Chapter 52: Home
Bill and Tom helped Nathan to his room, followed by Allie, while Millicent, not wanting to leave him for a second, tore herself away just long enough to go to the kitchen and make hot tea for him.
With orange spice just like his mother used to make!
As she put the kettle on, Tom came back downstairs to check in on her, and truthfully, to also apologize.
Since the shooting Tom's heart had been heavy.
Plus he had had all night to review each detail in his mind.
Over and over again!
Bottom line: he saw the whole debacle as a huge failure on his part.
It mattered not to him, that Matt had been there too.
Tom was the Boss, and whatever happened on his watch, he always deemed to be his fault.
He was an honorable man, a highly decorated Officer of the King's Regiment.
He took his job of protecting Millicent and those she loved very seriously.
And he didn't tolerate failure of any kind, whatsoever.
"Miss, I just wanted to say I'm devastated that the Chief was hit. I would have much rather it had been me. I should have…"
"Tom, look at me. You stop blaming yourself right now! There's no way you could have shielded Nathan from that shot. It came out of nowhere. Why you saved his life by applying that tourniquet. And for that, I am most grateful. Tonight could have ended much differently. But thanks to you, it didn't. We still have our future Tom, all because of your quick thinking!"
"That's most kind of you to say. Miss, as a professional, I know we're not supposed to get personal here. But to come that close, and to have the Chief actually hit, somehow it really shook me. And I'm not that shakable. But, since you and the Chief have come together as a couple, we all just feel like one big family. And although we haven't said, the boys, and I like that very much."
"You are family, Tom. As well as the boys. Don't ever forget that. It's different here in Hope Valley, isn't it? Do you all think you can be happy here for the winters?"
"At first, we were doubtful. Very doubtful, in fact! But now, that we've met the people, it's starting to feel like home, Miss. You know, I don't think Kyle's ever had a real home. And to be honest, with all my soldiering, I haven't had much of one, myself. I think this crazy venture might just be the best thing that's ever happened to all of us. And we're all very much looking forward to summers at the ranch, too!"
"I'm glad, Tom. There's something very real about Hope Valley. And something very special about that ranch North of Montreal, too! You know, there's a lot to be said for the quieter places! Although tonight, Hope Valley doesn't seem very quiet, does it?"
"No, Miss. It certainly doesn't. If you're ready to go upstairs, allow me to carry your tray."
"Thank you, but no need. You go get some rest. You've been up all night with us. You've got to be exhausted, too!"
"Just know, Miss, we are watching over you, the Chief, and Little Boss. I know the perpetrators are in jail but don't worry, if there are others, we've got you covered. The boys will be guarding both entrances here very intently, from now on. Everything's going to be okay, Miss. Just give the Chief time to heal. He may just surprise you with how quickly he rallies! And if you need anything at all, we'll see that you have it."
Millicent reached and kissed Tom on the cheek.
"Thank you, Tom. That means everything."
"Miss?"
"Yes?"
"Little Boss is a tough one, isn't she?"
Millicent smiled.
"Yes, she is, Tom. She's been through a lot, and I couldn't be prouder of how she handled tonight. Nathan is her world, you know."
"Along with you, now, Miss! The three of you are already a family. It's very plain to see…"
"Bill, what else have you found out about those two men? Have they let anything slip?"
"Hey, Nathan, you're recovering from a bullet wound! This isn't your worry right now. Gabe and I will check it all out tomorrow! But to answer your question, they've been very tight-lipped. And of course, the girl is following their lead. I took her to Florence and Ned's to spend the night."
"Brief me as soon as you know anything!"
"Yep, will do. Although Millicent's not gonna like that one bit!"
"Did I just hear my name, Gentlemen?" asked Millicent as cheerily as she could muster. "You two wouldn't be cooking up anything, now, would you?"
"Us?" grinned Bill. "I think I'd better be gettin' to bed!"
"Here, Bill, I brought an extra cup of orange spice tea for you. It should soothe you right into sleep."
"That's mighty thoughtful. Thanks, Millicent."
