Page 58 (2/2)

“I’ht”

The little one piped up “I’ave her sister a challenging look

Eleanor’s dark eyes flashed “Are not”

Little Libby’s chin jutted out “Am, too”

Blue did not let the argument escalate “What’s your mama’s name, and where is she?”

“Mrs Weston,” said Eleanor with a degree of triumph that she had spoken first

“Clara Weston,” Libby added, not to be outdone

Rerabbed his hands “Come on”

He let the, as curious as he was concerned “Where are we going?”

“To Mama,” Libby said “She fell down”

His heart lurched He tried to still it, but it refused to obey “Is she hurt?”

“I don’t know” Libby’s voice wobbled

Oh, please don’t cry Please don’t

Eleanor h likely for an entirely different reason “Libby, don’t blubber We gotta get back to Mama”

She sounded so grown-up The responsible one of the pair Noould he think that? He knew nothing about the doors of his heart All he had to do was make sure their mother was safe

They trotted onward, both girls latched on to his hands as if afraid to let go Their fear and concern knotted in his stomach What if their mother—