18. Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Eighteen
David bounded into the kitchen with a grin on his face, exuding happiness. His very presence lifted the mood in the room. “Ah, just in time for Mildred’s famous soup!” he said. “And look at this—Jacquelyn’s decided to grace us with her presence! Right here, in the kitchen sitting with the common folk. That’s a new one.”
Mildred started to get up from the table. “David, why don’t you take a seat and relax? I’ll get you some soup and bread.”
“No, no, no.” David motioned for her to sit. “You’re eating, Mildred. I can get it.” He whistled as he got out a plate, bowl, and silverware, then moved comfortably around the kitchen getting everything he needed. While he was otherwise occupied, Jane felt comfortable watching him. She mentally cataloged the similarities between David and his sister. Their coloring was different, but the shape of the face and nose were the same, which meant he also looked a little bit like her. It was unnerving .
When David got to the table, he directed a question to Jane. “So tell me, how did the visit to the Sheridan Girls’ Home go?”
Jane resisted the urge to look at Eddie. “It went fine, thank you. How was your morning?”
David raised his eyebrows. “You’re asking about me? That’s a new one. Well, if you must know, I had a good meeting with the director of the new Sheridan Food Pantry. We’re going to put up notices in local churches and should be able to open in February. Just canned goods at first, but eventually we hope to stock bakery items and fresh produce.” As if to illustrate, he held up his piece of bread. “We hope to reach as many people as possible, especially big families and older folks who can’t get to the food pantry on the other side of the city. You may not be aware of this, little sister, but there are a lot of hungry people out there. We’ll be able to make a big difference.”
“That’s wonderful!” Jane, who’d planned to say as little as possible, couldn’t contain her enthusiasm.
David gave her a sharp look. “These people are really desperate and need help, Jacquelyn. I don’t think mocking them is very nice at all.”
Jane felt herself shrink back in her chair. “I know. I wasn’t mocking them.”
Eddie said, “You’ll be happy to know that Jacquelyn’s visit today has changed everything. She’s now open to hearing all of your ideas for the foundation. She wants the foundation to make a difference for the poor.”
“Really? ”
David’s dark eyes were so penetrating she was forced to look down at the table. “Yes,” she said.
“Our Jacquelyn is like a completely different person,” Eddie continued. “She wants to make the world a better place.”
“I hope you’re not joking.” David’s attention was now on Eddie. It was clear he didn’t know what to think.
“No joke,” Eddie said. “I saw the transformation myself.”
“If that’s true, how about this?” David’s tone was challenging. “We start by buying Christmas gifts for the girls at the home and delivering them tonight?”
“What a lovely idea.” Jane clasped her hands together.
“What a lovely idea?” David said, mimicking her. “The last time I brought it up you thought it was ridiculous, that the little urchins already got the gift of free room and board and didn’t need anything else.”
That was really how Jacquelyn Sheridan talked about them? How appalling. Jane smiled weakly. “I think the girls would love to get Christmas gifts.”
“I told you,” Eddie said, sitting back triumphantly. “The visit has given her a new view of things. Turns out that behind that beautiful face, there’s a girl with a heart after all.”
Taking in the compliment, Jane felt her cheeks flush pink. No one had ever called her beautiful.
David spoke to her, jabbing a thumb in Eddie’s direction. “You’re just sitting there and letting this pass? I can’t believe you’re not going to give him grief for talking to you that way. ”
She shook her head.
“No berating him for being disrespectful or not knowing his place?” David looked from her to Eddie and back again, clearly suspicious. “I would love to know what is going through your mind right now.”
“You want to know what’s going through my mind right now?” Jane asked.
“Yes, I would.”
“I was wondering when we could start shopping for the girls’ Christmas presents.” She was also mulling over what each one would like and hoping she would have some say in the selection. It really didn’t matter what they got, though. Even new socks would please the girls. But if it was more than that? Toys or warm mittens or chocolates? Oh, they’d be overjoyed! She could imagine the shouts of glee coming from fifty girls as they each got a Christmas present. The thought filled her with happiness. “If our intent is to drive up and deliver them tonight, we’d really have to start right away.”
David looked thoughtful. “You’re absolutely right. After lunch, we’ll head out. Eddie, I’m assuming you’ll want to go along?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” he said with a grin. Under the table, he gave Jane’s foot a gentle nudge, something that caused a warm flush to wash over her. His smile, aimed right at her, promised secrets and adventure, the likes of which she’d never encountered before.
This was going far better than she’d expected.