“You’re tall,” she declared with a smile.
“That he is,” Clayton confirmed. “I’d say he’s right up there with Robert.”
“Robert is my uncle,” Rusty explained.
“Robert Langley, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right. Sammy would have talked about him.” Jackie put the connection together.
“I have an appointment to see him in the morning.”
“Have you met him before?” Clayton asked.
“No, I’m looking forward to it.”
“He’s wonderful,” Jackie said with a smile and then suggested they all sit down.
The four adults moved farther into the living room and made themselves comfortable. Rusty took a chair by the fireplace where a fire popped and crackled some added warmth into the room. She watched as her parents took the long davenport. Chase slipped into the rocking chair opposite Rusty.
“How was your train trip?”
“Uneventful,” Rusty admitted.
“That doesn’t say much for your company,” her father teased her.
“That’s all right,” Chase replied with a smile on his face. “Katherine can’t remember that I’m with her half the time anyway.”
“I’m working on that, Mr. McCandles,” she said pertly, a tease in her voice as well. “I forgot you at the train station but not when it was time to introduce you to my father.”
“This sounds very interesting,” Jackie said.
“I quite agree,” Clayton said. “Who’s going to share?”
“I’ll tell,” Rusty jumped in when Chase opened his mouth. “It was never really my fault, you see. Never anything I planned.”
“It never is,” her mother reminded her.
“That’s true,” Rusty said good-naturedly.
“But it wasn’t that she didn’t plan to plan,” Chase spoke up now, his eyes sparkling with humor as he watched her.
“That’s right,” Rusty agreed, her eyes large as she laughed. “It just happens that way from time to time. The children were a little better at it than I was.”
“I think I’m confused,” Clayton said. “Better than you at what?”
“Better at remembering that Mr. McCandles was with us.”
“Oh, Rusty,” her mother chuckled, “please don’t tell us you kept forgetting Mr. McCandles.”
“I’m afraid so.”
Her parents laughed at her—Clayton because he could see the look on her face, and Jackie because she knew her so well.
“In light of that, Chase,” Clayton said, “we need to thank you again. It sounds as though you would have been justified in leaving Rusty to fend for herself.”
“No.” Chase was still smiling, his eyes teasing. “After all, when she did remember I was there, she worked very hard to take care of me.”
Rusty laughed, her own eyes gleaming with amusement, but before she could find a comeback, her siblings piled in the door.
Fourteen-year-old Dana Taggart passed the bowl of peaches to their guest and smiled shyly when he thanked her. She looked a little like Rusty because of her red hair, but Chase could see she was going to be much taller. Seventeen-year-old Clare, the second oldest in the family, strongly resembled Clayton. Rusty’s brother, Leslie, shared more from each parent. He had his father’s looks and build but his mother’s chestnut hair. Chase wouldn’t go so far as to call it the red that Rusty claimed, but it had more rust and gold highlights in it than even Jackie’s. To a person, the Taggart children sported various shades of gorgeous blue eyes, although none as purple as Rusty’s, and all had mouths ready to smile at any notice.
“What day do you need to head back to Colorado Springs, Mr. McCandles?” Jackie asked.
“Monday.”
“Well, you’re welcome to stay with us,” she said warmly. “We have plenty of room.”
“Thank you. If your hospitality didn’t tempt me, the food would.”
“Clare made dinner tonight,” she told him, a small note of mother’s pride in her voice.
Chase turned to Clare. “I’m impressed.”
“Thank you,” she said and smiled at him with such a “Rusty” smile that his eyes immediately went to the woman. She didn’t notice, but her sisters did. They shared a look, both dying to get their sister alone to find out if she was in love with this man. They had always known that Rusty would land a handsome one, but neither had guessed he would be so tall and charming.
“I’ll do dishes tonight,” Rusty offered.
“Since it’s my night,” Leslie spoke up, “that suits me fine.”
“You can help me, Les,” she said. “That way I can find out what you’ve been up to as well as avoid my sisters. I can tell they want to pounce on me.”
“We just want to know how you’ve been,” Dana claimed, defending herself and confirming Rusty’s suspicions all in one sentence.
“I’m sure you do, but you also want to know if any new young men have joined the church in Manitou.”
“Have any?” Clare asked, not able to keep it in.
“As a matter of fact, yes,” she said with a smile. “I think you should visit very soon.”
Rusty and Clare shared conspiratorial smiles, and the rest of the table stayed tolerably quiet.
“Do you have a sister, Mr. McCandles?” Leslie broke the silence, his voice comical.
“No, I don’t.”
“Feel free to take one of mine.”
Chase laughed, but again his eyes went to Rusty. She was looking right at him.
“If that would make me Quintin’s aunt, I’d take you up on that.”
Chase smiled, but there was something serious behind his eyes.
“Who’s Quintin?” asked Dana.
“Mr. McCandles’ son. He’s almost five and an absolute doll.”
Both Clare and Dana were dying to ask if Quintin was home with his mother, but they knew better. The meal was finished soon after that, with a promise of dessert later in the evening. Rusty and Leslie began to work on the dishes, and Chase asked Clayton if he could see the school. Knowing Rusty would want time alone with each of her siblings, Jackie diverted the girls from joining Rusty and Leslie in the kitchen by reminding them that they both had reading to do.
