Her Motherhood Wish
Callie fell in step beside him. “Do you mind slowing down a bit? I can’t keep up when you take off with that determined stride of yours.” Although her tone was pleasant, he sensed an underlying edge.
“I cover ground when I’ve got work to do. I’ll have to remember to take it easy when you’re with me. I can’t be leaving my assistant in the dust, can I?” He flashed her a grin.
She ground to a halt and stared at him in disbelief. “So, I am working with you?”
He stopped. “Yes. Tess told you that, didn’t she?”
“She did, but you said the plans had changed. I thought...” She shook her head. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”
He’d built homes and furniture to suit the wives of many men through the years and had made an important discovery. If a woman said something didn’t matter, that was rarely the case. “It obviously does, but I’m not sure what it is. Care to enlighten me?”
She took a sudden interest in her boots, clicking the heels of the tiny things together. “I thought you’d asked Tess to find you another assistant.”
“Why would I? You know as much about lumber as most carpenters and have an impressive grasp of design. I’m looking forward to working with you.”
He’d obviously said the right thing because Callie look up, beaming. “Thank you, Chip. I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations.”
Three resounding rings of a cast-iron bell sent a swarm of children their way. He’d learned during the many hours he’d spent at the Double T that Tess used the bell to convey messages to the children. Earning the right to swing the striker inside the large triangle was a privilege the orphans eagerly awaited. Three rings meant the end of playtime.
The boys scurried past them on their way to the barn, where their chores awaited them. The girls flocked to the kitchen on the bottom floor of Miss Muffet House, where they would help prepare supper.
“Let’s get out of here before these young’uns run us over.” Chip chuckled and put a hand on the small of Callie’s back, steering her clear of the hubbub. Reluctant to release her, he kept his hand there as they walked. To his surprise, she didn’t pull away. Interesting.
They reached Jack and Jill House, but he decided to take her to the woodshop on the far side of it instead. He opened the door for her. She stepped inside and inhaled deeply. “I love the smell of freshly cut lumber. Don’t you?”
He fought a grin but lost the battle. “I like watching you enjoy it.”
She gave his arm a playful swat. “Don’t go making fun of me.”
“I’m not. I like the way you embrace life.” He wouldn’t mind if she embraced him, too.
But The Plan didn’t call for him to court a woman yet. From what he’d seen, the lovely Miss Caroline Hunt had potential, but if he gave in to his attraction so far ahead of schedule, he wouldn’t accomplish his goals.
Callie’s face fell. “Most days I have no trouble keeping a sunny outlook, but sometimes shadows cross our paths when we least expect them. I can’t help thinking that the children’s father drew his last breath this morning. Were you able to take care of everything?”
“Spencer’s ranch hands helped me bury Mr. Tate at the cemetery in town.” An image of the man’s lifeless body rushed in, causing Chip’s stomach to pitch, as it had earlier. He’d watched far too many cholera victims buried in the middle of the trail on the wagon train’s trek to California—including the five from his family. He strode to the open window at the front of the woodshop, placed his palms on the ledge and drew in several deep breaths of fresh air.
With a swish of her skirts, Callie was at his side, standing just to his left. She rested a hand on his upper arm and stood there, offering silent support.
Gradually, his nausea passed, and he became aware of the warmth radiating from her. He turned, putting her mere inches from him. She took his hands in hers and lifted compassion-filled eyes. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
He was tempted to jerk his hands free, but the pull was too strong. It had been years since someone had reached out to him and offered comfort. Like a weary traveler crossing the barren desert of Nevada, he drank in this unexpected outpouring of kindness. “I’m fine.”
“You will be, I know, but in talking with Isaac, I learned that witnessing the aftereffects of such an atrocity can be difficult. But you did it, and I thank you for that. When the children are ready, they’ll be able to visit their father’s grave site and say their goodbyes.”
“I just did what anyone else would have done, but I appreciate your kind words.” He gave her hands a gentle squeeze.
She lowered her gaze to their clasped hands, pulled hers free and backed away. “I’m s-so sorry. I didn’t realize what I was doing.”
“I didn’t mind.” His admission surprised him as much as it did her.
She gave a nervous laugh, composed herself and continued as though nothing had happened, much to his relief. He didn’t want to explore the reasons behind his confession.
