Rusty dimpled at him. The wedding had been wonderful, but she had missed some of it as well, asking herself when it would be her turn. She sensed this was Chase’s distraction but didn’t mention it.
They were rarely alone in the days that followed, but what they lacked in privacy, they made up for in fun. Quintin followed Leslie around like a puppy, and one day even went with Clare to Mrs. Wood’s house.
All too soon it was time to return to Colorado Springs. Rusty did so with a mix of feelings: happy to be going back to her routine and time alone with Chase and Quintin, but also sad because she loved to be with her family. As the train pulled from the station, Rusty knew she would miss them, but she also wondered more seriously than ever before if it might not be time to start a family of her own. She said nothing to Chase, but the thought lingered in her mind all the way home.
Colorado Springs
Chase, Rusty, and Quintin had been home for less than 24 hours when Chase tracked her down. She had arrived on time that morning but had not seen him. Now she was on the veranda reading a story to Quintin. Chase listened for a time and then wandered off. Rusty had the impression that he wanted to talk, but when she paused and started to close the book, Chase shook his head. This went on for the rest of the day. Chase would seek her out, but if she was busy with Quintin, he would let them be. At nearly the dinner hour, he finally found her alone in the drawing room.
“Are you all right?” she asked without hesitation.
“I have to know,” he said softly. “I thought I could wait, give it more time, but I have to know for certain, from your own lips, if you’re going to marry me.”
Rusty nodded, remembering all her thoughts and prayers from just the day before. She had wondered when he was going to ask but would never have brought it up herself.
“Can you give me about 20 minutes?” she asked.
“Certainly. Is there something I can do?”
“I just need to speak with Quin.”
“All right. Do you want me to find him?”
“Would you, please?”
Chase rose to get his son, and Rusty enjoyed a few minutes alone. She had had such a wonderful time with her family. She’d made time to talk to everyone, but her mother had asked a question of her that had stopped her in her tracks. The way Rusty cared for Quintin, she was surprised that she’d overlooked this. She hadn’t been able to say anything for a time but had ended up thanking her mother and giving her a great hug.
A few minutes later, Chase returned, Quintin on his back. He deposited the little boy onto the davenport and started on his way.
“You can stay if you’d like,” Rusty said softly to him.
Chase nodded and sat down across from her.
“Come here, Quin.” Rusty patted her lap. Quintin was more than happy to comply. “Do you know that I love you, Quintin James McCandles?”
“I love you too, Aunt Rusty. We love each other.”
“Yes, we do, and I’m so glad. Tell me, Quin, have you thought about my leaving, you know, at the end of the summer like we planned?”
“Yes. I don’t like it. It makes me sad,” he said with quiet respect.
“What if I stayed here and married your papa? Do you think you would like that?”
“Stay for always?” He made sure he understood.
“That’s right.”
Quintin nodded, his face open and sweet. “I think you should,” he said simply. “I would like it.” Rusty smiled at him but then noticed his frown of concentration.
“Are you still Aunt Rusty?”
“You mean, what should you call me?”
Quintin nodded.
“I think you can call me whatever you like, but more important than that, Quintin, is that I know for certain that you would be all right. I love your father, but I wouldn’t want to stay and marry him unless you thought it was a very good idea.”
“I think it is. Would you still live at Mrs. Lackland’s?”
“No. I would live here. Is that all right with you too?”
“Would you still play with me?”
“I would play with you every day,” she said softly. “You would be my own little boy.”
“Like a mother?”
“That’s right.”
The smile that crossed his face was too much for Rusty. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close. Her eyes went to the man across the room from them, and she smiled.
“I love you,” Chase mouthed the words very softly.
Rusty’s smile was tender. “Do you have your answer?” she asked quietly.
Chase nodded, knowing that the evening would seem long until they could be alone. Weeks ago he had chosen a ring for her, and tonight he could present it. Suddenly he saw her again. She was coming from downtown Colorado Springs, the Parks children in hand. He had confessed to Rusty that he hadn’t been the same since. Now watching her hold his son, knowing she would be the best mother in the world—not to mention the most loving wife—he wanted to tell her again. He didn’t know if he could find the words to explain to her what had happened on that day, but he would find a way. If it took the next 50 years, he would show Katherine Alexa Taggart that she was in his heart to stay.
Epilogue
Colorado Springs
April 1911—nearly 14 years later
Chase stood back and waited for Rusty to precede him through the front door of Briarly. Quintin, now close to 19 years of age, came behind her, as did four of his siblings: Ethan, a tall boy of 13 years; Alisa, who was 10fi, also tall like her father but redheaded; Simon, another redhead, who had turned 8 his last birthday; and 6-year-old Jordan, whose smile was infectious. Leah and Marcus, ages 4 and almost 2, had been sharing a cold and had not accompanied the rest of the family to the orphanage.
Chase thanked the children for going with them and reminded them not to make noise before finding out if Marcus was sleeping. He then followed Rusty, who had gone into the drawing room to sit down. Chase sat across the room and eyed her, his gaze taking in her shape first and then studying her face.
