by Lori Wick
“It’s that other one.”
He retrieved the needed bag without comment or show of impatience and even remained standing, his feet spread slightly for balance, waiting for her to find the slate so he could return the case to the overhead rack.
“Thank you, Mr. McCandles,” she told him with a smile and got his usual nod of the head. Even though she knew he was quiet, Rusty hoped she had not done anything to upset their escort, but until these children were comfortably settled in the Davidson home, she did not have time to find out.
“Okay,” she said lightly, turning to the children, “I’m going to draw a picture, and you must guess what it is. I want you to be specific.”
“What’s specific?” Lizzy wanted to know, the familiar look of concern lowering her brow.
“It means you must be exact. If I draw a bird, you must say what type of bird, not just a bird.”
“Like a robin?” Thomas clarified.
“Exactly,” she replied, smiling at him.
Watching her, Chase felt amazed for at least the dozenth time. She was wonderful with the children. With a moment’s notice she had a game or a story for them, and they looked at her as if their every dream had come true. She touched them often and always looked them in the eye when she spoke to them. For the first time in his life, Chase wondered if he looked Quintin in the eye when he talked to him.
“I know what it is,” Thomas cried. “It’s the clock in the hall from the orphanage.”
“Very good,” she praised him. “Shall I do another, or do you want to try one?”
“I want to.” Thomas didn’t need to think twice. Rusty passed him the slate and chalk and waited with Lizzy. Thomas’ little lip was tucked between his teeth as he concentrated on the slate. At last he presented a picture. Now it was time for Rusty and Lizzy to bite their own lips in concentration.
“An eagle?” Rusty ventured.
“Nope,” he said smugly, and Rusty looked again. Lizzy’s face was just as uncertain, so Thomas turned it for Chase.
“Do you know?”
Chase now saw why the ladies had been in the dark, but he thought he might have it.
“Is it a horse?” Chase guessed.
“What kind of horse?” Aunt Rusty had said to be specific, and he was taking her at her word.
“A wild stallion?”
Thomas looked at him in admiration. “That’s right.”
“Let me see.” Lizzy reached for the slate. “Oh, yeah. I see it now.”
“Oh, yes,” Rusty agreed as she looked on. “I see it too.” Her gaze swung to their escort, and she gave him a big smile. “I’m impressed, Mr. McCandles,” she complimented him.
Chase didn’t comment, but his eyes lit with amusement and the corners of his mouth turned up a tad. For the first time since meeting him, Rusty thought him quite good-looking. With his dark hair and eyes, something she always found attractive, he took on a whole new look when he smiled, and a handsome one at that.
“The train is slowing,” Lizzy said, moving closer to Rusty to take her hand.
“So it is.” Rusty put an arm around the girl. “I think we must be very close.”
“It didn’t take very long,” she returned, sounding slightly betrayed.
It had actually taken quite a while, but Rusty still said, “Well, we still have to get to their ranch, Lizzy. That could take a little time.”
“Do you have the directions with you?” Chase asked.
“Yes. Would you like to see them?”
“Please.”
Rusty started to stand but, as before, Chase detained her and stood himself. They went through the process of choosing the right bag again, but the train was coming into the station, so after the map was in his hand, Chase simply left the bag at their feet.
“Does it look clear to you?” Rusty watched as he studied the paper.
“Yes. I think we’re going to want a wagon, not just horses.”
Rusty nodded. “My uncle anticipated that possibility and sent money for it.”
“I’ll rent the wagon,” Chase said almost absently.
“It could be several days,” Rusty began, but cut off when Chase’s eyes came up to meet hers.
“I’ll take care of it,” he said. His voice was as quiet and mild as ever, but Rusty didn’t argue; he was looking at her too intently.
Talks very little, good-looking—especially when he smiles—and likes to have his own way. Rusty ticked these attributes off in her head. Her uncle said she had nothing to worry about where this man was concerned, but clearly there was more to Chase McCandles than a nicely dressed escort. Rusty found herself wishing that Paddy had been a little more informative.
4
Kurth
The station at Kurth was much smaller than the one at Colorado Springs, but several people disembarked—Chase, Rusty, and the children among them. The children stayed very close to Rusty once they were outside the train, and Rusty, feeling as though she was embarking on a new adventure, looked around for only a moment and then began to stride down the boardwalk into town.
Chase stayed with her, the bags in his hands, but he knew a moment of amusement. The petite Miss Taggart looked as if a challenge had been thrown at her feet, and she was not going to let it get away.
They had been walking for just a few minutes when she came to a sudden halt. The children looked up at her as she stared down the street. “We forgot Mr. McCandles.”
“He’s behind us,” Thomas told her.
Rusty turned and found him stopped just a few feet to the rear. There was not just amusement in those eyes now; his smile was huge.
“I forgot you,” she said. Her eyes had grown with her oversight, especially when she saw the way he’d taken care of their bags.
“I’m right here,” he assured her kindly.
“I didn’t mean to do that.”
“It’s all right. I’m glad you know where the livery is.”
“Actually, I don’t,” she admitted.
Chase blinked. “Where were you headed?”
