Whatever Tomorrow Brings (The Californians 1) (19 page)

"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 sheetKaitlin 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.

She'd checked her register that morning to find out Joey's age. He was 11 and was seated behind Marcail. Sean was a little further forward than he should have been. The desk at the front of his row was empty so Kate had Sean stand while everyone shifted down. His new seat put him where he was supposed to be.

"I've written my name on the blackboard for anyone who can't remember it. It's Miss Donovan. You have probably noticed that there are also two new students in school today. Their names are Sean and Marcail Donovan and I hope you'll make them feel welcome." There was no need to have them stand-it was obvious to all who they were.

"How many of you know where Hawaii is?" Kate surprised most of them with the sudden question.

Nate, Sean and Marcail's hand went up but Kate called on an older girl in the back row. She answered correctly and the class was given the chance to ask many questions concerning their teacher's background. It took most of the morning.