Angel's Song

Chapter Eleven

I'm back! Didn't think I'd return so soon, did you? Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this latest installment, along with a picture of Aidan's fiance Catherine Dennehy, played by Rachel Hurd-Wood xx

Chapter Eleven

For the first few moments after the sheriff's wagon had pulled out of the yard with Aidan in the back, there was dead silence, broken only by Lina's quiet sobs. 

Angel stared after the retreating vehicle. She felt numb, in shock. Hadn't it been just last night they all had gathered in the boarding house and heard the news about Hope's pregnancy? And now this... she closed her eyes and offered a silent prayer, before turning back to the children. "Jesse, Lina, go get dressed. I'm taking you to town."

"Are you going to get Uncle Aidan out of jail?" Jesse asked. He looked surprisingly vulnerable all of a sudden, more like seven than nearly twelve. 

Angel forced a smile. "I'll try."

But her fragile courage was shaken when she saw the amount of people gathering on the boardwalks as she and the children climbed down from the wagon, shaking their heads and whispering. Prevalent among them was Lucy Dunnagan, a triumphant smile creasing her flabby features. "So Aidan O'Connor is in jail," she said loudly, her voice carrying across the narrow street. "It's about time that murderer gets what he deserves."

Angel gritted her teeth, but chose not to reply, instead shepherding the children inside.

Nellie and Luc were seated at the kitchen table. The old woman got to her feet as Angel entered, extending her arms in a hug that the younger gratefully received. "We heard the news, honey."

"Whole town's talking about it," Luc offered, his Louisiana drawl getting more pronounced as it did whenever he was upset or angry. His dark blue eyes were full of concern as he looked at Angel. "You okay?"

Angel nodded, her smile as brittle as the peeling paint outside. "I don't know what I'm going to do, Nellie. Aidan didn't steal that horse - I know he didn't! And yet they found it in the barn like..."

"Hush now," Nellie soothed, patting her on the arm. "I know it don't seem right just now, but God has a way of bringing these things to light."

"He could do the bringing a little faster, if you ask me," Jesse muttered rebelliously.

Angel spun around. "Jesse O'Connor!"

"I mean it!" he retorted. "Why does God let bad things happen to people like Uncle Aidan...and you...and Ma..." His voice cracked and he rushed out of the room, dashing a hand quickly over his face. Lina stared after her brother, wide-eyed. 

Angel sank into a chair. "He's right, you know. What has Aidan ever done to deserve this, any of this? It's bad enough he lost his fiance, and now..."

"That's enough," Nellie cut in crisply. "I'll not hear you questionin' God in this house; bad enough the child - he doesn't understand. But you should know better and believe enough to encourage him instead of doubtin' God too."

Angel swallowed, her frustration dying away in the face of Nellie's rebuke. "I'm sorry," she murmured, cheeks warm. 

The older woman reached out and squeezed her hand. "I know. But before you do anything else, you need to pray to the Lord for strength to get you and Aidan through this, and for faith to believe that He will, no matter what anyone else says."

The brunette smiled faintly. "Can you do it, Nellie?" 

The boarding house owner smiled. "I'd be glad to."