Bill turned to leave with his tea, as she handed Nathan his cup of tea, as well.
"You remembered…" he smiled weakly up at Millicent who helped him with his cup.
"Of course, I remembered, Darling!" she smiled. "Your Mother always made us feel better with Orange Spice Tea!"
"Wait, I'll drink my tea with Nathan, and help him while you go change into your robe," suggested Bill.
"I'm fine, Bill," insisted Millicent.
"Your dress…er…has blood on it," he hated to tell her as she hadn't even noticed, especially as it was Nathan's blood. "Besides, that dress isn't gonna be comfortable enough to let you get any sleep. And that chair's bad enough as is!"
"I suppose you're right. I need to check on Allie, too. But you two behave! Why do I get the feeling I can't trust you together?"
She gave them both a look that let them know she was on to them and they weren't going to get by with much on her watch, then she quietly closed the door, and walked across the hall to Allie's room.
"You're a lucky man, Nathan!"
"Just got shot, and I'm still the luckiest man in the world. She is everything. Everything's so simple with her. Even something…as difficult as this. I just had no idea...this was what love is. It's so much more than I ever…imagined it could be. I can't possibly deserve all this."
Nathan couldn't help but slur his words.
"Love's more than you ever imagined, because you've found your soulmate, Nathan, and she's somethin' else! I already can't imagine you without her, or her without you. Here, drink your tea…"
Nathan smiled through his drowsiness from the Morphine.
"I'm happier…than I ever imagined…possible. And it's…not...the meds!"
Bill laughed.
"Naw! Didn't think it was…"
"Momma, thank you."
"What for, Baby?"
"For including me. Dad would have waited, and waiting's hard. But Uncle Bill said it was your idea to ask me to come."
"Well, it was both of us, Allie. You're Father was in pain. I just reminded him. But we both wanted you there. Because you're part of us. And you, my Sweet, need to try to get some sleep. It'll be time for school before you know it!"
Since they weren't seeing Millicent off tomorrow, Nathan and Millicent felt it was best for Allie to go back to school during Nathan's recovery, and then maybe take the morning off when Millicent did finally go back to Montreal.
"Momma, Dad's really going to be alright, isn't he?"
"Yes, Sweetheart, you and I are going to see to it! In fact, when you get in from school, if you'll sit with him while I fix dinner, that would make me feel a whole lot better!" winked Millicent.
"Sure! Thanks, Momma!"
Allie was as proud as she could be that her Momma and Dad needed her.
It made her feel loved as she had never been loved before, and it also made her feel more grown-up, just as Millicent had hoped.
Allie was growing up. She wasn't just a child anymore. She was about to enter her teen years, and she was maturing, in spite of Nathan preferring to keep her a little girl forever.
"Momma, I love you!"
"I love you too, Angel. I'm just across the hall sitting by your Father if you need me."
Millicent pulled the covers up around her Daughter and kissed her forehead.
"Sweet dreams, Angel…"
As Millicent entered Nathan's room, Bill quickly said his goodnights and clumsily kissed her on the cheek as he walked through the door to his own room, which brought a smile to her tired face.
Millicent closed the door behind him.
"Now, for you, my patient!"
"Am I allowed to tell my nurse…how very beautiful she looks?"
She was wearing her velvet robe with the lace overlay, as it was all she had.
"Most certainly," she smiled. "But you need your rest."
"Come here…" and he patted his bed beside him.
She sat down briefly on the bed's edge, reaching to kiss him goodnight.
But as she did, he reached up with his right hand and deftly removed the comb holding up her French Twist, causing her long tresses to fall about her shoulders.
In her haste to get back to Nathan, she had completely forgotten to take down her hair.
"There…" he said, very satisfied, indeed. "There's my Angel! Now, you can relax."
"Why, Nathan Grant, you are sneaky and quick, even incapacitated with meds! I'm not sure how much relaxing there will be, though, Love. For one thing, I'm not wanting to take my eyes off of you. You're the one who has to get some sleep. You need all the sleep you can get, so you can heal your body. And Baby, you look so worn. Is your splint too uncomfortable?"
