Taking On Twins

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They finished their visit and moved on. Each place was the same: they would chat for a moment before Coralee explained the twins’ situation. The men would shake their heads, the women murmur in distress. Then each would state with certainty that no, they couldn’t take on two toddlers. Here and there, someone would remember a relative who might have an interest in one child. But as soon as Coralee insisted that it must be both children, they would recant. She made sure to remind each neighbor that if they thought of anyone, they could let her or Jake know.

Coralee and Cecilia finally headed home just in time to have supper with Cat. As soon as they ate and cleaned up the quick meal, Coralee fell into bed, exhausted and deflated from the difficult day.

Her sleep was so deep that she didn’t wake until Cecilia shook her shoulder. Bright daylight filled the room, disorienting her for a moment. “How long did I sleep?”

“Oh, it’s about noon.” Coralee shot up. She had planned to ride out to help Jake again after getting a few hours of sleep, but now half the day was gone. “Don’t worry about that.” Cecilia spoke as if she’d read Coralee’s thoughts. “Jake is here and wants to speak to you. I don’t think he has good news.” Cecilia left Coralee to dress.

She chose a red calico dress with a tiny rose pattern, then parted her hair and arranged it in a quick bun at the nape of her neck. Jake was waiting for her in the parlor, looking drained. A sinking feeling filled her at the grief written on his face. “It’s the Rileys, isn’t it?”

“And Mr. and Mrs. Williams,” he confirmed. He dropped into a chair and rested his elbows on his knees, hands clasped and head low. For a moment Coralee wasn’t sure what to do for him. But a nudge in her spirit gave her the answer.

Perching on the edge of a chair near him, she leaned close. “Lord, we grieve for the dear neighbors we lost today, but we know they’re celebrating with You now. Please give Jake peace and rest so he can care for the others who are sick. And point us to the perfect home for little Phillip and Louisa. Amen.”

When Coralee raised her eyes, Jake was staring at her. The look on his face was one she hardly expected to see from him. Flushing under the admiring gaze, she tried to ignore the fluttering of her heart. It had been so long since anyone had looked at her like she was beautiful. The moment stretched between them. His expression was intense, but not in the fuming way it had been a few days ago.

“Thank you for praying for me, Coralee. I guess I need it right now.” He paused, looking like he was searching for words. “I’ve never lost patients of my own,” he finally admitted. “Of course, patients at the hospital died, but I was just a student. With Dr. Jay away, the people in this town are my responsibility, my patients. And I lost five of them. Leaving two innocent children orphaned.” His eyes searched hers, begging her to understand. “Cecilia told me you didn’t find anyone to take the twins yesterday. I stopped by the Trasks’ to be sure they’re all healthy and Mrs. Trask said they can’t keep the children any longer. But my hope is that I can find a home for them soon. They deserve a big, happy family to surround them with love.”

A pang of regret made Coralee let out a slow breath. After all this time she couldn’t believe she still hoped he would include her, consider her a partner. But there he was, shouldering all the responsibility for the twins himself. “We’ll find someone. Everyone we spoke with knows to contact us the moment they hear of a family who could take in two toddlers. Word will spread and the perfect parents will turn up anytime now.”

Jake nodded and stood. “I can’t stay too long. I’m going to get a few hours of rest, if I can. But I’m heading to get the twins after that.”

Coralee’s heart ached for the sweet children. “I could go with you. I’ve spoken to the twins on many occasions at church. They might be more comfortable leaving the Trasks with someone they’re familiar with.”

He hesitated but then nodded in agreement as they walked to the door. Pausing, he turned to her before stepping outside. Bright midday sun slanted through the open doorway, outlining his tall frame.

“Until later, then, Coralee.” Intensity buzzed between them, making it hard for her to catch her breath. All she could do was nod, words sticking in her throat.

After he was gone, she sat to rest, emotions swirling inside her. The way Jake had looked at her had been so familiar. It had felt like they were close friends again. Or a courting couple. But they were neither of those things and she didn’t want them to be. The risk of losing another man she cared about was too great. Her eyes drifted shut and light sleep claimed her, filled with visions of Jake taking her in his arms.