Rusty knew exactly what her mother was doing and silently thanked her. With her arms deep in suds, she began to talk with her brother.
“What did you guys do in town?”
“Not much. Mother had a list, and Dana has a crush on Justin Sommerfeldt and was hoping to see him somewhere.”
“And you just went along for the ride?”
“I guess.”
Something in his voice caught her attention. “Who is she, Les?”
He smiled but didn’t give her a straight answer. “You think you know so much, you tell me.”
“All right.” Rusty was more than willing to play along. She began to name names, one after another, but came up blank every time.
“Kay Ridgeway. Barb Ridgeway.”
“No, and no again.” Leslie told her.
“Have I met her?” Rusty was running out of choices.
“Last fall.”
“Last fall,” she said softly and sighed. “I give up, Les. Who is she?”
“Wilna North.”
“The girl who came and lived with Pastor and Mrs. Henley?”
“Yeah.”
“I thought she moved away.”
“She’s back.”
Rusty smiled, and not for the first time Leslie knew why he could talk to her. She never teased him if she knew he was serious.
“Does she know you’re interested?”
He nodded, a flush coming to his cheeks.
“And is she interested back?”
He ducked his head this time, and Rusty knew he had it bad.
“Well, I hope she sees a good thing when it stares her in the face.”
Leslie still didn’t reply. He was pleased by his sister’s words but wouldn’t have admitted it under threa
t of torture. Beyond that, he wasn’t given much of a chance. Clare and Dana joined them a few minutes later.
“Why didn’t you tell us you’d met Chase McCandles, Rusty?” Clare instantly wanted to know.
“Yes, Rusty,” Dana added. “He’s not the type of man you forget to put into your letters.”
“I’m out of here,” Leslie declared. The dishes were almost done anyway, so the girls let him leave. Dana picked up the drying towel, and Clare sat on the edge of the table.
“Come on now, Rusty,” the older of the sisters urged. “Tell all.”
“There isn’t much to tell,” she declared honestly. “I’ve known Mr. McCandles for only a week. He escorted me to a placement in Kurth and then saw me home. That’s about all there is to it.”
“How did you meet his son?”
“I got sick and I ended up staying at his home.”
The sisters took a moment to compute this.
“What’s it like?”
“His home? Very beautiful. He has a large staff, and I was well taken care of.”
“Did you meet his wife?”
“She died a few years ago.”
“He watches you, Rusty,” Dana told her, but Rusty shrugged it off with a laugh.
“Oh, Dana, you’re such a romantic.”
Rusty turned her back and didn’t see Clare catch Dana’s eye. The older girl shook her head very slightly, and Dana wisely let the matter drop.
“Where is Mother?” Rusty removed her apron and faced her sisters.
“In the living room.” Rusty went out without speaking, her sisters forgotten. Her sisters, however, did not forget about her. They didn’t talk about it, but both knew something was going on, even if Rusty herself had no idea.
18
“Is that you, Rusty?” Jackie asked as soon as her daughter came into the living room. Someone watching might have been surprised, but for Jackie, recognition of her husband and children’s footsteps was nothing new.
“Yes, I thought I’d join you.”
“I’d love it.” Rusty sat down on the davenport close to her mother. For a time they were silent.
“How are you, dear?”
“I’m fine, Mother.”
“Should I be worried about you?”
“No. It’s been an interesting week though. I was horribly ill on Tuesday—such a bad headache—but I’m sure I’m all right now.”
“I’m glad. Do you think you’re completely over it?”
“Not quite. I’m still a little tired, but I know I can rest up here.”
“Good.”
They sat quietly for a moment before Jackie commented, “I have the impression that Mr. McCandles is something of a challenge to you.”
Rusty smiled. “He likes to have his own way. Something I don’t let him forget.”
“Had you met him before he escorted you and the children?”
“No.”
“Well, you’ve certainly hit it off quickly.”
“We have, haven’t we? At first I thought him rather aloof, but now I find he’s really quite easy to talk to.”
Jackie thought about how sick Rusty had been and was thankful that Mr. McCandles had been there. She visualized her being sick on the train and swiftly forgot to give thanks. As worry started to inch its way in the door, Jackie began to pray. I’ve been giving my children to You for more than 19 years, Lord, and I’m still guilty of taking them back. It’s so much harder now that Rusty is away, but Your hand is in Manitou and Colorado Springs as well. Help my lack of faith.
“You’ve grown quiet.”
“I was just thinking about your being sick and praying for you.”
“I can use it.”
“Anything in particular?”
“I think I’m such a know-it-all, Mother,” Rusty admitted. “I see something that I think should change, and that’s the end of it. I want Rusty’s way, and Rusty’s way alone.”
Jackie nodded with understanding. “Was it something you can share with me?”
“I’ll feel I’m gossiping.”
“Well, don’t tell me then, but you know I’ll pray.”
“Thank you.”
