“But she didn’t whimper or try to get you to pick her up?” There were, after all, clues that weren’t visual.
“She did stop and start a lot. I assumed she was looking at flowers or something.”
The spot was too red and puffy to be a new splinter and might be difficult to get out. “Let’s take her inside and see if we can’t remove it. Will you stay and hold her, Finbarr? That would make it easier.”
“Whatever you need from me.”
“I can help, too,” Emma said.
By the time a needle had been procured, cleaned by a flame, and cooled, Finbarr was sitting on Eliza’s bed with Lydia held in his arms. There wasn’t the slightest bit of discomfort in his posture. Despite being the youngest in his family, he was entirely comfortable in the role of older brother. Emma sat next to him, facing Lydia. She had the doll giving kisses to all three of them, earning giggles of approval.
“This is going to hurt,” Eliza warned her two helpers. “So give the poor dear as much love as you can manage.”
Oh, how she hated the sound of her daughter’s cries of pain. Emma clearly did, as well. Finbarr was solid as the earth itself. He whispered soothingly and rubbed Lydia’s arms in slow, gentle movements.
The rest of the Archer family were soon at the door, obviously worried.
“She has a splinter in her foot,” Emma explained, her voice tight with worry.
“All will be well, Miss Emma,” Finbarr said. “You’ll see.”
Eliza dug again, praying fervently that she’d get the splinter out this time. She was so close.
Lydia’s yelps of pain turned to sobs. Finbarr held her more closely. Emma rested her head against his arm, clearly trying to keep her own emotions in check.
A quick flick of the needle, and the splinter popped out. “I got it.” Eliza pressed a rag to Lydia’s foot, soaking up the little trickle of blood.
Ivy tiptoed up beside her. She leaned against Eliza much the way Emma did with Finbarr. “Is Lydia’s foot going to get better?”
“Her foot will be grand altogether.”
Ivy smiled up at her. “Mama says that. A lot of the Irish families do.”
“I learned it from Maura Callaghan,” Eliza said. “It’s very useful, isn’t it?”
Ivy nodded. “Is Emma going to be sad because of Lydia’s foot?”
Finbarr answered. “She’ll be grand altogether too.”
Emma sat up a bit straighter, swiping quickly at telltale moisture in her eyes. But she didn’t appear upset or offended at being talked about. “I don’t like when people are hurting,” she said.
“You have a good heart, Miss Emma,” Finbarr said. “Don’t ever be embarrassed about that.”
Joseph and Katie, holding Sean, watched their daughters with love and pride. Emma appeared more at peace with Finbarr now, and he with her. Ivy was curious but kind. Lydia was clearly comforted by the embrace from her “big brother.”
No, being housekeeper for this family hadn’t been Eliza’s first choice. But she was discovering the position to be a blessing in disguise. A blessing she was more grateful for every day.
