“Oh, I don’t know. I mean, I don’t want him to think I came running to you and complained.”
“I can explain everything to him Monday morning, that is, if you agree.”
Kate looked over at Sean who told her yes with the move of his head and the look on his face.
“All right Mr. Taylor. And thank you for everything.”
“The pleasure is all ours Kaitlin, believe me.” These were the first words May had spoken during this talk and Kaitlin would have run from the room if she could have read her hostess’ mind. May had just thanked God for a Christian wife for Rigg.
twenty-seven
The next morning found the Donovans and Taylors in church together. A wonderful peace stole over Kaitlin as she entered the house of the Lord; she’d really missed being part of a formal service. Not all of the songs were familiar but they were still beautiful to her ears.
There was one embarrassing moment before the sermon, when Bill made his announcement and asked Kate, Sean and Marcail to stand and be introduced. He told everyone of their situation and that he’d start the list around. He concluded by saying that if anyone had anything to give, it could be brought to the shipping office.
When the sermon began Kate immediately liked Pastor Keller. His eyes were kind and his voice was filled with conviction as he preached from the Word. The morning’s text was John 3:14 and 15. He began by reading the verses.
“ ‘And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.’
“Let’s pray. Our Father in heaven we believe You are the one true God who is able to teach us all things from Your Word. We ask now, Lord, that You open our hearts to Your truth and convicting spirit. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
“If you remember back in the book of Numbers, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and raise it high on a pole. The Word says that any and all who looked at the bronze snake would be healed from the poisonous bites of the snakes tormenting them.
“What I want you to think on this morning, is that those who had to look at the snake were condemned to physical death—they’d already been bitten by a poisonous snake. God proved His mercy toward the children of Israel, for when those bitten looked toward the serpent for healing, they were indeed healed.
“Each one of us has also been bitten and received a more dangerous poison: spiritual sin. That old serpent Satan bit all of mankind when he deceived Eve and Adam sinned. We must realize that we are now condemned to spiritual death, and each person must act for himself. In other words, it is our personal responsibility to look to Christ, who was lifted up on the cross, as our healing from the spiritual poison of sin, and to understand that without that salvation, we will know spiritual death.
“This is far from the first time I’ve spoken to you about eternity. Sometimes God burdens my heart so heavily that I know I can’t go another Sunday without explaining this precious truth to you. Coming forward will not save you, believing there is a God will not save you. You must be born again by believing in the only begotten Son of God.
“Please, friends, if there is any doubt in your mind, come to me or any one of our elders. We want to see you know Christ in a most personal way.”
Pastor Keller closed in prayer and then Kaitlin noticed a man go down front. Pastor Keller embraced him before they sat in the front pew and began to talk.
After the service many greeted the Donovans and told how they had prayed for a schoolteacher. It was a good beginning for everyone. After walking back to the wagon, Kate told Rigg how much she liked the church.
“What?” Rigg asked absently. He had the hardest time concentrating when she looked like she did today. Her dress was a pale pink with every imaginable color of flower swirled all over it. The white lace at her collar against the tanned skin of her face and dark hair was not merely distracting; it was hypnotizing.
“I was just saying that everyone was very nice. I even met some of my students.”
“Good.”
Kate finally picked up on his distracted attitude and became concerned. “Are you feeling well?”
“Rigg’s just having a little heart trouble,” Jeff answered as he approached and dropped an arm around Kaitlin’s shoulders, as though he were a long lost brother. Kate could see he was having one on her.
“Honestly, Jeff, you’d think I was a hitching post the way you lean on me!” But she wasn’t really upset.
Rigg, who had been sending warning glances to his smiling, unrepentant brother, reached up and tossed Jeff’s arm away. Rigg’s hands went to Kaitlin’s waist and he swung her up onto the wagon seat. Jeff looked at the way Katie spread her skirts on half of the seat and then to Rigg who still stood by the wagon.
“I suppose this means I’ll be riding in the back?”
“Maybe you can find something back there to lean on,” Rigg replied dryly, and Kate laughed.
Jeff grumbled good-naturedly as he boarded and when the wagon pulled away he leaned against the seat back, his legs stretched out before him. He waved at friends and made a few observations as Rigg drove away.
“Hey Katie, have you still got that black dress I first saw you in at the schoolhouse?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe you should wear it to church.”
“What is he talking about?” Kate inquired of Rigg.
“I think my brother, in his own klutzy way, is trying to tell you that you were turning heads as we left church today.”
Kate turned in her seat to look back at the churchyard and then to Rigg to see if he’d been serious. He had.
“That’s ridiculous,” Kate said primly. “My skin is much too dark to be considered attractive and my jaw is too square.” Kaitlin scowled as both men shouted with laughter.
“I don’t know what’s so funny about that. Honestly, if any of my class is witnessing this display I’ll have my hands full in the morning.” But even with her stern words they continued to laugh.
“I wish I’d ridden with your folks,” she finally said, and Jeff and Rigg made an attempt to control themselves.
“Are you really mad?” Jeff coaxed from the back.
