Whatever Tomorrow Brings (The Californians 1) (16 page)

"Did she tell you that?"

"Yes she did, and even though I told her it wasn't true, I don't think I convinced her."

"Maybe I'll talk to her," Sean's voice was thoughtful and Rigg was further convinced that he was a special young man who cared deeply for his family. Rigg didn't feel that the time was right to ask Sean if anything was bothering him, so he just prayed, asking God to show him the right time.

The next day Sean was awake at a very early hour, brimming with excitement. This was his first day at work. Rigg came into the kitchen to find his young housemate sitting quietly at the table waiting for him.

"How did you sleep?" Rigg's voice was still gravelly from sleep and Sean smiled.

"Fine. How about you?"

"Good. I thought a lot about your sister and I need to ask you something Sean." Rigg took a place at the table and leaned toward Sean, his face serious. "If I were to show interest in Kaitlin, I mean romantically, how would you feel about that?"

Sean answered without hesitation, "I'd think it was okay just as long as Katie did."

Rigg nodded."She doesn't seem to like me too well, does she?"

Sean found this question embarrassing and didn't know how to answer.

"Don't feel bad, Sean. She's already told me she thinks I'm a flirt."

'Are you?" The words were so quiet that Rigg, who had moved to the stove to start the coffee, almost missed them. He turned to find Sean's heart in his eyes.

"No, Sean, I'm not. I'm not sure if I'm coming or going where your sister is concerned, but this is no game I'm playing." Rigg watched Sean's face to see if he understood and was satisfied with what he saw.

"Come on over here, Sean," he said after a moment. "I'll show you how to make coffee."

Rigg walked with Sean to the post office. After Sean posted his letter, Rigg sent him to the mercantile to ask for Joe Crawford, the man with whom he'd be working that day. As he watched Sean head eagerly down the street, Rigg grinned, remembering his first day at the mercantile. He then headed to the shipping office.

His father was in early as he expected. Heading into his office, Rigg shut the door behind him. He took the chair across the desk and looked at the man who'd been a father to him for most of his years.

"Did you see Kaitlin before you left the house today?"

"No, the only one up was your mother."

Rigg nodded and sat quietly.

"I've never believed in love-at-first-sight, Dad, but something is going on. I can't get that girl out of my mind."

Rigg spoke the words sincerely and Bill's heart ached for him. It had been over 23 years since he'd met May but he remembered very well how it felt to watch and wait and wonder. He also remembered befriending a little boy who, if he hadn't responded to him as well as he had, might have kept him from winning May's heart.

But the boy was not three any longer. He was a man, 26 years old-a godly man of faith, with his own business; a man with hopes and desires of his own.

"Do you remember the first time we met, Rigg?"

"My third birthday."

"Yep. I bought you a toy soldier."

"I still have it."

Bill didn't say anything else; he didn't need to. Rigg smiled at what he was thinking.

'Are you trying to tell me that you went through me to get to my mother?"

Bill grinned back at him. "Not exactly, but the fact that you liked me certainly helped my case."

"So you think I should go on as I am, being there for Sean and Marcail, but not pushing Katie?"

"Well, I certainly don't think you should propose-at least not until she relaxes around you."

"I have no one to blame for the way she treats me but myself."

Bill's brows rose in question but Rigg didn't elaborate.

"I guess I'd better get to work."

"All right. Are you coming to the house for supper?"

"I'm planning on it. Are you going to make that announcement about household items for Kaitlin to the congregation in the morning?"

"I'm planning on it."

Father and son grinned at one another and then Bill told Rigg he was praying for him.

"Thanks, Dad, thanks a lot."

Kate lay in the bed next to Marcail and knew she should get up. She'd had a very restful night that started almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Heavy sleeper that she was, she'd been gone until morning.

She had wanted to pray and tell God everything she felt about Marshall Riggs, but her body had had other plans. Now this morning she couldn't think beyond getting ready for school on Monday.

Her mother had always planned for the following week on Saturday, and so that was what Katie planned to do today. She had brought the classification register that Mr. Carson had given her. She said a quick prayer of thanks for Sean's job, and asked protection for him as he worked, and then slipped out of bed. The thought of getting dressed made Kaitlin stop and pray again.

She pleaded with God about wisdom over wearing black for a year. It was easier for Sean, who simply put a black band around the sleeve of his jacket. But for her and Marcail, it was a major wardrobe change. Marcail had one black dress and Kaitlin had two. She also had a dark skirt but only a white blouse to go with it. The rest of her things, as well as Marcail's, were lightweight summer prints.