"Hate it. Do I have to keep it on in bed?"
"I'm afraid so, Love. If you turn over and move your arm, it's going to hurt worse than having the splint."
He sighed.
"I suppose you're right. But I'm sure I'd heal a lot faster if I could just hold you."
"Then you'd get no sleep, my Darling."
She took her hand and pushed his dark locks of hair back from his forehead, and he knew she was right.
But oh, how he wanted her to lay down beside him.
He just needed to hold her so badly.
She kissed him once more, then pulled his quilt up around him.
"Sweet dreams, my Darling! Just give in to the sleep. I'll be right here."
He had been fighting his drowsiness since coming home and being put in his own bed.
As Millicent sat in his bedside chair, he reached for her hand, and when she placed her hand in his, he finally closed his eyes, content and unable to fight his drowsiness any longer.
Sleep came swiftly for him, for which Millicent was so thankful.
His body was weakened by the loss of blood, and the Morphine was doing its job of withholding most of the pain, but with all its inherent side effects too, making everything jumbled to him, creating an upside-down world in his mind, one where nothing made sense.
He slept peacefully for about an hour. Millicent knew because she had never shut her eyes, watching him carefully, making sure he didn't further injure his arm in his sleep.
All of a sudden, Nathan's world catapulted to half flashback, half nightmare, and he was struggling as Millicent had never seen before.
His body was covered in sweat, and his face had a look of consternation, followed by pure horror.
He could see a shadow across the pond. Or was it two shadows? Yes, it was two shadows on horseback, and they were still, till the taller man raised his gun…
Was there a girl there?
Was it Allie?
Did they have Allie?
What's happening?"
NO. THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!
The blasting noise rang out, and it was coming for Millicent.
The bullet was coming for Millicent!
"Noooo! I have to stop it. Not Millicent…nooooo! STOP. She's…no…don't….don't hurt her!"
The words rang out through the Grant's rowhouse and even through the walls, so loudly, that Tom, was at the front door instantly using his key, climbing up the stairs.
Bill was standing in his doorway, and Millicent was doing her best to calm Nathan.
"I'm here, Love. I'm okay, Nate. You're okay. Everything's okay."
He was breathing in his air in strangling gulps, writhing in his bed.
"It's just a nightmare, Darling!"
She was trying her best to hold his injured, splinted arm, still, but he was twisting and turning.
Allie was awake now, too, and her Uncle Bill went to her and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm here with you, Baby. I'm okay. You're okay. You're alright, Love!" reassured Millicent.
Millicent finally got up in the bed beside him, holding her to him, as best she could, doing her best to soothe his broken state. Caressing his hair, and his back, as he sat half-upright, and buried his face in her shoulder, sobbing.
Only one thought kept going over and over in his jumbled, medicated mind.
How? How could he have put her through this? What if it had been her?
"Listen to me. You and I are a team, Nathan Grant, and we are safe. We are okay. Nothing is going to harm us. God is watching over us!"
His shaking body started to calm, and it was as though he finally came to, as he awoke from his nightmare.
Bill put Allie back to bed explaining it was just a nightmare. But Bill having been through this same experience many times before, knew it was much more. He also knew that whatever you called this, it wasn't going away any time soon.
The nightmares would come crashing back over time when they were least expected.
"It's the meds, Sweetheart. You go on back to sleep. Your Dad is going to be fine. I love you, Little Mountie!" and Bill kissed her goodnight, then peeked through the door, and decided to go back downstairs with Tom, where he brought Tom up to speed on what had just happened, as well as what had happened at the Henderson Cabin.
Millicent was humming an old childhood song to Nathan, holding him, doing her best to calm him further.
At last, he drifted off again, and she laid him back down, praying there would be no more nightmares…
Morning came with Millicent never having once closed her eyes.
But Allie needed breakfast and at least one of her parents, so the women of the house were in the kitchen alone together, where her Momma had finished cooking breakfast for her daughter.
"Momma, is Dad alright this morning?"
