“But let me stand between them and anyone who thinks gossip is reason enough to break a family.”
Before she could answer, a carriage stopped outside.
Mrs. Pike had returned, this time with a county official and two members of the church auxiliary.
The official introduced himself as Mr. Alden Cross and said there had been complaints about the suitability of the children’s home.
He spoke politely.
That almost made it worse.
Silas stood beside Nora while Mr. Cross listed concerns: moral structure, winter provisions, an unmarried pregnant woman, uncertain property ownership.
Silas handed him the deed papers.
“The property concern is resolved.”
Mr. Cross read them carefully.
Mrs. Pike’s mouth tightened.
“That does not resolve Mrs. Whitcomb’s condition.”
A small voice came from the kitchen doorway.
“She’s going to marry Mr. Greer,” Samuel announced.
Nora froze.
Silas did too.
The room went silent.
Samuel clutched his wooden horse.
“He loves us. And Mama Nora loves him, even when she’s mad.”
Jane covered her mouth.
Mrs. Pike looked triumphant and scandalized at once.
“Is this true?”
Nora looked at Silas.
His eyes held no command.
Only hope.
And fear.
And a quiet willingness to be refused in public if that was what her dignity required.
Silas said nothing.
He left the choice to her.
That mattered.
More than any speech.
Nora lifted her chin.
“Yes,” she said. “It is true.”
The word seemed to settle the room.
Mr. Cross closed his satchel a few minutes later, satisfied that the children would remain under stable care. Mrs. Pike left with stiff shoulders and a face that promised future disapproval, but she had lost this battle.
When the door closed behind them, the children erupted.
Samuel shouted.
The twins jumped.
Grace began crying because everyone else was happy and she did not know what else to do.
Nora turned to Silas.
“You let me choose.”
“I will always let you choose.”
Her anger did not vanish.
That would make the story too neat.
But something inside her loosened.
Before she could answer, pain gripped her low and sharp.
She grabbed the back of a chair.
Silas stepped forward.
“Nora?”
Another pain came, stronger.
Her water broke across the floorboards.
“The baby,” she whispered. “Now.”
The house moved like a storm.
Jane took charge of the younger children. Clara boiled water. Miles rode for the midwife. Silas carried Nora to her room with such care that she almost wept before the pain truly began.