Nell by Jeanette Baker Page A

twice a week to help his father with the collies.” Jilly settled herself on the ground beside Nell. “I wish he’d come more, but Frankie says that with his studies and his work, two days is all he can manage.”
    Frankie Maguire. Nell held his name on her tongue for the length of time it took her to absorb fully the image of golden dogs, green grass, and the masculine appeal of a boy completely unconscious of the picture he made. I’d like to paint him , she murmured out loud.
    â€œMum said the same thing,” Jilly confessed.
    Did she? Nell smiled. Margaret Fitzgerald would be horrified that her daughter had overheard and revealed her forbidden, although completely understandable, fantasy. Francis Maguire was only a boy, but soon, very soon, he would be a most attractive man.
    Jilly interrupted her thoughts. “How long can you stay?”
    For a while.
    â€œWill you come with me to see Frankie?”
    Nell shook her head. You go on. I’ll be here when you’re finished.
    â€œYou’re sure?”
    Aye. Run along now.
    Jilly started off slowly, gathering speed when Frankie turned, recognized her, and waved.
    Nell watched their exchange, and her eyes narrowed. So, it begins , she said to herself.
    â€œHello, Frankie!” Jilly shouted, running through the tall grass to greet him.
    He grinned and pulled on his shirt “Hello, lass. What brings you here?”
    â€œMum made sugar crisps.” She held out a brown paper bag. “I brought you some. Your da told me you were here.”
    Frankie ruffled her silky hair. “My thanks, Jilly. Will y’ share them with me?”
    She nodded happily. “I brought enough for two. Nell doesn’t want any. She never eats.”
    Frankie bit down into the buttery biscuit and grunted his appreciation. “Y’ better hurry back to the house if Nell is waitin’ on you.”
    â€œShe said she’d be there when I’m finished here.”
    â€œNell sounds like an agreeable lass.”
    â€œVery. May I throw?”
    â€œAye.” After handing her the stick, he watched as she positioned her body and used all of her arm to hurl the piece of wood. It landed at the edge of the clearing, close to his own. He whistled. “Not bad. Where did y’ learn t’ throw like that?”
    â€œJimmy Brannigan and I toss the ball back and forth.”
    â€œJimmy’s a good lad.”
    Jilly kicked at a tuft of grass on the ground. “He only plays with me when there’s no one else, but I don’t mind. I know I’m just a girl.”
    â€œAnd what’s that supposed t’ mean?” Frankie asked around a mouthful of sugar crisp.
    She shrugged.
    His hand closed around her wrist. “Look at me, Jilly.”
    He waited until her eyes were fixed on his face. “A lass is a fine companion. Why do y’ think that when a lad grows into a man he chooses a woman to marry and not another man?”
    She’d never thought of it that way before. “I can’t run as fast or carry as much—”
    He brushed away her argument. “A man doesn’t want a horse, Jilly. He wants someone t’ talk with, someone he can trust t’ share his burdens, like y’r father does with y’r mother.”
    Jilly frowned. She had never before considered that her father might have burdens. Suddenly, an idea came to her. “When you’re grown, will you choose a woman to marry?”
    â€œOf course. Everyone gets married except for priests.”
    â€œWill you be a priest?”
    He shook his head. “I haven’t the callin’.”
    Her eyes blazed with light. “Will you marry me, Frankie? You can trust me, and I’ll share your burdens. I’ll share them better than anyone else ever could. Say you’ll marry me, Frankie, please. I don’t like anyone half as much as I like you.”
    Frankie stared at her in shock, the smile frozen on his