“For a few days?” I asked, considering it.
I didn’t want to stick around here with a rather inquisitive policeman trying to unravel my secrets, but the boys . . . I looked down at the two wild-haired, smudgy faced boys staring up at me with hopeful eyes. With a sinking feeling deep in my soul that hit me right smack in the belly, I knew I couldn’t turn away from the needs of these two little boys. A true witch, a white witch, was driven to give aid wherever it was asked.
For a moment I recalled my journey: the freedom of drifting from place to place without obligations or duties, of sleeping under the stars and enjoying the solitude of nature — that was hard to cast off, but I really had no choice.
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll stay with Carlo and Frances for a while.”
Frances hugged me tighter and said, “Thank you.”
Little Carlo sighed contentedly, or with as much contentment as he could seize in the current situation. Then he whispered, “I’m glad you’re our mommy now.”
That was not good. I started to correct him, but Mrs. Penn was saying something to me. I paused to listen.
“Mrs. Smith passed on a week or so ago. Her house stands empty with no heirs to take it over. It should do nicely for you three. And I will make sure that food is delivered, and we’ll provide clothes for the boys and anything else needed.”
I swallowed hard and drew in a great, big breath. “That sounds really nice — about the house and everything, but I have a horse to tend. He and I always . . .”
Mrs. Penn interrupted, as she seemed prone to do, her prominent beak of a nose seemingly posed to peck away all obstacles in her path. “Mrs. Smith’s house has a big yard. That should suffice. I’ll order some hay for the horse.”