Her Motherhood Wish. Keli Gwyn

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СКАЧАТЬ 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.

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