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

turned her from an ice queen to an achingly sweet image of maternal devotion.
    Then Fern came up behind him and he heard her quick intake of breath. Before he could stop her, the girl gave vent to her feelings.
    â€œWhat are you doing with Molly?” There was outrage and accusation in the girl’s tone.
    Mrs. Pierce stiffened and the softness disappeared from her expression. In its place a cooler, more impersonal facade settled in. Simon felt a physical sense of loss at the transformation.
    â€œThe child insisted on being rocked.” Her tone was dispassionate. “It was this or let her wake the house with her crying.”
    â€œYou should have called me.” Fern marched forward. “I know how to take care of her.”
    Simon knew Fern was still rattled by Molly’s unexpected disappearance, but rudeness was never a proper response. “Apologize for taking that tone with Mrs. Pierce,” he said quietly but firmly.
    Fern threw him a defiant look, but he kept his gaze locked to hers and his expression firm. After a moment she turned back to Mrs. Pierce. “I’m sorry.” But her tone was anything but contrite. She stiffly bent down to take Molly from Mrs. Pierce’s arms.
    â€œAs you wish.” Mrs. Pierce smoothed her skirt across her now-empty lap, then stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll return to my needlework.”
    Simon wanted to let her know that he appreciated her tenderness with the toddler, that Fern hadn’t really meant what she’d said. But the kids had to be his first concern right now. So he settled for giving her a quick thank-you.
    She acknowledged it with a frosty nod, barely pausing as she stepped past him into the house. The ice queen had returned with a vengeance.
    He turned back to Fern, careful to keep his irritation out of his voice. “Where do you think you’re going?”
    â€œI’m going to put Molly to bed.” That touch of defiance had returned.
    He stepped in front of her. “Give her to me.” When she balked, he gave an exasperated shake of his head. “She’s too heavy for you to carry up the stairs. Once I’ve got her in bed, you can tuck her in and fuss over her all you want.”
    With a reluctant nod, Fern handed a still-slumbering Molly over. The three-year-old was definitely a sound sleeper. Simon crossed the foyer to the staircase, noting that Mrs. Pierce had returned to the parlor and had her head bent over her sewing. She was as composed as if nothing had just happened. If Fern’s tone had upset her there was no sign of it.
    Simon quickly carried the little girl up the stairs and placed her in her bed. Then he left Fern to tend to her while he headed back downstairs to see the widow.
    He had some fence-mending to do on Fern’s behalf.

Chapter Six
    E ileen stabbed the needle through the fabric, trying to keep her hands from trembling.
    She had gotten used to being something of a social outcast in Turnabout these past two years. But to have that same distrust and dislike focused on her from the eyes of this newcomer, a child no less, was altogether unnerving. It had stung more than she cared to admit.
    And all the more so because she’d let her guard down with Molly. She would need to remember these people were just temporary guests in her home. Getting attached to any of them was not to be allowed.
    As for Mr. Tucker, she hadn’t been able to tell what he thought. He’d wrested an apology from Fern, but other than that, he’d shown no sign of what he was thinking.
    She tried to tell herself it didn’t matter, but knew that to be a lie.
    She looked up when she heard a tap at the parlor door frame. Mr. Tucker stood there watching her. Had he just walked up or had he been there awhile? It bothered her that he might have been watching her without her realizing it.
    â€œMay I come in for a moment?” he asked.
    Was he here to take her to task as Fern had?