Her Motherhood Wish. Keli Gwyn

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СКАЧАТЬ and gave his arm a playful swat. “Oh, you.”

      Jasper gazed up at her, his brow furrowed. “Why did you hit him, Miss Callie?”

      She’d momentarily forgotten about their young chaperones. “I didn’t hit him. I just swatted him. Mr. Chip was teasing me, and I was teasing him back. That’s all. But you’re right. Hitting isn’t a good thing. We should get on over to the corral. We’ll see you when we return, Chip.”

      “You might see me sooner than that. I could use a break myself.”

      “We’d like that.” She certainly would, more than he knew.

      “Then I’ll definitely join you.” He flashed her a smile that held the promise of an enjoyable time to come. She had to force herself not to skip down the path.

      Minutes later Callie stood outside the corral fence watching Isaac lead Ruby around on a pony. Callie’s brother didn’t let his war injury hold him back, but he still had trouble with loud noises or altercations of any kind between adults. He was fine with children, though, because, as he said, they posed no threat. He’d certainly overcome Ruby’s hesitation in a hurry. The little girl was actually smiling.

      Jasper waited beside Callie, his feet on the middle rung of the slat fence and his hands gripping the top one. “How long do I gotta wait for my turn?”

      “Until Ruby’s done. It won’t be long now.” Footfalls from behind caught her attention.

      Tess approached them, with her hands behind her back and a smile on her face. “Since you want to be a cowboy one day, Jasper, you’ll be needing one of these.” She held out a small cowboy hat.

      Jasper’s eyes grew as round as wagon wheels. He took the hat and plopped it on his head.

      Callie leaned close. “What do you say?”

      He beamed at Tess. “Thank you.”

      “I’m glad you like it. The Double T is a good place for boys like you. Papa Spencer and his ranch hands can teach you everything there is to know about raising cattle.”

      Isaac led the pony up to the fence beside them. “This little lady had a nice ride. It’s her brother’s turn now.”

      “Yee-haw!” Jasper cringed and clamped a hand over his mouth.

      Tess’s forehead furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

      Callie rested a hand on the remorseful boy’s shoulder. “He remembered that we’re not supposed to make loud noises around horses. Isn’t that right, Jasper?”

      He bobbed his head.

      Isaac passed Ruby to Callie and smiled at Jasper. “Sounds like you’re well on your way to being a good cowboy then, but you need to learn how to ride a horse. Let’s get you on the back of that pony, shall we?”

      In no time, Jasper’s lesson was underway. Ruby sat on a bale of hay near Callie playing with her beloved doll, giving Callie time alone with Tess.

      Tess watched Isaac instructing Jasper. “I never of tire of seeing your brother sharing his love of horses with the little ones. He’s come so far.”

      “I’m glad to hear it. Isaac witnessed carnage such as I can’t begin to imagine. I look forward to the day he can break free from the shadows of the past and fully embrace the present.”

      Compassion shone from Tess’s eyes. “Every person who arrives at the Double T has been wounded in some way and bears scars. While most of us eventually move beyond the traumas and tragedies that have come our way, some people have a harder time of it. The best we can do is love, support and encourage them, all the while praying that the Lord will work His healing.”

      A peal of childish laughter rang out, drawing Callie’s eye. Isaac had said something that tickled Jasper. Tess was right. Isaac had made good progress at the Double T. One day he would be free of the mental anguish that plagued him, and she would rejoice. “I can’t thank you enough for giving Isaac a job and a purpose.”

      “We’re blessed to have him. I’m thankful he’s brought you to us, as well. You’re a wonderful addition to our happy family.”

      Tess excused herself and left, passing Chip, who was coming Callie’s way.

      He ambled up beside her, rested his folded arms on the top rung of the fence and watched Isaac and Jasper. “Our boy’s doing well, isn’t he?”

      Our boy. The words sent a surge of longing through Callie. She could imagine the day when she had a husband like Chip and children like Jasper and Ruby. “He is. Just look at his grin.”

      “The hat’s a nice touch. Another gift from Tess, I presume?”

      “Yes. The caring woman has six children of her own and two dorms full, as well, but she makes time for all of them and knows just what will make each of them happy. If I’m blessed with children one day, I want to be that kind of mother.”

      “I’m sure you will.”

      His words warmed her, but she couldn’t help thinking of the diagnosis that had destroyed her dream of bearing children of her own. If only something could be done to fix whatever had gone wrong inside her...

      Chip turned to face her, leaning against the fence with one boot heel hooked on the lowest rung and his arms extended along the top one, a masculine stance that made him even more appealing. “If I recall correctly, you said Isaac looked forward to raising horses but is no longer able to ride himself, at least not without pain.”

      She smiled. “Your attentiveness speaks to your character, as does your tactfulness in not mentioning his limp or...the other thing he deals with.”

      “I have nothing but respect for the men who served. Many of them suffered—and are suffering still. You must be happy he’s found a job he enjoys.”

      “Indeed, but what makes me happiest is that I located him. It took two years, but I did it.”

      Chip raised an eyebrow. “He didn’t tell you where he was?”

      “Because of his condition, he didn’t want to be a burden, so he headed to California after the war. I’d get a postcard from him every now and then, each one from a different location here in the Gold Country, but that was all. I came west to search for him.” She glanced at Isaac, smiled at the obvious delight on her brother’s face and retuned her attention to Chip. “What he didn’t know was that he could never be a burden. He’s not just my brother. He’s my only living relative. He’s also a good friend.”

      “I can see why you were determined to find him. Nothing is as important as family.”

      “It must be so hard not to have any of yours left. When did you lose the last one?”

      “When I was nine. We were headed West when cholera ripped through our wagon train, and we all took ill. The disease claimed all five of them in the space of one week.”

      “Oh, Chip, I’m so sorry. I wouldn’t have brought it up if—” She followed his gaze, shocked to discover her hand resting on his arm. She pulled it away and hid it in the СКАЧАТЬ