by Lori Wick
Rigg nodded and sat quietly.
"I've never believed in love-at-first-sight, Dad, but something is going on. I can't get that girl out of my mind."
Rigg spoke the words sincerely and Bill's heart ached for him. It had been over 23 years since he'd met May but he remembered very well how it felt to watch and wait and wonder. He also remembered befriending a little boy who, if he hadn't responded to him as well as he had, might have kept him from winning May's heart.
But the boy was not three any longer. He was a man, 26 years old-a godly man of faith, with his own business; a man with hopes and desires of his own.
"Do you remember the first time we met, Rigg?"
"My third birthday."
"Yep. I bought you a toy soldier."
"I still have it."
Bill didn't say anything else; he didn't need to. Rigg smiled at what he was thinking.
'Are you trying to tell me that you went through me to get to my mother?"
Bill grinned back at him. "Not exactly, but the fact that you liked me certainly helped my case."
"So you think I should go on as I am, being there for Sean and Marcail, but not pushing Katie?"
"Well, I certainly don't think you should propose-at least not until she relaxes around you."
"I have no one to blame for the way she treats me but myself."
Bill's brows rose in question but Rigg didn't elaborate.
"I guess I'd better get to work."
"All right. Are you coming to the house for supper?"
"I'm planning on it. Are you going to make that announcement about household items for Kaitlin to the congregation in the morning?"
"I'm planning on it."
Father and son grinned at one another and then Bill told Rigg he was praying for him.
"Thanks, Dad, thanks a lot."
Kate lay in the bed next to Marcail and knew she should get up. She'd had a very restful night that started almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Heavy sleeper that she was, she'd been gone until morning.
She had wanted to pray and tell God everything she felt about Marshall Riggs, but her body had had other plans. Now this morning she couldn't think beyond getting ready for school on Monday.
Her mother had always planned for the following week on Saturday, and so that was what Katie planned to do today. She had brought the classification register that Mr. Carson had given her. She said a quick prayer of thanks for Sean's job, and asked protection for him as he worked, and then slipped out of bed. The thought of getting dressed made Kaitlin stop and pray again.
She pleaded with God about wisdom over wearing black for a year. It was easier for Sean, who simply put a black band around the sleeve of his jacket. But for her and Marcail, it was a major wardrobe change. Marcail had one black dress and Kaitlin had two. She also had a dark skirt but only a white blouse to go with it. The rest of her things, as well as Marcail's, were lightweight summer prints.
She stood for a moment, and then the decision was made. She would wear whatever was clean on any given day and sew the lace collars and cuffs back on her black dresses.
After having a huge breakfast and exploring the farm with Marcail, Kaitlin was back in the house to work on her lessons. A thrill shot through her as she opened the register and began to read, careful to pass over the percentages of the students. She didn't want any preconceived notions when she walked in that door Monday. Each student would have a fair chance to prove himself.
Kate's eyes skimmed over the names. There were eight students listed under "Upper Form," ranging from age 12 to 17. In the "Middle Form" there were nine children listed, their ages were 10 to 13. At the bottom of the page was the listing for "Primary Form," the ages being from 7 to 11 and totalling eight children. Adding Sean and Marcail to this list would give her 27 students.
Kaitlin went on to study the recitation program, taking note of who recited forenoon and afternoon. In an honest attempt to know as much as possible, she read every word of the teachers' reports. She wanted to ease the transition for this class.
Around mid-morning May came back from the shipping office where she and Marcail had gone with the boys. They didn't disturb Kate in the living room, but it wasn't very long before the unmistakable aroma of freshly-baked cookies floated in to assail her senses.
She worked a bit longer, taking notes on a pad May had given her, and then went to the kitchen.
"How's it going Kaitlin?" her hostess wanted to know.
"It's going well. I'm all set and really looking forward to meeting the class."
"They're normally a good group of kids. I think they'll like you." May smiled. "If they get out of line you can always speak to them in Hawaiian and shock them all speechless."
