43
“You will not do this,” Chase told Rusty firmly, his voice very low. He bent over her in an attempt to make himself understood. “You will not cut your hair.”
“It won’t be very much,” she explained as if he hadn’t spoken.
“You will not, Katherine, and I mean it.”
“It’s perfect. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.”
“You’re not listening to me,” Chase tried again. “You will not cut your beautiful hair.”
“Chase,” Rusty said gently, putting her hand on his chest. “It’s such a good idea, and Quin will be so pleased.”
Her hand, her huge eyes, and the softness of her voice all worked to stop him in his tracks. This was who she was. This was the woman he’d fallen for. She did not leave things undone, not even stick-doll making. Chase’s chest rose on a huge sigh, and for a moment his eyes closed. He opened them again and found her still staring up at him. Chase stared helplessly back. Carla had been so mild. She’d been steady and quiet and very predictable. Never once had she hid under his desk. With Rusty he never knew what was going to happen from one day to the next, yet he loved her with all his heart.
“Chase?” She spoke his name with soft uncertainty.
“I told myself if you ever called me Chase, I would kiss you.”
Rusty smiled and glanced out the door. Quintin was just where they’d left him, his eyes on their every move. Rusty looked back at the man with her.
“We have an audience in the other room.”
Chase didn’t even bother to glance toward the door.
“He’ll have to get used to the sight,” he whispered and lowered his head to tenderly brush her lips with his own. It was brief, but oh so sweet, and when he raised his head, he smiled warmly into her eyes. Not able to refrain from touching her, he tenderly cupped her jaw and let his thumb stroke over her cheek. For an instant Rusty’s eyes closed. He made her feel so warm and cherished. She looked up at him, her eyes saying the words before she could utter them.
“This isn’t the place I would have chosen to tell you,” she whispered softly, “but I love you, Chase McCandles.”
“This place is fine,” he said, his voice low, his eyes drilling into hers. “I’ll hear those words anytime you want to say them.”
Rusty couldn’t speak. Her heart was too full. He was the one. She had led with her head, and now her heart had followed. He was the one she could share her life with. They stood close for a moment, not speaking, just looking at each other. It was some moments before Rusty forced her mind back to the little boy in the next room.
“I need to get back to Quin.”
“Is the hair issue settled?”
Rusty nodded her head. “Yes. I won’t cut it if you don’t want me to, but I just need a little. The dolls are so small.” He could see that her creative mind was working again. “Actually, I was hoping to get some of yours too.”
Chase’s head went back as he laughed.
“You could spare some, Chase,” she said matter-of-factly. “Just a little off at the neckline. I would be so careful.”
Chase was ready to kiss her again, but both adults caught movement through the glass doors. After hearing his father’s laugh, Quintin had come close, his little face a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Chase beckoned to him with one hand and he came in with a smile. Chase lifted him on one arm and put the other one around Rusty.
“Are we going to cut Aunt Rusty’s hair now?”
“Yes,” his father said, having reconsidered. “Just a little.” He looked down at the woman who had been an unending source of surprise and delight. “It looks as though I’ll lose some of my own too.”
This news was naturally met with rave reviews from his son, and Rusty beamed at him before leading the way into the drawing room for haircuts and to finish the dolls. Chase never did go back to work. When everyone got hungry, he suggested a picnic lunch.
They were off in the open carriage less than an hour later, the picnic basket tucked safely in the back. Chase didn’t tell Rusty where they were headed, but he stopped the horses by the pond, and they walked to the field where Rusty wanted her orphanage. For the next four hours they caught grasshoppers, ran, played hide-and-seek in the trees, rested on the blanket, and ate the picnic Cook had prepared.
When Quintin ran out of steam, he lay next to his father, and Chase put his arm around him. Rusty was gathering the last of the lunch when Chase began to share.
“This day, the hot weather and stillness, reminds me of the summer I came to Christ.” Rusty looked over at him, but his eyes were on the horizon.
“I was 16 when my mother came home and so self-centered that I couldn’t even see it. I’ll never forget that summer. My mother had been home only a few months and was doing well, but for as much as I’d missed her when she was gone, I didn’t want to spend any time with her. Each morning she read her Bible out loud at the breakfast table, but I just wanted to get away—away from her and away from Briarly.”
Chase looked over at Quintin and saw that he had fallen asleep. He continued his story for Rusty.
“My mother was so gentle and kind, but I just wanted to run from her. My father was all business and gruff, and for some reason that was easier to take. Then it happened. One Sunday morning I announced that I didn’t want to go to church. I don’t even know where my father was right then, probably on a business trip. My mother and I had a huge fight. I tried to walk out on her, but she followed me right to the stable. I saddled my horse and would have ridden away, but I looked over and saw that she was crying.
“I couldn’t look away. It somehow broke my heart. She began to speak, and for the first time I listened. ‘All those years I prayed to return to you,’ she said. ‘All those years I begged God to let me come home to you, but now I wish I hadn’t. I wish I’d died in that sanitorium. No amount of pain there could ever compare to the pain I feel here at Briarly.’
