The next morning, Bill headed for Clearwater after breakfast. The judge planned on contacting the Mountie office serving Rosetown to see if Billy's disappearance had been reported and if it had, letting them know the boy had been located. He also planned on finding out what he could about Home of Mercy in Rosetown. Even though Billy wouldn't be returning to the orphanage, Bill wanted to make sure any other children there were safe. He also needed to get to work obtaining Billy's legal release from the orphanage.
After seeing Bill off, Gabriel headed to the telegraph office with Billy's thank-you note for the Wolf's. After a brief conversation with Ruth, the note was in the next batch of mail going out. Turning from the counter, he headed for the door, spotting Lillian through the window, approaching the office. Reaching out, Gabriel opened the door for Lillian.
"Good morning, Lillian," Gabriel said, standing to the side so the woman could enter. "All the children at school?"
"They are," Lillian said, stepping inside the office and out of the cold. "I missed you at dinner last night, though Bill told me why you chose not to come and I understand. Billy needed you more last night."
"Of all the sad stories I have heard, I think that Billy's has got to be one of the saddest. I want to do right by this child, Lillian, but I'm afraid that I am not. Is digging up this boy's past and putting him through all this even worth it?"
Lillian reached out and took Gabriel's hand. "It's hard, but knowing these children's pasts are the best way to help them. If we don't know what they've gone through in the past, then we can't understand their actions, reactions, and fears now. You and Bill can't find the right place for Billy without knowing about his past."
"I'm not sure it is going to help. After hearing about his experiences at the past two orphanages, I don't think Billy will ever feel at ease at an orphanage."
"Perhaps, Billy needs to see that not all orphanages are like the two he was at," Lillian suggested. "Maybe he needs to meet Vincent and Christian. It might be easier to believe someone closer to his age. Perhaps the both of you could come out for dinner."
Gabriel shook his head. "I'm not sure Billy is ready for that. He didn't want to go inside when we walked you home the other night."
Lillian nodded. "The offer is there," she told him. "Let me know if something changes. Perhaps you could bring Billy by this afternoon and he can meet the children out in the yard."
Gabriel nodded. "That might work. I'll see how Billy feels about it. If I can't come up with another reason, I'll just say I want to come out and see you."
"I like that reason," Lillian told him. "Where is Billy now?"
"He is with Maggie, actually," Gabriel told her. "She's been doing some massage therapy on his wrist and she asked him if he could help her with some tasks at the infirmary. I was surprised when Billy agreed but I think not being alone in the cell while I'm out will be good for him."
"I hope things go well," Lillian said.
"Me too, though I should let you do what you came here to do," Gabriel said, motioning to the envelope that Lillian held in her other hand.
Lillian looked down at the envelope and then back at Gabriel. "Sophia is going to accept the offer from Helen's grandfather."
"That's wonderful," Gabriel told her, smiling. "It'll be good that the girls will have each other."
"It will," Lillian agreed.
"Constable Kinslow," Ruth called out, drawing both Gabriel and Lillian's attention. "I'm sorry to interrupt but we just got a message for you from Halifax."
"Halifax?" Gabriel said, surprised by the location, as he walked back toward Ruth.
"Do you think its concerning Ellie?" Lillian asked hopefully.
Gabriel didn't speculate as he reached for the message, murmuring a thank-you to Ruth. Gabriel was aware of the two women talking as he read over the message. Relief spread through him as he read it. It was in fact regarding Ellie, and it contained good news, which giving the information he had recently gotten about Billy was good for Gabriel's morale.
Aware that Lillian and Ruth were looking at him, having taken care of Lillian's post, Gabriel smiled as he spoke. "They found Ellie's Aunt and Uncle, Bill and Veronica Cuthbert. Veronica Cuthbert is the sister of Ellie's mother. The message says they want to take custody of Ellie but are requesting that arrangements be made for her for the next three weeks as the aunt is recovering from a broken ankle and won't be able to travel for the next couple of weeks. They want to come for Ellie personally, not wanting her to travel alone after the trauma of the accident."
"Well, Ellie can just remain with us until her Aunt and Uncle arrive, right?" Lillian said, relieved that the girl's family had been found, but hoping she wouldn't have to go through a pointless transition for just a few weeks.
