Whatever Tomorrow Brings (The Californians 1)

by Lori Wick

  She had surmised right away that he was not as well liked as the other children and even though they played with him, he was always on the outer fringes of their special talks. There were certainly other children who didn't really fit in either. But Joey was the only one who appeared to be from a very poor home. And after Marcail explained her tears the day before, well, Kate couldn't even think of the boy without her own tears starting.

  Please Father, use me. Help me to help him. I want so much to go to him right now and hug him and ask him to church but it's too soon; I know that. And I also know that You love him and died for him. Please God, make the pathway to this little boy clear so I can tell him of Your love.

  Kate prayed for many minutes in this vein, and not until she realized that Marcail was stirring beside her, did she begin to pray for her friends in Hawaii, Mr. Riggs, the Taylors and her other students.

  "Good morning, Katie." Marcail's voice was heavy with sleep but she was always cheerful in the morning.

  "Morning, Marc. How did you sleep?"

  "Good. Are we staying at Taylors' tonight?"

  "Yes, I think it's a good idea. It's hard enough to do your hair without you having to bend over for half an hour."

  "Maybe we should cut it."

  "What would Father say?"

  "I don't know." She was silent for a moment. "He is coming back, isn't he Katie?"

  "He said that he would and I know that he'll come as soon as he can."

  The girls had a leisurely breakfast and then went to the post office. There was a letter from Aunt Maureen and they decided to wait until they returned home to open it. As they walked past the shipping office, Gil hailed them.

  "Hi. What are you two up to?"

  "We got a letter from Aunt Maureen," Marcail told him.

  "Good for you." He smiled at Marcail and touched her shoulder.

  Kaitlin thought he was one of the nicest men she'd ever met. Good-looking, too. Of course she believed that Gilbert and his brothers were all handsome, with their light blue eyes, medium brown hair and tall, lean physiques.

  "I'm glad you came by. A few things were delivered yesterday from the church folks and I wanted to take them to your house. Are you headed home now?"

  "We're going to the mercantile," Marcail informed him.

  "But we can go right home if you want to meet us there."

  "There's no hurry," he said with a smile. "Why don't you give me a time and I'll meet you then."

  "Oh no, Gilbert, we don't want to put you to any trouble-" Kaitlin began but stopped when his eyes told her he was close to laughter.

  "What time?" The question was asked again. Kate suggested ten-thirty before turning and moving down the street, a little bemused, wondering what Gilbert must have found so funny.

  Gil watched them walk away, his eyes still smiling. One of these days, Katie Donovan, he thought to himself, you're going to understand that the look in Rigg's eyes when he's near you, makes you and your family very special.

  Kate wondered how many times she would be able to walk into Riggs Mercantile and not feel a sense of wonder. It was all so delightful. She loved to look at the farm tools, the counter laden with jars of penny candy, paint supplies-from stove-pipe enamel to paint brushes of every conceivable size. There was a large selection of toys, with baby dolls and tea sets of fine china. You could find sports and fishing equipment and even a selection of ladies intimate apparel.

  Kaitlin never stayed in that section for very long, but she was very curious and a little envious of women who wore muslin nightgowns trimmed with lace, or taffeta and silk underskirts with camisoles bordered in scarlet ribbon.

  "This is pretty, isn't it Katie?" Kaitlin was brought out of her dreams when Marcail picked up an underskirt piped in pale blue ribbon.

  "It sure is." The girls exchanged a smile of understanding. Even if their father were here and working steadily, he would not have allowed such an extravagant purchase.

  Watching from his office, Rigg knew exactly what the girls were looking at even though he couldn't hear their words or see what they were holding. Sensing that he might be invading their privacy, he turned and sat at his desk.

  Rigg believed it to be totally improper to give clothing to a woman who was not his wife, but the smile he'd seen on Kate's face led him to believe that such a gift would bring her great pleasure.

  I need patience, Lord. I can't rush her and I want to do Your will but I can't get her out of my mind. Show me some peace Lord, show me how to be near Katie without scaring her off.