She woke an hour later with a start. Cecilia had returned from her errands and joined her in the parlor. The middle Holbrook sister finished tying off the thread on the skirt hem she was mending before turning to Coralee.

“How are you feeling?”

Coralee took inventory of herself before responding. “Still tired, but better. Not a bit sick, if you’re worried about that.”

“Oh, that’s good. I was a bit concerned. But I also wondered how you feel after working so closely with Jake.”

“Working with Jake.” Coralee searched for the words to explain the last few days to her sister. “We fight a lot when we’re together. But he managed to put our past aside and work with me as a professional. That was nice, to be honest.”

“I don’t want to pry, but I have to wonder if there are some feelings developing again between you and Jake.” Cecilia spoke with gentle earnestness, as she always did.

As much as Coralee wanted to avoid the question, Cecilia’s genuine concern made it impossible not to give her an honest answer.

“I don’t know what he’s feeling, but I can’t stop thinking about him. As a man, not just a colleague or Dr. Jay’s protégé. But I don’t think he trusts me. And I’m not planning to fall in love again.”

Cecilia’s mouth curved into a slight smile, understanding filling her eyes. Coralee felt a wave of sympathy as she studied her sister. Cecilia was lovely. She was elegant and ladylike with a quiet, calm disposition. She should have had suitors lining up to call on her, but she never seemed interested in any of the local men. Now, Coralee thought that maybe Cecilia had experienced a bit of inconvenient love herself that made her keep men at arm’s length.

“Coralee, I can only imagine how frightening it must be to think of falling in love again after all you’ve lost. But I don’t want to see you alone for the rest of your life.” Cecilia moved closer and took both Coralee’s hands in hers. “You’re not an old woman with only a few years left to live out on your own. You can still have the family you used to dream about.”

Coralee tried to smile at her sister through the familiar ache that bloomed in her chest. “We all know that’s just not possible, Cecilia. I suppose my childhood dreams of love may not be out of the question just because I lost Alan, but I’m not ready to take that risk again.”

Cecilia’s eyes narrowed as if she wanted to dig deeper into her sister’s words. “Remember, God can use more than just birth to make a family.”

Coralee averted her gaze. She didn’t want to spend any more time talking about her crushed longing to have a baby of her own. That ship had sailed after five childless years of marriage.

To her relief, Cecilia didn’t say more about it before leaving to help Aunt Lily at the café. Coralee spent the early afternoon catching up on rest and praying about her future. It had been so long since she’d spent time in prayer on a daily basis and the words seemed stilted at first. But praying with Jake earlier had reminded her that God was always there to listen to the words she couldn’t say to anyone else.

When the time came to get ready to leave, she shook the wrinkles out of her dress and let her hair down. Making several thick braids, she twisted them together into a pretty chignon. She searched around in a bottom drawer for a narrow bow that matched her dress. Turning her head back and forth in front of the mirror, she checked the hairstyle and pinched her cheeks for a bit of color.

Will Jake like this shade of red on me? The thought popped into her mind unbidden. She realized she’d been studying herself in the mirror far longer than necessary. What was wrong with her? She felt like a schoolgirl, giddy about a young man coming to court her. But Jake was not courting her. This was hardly even a social event where she should be worrying about her looks. She was helping out in a time of crisis.

Settling a straw bonnet over her hair, she worked to pull herself together. She had to remain above reproach to keep the community’s respect. Acting like a silly young miss would give Dr. Jay more fuel for turning the town against her. She had to get a handle on these errant thoughts before Jake arrived to pick her up.

Just like a man who’s courting a woman.

Chapter Three (#u8c5c6e08-3ad1-579b-91b5-de8dc496e32d)

Jake only had time for a short rest before he drove to the café to get Coralee. They headed straight to the Trask farm, Jake’s nerves building the closer they got. Outside the weatherworn home, an older girl with tightly braided hair was hanging laundry on a line stretched between two trees. Three toddlers ran around the yard under her supervision, stopping in their tracks to stare as the wagon drove by.