“I couldn’t believe my ears. She said those words and just walked back to the house. I was stunned. She told me not long after that that she regretted her words almost immediately, but on that day God used them to get my attention. I unsaddled my horse, and when my mother left for church, I was in the carriage with her. I didn’t speak of it, and neither did she, but from that day forward I determined never to make her cry again.
“The weeks that followed weren’t easy. I went to church when I didn’t want to and made myself sit and listen to the Bible reading when I wanted to be anywhere else, but I stayed. Then one day God opened my heart. My mother was reading in Luke about Lazarus and the rich man, and I realized that I was a hell-bound sinner. She looked over and found tears in my eyes and simply asked me if I was finally ready.
“All I could do was nod my head. Sitting right in the breakfast room, I bowed my head and repented. I told God that I needed the salvation that only His Son could provide. I confessed my need for a Savior and believed on Jesus Christ.” Chase sighed with the sweet remembrance. “To say the least, I was a changed person after that.” He looked at Rusty and found her eyes filled with tears.
“Thank you for telling me,” she whispered.
Chase reached for her hand. “Thank you for breaking into my routine Christianity and making me aware that my son needed a father.”
Rusty only smiled at him, too emotional to speak. Quintin was still asleep, but Chase looked down at his little face.
“Not until right before my father’s death did I even know if he believed in Christ. He said he did, but he didn’t lead an exemplary life. I want better for Quintin. I love the verse in 1 Timothy 4, I think it’s verse 16, where Paul warns Timothy. He says, ‘Take heed unto thyself and unto thy doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear.’ God’s promises encompass tomorrow. And not just the day after today, but all the tomorrows yet to come, so I can claim that verse for Quintin and me. If I am faithful, he’ll hear and know that he must turn to
Christ not only for his salvation, but every day for the rest of his life.”
“Thank you, Chase. Thank you for reminding me that God never gives up.”
Chase smiled at her and gave her hand a small squeeze. They continued to talk until Quintin woke up and then made their way back to Briarly.
It was Rusty’s idea of a perfect afternoon. By the time she returned to Briarly, she was extremely tired but also very peaceful. Word had come from Darcey Lackland that Rusty was more than welcome to move in. Knowing it to be the wisest thing, Chase arranged for her to go the next day. Both Rusty and Quintin cried, but by Saturday night she was comfortably situated in town. It helped Quintin to see what her new room and home looked like, and also to know that they were going to pick her up for church the very next morning.
As she had done Friday night, she fell into bed and slept instantly. Things had been a little too busy in the past few days. Her last thoughts had been that things would probably slow down now. She had completely forgotten that it was almost time to return to Boulder for the next wedding.
44
Boulder
Quintin McCandles’ eyes were huge as he disembarked from the train, his hand snugly held by his father’s. Rusty had walked ahead of them and turned to smile at him.
“This is my hometown, Quin. This is Boulder.”
All the little boy could do was nod. Although he was a bit tired from the trip, he was also excited. Rusty exchanged a smile with Chase. It had been so fun to watch him on his first train trip. They had come north for Grace Harrington and Wyatt Buchanan’s wedding. Rusty was in the wedding party and had wanted all along to bring Quintin to meet all of her family. Chase had impressed her to no end when he asked if he could join them and didn’t insist on it. Since Rusty couldn’t see enough of the man, she was more than happy to oblige. It was wonderful living at Mrs. Lackland’s, but she didn’t see as much of Chase and Quintin and missed them terribly.
“Shall we be off?” Chase asked, taking charge. “Are you up for the walk, Katherine?”
“Yes, I am.”
“How about you, Quin? Can you walk a few blocks?”
“I think so. What is that barrel over there, Papa?”
They didn’t leave the train station as swiftly as they expected—Quintin had a dozen questions. When they did arrive at the Taggart home, everyone was in attendance. Rusty was thronged, and when it was time for her siblings to meet Quintin, they fell in love with him.
Rusty performed the introductions. “This is Dana. She’s my youngest sister. And this is Clare. She’s just a little younger than I am. Les,” she said, pointing to the young man who stood next to his father, “is my brother.”
Quintin nodded, his eyes going to all of them but then quite naturally straying back to Rusty’s brother. It wasn’t hard to read his mind. If Leslie Taggart was as much fun as his father and Clayton Taggart were, they could have a good time.
“Mother, have you decided where we’re all going to sleep?”
“Mr. McCandles will have the same room as last time,” Jackie replied, “and I thought you might want to decide where you want Quintin. He can be in with his father, with Les, or with you. Wherever you think best.”
“I think he should come to my room,” Les put in. “We’ll have a great time.”
“What do you think, Quin?” Chase asked him. “Do you want to stay in Les’ room with him?”
Quintin nodded shyly, but he also looked very pleased. Rusty watched as Leslie led his small roommate up the stairs. It was certain to be the start of a wonderful week together.
McKay Harrington’s heart felt like it was going to burst as he walked his oldest daughter down the center aisle of the church. His wife, Callie, was in the front pew, and when McKay saw the tears standing in her eyes, they almost started his own.
Wyatt Buchanan, as fine a Christian young man as McKay could ever hope to meet, stood down front. His heart swelled again when he thought of the way Wyatt and Grace loved each other. If their marriage was anything like the one God had blessed between him and Callie, they would find no greater joy.
