Callie climbed from the wagon and stood beside Chip. Although she listened intently, she heard nothing but rustling leaves. “The crying seems to have stopped, but I’m certain there’s a child out there somewhere. We have to find the poor dear.”
He beckoned. “Follow me.”
They rounded the plentiful shrubs. He stopped and pointed toward a downed tree in the distance, where two youngsters sat huddled together, their attention on each other. “Look.”
“I’ll try to get closer without scaring them.” She approached slowly.
A twig snapped under Callie’s foot. The little fellow, who appeared to be all of five years old, pulled the small girl to his side and stared at Callie, wide-eyed.
She held up her hands in the classic surrender position. “I’m not going to hurt you. We’re here to help.”
The boy froze, but the slip of a girl broke free and ran into Callie’s open arms, dangling a doll in one hand. She pulled the child to her in a tender embrace. “I’ve got you, sweetheart. Everything’s going to be fine.” Or so she hoped.
Left alone, the young fellow’s gaze darted from Callie to something over his shoulder. He was shaking. What could have happened to terrify him so?
Chip drew closer to the boy. “It’s all right. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
“No.” The lad’s lip quivered. “The bad people left us here and made Papa drive away, but what if they come back? I gotta keep Ruby safe.”
Chip’s features tightened, but he spoke with admirable calm. “Ruby’s a nice name. What’s yours?”
“Jasper.”
“That’s a great name, too. You said the people took your father, Jasper? When was that?”
The young fellow shrugged. “Not too long. One of the bad men hollered to the others and told them to get back on their horses when you come along.”
Thank the good Lord they’d shown up when they did. These children could be in danger. It sounded like their father was. Callie joined Chip, cradling the frightened girl to her chest. “Do you know where they went?”
“Over there.” Jasper pointed to the north, where a cloud of white smoke crested the trees.
Callie inhaled sharply. Something was on fire!
Chip leaned over, putting himself on the boy’s level, and spoke with such tenderness that Callie stifled a sigh. “I need you to stay here with my friend Miss Callie while I look for your father. Will you do that?”
“Y-yes.”
“Good.” Chip straightened, assumed a take-charge manner Callie found reassuring and spoke beside her ear. “I don’t like leaving you and the children alone, but I have no choice. Take them back behind that log—” he angled his head toward the downed tree where Jasper and Ruby had been hiding “—and keep out of sight until I come back.”
Although she did her best to keep her voice level, it cracked. “I’ll do that. What about you? They’re sure to be armed.”
“I have what I need.” He flipped open his jacket, revealing a revolver strapped to his hip.
Callie nodded. “Go on then. We’ll be fine.”
He left, and she hustled the children to their hiding place. She held Ruby in her lap and pulled Jasper to her side.
“What’s the tall man’s name?” the boy asked.
Callie replied in a hushed voice, using the informal manner of address preferred by the owners of the Double T orphanage, where she hoped to work. “Mr. Chip.”
“I never heared that name before.”
“I’d never heard it, either, until I met him.” It had to be a nickname, since his parents had given his brothers longer names. “I like your name. Did you know Jasper is a special stone?” If she could keep him talking, perhaps the traumatized boy would relax.
He scoffed. “’Course I do. Papa told me. He makes pretty things out of stones like that.”
“Oh, is he a jeweler?”
“Yep. He’s gonna start a jewelry store up in Placerville. Have you ever been there?”
“I live there.” But if her interview went well, she’d be moving to Shingle Springs.
Jasper’s face pinched with worry. “When will Papa and Mr. Chip come back?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart. We must be patient.”
“Why did the bad people take him?”
She wished she knew. “I’m sure we’ll find out shortly.”
The rapid-fire questions continued until Chip returned. Alone. Callie approached him with Ruby on her hip, eager for good news.
Jasper raced around the log and faced Chip, with his legs spread and arms folded, scowling. “Why didn’t you bring Papa back? You said you would.”
