Whatever Tomorrow Brings (The Californians 1) (31 page)

Bill and May looked at one another and then back at Kaitlin.

"May I invite Mr. Parker and Joey to our fish dinner tomorrow night?"

forty-seven

The only sound was the evening breeze rustling the leaves. Nate, Gil and Jeff were all finished with their baths, so the only person not staring at Kate was Marcail, who was still in the bathtub.

Kaitlin's face began to heat and she was about to apologize for her question but instead her chin came out with steel determination.

"Like I've said, you've always made us feel so comfortable and I don't want to take advantage of that. I've prayed about inviting Mr. Parker to my little house in town..." Kate halted when Rigg came abruptly to his feet.

"But," she went on, looking straight at him, "I know that would be improper and not a good testimony. I feel so strongly that we're-I should say I'm-to have some type of outreach to this family. Right now I can't think of any other way to get close to them." Kate went on and briefly explained what had transpired that morning with Joey and how badly she wanted to keep the door open for further witnessing.

The group fell silent once again. When the silence became too heavy, Kate excused herself to check on her sister; fighting the tears that threatened.

Marcail needed help rinsing her hair and Kate was thankful for the diversion. She decided not to go back to the porch and, after she settled Marcail into bed, she prepared her own bath. The steam rising around her did wonders toward relaxation and this time she didn't try to stop the tears.

"Oh, Lord," she prayed, "I really believed they would share this burden with me. I know they don't like Mr. Parker but You love him and You've given me a love for his soul and Joey's. I can't do this by myself. Please Lord," she sobbed, "show me what You would have me do."

Kate would have put her head beneath the water if she knew that Bill was lingering outside the door, allowing him to hear her prayer. He'd come to tell her that she could invite whomever she wanted, anytime. But he was doing so with a reluctant heart.

He leaned against the wall a moment and then went back to tell his family that they needed to support Kate with their whole hearts. He prayed for a miracle in his own heart; a miracle that needed to take place between now and supper-time the following night, when he would face Parker.

"Do you mean it? They said I could ask them over?"

"That's what they decided. I know they felt bad when you didn't come back last night. That's why I'm up here this morning." Sean spoke from his place on Marcail and Kate's bed where he'd thrown himself upon entering the room.

He and Rigg had arrived early, as they usually did, and Bill told them that Kate hadn't come back out, even after they'd left. Sean volunteered to go up and talk to Kate.

"That's wonderful," Kate said softly, silently thanking God for His provision. It took a moment for her to realize that her legs were falling asleep from the knee down.

"Sean, you're putting my legs to sleep."

Sean shifted and they talked for a bit longer before Kate shooed him away so she and Marcail could get ready for church.

As soon as she sat down to breakfast Rigg asked her how she planned to invite Parker and Joey.

"If Joey's at church this morning, I'll ask him then. If not I'll walk over when the boys go fishing."

Rigg's eyes held hers for a moment and Kate remembered his words outside the barn when he'd threatened not to take Joey home. Kate was the first to lower her eyes and defeat washed over her. She didn't want to fight everyone over this; she wanted to think that someone was behind her, otherwise she would doubt her wisdom of getting involved at all.

Kate decided not to ask anyone to accompany her. There were enough men at the table to overhear Rigg's question and if someone wanted to go with her they could just offer. Otherwise, she'd made a promise not to go alone-

The incomplete thought hung in Kate's head and she found herself praying that Joey would be at church so she could ask him and simplify the whole matter. But Joey was nowhere to be seen.

Rigg didn't miss the way Kate reluctantly walked to his wagon for a ride to church. Or, after arriving and taking a seat, the way she looked toward the door time and again, for a glimpse of Joey Parker.

Rigg was learning about relationships. It was obvious to him, in a way it hadn't been before, that even if he and Kate were married, she would still have a mind of her own.

It had seemed to him as he was growing up, that his parents never quarreled about anything. But as he got older, he observed expressions and eye movements which spoke volumes. His parents didn't disagree in front of him or his brothers, but he would never have gone so far as to say it didn't happen behind their closed bedroom door.

And now this thing with Joey Parker. Rigg had no right to tell Kate no, nor was he sure he wanted to. He didn't own her and wouldn't own her even if they were married. But at least if they were married he'd have free rein to go to her the night before and talk about the question with which she'd surprised them. As it was, his father had gone and that was as it should have been. But that didn't stop his frustration, knowing Kate left with things so unsettled and him not able to change that in any way.

Gil, Nate and Sean went fishing as scheduled, just after lunch. Marcail wanted to play in the barn and Kate went with her. Marcail had just disappeared up the ladder-to the hayloft when Rigg entered.

Kate was trying very hard to hide her disappointment and believed she was succeeding nicely. Rigg didn't let on that he could read her like a book.

"Have you ever been in a hayloft?"