Kate and Marcail both laughed at the idea.
The remainder of the day was spent doing laundry and baking, and waiting for Sean to come and tell them about his first day at work.
twenty-five
Joe Crawford, the man Sean was to find and work with, turned out to be just a few years older than he was. Rigg had told Joe, who was moving out of town, that he'd found a replacement who would be starting Saturday. Joe was to train Sean and, from the look on the older boy's face, he was none too happy about it. Sean, sensing a hostility in Joe that frightened him a little, tried not to ask too many questions. He found himself wishing that Rigg had offered to show him the ropes.
"That doesn't go there." The words were surly and Sean stopped where he stood, holding a heavy crate. "I told you those go over there! Are you stupid or something?"
Sean said nothing, thinking that, indeed, maybe he was stupid. Never had he made so many mistakes. He couldn't seem to do anything to please his co-worker, but he stayed with it and tried to ignore the angry looks that came his way all morning.
"How is it going, boys?"
Sean watched Joe become a different person in the boss' presence.
"Just fine, Rigg. Sean's a great worker, real smart." That the words were sickeningly sweet, Rigg didn't seem to notice.
"Good. I knew you'd do fine, Sean. Why don't we break for lunch?"
Joe grabbed his lunch pail, went through the store and down the street. Sean stood in indecision-he didn't have any lunch. Rigg was checking the papers he held in his hand so Sean slipped quietly out the back door and walked up the street.
Not able to stop the flood of tears that began to flow, he sped up until he found himself on a quiet street. Ahead of him was the schoolhouse. He moved toward it and collapsed on the steps; his tears intensifying until he was nearly sobbing.
Rigg, who had not been far behind him when he left the store, had followed him when he hadn't gone straight home. From a distance he watched Sean bring his knees up and lay his face on top of them. His arms were over his head, as though trying to protect himself from a blow.
Rigg turned, cut across a few yards and dashed up the back steps of his house. In a matter of minutes he was out again, bearing a loaf of bread, three apples, half a pie and a jug of cider. He whistled as he approached the school steps, giving -Sean -a chance to know of his presence.
Sean wiped his face on his sleeve when he heard the sound and watched his employer approach.
"How about some lunch?"
"Thanks, but I'm not too hungry."
"Mind if I join you?"
"No."
Rigg sat down on the second step, bit into an apple, and watched Sean's profile. "How do you think you'll like the job?"
Sean continued to stare off in the distance as he answered. "It might take me a while to remember everything. I'll understand if you feel you need to get someone else."
Rigg had never known Joe to be sneaky or underhanded in any way, but Sean's words made him wonder what kind of morning Joe had given him. Joe was not very happy that his family was moving back East. Maybe it had been asking too much to have him train his successor.
"This pie is good, sure you won't have any?"
"I'm not a baby, Rigg. If yo
u need to tell me that I'm fired, please just say it," Sean said with quiet dignity.
you really have worked yourself into a mood, haven't you?" Sean looked at Rigg for the first time. "I think you're doing fine Sean, and if you're going to do a good job this afternoon, you need some lunch." Sean caught the apple Rigg tossed him and ate it in silence. He didn't refuse any more of the food that was passed his way and, miraculously, found that he did feel better.
Rigg hoped that Sean would share what was on his mind but he didn't. They returned to the mercantile. Sean prayed and took a deep breath before going into the back room. Joe was already there and his first words were a criticism.
"You're late."
Sean said nothing.
"Get that crate unloaded and out with the rest of the sugar-on the shelf where I showed you."
The next hour passed in a similar fashion. Sean said little and Joe reprimanded him nonstop. Sean stopped at one point and simply stared at Joe.
"I said, put that sack over there!"
For the first time he didn't move to do Joe's bidding.
"What's your problem, Donovan?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing."
"Don't give me any trouble Donovan, or I'll clean the floor with you."
