Whatever Tomorrow Brings (The Californians 1) (22 page)

"If you would catch some fish Sean," Kaitlin said between chuckles, "we could ask Mr. Riggs to our house instead of him always feeding us."

"He'd probably never believe that you weren't out to poison him."

Sean walked his sisters home and then went to see if they'd received any mail. He then headed to the Mercantile to tell Rigg they would be there for supper at six.

"If there's some reason Marcail, that you'd rather not go to Mr. Riggs' for supper, you can tell me."

The girlG were nearly at Riggs' and Kate, who'd finally noticed Marcail's behavior, had been trying for an hour to bring her out.

"It's fine if we eat here."

"Marc," Kate said gently, "what's wrong?"

They had come to a stop just short of the porch steps at Rigg's. He had seen them approaching and stood framed in the front door looking down at them.

Marcail looked down at the path beneath her feet and then glanced up at Rigg. When she looked back at Katie, a single tear slid down her cheek.

"I don't know if I can tell you." Her voice was soft but Rigg heard and stepped back as Kate led Marcail into the living room. The girls sat on the sofa and as soon as they were settled, Marcail turned her face into Kate's side and sat very still.

Kaitlin kept her arm close around her and stared up at Rigg and Sean who looked on helplessly.

"Marc," Kaitlin finally spoke softly, "please tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can fix it."

A few more moments went by and Marcail shifted until her cheek lay against Kate's side. Rigg, seeing the evidence of tears on her face, was surprised. He hadn't been aware that she was crying because she hadn't made a sound. His heart melted at the sight of those tears and he sat down beside her.

"Is there anything I can do, Marcail?"

IJI 'No.

"You might feel better if you talk about it Marc," Sean suggested from a nearby chair.

"Someone will get into trouble." Her young voice was almost depressed.

Kate cuddled her closer with new understanding. How many times had history repeated itself over this subject. One child had information over another child's sin and was in torment over whether or not the news should be shared.

"Marcail, I understand why you're upset but be sure to ask yourself if this person will end up in worse trouble if you don't tell."

Marcail was silent for a few minutes and the others in the room watched her chew her lip in indecision.

"Joey Parker told me today that he took that lady's purse. He said his father told him to." Marcail's face was once again buried against her sister's side. Rigg looked down and watched a shudder run over the child, the only indication that she was crying again. He looked up to see Kaitlin's face-it was white with strain.

"Would this man really do that?"

"I wouldn't be surprised." Rigg's voice was regretful.

'The next hour was spent trying to calm Marcail down enough to eat supper. The food had gone cold but no one really seemed to notice.

Little by little, as they ate supper, Marcail elaborated. She said that Joey had approached her during afternoon recess and asked her if she'd told her sister who took the purse. Marcail hadn't known what he was talking about. When he realized his mistake, he'd become very angry and said it hadn't been his fault to begin with: He was just doing what his Pa had told him to do.

They all knew they were going to have to step lightly around this small boy in the very near future or he would surely know that Marcail had told.

Kate and Marcail didn't stay long after supper but before Rigg walked them home he asked everyone to gather in the living room for a brief time of prayer over what to do and how to reach out to Joey without causing him more hurt.

thirty-three

Kaitlin had told herself on Friday night that she was going to sleep until noon on Saturday. She could tell by the angle of the sun that it wasn't that late but she awoke so rested she didn't care about the hour.

May had sent word through a blushing Nathan the afternoon before, that she and Marcail were invited to the Taylors' for supper on Saturday evening. They were to also plan to take their baths, stay the night and go with them to church in the morning.

Kate shuddered at the thought of tackling Marcail's hair. After visualizing herself washing that thick mass as well as her own in the dish-pan, she decided to accept May's offer. But right now the whole day stretched ahead of them and Kaitlin was going to start it with prayer.

As she remembered her family, her mind returned again and again to Joey Parker. Kate thought he was one of the most precious little boys she'd ever encountered.

She had surmised right away that he was not as well liked as the other children and even though they played with him, he was always on the outer fringes of their special talks. There were certainly other children who didn't really fit in either. But Joey was the only one who appeared to be from a very poor home. And after Marcail explained her tears the day before, well, Kate couldn't even think of the boy without her own tears starting.

Please Father, use me. Help me to help him. I want so much to go to him right now and hug him and ask him to church but it's too soon; I know that. And I also know that You love him and died for him. Please God, make the pathway to this little boy clear so I can tell him of Your love.

Kate prayed for many minutes in this vein, and not until she realized that Marcail was stirring beside her, did she begin to pray for her friends in Hawaii, Mr. Riggs, the Taylors and her other students.