"No, I guess I haven't."

"Go on up."

"No, I'm fine right here."

"Too prim and proper?" It was clearly a challenge; one that Kaitlin couldn't resist as Rigg stepped lightly up the ladder and then stood above looking at her. He watched as she grasped the ladder with both hands and began to climb. Rigg immediately dropped to his stomach to reach for her and in a few seconds Kate gasped when she found herself standing in hay up to her knees. Rigg still had hold of her arms and walked her away from the edge.

"Hi Katie, isn't this fun?" Marcail was rolling and hopping around, basically having the time of her life and all Kaitlin could do was stare.

She watched birds fly back and forth to their nests in the rafters and felt the temperature contrast from below. The aroma was wonderful and Kate breathed deeply and took a step. A second later she was flat on her face and could hear Rigg's laughter as he stood above her.

Kate rolled and threw a handful of hay at him but it only blew back in her own face, causing Rigg to laugh all the harder.

"Are you going to help me up or laugh all day?" Kate's voice was indignant. Rigg came down on his knees beside her and helped her to -a sitting position.

His voice was soft as he pulled bits of straw from her hair. "Still upset with me?" Kate believed the question related to that morning and not the present. She was right.

"Not upset, just disappointed."

"Why didn't you ask me to take-you-to-the Parkers'?"

"I wanted you to offer. I wanted to feel like someone cared as much as I do."

Rigg was quiet a moment and then sat down facing her. He leaned one hand across her and rested it in the hay so he could bring his face very close.

"I believe the caring is coming but it will never equal the way I care about you. You're so innocent and you talk about going over to the Parkers' as if you're going to see your grandmother. It's not the same. I fear for your safety because you don't. Do you understand what I'm saying to you, Kaitlin?"

Kate nodded. "I won't go if you don't want me to."

Rigg knew what it cost her to say that and his eyes became so tender and loving Kate feared she might be kissed again. She wasn't sure she was ready for that. Rigg's hand came up and with one finger he touched her chin.

"Such a stubborn chin." His voice was loving and Kate watched as his head lowered.

"Katie!" Marcail called and Rigg stopped, his eyes on Kate's.

"I forgot she was up here," he said with a half smile, his voice soft.

"I'm kind of glad she is," Kate answered and grinned at him.

Marcail plopped down in the hay next to Rigg and Kate a moment later. "Look at this." She held the fragile half of an eggshell within her cupped hands, holding it carefully for their inspection.

"What kind is it?"

"Barn swallow," Rigg answered promptly. "We found them all the time as kids."

"Katie!" Marcail said suddenly. "You've got hay all over you!" Clearly the nine-year-old had never seen her sister in such a state.

"Is Katie always so prim and proper then?" Rigg couldn't resist his standing joke.

"Tell him no, Marcail," Kate ordered, but the little girl just smiled.

"Let's go down now so I can show Mrs. Taylor my egg "

"All right but first I want Kate to do something that would not be considered prim and proper."

Kate could feel her temper rise. "That's ridiculous. I am not too prim and proper."

Kate rose ungracefully and started toward the ladder but Rigg was faster. He climbed down and stood on the ladder with the upper part of his body showing up in the loft. Marcail was trying to keep from laughing and Kate faced him, arms akimbo.

"I need to get down," she stated.

"Just as soon as you prove to me that you can throw off your 'schoolteacher cloak."'

"That's ridiculous."

"What shall we have her do, Marc, sing off-key?" Marcail found this highly amusing and couldn't hold her laughter even when Kate's eyes narrowed in her direction.

"Sing us a song Katie," Rigg directed.

"Nor' Kate was beginning to see the humor in this and a smile was breaking across her face as she came toward the ladder but Rigg could not be bluffed. She plopped down before the ladder and tried to muster up a glare.

"I'm a man with infinite patience, Kate-love. Sing us a song and you can have the ladder."

Marcail laughed again and Kate could see Rigg wasn't going to budge. She threw back her head and crowed out the silliest song she could think of. Her voice screeched and cracked, causing Marcail to howl with laughter and Rigg to beg her to stop.

"Are you satisfied now?" Kaitlin demanded.

All Rigg could do was laugh.

"Hello."

May's voice came to the three in the loft and Kate and Marcail both leaned slightly over the edge to see her.

"Is everything all right?" Her tentative question started the laughter all over again as they made their way to the ground.

"Your son thinks I'm too stuffy for my own good and I was proving to him otherwise. Oh! Marc, did you bring your egg?"

Marcail displayed her prize once again and then May surprised them all with a question to Kate.

"I was wondering, Kate, if you'd like me to walk with you to the Parkers', so we can ask them to supper tonight?"

forty-eight

Rigg stared at his mother, completely nonplussed. He almost asked if Dad knew what she was planning, something he'd never even thought of saying to her before.