  Rigg's prayers were cut short when the object of his every waking moment called from the stairway.

  "Mr. Riggs, are you up there?"

  "Come on up."

  "We just wanted to say hello before we go home. Gilbert is bringing more stuff to us from the church," Marcail informed him. He stood until his visitors had found seats.

  "Did you get everything you need?"

  "Yes, we were just here for some little things," Kate answered, and noticed for the first time how heavy his beard was. He was clean-shaven, but the outline of whiskers was black against his tanned face. He was very nice to look at and for the first time Kaitlin let her eyes have their fill.

  She watched for a moment as Rigg talked with Marcail and then suddenly drew in a sharp breath. He was exactly like the man she visualized being married to one day! Kaitlin had grown up around well-built Polynesian men with black hair and dark skin and eyes. Rigg would never have been mistaken for one of the men from the island, but he did have the looks that Kate found most attractive.

  Rigg's peripheral vision made him very aware of Kate's scrutiny but he kept talking with Marcail. He desperately wanted to know what was going through Kaitlin's mind but was afraid to ask.

  When a few minutes later the girls said good-bye, Rigg wished he had questioned Kate. She had seemed uncomfortable when she left, almost as if she were afraid of him. For an instant he wondered if he reminded her of her cousin and then frowned at the thought.

  After a few minutes he bent back over his account books, wishing as he did, that he had someone trustworthy to do them for him.

  thirty-four

  Dear Kaitlin, Sean and Marcail,

  I've missed you so much and worry day and night over your safety. If you haven't written to me, please do so right away. I don't think I can bear another day without hearing from you.

  I haven't heard from your father, but I did write him to explain. I suppose you did too.

  There is one more thing I need to tell youPercy is gone. He departed for Europe right after you left and I believe he's not coming back. Please consider returning to San Francisco. I promise I'll make everything wonderful for you. Please think about it.

  Don't forget to write me.

  Love to each of you,

  Aunt M.

  "Are you going to write today?" Marcail wanted to know.

  "Probably after lunch."

  "Katie, is Aunt Maureen saved?"

  "I don't know Marc. Why do you ask?"

  "Because she worries so much and she said something at mother's grave about her being gone forever. Mother's not gone forever, she's just gone from the earth."

  Kate reached out and hugged Marcail. She, too, had heard her aunt's words and wondered at them.

  "Father and I discussed it one night, Marc, and he's sure that his parents were born again. Maureen has always been a great support to Father but he's not sure where she stands.

  "I think she believes in God and tries to do the right thing, but I don't know if she's ever confessed to God that she needs a Savior."

  "Katie, I miss Sean. We never talk with him anymore."

  "I miss him too," Kate answered, thinking how quickly a nine-year-old could change the subject.

  "Are we going back to San Francisco?"

  "No-at least not right away. I have to teach for two more months and I don't want to make another move until we hear from Father."

  'Are you glad Percy is gon
e?"

  "I'm glad for myself but not for Aunt Maureen."

  Marcail nodded and then changed the subject once again. "What's for lunch?"

  "Oh, I don't know," Kate said, this time relieved at the change in topic. "I thought we might have yeast cakes and molasses."

  The remainder of the day flew by after Gil came with the wagon. The girls now had more blankets than they knew what to do with. Kate worked on some mending and her school lessons for the next week. Marcail didn't seem to notice how distracted Kate was. About an hour before supper they began walking toward the Taylors'.

  "I knew you would do this," Jeff called to them as he brought his wagon to a halt in the road beside the Donovan girls.

  "Do what?" Kate asked.

  "Walk to my folks'."

  Kate looked surprised and both Gil and Jeff grinned at her from the wagon seat.

  "How else were we to get there?" Kate inquired after a moment.

  "You were supposed to assume that we, being the fine gentlemen we are, would come for you."

  Kaitlin laughed, but then surprised them by declining.

  "I need the walk, but thanks anyway."

