Ultimate Nyssa Glass, H. Burke [cat reading book .TXT] 📗

the knob on the side. The arms twitched then began to spin, moving in a circle, the cat perpetually just out of reach of its rodent prey.

“You made this?” she whispered, holding it closer to her face. The chase continued, around and around.

He nodded.

“When?”

“While you were helping Mrs. H with the dishes. Ellis and I went into the workshop to finish cleaning up, and I found the watch.”

“Did Ellis help you?” She poked at the moving parts. It wasn’t a new invention, just a slight alteration on the watch’s intended function, replacing the turning of the hands with the faster swirl of his cat and mouse figures. Still, for only one lesson in repairs, it was clever.

“He told me I could have the pieces and let me use his tools, but I wanted to make it myself. He said you’d like it if I made something, though. He said you appreciate in-gen … ingenyo.. Ingennooty?”

She laughed. “Ingenuity. I do. This is very good. You could have quite the career ahead of you.” She handed him the watch.

He snapped it shut and slipped it into his pocket. “You really like it?”

“I do. It’s clever.”

“When did you learn how to fix things? Were you my age?”

“I was a bit older than you.”

He leaned back on the couch and yawned. “I don’t want to leave.”

“You don’t have to.” After a moment’s hesitation, she reached out and ruffled his hair. “You look tired. I’ll go turn down your cot.”

They’d set up a folding bed in the corner of the sitting room, along with a pillow and several blankets. She turned down the blankets and plumped up the pillow. When I was his age, I think I had a teddy bear or a doll or something. Do boys like that sort of thing? He really should have some toys. Clockwork is all well and good, but children need to play.

“Come on. Let’s get you in bed.”

He didn’t answer.

“Theo?” Nyssa eased closer. He’d slumped back against the arm of the couch, his mouth open but eyes shut. She chuckled. Bringing a blanket from the couch, she laid it over him, then eased him into a more comfortable looking position. Should I carry him to his cot? The couch is probably just as comfortable, if not more so. No, I’ll let him lie.

Rather than turn to go, she sat beside him. She rested a hand on his back and listened to his gentle breathing.

Sparks and shocks, I’m getting soft. Still, if I have to get soft for anything, I’m glad it’s for a kid. If someone had plucked me off the street when I was his age, how different would it have been? I might never have broken into houses. I might never have been arrested. Still, I turned out okay. Mr. Calloway’s to thank for that.

Nyssa had been fourteen when Mr. Calloway helped her escape the life, got her into trade school. He’d even escorted her to church. Should I be doing that for Theo? I’m not sure I have what it takes to be a spiritual mentor.

A mechanical hum came from the stairwell. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Ellis rising in his chair, the wheels locked into the metal tracks they’d installed on either side of the steps. When it reached the top, he grabbed onto the latches, and pushed forward onto the level floor.

She put a finger to her lips. “Shh.”

He came closer and smiled. “Is he all right?”

“I think I calmed him down. Though it looks like we’re stuck with him.” She laughed quietly, keeping her voice just above a whisper.

Ellis pushed up one arm of his chair and swung himself onto the couch beside her. “I’m relieved.” He matched her tone. “As I said, I like him. We’ll figure out the details, his schooling and whatnot, later.”

“There’s a little school in the local church, I think. He might do well there, and he can come home and help us in the shop afterwards if he wants.” She glanced from Ellis to Theo and cleared her throat. “We’d probably need to become parishioners, though. Would you be comfortable with that?”

“Sure.” He shrugged.

“I just wondered … we’ve never really talked about religion, and I got the impression your father was an atheist.”

“I’d say more that he was extremely disinterested in anything he couldn’t evaluate scientifically, the spiritual included. My mom was a very spiritual woman, though. I know I’ve talked about that before. I tend to take after her in terms of my life philosophy … thank God.” Ellis winced. “You know my father isn’t someone I intend to emulate.”

“Oh, I know, but being an atheist doesn’t make you go mad and experiment on your servants. You’re an inventor like him, after all.” She concentrated on the fire. Her faith had always been a private thing, something between herself and God in whispered prayers. As much as she trusted Ellis, she felt odd opening up to him about it.

“True. Still, it’s one more way to separate myself from him. Plus it helps me remember my mom.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Is it important to you that we have the same faith?”

“It makes it easier to decide how we raise Theo.” She nodded.

“True … and maybe other children some day.” He cleared his throat. “Do you want that? Children, I mean.”

Her cheeks warmed. “I haven’t given it a lot of thought.”

“Because … it’s never really been a good time to broach the subject. I mean, it’s not like it comes up in casual conversation, but …” He trailed off.

She raised her eyebrows.

“After my accident, I had a good doctor. He was compassionate, but honest about what sort of limitations I could expect, that I wouldn’t walk again, for instance. However, he … he said I should have no difficulty … I mean … my injury didn’t affect …” He let out a long breath then said all in a rush, “I’m capable of fathering children.”

The heat washed