Chip squatted and rested a hand on the boy’s shoulder. The kindhearted man spoke with such compassion that Callie’s eyes misted. “I looked for him like I said I would, but I’m afraid I have some sad news, Jasper. Your papa won’t be coming back. He’s...gone.”
The boy’s face paled. “You mean he’s dead, don’t you?”
Blood rushed in Callie’s ears, drowning out all other sounds, much as it had the day the robbers burst into her parents’ house and took their lives all those years ago. She clutched Ruby to her and pressed a kiss to the girl’s mass of blond curls.
No, Lord, no! How could You let this happen to these precious children?
She drew in a calming breath. Giving way to sorrow would do no good. The days ahead would be difficult ones for the children, but things would work out for them, as they had for her.
With her composure restored, she became aware of her surroundings once again. Chip stood nearby, holding the brokenhearted boy tightly, his features drawn.
Ruby clung to Callie, soaking her shoulder with tears. How much did the darling girl understand? She couldn’t be more than two or three years old. How could she grasp the harsh realities the way her brother had?
Jasper had told Callie about his mama going to heaven not long after Ruby learned to walk. With their father gone, too, they were orphans. Callie could empathize with their pain, as could Chip. How like the Lord to put the two of them on the road at the precise time Jasper and Ruby had been left alone.
Chip set the boy down, held his small hand and looked into Callie’s eyes. “I suggest taking our young friends to the Abbotts’ place. I know space is limited, but from what Spencer said, Tess won’t turn away a child in need.”
“I think that’s our best option.” While life in an orphanage was not ideal, the bighearted owners gave the children in their care a nice place to live, plenty of food in their bellies and a whole lot of love. If the couple hired her, she’d be able to look out for Jasper and Ruby during their first days as orphans. In time, smiles and laughter would replace tears and sorrow, as they had for her after Mom and Pop Marshall had taken her in.
Callie inclined her head toward the area where the children’s father had lost his life. “Do you need to tend to anything before we leave?”
“I saw to the most pressing matters. I’ll come back as soon as I can to finish the job.”
Since she saw no sign of smoke, he must have extinguished the fire. Without tools or a wagon, there would have been little more he could do. She’d get the details later. “We should get going. The sooner we get the children there, the better.”
“You’re right.” He scanned the area. “I’m fairly certain we’re alone now, but we don’t want to encounter any...company en route.”
They returned to the wagon. Jasper sat on the buckboard’s seat between Chip and Callie, putting on a brave front that was at odds with his red-rimmed eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. Ruby sat in Callie’s lap, trembling.
Jasper broke the lingering silence. “Where are you taking us?”
Chip answered. “To a place where some nice people will look after you.”
“What kind of place?”
“It’s called the Double T, and I think you’ll like it.” Chip sent the inquisitive boy a warm smile. “There will be plenty of other children to play with.”
Jasper’s brow furrowed. “Is it one of them orph’nages? Papa told me ’bout them. He said they’re cold and dark and stinky.”
Callie hastened to reassure the misguided boy. “The Double T is nothing like that. The buildings are big and blue, and there are lots of windows to let in the sunlight. Each child has a comfortable bed, a wardrobe full of clean clothes and plenty of delicious food to eat. Outside, there are horses and lots of cows. My brother, Isaac, works there. He teaches the children how to ride horses.”
Jasper eyed her with suspicion. “Are you fibbing?”
“Not at all. It’s a wonderful place. The boys live in Humpty Dumpty House and the girls in Miss Muffet House—for now anyhow. Mama Tess and Papa Spencer are adding Jack and Jill House, where the youngest children will live once it’s opened. There is a large playroom on the first floor. Girls will live on the second and boys on the third.”
He smiled. “I know them names! They’re from Mother Goose.”
“That’s right.” She sent him an encouraging smile. “What a bright boy you are.”