  "What are we going to say to Rigg?" Gil let the cat out of the bag as to who had been the real gentleman and Kaitlin laughed again.

  "Please thank Mr. Riggs for his offer, but I'm still going to walk. Marcail can go with you if she likes."

  Marcail climbed into the wagon and Kate put their bag next to her. Jeff sat holding the reins in indecision.

  "Will you be all right Katie?" Marcail asked as she leaned over the side.

  "I'll be fine, thanks Marc." With those words Kate swung around and started down the road. Without Marcail, her long legs made quick work of the distance. Jeff, Gil and Marcail passed her and not too far from the farm Rigg and Sean came abreast of her. Kate stopped and watched as Rigg handed the reins to Sean and jumped down. Rigg was silent until Sean had pulled away.

  "How was your day?"

  "Okay," Kate answered quietly and when she stumbled a moment later, Rigg reached to steady her. He knew when she side-stepped his touch that he had to ask.

  "Katie, have I done something to upset you?"

  "No." Kaitlin answered honestly and with a little frustration. She had thought about Marshall Riggs all afternoon. She had come to the conclusion that she could fall in love with this man, but her life was so unsettled right now she didn't feel they had a chance. He hadn't even met her father. For that matter she didn't even know where her father was. A sudden image of his ship going down sprang to mind and Kaitlin felt a little sick.

  "Then what is wrong?"

  "What?" Kate's voice was distracted and breathless and Rigg brought her to a halt with a hand on her arm.

  "Kaitlin, what is wrong?" His voice and face were a picture of determination and Kaitlin looked at him helplessly.

  "I don't know exactly."

  "Have I done something?"

  "I don't think so." It was a vague reply but Kaitlin was suddenly feeling frightened. Rigg read all of those feelings in her eyes and one vast hand came up to tenderly cup her face. His voice was whisper soft when he spoke.

  "Katie, whatever you're running from, run to me."

  His eyes, having gone from gray to black, held hers captive and Kate stood mute for a long moment. She didn't know what to say or do. Running to him would be so easy. Being caught and held in those arms would be a haven of comfort like she'd never dreamed of.

  But her mother had only been dead a few months and her father had not been in touch, plus the fact that Sean and Marcail needed her to be strong. She said something in soft Hawaiian and carefully pulled free of Rigg's hold.

  He released her, longing as he did, to know what she had said. But it was obvious that this perplexed woman needed more time. It was a quiet couple that made their way to the farmhouse for supper.

  thirty-five

  With Sean in tow, Rigg was at his parents' home bright and early the next morning, asking Kate to ride to church with them. He had been very watchful of her and considered the possibility that she was coming down with something or that she was just plain exhausted.

  It never occurred to him that her feelings for him had changed and that that was part of the turmoil he was reading on her face. He assumed that her sudden unease around him was because of Percy. She was obviously remembering the way she'd been treated. In fact her memory had probably been spurred by something her aunt had written in the recent letter.

  That Kate had not yet read the letter when her feelings changed, Rigg didn't know. She seemed rested, he noted, as they rode to church and she conversed easily with her brother. Once there, she greeted some of her students and met quite a few parents.

  Rigg was turning to ask her a question when she suddenly darted away from him. He looked beyond her to see Joey Parker at the corner of the church. The little boy scooted out of sight when he saw his teacher bearing down on him, but Kaitlin pursued him and Rigg watched her, disappear around the corner of the building.

  "Joey," Kaitlin called, when he was once again in view. "Will you come here please?"

  The little boy came with obvious reluctance. Kate accurately read the look of fear on his face. Fear that Marcail had snitched and he was in deep trouble. Kate ignored the look.

  "How are you, Joey?"

  "All right." the boy answered without taking his eyes off his dirty bare feet.

  "I'm glad to hear that. Joey," Kate said gently, "would you like to come into church with me?"

  The little boy's head snapped up, his eyes wide. She could see he was excited about the idea but then his shoulders slumped.