"Yes, Sweetie, he's better. He's gone back to sleep. Uncle Bill's with him, till I can go back upstairs. I made you an omelet with some ham and some toast with jam. Is that okay?"
And Millicent sat Allie's plate before her.
"It looks good. But aren't you going to eat breakfast, Momma?"
Millicent couldn't tell Allie, she didn't have an ounce of appetite.
Not after having seen what Nathan had gone through last night and again, through the night.
"Maybe later. Would you like apple juice or grape juice?"
"Grape, please! To go with my Grape Jam!"
"Grape's one of my favorites, too."
Millicent brought the juice to the table and sat down next to Allie.
But Nathan's chair was empty. As was Bill's.
And their absence was being acutely felt.
Especially Nathan's and the reason why he wasn't there.
Allie grabbed her Momma's hand.
"Since you made Breakfast for me, I'd better do the praying," she explained, bringing a smile to Millicent's worn face.
"Dear Lord, we thank you for this delicious breakfast, Momma has prepared. But, Lord, we have a problem. Dad got shot, and he needs You really bad to help him get well. Please help him get well quick, but don't let Momma leave quick. Amen!"
Millicent smiled at her Daughter.
"That's a beautiful prayer, Allie! Are you excited to be going back to school?"
"I worry about Dad."
"I know you do. And I'm not going to tell you not to, because we worry because we love him. But I will tell you a little secret I use. When I start to worry, I catch myself and say a prayer instead, and it helps keep the worry away. Why don't you try that today and see if it works for you, too?"
"That's a good idea. I'll try."
"I wrote a little note for you to give Mrs. Nelson, explaining about your Dad, so she would know if you get a bit distracted today. But you know, Allie, I think you're going to do great! If you can concentrate and do your best, that will help your Dad more than anything right now!"
"I'll try. Momma, can we do something fun tonight to cheer Dad up?"
"I think that's a great idea. You try to think of something and I will, too. Allie, you know your Uncle Kyle will be going to school with you today, right?"
"Oh, I almost forgot! That's great! I can't wait to introduce him to all the kids and Mrs. Nelson will be so happy to have someone to protect us!"
"I'm glad! Do you have all your make-up work to turn in to Mrs. Nelson?"
"Yes, Ma'am! It's all in my satchel! And it's heavy too! You'll have to go through all my grades tomorrow. Will that be okay? Since Dad is sick."
"I'd love to go over your grades, Allie. Oh, and don't forget Mrs. Nelson's thank-you gift."
"It's in my satchel, too!"
"Well, I must say! You're really on the ball!"
Since Nathan couldn't, Millicent insisted on walking Allie to school, along with Kyle and Lance.
Her fur was the only coat she had, and although most of Nathan's blood was on the lining, there was still quite a bit on the fur which didn't go unnoticed by the people she came into contact with en route to the school.
She explained as politely as she could, trying her best not to shock them, and reassuring them Nathan was okay.
Everyone was totally upset that their Constable, now Chief Inspector had been shot, but relieved to know he was recuperating, all promising to bring food, and offering to do whatever they could to help!
But Millicent's heart was anxious to get back to Nathan, and after she kissed Allie goodbye, Lance escorted her quickly back to the rowhouse…
Millicent rushed up the steps of the rowhouse and knocked lightly on Nathan's bedroom door.
Bill was instantly there.
"He's sleeping," he whispered. "If you're okay, I'll go on and check on my prisoners."
"But your breakfast…"
"I'll grab something from the Café. You call me if you need anything."
"Thanks, Bill. I will."
As Bill left, she moved to the chair beside Nathan's bed, where she had spent the night, checking to make sure his splinted arm was in the correct position, now realizing it needed to be raised as he had displaced the pillows that were supposed to be under it.
She corrected that without waking him, and then sat back down in her chair, and reached for a notepad and pen on his nightstand.
Then she started making her list.
