Free Angel of the Cove by Sandra Robbins Page A

something before I even met you. I hope you ain’t mad at me for doin’ it.”
    Anna shook her head and smiled. “There’s no reason for me to be angry with you. After all, we hadn’t met. Now that we have, I hope we’re going to be great friends.”
    â€œI hope so too. We’s lucky to have you here.”
    â€œNo, I’m the lucky one to be here with Granny. I’ve never met anyone who knows so much about treating people’s illnesses.” Anna helped Laura settle the baby back into its nursing position and pulled the shirt tight around the baby. “Laura, I meant to ask Granny, but I forgot. Why did she wrap the baby in your husband’s shirt?”
    Laura ran her hand over the top of the baby’s head. “It’s jest a mountain way of doin’ thangs. Been passed down for years. It’s ’sposed to bring good luck.”
    A crash from the other room caught Anna’s attention. “Uh-oh, that sounded like something hit the floor. I guess I’d better see about your other two children.”
    Laura reached out to Anna. “Watch out for them two. They can be a handful.”
    Anna felt a twinge of fear at the thought of the two surly-faced children. She tucked the cover around Laura and the baby. “They’re such good-looking children. How old are they?”
    â€œLucy’s seven and Ted’s five.”
    Anna smiled and hoped it looked sincere. “I’m sure we’ll be friends in no time,” she said. She hoped she sounded convincing.
    Laura gazed up at Anna. “Thank you for stayin’ with us while Pete’s off to git my sister. I thank you kindly for that.”
    â€œIt’s my pleasure. Your husband said for you not to worry. Some of the neighbors are going to check on your livestock while he’s gone, and I’ll take care of all of you here.” She reached down and touched the baby’s cheek. “Especially this little fellow.”
    Laura inclined her head toward the kitchen. “Well, you ain’t tangled with them other two yet. Let me know if you need me to step in.”
    Anna glanced over her shoulder at the other room and swallowed. She wished for a moment that Granny hadn’t left with Pete. Of course she needed to be at home in case someone else needed her, and Pete was going right by her house. With a sigh Anna squared her shoulders and headed to the kitchen.
    Lucy and Ted sat at the kitchen table, their arms folded on its top. Anna stopped next to the table and stared at the two children. Their mouths were turned down in frowns. Her gaze drifted to the floor, where a pot lay on its side. She stooped, picked it up, and placed it back on the stove. Taking a deep breath, she turned to the children. “What’s the matter?”
    Lucy’s eyes peered at her from underneath the auburn hair that hung across her forehead. Her lips protruded in a pout. “We’re hungry. When’s Mama gonna cook supper?”
    Anna pasted a big smile on her face. “Your mother has to stay in bed with the new baby. I’ll fix you something to eat.”
    They looked at each other and then back to her. Lucy crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “You know how to cook?”
    Anna searched her mind for something to say. “Well, I’m sure I can’t cook like your mama can, but I’ll try.”
    Both of them sighed and sank down, their chins resting on their hands. Ted stared up at her, his freckled face drawn into a frown, and wiped the sleeve of his shirt across his nose. “What you know how to cook?”
    Anna glanced around the kitchen and sighed. “We’ll soon find out,but I think I’d better get a bucket of water first. We used most of what your Pa brought in from the well while your brother was being born.”
    Her statement triggered no reaction. She might as well have been talking to her uncle’s horse Toby as these two. She