“We couldn’t talk earlier, but I’ve been battling curiosity ever since you told me about the letter you found. What else did you learn from it?”
“The children’s father was George Tate. He was coming here from Marysville, where he worked in a jewelry shop. He was going to open his own, as Jasper said. It sickens me to think that he was brutally murdered less than five miles from his destination.” He unfurled the fists he’d formed.
“It’s tragic, but I take comfort in knowing that he spent his last days on earth looking forward to the fulfillment of a dream.”
He scoffed. “How can you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Dismiss Mr. Tate’s anguish. His final minutes must have been horrific.”
Her features hardened, but her voice was calm, controlled. “I realize that, but focusing on the dark side of life does nothing but drag a person down into a pit of despondency and despair. I much prefer to look for the good in a situation.”
“Sometimes there is nothing good.” Sometimes people were so consumed by their own grief that they would leave a nine-year-old boy to battle a deadly disease on his own. But he’d shown them he was made of tougher stuff than they’d thought. He’d survived, and he would ensure that his family’s legacy would live on in the children he would have one day.
Callie jerked her chin up. “The Good Book says that ‘all things work together for good to them that love God.’ I firmly believe that. Don’t you?”
He wasn’t in the mood for a theological debate, tired as he was after his harrowing task, but she deserved a response. “I believe God can bring good out of bad, but He doesn’t promise that life will be easy.” He had a hard time seeing how anything good could come out of losing his entire family inside of one week or Jasper and Rudy being robbed of their father.
Callie wandered over to his workbench, one of three in the spacious woodshop, where he’d set his toolboxes. She trailed a fingertip over the lids as she walked past each one. “No, but He does promise to be with us no matter what comes our way. That’s a promise that fills me with hope.”
Hope. Callie embodied it. He admired that, but her rosy-hued outlook could keep her from accepting the harsh realities of life. And they were facing one now. As much as he’d like to spare her, he couldn’t. “I’m afraid trouble could be coming our way.”
“What do you mean?”
“In his letter, the landlord assured Mr. Tate that a safe would be installed before his arrival so he’d have a place to store the gemstones he was picking up in Sacramento City. The attempted robbery doesn’t strike me as a random act. I think it was planned by someone who’d learned about the shipment.”
She stopped and gave him her full attention. “You think it was premeditated, then?”
“I do.” But there was more to it than that. “I’m not sure they got the jewels.”
Her clear blue eyes bored into him. “Why? It seems to me they wouldn’t have left until they did.”
He disagreed. “Since his attackers beat him before taking his life, it makes sense they hadn’t found what they were after and used force to get him to talk.”
She challenged his supposition. “But why kill him if he hadn’t revealed their whereabouts? Wouldn’t they have kept him alive until he told them? I think it’s more likely that he told them what they wanted to know, thinking they’d take the jewels and leave. They could have killed him so he couldn’t report the report the theft or describe them. Since they didn’t pursue us, I think they’ve probably left the area and are busy trying to sell the stones somewhere else.”
He saw her point, but... “If he had the jewels, wouldn’t he have given them up right away? I think it’s more likely he didn’t have them with him and that’s why they did him in.”
She placed her palms on his workbench, looked across it and studied him with narrowed eyes. Skepticism and concern waged a war in their depths. Concern won out. “If what you believe is true and he didn’t tell them because he didn’t have the jewels, where are they?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps he entrusted them to Wells, Fargo and Company. I hope that’s the case.”
“Why?”
A simple question requiring an answer he was loath to put into words, but he must. “Mr. Tate’s attackers were willing to resort to murder in order to get his gemstones, so I expect they won’t stop looking until they find them. If they don’t show up in an express delivery, I’m afraid his killers might come looking for the children and try to get information out of them.”
He waited for Callie’s reaction, expecting anger, shock or fear. Instead, she laughed.
“You can’t be serious. They have no idea where the children are now since they took off when we showed up.”
“I’m quite serious. It wouldn’t take them long to find out, and once they did, they could try to find them.”
“Why would they do that? They left the children behind so they wouldn’t have to witness the...crime. That tells me they must have scruples.”