"I had a feeling that would be your reaction," Gabriel replied, meeting Lillian's expectant gaze. "And it is the most reasonable arrangement," he continued. "I'll send a message back to the police station in Halifax that contacted me and let them know she'll be staying at the New Hope Orphanage. They can pass along your contact information to the Aunt and Uncle so they can let you know their travel arrangements when they make them."
"That would be fine," Lillian replied. "Do you want to tell Ellie, or do you want me to handle it?"
"I'll do it," Gabriel replied. "If you don't mind, I am thinking about waiting until the kids are out of school. It will give me a reason to come out and hopefully I can convince Billy to come out with me. I would need you or Grace to come out and keep an eye on him if he won't go inside though."
Lillian nodded. "I'll do it. He has at least spent a little time with me."
"Thank-you," Gabriel replied. "I guess I'll see you this afternoon then."
"Okay," Lillian replied. "Stay safe," she told him as she turned and headed out of the telegraph office.
Ruth provided Gabriel with the form to write down his message. Once he had written it down, he handed the paper and pencil back to Ruth.
"We'll get this sent off for you, Constable," Ruth told him. "I'm glad it was good news."
"You and me both," Gabriel told her. "Have a good day, Ruth."
"You too, Constable."
Gabriel left the telegraph office. Though he wanted to go saddle up Apollo and head out on rounds, the Mountie made one more detour. Crossing the road, he headed over to the infirmary. Taking a peek through the window, he spotted Billy dusting shelves while Maggie was removing supplies from a crate nearby. Satisfied that Billy was both where he was suppose to be and doing what he had said he would, Gabriel headed over to the livery for Apollo.
Later that afternoon, Gabriel and Billy made the walk out to New Hope Orphanage. As they approached the house, Gabriel spotted Christian and Vincent outside throwing snowballs at one another. When the two boys spotted the approaching Mountie, they stopped their play and hurried over.
Gabriel greeted the boys and introduced Billy to Christian and Vincent. The two boys didn't question Billy about why he was with Gabriel or ask any questions about his past. Either the two boys instinctively knew not to ask those questions quite so soon or Lillian had coached them. Whichever it was, Gabriel was grateful for it. He was hoping Billy could just be a boy with Christian and Vincent, even if it was only for a few moments.
"Do you want to join our snowball fight?" Vincent asked as Gabriel and the three children moved toward the house.
Looking in the direction of the house, Gabriel saw Lillian, bundled up against the cold, step out onto the porch.
"No thank-you," Billy replied quietly, his hold on Gabriel's hand tightening.
Gabriel was about to suggest a calmer activity but Christian beat him to it.
"How about helping us build another snow man?" Christian suggested. "Have you ever built a snow man?"
"It's been awhile," Billy admitted.
"It will be fun," Christian encouraged. Gabriel noted that although he held his hand out to Billy, Christian didn't try to take the kid's free hand.
Billy looked up at Gabriel, either for guidance, permission, or both.
"Go ahead," Gabriel told him, giving the hand in his a reassuring squeeze. "I will come get you when I'm finished."
Billy nodded. Letting go of Gabriel's hand, Billy took Christian's outstretched hand and let himself be led away with the boys. Gabriel watched them for a moment and then started toward the house. Lillian had come down from the porch and he met her after only a few steps.
"I told Christian and Vincent not to ask personal questions but to share some of their positive experiences," Lillian told Gabriel. "I also told them to answer any of his questions truthfully. Without giving details I told them that Billy has had things rougher than them."
"I hope this helps," Gabriel said, thinking of a dozen ways things could go sideways.
"I'll keep an eye on them while keeping my distance," Lillian assured him. "I told Ellie you had news for her."
"Okay," Gabriel said, casting a glance toward the boys. Christian was instructing Billy to take a turn at rolling the snow ball he had started. Hesitantly, Billy did so. The lad's constant glances at Christian told Gabriel that Billy was worried about doing something wrong or ruining the project. Thankfully, Gabriel knew there was very little chance of Billy actually ruining the bottom ball of a snowman.
Confident that Lillian would step in if need be, Gabriel headed for the orphanage. Having already spoken to Lillian and being expected, Gabriel didn't bother knocking. Stepping inside he found Ellie waiting expectantly for him. He greeted the little girl as he removed his gloves and dark coat from over top his uniform jacket. Placing the items on a chair, he led the little girl over to the settee. He could hear Mary Louise and Sophia in the kitchen talking to Eleanor and possibly Grace.