Rusty shrugged. “Kurth is not that large. I was certain that if I just started out I’d come across it.”
The thought of her doing this on her own gave him pause, but as long as he was dogging her heels, he thought this was probably the best method.
“How would you find it?” she asked, remembering that Paddy said he was there to help.
“Probably the same way.”
Rusty smiled as if she’d been given a compliment, turned back around and continued down the street. Chase had all he could do not to laugh. With only a brief glance at him, the children followed right behind. He had the impression that they would be willing to follow her off a cliff.
Rusty led the way into the business area of town, her head moving from side to side. The children’s heads were moving as well, but their interest was in the town itself. Kurth was a pleasant town with seemingly all the amenities.
“Can we go in there?” Lizzy surprised both adults by asking. Rusty looked to see that the little girl had spotted some wares in a dry goods store. Hanging on a small mannequin was a little girl’s dress.
“I don’t think we have time, Lizzy, but isn’t it pretty?”
“Yes.” Her voice was dreamy, and Chase was surprised when he found himself wishing it would have been appropriate to buy the dress for her.
“I don’t like dresses,” Thomas commented, looking disgruntled that they had stopped at all.
“Well, we won’t make you wear one,” Rusty told him simply and started off down the street. Just 20 steps later they spotted the livery. It was across the street, and this time Rusty remembered to look for Chase before she barreled her way over. He was silently bringing up the rear, bags still in hand. Rusty looked to be in complete control of things until they discovered the livery was empty. The doors were open, but no one was in attendance. It didn’t take as long to remember Chase this time. She turned to him immediately, but he was looking at a s
ign posted high on the door.
“Back at 2:30,” he read, and Rusty followed his gaze.
“What time is it now?” she asked.
He consulted his pocket watch. “It’s 2:20.”
Rusty nodded and glanced around. Just inside the door was a long bench. “We’ll just sit here and wait, children. Are you both warm enough?”
“Yes, Aunt Rusty” was their answer, and she could see that they were both starting to flag.
“Come now.” She kept her voice brisk. “I’ll sit between you so we can talk.”
Fascinated, Chase watched her. He was accustomed to doing things his own way and being in charge. It was rather captivating to have her consult him so seldom and take complete charge of the children. The last woman from the orphanage he’d accompanied had turned to look at him with every question out of the children’s mouths. They had placed four boys that time, and the inquiries had been endless. Chase followed Rusty and the children inside, set the bags beside the bench, and stood looking out onto the street.
“All right, Thomas, we’ll start with you. I’m certain the Davidsons know about you, but let’s make sure you have all the information. Tell me your full name.”
“Thomas Joseph Parks.”
“And how old are you?”
“Five.”
“When is your birthday?”
“I don’t know.”
“I think it’s July 5, but we’ll have to check on that.”
“July 5.”
“That’s right. Now to you, Lizzy. Give me your full name.”
“Elizabeth May Parks.”
“Very good. How old are you?”
“Eight.”
“And your birthday.”
“December 10.”
“Are you going to want them to call you Lizzy or Elizabeth?”
“Lizzy.”
“That’s fine. We’ll be certain that Mr. and Mrs. Davidson know that.”
“What’s your big name, Aunt Rusty?” Thomas asked.
“Katherine Alexa Taggart,” she told him with pleasure.
The little boy’s eyes grew.
“Cat.”
Rusty turned at that word to find Chase looking down at her. She had not even been aware that he’d been attending.
“My Uncle Robert calls me that,” she said softly, not sure if she was supposed to reply.
His eyes moved over her features. “It’s overstated.”
“Overstated?” she questioned uncertainly.
This time his eyes briefly swept her from head to toe.
“You’re more kitten size, I would say.”
Their eyes met for the space of several heartbeats, and then Chase’s gaze went back to the street. Rusty would have loved to sit and figure out what his comment implied, but Lizzy took that moment to lay her head against Rusty’s arm. Rusty still had a job to do.
“I think now would be a good time to clean up a bit,” Rusty said as she stood. She dug around in her bag until she found a comb and then gave the children a once-over. She checked their hands and faces, and although not spotless, they were passable. She was wishing for a mirror to work on her own hair when she heard someone speak from the street.
“Excuse me, sir. I’m looking for a woman with two children. Someone at the train station said they had come this way.”
Without speaking Chase looked to her. Rusty swiftly put the comb away and moved to the double doorway.
“Are you Miss Taggart?” a man sitting in the seat of a large wagon immediately asked her.
“Yes, I am.”
“I’m Douglas Davidson. Did you bring Lizzy and Thomas?”
The question was no more out of his mouth when Thomas peeked around the doorway. Rusty felt something catch in her throat as she watched the man’s eyes soften.
“Hello, Thomas. Did you bring your sister?”
Thomas could only stare at him.
“Come, Lizzy,” Rusty bade the little girl softly, and although it was said kindly, Lizzy knew better than to disobey. She took the hand that Rusty held out to her and tried to bury herself in the side of Rusty’s dress. However, the moment she had the little girl’s hand, Rusty moved toward the wagon, her free hand catching Thomas’ shoulder and bringing him along as well.
