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isn’t necessary if you don’t feel comfortable with making the boy a part of your family, Miss Delancy. These children are brought west in hopes of getting them the education and training for the future that they would never have the opportunity to get in New York City. Shopkeeping would be an excellent trade for the boy, for, as you have seen, he’s eager to know more about the world around him. Unlike the other children, he hasn’t shown interest in the farms we passed on the train. I believe he would be much happier living in Haven than on a farm.”
    â€œMaybe Mr. Anderson at the livery—”
    Reverend Faulkner intruded to say, “He stopped me on the street during the chase and let me know that I need not ask him to take in the boy.”
    â€œYour store would be the perfect place for Sean, Miss Delancy,” continued Mr. Barrett as if neither of them had spoken. “Rather than as a member of your family, you could consider him an apprentice.”
    Emma guessed he had repeated these words with slight variations many times over. “You’re very persuasive, Mr. Barrett.”
    â€œMy job requires me to be so.”
    â€œI could use help at the store. That is true, but it’s also true that I know nothing about raising boys. I have only a sister.” She looked hastily away from Reverend Faulkner’s kind eyes, not wanting him to guess she was not being honest.
    The minister put his hand on her shoulder. “I knew we could count on you, Emma. Why don’t you go back to the store while we talk to the boy?”
    â€œSo he might not wish to be at the store?” She could not keep the hope out of her voice.
    Mr. Barrett shook his head. “We at the Children’s Aid Society serve in a parental role, Miss Delancy, and it’s a parent’s place to make such decisions. Not the child’s, for no child, especially one as young as Sean, can possibly make such a choice alone.”
    â€œGo on back to the store,” Reverend Faulkner said. “We’ll be there shortly with the necessary paperwork to have Sean O’Dell stay with you.”
    Emma nodded, then backed away as the two men continued talking. She turned and almost stumbled, although the floor was smooth and even. When someone asked if she was all right, she murmured an answer that she was.
    Another lie. Letting Reverend Faulkner and Mr. Barrett talk her into taking this child had been among the most foolish things she had ever done. Almost as foolish as letting Miles Cooper woo her into becoming his wife to give himself a legitimate place in her hometown.
    She shivered as she stepped back out of the Grange, not from the cold, but from the memories that poured forth to taunt her. No, nothing had been as stupid as marrying Miles Cooper.
    Hurrying across the green, where the grass was still brown from winter, Emma sought the sanctuary that always helped her force scenes of the past from her head. She had found a home here in Haven, and, within her store, she could focus on the present and leave behind her the events of seven years ago. She even could walk past the brick courthouse where Lewis Parker had his office without wanting to flee in fear.
    Her steps slowed when she saw the weathered buckboard was still in front of the store’s porch. When Mr. Sawyer came out of the store carrying a large bag of seed, he swung the sack into the back of his buckboard as effortlessly as if it were a feather pillow. Bending to lift another that was on the porch, he paused. He stood and leaned one elbow on the wagon’s side. Again he tipped his hat to her with a grace that suggested he would be as comfortable in an eastern ballroom as here on the streets of Haven.
    â€œMiss Delancy, I think I owe you an apology.”
    She shook her head, hoping someone or something would delay Reverend Faulkner and Sean in the Grange Hall. Having them show up now might infuriate Mr. Sawyer again. Now he