McKay handed Grace over to Wyatt, giving her cheek a quick kiss before moving to stand with Callie. Her hand sought his immediately, and he turned to smile into her eyes. Across the aisle from them stood Travis and Rebecca Buchanan, parents of the groom. Rebecca was in no better shape as far as tears went, and she spent the whole service with a hankie to her face. The four adults were extremely close, and having their children joined in marriage was more wonderful than they could have ever dreamed.
Standing up with the happy couple were friends and family. Wyatt’s best man was his brother, Garrett. The two groomsmen were Grace’s brother, Daniel, and Wyatt’s friend, Tom Bacher. Grace’s sister, Melissa, was her maid of honor, and standing up with her were Rusty and Wyatt’s sister, Katie.
The other siblings, Roz Buchanan, Bart Harrington, and Andrea Harrington, all had jobs at the reception that was to be held immediately after the wedding. During the ceremony they sat with their parents.
Chase sat with Quintin and Rusty’s parents, about halfway back on the bride’s side. He didn’t know when he’d felt like this. He remembered his wedding with Carla. It had been a very small, private affair, but that had not been the difference. The difference had been what Chase witnessed in the groom’s eyes. Wyatt Buchanan was a man in love. Chase had cared for Carla—he had cared very much—but those feelings had never approached the depth and intensity for the woman he now loved.
Chase had been able to write to Mrs. Harding with genuine best wishes, as well as tell her that he and Rusty had formed a strong attachment. The words had sounded stilted as he reread them, and he realized what a private person he was where others were concerned. With Rusty he could talk about any subject, but it wasn’t like that with many other people in his life.
Now as Chase watched Rusty stand up front, lovely in a peach-colored gown, her hair piled atop her head, he couldn’t help but wonder when their own wedding would take place. They often talked of the future, shared their dreams and desires, but Chase hadn’t actually come right out and asked Rusty to marry him. She loved him, he knew that, but he was enjoying with Rusty what he’d never had with Carla: a true courtship. It was wonderful to get to know her a little more every day and to dream of the time when they would be man and wife.
The wedding ended while Chase was still lost in his musings. He realized with a start that he’d heard little of the ceremony. Clayton must have figured that out, since the older man asked him what he thought and smiled at him with a mischievous glint in his eye. Chase smiled in return, knowing he’d been caught out.
“Papa,” Quintin touched his father’s hand just then, “I have to be excused.”
“All right.” Chase scooped him up onto one arm and made for the door, thankful the ceremony was over.
“Did Aunt Rusty get married today?” Quintin asked his father after he’d used the private facilities.
“No, Grace Harrington, a friend of hers, did.”
“Oh. Who was the man?” Quintin asked as they walked back to join the other guests.
“The man who got married was another friend. His name is Wyatt Buchanan.”
Quintin nodded, and Chase stopped him with a hand to his shoulder. He bent down in front of him and spoke into his face.
“Are you worried about something, Quin?”
“No, I just want to see Aunt Rusty.”
Chase nodded. “I do too, but it might be a little while before she’s free to be with us. Will you be okay until then?”
He nodded, and Chase leaned close to press a kiss to his brow. Quintin reached up with both hands, his face very serious. He held his father’s cheeks in his small hands and tilted Chase’s head down so he could kiss his forehead. Chase laughed.
“Oh, Quin, you do my heart good.”
“My heart is good too,” he said, and Chase laughed again.
The little boy gladly took his father’
s hand so they could head into the reception. Chase spotted Clayton and Jackie and moved to join them. Before he could get that far, Dana commandeered Quintin and took him off to play.
“How did the bride look?” Jackie asked, and Chase listened as Clayton described her. “And Rusty?”
Clayton laughed. “I could tell you, but I couldn’t do half the job Chase could.”
“I thought it was you, Mr. McCandles,” she commented.
“How did you know?”
“Well, I knew it was someone tall, and I thought I caught a faint scent of bayberry. I know from being in your home that that would be you.”
“Amazing,” Chase said and meant it.
Jackie smiled. It wasn’t amazing to her, just the facts. “So are you going to tell me? How does my daughter look today?”
“Beautiful,” he said softly, and Jackie could tell by his voice that he was no longer looking down at her. She was right. His height making it easy, Chase was staring across the room to where Rusty stood with the other attendants. She spotted him after just a few minutes and smiled when her eyes met his. Someone was waiting to speak to her, so she had no choice but to look away. However, she glanced back whenever possible and often caught Chase’s eyes on her. Just as soon as she was able, she escaped to his side.
“Hello,” she said softly as she tucked her arm into his. “What did you think of the wedding?”
“Yes, tell us, Chase,” Clayton teased. “How did you like it?”
Chase laughed.
“Have I missed a private joke?” Rusty wanted to know.
“I’ll never tell,” Clayton vowed.
Rusty laughed but looked confused. It was hours later before they had a few moments alone, and she could ask him.
“Your father is a tease,” Chase told her, pushing a stray curl from her cheek. “He could tell that I was more interested in a certain redheaded bridesmaid than in the bride herself.”