“Welcome home, Rusty.” He also greeted his niece with a hug and had it warmly returned.
“How are you feeling?”
“Back to my old self.”
“I wanted to board a train and come and get you when Chase said you had been sick, but I knew he would take care of you,” Paddy confided as he hugged her again and then turned to Clayton.
“Is everything okay in Boulder?”
“Yes, everything is great.”
Paddy turned back to Rusty. “How are the Parks children?”
“The placement went very well, but things fell apart with the train when we got to Makepeace.”
“And that’s where you got sick.”
“Yes.”
One of the other workers needed Paddy just then, so with a brief word to the group about dinner being in an hour, he went on his way. Sammy also had some jobs to do. Rusty and Clayton made their way to the private apartment to be thronged by the younger O’Briens.
“Mother said you placed Lizzy and Thomas,” Renny said to his older cousin. They were sitting very close on the sofa, Rusty’s head bent close to Renny’s smaller one. Rusty was one of his favorite cousins. Although older, she was more his size and always kind in the bargain.
“Yes. They live with the Davidsons now in Kurth.”
“The Davidsons?”
“That’s right. They own a cattle ranch.”
“What was it like?”
“Very nice. Lots of cows and acres of land. They have a big house with a nice downstairs and a great front porch. Both kids have their own rooms upstairs.”
Renny fell silent then, and Rusty wondered if she hadn’t made him sad. There were times when they all forgot to be thankful. Renny and Nolan were both very happy boys, but if they did fall into bad attitudes, it was usually over having to share a bedroom with their sister and cousin.
“Have you had a sleepover in the boys’ room lately?” Rusty asked, keeping her voice very casual.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“It’s been a long time because last time I got scared and cried.”
“That was months ago. I think you should try it again. I could even sit with you if you’d like.”
Renny frowned. “The boys would say I was a baby.”
“Well, are you still afraid to sleep in there?”
“I never was.”
Rusty leaned forward to better see his face. “Then why did you cry?”
“I had a bad dream.”
“I didn’t know that, Renny,” Rusty frowned, “but if that’s the case, why haven’t you asked to go back?”
“Because Mother was angry that Papa had to go and get me, and she said not to ask to do that again anytime soon.”
“It’s been a long time, Renny. I think you should check with her again. Something tells me she didn’t understand. I think if you talked to her, she would be sorry she made you feel so bad.”
“I don’t know.”
Rusty shifted and pulled the little boy to his feet. “Go on now, find her and tell her all about it.”
He hesitated for only a moment before making his way to the kitchen where his mother and sister were working on the dishes. Nolan was reading at the table, and Paddy had taken Clayton to see some repairs he had made in one of the rooms. It took a moment for Renny to get out what he needed to say, but his mother was swift to catch on and just as swift to make things right between them. She told Renny that she would set up a sleepover for him in the boys’ dorm for the very next weekend. She then told him it was bedtime.
He went off without a word, a smile on his face. Once he was in bed, his mother bent over him to kiss him goodnight.
“Will Papa come to kiss me too?”
“Yes. I’ll ask him to kiss you even if you’ve fallen asleep.”
“I didn’t kiss Rusty.”
“Shall I ask her to come in?”
Renny didn’t even try to cover his yawn. “No, I guess not, but she talked to me and well—” He looked sleepily up at his mother.
“I’ll tell her you appreciated it, shall I?”
He nodded. “Thank you, Mother.”
Sammy kissed him again, went out, and shut the door. She found Nolan and Eileen in the living room with Rusty. She sat down and listened.
“She was feeling rather down about having to work for Mrs. Wood.”
“So what did you say to her?”
“I told her that Mrs. Wood had traveled all over the world, and that might be just what God wants her to do.”
“Where would she like to go?” Nolan asked.
“She’s most interested in India.”
“India?” Eileen’s eyes were huge.
“Yes.”
“They have elephants there.”
“So I’ve heard, but she’s interested in the people, not the elephants.”
“Did Mrs. Wood say she would take her?”
“No, Nolan, it wasn’t like that. Mrs. Wood is older now, and she’s through traveling, but she has a good friend living in Delhi. She’s going to write to her and send Clare’s address.”
Eileen sighed. “That’s so exciting. I wish I could see India. Did you hear that, Mother? Isn’t it exciting?”
“It certainly is. How did Clare come to work for Mrs. Wood?”
“Mrs. Wood broke her leg, and her live-in help can’t be with her all summer. Pastor Henley announced one Sunday that she needed someone, and Clare volunteered.”
“So Clare will live there?”
“No, she’ll just go during the day. Mrs. Wood has a relative who lives with her, a niece I believe; she’ll keep an eye on her during the night.”
“How is everyone else at home?” Sammy wanted to know.
Rusty was filling her in when the men returned. Paddy told Nolan and Eileen that they needed to head for bed. Rusty volunteered to do the honors with the older children, and before she could return, Sammy gave Clayton the third degree.
24
“Is my sister really okay?”
“Yes, Sammy, absolutely. Why the concern?”
“There was just something on your face earlier,” she said, staring at him, “that made me think she was on your mind.”