Mrs. Trask came out of the cabin, shielding her eyes from the bright sun with one hand as she watched Jake help Coralee down from the wagon seat. The woman looked disheveled and weary, clothed in a work dress that had seen better days. Jake tried hard to relax. He wondered if children could smell fear like the wild dogs he used to chase out of Ma’s vegetable patch.

Mrs. Trask didn’t bother to approach the wagon, leaning against the cabin just outside the door. “Have you come for the little ones, then?”

Jake could only offer a curt nod. Mrs. Trask pushed away from the wall. “Good. I’ll get their things.”

He was sure he turned pale as the woman returned to the house. “What am I going to do with two babies?” The words came out haltingly.

Coralee rested a hand on his arm and Jake was sure he saw a hint of humor in her expression. “It will all work out. I can help you with them until we find a family. Cat can handle the shop on her own for a bit longer.”

They both turned as Mrs. Trask came back with a small bag. She waved a hand to her daughter, who gathered up two of the little ones in the yard and walked them over. Louisa and Phillip held on to the Trask girl’s legs for dear life as Jake took in their matching chubby cheeks, round noses and rosy mouths. Two pairs of clear blue eyes stared up at him.

He didn’t know if he should reach for them or wait until they came over on their own. But Coralee started gently coaxing them closer to her. His heart hammered against his ribs. She was beautiful, kneeling in front of the twins, making silly faces and talking in a calm voice.

Jake had never spent time around children. Ma had lost several babies after his birth, leaving him an only child. He had never minded it, maybe because he’d had such good friends in Alan and Coralee. But now, faced with two tiny people that were his responsibility, Jake was falling apart.

Coralee had pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and convinced Louisa to come closer. They admired the lacy trim, then with a quick twist and several knots, Coralee formed the piece of cloth into a simple doll. Louisa giggled with delight and hugged the doll close. How did Coralee know how to do that?

Standing, she went to the wagon and rummaged in her apothecary case, returning with a small tin. She knelt by Phillip, who moved close to watch her with great interest. With a dramatic flourish, she showed the child how to pull the lid open and place several rocks inside. It was a simple toy, but the boy took it with great seriousness. He knelt in the dirt to pile more rocks in the tin and dump them over and over.

It seemed like the most natural thing in the world for Coralee to help the children relax. Jake had no idea how to do that. How was he going to care for these two when he couldn’t even convince them to look him in the eye? Not knowing what else to do, Jake took the children’s bag from Mrs. Trask and loaded it into the wagon. Coralee lifted each child into the back, then climbed in and sat on the floor with one twin on each side of her.

She shrugged when she noticed him watching. “I’ll sit back here with them, so they won’t be afraid or try to stand and fall.”

Another wave of apprehension washed over Jake. It hadn’t even crossed his mind that they might fall out of the wagon if he left them in the back by themselves. He had never been in a position where he knew so little about something so important. Even when he’d started medical school, he had studied beforehand to teach himself basic anatomy and procedures. He had wanted to have some knowledge going in. But now that he was responsible for the needs and safety of two little people, he had no idea what to do.

He thanked Mrs. Trask for keeping the children, then directed the wagon toward town. The entire way, Coralee kept the twins entertained by telling stories and singing little songs. This was a side of her that he had never seen. It came so easily to her, while he was struggling to find even a few words to say to the little ones.

Once in town, Jake drove the wagon to the café to drop Coralee off. He was so distracted by the weight of having the twins in his care that he almost drove straight past the building. Why on earth had Liza trusted him with her children? He parked the wagon behind the café and turned to Coralee and the twins.

“Well, here we are.”

Coralee glanced up from the children. “It’s suppertime and I’m sure they must be hungry. Why don’t you all eat with us tonight?”

“Oh, yes. Thank you.” Jake hated that he was still at a loss. Of course, they would be hungry. His medical training had taught him all about children’s physiology and illnesses. But he was realizing how little that had to do with the day-to-day responsibility of raising them. He glanced at Coralee again, wondering if the desperation he felt was showing on his face.