The rest of the trip passed in a flurry of questions. Jasper’s curiosity knew no bounds. Callie and Chip took turns telling him about every aspect of the Double T, from the cattle-ranching lessons Spencer gave the children to the impressive tree house in the massive oak behind the dormitories. She was surprised at Chip’s familiarity with the orphanage, but then, according to her brother, he did make regular deliveries of wooden toys he’d created.
Chip turned off the main road in Shingle Springs, heading north. When they’d traveled about a mile, the Double T came into view.
Ruby had fallen asleep, but Jasper let out a whoop that woke her. “It looks just like you said! I never seed so many cows.”
Callie breathed a sigh of relief. They hadn’t encountered any criminals along the way. Plus, she and Chip had succeeded in painting an accurate picture of the place and overcoming Jasper’s hesitation. If all went well, the dear boy would find solace here.
Ruby rubbed her eyes, looked up at Callie and pouted. “Where’s Papa?”
Oh, dear. The blond-haired darling hadn’t grasped the sad truth after all.
Jasper rested a hand on his sister’s arm and spoke with the assurance of a devoted big brother. “Papa went to heaven, Ruby, like Mama done, but it’s all right. I’m gonna take good care of you.” His boyish declaration melted Callie’s heart.
Seemingly satisfied with her brother’s explanation, Ruby clutched her doll tightly and nestled against Callie.
Chip brought the wagon to a halt in front of the main house. “You’ve got a right fine brother, Ruby.” His compliment hit its mark, putting a smile on the young fellow’s face.
Tess saw them and waved. The tall women left a group of older children working in the garden and crossed the yard. “Well, this is a surprise. One of the girls saw your wagon coming and told me a family had arrived, but I see that’s not the case after all.”
A surge of longing flowed through Callie. Her greatest wish was to have a family. The fact that she, Chip and the children had been mistaken for one was understandable. Jasper and Ruby, with their golden locks, did bear a resemblance to her, and the boy’s eyes were the same sapphire-blue as Chip’s.
Chip hopped from the wagon. “When I learned that Callie was coming this way, I offered her a ride. Along the way, we came across these children and discovered they’d been orphaned this very morning. We couldn’t think of a better place to bring them.”
Tess’s hand flew to her throat. “The poor dears. All our beds are full, but we’ll make do until you get the new ones built, Chip.”
Callie glanced from Chip to Tess and back again. “Your next job is here? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Chip shrugged. “It didn’t come up.”
She chuckled. “I’ll have to remember that you’re not the most forthcoming of gentlemen. All that aside, I’m glad you’ll be making beds for these precious children.” She turned to Tess. “This fine young man is Jasper, and the pretty girl in my lap is Ruby. Children, this nice lady is Mama Tess.”
Jasper piped up. “She’s real tall.”
Tess nodded and spoke with her characteristic mix of efficiency and warmth. “That I am. Tall enough to help you down, Jasper.” She lifted her arms, and he allowed the orphanage owner to assist him.
Chip had walked around the wagon. He reached for Ruby. “Come to me, princess.”
Princess. Callie heaved a silent sigh. Could Chip have said anything sweeter? He would make all those children he planned to have a terrific father.
Ruby went willingly into Chip’s arms. He shifted her onto his hip and offered his free hand to Callie—along with a knee-buckling smile. “Your turn.”
An unexpected wave of shyness washed over her. “Thank you, but I’ve got it.”
“I’m sure you do, but I’m here if you need me.” The rich timbre of his voice, coupled with his kindness, was her undoing. She didn’t need his help, but she certainly wanted it.
“It would be easier if I had assistance.” She took his hand. He clasped hers tightly as she navigated the sizable spaces from the wagon bed to the wheel’s hub and from there to the ground below. Much to her delight, he didn’t let go until several seconds after she’d completed her descent, giving her hand a squeeze—and her a wink—as he did. The handsome man possessed so much charm he was dangerous.
