Captivated (17 page)

"I think you should get away." Viv said, interrupting her thoughts.

"What?"

"I think you should get away for a while."

"You mean like a vacation?"

Viv laughed, "We both know you wouldn't do well with the free time. I had something else in mind."

"Well are you going to share, or are you going to make me guess while I'm in such a state?" Lilli said, unable to stop a sob that bubbled up from her chest.

"I have a friend who's sister just had a baby. I talked to her the other day and said she could really use an extra pair of hands. Her husband is leaving for the war very soon and the family is looking for someone to stay with her for a few months. You would stay in her small home with her and the baby, and be there when she needed a break, or couldn't quite handle everything on her own. You love babies, and working around the house, you could definitely use the time away, and I'm sure you'll love Sarah."

"Sarah?"

"Yes, Sarah Hawkins, the mother, you would be a real encouragement. I also hear that Gracie is the most adorable baby, but that is coming from her adoring aunt, so I'm not sure it can be trusted. But let's face it, you even have a soft spot for ugly babies."

"Babies are not ugly!"

Viv laughed, "Believe me, babies are ugly sometimes. Bridget O'Connor was an ugly baby. I can still remember thinking she looked more like a mouse than a human being. Her hair was so white it didn't even look like she had eyelashes or eyebrows. And you fell in love with her right away."

"Bridget was an adorable baby!" Lilli defended.

"No, Bridget is an adorable little girl, but she didn't start to get cute until she was at least nine months old."

"You're terrible."

"Yes, I think you bring that characteristic up about every time we see each other. We both agree that I'm terrible, but you know I always tell the truth. So, what can I tell my friend, will you go?"

"It actually sounds tempting." Lilli said after a moment, still a bit upset at Viv calling Bridget an ugly baby. "Being away with a baby to focus on might do just the trick."

"Good! I'll give you Sarah's number. She wanted to speak with you personally to set everything up. I know she'll fall in love with you on the phone."

Lilli smiled for the first time that evening, she gave Viv another hug and then walked to the sink to clean up her face. Maybe she would be alright after all. She did love babies, any time with children usually swallowed up everything else on her mind. She never worried about Joe while she was with the O'Connor's, so why would she think about Sam while she was with Sarah and Grace. It was perfect, absolutely perfect, she couldn't wait to be on her way.

Chapter 16

November 10, 1944

The train ride was only a half an hour long, but Lilli's nerves had made it seem much longer. Lilli had called Sarah the day after she spoke with Viv and they had a good conversation. Sarah told her about Grace, and they agreed that Lilli should come as soon as she could after Rob's departure. Now Lilli stood on the train platform with her two suitcases, scanning the crowd for someone wearing a blue sweater.

After ten minutes of waiting in the brisk temperature, Lilli walked toward the street, hoping to see someone in a car. A green pick up pulled up, a young girl with a black braid leaned over and rolled down the window. "Are you Lillian?" she asked, her voice high pitched with a slight southern accent.

"Yes..."

Relief flooded her young face, "Hi, I'm Annie, one of Sarah's sisters. Sorry I'm late, I stalled out a couple of times on my way here."

"No problem," Lilli smiled, "thank you for coming to get me, and please call me Lilli."

"Sure!" Annie exclaimed, climbing out of the truck. "I love any excuse to drive. We'll just throw your bags in the back and be on our way. Sarah is really looking forward to meeting you. She spent all day yesterday readying your room, she wants you to be comfortable. Don't tell her I told you this, but I think she's a little afraid that you might not like her."

Lilli laughed, liking this talkative girl already, "I know exactly how she feels."

"Are you afraid Sarah won't like you?" Annie asked, her voice full of disbelief.

Lilli giggled, "Yes, I guess I am, but not just Sarah, your whole family."

"Well you don't have to worry about anything, because I already like you. If I like you, everyone else will too, we all have the same taste in people."

"Thank you for saying that Annie, I feel a little better already."

"Even if you don't like our family, you'll love Gracie. She is the sweetest thing I've ever seen. I try to visit every day after school. I tell you, she is going to be one spoiled little girl. But, she is the first baby in the family, so it's understandable. Oh, here's our house!" Annie exclaimed, turning sharply on to the gravel drive. "You'll meet Momma and Dad later I'm sure. Sarah and Rob live down the lane just a little ways. I'm sure the two of you will be at the big house for supper an awful lot. Sarah's not the greatest cook, she tries, but she always seems to forget ingredients, important ingredients."

Lilli laughed, "I love to cook."

"So does Sarah, but what she cooks tastes awful. Maybe you can teach Sarah a few things." Annie smiled, her brown eyes twinkling. "Well, here we are. Let's go in, I know Sarah's anxious to meet you, we'll come for your bags later."