1. Talk to Dr. about Nathan's nightmares and also diet; observe her dressing change once more.
2. Call Train Depot re Reservation and reschedule.
3. Call Sophia and Archie.
4. Call her own Parents.
5. Call Essie and Hendrix.
6. Call Richard about Nathan and her replacement.
7. Call Foundation Center re Charity Restructuring.
8. Send Wedding Planning Notes by telegram to her mother.
Promptly at 8 AM, Matt let the good Doctor in and she saw herself up the staircase.
"He's finally asleep. He had nightmares last night and didn't sleep a lot," she explained to Faith in a low voice. "Before we wake him, I was wondering about his diet. What can I give him to help the most?"
"Lots of liver, if he can stand it. And really just any protein in general, as much as you can get him to eat. It's normal for his appetite to be stunted right now, so don't expect too much. But definitely lots of fluids. You might want to start with soup that has some meat in it."
They had been talking in low voices, but Nathan heard and opened his eyes to see Millicent standing at the foot of his bed, and he couldn't help but smile.
It was faint, but it was there in all his grogginess.
"Nathan, good morning! I'm sorry to have to wake you!" exclaimed Faith.
Millicent went to his bedside and reached down to kiss him good morning.
"Good morning, Darling! Are you ready for your dressing change?"
"I think I have to be, don't I?"
"You've got that right," insisted Faith, and she proceeded to check Nathan's vitals.
"I'll go heat a basin of water," offered Millicent.
"Thanks, Millicent. How are you really feeling, Nathan?"
"Okay. Not great, but okay."
"I think you're due another dose of Morphine in about half an hour. Is it holding you?"
"Yes, but it's making me feel crazy too. I hate the feeling. The grogginess..."
"I know. I'm sorry. Afraid that's just part of it. But the alternative is worse, and it will get better. Your pressure's good, and there's no fever. So, all in all, I'm very pleased. Tell me about the nightmares."
"I'm sorry, Faith. I'd rather not talk about them."
"Understood. But talk to Millicent about them, Nathan. You have to talk to someone. And she's ready to help you in any way she can. Let her in. Don't keep it bottled up inside."
But how could Nathan tell her the nightmares were about her?
He laid his head back on his pillows, with a look of frustration, concern, and worry, all wrapped into one.
The whole time Faith was talking, she was removing his old dressing, allowing the wound to remain open till they redressed it.
"Your wound looks just as I expected. So that's good, No surprises."
When Millicent returned with the basin of hot water and several cloths, she and Faith both washed their hands with hot wetted cloths, followed by alcohol, and then Millicent watched intently as Faith changed Nathan's dressing.
"Just be sure to clean around the edges. If there's any dried blood, just wet the cloth and sort of soak it. It will come right off. Take a clean cloth and make sure the area is dry, then layer first the gauze, and then the bandaging. Make sure you leave it loose. That will allow air to get to the wound, which we want. Make sure you leave a space big enough for your little finger to fit through. Any questions?"
"No, I have it. But if it bleeds, do I automatically change the dressing again?"
"Yes, it probably won't, at least not for you to see it. But if it does, just go on and change it an extra time. Nathan, I do want you to try your best to eat as much as you can. Lots of liver and steak! All the protein Millicent can get down you," she smiled. "And lots of fluids!"
"Steak I can do. Liver not so much."
"But the liver is what you desperately need. In fact, I prescribe liver for lunch today. Dress it up any way you like, Millicent, but he does need the liver. You can give him hot soup tonight to make up for it!"
"Got it. I can do that."
"If there's not anything else, I'm going to let myself out. And I'll call the Mercantile and have them bring you the liver! You two are doing fine, and I'll be back before you know it!"
"Thank you, Doctor! We'll see you later," smiled Millicent.
"Thanks, I think…" said Nathan, with a look on his face that said anything but.
"Call if you need anything at all!"
Millicent pulled open the bedroom door, Faith had inadvertently shut on her way out.
"Babe, you look so tired."
"Now that's not exactly what a girl wants to hear!"
"Come here…"
She sat down in the chair, but he shook his head no and patted the bed beside him.
"Please sit here."
She did, but something about his tone told her this was going to be a conversation she would rather them not have to have.