She stood for a moment, and then the decision was made. She would wear whatever was clean on any given day and sew the lace collars and cuffs back on her black dresses.

After having a huge breakfast and exploring the farm with Marcail, Kaitlin was back in the house to work on her lessons. A thrill shot through her as she opened the register and began to read, careful to pass over the percentages of the students. She didn't want any preconceived notions when she walked in that door Monday. Each student would have a fair chance to prove himself.

Kate's eyes skimmed over the names. There were eight students listed under "Upper Form," ranging from age 12 to 17. In the "Middle Form" there were nine children listed, their ages were 10 to 13. At the bottom of the page was the listing for "Primary Form," the ages being from 7 to 11 and totalling eight children. Adding Sean and Marcail to this list would give her 27 students.

Kaitlin went on to study the recitation program, taking note of who recited forenoon and afternoon. In an honest attempt to know as much as possible, she read every word of the teachers' reports. She wanted to ease the transition for this class.

Around mid-morning May came back from the shipping office where she and Marcail had gone with the boys. They didn't disturb Kate in the living room, but it wasn't very long before the unmistakable aroma of freshly-baked cookies floated in to assail her senses.

She worked a bit longer, taking notes on a pad May had given her, and then went to the kitchen.

"How's it going Kaitlin?" her hostess wanted to know.

"It's going well. I'm all set and really looking forward to meeting the class."

"They're normally a good group of kids. I think they'll like you." May smiled. "If they get out of line you can always speak to them in Hawaiian and shock them all speechless."

Kate and Marcail both laughed at the idea.

The remainder of the day was spent doing laundry and baking, and waiting for Sean to come and tell them about his first day at work.

twenty-five

Joe Crawford, the man Sean was to find and work with, turned out to be just a few years older than he was. Rigg had told Joe, who was moving out of town, that he'd found a replacement who would be starting Saturday. Joe was to train Sean and, from the look on the older boy's face, he was none too happy about it. Sean, sensing a hostility in Joe that frightened him a little, tried not to ask too many questions. He found himself wishing that Rigg had offered to show him the ropes.

"That doesn't go there." The words were surly and Sean stopped where he stood, holding a heavy crate. "I told you those go over there! Are you stupid or something?"

Sean said nothing, thinking that, indeed, maybe he was stupid. Never had he made so many mistakes. He couldn't seem to do anything to please his co-worker, but he stayed with it and tried to ignore the angry looks that came his way all morning.

"How is it going, boys?"

Sean watched Joe become a different person in the boss' presence.

"Just fine, Rigg. Sean's a great worker, real smart." That the words were sickeningly sweet, Rigg didn't seem to notice.

"Good. I knew you'd do fine, Sean. Why don't we break for lunch?"

Joe grabbed his lunch pail, went through the store and down the street. Sean stood in indecision-he didn't have any lunch. Rigg was checking the papers he held in his hand so Sean slipped quietly out the back door and walked up the street.

Not able to stop the flood of tears that began to flow, he sped up until he found himself on a quiet street. Ahead of him was the schoolhouse. He moved toward it and collapsed on the steps; his tears intensifying until he was nearly sobbing.

Rigg, who had not been far behind him when he left the store, had followed him when he hadn't gone straight home. From a distance he watched Sean bring his knees up and lay his face on top of them. His arms were over his head, as though trying to protect himself from a blow.

Rigg turned, cut across a few yards and dashed up the back steps of his house. In a matter of minutes he was out again, bearing a loaf of bread, three apples, half a pie and a jug of cider. He whistled as he approached the school steps, giving -Sean -a chance to know of his presence.

Sean wiped his face on his sleeve when he heard the sound and watched his employer approach.

"How about some lunch?"

"Thanks, but I'm not too hungry."

"Mind if I join you?"

"No."

Rigg sat down on the second step, bit into an apple, and watched Sean's profile. "How do you think you'll like the job?"

Sean continued to stare off in the distance as he answered. "It might take me a while to remember everything. I'll understand if you feel you need to get someone else."

Rigg had never known Joe to be sneaky or underhanded in any way, but Sean's words made him wonder what kind of morning Joe had given him. Joe was not very happy that his family was moving back East. Maybe it had been asking too much to have him train his successor.