Clayton looked right back at her.
“What did she think of Chase McCandles?”
Clayton slowly smiled. “I don’t know how you two do it, Sam, but you seem to know what my wife’s thinking even if you can’t see her.”
Sammy smiled when she heard Paddy chuckle. “So tell me, what did she think of him?” Her voice had dropped, and Clayton’s did as well.
“She liked him, but more than that, she thinks he’s in love with Rusty.”
As he might have expected, Sammy did nothing. She nodded and her eyes were thoughtful before she said, “He probably couldn’t help himself. I haven’t been to Briarly in a long time, but Chase’s life is very calm and well-ordered. Rusty must seem a little bit like a flower in the desert. Does Rusty share his feelings?”
“Don’t get ahead of them, Sammy,” Paddy put in. “I don’t think that’s what Clay is saying.”
“You’re right about that. Neither one of them knows a thing except a little bit of attraction.”
Sammy was opening her mouth to comment on that when Rusty joined them. She sat on the sofa next to her father and looked across at Paddy.
“Glad to be back?” he asked with a smile.
“More than I can say. I’ve missed the children.”
“They’ve asked for you daily, and Pastor Brad wanted to know what Sunday you would be back to take the little ones.”
Rusty smiled. There was a special time for the children who came to church each Sunday, and twice a month Rusty taught the lesson and sang songs with them. She loved the time, and the children adored her.
“I’ll go see him tomorrow afternoon,” she said before having to cover a huge yawn. “I know I just got back, but if no one objects, right now I’m going to bed.”
&n
bsp; “That sounds like a good idea.” Sammy rose to do the same, and out of respect the men rose with them.
Rusty kissed everyone goodnight and made her way from the room. Sammy kissed Paddy because she knew she would be asleep before he came to bed. She then hugged Clayton and told him to plan on a filling breakfast the next morning.
As soon as the women left, the men sat back down. Just as Sammy suspected, Paddy did not immediately join her. Although a little apart in age, Paddy and Clayton had grown up together in the same town, their fathers both being mine surveyors. Feeling they had much to catch up on, the two men talked into the wee hours of the morning. It was very late when they decided to call it quits. Rather than take the spare room upstairs that he and Jackie usually slept in when they visited, Clayton opted to stretch out on the sitting room davenport. Making his way silently to bed, Paddy knew that as good as it was to see his brother-in-law, daylight would come all too soon.
Rusty saw her father off the next day, feeling so pleased that he’d made the trip with her. She had not, however, been kidding about wanting to get back to work. She returned to the orphanage and immediately sought out the children.
“I think, Charity Wilkinson, that you have grown two whole inches while I was away.”
The shy three-year-old would not look up at Rusty, but she smiled at the floor and kept her hand tucked into Rusty’s.
“I have to go to town for something, Charity. I’m going right after lunch. Would you like to come?”
Charity looked up then but shook her head no.
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure,” she replied, bold enough to answer this time. This was one point on which she did not want to be misunderstood. Charity didn’t like to go outside unless she was forced. She’d been delivered to the orphanage before her first birthday and had grown too attached to her room and bed. She ventured out for Sunday mornings with all the other children and into the huge yard when ordered to do so, but whenever the children were given free play and their choice of activity, Charity would be found indoors, happy to draw or look at the pictures of a book. When she was told she must spend some time in the yard, she did not run and jump with the other children but walked slowly around, her face thoughtful and just a little apprehensive. The only time she ran was when the children were given permission to return indoors; indeed, she was usually the first in line.
“I’ll ask you again sometime, shall I?” Rusty said, and noting that her little heart seemed relieved, watched the girl nod. They had shared this conversation before. Rusty pressed a kiss to her small, soft brow and opened the book they were going to read together. The subject of going to town was dropped.
Colorado Springs
“Chase!”
Just coming from the barber shop, Chase turned at the sound of his name and saw his pastor, Jeremy Radke, coming up the street.
“Pastor Radke, how are you?”
“Just great. Are you free for a cup of coffee?”
“Sure.”
The men continued up the street to the hotel and went inside to find a seat. The waiter brought them steaming mugs and left them in peace.
“I’ve missed seeing you the last few weeks. How have you been?”
“I’ve been fine. I escorted one of the orphanage workers and two children to a placement.”
“This would be the orphanage you support in Manitou?”
“Yes. The placement went very well, but on the way home, the woman got sick. She was at Briarly for a few days, but I felt it was important to take her home myself.”
“Is she all right now?”
“She was when I left her at her parents’ home in Boulder. She’s probably back in Manitou now.”
“Will you be going over to see her?”
“I don’t think so,” Chase told him, but wondered at the disappointment that filled him. He would have welcomed a reason to visit the orphanage; it had been a very long time since he’d been there. But why did he have to wait for a reason to visit? Before he could form an answer, Pastor Radke spoke again, and although Chase listened, his mind was only half on the conversation. It wasn’t long before they finished their coffee and went their separate ways.