Lilli nodded, swinging her feet out of the truck. She felt comforted when she saw the small yellow cottage in front of her. There was a cozy porch attached to the front with two rocking chairs. Annie skipped up the three steps leading to the door, gave a quick knock then entered, Lilli following her. The house smelled like baby powder and vanilla, Lilli smiled at the warm arrangement of furniture and colorful walls, it was an adorable home.

"Sarah! We're here, where are you?" Annie called.

"Oh no! Not yet!" Lilli heard Sarah cry from a room down the hall. "I'm not ready. Gracie has been crying since you left and I haven't been able to get in the shower, I'm an absolute mess!"

Lilli smiled, "Annie, why don't you get Gracie from Sarah, we'll watch her out here while she gets ready."

Annie nodded, entering the bedroom for a moment, then coming out with the baby. Lilli had taken off her trench and watched with a smile as Annie cam toward her with the screaming child.

"This, is Gracie, I promise, she isn't usually this noisy."

"Can I try?" Lilli asked, already feeling better than she had in months. Even when she was crying, Grace was adorable, small and perfect. Coming here had certainly been the right choice.

Annie nodded, handing over the baby. Lilli took her and was struck again by how wonderful it felt to hold her in her arms. It had been a long time since Lilli had been afforded the opportunity to hold someone so small, she had forgotten how much she loved babies. Bouncing her easily, Lilli began to talk quietly, asking how she was and introducing herself. In only a few minutes, Grace was quiet, hiccups the only reminder of her previous fit. Lilli settled onto the couch and continued her conversation with the infant.

"Wow, you're wonderful with her!"

"If you talk quietly, most babies will try to listen. The only way they can hear you is if they settle down. Most of the time they start crying for attention, but then, get so caught up in it they can't stop." Lilli turned her attention back to Grace, inspecting her deep, brown eyes, a trait that seemed to run in the family. "Would you like to show me around your house baby girl?"

Lilli began to walk around the one story house, she went to the kitchen, smiling at the clean, blue and white design. There was a small kitchen table and a high chair pushed into the corner. Next, they wandered down the narrow hall and found the bathroom, nursery and the small guest room, which Lilli guessed would be hers. After their walk, Gracie fell asleep and Lilli deposited her into the pram in the living room.

"Should I get your bags? You could unpack while we wait for Sarah, that way you'll be settled before tonight."

"I'll help you."

"That's ok, you should stay with Gracie, just in case she wakes up."

Lilli nodded, feeling more and more comfortable in her new surroundings. She pushed the pram into her bedroom and parked it next to the bed. Annie came quickly with her bags and they talked easily as Lilli placed her things in the dresser and closet of her small room. The room itself was pale yellow with white furniture. There were fresh daisies on her dresser and night stand, which matched the comforter that cloaked her bed.

They were left alone for about an hour, and when Lilli had everything placed around the room, she made coffee, anticipating Sarah coming out to visit. Annie was very entertaining, at some moments, Lilli thought she would die of lack of breath, she chattered on and on without stopping. Lilli didn't mind hearing about Annie's high school, it saved her from the awkward silence that usually occurred when she met someone for the first time.

"Hello?" a voice called from down the hallway.

"We're in the den." Annie called, smiling.

Sarah entered, her hair was blonde and pulled into a neat pony tail. Her dark honey flecked eyes matched Annie's and her smile was warm. She had rounded curves that looked to be a result of her recent pregnancy. Her outfit was simple, perfectly complementing her shape. Lilli had liked her on the telephone, but seeing her only intensified the sentiment.

"Hello Lillian, it's so nice to meet you. I'm sorry you had to wait for me, you must think me ridiculous."

"No, not at all! I am always nervous meeting new people, it helps if I feel like I look my best."

"Exactly," she smiled, "I am so glad you're here, thank you for coming."

"You're welcome, truthfully, I think being here will be of more help to me than I will be to you, and please, call me Lilli."

"You look more like a Lilli than a Lillian." Sarah smiled. "Where is Gracie? I heard her quiet down almost as soon as she came out here with you two."

"She fell asleep after she gave me the tour, she's in the pram in my bedroom."

"You found your room ok?"

"Yes, Annie showed me, I've unpacked my things, I hope that's alright."

"Thanks for showing her Annie, and thanks for picking her up. Do you have something else you needed to do today? I don't want Momma to be angry with me for keeping you all day."

"I have homework to finish." she sighed, rolling her eyes. "It was great to meet you Lilli, I'll see you again, probably tomorrow." Annie laughed, pulling on her jacket and was out the door swiftly.

"I made some coffee, I hope that's alright. I thought we could have a cup and talk over what you expect of me."

"That sounds wonderful, and it's perfectly fine that you made coffee, I want you to feel at home here. Can I pour you a cup?"

"Yes, please." Lilli smiled, moving to the kitchen.

Sarah took two large blue mugs from the cabinet and filled them. Then she got the milk and sugar from the cabinet before settling beside Lilli at the table. Both were silent as they fixed their coffee. Sarah took a sip, "This is the most delicious coffee I've ever had."