Page 40 of A Stormy Season

“I don’t want you to go,” the child said, crying.

“I’m not going. I’m here with you.”

“You not here.” Jeffrey let out a quiet sob.

“He gets like this after he wakes from his nap,” Sally said. “He lets me hold him until the bad feeling wears off.”

“You want Papa to hold you?” Luke said softly.

Jeffrey held his hands up and Luke picked him up.

Jane was so close now that she could see the tears clinging to his cheeks as his father held him, rubbing his back. He laid his head on Luke’s shoulder.

Just then, Sally caught sight of Jane and Luke spun around.

“Forgive me,” Jane said.

“Miss Gilchrist is here,” Luke said softly. He turned around so Jeffrey could see her.

“Good afternoon, Jeffrey,” Jane said, waving at the little boy by wiggling her fingers at him. “Did you just wake up from a nap?”

“Yes,” Jeffrey said, his voice still watery. “Will you play wiff me?” He lifted his head.

“I will play with you.”

Jeffrey leaned back and put his hands on Luke’s face. “Jeffey play wif you and Miss Gilch’ist.”

Jane went into the nursery and sat on the floor. Luke sat in front of her with Jeffrey on his lap, and they played pat-a-cake with Jeffrey until the boy jumped to his feet.

“Jeffey run. You chase,” Jeffrey said, jumping out of his father’s lap and running out the door.

Jane scrambled to her feet, following Luke as he chased after him.

Luke grabbed his son from behind before he could reach the staircase and swung him up in his arms. Jeffrey squealed.

“We are not to run in the house, remember?” Luke said. “I don’t want you to fall down the stairs, so we will go out to the garden.”

Jeffrey clapped his hands and bounced up and down in his father’s arms, chanting, “Out! Out! Out!” He looked back at Jane. “Come wif!”

“I’m coming!” Jane couldn’t help but smile at the little boy’s quick mood change.

Once they were out of the house, Luke set the boy down beside the little fish pond. Jeffrey immediately fell to his knees, then lay on his stomach to look at the fish.

“He can be very demanding,” Luke said quietly. “You don’t have to stay out if you don’t wish to.”

“Oh no, I don’t mind. It is good to be out of doors in the fresh air. When I’m not in London, I like to spend time in the sun whenever possible.”

“It is a rather nice day, isn’t it?” Luke looked up at the sky. “Hardly a cloud. One seldom sees the sun in London.”

“Very seldom.”

“Papa, look! Look! I found the Pwince Weegent!” Jeffrey was looking back at them.

Luke squatted beside his son and Jane moved closer.

The pond was only about eight feet in diameter with several brightly colored fish swimming just under the surface.

“Did he say what I think he said?” Jane peered down into the water where Jeffrey was pointing.