Again they fell silent, Jackie doing as she said, praying for her daughter, and Rusty trying to commit Quintin McCandles to the Lord. She had not thought about him constantly, but Leslie’s comment about sisters made her long for more in Quintin’s life.
And you think you’re the perfect choice, Rusty. You think you’re the person he needs. Rusty’s heart sighed. I’ve been so selfish, Lord, that I didn’t even want to pray that You would bring another wife into Mr. McCandles’ life. I’m sorry I acted that way. Please bring someone to him who will love him and Quintin, a woman who knows You so she can bring fun and joy to both of their lives.
“It’s going to be so much fun to have you here,” Jackie said after a few moments.
Rusty blinked at her. “What did you say?”
“Just that it’s going to be fun to have you home for a few days.”
“Oh, yes,” Rusty replied inanely, shaking her head.
“Did I tell you that Sammy wired us and said to be sure and take a whole week off, no matter what day you arrived?”
“No, you didn’t. That’s wonderful.”
“We thought so too. She just wants to know what day they should look for you.”
“All right. I’ll be sure to cable back tomorrow.”
The women fell silent then, a warm, comfortable silence that lasted until the rest of the family joined them.
“So what were the Davidsons like?” Leslie wished to know.
“Very kind, and so excited to have those children. I didn’t think Lizzy would manage it, but they both stayed.”
“We prayed for you every night,” Clare told her sister. Rusty thanked her.
“Did they have room for both of you to stay at their home?” Jackie wished to know.
“Yes. The ranch house is very spacious with many bedrooms.” As Rusty said this, she remembered the way Jessie had mistaken them for a married couple. She looked up to find Chase’s eyes on her and smiled, knowing his mind was on the same scene.
“About how many head of cattle would you say he runs?” This came from Clayton.
“He told me 2500,” Chase filled in. “It’s a very nice spread, and although he didn’t say so, he probably has the largest herd in the area.”
The conversation went on in this vein for more than an hour. It was a lazy sort of evening with everyone sharing at one time or another. Leslie was very interested in Chase’s line of work, and the older man graciously answered his questions and asked some of his own. The family as a whole got to know Chase McCandles a little bit better, and in return he found himself very impressed with Rusty’s family.
“You look tired,” Clayton suddenly said to his oldest daughter. To his eye it was easy to see she’d been ill.
“I am. I think I’ll go to bed.”
“I’ll walk up with you,” Jackie offered. “Mr. McCandles, do you know which room is yours?”
“Yes, Dana showed me.”
“Good. If you need something, please find one of us.”
“Thank you, I’ll do that.”
Clare and Dana joined their mother and sister as they went upstairs, and although tired, Clayton stayed with Leslie, who had a few more questions for Chase. The men talked for another 20 minutes and then took the stairs together. Chase found his bed very comfortable and was asleep in minutes. Clayton found his wife awake and with much on her mind.
“Clayton?” Jackie’s voice was low as her husband slipped into bed beside her.
“Right here,” Clayton said softly as he moved close to her.
“Are we alone?”
Jackie felt her husband chuckle as he said, “Who else would be in here?”
Jackie raised up on one elbow and reached for Clayton’s face. It was what she had always done, satisfying a need to “see” him whenever she felt passionate or frightened a
bout something.
“What is it, love?”
“Clayton, does Chase McCandles know he’s in love with Rusty?” she asked him softly.
Jackie suddenly found herself crushed in her husband’s embrace. He held her close, turning to his side so he could cuddle her against his chest. Jackie wrapped her arms around him and held him right back. They were quiet for a time.
“What are you hearing?” It was a familiar question to her, one she had heard all their married life. She depended on his eyes, and he often depended on her ears.
“No one calls her Katherine, and when he says it, or addresses her for any reason, he sounds like you when you talk to me.”
She felt his chest lift on a sigh.
“Talk to me, Clayton,” she begged. “Tell me what you’ve seen.”
Clayton pressed his lips to her brow. “He watches her almost constantly. I would say he’s fascinated, but I don’t think he would label it love.”
“Does Rusty see it?”
“Yes and no. She doesn’t have love on her mind either, yet she cares for him. I think she’s under the impression that he sees her as a little sister. It’s almost as if she wants there to be more, but something is holding her back.”
“Maybe he does see her as a little sister. That would stop any woman.”
“Maybe.”
For a moment Jackie thought about the evening. “She’s certainly not afraid to tease him or tell him what she’s thinking.”
“She’s rarely afraid to tell anyone what she’s thinking.” Clayton’s voice was dry.
“True. Do you honestly think she could be in love and not know it?”
“Yes,” Clayton admitted, and they both fell silent.
Jackie well remembered the way she fell for Clayton when they first met. It was months, more than a year, before he returned that love. He had viewed her as a sister, and because of that she felt she couldn’t say a word about her feelings.
“Is this going to keep you awake tonight?” Clayton asked Jackie.
“I don’t think so. Do you think we should say anything to her?”
“No, we’ll just stay quiet and watchful. If we say anything, it might cause Rusty to put a wall up between them. She’s always been so careful not to give a wrong impression. Our saying something would probably cause her to back off so swiftly that he would think he’d been struck by lightning. That’s not fair to either of them.”