A slender young girl, around nine years old, sidled up to Tess. “I took the last of the gingersnaps out of the oven, Mama. What would you like me to do next?”
“I think these two youngsters might be eager to sample your baking, Lila. What do you say, Jasper? Would you and your sister like to go inside with my daughter and have a cookie?”
The boy cast a quizzical glance at Callie.
She nodded. “It’s fine.”
Uncertainty crinkled his brow. His gaze bounced between Callie and Chip. “You’re not gonna go off and leave us, are you?”
Chip was quick to answer. “I have an errand to tend to, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“What about you, Miss Callie? Ruby needs you.” The boy put on a brave front, but clearly he was scared, too.
“I don’t want to leave, but this isn’t my home.” Although she hoped it would be, she didn’t know what her future held.
Tess faced Jasper, stooping to put herself on his level, and spoke in a reassuring voice. “Your new friends will be here for you. Mr. Chip is building furniture to fill the rooms in Jack and Jill House so we can invite more children like you to come and live with us, and Miss Callie is going to be working here, too.”
“I am?” The words had slipped out before Callie could stop them. “But you haven’t even interviewed me yet.”
“That—” Tess straightened and waved a hand dismissively “—is entirely unnecessary. I’ve watched you when you visit your brother. Your love of the children is evident, and that’s my top priority. I can teach you everything else you need to know.”
“Thank you.” She’d always wanted children to shower with love. Now she’d have them.
Chip set Ruby down, and the youngsters followed Lila inside. He looked at Callie, one eyebrow raised. “You didn’t tell me you were coming here for a job interview. I thought you were just visiting your brother. And you said I’m not forthcoming?”
She ignored the teasing gleam in his eyes. The jovial man had a disturbing ability to weaken her defenses. She’d spent the past six months putting him and his endearing ways out of her mind. She responded with feigned detachment. “I wasn’t sure I’d get the job, so I saw no reason to mention it.”
Tess folded her arms and smiled. “I didn’t realize you two were so well acquainted.”
Callie rushed to answer, eager to dispel any false impressions. “We’re not. Close, that is. I helped Chip with his orders a few times when he came into the Blair brothers’ lumberyard, and we went to lunch once, but that’s all.”
“I see. Now, what can you tell me about the children?”
Chip quickly filled in Tess on how they’d come across Jasper and Ruby and made the decision to bring them to the Double T.
“What did you find when you went in search of their father?” Tess asked Chip.
Callie had been wondering the same thing.
He cleared his throat. “It’s, um, not a pleasant tale, nor one fit for a lady.”
“Be that as it may,” Tess countered, “since Spencer and I are taking the children in, I need to know what took place.”
Chip rubbed the back of his neck. “When I got close enough to assess the situation, their father’s wagon was fully engulfed in flames. The killers were nowhere to be seen. They must have ridden off, as Jasper said. Since I didn’t know for sure or have any idea how many people were involved in the holdup, I approached cautiously. Jasper told us afterward that he’d seen two men and one woman, but all I saw were footprints. The trio took the horses and left the wagon’s contents strewn all over the ground, evidence of a hasty search.”
“What were they after?” Tess asked.
Callie blurted the answer. “Jewels.”
He jerked his head toward her. “How did you know?”
“Jasper told me his father was on his way to Placerville to open a jewelry shop. If the crooks knew about that, it makes sense that’s why they’d come after him.”
He nodded. “Yes. I found a letter to that effect in his pocket from his new landlord.”
“Was he still...in the wagon?” Callie dreaded the answer, but she had to know.
Chip shook his head. Tightness around his eyes and mouth showed his anger, but his voice was level. “I found Mr. Tate tied to the trunk of a tree a short distance from the wagon. Based on the number of cuts and bruises he’d sustained, it was clear that before they shot him, his killers roughed him up in an attempt to get him to tell them where to find the jewels.”
A Temporary Family Page 26