Douglas came down from the wagon, his hat in his hand. He was a large man, cleaned up for town but clearly accustomed to hard work.
“Thomas, Lizzy, do you remember Mr. Davidson?”
Thomas nodded his head yes, but Lizzy’s eyes stayed down.
“Come now, Lizzy, our best manners.”
The little girl looked up swiftly, dropped her eyes, and nodded.
“How are you?” Douglas asked kindly, and Rusty, seeing that the children were not going to answer, spoke up.
“We’re fine.”
“How was the train?”
“Exciting,” Rusty said truthfully. “We saw so much of the country.”
Although Rusty answered, the rancher’s eyes were on the children. That he was nearly moved to tears was obvious. She watched as he cast his eyes about to distract himself and knew the exact moment when he spotted Chase still standing behind them. Rusty nearly groaned when she realized she’d forgotten him again.
“Mr. Davidson,” Rusty said graciously, wanting to kick herself for yet another breach in manners. “This is Mr. Chase McCandles. He escorted the children and me today.”
Chase came forward and shook Douglas’ hand.
“It’s a pleasure, Mr. McCandles. I’ve heard of you. I hope you’re planning to join us at the ranch.”
“Only if it’s convenient. I can stay here in town.”
“Please come,” Douglas invited warmly. “We have plenty of room, and it would be our pleasure to have you.”
“Thank you.”
“Can you come out now?” he asked of Chase, but that man only looked to Rusty.
“Yes,” Rusty replied right away. “We have our bags right here.”
“Please come then.” Douglas’ smile encompassed them all, but his eyes were on the children. “Come out to the ranch; my wife will be thrilled.”
“I know where our bags are,” Thomas told him, finally finding his tongue.
“You do? Well, why don’t you show me and we’ll get them.”
Thomas proudly led the way, and although Lizzy didn’t let go of Rusty’s hand, she turned to follow their progress.
Chase took that moment to say softly, “You forgot me again.”
Rusty’s eyes were genuinely contrite. “I did, and I’m so sorry.”
That he enjoyed catching her out was obvious by the amusement in his eyes. Rusty’s chin came into the air, telling him she knew he was having one on her. She might have said something to that effect, but Douglas returned with Thomas, carrying their bags.
“I’m sorry I don’t have the other wagon, the one with two seats,” Douglas apologized. “The wheel was broke. But I brought a blanket.”
“The children and I will be fine in the back,” Rusty assured him.
“I’ll sit in the back,” Chase immediately offered. “You take the seat with Mr. Davidson.”
Rusty felt Lizzy’s hand squeeze her own, and before Chase could turn away, she gently laid a hand on his sleeve. He looked down at her, and she remembered that he liked to have his own way. However, Rusty was determined to stand her ground.
“I will ride with the children.”
Chase opened his mouth to tell her otherwise, but she was already moving to the rear of the wagon. Douglas had put the bags in and jumped up to make sure the blanket was smooth. The children came behind Rusty and she reached to lift them up, but the hands of the men were there ahead of her. Douglas reached for Lizzy and Chase swung Thomas into the back.
Rusty barely contained a small squeak when she suddenly felt herself lifted off her feet. Without so much as a by-your-leave, Chase had lifted her into his arms and set her into the wagon. Turning, she looked down and found his eyes on her again; her o
wn were rather large.
“Thank you,” she said breathlessly, but he only continued to look at her. Again she wondered what could be on his mind but thought it the better part of valor to turn and join the children on the blanket. She did so, aware that both men stayed close to see that they were settled, and just a moment later they were underway. The children crowded close to her, and Rusty could feel the tenseness in their bodies. As the wagon pulled from the streets of town and started down a long dusty road to the east, she began to pray.
The Davidson ranch house was like an oasis in the desert. It was tall and white with a large front porch that sported many flower boxes. The children had both lost some of their fear and now crowded to the edge of the buckboard to watch as they approached.
The men had talked for the entire trip, and some of the children’s ease had come from listening to them. Rusty’s estimation of Chase moved up several notches when he spent the trip asking questions of Douglas that the children might want to know. Would they share a bedroom? How close were their neighbors? And how close was the school? Rusty had watched the children listen and even felt her heart melt at the pleasure on their faces and the looks of excitement they exchanged.
They were in the yard now, and as Rusty watched, a woman came out of the house. Rusty had caught sight of Mrs. Davidson at the orphanage without ever seeing her husband. It wasn’t hard to remember her now. She had a head full of black hair and a smile that reached her eyes before it stretched her mouth. Right now both eyes and mouth were smiling as she saw the children in the back.
“Hello,” she called to them as she came off the porch. “How was the trip?”
“Fine,” her husband answered her, stopping the team. He and Chase came down from the seat together, and Douglas approached the children with a big smile. Lizzy’s backward movement was subtle, but he caught it. Rather than reach for the children, he stopped at the wagon side.
“Were you comfortable back here?” he simply asked.
“We leaned on Aunt Rusty,” Thomas told him.
“Wasn’t it nice that she sat with you?”
Mrs. Davidson came up at that moment and stood beside her spouse. There was something warm and comforting about her. Rusty immediately felt drawn to her.