“I hope you’re ready to have this baby,” he said in the quiet way she had always known from him.
She was ready but still asked, “Why?”
“Because I would say you have less than 24 hours.”
Rusty smiled. “Thank you, Dr. McCandles.”
Chase grinned back at her. “You may laugh all you want, Katherine, but I’ve seen you do this six times. You’re going to have that baby very soon.”
“What is it you see?” she asked, honestly curious.
Chase shrugged. “Your walk changes. And you sit very carefully. I didn’t notice it until you were moving among the children at the orphanage today, but it’s there, and every time I see it, you present me with another child within 24 hours.”
Rusty’s eyes were skeptical, but she still smiled at him.
“You were wonderful with those children today,” Chase complimented her, knowing she was not convinced about the baby’s coming so soon.
“Thank you,” Rusty said softly. Her dream had come true. For over ten years the Prairie Lake Orphanage had been operating in the field where Rusty had first imagined it. The facility was able to house 48 children and 20 staff members or potential parents.
“They were certainly excited about that picture of Clare on the elephant,” Rusty commented. “I’m glad you remembered to take it.”
“That’s all Alisa can talk about,” Chase said. “She prays for her Aunt Clare every night but then asks God if she can join her in India.”
“Who knows?” Rusty said, even as she tried to stay open to the idea. It was one thing to have her sister go to the mission field; her own child was a little harder to grasp. “I have to remember that they’re not mine, Chase.”
“I know what you mean.” His thoughts were moving along the same line. “I also need to watch that I don’t put the cart before the horse. She is but ten.”
Rusty smiled. For a moment she h
ad forgotten that as well. She let her eyes drift shut and wondered if Chase might be right. She didn’t tire easily when pregnant, until it came down to the last few weeks. Right now she was bone weary. She’d have drifted off to sleep if Leah had not come looking for her just then. Sniffles or not, Rusty welcomed her youngest daughter into her lap and held her close. Marcus was close on his sister’s heels and threw himself at Chase the moment he spotted him. The children’s favorite toy was their father.
“I didn’t get to go today,” Leah reminded her mother.
“I know.” Rusty was compassionate as she smoothed her dark hair. “But we didn’t want any of the children to get a cold.”
“Marcus didn’t cry,” Leah also informed them, her four-year-old mind happy to change subjects that swiftly.
“Good boy,” his father said to him. “Did you take a long nap?”
Marcus, whose vocabulary was limited, said only, “Nap.”
The older children had been busy at various pursuits, but as Chase and Rusty told their youngest two children about the trip to the orphanage, the others slowly made their way to the drawing room, all wanting something to eat. It wasn’t long until dinner, but Chase said they could have a small snack.
Rusty rose to do the honors, and after making sure she was all right, Chase told his wife he had some work to do in the office. Rusty was a little hungry herself, so she ate with the children and then agreed to accompany Simon and Jordan to the stable.
“Quin,” she asked the son who now towered over her. “Will you keep an eye on Marky?”
“Sure. Where is Leah going to be?”
“With Alisa. She said they’re going upstairs to work on a present for Marky’s birthday next month.”
“Mother,” Quintin teased her with a glint in his eyes, so much like Chase that it was frightening, “he’ll hear you.”
Rusty laughed and looked down at her youngest. Marcus was still working on his crackers and milk, showing little interest in the conversation.
“I suppose I’ll have to wash his face too.” Quintin sounded much more aggrieved than he felt.
“I’ll do it,” Cook said good-naturedly. Marcus McCandles, with his dark hair and huge dark eyes, had quite easily captured her heart.
Seeing that all was in order, Rusty thanked Cook and Quintin alike before exiting through the kitchen door, the boys in tow. Halfway to the stable, Ethan caught up with them. He usually had his head in a book, but he needed to discuss his latest theory. His mother was always the first to hear. Ethan was fascinated with airplanes and air travel of any kind. He always had a new idea he was working to perfect.
Rusty listened with half an ear, not because she didn’t care but because Jordan was having a hard time remembering that he couldn’t climb into the stalls. She had to reprimand him twice.
The second time she finished warning him, she said, “That’s the end of it, Jordy.” She did not shout, but he got the message. “Once more and you’re to the house and in your room.”
“Yes, Mother,” he said, and went to join Simon, who was sitting in the open touring car their father had owned for several months. Chase let them sit in the front seats if they were very careful.
The interchange over, Rusty watched him walk away and thought she might find a bench to sit on. She was on the verge of asking Ethan to find her one when she suddenly found herself feeling quite sick. If she opened her mouth, she thought she might lose her snack. Rusty was relieved when it passed swiftly.
In the midst of Rusty’s discomfort, Ethan decided to draw out his latest design and with a swift goodbye darted back toward the house. He had been gone for only ten minutes when Rusty’s first pain hit. She put a hand on the stable door to steady herself. Chase’s words came back to her. If she hadn’t been in so much pain, she would have laughed.
“Boys,” she called to them when she could, “we need to go in now.”
“We just got here,” Jordan protested.
Rusty’s brows went in the air, and he immediately remembered his attitude.
“Yes, Mother.”