It must have been pretty obvious because she scooted close behind the wagon seat and reached up to touch his arm. “Just come in and have supper. We’ll help you with anything you need.” Relief calmed a little of his fear. He wouldn’t be on his own with the twins just yet.

Jake jumped down and helped Coralee out of the wagon. He hesitated before gingerly lifting Louisa into his arms. Was he holding her right? He didn’t want to hurt her. With great care, he handed the little girl to Coralee. Picking up Phillip, Jake started to feel a bit of confidence. After all, he hadn’t dropped Louisa.

Coralee led them inside and called for her sisters.

Cecilia peeked in from the kitchen, gasping when she saw the children. “Oh, Coralee, they’re darling!”

Coralee just smiled as Cecilia turned to Louisa. “What a lovely dress. Is that your favorite color?”

Louisa’s smile was cautious but she seemed to enjoy the attention. “Yes, pink.”

“And it looks beautiful on you. Is that a doll you have?”

The little girl held out the handkerchief doll Coralee had made. “Coree made it.”

Cecilia winked at her sister. “That Coralee is very talented, isn’t she?”

Louisa nodded happily. “She’s nice.”

Jake’s heart melted a little. These poor children needed that sort of kindness right now. No matter what his personal feelings might be where Coralee was concerned, he hoped she would be a bright spot in the twins’ lives.

Through the conversation, Phillip just watched with wide eyes. When Cecilia tried to engage him, he buried his face in Jake’s shoulder. A surge of protectiveness took Jake by surprise. He rubbed the boy’s back and rested his cheek on the small blond head.

Cecilia couldn’t seem to get enough of the twins. “Oh, they’re just the most precious little things. Don’t you just wish you had a dozen of them?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, the ladies all froze. Jake wondered what the sudden tension meant. Cecilia blushed. “I’m sorry, Coralee. That was insensitive.”

Looking from one woman to the other, Jake had to ask. “What’s wrong, Cecilia?”

Silence followed his question. Even Louisa and Phillip seemed to pick up on the change in atmosphere and stilled. Finally, Coralee threw up her hands. “Not that anyone needs to know, but Cecilia forgot for a moment that Alan and I were never able to have children. I may never have children. That’s what’s wrong. Now, I’m going to get the food ready.”

Coralee retreated to the kitchen, her words hanging heavy in the air. Cat shrugged and went to help her sister. Cecilia bit her lip. “I’m sorry, Jake. That was awkward and it’s all my fault.”

He patted her shoulder. “No, you didn’t bring it up on purpose. It’s no wonder she was upset, though. I can’t imagine...” Jake’s voice trailed off as he thought of Coralee’s pain. He cleared his throat around the lump that suddenly formed. “I would hate to know I could never have children of my own. It’s terrible—”

The conversation was cut short when Louisa pulled at the leg of his trousers. “I hungry, Jake.”

He rested one hand on top of her head. “Me, too. I’m sure the ladies will have food on the table in no time.”

Mealtime brought another set of complications Jake would never have expected. Coralee and Cecilia settled each wiggling child on a chair and used strips of cloth to loosely secure them. Coralee showed Cat how to cut pieces of softer foods for the little ones to eat. Jake made mental notes of everything the women did so he could at least feed the twins by himself.

As they ate, Jake got a peek at more of the twins’ personalities. The women were busy talking when a mischievous look appeared on Louisa’s little face. Watching her out of the corner of his eye, Jake saw her chubby hand shoot out and grab a piece of bread Phillip was just bringing to his mouth.

“No, Lou!” The little boy howled in frustration while his sister stuffed the bread into her own mouth. Coralee turned and cooed over Phillip, oblivious to what had caused his tears. It was all Jake could do to cover his amusement. Who would have thought that such a tiny girl could already be so ornery?

“It’s been several days since we had any customers.” Cat and Coralee’s discussion drew Jake’s attention away from the children. Cat’s words surprised him. He hadn’t realized Holbrook’s was struggling that much.