He took her hand, and his eyes were full of his love for her.
"I love you, Millicent Bradford more than anything in the whole world."
"And I love you, Nathan Grant. More than anything in the whole world. I love you even when your hair's a mess!"
But he missed her joke…
"I can't do this to you. It's too dangerous."
"What's too dangerous?"
"Being with me," and a single tear fell down his face, which he didn't even bother to wipe away. "I can't lose you. I won't lose you. This could have been you last night, Mil. And it's all my fault."
"Don't you for a minute think you're getting rid of me that easily! You listen to me, Nathan Grant. You are marrying a Bradford. I'd say that makes us just about even in the danger blame game."
"Milli, are you sure you can live like this? It's too much to ask of anyone."
"Well, I'm not anyone. And you're not just asking me! You're loving me, and the answer is yes, I am absolutely sure. I'm also positively sure I can't possibly live period, without you beside me. So don't you even think like this. You and I are a team, a solid team, a forever team. Whatever comes, we go through it, together, just like this. Just like your nightmares. We go through all of it together! Every little bit of it. Don't you even think about shutting me out!"
Inside, she was exasperated that he would even go there, but her words came out with a calm and a strength that belied her frustration.
And then she realized it was the Morphine, too.
"Are YOU, sure you can live as a Bradford? Believe me, that, also, is way too much to ask of anyone!"
He pulled her down to him with his good arm.
"I now know that I can. But are you absolutely sure?"
Instead of answering with words, she answered in their kiss, in a way that there could be no mistake whatsoever.
Leaving not a single doubt.
Nathan knew this woman would never consider leaving his side, nor truthfully, could he ever consider leaving hers.
But he was experienced enough to know the nightmares would recur, and so he admitted his fear, opening himself up, letting her totally in...
"I'm scared, Mil. For the first time in my life, I'm truly scared. I just can't lose you. And in my nightmare, that bullet…I can't even say it."
"Look at me. You're not going to lose me. I'm strong and I'm tough. And I'm here to stay. Well minus one short trip back to Montreal before our Wedding!" she smiled. "You know, our Mothers are going to say you did this on purpose!"
"What if I did?" and there was that playful glimmer back in his eyes.
"Don't you even joke about a thing like that, Nathan Grant! Not even a little bit!"
"I'm truly sorry. But I'm so very happy you're here. Ten days, huh? You better believe I'm going to make the best of them."
"And I'm going to make the best of you! Allie and I need you to be well, Darling! That's all we need."
"I promise, Millicent Bradford, soon-to-be Grant, I will do my very best."
"I'm holding you to that! Today! With liver for lunch!"
He moaned.
He had met his match.
But he loved her as much as he hated Liver.
Actually even more.
Way, way, way, way more.
So much more, he couldn't breathe without her...
Bill came back to the rowhouse to sit with Nathan, so Millicent could fix his lunch.
"Wow, I never knew liver could smell so good! What's she doin' downstairs in that kitchen of yours?"
"If liver's involved, magic, I hope!" laughed Nathan. "Hurry, tell me what you've found out!"
"They are as tight-lipped as can be. And they deny all connections to anything, but our trace shows they are connected, although not heavy players. At least not yet! They sure do know you, though! They were mighty puzzled as to why Gabe is here, and not you. Gabe and I are savin' the title change for the next group," laughed Bill. "Looks like these two were ordered to send you a message, though. Some sort of warnin' to back off. But the weird thing is, these aren't the two gentlemen visitors Gabe was warned about."
"Odd that they'd send two teams of two so close together."
"Yep. It is. And this girl, I can't get anything out of her. Do you think Millicent would talk to her?"
"I'm sure she would."
"Sure she would do what? Because if it means leaving you, I'm not so sure…" frowned Millicent as she walked into the room with the most delicious aroma coming from her tray.
"Need you to talk to this girl, who hasn't said a single word since last night!"
"Can you bring her here? I don't want to leave Nathan."
Millicent set down the tray and helped Nathan sit up more comfortably, fluffing his pillows, then covered him with a large napkin, and set the tray down over his lap.
