Finding Home by Elizabeth Sage Read Free Book Online

saying she had to
park the car around back. But I had the feeling she also didn’t
want to be there when Kiera and I met. That woman is hiding
something, I thought. But what?
    I stood for a minute wondering how to
proceed, then marched up to the double front doors, which had
pretty arched tops like the windows. I stood in the little alcove
the two turrets made and took a deep breath. Then I reached up to
grasp the heavy brass knocking ring.
    A petite blonde woman opened the door.
“Lucienne? I’m Kiera Talbot. And I’m so pleased to meet you.” Her
voice, strong and melodic, surprised me. She wasn’t much more than
five feet tall, and she had a look of quiet sorrow about her. But
as I shook her hand I felt the determined grip of someone who does
not give up.
    “I’m sorry I didn’t come to the airport,” she
said. She was wearing a charcoal knit dress overlaid with a single
strand of pearls. “I don’t drive and I try to avoid car travel as
much as possible. I tend to suffer from motion sickness. But do
please come in.”
    Just for a moment I hesitated, knowing that
even to enter that house was a step towards committing myself. But money, money, money , made me go on. I followed Kiera across
the hall into a spacious living room. A carved pine fireplace
monopolized the far wall and opposite it the turret window offered
a view out over the ocean. There was a smell of lemon furniture
polish and loving care.
    “Shall I serve tea, Kiera?” Phoebe MacLaren’s
voice called from somewhere at the back of the house.
    Kiera motioned for me to sit down. “Oh yes,
please Phoebe. That would be lovely.”
    “What a wonderful house!” I said, overeager.
“What a beautiful room!” The pale golden-yellow walls were set off
by creamy white woodwork and dark antique furniture. By the window
stood a spinning wheel with a willow basket of homespun wool beside
it. I sat with care on a carved settee upholstered in gold
brocade.
    I felt unusually nervous. It was so obvious
we were looking each other over. I knew I had no real reason to be
worried – as a caseworker I’d interviewed far less friendly people
in far less pleasant surroundings. Kiera was neither hostile, nor
withdrawn, nor in denial. On the contrary, she looked like she’d
dressed up to greet me, as if my arrival were a big event.
    And for the first time ever, I realized, I
might be giving someone a child, rather than taking one away.
    But still, this was different. This was no
client interview. This was my life.

Chapter 5
     
     
    In my anxiety I couldn’t help blathering at
Kiera. “Nick said Malagash was a special house, but I never
expected something like this. I’ve never seen anything like it. Has
it always been in your family?”
    Kiera sat down across from me, in an ivory
velvet wing chair by the fireplace. “Oh no, my father bought it the
year I was born. His father had brought him on a fishing trip to
Nova Scotia when he was a boy, and he never forgot it. We lived in
New York City, and this was where he came to get away from things,
to relax. He considered it the last unspoiled place on earth. Felt
it inspired him and kept him human in his cut-throat business
world. And I agree, it is very special. I just love it here.”
    There was a long silence. I could hear the
mantle clock ticking. Then Kiera said, “Well. So here you are. How
was the drive?”
    “Fine,” I said. “But I couldn’t figure Phoebe
out. First she didn’t want to talk, and then she told me some
really personal stuff, about her husband and all.”
    Kiera gave a sad smile. “Well, she has her
reasons.”
    “Does she know what I’m here for?”
    “Yes. And it’s huge conflict for her. You
see, she raised me, and she’s more of a mother than my own, who I
haven’t seen in years. And she’s desperate for a grandchild, but
she doesn’t approve of our plan. Thinks it’s morally wrong or
something.”
    “Ah,” I said. “That would explain a lot.”
    “And she’s never