  "I ain't dressed for it."

  "I'm not dressed for it," the teacher in Kate automatically corrected him. "And I'm quite sure that God doesn't care how you look."

  Joey considered this for a spell. "Maybe if I sat in the back."

  "That's fine if you want to sit in the back. I'll sit with you. Oh! Here's Mr. Riggs. Mr. Riggs have you met Joey Parker?"

  "No, I haven't. Hello, Joey." Rigg's huge hand came out and Joey stared at it a moment before offering his own grubby little hand.

  "Joey and I just decided to sit together in the back."

  "Great, may I sit with you?"

  It took a moment for Joey to comprehend that the question was being directed at him. He couldn't believe this big man was actually waiting for his permission to sit with them in church. Joey muttered something and the next thing he knew he was being ushered into a rear pew.

  The service had started and two songs had been sung, but Joey hadn't heard a thing. He was still working through the fact that Marcail obviously hadn't told on him. When they'd come in together and Miss Donovan had propelled him into the pew, he'd seen Marcail sitting with the Taylors. She looked back at him as though there was nothing the least bit unusual about his sitting with her sister.

  Snatches of the sermon floated to Joey but for the most part he was too busy sneaking glances at Kaitlin. She looked real pretty, he thought, in her white dress. Sometimes at night Joey would lay awake and dream about what it would be like to have her for a mother. He would dream about her voice and the way she smiled at him. But then he would think about his house and knew that she would never even visit there, let alone come to live.

  Thoughts of his house drew his attention to his father. He wondered how much trouble he'd be in if his Pa knew where he was sitting.

  "In closing," the pastor was saying and Joey was finally listening. "Please take this thought home with you. God is our heavenly Father. We need never be afraid to go to Him with any need because He loves us like a father does, only with such tenderness and compassion that we can't help but respond."

  Up to that moment Joey believed that getting to know God might be a very good thing to do but he'd never before heard God referred to as a father. Suddenly he was not so sure he wanted to know Him.

  "Joey, would you like to come back to my folks' place for some lunch?" Joey w
as brought abruptly back to the present when Rigg spoke to him.

  I gotta get home," he said with some reluctance.

  Rigg and Kaitlin walked him outside and Kate told him she'd see him at school in the morning. They watched as he cut across a field in the direction of his house.

  "What is his home like?"

  Rigg hesitated and Kate pressed him.

  "I want to know."

  Rigg sighed and spoke. "It's pretty bad."

  "Does he actually have a family?"

  "A father."

  "What's he like?"

  "He doesn't work that I know of, and when he does get an odd job, he spends his pay on liquor."

  "Maybe -I should-go- for a visit."

  "I don't know if that's a good idea, Katie. Parker is not exactly trustworthy." Rigg would never know how he managed to keep his voice so calm. What he wanted to do was grab Kate and tell her she was not to set one foot on the Parker property, not now, not ever.

  "You keep calling him Parker, doesn't he have a first name?"

  "I've never heard it. Everyone calls him Parker. Of course you'll refer to him as Mr. Parker." Rigg's voice had taken on a patronizing tone.

  "Now what did that mean?" Kaitlin demanded.

  "Only that you're just a little too prim and proper at times for your own good." Rigg smiled at her outraged face, glad that he'd been able to change the subject as well as get a dig in about her calling him Mr. Riggs.

  "There is nothing wrong with being proper and it's fine to be prim as long as you're not a snob."

  "Is that a fact?" They were over by the wagon now and Rigg was close to laughter.

  "Yes, it's a fact! Do you think I'm a snob?"

  "No, I just wish you'd call me Rigg. Mr. Riggs makes me feel like an old man."

  "I don't think I know you well enough to call you Rigg," Kate stated firmly with a tone she would have used on her students. In her mind the matter was closed; it wasn't in Rigg's.

  "What do f need to do so you'll know me better, Kaitlin, kiss you?" Rigg watched as she blushed to the roots of her hair. He could also see that she was angry.