Her positive outlook was admirable, but he dealt in facts, and those he’d collected had decided his course of action. “Given their history, it seems more likely they would stop at nothing to get what they want and wouldn’t let the fact that Jasper and Ruby are children get in their way. We have to protect the youngsters, which is why Tess changed the plans. In most cases, she puts a new child in with the others right away to help them adjust as quickly as possible, but she wants us to keep a close watch over Jasper and Ruby. He and I will bed down on the third floor of Jack and Jill House, and Ruby will share your room on the second. I’ll bring beds over from the bunkhouse to use tonight until I can get those we need done.”
Callie sobered. “If Tess is concerned, she must believe the children are in danger.”
“We don’t know that for sure, but she agreed that taking precautionary measures would be wise.”
“I understand why you’re doing this, but I still think the murderers got the jewels. Even if they didn’t and they came looking for the children, I believe they’re safe here.”
He wanted to believe that, too, but unlike Callie, he’d seen what Mr. Tate’s attackers were capable of. The fatherless children were now in Chip’s care, and he would do everything in his power to protect them.
But what if it wasn’t enough?
Chapter Three
The dining hall was abuzz as scores of children sat at the long tables, carrying on animated conversations. Jasper was on Callie’s left, his eyes roving over the scene. Although the room was large, it had a friendly feel, with paintings of characters from Mother Goose tales on the brightly colored walls. Older children wearing ankle-length white aprons and smiles carried in platters and bowls heaped with an assortment of mouthwatering dishes and set them on the tables.
Jasper’s chin dropped. “I never seen so much food in one place before. And it smells real good.”
That it did. Callie hadn’t realized how hungry she was. Thankfully, no one could hear her rumbling stomach over the hubbub. “I’m sure it will taste good, too.”
Ruby, seated on Callie’s right, pointed. “Chicken.”
“That’s right, sweetheart. Fried chicken. Do you like it?”
The little girl nodded.
“She likes drumsticks,” Jasper volunteered. “So do I.”
Chip, seated on Jasper’s other side, grinned, a playful gleam in his eye. “I do, too. I hope there’s more than one left when it’s our turn to pick. I wouldn’t want to have to fight you for the last one.”
The young fellow scowled at Chip. “Fighting is wrong. Papa says so.” His face pinched with pain as reality rushed in. “He said so.”
Callie sent a disapproving glance Chip’s way and hastened to reassure Jasper. “Mr. Chip was teasing. He wouldn’t take the last drumstick. He’d let you have it. But you don’t have to worry. There’s plenty of food.”
“Miss Callie’s right, Jasper. I was just having some fun with you, but it wasn’t the right time. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”
The boy studied Chip intently, his forehead creased in concentration. A slow smile spread across Jasper’s boyishly round face. “I’ll forgive you—if you give me your drumstick, too.”
Chip laughed. “Jasper, my boy, you drive a hard bargain, but if you think you can polish off two drumsticks, you can have mine.”
Luke stopped behind the vacant spot next to Ruby. “Do you mind if I sit here?”
Callie smiled. “Not at all. We’d love your company, wouldn’t we, Ruby?”
In answer, the little girl scooted closer to Callie.
“It’s all right, sweetheart. This is Luke. Don’t you remember? He’s the one who rode on the seesaw with us.”
Jasper chimed in. “I remember. He’s not an orphan. He’s Mama Tess and Papa Spencer’s son.”
“That’s me, all right.” Luke smiled, plunked himself down on the bench and leaned close to Ruby. “I know I’m big and scary, but I won’t hurt you. I like girls. I have three sisters. I think one of them is your age. How old are you?”
“Th-this many.” Ruby let go of the doll in her lap, raised a trembling hand and held up two fingers.
“Yep! That’s how old Lucy is. She’s the youngest. If you look over there, you can see her.” He pointed to the head table, where Spencer and Tess sat with five children. “She’s sitting next to Lila, the one who gave you the cookies. Do you remember her?”
Ruby glanced at the rest of the Abbott family and nodded.
“Who are them others?” Jasper asked.
“The older boy is Lewis. He just turned seven. The younger one, Lionel, is six. The other girl is Lorene. She’ll be turning five next week. I can’t wait. I’ll get to eat chocolate cake two different times.” He smacked his lips.
