Stranger In Their Midst

*Since I wrote Chapter One, I have checked things out and my memory was right. The character Lars was not being shown, but he's still in here anyway. This story takes place after Adam and Mary's blind school has moved to Walnut Grove, but I'm still having Hester Sue helping at the cafe once in awhile, and the Garvey family is still there.

Chapter Four

The birds were singing sweetly in the air, as Catalina made her way to the church. She was Catholic, but figured the good Lord would understand how important it was to her to be inside a church on Sunday and Walnut Grove only had one church; the only other choice she had was to stay home. In an effort to avoid questions about her back ground, Catalina continued dressing in simple, yet tasteful dresses. Yet, she could not change the way she walked or held herself. That had been too many years in the training.

"She holds herself like a proper lady," Harriet was speaking to one of her friends, "but if that is the case, why on earth did she choose to move here to Walnut Grove and why does she dress so…so plain?"

Nels, disgusted at his wife's gossip shocked Harriet by pulling her away from her friend and into the church. "Do you have to gossip about every person who comes to, or through Walnut Grove?" He barked rougher than usual. It shocked Harriet so bad; she actually shut up.

By the time Catalina made her way into the church, all the seats were taken. That is all but the one next to Dr. Baker. Inwardly, she had to grin. It seemed as if she was getting some help from the man upstairs. "Is this seat taken?" she asked quietly, not wanting to disturb anyone.

Hyrum smiled and motioned to the empty seat beside him. "It is now." He couldn't help but notice the tiny cross she wore around her neck, though he said nothing. After all, he saw no problem with it and tied it to her Spanish heritage. He hoped she would feel comfortable in Walnut Grove in spite of the difference in theological beliefs between herself and the town.

While the reverend started them in on the opening hymn, Hyrum had a hard time concentrating on the song. In between the feeling he should know Catalina and their conversation the day before, his heart was fighting the thought that his brain was starting to toss around in the back of his mind. The idea that maybe the three missing months of his life were more important than he originally thought they were.

"We have a few announcements this morning." Reverend Alden's voice rang through the church after the song was over. "The Cottons will be moving to Sleepy Eye. I'd like to wish them the best in their move and tell them they'll be welcome back anytime they wish." More than one person in the congregation smiled and nodded, but it wasn't out of agreement as one might think, but out of pure delight at the news. After all, it was bad enough to have to put up with Harriet Olsen; they didn't need Mrs. Cotton walking around acting as if she had taken lessons on how to treat people from Harriet. Of course, they weren't about to admit that one. Later, for the sake of keeping peace, they'd wish the couple best wishes and success in their endeavors, whatever they might be.

"I'd like to welcome CatalinaIglesia to Walnut Grove. If any of you need a dress; she's taken over Miss Whipple's old dress shop." When he'd introduced himself she'd actually told him, "I was born Catalina Rosita Maria De La Iglesia; I suggest you just call me Catalina Iglesia." He did as she told him for one main reason; her name was just way too long to bother anyone with. He did find himself wondering why she'd added the words "I was born" to the first part of her reply. Curiosity flooded through him, but he had said nothing nor was he going to say anything. He'd seen too many things in his days, and knew how lives could be ruined by idle talk and speculation. The families smiled and would give her proper greeting after the meeting.

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Catalina sat with the Ingalls who had been nice enough to invite her to have a Sunday picnic with them. With the Garvey family joining the Ingalls, Catalina might have turned the offer down, only Hyrum was also with them.

"So Miss Iglesia, where are you from? Why do you have such a long name? " Albert asked as he finished a piece of chicken.

"Albert," Caroline look at her son with a disapproving look, "It is not necessary to throw one question after another out; in fact, it is rather rude."

Catalina chuckled and smiled. Maybe, if she didn't see it as an opening to give Hyrum some information that might stir something up, she would have been offended at being questioned as if she was such a person of interest, like that to a lawman in one of his investigations or interrogations. "My ancestors are from Mexico and Spain, some still live in those places. However, I was born and raised in Southern California." She stole a quick, discreet, glance towards Hyrum. She wondered if the fact that he'd stiffened ever so slightly at the mention of Southern California meant something. Maybe, if she continued handing out various bits of information, here and there, would get him curious enough to ask questions. Maybe, he'd even remember something. She could hope anyway.

It was because of that hope that she continued answering Albert's questions, along with question the other children had. That is, until Nellie walked up and joined in the discussion. Having heard the garbage her mother malicious words and seeing the gold band on the newest residence's hand, Nellie broke one very basic rule and asked a question she should have known better than to voice. "So, where's your husband?" The moment she said that everything went silent.

It seemed like even the birds quit singing as Catalina paled slightly and stood up. "If you'll excuse me," Catalina stood up and brushed herself off, "I think it's time I go home." Before anyone could say another word, Catalina was hurrying down the road towards the house she now occupied.

As everyone was looking at her as if to say 'what did you go ask such a thing for?', Nellie took a step backwards and tried to defend herself. "It's a fair enough question! She's wearing a ring!" One of the adults might have laid into her with a stern lecture, but her parents were calling the young woman and they were spared any more of her thoughtless babbling defense.

"If you'll excuse me," Hyrum said as he stood up, "I need to get going myself. See you later."

His friends bade him good day as he went on his way saying they wished he could stay longer. Truth was, Hyrum would have loved to stay, but the thought that had acquainted itself with the back of his mind during church now latched onto the Southern California fact and took a small step toward the front of his mind. He needed time to think, alone.

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