Coming home

chapter 16

Claire barely slept. She laid there most of the night thinking about everything Luke told her. When she would dose off, she would be awakened by strange dreams. She was back in her youth and was pregnant. She had tried to keep it a secret, but every time she tried to hide her pregnancy, it seemed her belly would just grow. The bigger her belly got, the more people were drawn into her dream until she had the whole town there, and that’s when her water broke.

Claire shot up in bed and instantly regretted it as pain shot through her shoulder. The pain cleared the cobwebs of sleep, and it dawned on her that if what Luke said was true, then that would make Elizabeth her niece. Half niece? Exactly how would that be labeled? Not many of her thoughts or dreams had made any sense to her, but they did bring up some more questions that she needed to be answered.

Claire glanced at her clock. Holy hell, it was already almost 10. The thought sparked her into motion. She threw on her robe and made her way to the kitchen. She paused right before she entered the kitchen to try to make out the strange voice she heard.

“She had a rough day yesterday, so this morning has been slow starting. She didn’t mention having interviews,” she heard Luke respond.

“That’s quite alright. I can wait,” came a faint familiar voice Claire couldn’t quite place.

Crap, Claire thought. With all the chaos of yesterday, she had totally forgotten about the interview she had set up for today. Claire rounded the corner prepared to offer an apology when she spotted the older woman sitting there. Memories of her childhood flashed through her mind, freezing the apology stuck in her throat. Ms. Bailey. A little older, her eyes starting to show the beginnings of crows feet, but it was indeed Ms. Bailey. Claire could never forget the brightness of the older woman's emerald eyes or the hue of her red hair. She had been their housekeeper when Claire was young, then one day she just was gone without any explanation.

“Ms. Bailey,” Claire greeted enthusiastically. “How have you been?”

“Just fine, Honey, and it’s Mrs. Ashworth now. Just call me Kathryn, though.”

“Okay, Kathryn,” Claire mimicked. “Wow, that feels so strange. It may take a while to get used to.”

Kathryn smiled, causing the wrinkles around her eyes to be more pronounced. "Imagine how strange it was for me back then. I was only 18, and I was being called Ms. Bailey.” Kathryn responded, eyeing Luke as he sat coffee down in front of them both. Obviously, she and Luke had already had a similar discussion.

Claire had never seen it like that. When you were a child, anyone who seemed older was seen as an adult and had authority over you. If Claire had shown any disrespect back then, then there would have been a punishment involved that she didn’t even want to think about.

“Well Kathryn,” Claire stated with more confidence. “There isn’t going to be anyone more qualified for the job than you and as long as you don’t care about it only being temporary, then I see no reason for you not to have the job.” Kathryn nodded in agreement.

“ Well that’s settled then. So when can you start?”

“Right now, if you like? I had just got back to town and hadn’t even thought of a job until I heard about this one.”

“Well, normally I would show you around, but you already know the territory so... oh, hey Elizabeth. You need to meet Elizabeth,” Claire shot a questioning look at Luke, who seemed to have taken up residence, leaning up against the counter.

“I sent her outside,” Luke answered. “She was starting to get antsy.”

“Well, let her play and Ms…,” Claire stuttered, feeling embarrassed that she had already fumbled on her name before correcting herself. “Kathryn can meet her at lunchtime. As for me,” Claire said, standing and walking to the coffee pot to top off her coffee. “I’m going to get a shower and get my day going. Oh, and if James stops by, tell him I would like to talk to him at lunch.”

“If you don’t mind,” Kathryn said, sounding a little uncomfortable. “I think I’ll start in the morning,” she paused. “I just remembered I needed to do some errands.” Kathryn hastily stood up as if she couldn’t get away fast enough.

“That will be fine,” Claire responded. “Let me get you a key just in case the over-sleeping incident happens again. We wouldn’t want you stuck outside without a way to get in.” With that, Claire was off to find where the spare key got put.

Luke had watched Kathryn’s demeanor change from laid back to nervous and wondered if Claire had noticed it also. He had thought that he was imagining things, but as soon as Claire returned with the key, Kathryn flew out of there like her house was on fire or something.

“Housekeeper?” Luke asked, eyeing Claire.

“Yes. I called days ago. With all that happened yesterday, it slipped my mind.” Claire grabbed her coffee and headed toward the bathroom, ending the conversation.