"I can do that – downstairs. If you'll just spend a little bit of time with her and see what you can get out of her. The prisoners are being transported to Union City at 2:30 and we'd rather her not know that. We also are doing it then, because we don't want Lucas to know they're here, and he just happens to conveniently be on a run to Benson Hills for the afternoon. Not at all sure what we're gonna do with her. Whatever you can find out, would be most helpful…"
"Bill, that's not a good idea. What about Allie? She'll have a million questions," interjected Nathan.
"I'll bring the girl as soon as you finish lunch, so there's no chance of Allie walkin' in on you after school."
"Good! Mil, what did you do with this liver? I can't even tell it's liver!" asked Nathan, shocked. "I mean this is really good!"
"Let me taste that…" and Bill grabbed a fork and helped himself to a bite. "Good grief, you are a Chef! This is scrumptious!"
"High praise, Gentlemen. Simple really, I got it really tender and smothered it with Caramelized Onions! And yes, I'll give you the recipe!" laughed Millicent.
Who by now knew the drill where Bill and his recipes were concerned…
Bill knocked once on the door, and Millicent quickly kissed Nathan on the cheek.
"Be right back, Darling!"
"Don't be long. And Millicent, be careful!"
"She's just a child! No worries..." smiled Millicent as she blew him a final kiss from the doorway, and quickly ran down the stairs to open the door.
"Tabbie, this is your Attorney. I'll leave you two alone so you can talk in privacy," and Bill moved to climb the steps and sit with Nathan.
"Thank you, Judge!" called Millicent, then she turned her full attention to the young girl.
"Welcome, Tabbie!"
Millicent smiled, welcoming her, and held out her hand to the young girl, who took it, and waited for direction.
She might have been with the men who shot Nathan, but this was a child, Millicent judged to be fifteen or so, who was innocent in all of this.
She also bore a striking and most familiar resemblance.
"Why don't we sit here on the settee?"
As the girl seated herself, Millicent noticed she was staring at the plate of biscuits on the coffee table.
"Help yourself to a biscuit! Would you like some tea?" asked Millicent, ready to pour.
"Yes, thank you! But I would especially love a biscuit!"
Millicent poured two cups of tea and held the plate, along with a napkin, for the young girl.
Then she pulled her chair up in front of the girl, to be closer to her, but not so close as to be threatening.
In fact, Millicent was so relaxed and welcoming, the girl relaxed.
"Are you really an Attorney?"
"Yes, I am. More specifically, I am now your Attorney. This means you can say anything whatsoever to me and it won't be held against you."
The girl nodded.
"I thought so. I mean, I thought that's what that meant. I've never had an Attorney before. At least not that I know of. You're very beautiful…" she said, trying not to stare at Millicent, but not succeeding.
"Merci beaucoup," Millicent responded on a hunch. "You're very pretty yourself."
This was an educated young lady, and Millicent also correctly surmised of French heritage.
"Est-ce que tu parles français?" asked the girl, with a look of surprise on her face, meaning 'do you speak French?'
"Mais oui, vous sentez-vous plus à l'aise pour parler francais?" responded Millicent saying in French, 'but yes, do you feel more comfortable speaking French?'
"Non, it's okay to speak English, but my French is better," explained the girl. "I'm from Paris."
"Well, either is fine with me," smiled Millicent. "And Paris is a beautiful city! I'm sure you must miss it terribly!"
"I do. I really miss..." but her voice petered out, and she shifted her eyes to the floor.
"I'm bilingual. What shall I call you?" asked Millicent with a conspiratorial smile.
"Please not Tabbie," the girls' eyes were pleading. "If I hear Tabbie one more time…"
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I thought that was your name."
The girl looked around to make sure no one had entered the room behind them, and that the Judge was nowhere to be seen at the top of the stairs.
"Mais non, Mademoiselle, it's just that I miss her. You see Tabbie's mon chat. A big Persian chat! My cat. She's beautiful! And special too! She was my Mother's cat, and she came from Paris with me on the ship. My name is Antoinette…"
