Kaitlin, already feeling as if something vital had been severed from her with her mother's death, was so overcome by Father's leaving that she could not stop crying.

Sean said little, wanting very much to be the man. But his eyes were almost angry, and Father held him tightly in his arms for a long time.

Marcail, having just a week before found out about her father's departure, was so upset she'd vomited twice. Father held her close and mopped her small face.

His heart toyed with the idea of gathering his children and returning to Hawaii for good, but even as the thought came he pushed it away. He didn't think he was in any shape to return and minister to the people there. They had only been in California a week before they'd been made aware of the seriousness of Theresa's illness, so this had not been a restful time as planned.

Father planned to leave very early in the morning so good-byes to his family were conducted at bedtime the night before. No one was asleep the next morning when he left, but everyone stayed in their rooms even as his steps were heard in the hall.

Maureen did her level best to occupy the children for two days before deciding that maybe they didn't need distraction so much as they needed to let themselves grieve. She planned to allow them a few days to themselves and was feeling very good about her decision when she heard heavy footsteps in the entry way. She was walking the length of the library when a tall figure appeared in the doorway. Maureen rushed forward with a joyous cry and threw her arms around her loved one. Percy was home.

eleven

Percival Lawton was immediately captivated with his cousin Kaitlin. In a foul mood he had left Europe on a ship he felt was beneath his station. He'd lost badly at the gaming tables in London. With his best friends still in Europe, Percy resigned himself to a life of boring social rounds with his mother until he could soften her into giving him some more cash. But to his infinite delight he arrived home to find the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen living directly under his roof.

Kaitlin, in her grief, was unaware of the heart-flutter- ing she was causing within the chest of her cousin. She had been spending many hours reading and talking with her siblings. This didn't leave much time for the other members of the household but Maureen understood, knowing they were going to survive this painful ordeal by those very actions.

Percy, on the other hand, was extremely frustrated over Kaitlin's lack of response to him. He knew he was good looking, and indeed he was, but it wouldn't have mattered if he were Prince Charming himself, Kaitlin was in no shape for a romantic attachment.

The thing that bothered Percy the most was the amount of reading Kaitlin did. He felt it a great insult that she could actually prefer a book to his engaging company.

It was not at all unusual to pass her bedroom on the way out of his own, and see her curled up in a chair reading her Bible. She also read in the library. Not books so much, but the newspapers. And not just the front page stories, as he did, but every page and every word, he was sure.

What Percy failed to see was how starved these children were for current news after living on an island for so many years. Oh, there had been contact, but never this daily fare of words to be devoured at their leisure. And Percy was right, Kaitlin did read every word, even the want ads. Sean was just as bad, and even Marcail could spend an hour with whatever page she'd been allotted.

All of these seemingly simple pleasures, such as reading a newspaper and having time to themselves were working wonders in the hearts of the Donovan children. Daily they felt the pain of their loss and the separation from their father, but also daily, God was their comfort. And not having extra emotional burdens was more beneficial than even they realized, but Maureen saw it and knew she'd handled things the right way. There was a little something bothering her, nagging just at the back of her mind, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. The children were fairly happy and eating well and she told herself she was worrying over nothing.

Unfortunately the secure world that Maureen had gone to such lengths to create for her nieces and nephew was about to be destroyed.

All four of the cousins were in the library reading one morning; Percy had joined them in an attempt to be near Kaitlin. He held the paper in such a way that he could watch her surreptitiously. He couldn't believe that black hair. It haunted him. And those eyes, deep brown and set in a face with perfect skin. Her skin was a bit darker than he was used to, but all the more beguiling because of that fact.

Even in an unbecoming black dress, Kaitlin had the best figure Percy had seen in a long time. A desire to hold her in his arms was clouding his already poor judgment. He was sure she'd never experienced passion of any kind and he was equally sure if he could just hold and kiss her she would awaken to a love for him that would have her falling at his feet.

Percy really believed on this day that he could wait it out, wait for her to put aside her paper and then invite her to go for a drive with him. But it was not to be. How they could all sit and read for hours was beyond him. When he could stand it no longer he came swiftly to his feet.

"Would anyone care to go for a walk?" His voice was curt but it was lost on the readers.

"Not just now, but thanks, Percy," Sean answered distractedly.

Percy was furious that Kaitlin had not even heard him. He tossed his head to show his irritation but Kate didn't look up until he slammed the door on his exit.

Kaitlin's surprised eyes met those of Sean's, who only shrugged in equal puzzlement. They were both headed back to their papers when Marcail said quietly, "He's in love with you, Katie."

"Who is?" Kate questioned in genuine ignorance.

"Cousin Percy."

Kaitlin waited a moment for Marcail to smile and tell her she was joking but it didn't happen. The little girl was serious. A frisson of alarm shot through Kate and she looked over at Sean to see that he was just as surprised.

"Why do you say that, Marc?" Kaitlin asked cautiously.

"He watches you all the time. Just like Scott used to."

"That doesn't mean he's in love with me." Kate's words didn't convince Marcail who just stared at her older sister and gnawed on her lower lip. In fact, Kate's words didn't convince herself.