Let Loose the Dogs by Maureen Jennings Read Free Book Online

she’s quite better. She’s delicate, Jess is. And she’s still keening over the baby.”
    The woman sucked on her lip as if she’d tasted something rather good. “That’s as may be, but there’s not a woman born who hasn’t experienced some sorrow. Most of us just carry on with our duties.”
    “Jess has done that, Mrs. McIsaac. But it was a sad loss to both of us.”
    “There’s no denying that and it a boy, but it’s going on four months now. She should be better than this. I myself have known sorrow, as I’ve told you.”
    “Many a time,” Lacey couldn’t resist interrupting, but Mrs. McIsaac was oblivious.
    “A husband struck down in the prime of his life, and me with nine children to raise. I buried five, Mr. Lacey, five little ones. So I know what it is to keen. But your wife is a young lass. She’ll have lots more bairns, I’m sure.”
    She glanced over at him rather lasciviously, and he thought for a moment she was going to ask him if he was fulfilling his manly duty.
    He went over to the table and sat down. Mrs. McIsaac pursed her lips. “What I don’t understand is why she’s had such a setback. I thought she was getting over things. She must have had some kind of shock. Did a gypsy come by? Or a beggar?”
    Lacey gulped down some of the tea. “Not that I know of.” He ran his fingers through his hair, making tufts stand up about his ears. “I’m sorry, Mrs. McIsaac. I know it’s hard on you, too. Sally can be difficult. I’ll try to give you a bit extra at the end of the week.”
    “Where are you going to get extra? I know what wages you’re making. You havna got no extra.”
    “Then I’ll make it up other ways. I’ll bring you over some more firewood. I’ll chop some first thing tomorrow.”
    “That’ll be a help, no denying, but I’m no telling you these things so you’ll do more for me. I’m telling you because you should know. She looks like she could go into a decline, and then there’s no saying what would happen.”
    “It’s on account of this weather. Jess never did like days like this. She used to say the grey got right under her skin and made her mind the same colour.”
    “Mebbe. You must be firm with her. If you’re too soft, she’ll just stay like this.”
    Lacey shook his head. “She’ll come around, I tell you. She was smiling like her old self just a couple of days ago.”
    Mrs. McIsaac stood up. “Have it your way, but dinna say I didna warn you.” She went over to the door. “I’ve got to be off fore it gets dark. I’ve put on some potatoes ready to boil, and there’s the pork you can fry up when you’re ready.”
    “Thank you, ma’am. And Mrs. McIsaac, I do truly appreciate how much you’re helping me out, but if you can be back by six I’d be much obliged. I’ve been late getting to work. Newcombe is being kind seeing the circumstances, but I can’t afford to lose my job.”
    Mrs. McIsaac shrugged. “I’ll do my best, but I have my own family to take care of.”
    She pulled her shawl tight around her head and stepped out into the chill air. Lacey watched as she trudged down the path and disappeared among the trees. Then he went back to the table and sat down, his head in his hands.
    Sour old tart she is, making him sweat for every inch she gives .
    Sally whimpered and he held his breath, listening. But she didn’t wake up, and he relaxed again. Jess had been glad when she found there was a second child on the way. She was softer, allowing him closer than before. He had even painted the name SYLVANUS on the side of the cradle. Jess had laughed. “It’s too old-fashioned a name, and besides, how do you know it’s going to be a boy?”
    “I was told it means ‘dweller in the woods,’ which is where we live now. And besides, I know I’ve given you a son.”
    She’d waved her hand at him dismissively, but he could see that secretly she was pleased. The infant was, in fact, a boy, but he was born three months too soon and he had