"I don't think you will." Sean's voice had gone very soft and, unbeknownst to himself, his look menacing. "Now, I'm going to do my job here for the rest of the afternoon as best as I can. If you've got some problem with that, then you're welcome to go get Rigg. If he's not happy with the job I'm doing then he can fire me, but I want you off my back."
The older boy hesitated. He could see that he'd clearly pushed too far. Silently both boys went back to work. The atmosphere was no more friendly, but at least Sean was able to work in a semblance of peace.
"Okay, Sean, here's your pay."
"Already?"
"Every Saturday night at closing."
"Thanks," Sean breathed as he fingered the coins in his hand. Rigg watched him and suddenly felt choked up. To see the boy, you'd think it was a fortune. But this was his first job and Rigg remembered again how good it felt to be paid for a day of work.
Rigg found himself just as choked up when Sean went straight to his sister and turned the money over to her, once they'd reached the Taylor farm. Bill and the boys were not yet back from the shipping office so Kaitlin, Sean and Marcail had a chance to talk with only Rigg and May present.
"How did it go?" Kaitlin wanted to know.
"Fine. I made mistakes but I think I'm getting the idea."
"Good. I prayed for you."
"Yeah, Sean, we remembered you at lunch."
"Thanks Marc."
"Did you have enough to mail the letter?"
"Yes. I put the change with my wages."
"Good. I wrote to Aunt Maureen today. We can mail that letter Monday."
Kate's attention turned from her brother and, even though Rigg was talking to his mother, she had the feeling he'd been watching her.
He had invaded her thoughts at the most unusual times today. When she'd been working with May and Marcail she had actually wondered what type of cookies he liked. She had stopped just short of asking May and humiliating herself.
The Taylor men piled in shortly after that, and Kaitlin helped May put supper on the table. She decided that feeding this many men was a costly chore. After the prayer Kate watched a huge platter of fried chicken disappear, along with mashed potatoes, green beans, fried biscuits, turnip greens and two pitchers of milk. She had no room for the apple cake that was served with coffee after the meal.
May asked Gil, Nate and Sean to help with the dishes and everyone else moved to the living room. Rigg sat on the sofa and Kate took a chair across from him. She watched as he beckoned to Marcail with one finger. Marcail snuggled into the sofa next to him as if she'd been doing it all her life. Kate was amazed.
"I brought you something."
"You did?" The little girl's eyes grew wide as she watched Rigg draw a snow-white hair ribbon from his pocket.
"This is for me?" Marcail almost squealed, and Kate smiled.
"Yes ma'am," Rigg told her, and watched as she looked to Kaitlin for approval. Kate smiled at her and she hugged the thin strip to herself.
"Thank you, Mr. Riggs."
"You're welcome, Marcail," he answered and then turned a challenging eye on Kate. "I'd like it if you called me Rigg. What do you think about that?"
"That's fine with me, if it's fine with Katie. Is it fine with you Katie?"
Bill had to hold his paper a little higher to hide his smile. Rigg was digging himself into a hole, and fast.
Kate opened her mouth to say something but closed it. That Rigg was testing her was almost more than she could take. He had backed her into a corner and she came out fighting like a teacher. She ended up addressing Rigg as though he were a child.
"I am not used to having my authority questioned, Mr. Riggs. I feel I've already compromised my conviction by allowing Sean to call you by your nickname. As I told you before, Marcail and I will call you Mr. Riggs, and if my sister continues to question me, I might have to punish her."
You asked for that Rigg and you know it, were the convicted man's thoughts. What he said out loud was, "I'm sorry Marcail. Your sister is right; I shouldn't have done that."
"That's all right. I still like my ribbon."
Marcail was off the sofa in the next instant and headed toward the kitchen to show her gift to May. Kate looked over to see Jeff taking it all in as though watching players on a stage. He grinned at her and Kaitlin couldn't take anymore. She mumbled something about needing air and went out the front door.