Jasper craned his neck to look at Luke. “How come?”
“Mama makes a cake just for us whenever there’s a birthday in our family, but we’ll have a party here in the dining hall, too, for all those who have birthdays in April. We do that on the first Saturday of every month.”
Jasper held up his fingers, ticked off the months and looked up, his eyes wide. “All the orphans here get chocolate cake twelve times in one year?”
Luke nodded. “You will, too, if you’re here that long.”
“’Course I’ll be here. I don’t have nowhere else to go.”
Callie’s heart pinched. “You could get adopted and go live with a nice family who loves you.”
A fierce scowl creased Jasper’s brow. He folded his arms over his chest. “I don’t want a new family. I just want my papa back.”
The dear boy’s reaction was understandable, given his circumstances, but his future could hold untold blessings, as hers had. “It’s hard. I know. I lost my parents when I was young, too, but there are wonderful people out there who have hearts full of love, and they want to give it to special children like you and Ruby.”
“I don’t want no one else. You and Mr. Chip can take care of us.” He gave a decisive nod.
Chip rested a hand on the grieving boy’s shoulder. “We will be looking out for you. You can count on that.”
Callie opened her mouth to speak, but Chip shook his head. He was right. Clarification could come later. The children needed reassurance now. “Yes. We’ll be here.”
Tess stood and clapped three times, bringing the chatter in the room to a close. “It’s a special day here at the Double T. We’ve had two children join our happy family—Jasper Tate and his sister, Ruby. Welcome!”
Heads turned in their direction, and applause broke out. A few children even cheered. Jasper and Ruby went from stunned to smiling in a matter of seconds.
Luke leaned over and whispered, “I need to join my family now, but I’ll see you all later.” He left.
Once the room quieted, Tess continued. “As you can see, Jasper and Ruby, we’re happy to have you here. Now, it’s time for Papa Spencer to ask the blessing, so bow your heads and close your eyes.”
Tess sat, and Spencer stood. “Lord, thank You for the food we’re about to eat, for the many hands who helped make it and for each of the boys and girls here. I ask You to be with Jasper and Ruby. Thank You for bringing them to us. Please help them to feel at home here. It’s in Your name I pray. Amen.”
Callie opened her eyes to find Jasper blinking his. She leaned over. “What is it?”
“Papa Spencer was talking to God, wasn’t he? About me and Ruby?”
She nodded.
“I never had anybody do that before, except for my papa.”
“Mr. Chip and I have been praying for you, too.”
“Really? Does God listen to you?”
Chip answered before she could. “Yes.”
Jasper wiggled his mouth from side to side, stopped abruptly and jerked his head toward Callie. “Then He knows what those bad people did to Papa, don’t He? And where we are now?”
“He does. Why?”
“Because He can still watch over me and Ruby, just like He did when we was with Papa.”
It appeared the dear boy was scared, which made sense after what he’d gone through. “Of course He can, and He will, but I don’t think you have anything to wor—”
“Here you go.” Chip plopped a spoonful of mashed potatoes on his plate and shoved the bowl at her.
If she wasn’t mistaken, he’d interrupted her on purpose. What did he have against letting the children know they were safe? She attempted to make eye contact with him, but he didn’t look her way. He asked Jasper what he’d seen when Tess had given him and his sister a tour of the Double T, which prompted the talkative fellow to launch into a detailed description.
Fine. Chip might be able to ignore her now, but once they’d tucked the children in bed, she’d let him know what she thought about him cutting her off. He might believe Mr. Tate’s murderers would come looking for Jasper and Ruby, but that didn’t mean she agreed.
The meal passed quickly. Despite her opposing view, she was still drawn to Chip. For a man as regimented as he was, he certainly had a playful side, which the children seemed to bring out. He kept Jasper distracted with his stories throughout the meal and even managed to get a smile out of Ruby.
Tess stood. She clapped thrice, as she’d done before the meal, and the room grew quiet. “Children, I’m sure you’ll want to see to the clean-up as quickly as you can tonight when you hear what special treat awaits you.”
Excited murmurs swept through the room. Callie tapped Chip on the shoulder to get his attention and whispered over Jasper’s head. “Do you know what’s going on?”