“Furious!” Kaitlin said, as she smiled and waved at Marcail in the wagon in front of them. Rigg glanced back at Jeff and the two men exchanged a smile.
“And don’t you be grinning at each other as though you were actually pleased with yourselves. It’s too bad you’re too big for a trip to the woodshed. Oh, Mr. Riggs,” Kate reached and touched his sleeve, all teasing gone. “Who is that little boy?”
“That’s Joey Parker. You’ll meet him tomorrow.”
“How old is he?”
“I think about nine or ten.”
“Why did you ask, Kate?” Jeff piped up.
“I noticed him outside the church but didn’t see him come in. I’m glad I’ll meet him tomorrow.” Kaitlin watched as the boy walked across an open field. His clothes were filthy and his hair hung limply in his eyes. Kate wanted to hold him in her arms forever.
Both Rigg and Jeff refrained from telling Kate what a rough home life Joey hailed from. At the same time, they were both very happy for Joey that a new schoolteacher had been found and he could, at least for a few hours every day, be away from his father.
twenty-eight
“Thank you, Mister . . .?”
“Hodges.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hodges.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Donovan. You don’t know my wife, but when she gets a bee in her bonnet, well, let’s just say there’s no stopping her.”
It was late afternoon on Sunday and one of the men from the church had just arrived at the Taylors’ with a wagonload of household goods.
“I know this is quite a pile, so I thought if you’d come along with me and show me your house, I’d deliver it right to your door.”
Kaitlin seemed to be in a state of shock so Rigg answered for her. “Why don
’t we both go with you.” He helped a silent Kaitlin into the wagon and they both listened as Mr. Hodges explained why his wife had sent so much.
“Both of our mothers are dead and you always want to hold on to some memories, but we’ve an attic full of things that haven’t been touched in years. The wife couldn’t see any point of them sitting there any longer. You might want to air the quilts, but I think you’ll find them in good shape.”
“I’m sure they’ll all be wonderful,” Kate’s quiet reply caused Mr. Hodges to look over at her on the seat beside him, and then to Rigg. He spoke, after his attention was once again on the road, a smile in his voice.
“I don’t suppose there’d be any point in writing to my unmarried son and reminding him that he hasn’t visited in a spell.”
“No point, Mr. Hodges, no point at all,” Rigg answered without hesitation and didn’t bother to look at Kate’s face—he knew she was smiling. That knowledge made him the happiest he’d been since he met her.
Once at the house the three of them worked steadily to unload the wagon. Quilts, sheets, pillows, pots, a pack of needles and thread, a few dishes and bowls, two vases, a rug beater, cookie cutters and a cookie sheet—Kaitlin wondered when it would stop. When they were finished she flopped into a chair and stared at the pile on the bed and table.
“Mr. Hodges, please thank your wife for me and tell her I’ll look forward to meeting her next Sunday. Thank you for bringing us to the house but you don’t need to stay. I’ll walk back to the Taylors’.”
“I’ll stay too,” Rigg spoke up, and smiled at the twinkle that came into Mr. Hodges eyes. He walked him to the wagon where Hodges gave Rigg another box, and told him briefly who it was from.
Rigg left the front door open and set the box on a chair. He then went about forcing open the windows while Kate tried to sort through the piles. All the kitchen supplies went on the shelves near the stove, and then Kaitlin, who found everything fresh smelling, made the bed with the sheets and all three quilts.
While Kate organized, Rigg attacked the stove. He had it going in about 15 minutes, much to Kaitlin’s delight. Rigg showed her a few tricks and then Kate noticed the box he’d brought in earlier.
“What’s this?”
“Mr. Hodges said it was for Marcail. It’s from his brother-in-law, who just happens to be the officer who was in front of the mercantile.”
Kate looked surprised and then very pleased. Rigg watched as she lifted the lid. “Oh, my,” she breathed as she brought forth a lovely doll dressed in an adorable sailor suit. It stood about 18 inches tall and the white suit, including the hat, was completely trimmed in plaid. The shoes and socks were removable and when Kate lay the doll back and brought it forward, the eyes opened and closed.
“Look at these.” Rigg brought Kate’s attention away from the doll to show her what he’d found in the top part of the box, wrapped in paper. He held up one of six tiny teacups and saucers. There was a matching teapot, sugar bowl and creamer. They were intricate in detail and all appeared to be hand painted.
“She’s going to love these.”
“I imagine she will. Are you ready to start back? Mom has probably started supper.”
“Sure. Let me repack this doll and I’ll leave it here for Marcail. She likes surprises.”
They walked quietly for the first half of their journey. It was a comfortable silence, and Kate was newly impressed at how gentlemanly Rigg was. He had reached to take her arm several times when the path dipped and once, when a large dog came at them with teeth bared, Kate stepped instinctively close to Rigg, who slid his arm around her. He shooed the dog away with a shout and they were again on their way.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you, Katie, that I’m sorry about the loss of your mother.”
“Thank you. I take it that Sean shared with you?”
“He was in a mood to talk our first night. I imagine it must be hard to have your father leave so soon afterward.”
