Love Inspired Historical November 2014 by Rhonda Gibson, Winnie Griggs, Regina Scott, Danica Favorite

little girl scrambled up into her lap.
    As Eileen set the swing gently into motion, Molly snuggled down more comfortably in her lap, leaned her head against Eileen’s chest and stuck her thumb in her mouth again. A happy sigh escaped her as she cuddled her rag doll.
    Placing her arms around the child, Eileen felt something deep inside her stir to life.
    * * *
    â€œThis is my fault. I shouldn’t have fallen asleep.” Fern’s eyes were wide, her tone bordering on hysteria.
    â€œYou were tired.” Simon kept his tone matter-of-fact, trying to keep her from panicking. “And I’m sure Molly hasn’t gone far.”
    â€œThat Mrs. Pierce lady scared her. I don’t think she even wants us here.” Fern was obviously looking for someone to blame. “Maybe we should find someplace else to stay.”
    He was surprised by how strongly the urge to defend Mrs. Pierce kicked in. “Fern, this is Mrs. Pierce’s home, which means she’s allowed to make the rules. She’s just not accustomed to being around children, especially as large a group as we have. Give her time to get used to you all and she’ll come around. Besides there
is
no other place, unless you want everyone to be split up.”
    Simon ushered the agitated girl out of the bedchamber and toward the stairs. He’d checked in on all the kids a few moments ago, just to assure himself they were settling in okay, when he’d discovered Molly’s bed was empty.
    He’d crossed the room to see if Molly was hiding somewhere. Unfortunately Fern, who was the toddler’s roommate, had awakened. And now she was blaming herself. Truth was, Simon knew this was his fault. He should have made certain they all knew to stay in their rooms until the clock chimed the hour.
    â€œMaybe we should just call out for her,” Fern suggested. “Sometimes she likes to hide.”
    Simon shook his head. “Not yet. I don’t want to wake the others and get them worried unless we need to. I’m sure she hasn’t gone far. Let’s just look around a bit first.”
    He and Fern checked the corners and niches on the second floor then headed downstairs. “Can you think of something she likes to do or someplace she likes to go that would give us a clue where to look?” Simon asked. Regrettably, he didn’t know enough about Molly or any of these kids to figure it out for himself.
    â€œShe might try to find the kitchen if she was thirsty.” Fern’s tone was doubtful.
    â€œAll right. You check the kitchen—down that way I believe—and I’ll see if Mrs. Pierce is still in the parlor to find out if she’s seen her.”
    Fern nodded and took off at a sprint.
    He’d already turned in the opposite direction, How would the widow feel about the interruption? Would she help in the search or lecture them on discipline? Not that he minded squaring off with her under less troubling circumstances—getting a rise out of her was actually quite entertaining.
    When he looked in the parlor he found it disappointingly empty. He even checked behind the sofa and softly called Molly’s name to make sure the little girl wasn’t hiding.
    When he stepped back out in the hallway he noticed the front door was slightly ajar. Molly was too small, of course, to open the heavy wooden door. But if someone else had left it open...
    He quickly crossed to the entryway, pushed open the screen door and stepped out on the porch. He could see the front gate was closed, which eased one worry at least. Perhaps she—
    A movement he’d caught from the corner of his eye grabbed his attention.
    There, on a porch swing that he hadn’t even noticed when they arrived earlier, sat Mrs. Pierce with a sleeping Molly cuddled on her lap. And the widow had the sweetest, gentlest smile on her face, for all the world as if Molly were her own beloved child. The soft expression transformed her,