Three Days Left

Shelagh was becoming a fixture in the Turner kitchen already. Patrick's housekeeper, Mrs. Frobisher, was to start a new position in the New Year, and had gone up to visit with her grandchildren for the holidays. That left Patrick and Timothy to fend for themselves in the last days before the wedding. Feigning pity, Shelagh took on the task of feeding her boys. Despite Timothy's attempts to convince her of the importance of chips in the daily diet, Shelagh was quite proud of her developing skills, and felt her confidence grow with each meal.

Shelagh checked on the chicken roasting in the oven. Dinner should be ready at the usual time, she was pleased to see. Whether or not Patrick would be on time, however, was always another question. She looked over at Timothy, busy with his homework. He still wasn't happy that his teacher had assigned a book report over the holidays, but grudgingly set about finishing it before the wedding.

"Timothy, which bowl do you use for the roasted potatoes?" she asked, searching in the cabinet.

"I don't know. The round one?" he asked.

Shelagh made a face. "Very funny. I thought maybe you had noticed a serving bowl you've been using for your entire life."

Timothy grinned. "Sorry. I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You're very helpful." Shelagh was enjoying herself.

Timothy's grin faded. "Shelagh, before, when I told you about the sweet shop lady? I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

She turned back from the sink. "I know that, dear. I really wasn't upset with you."

"But you were upset. I'm not sure I understand why."

Shelagh took a deep breath. "I suppose it was because I don't like being talked about."

"That seems to happen quite a lot, lately." He tapped his pencil on the table.

"Yes."

"I should think people would be glad Dad's getting married again. You'll be brilliant at keeping him in order."

Shelagh smiled and squeezed his hand. "I don't know why she was talking about me. Maybe she doesn't approve of my decision to leave the order. I've brought a great deal of change to our little corner of the world, I'm afraid, and people don't like change."

"I like change. This change, anyway. Things are so much better now that you're part of our family. It'll be even better when you're here all the time!"

Shelagh felt it hard to breathe. None of the rest mattered, not when Patrick and Timothy loved her.

"How many more days?" she smiled at him.

"Three!" he answered, smiling back.