"Shame on you Rigg," Bill spoke softly when the door had latched. "Why do you bait the girl?"
"I wish I knew," was the tired reply. "I guess I'd better go apologize." Rigg stood up and Jeff couldn't keep from staring at him. He'd never seen his brother like this.
"Why don't you let me go?"
When Rigg's features washed with relief, Jeff followed Kaitlin to the front yard.
She had walked toward the copse of trees that stood tall and green on the south edge of the Taylors' land. Jeff caught up with her just as she reached the creek's edge. His feet broke a fallen branch and Kate started.
"Oh, Jeff, I didn't hear you approach."
Jeff could see that he'd frightened her.
"Sorry to scare you."
"I'm all right."
"It's pretty out here isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. Very nice," Kate agreed.
"It was a great place to grow up. We had such fun in this water. Not every kid lives on a creek. Most people don't know what they're missing."
"You're certainly right, growing up by the water is a little piece of heaven on earth." Her voice was so wistful that Jeff stared at her face and knew she was thinking of Hawaii. He glanced down at the stream of water at their feet and began to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Kate wanted to know.
"Oh, just me with my little creek, telling you how wonderful living by the water is, when you probably swim like a fish!"
Katie laughed with him then. "I do swim, that's true. And your creek is not the Pacific, but it's still beautiful. Actually, it isn't really Hawaii that I miss, but the people, and knowing that my father is there without my mother."
It didn't matter that Jeff had no words to say to that; he knew none were needed. After a moment, they talked of little things and then Jeff mentioned Rigg.
"He certainly enjoys seeing me upset," Kate said, feeling flustered all over again.
"He enjoys you period."
"Sure he does."
"I'm serious, Kate. You can't believe how many women have been interested in Rigg over the years-more than I can count. He's just never met anyone that he felt he could get serious about."
Kate was looking at Jeff with such amusement that he stopped.
"What?"
"Don't you see, Jeff? I am evidently one of the few girls who hasn't
thrown herself at his feet and he can't stand it. Somehow that makes me a challenge and it hasn't taken me more than a few meetings with Mr. Riggs to know that he loves a challenge."
"Oh, Kaitlin!" Jeff sounded truly distressed but all Kate did was chuckle. "That's utter nonsense. You can't really believe that?"
"And why shouldn't I? You were sitting in the living room tonight-enjoying everything that went on, I might add. You can see for yourself that I'm just a plaything to your brother." Kate's voice suddenly became very serious. 'And if I can speak honestly with you, Jeff, it's the last thing I need. I have feelings and no one likes to be laughed at. My world has come apart at the seams in the last few months. I find myself playing mother to my brother and sister and falling way short of the mark.
"So your brother's actions are just insult on top of injury. You tell me he's a man of God. Well, you can understand why I have a hard time believing that. He brings my sister a present and then challenges my authority right in front of her. If he's such a man of God Jeff, can you tell me why he treats me like that?"
"Jeff can't tell you, but I can."
Kaitlin spun around so quickly that her dress flared. Rigg stood less than ten feet away and Kate knew the time for confrontation had come.
twenty-six
"I heard a little bit of what you said to Jeff, Kaitlin. Is there anything you want to add?"
Kate couldn't say anything. She wasn't really embarrassed, just wary of confrontations. She also knew that the thoughts she shared with Jeff should have been said directly to Rigg. Jeff tactfully left them alone, and the silence between them lengthened.
The sun was beginning to set; it was a little darker beneath the trees and the breeze had picked up, sending a cool draught against Kaitlin's bare arms. Crossing her arms in an effort to keep warm, she finally broke the silence.
"Even though it's hard for me to face you, I'm rather glad you came out when you did, or I would probably never have talked to you.
"I meant what I said to Jeff but I should have said it all to you. You couldn't be more kind to Sean and Marcail, but you treat me so strangely. One minute you're tender and the next you're ordering me about as though you owned me.