Simon had come down without comment and caught his mother’s hand as soon as he was near. Jordan took her other side, and the three of them walked back to the house.
“I can’t wait to drive that car, Mother,” Simon said wistfully. “I wish I could now.”
“I know, Simon. Doesn’t it sometimes feel like time stands still?”
The eight-year-old smiled up at her, and Rusty bent to kiss him. Jordan was next. A very affectionate child, he reached up to hug his mother while telling her he loved her. Rusty smiled into his eyes. With energy to spare, Simon and Jordan raced the rest of the way, and Rusty finished the distance in relative comfort. She sought out Chase immediately. He was still at his desk.
“Chase.”
“I knew this would happen.” Still in his chair, he held the news article in his hand.
“You were right,” Rusty said quietly.
“Oh, did I already tell you about this?” Chase went on. “The whole thing folded. I knew when I read about it that it was a poor investment. I’m just thankful we didn’t get involved.”
“Chase, you were right.”
When she repeated her statement for the second time, Chase really looked at her. He wasn’t long in catching on. He came around the desk immediately, the paper and everything else forgotten. He hugged Rusty and asked, “Have you had pains?”
“Only one, but I wish I hadn’t eaten that snack with the children.”
Chase gently kissed her, his hand dropping to the swell at her waist.
“Do you want to go upstairs?”
“Not yet. I just wanted you to know.”
He smiled tenderly down at her, not even a hint of I told you so in his attitude as he brushed his hand down the back of her hair and kissed her brow.
“Why don’t you sit down?”
Rusty shook her head. “I want to keep moving as long as I can.”
“Okay, but as quickly as things happened last time, don’t you think I should send for the doctor?”
“I don’t think that will happen again,” Rusty replied, but feeling rather uncomfortable just minutes later, she changed her mind and decided to head up to her room. Chase carried her, and for a moment he sat on the side of the bed and held her in his lap. Surprisingly, none of the children noticed them. They talked quietly about nothing in particular until Rusty had another contraction.
“That felt like the real thing,” she said when she could breathe.
“I’m sending for the doctor.”
This time Rusty didn’t argue.
Quintin lay sprawled on the floor of the upstairs landing, a book open in front of him. The other children were settled in bed, all having prayed for their mother and the new baby. Mrs. Whitley had come and gone from the room several times. The doctor had come a few hours earlier. However, things had not progressed as swiftly as they had hoped.
For a moment Quintin thought about Katherine Alexa McCandles. She wasn’t his biological mother, but for all the love she’d shown him, she could have been. He would never forget the day she donned a long, lacy dress and married his father. True to her word, she still played with him, read to him every day, and never once let him forget that he was loved. He’d only grown closer to his father as the months passed, and when they had started presenting him with siblings, the fun and joy increased. It was like a dream come true.
Quintin suddenly found himself very emotional and forced his mind to concentrate on the book in front of him. It worked for a time, but he often glanced toward the closed portal and prayed. It was during one of these times that he heard the small cry. As young as Marcus was, Quintin had forgotten what a wonderful sound that was. His eyes slid shut, and a relieved smile crossed his mouth.
“Thank You, Lord,” he breathed. “Please be with both of them. Please take care of my mother.”
His soft prayer was interrupted just minutes later when his father suddenly opened the
door. Quintin was pushing to his feet when Chase said, “A girl, Quin. You have another sister.”
Quintin smiled as his father hugged him.
“How’s Mother?”
“Come in and see.”
Quintin didn’t need to be asked twice. He walked swiftly into the room and right to his mother’s side.
“Oh, Quin,” Rusty smiled up at him. She was flushed and tired, but also delighted. “A girl—did your father tell you?”
“Yes. Michelle, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. Michelle for a girl and Clayton for a boy.”
“Michelle McCandles. That’s nice.”
“Have you seen her?”
He hadn’t. Michelle was still being cleaned up and checked over by the doctor and Mrs. Whitley, but it wasn’t long before Chase had her in his arms and moved to show Quintin. Quintin watched as her face scrunched up, but she didn’t actually cry.
“She’s wonderful,” he said and turned to smile at his mother. “I’m glad it’s a girl.”
Rusty smiled back at him and kissed his cheek when he bent over her.
The next few hours were spent settling in. Quintin took himself off to bed, proclaiming that this business of delivering babies was exhausting work. Rusty had a good laugh before the room emptied of all but Chase, giving her a chance to nurse the baby to sleep and fall asleep herself.
Chase ended up with Michelle in his arms, not yet ready to put her into the cradle. He sat on the bed, his back propped against the footboard, and looked down into her sleeping face. It didn’t matter how many God gave them, Chase thought they were all miraculous. He was on the verge of putting the baby to bed when he found Rusty’s eyes on him.
“I think you’re wonderful,” she told him as she did so often.
Chase’s eyes locked with hers for a moment. He then stood and gently settled the newborn in her bed. He joined Rusty, sitting beside her on the edge of the mattress.
“Why am I wonderful?”
Rusty reached for his hand, not sure she could express herself. “You just are. You take such good care of us, and no matter how many children we have, you love them all.”