"Good morning, Katie." Marcail's voice was heavy with sleep but she was always cheerful in the morning.

"Morning, Marc. How did you sleep?"

"Good. Are we staying at Taylors' tonight?"

"Yes, I think it's a good idea. It's hard enough to do your hair without you having to bend over for half an hour."

"Maybe we should cut it."

"What would Father say?"

"I don't know." She was silent for a moment. "He is coming back, isn't he Katie?"

"He said that he would and I know that he'll come as soon as he can."

The girls had a leisurely breakfast and then went to the post office. There was a letter from Aunt Maureen and they decided to wait until they returned home to open it. As they walked past the shipping office, Gil hailed them.

"Hi. What are you two up to?"

"We got a letter from Aunt Maureen," Marcail told him.

"Good for you." He smiled at Marcail and touched her shoulder.

Kaitlin thought he was one of the nicest men she'd ever met. Good-looking, too. Of course she believed that Gilbert and his brothers were all handsome, with their light blue eyes, medium brown hair and tall, lean physiques.

"I'm glad you came by. A few things were delivered yesterday from the church folks and I wanted to take them to your house. Are you headed home now?"

"We're going to the mercantile," Marcail informed him.

"But we can go right home if you want to meet us there."

"There's no hurry," he said with a smile. "Why don't you give me a time and I'll meet you then."

"Oh no, Gilbert, we don't want to put you to any trouble-" Kaitlin began but stopped when his eyes told her he was close to laughter.

"What time?" The question was asked again. Kate suggested ten-thirty before turning and moving down the street, a little bemused, wondering what Gilbert must have found so funny.

Gil watched them walk away, his eyes still smiling. One of these days, Katie Donovan, he thought to himself, you're going to understand that the look in Rigg's eyes when he's near you, makes you and your family very special.

Kate wondered how many times she would be able to walk into Riggs Mercantile and not feel a sense of wonder. It was all so delightful. She loved to look at the farm tools, the counter laden with jars of penny candy, paint supplies-from stove-pipe enamel to paint brushes of every conceivable size. There was a large selection of toys, with baby dolls and tea sets of fine china. You could find sports and fishing equipment and even a selection of ladies intimate apparel.

Kaitlin never stayed in that section for very long, but she was very curious and a little envious of women who wore muslin nightgowns trimmed with lace, or taffeta and silk underskirts with camisoles bordered in scarlet ribbon.

"This is pretty, isn't it Katie?" Kaitlin was brought out of her dreams when Marcail picked up an underskirt piped in pale blue ribbon.

"It sure is." The girls exchanged a smile of understanding. Even if their father were here and working steadily, he would not have allowed such an extravagant purchase.

Watching from his office, Rigg knew exactly what the girls were looking at even though he couldn't hear their words or see what they were holding. Sensing that he might be invading their privacy, he turned and sat at his desk.

Rigg believed it to be totally improper to give clothing to a woman who was not his wife, but the smile he'd seen on Kate's face led him to believe that such a gift would bring her great pleasure.

I need patience, Lord. I can't rush her and I want to do Your will but I can't get her out of my mind. Show me some peace Lord, show me how to be near Katie without scaring her off.

Rigg's prayers were cut short when the object of his every waking moment called from the stairway.

"Mr. Riggs, are you up there?"

"Come on up."

"We just wanted to say hello before we go home. Gilbert is bringing more stuff to us from the church," Marcail informed him. He stood until his visitors had found seats.

"Did you get everything you need?"

"Yes, we were just here for some little things," Kate answered, and noticed for the first time how heavy his beard was. He was clean-shaven, but the outline of whiskers was black against his tanned face. He was very nice to look at and for the first time Kaitlin let her eyes have their fill.

She watched for a moment as Rigg talked with Marcail and then suddenly drew in a sharp breath. He was exactly like the man she visualized being married to one day! Kaitlin had grown up around well-built Polynesian men with black hair and dark skin and eyes. Rigg would never have been mistaken for one of the men from the island, but he did have the looks that Kate found most attractive.

Rigg's peripheral vision made him very aware of Kate's scrutiny but he kept talking with Marcail. He desperately wanted to know what was going through Kaitlin's mind but was afraid to ask.

When a few minutes later the girls said good-bye, Rigg wished he had questioned Kate. She had seemed uncomfortable when she left, almost as if she were afraid of him. For an instant he wondered if he reminded her of her cousin and then frowned at the thought.

After a few minutes he bent back over his account books, wishing as he did, that he had someone trustworthy to do them for him.

thirty-four