Promise me tomorrow (4 page)

"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?" rive.

"When is your birthday?"

"I don't know."

"I think it's July 5, but we'll have to check on that."

"5."

"July"

"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 Mc Candles. 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 own 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.

"Do you remember my wife?" Mr. Davidson asked.

"Hello, Lizzy. Hello, Thomas," she smiled at them. "How was the train?"

"We sat by the window," Thomas informed her.

"You did? That's my favorite place too. Now before you come inside, let me tell you some things." Her tone was kind and authoritative, much like Rusty's, and the children hung on her every word. "You can call me Jessie, and you can call Mr. Davidson, Doug. You don't share a bedroom, but if you want to sleep together, you may. We've tried to make everything comfortable for you, but if you need something and can't find it, you just need to ask." She paused to smile at them again. "Are you ready to come inside?"

Thomas nodded yes and came to his feet to be helped out. Lizzy turned to Rusty.

"Are you coming, Aunt Rusty?"

"I certainly am. You go ahead, and I'll be right behind."

Rusty watched in amazement as Lizzy lifted her arms to leave the wagon. Douglas performed the act as a matter of course and let go of the little girl as soon as she was on the ground. Rusty watched her move away with Thomas and the adults and noticed that she didn't even look back. Chase had moved around the wagon and was watching as well.

"Did you see their faces?" she asked softly. "They already love them. Lizzy has to stay here. No matter what, she and Thomas have to stay."

"The Lord will work it out." Chase's deep voice came to her ears, and she looked at him, her expression telling him she was thankful for the reminder. He helped her from the wagon and then grabbed all the bags. Motioning Rusty to precede him, they followed the others inside.

5

Rusty found the ranch house was as warm and comfortable as the people who lived there. She was no more inside, Chase bringing up the rear, when Jessica Davidson approached, her voice low.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Taggart. I was so excited about the children that I left you sitting in the wagon."

"That's fine. I was so busy watching Lizzy that I didn't even notice."

"She came right with us." Jessie breathed the words, her face full of hope.

"I noticed. Has she even asked about me?"

"No. Right away Doug asked them if they wanted to see the kittens, and they both said yes. He took them out the back door to the barn."

Rusty's heart lifted. They were off to a wonderful start.

"I'm Rusty, by the way," she said as she held out her hand.

"Jessie," the older women replied as they shook. "It's so good to have you here."

"Jessie, this is Mr. McCandles."

Chase's hand came out. "Please call me Chase."

"Thank you for bringing Rusty and the children," Jessie told him, her heart in her eyes.

"It was my pleasure. They're wonderful children."

"We think so too. Come upstairs, and I'll show you to your rooms. You have the children's bag?"

"I have it," Chase filled in, following Rusty as Jessie led the way to the stairs.

"They don't have very much, Jessie," Rusty felt the need to explain.

"I figured as much," Jessie responded. They were at the top of the stairs, and she led them down the hall. "I bought some things—not much—I didn't want to overwhelm them. But no matter what happens, I want them to take the clothes we bought."

Rusty nodded. Given similar circumstances, she knew she would feel the same way.

"This will be your room, Rusty. Lizzy is on one side of you, and Thomas is across from her. Your fiance will be across the hall from you."

Both Rusty and Chase stopped and looked at their hostess. Jessie had moved past them slightly, so it took a moment for her to see that they had both gone very still.

"Is there a problem?" she asked carefully. "Did I misunderstand? Are you already married?"

Rusty blinked, wanting to be as kind as possible in this awkward situation. She was still framing a reply when Chase responded, "As a matter of fact, we are not married, and as engaging as I find Miss Taggart, neither are we engaged."

"Please forgive my assumption," she begged them kindly, but her mind was in a muddle, and she had to work at hiding her confusion and embarrassment. It wasn't anything anyone had said. It was more the way she had witnessed Chase's treatment of Rusty; more specifically, the way he looked at her. Since they had come into the house, he'd been watching her. Jessie realized now that Rusty hadn't even been aware of his scrutiny. With the difference in their height, it was very easy for Chase to subtly watch the petite woman's every move. Rusty, however, would have to tip her head back even to look into his face.