A lopsided grin and a wink were her answers. She suppressed a stab of jealousy. Evidently, he was privy to information she wasn’t. Just how much did he know about the workings at the Double T? And how had he come by his knowledge?
Once Tess had the youngsters’ full attention, she continued. “You probably noticed our newest helpers who joined us for dinner. For those who don’t know, Mr. Chip is a carpenter. He’s going to be working here the next few weeks while he builds furniture for Jack and Jill House, and Miss Callie will be helping him.”
The heads of several curious children turned toward them, and Callie smiled. She looked forward to getting to know everyone who called the Double T home.
Tess continued. “Some of you have been here longer than others and can remember when he built the seesaw, parallel bars and that wonderful tree house, his gift to all of you. And I’m sure you’ve seen the wooden toys he’s made. Tonight we’re going to discover another of his talents.”
So Chip was the one behind the play equipment, was he? It appeared his generosity knew no bounds, which wasn’t a surprise. Although he was focused on chasing after his goals, she’d heard numerous tales of good deeds he’d done up in Placerville. He’d added a room on a house for a young widow left with five children to raise on her own, fashioned a tiny coffin for a family who’d lost their infant son and repaired a roof for an injured miner’s family—all with no cost to the recipients. It was a wonder the hardworking man had time for sleep.
Callie leaned forward, as eager as the children to find out what Chip was going to do.
Tess swept her gaze over the room, her smile evidence of how much delight she took in building the suspense. At last she spoke. “How many of you have heard of whittling?”
Hands shot up, some of them waving wildly. Jasper’s was among them. As was Callie’s.
“That’s great. Many of you have seen the darling little figures Mr. Chip makes. Tonight he’s going to do wood carving. He’ll be creating something bigger and better than anything he’s done before. And you get to watch him begin the sculpture.”
A young boy raised his hand.
Tess called on him. “Yes, Freddie?”
“What’s he going to make?”
She held up an index finger, leaned forward and grinned. “That, my dear boys and girls, is for you to figure out. The first one to guess correctly gets to ring the dinner bell tomorrow. Now, I’ll excuse you. Once the clean-up is done, we’ll gather on the bottom floor of Jack and Jill House, where we’ll have benches set up.”
One group of children began clearing the tables. The rest filed out in a noisy but orderly fashion. Jasper and Ruby watched the exodus, their brows furrowed. They had to be overwhelmed by all the changes in their lives. Callie had to admit she was feeling a bit unsettled herself. A new job could do that to a person. Her uneasiness had nothing to do with the handsome carpenter she’d be assisting. Or did it?
Chip stood. Callie rose, too, and planted Ruby on one hip. “You’re a man of many talents. My brother told me you drop off toys here from time to time, but I didn’t realize you’d built the playground equipment. No wonder you know so much about how things work around here. I’ve visited several times, and yet I have a lot to learn.”
“I’m no expert, but I’d be happy to teach you what I know. All you have to do is ask.” He sent her one of his most winsome smiles.
She chuckled. “All right. I’m asking. What happens next?”
“Very well. Now that Tess has excused the children, they’ll complete their assigned chores under the supervision of their group leaders. Each of the groups has a name. Tess chose to use wildlife found in California for them. Whenever a new group forms, the children in it choose the name. You probably won’t be surprised to hear that the first boys who lived here dubbed their groups the grizzlies, the cougars and the salamanders. The girls, on the other hand, went with quail, chipmunks and rabbits.”
Jasper tugged on Chip’s sleeve. “Mr. Chip.”
“What is it, Jasper?”
“Can I be in the grizzlies?”
Chip leaned over, his hands on his knees. “You and I are going to be in a special group, just the two of us. And you—” he gave Jasper a playful tap on the tip of his nose “—get to pick the name.”
“I do? Oh!” He scrunched his face in the cutest way as he contemplated. A smile burst forth. “I know. We can be the bullfrogs. I used to hear them outside my window at night.”
Chip grinned. “What do you think of that, Miss Callie? I’m sure you’re fond of frogs.”
“It’s a fine name. I’ve seen some big bullfrogs up in Hangtown Creek. I even grabbed one once.” Accidentally, when she’d mistaken it for a rock. She’d nearly shrieked her lungs out, but they didn’t need to know that.