Free Acadian Star by Helene Boudreau

Joseph on one hip and wrapped her arm around Geneviève to warm her.
    â€œI just wanted to see Papa. With Maman gone, I just can’t bear the thought of losing him too.”
    â€œBut your papa would want you to be safe. Imagine what he’d think if he knew you were out here like this, looking for him. And little Daniel—he needs you.”
    â€œI know that now. It was stupid of me to go. In my heart, I know Papa is gone.”
    â€œBut you didn’t want to turn your back on him. I understand, Geneviève, really I do.” Meg kissed her and Joseph too, then hugged them both.
    Joseph wriggled out of her arms. “Blech, Margit.”
    The two girls let out a laugh. Meg sighed at the sight of the smile on Geneviève’s face.
    â€œLet’s go home.” Meg wrapped Geneviève’s arm around hers and took Joseph by the hand. She led the group through the forest and up the rutted path back to the house.
    Madame Galland met them at the door with baby Daniel in her arms as they arrived.
    â€œ Merci le beau Dieu !” She whisked the group into the house.
    â€œWhen I found the dish at the door and no one at Madame Douaron’s, I didn’t know what to think!”
    â€œWe’re sorry we made you worry.” Meg helped Geneviève sit on a chair by the table. Joseph scooped Mache-couine into his arms and scrambled up on the bed.
    â€œWhere were you?” Madame Galland demanded. “I was afraid the soldiers had taken you.” She patted the bundle in her arms, trying to quiet the fussy baby.
    â€œIt was my fault,” Meg said. “We got separated, then Joseph came to find me. But we’re together now.”
    Madame Galland grabbed Meg by the arm and pulled her to the other side of the room. She fixed her gaze on Meg, her eyes filled with fury.
    â€œYou left her alone? How could you? Of all the times to disappoint me.”
    â€œI…I’m sorry.” Meg shrank back at the outburst.
    Madame Galland struggled to compose herself. She turned away from the others and spoke in a low voice. “I have a baby who can’t be settled, a boy with an air for adventure, and a blind girl to look after. If I can’t depend on you, Marguerite…” Her voice trembled as she spoke. “Well, I really don’t know what I’ll do.”
    Meg was left breathless by Madame Galland’s words.
    Madame Galland turned and crossed the room to put Daniel in the cradle, then pulled a blanket over Joseph as he lay snuggled on the bed with the cat. “Come, Geneviève. Sit by the fire and warm up. I’ll get you some fresh clothes.”
    Madame Galland helped Geneviève change into dry stockings. When she returned to the cradle to tend to the baby, Meg took a deep breath and crossed the room to the trunk to retrieve a hairbrush.
    â€œHere.” She loosened Geneviève’s ribbons and brushed the strands away from her face. “Let me fix your hair.”
    She pulled the brush through Geneviève’s hair with long, fluid strokes. The motion brought her back to Picasse Bay. This could have easily been Nève’s hair she was brushing. A hopeless sadness threatened to overwhelm her as she laid one tress over the other in a neat braid, then secured it with a ribbon.
    â€œThere, that’s better.” Meg cleared her throat and sat by the fire next to Geneviève. Madame Galland looked up from the cradle and offered an appreciative smile.
    â€œThank you, Marguerite.” Geneviève rested her head on Meg’s shoulder. “For everything. You’re the best friend a girl could have.”
    A pang of guilt rose within Meg. Brushing Geneviève’s hair was one thing, but could she really take on the responsibility Madame Galland was asking of her?
    She’d stopped herself from returning to the present when she’d found out Geneviève was in danger. But given the chance again, would she make the