“In some ways his leaving is harder than Mother’s death. I know where Mother is, but with Father I can only guess. On our trip over, both he and Sean were so seasick they could hardly stand up. Mother and I took turns tending them but this trip, with him being all alone—” she didn’t finish and Rigg knew she was fighting tears.
“If everything went according to plan, is he in Hawaii now?” Kate saw the question for what it was, a chance to collect herself.
“Yes, he should be there. His plans when he left were to gather our belongings and return to San Francisco as soon as he could. If things really go smoothly, I’m not sure he’ll get the letter. It could arrive after he’s started back.”
“You really miss it don’t you?”
“Not Hawaii so much as the people.”
“Is there someone special waiting for you in Hawaii?” Rigg didn’t know where the question came from and wished he could take it back. “I’m sorry, Katie, that’s none of my business.”
“Don’t be sorry, I don’t mind.” Kate hesitated and Rigg’s heart sank. “There was a young man there, still is, who wanted to marry me, but I just never felt that strongly about him. He would make some girl a wonderful husband but I couldn’t possibly marry because it was convenient. Could you? I mean, I’d have to be in love.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Even though it hurts the person whose feelings are stronger, it would be even worse to pretend you felt something that you didn’t.” Kate looked askance at Rigg as they talked.
“What did I say?”
“Nothing, you’re just different than I first thought.”
“I hope you mean it’s an improvement.”
“Now that would be telling.” Kaitlin grinned impishly and side-stepped when he reached for her. The farm was in sight and she took off at a run. Rigg caught her in 20 strides and they walked toward the house.
“You didn’t really think to outrun me did you?” he asked, with his hand on her arm. She laughed up at him and he desperately wanted to hold her, but must have kept his thoughts hidden because Kate was still smiling at him as if they were old friends.
“You’d have never caught Marcail. She’s like lightning.”
“I’ll keep that in mind when she starts to follow in the sassy footsteps of her sister.”
“Sassy!” Kate was outraged and it was Rigg’s turn to run. They charged in the back door to find May grinning at them and telling them to wash for supper.
twenty-nine
If Kate looked in the mirror once, she looked 15 times, to see if she’d picked the right outfit for the first day of school. She was downstairs an hour before it was time to leave, pacing and biting her nails. May watched her push her breakfast around and reached out and touched her arm.
“Is there anything I can do to help you relax?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Taylor. I guess I’m just excited. I’ve never taught without my mother. It feels strange.”
“You’ll do fine. And I’m sure if your mother knew, she would be very proud.” Kaitlin’s eyes grew moist and May bent over the table to give her a hug.
Nathan drove the wagon when they finally left the farm. Marcail sat in the back holding the lunch tin that May had packed for everyone. They stopped quickly at the post office to mail the letter to Aunt Maureen and then were, of course, the first to arrive at the schoolhouse. As soon as Kate saw the building her nervousness disappeared. Nate noticed the change in her and smiled. She was in her element now and everything was going to be fine.
“Katie, where will I sit?”
“I don’t know. Maybe Nathan can help us with that.” They were inside now, and Kaitlin opened the windows next to her desk for some fresh air. The morning was nippy but she didn’t even consider lighting the potbellied stove; she had always loved crisp morning air.
“Nathan, will you give me a quick rundown of where everyone sat when Mr. Wright was here?”
“Sure. I sit back here with the older kids. The Middle Form kids are around in here and the little ones are
in the front rows. Mr. Wright kept these two desks empty for any of the older kids who stepped out of line. He sometimes used the bench in front for the same thing.” Nathan blushed suddenly as if he’d said too much, but Kate thanked him and gave him her warmest smile.
“Nate, were there any empty desks?”
Taking a moment to reflect, Nate thought he could remember three. He pointed them out. One was in the middle of the room.
“Well, Marc, it looks as if you might be right here. Why don’t you sit down and if no one claims that desk it’s all yours.”
The little girl look thrilled and Nathan smiled at her. When he’d first heard that the schoolteacher and her sister were coming to live with them he nearly groaned. But Miss Donovan hadn’t turned out to be anything like he thought she would be. She was really nice and sometimes even looked a little lost. He figured that was probably why Rigg was acting so funny. Rigg was a sucker for lost kittens and such.
Nate looked over at Marcail and smiled again. She was nice, too. Not at all a brat like he’d expected. It was like suddenly getting a sweet little sister.
A moment later Sean walked into the school. Kate asked him about his night and he said it was fine. She told him that she and Marcail were going to be moving back to the little house the next day. This was news to everyone, but she very logically explained that they had just about everything they needed, plus the money Mr. Taylor had given them for food, and that she felt it was time.
Kaitlin was at the door when the children began to arrive. Asking all of them their names, she introduced herself and then instructed them to sit in the desks they’d previously occupied.
No one was late and Kate noted with satisfaction that all but one of the children were smiling at her. Joey Parker was the exception. His hair was a mess and his clothes filthy. But for some reason, and Kate believed it was of the Lord, she was more drawn to him than any of the other children she’d just met.
The front rows were filled with little girls, mostly ages 7 and 8. Kaitlin looked with compassion at Drew Barsness who was 8 and the only boy in the Primary Form.