Coralee’s shoulders drooped. “Hopefully, I can make significant progress on the medication soon. Otherwise, I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

Her comment piqued Jake’s interest. “You’re working on a medication? Is it something new?”

She shifted in her chair, frowning at her plate. “I wasn’t planning to say anything until it’s finished. But, yes, I’m working on a formula that Papa wanted to develop before he passed.”

“That’s great. How’s it coming?” Jake had known Coralee long enough to see from the look on her face that this medicine was important to her. Heaviness settled over him. There was no reason she would need to share a project like that with him. But he still found himself wishing she had wanted to. Wishing she wanted to involve him in something so vital to her business.

Coralee pushed food around with her fork, refusing to meet his eyes. “I’m not as close to finding the key ingredient as I’d like to be.” Without giving him a chance to reply, she turned to Cecilia, asking about her plans now that school was out of session until fall.

Jake’s heart fell. Coralee was sending a clear message that she didn’t want him involved in her work.

Suddenly, Cat sniffed and covered her nose with a handkerchief. “I believe one of the children might need attention,” she declared. Jake started to chuckle at her regal announcement until it hit him that he might need to attend to them himself. And he had no clue how to change a diaper.

Much to Jake’s relief, Coralee and Cecilia jumped in again, rescuing him from embarrassing himself with his profound lack of knowledge about children. Coralee searched through the bag Mrs. Trask had sent for the children. She pulled out two large rectangles of white cotton while Cecilia dampened several rags. Together, the sisters cleaned the children and put on their fresh diapers. Jake tried not to get caught staring while still managing to catch every move they made so he could replicate it.

As Coralee and Cecilia cleaned up, Jake heard a sound at his feet. He looked down to find Louisa standing in front of him, little arms stretched toward him. “Up?”

Her voice was quiet and tentative. Jake’s heart expanded in his chest as he cradled the girl in his arms. The love he already felt for these children was overwhelming, even after only a few hours with them. Coralee’s revelation flashed in his mind. His first thought was how painful it must have been for her to realize that she would likely never bear a child. But as he considered how much he already cared about the twins’ well-being, he started to wonder if his reaction had been impulsive. Maybe a family could grow out of people who just needed each other.

Louisa rubbed her eyes as she snuggled against his chest. “I think she’s tired.” Jake wasn’t sure how he recognized the signs, but it was encouraging. Maybe he could learn how to care for the twins, after all.

Coralee lifted Phillip into her arms and he stuck a thumb in his mouth, staring at her with wide eyes. “Phillip is, too. I’m sure this has been a difficult few days for them. It’s time for a good night’s sleep.”

Jake already felt more confident at the prospect of taking them home by himself, thanks to Coralee’s easy example. His room at the boarding house wasn’t large, but it would be plenty big enough to make temporary beds on the floor. The proprietress, Mrs. Hardy, missed her grandchildren in Virginia. She had jumped at the chance to help with the twins if the need arose. He was sure this could work for the short time they would be in his care.

He took the bag with the twins’ belongings from Cecilia and headed to the wagon. Louisa snuggled in his arms and Coralee carried Phillip. Something about walking alongside her with the children felt right. Jake shoved that notion back where it came from. The last thing he needed was to be distracted by impossible fantasies.

After setting Louisa on the wagon seat, he climbed up beside her and took Phillip from Coralee’s outstretched arms. He looked down into her lovely face. “Thank you again, Coralee. Your help has been invaluable.”

“I’m glad to help. Will you be all right by yourself with the twins, Jake? Two children can be a lot to handle.”

He tried to draw on the small burst of confidence he felt earlier, but it had waned. “I’m sure we’ll get along fine.”

“What are you going to do with them while you’re working? I could help you for a little while until you get into a routine.”

Jake considered her offer. A few days ago he would have refused her flat-out. He still wasn’t sure his heart was ready to have her back in his life. But once they’d learned how to steer clear of their past, spending time with Coralee had been downright pleasant. The twins liked her and she was such a natural caregiver. He had been wondering what he would do with them during the day. Focusing on patients visiting the office or traveling to make house calls would be difficult with the children underfoot.