"Ellie, I got word from some officers out East," Gabriel told the girl. "They managed to locate your Aunt Veronica and Uncle Bill," he continued, using the names that he knew Ellie would recognize.
"Are they coming?" Ellie asked, her expression a mixture of doubt and expectancy.
"They will be," Gabriel told her. "However, they can't come right away and they don't want you to travel East alone," he informed her. "So until they can make the trip here, you will remain here with Miss Lillian, okay?"
Ellie nodded, a mixture of emotion crossing her face.
"What if they don't like me?" she finally asked.
"Ellie, the fact that they want to make that long of a trip to get you tell me that they love you very much," Gabriel told her. "Your aunt and uncle won't take the place of your mother and father, but you will be with family. You will be loved and cared for."
"What if there is another accident?"
Reaching out, Gabriel pulled the little girl into a hug. He wished he could tell her that there wouldn't be another accident but he knew that was a promise he couldn't make. "Ellie, I know that fear is very real for you and there is always a chance of another accident. But people travel by wagon, train and car every day and are perfectly fine. However, that's why your aunt and uncle want to come get you themselves. They want to be with you and help you face your fear."
"I still remember the accident in my dreams some night," Ellie confessed. "And I wake up and I'm alone like in the wagon. Well Mary Louise and Sophia are near but they are still asleep. One of them snores," Ellie stated.
"Maybe keep that between the two of us," Gabriel said, smiling though Ellie couldn't see it. Mary Louise might take the observation in stride but he could see Sophia getting upset with someone implying that she snored.
"I just want someone to hold me then. Do you think my aunt would do so when she comes for me?"
"I am sure she would if you tell her what is going on," Gabriel told her. "Until your aunt comes for you, I am sure Miss Lillian would comfort you if you go to her."
"I do not want to wake her."
"Given the reason, Ellie, Miss Lillian would not care that you woke her. She wants you to feel safe and cared for while you are here."
"Maybe," Ellie said, still holding tightly onto Gabriel.
Gabriel sat and held the girl close for a while, just wanting to bring comfort to the little girl. He knew Ellie would face many emotional issues in the months ahead and he was glad she would have family to help her through them. The fact that they didn't even suggest just sending the child East told Gabriel that the aunt and uncle were aware of that on some level. He and Lillian could inform them of Ellie's fears and insecurities when they got to Brookfield. Meanwhile, it was up to him and Lillian to comfort and help the child deal with those issues.
Gabriel held Ellie until she pulled away.
"Thank-you for finding my family," Ellie told him.
"You are welcome," Gabriel told her. "I'll be sure to pass along the sentiment to the others who helped as well."
"Thank-you," Ellie told him.
"I need to head back to my home but I'll stop by again soon," Gabriel promised her.
"Okay," Ellie replied.
Slipping from the settee, Ellie moved to her chair by the window. He knew Ellie would be watching his departure, and made a mental note to give her a final wave.
Retrieving his coat and gloves, Gabriel donned them and went outside. Walking over to where Lillian stood Gabriel came to a stop beside her. Following her gaze, Gabriel took in the snowman that the boys were working on.
"I don't think they are getting a head on that thing," Lillian commented. "It took all three of them to roll the middle section on top of the first ball."
"I have a feeling I showed up just in time to get recruited."
"Probably," Lillian agreed. "How did Ellie take the news?"
"She is a little apprehensive but she seems receptive of the news. She is scared of the idea of traveling and there being another accident."
"A perfectly reasonable fear given what she went through."
Gabriel nodded. "I might try to get her in a wagon between now and when her aunt and uncle arrive. It might not go well but it might be best if the first time she travels again isn't when they are suppose to leave."
"That is a good idea," Lillian agreed. "Maybe give her a couple of days to digest the news she just received. I don't want to overwhelm her."
"Fair enough," Gabriel said. "Oh, and just so you are aware of it, Ellie may come looking for you during the night. She talked about waking up from nightmares and wanting someone to hold her at night and wanted to know if I thought her aunt would. I told her I thought her aunt would and that you would too if she went to you. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not," Lillian replied. "I remember seeking out my mother at night on more than one occasion."
"Mountie Gabe, we need help!" Christian called out.
Gabriel and Lillian looked to the boys to find them standing next to the snow ball that would be the snowman's head. They had rolled it next to the other two sections of the snowman.
"I think they realized what you already did," Gabriel mentioned to Lillian who was smiling. Starting off toward the boys, Gabriel added, "I'm coming."