Chapter 2 - The First Word in Twelve Months|
Marcus crossed the hall so quickly that the maid stepped out of his way.
"What did you say, sweetheart?"
Lily immediately withdrew her hand.
Her shoulders rose, and she pressed the rabbit against her chest.
Norah recognized the change.
The moment had been beautiful, but the adults had almost destroyed it by surrounding the child with excitement.
"Mr. Ellery," she said quietly. "Please don't ask her to repeat it."
Marcus stopped.
"She spoke."
"I heard her."
"She said rabbit."
"Yes."
His expression changed from astonishment to desperation.
"Then she can speak again."
Norah looked at him carefully.
"She may. But she doesn't owe anyone another word."
Vivien stood.
"That is ridiculous. This family has spent a fortune on specialists. We have brought in the finest doctors in New York, and now a woman with a cardboard folder is telling us how to raise Lily?"
Norah picked up her papers.
"No, ma'am. I'm telling you that she deserves to feel safe."
The silence that followed was uncomfortable.
Marcus looked down at his daughter.
"Lily, would you like Norah to stay?"
The little girl stared at the rabbit.
Then she nodded.
It was the smallest movement.
But Marcus looked as though someone had handed him back a piece of his heart.
"You're hired," he said.
Vivien immediately objected.
"Marcus!"
"She starts today."
"You're making an emotional decision."
"Perhaps I should have made more of those during the past year."
His mother looked offended.
Norah, meanwhile, was trying not to show how badly she needed the job.
Her mother's hospital bill was due in seven days. The Delaney family had withheld two months of wages after dismissing her without notice, and the money she had saved was almost gone.
She needed this position.
But as she looked at Lily, she understood that the child needed something money could not automatically purchase.
Time.
Patience.
And someone who would listen without insisting on an answer.
Marcus arranged for Norah to move into the guest wing.
The room was larger than her entire apartment, with a private bathroom, a fireplace, and windows overlooking the garden.
Norah placed her suitcase beside the bed.
She had barely unpacked when a knock sounded.
Marcus stood outside.
"I want to explain something."
"Of course, sir."
"Lily's mother died last year."
Norah lowered her eyes.
"I'm sorry."
"Her name was Evelyn. She was driving home from a charity event when another vehicle struck her car. Lily was in the back seat."
He paused.
"The doctors say Lily's physical injuries healed. But she hasn't spoken since the accident."
"Was anyone else in the car?"
"Her mother was driving. The housekeeper was supposed to collect them, but Evelyn insisted on taking Lily herself."
Norah listened carefully.
"Does Lily remember what happened?"
"Nobody knows."
"Has she ever tried to communicate another way?"
Marcus frowned.
"She points sometimes. She draws. But mostly she keeps to herself."
Norah nodded.
"Then I'll pay attention."
Marcus looked at her as though he wanted to say something else.
Instead, he handed her a small envelope.
"Your first month's salary. And an advance, if you need it."
Norah opened it and immediately closed it again.
"Thank you."
"Your mother is in the hospital, isn't she?"
She stiffened.
"How did you know?"
"It was in your employment application."
Norah had almost forgotten including that detail.
Marcus lowered his voice.
"Whatever treatment she needs, let me know."
She shook her head.
"I don't want charity."
"It's an advance."
"Then I'll repay it."
For the first time, Marcus almost smiled.
"You're stubborn."
"I've been told."
That evening, Norah found Lily sitting beneath the dining room table.
The girl had arranged six wooden blocks in a straight line.
Norah sat on the floor several feet away.
"What are we building?"
Lily didn't answer.
Norah examined the blocks.
"Is this a road?"
Lily shook her head.
"A fence?"
Another shake.
Norah waited.
Finally, Lily placed one block on top of another.
A tower.
Norah smiled.
"That's a tall one."
Lily carefully added a third block.
Then she reached for a fourth.
But before she could place it, her fingers trembled.
The tower collapsed.
Lily immediately covered her ears.
Norah didn't touch her.
She simply began arranging the blocks again.
"We can build another one."
Lily watched her.
Then she took Norah's hand and placed it beside the blocks.
It was the first time she had willingly touched another adult since the accident.
Neither woman noticed the housekeeper watching from the doorway.
And neither noticed that Vivien Ellery had appeared behind her.
Vivien's eyes moved from Lily's hand to Norah's face.
May you like
Her expression hardened.
Because for the first time in a year, her granddaughter was choosing someone other than her family.
