Orphan Train Sweetheart. Mollie Campbell

must have had a joyless trip with these two in charge.

      Stepping forward, Cecilia extended her hand to the man. “I’m Cecilia Holbrook, Spring Hill’s schoolteacher. It’s a pleasure to have you here.”

      He took her hand in his large, rough one. “Simon McKay. Nice to meet you, Miss Holbrook.”

      “Please, call me Cecilia. Some things tend to be rather informal out here on the frontier.”

      Turning to the woman and trying to smile again, Cecilia wasn’t at all surprised by the look of disdain on the agent’s face as they shook hands. “And I’m Effie Wright. Miss Wright, if you please.”

      All too aware of Cat’s muttered grumbles behind her about Miss Wright’s aloofness, Cecilia pulled her sister forward. “This is my sister, Cat. We’re very glad you made it before the rain started.”

      Simon greeted Cat in much the same way he had her, but Cecilia couldn’t miss the way his eyes lingered on her sister. She had come to expect that response. Cat was stunning and vivacious. Men were always drawn straight to her, as Cecilia had learned the hard way. Fighting to unclench her jaw, Cecilia gestured toward the door. “Let’s get you all inside before we get soaked.”

      Miss Wright sniffed in displeasure, as if Cecilia was somehow responsible for the weather, then started herding children out of the wagon.

      The four adults made quick work of getting them all inside the building. The Thomas House was a quiet, clean establishment and Cecilia had made certain to get their special guests the best rooms available. Just as the ladies of the town had instructed.

      Inside the lobby, Cecilia retrieved keys from the young man at the desk. She handed two to Simon, who then took the four boys in the group and led them to their reserved rooms. Cecilia took the other two keys and led Miss Wright and the six girls to their rooms.

      It only took a few minutes before Miss Wright dismissed Cecilia with a haughty sniff. Heading back to the first floor, Cecilia paused halfway down when Simon called her name. He loped down the stairs to join her, his position one step above her putting him quite close. “Thank you for helping us get settled. Is everything ready for placing out the children tomorrow?”

      Cecilia gripped the handrail. The pleasant, masculine scent that surrounded him caught her off guard. “Yes, I believe we’ll have a fine turnout. The timing couldn’t be better. This area took a hard hit with the financial crisis a few years ago. My own sister and brother-in-law adopted twins last year when no one else could take them. But we’re recovering now and people are ready to reach out to the less fortunate. The town has responded with a great deal of excitement.”

      Simon held her gaze with those pale eyes. “That’s good to hear. Part of the duties of a placing agent is to ensure that the children go to good homes where they will be well cared for. Were you informed that Miss Wright and I will be staying in town for several weeks to visit the families after their placements?”

      Shaking her head, Cecilia bit her lower lip. “No, I wasn’t aware of that. I’m sure your rooms can be reserved for that amount of time. And the Ladies’ Aid Society will take care of any other needs you may have.” Which meant more work for her. But it was for the children. It would be worthwhile.

      “Thank you for that. We very much appreciate it. And...” He hesitated, a slight grimace coming over his face. “I’m sorry for Miss Wright’s curt behavior. She’s a little difficult to get to know, but she has boundless energy. That’s vital with so many children to look after.”

      Cecilia felt some of the tension drain out of her shoulders. He could have apologized for his own demeanor, as well. But maybe his admission meant at least one of the placing agents would be easy to work with. Looking up from her spot one step below Simon, she thought she caught him sneaking an appraising glance at her. She mustered a teasing tone, hoping a little banter would lighten his mood even more. “We all have our burdens to bear, I suppose. I happen to have a sister I always have to apologize for. But please let me know if you need anything else.”

      Her heart fell when his lips turned down in another frown. She had offended him again. He started to turn away even as he spoke. “Yes, of course. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

      She watched his retreating back for a moment before she rushed down the stairs, chest burning. As always, she had made a fool of herself in front of a handsome man. She chided herself for letting her imagination run away with her. What had made her think she could be lighthearted and playful with him? And she was a fool for imagining there could have been a spark of interest in his eyes. Simon was only in Spring Hill to do his job. And he didn’t seem very happy about it.

      * * *

      Simon rose early the next day, feeling like he hadn’t rested at all. He always slept poorly the night before placing out children. He couldn’t help worrying about the orphans, about the people who would come to look them over and about his own feelings getting in the way. He wanted nothing more than for each child to find a happy, loving home, but that didn’t always happen. And those instances haunted him.

      Stepping into the hotel lobby, he was startled to see Miss Wright standing next to her travel bag, bonnet in hand. She met his gaze with a stubborn expression. “Mr. McKay, I’m sorry to inform you that I’m leaving. This trip is more than I can handle. I’ve made arrangements to leave on the stagecoach this morning.”

      It took several seconds before Simon could respond. “What do you mean you’re leaving? We’re placing out the children today. I need your help.”

      The woman’s eyes shifted away. At least maybe she felt a hint of remorse for threatening to leave him shorthanded. “I simply can’t stay. These frontier towns—with the dust and the rough people—are getting to be too much. I’m going back to Chicago to stay with my daughter.”

      Pressure built in Simon’s chest, making his head throb. “Miss Wright, please. You know we’re supposed to check in on the families in pairs. What am I supposed to do if you leave?”

      Her face softened a minuscule amount but her voice was still firm. “You can find someone trustworthy here, I’m sure. Perhaps that young schoolmarm. She seems competent. I don’t know, but it’s no longer my concern.”

      It was clear that she wasn’t going to change her mind and Simon refused to beg her to stay. The last thing he wanted to do was to ask the lovely teacher to spend hours riding out to rural homes by his side. But that was starting to look like his only option. “Fine, Miss Wright. I wish you the best and will pray you have safe travels.”

      He whipped around and went straight to the hotel desk. It took several minutes, but he managed to convince the young man there to keep an eye on the children during their breakfast. Then he left the hotel and walked to the small school, where they would gather the orphans and prospective parents later. If he waited a bit, maybe he could intercept Cecilia before anyone else arrived and he could ask for her help in private. But, to his surprise, the door was cracked open. He peeked in and saw that Cecilia was already there. Tension tightened his shoulders.

      Their first meeting yesterday had not been his best moment. Her stormy blue eyes and tall, slender frame had caught his attention and that was something he couldn’t have. Distraction led to mistakes. And he had too many young lives in his care to let mistakes happen. No, he had realized that his life traveling the rails would never mix well with women and marriage. So he had to keep his mind off them.

      But it hadn’t taken any time at all to see that Cecilia cared about the orphans and getting them placed in good homes. Now that he found himself in a situation where he needed help, she might be his best prospect in this town. He had to pull himself together and keep her on his side.

      Pushing away from the door frame, Simon cleared his throat to make his presence known. Cecilia turned, eyes wide with surprise. “Oh, I didn’t know you were here. I wanted to get an early start on clearing space so everything will be ready when the children arrive.”

      Simon joined her near the front of the room and took hold of the other end of the desk she