Chase arrived home and slowly walked in the front door of Briarly. His mind was busy going over the question Pastor had asked him about going to Manitou. He never made it out of the front entryway but just stood thinking. That was when the older McCandles heard Quintin’s voice coming from behind the closed door of the breakfast room. Since arriving home from Boulder, Chase could not see or hear Quintin without thinking of Rusty. It was probably the toy bear. As soon as the little boy had learned that she’d picked it out, he hadn’t let it out of his sight. For a few days he’d pined for Rusty so seriously that they feared he would become ill. Then Chase remembered the bear. Quintin was doing better now, but Mrs. Harding reported that he still spoke of Miss Taggart every day.
Eventually Chase moved into his office, but his mind was still full of Quintin, Rusty, and the Fountain Creek Orphanage.
Manitou
As soon as lunch was over and the children were settled into their afternoon activities, Rusty, true to her word, left for the church. It was not far, just several blocks further into town. The day was lovely. In early May, spring was just coming to life in Manitou. Although it was a bit cool, Rusty did not cover her uniform, which comprised a dark navy skirt and crisp white blouse. Anyone who saw her made an immediate connection to the orphanage.
Just minutes later, Rusty was knocking on the parsonage door. It didn’t take long to open, and when it did, Rusty was immediately hugged.
“I’m so glad you’re back!” Tibby Reed, the pastor’s oldest daughter, nearly dragged Rusty inside. “It feels like you’ve been gone for months. How was the placement?”
“Wonderful,” Rusty said sincerely as they took seats in the living room. “You should have seen this couple, Tibby. Their hearts were in their eyes every time they looked at Lizzy and Thomas.”
“And the kids—they were happy?”
“Very. It couldn’t have gone better.”
“And how was Mr. McCans?”
“McCandles,” Rusty corrected. “He was very kind. He took wonderful care of us.”
“Easy to travel with?”
“Yes. Very accommodating.”
“I prayed for you.”
“Thank you.”
“But I prayed for me more,” she admitted, and Rusty had to laugh.
“Why?”
“Because I had to fill in with the kids while you were gone. I love helping you—you know that—but being the teacher makes my stomach ache.”
Rusty shook her head good-naturedly. “That’s why I’m here. Uncle Paddy said your father wanted to know when I would be back.”
“Well, he’s not home right now, but I’ll tell him you’re back in town. It’s not our turn tomorrow, but I’m sure we’ll be on for next week.”
“Sounds good. I wish I could stay and visit, but I really should get back. How go the wedding plans?”
Rusty stood, and Tibby saw her to the door. Tibby filled her in on the latest concerning the upcoming nuptials, and the young women agreed to meet that week to go over the lesson for the children. Tibby had a way of brightening everyone’s day, and Rusty was cheered by the few moments they spent together. She walked back to the orphanage, a wide smile on her face.
25
Colorado Springs
It was late in May, nearly June, when Mrs. Harding received the letter. Spring had finally stopped teasing the residents of the Rocky Mountains and arrived in full. Color seemed to be in every corner of the world. The lawns and gardens of Briarly were once again a showplace. It was here that Quintin’s nanny opened her letter, and here where she sat, her small charge playing quietly beside her, and stared at nothing for a short time.
“Mrs. Harding?”
“Yes, Quintin?”
Mrs. Harding wondered at what her expression must have b
een when Quintin only stared at her, a worried crease between his small brows.
“I was just thinking, Quintin,” she said, smiling to reassure him. She watched his eyes drop to the letter in her hand. He was too bright not to notice, but she knew he would never ask. “You’re not cold, are you?”
Quintin’s eyes returned to hers. He shook his head in denial and went back to the sketch-pad in his hand. It was a normal enough question to get his mind off of his nanny and also give Mrs. Harding a moment more to think. Indeed, a moment was all she needed. She folded the letter carefully and returned it to the envelope. This very evening she would speak with Mr. McCandles about the contents.
As the drawing room darkened, Chase turned the lantern a little higher and continued to read. He was enjoying a novel by Rudyard Kipling and was quite lost in thought when someone cleared her throat. Chase looked up to see Mrs. Whitley at the edge of the room, her back to the front hall.
“Will you be needing anything else tonight, sir?”
“I don’t think so, Mrs. Whitley. Thank you.”
“I’ll say goodnight then.”
“Goodnight.”
Chase would have gone back to his book, but he was sitting so that he could see the stairway. Mrs. Harding was coming down, and as Chase watched, she came and stood almost exactly where Mrs. Whitley had been.
“I’m sorry to disturb your evening, sir, but I wondered if I might have a word with you.”
“Of course.” Chase was immediately on his feet. He waited for Quintin’s nanny to make herself comfortable on the sofa and resumed his seat.
“Is Quintin well?”
“Very well, sir. We had a good day. He enjoys being out without his coat and hat.”
“Good.” Silence fell between them for a moment, and Chase thought she looked a bit strained. He waited, wondering if he should question her but deciding she would speak to him when she was ready.
“Quintin is a very special little boy, Mr. McCandles, and I enjoy him immensely.”
Chase nodded. He suspected there was a “but” in there somewhere, but he wasn’t going to assume.