“I’ve got to get this wagon back. I’ll see you tonight.”
The girls bid their brother good-bye and Kaitlin noticed for the first time that Rigg was silently eyeing Marcail’s feet. She couldn’t tell exactly what he was thinking but when their eyes finally met she thought he might be angry.
“Did you come down today to buy shoes?” The words were said softly, deceptively so.
“No, but I get paid next week and we’ll get them then.” Kaitlin looked very pleased with herself.
“Marc, why don’t you go in and look at the shoes? We’ll come in later and you can show us the ones you like.”
Marcail looked to her sister for approval and then went in the rear door.
“Kaitlin,” he said as he tried to control his temper, “didn’t Mr. Carson give you some extra money?”
“No. He told me about my raise though,” Kate’s smile faded when she saw how upset he was.
“My father told me that you were to get back pay for the money you should have been getting, a housing allowance and a raise.”
“Well, maybe he’s going to get it to me this week. Or next week when I get my pay.”
“Either way, that is not what the board decided. You were to get the money immediately.” Rigg ran a distracted hand through his hair and spoke as though he’d forgotten Kaitlin’s presence. “Marcail’s shoes aren’t fit to wear and Sean’s pants are inches above his ankles.” An instant later he glanced sharply down at her feet.
“Let me see your shoes!”
“They’re fine.” Kate said quietly, but he was so upset that she lifted the front of her dress about an inch, thinking as she did that she would never tell him what was really needed in her own wardrobe.
His eyes were on her dress now and Kate’s chin jutted out, daring him to question her further. Wisely he took the warning.
“All right Kate, I won’t ask. But if you need something, I want you to go see my mom. Do you understand?”
Kate gave him a curt nod and went inside to find Marcail. Rigg was on her heels, thinking as he did, that he’d have to go to his father with this. He was too emotionally involved to go to Carson himself. He was certain to say or do something he knew would be displeasing to the Lord.
“Look at these Katie,” Marcail called to them as they walked toward her. Marcail was holding out a small pair of black leather boots. They laced to the top and had low heels.
Rigg of course recognized them as his best pair of children’s shoes so he carefully blocked Kaitlin’s hand when she tried to reach for the price tag.
“You really should try these on, Marc. They look to be your size.”
“Maybe we should wait until next week. I mean, it might be better—” Kate stopped because no one was listening to her.
“Oh Katie, aren’t they pretty?”
Kate nodded lamely, having just checked the price on a pair still sitting on the shelf. How could she ever tell her that they cost too much?
“You know,” Rigg was saying, “I don’t think there’s any reason why Marc can’t have these now. Like you said, payday is next week.” Rigg said this knowing that between now and then he’d figure out a way to keep her from paying.
Kaitlin was shaking her head and trying to signal him but Rigg continued to lace Marcail’s shoe as though he had all the time in the world. In the next instant Marcail was on her feet moving around as if she’d just discovered walking.
“We can’t,” Kate was whispering furiously as she pulled on Rigg’s arm, finally gaining his attention. “We can’t afford those Rigg! She should never have put them on! Just look at her! She’ll never want to take them off!”
Kate was so intent upon Marcail that she didn’t notice Rigg grinning at her.
“Marc, I need to talk with you.” Kate’s voice was concerned but Marcail didn’t notice.
“Oh Katie, can you believe how nice they are? And they don’t hurt at all,” Marcail said without ever taking her eyes off her new shoes.
“Your sister is so pleased she’s speechless.” Rigg’s arm went briefly around Kate and he gave her a warning squeeze.
Rigg knew that she wanted to argue, but he silently tipped her chin so she had to look at him. With a small shake of his head he told her to be quiet and then went over to scoop Marcail up in his arms. She was so delighted with the shoes she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him with all her strength.
Rigg laughed in delight and turned to see Kate staring, as though seeing him for the first time.
“What’s the matter Katie?” Marcail asked cheerfully, finally looking at her.
“Nothing.” The answer was rather faint and she tried to smile. She looked at the man holding her sister and wondered if they needed to talk. He was being presumptuous again, but Kate’s feelings were different this time and she recognized that fact.
Without really knowing how Rigg did it, Kate found herself out the door and on her way home, a few minutes later. He had assured Kaitlin he’d get rid of Marcail’s old shoes. Kate had supper well under way before she remembered she hadn’t bought any buttons.
thirty-seven
Kaitlin woke the next morning with an awful premonition that Rigg was going to do something about her salary. She didn’t want to get anyone in trouble period. Kate was convinced that Mr. Carson must have had a reason for his actions.
Knowing there would be no time to go and see Rigg before school, Kate planned on going to the mercantile immediately after. She was pleasantly surprised when he walked into the schoolhouse moments after she dismissed school for the day.
“Hello.” His deep voice and pleased smile nearly made Kate forget what she was going to ask him. “How was your day?”
“It was great.” Kaitlin felt herself blushing and wished she had better self control.
“I came by because I wanted to ask you something.” Rigg’s eyes were watchful. He needed to gauge how she was doing to know how she would respond to his question.
“I’m glad you did because I wanted to tell you something too.”
“All right. You go first.” Rigg sat on the bench at the front, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Yesterday, well, I got to thinking that you might go to someone about my salary and I don’t want you to do that. I know you were upset but I think Mr. Carson must have had a reason to do what he did and I don’t want to file a complaint or anything like that.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Kaitlin, because it’s too late. I spoke with my dad this morning.”
“Oh no,” Kaitlin sighed and sank down into the chair behind her desk.
“Kate, it was bound to come out at some point and Greg Carson knew what he was supposed to do. I promise you that my dad will handle it gently. You’ll get the money you’ve worked hard for and that will be the end of it.” Rigg gave her a moment to ponder his words and realized he couldn’t have asked for a better lead-in to his question.
“Actually, I’m glad you brought this up. I’ve been thinking about the fact that school is out in a month and you’ll be out of work.
“Now, I think Sean will want to put in more hours and I can certainly use him. I can also use you and your gift for numbers. I would like to hire you to handle my book work.”
Kate’s mind was working furiously. Just last night Marcail had asked her what they were going to do for money when school was out. Kate had answered honestly and told her she didn’t know.
“Would I work right at the mercantile?”
“Up in the office.”
“What would I do with Marcail?”
“I don’t want you to be upset with me but I’ve discussed that with my mother. She’s been thinking for some time about cutting back on her hours at the shipping office. She told me if the only thing holding you back from accepting my offer is someone to be with Marcail, well, she said she’d be glad to watch her.”
Kaitlin could only stare at him. “I’ve never done any bookkeeping before.” It was the only though
t that would come to mind.
“That’s not a problem. I can show you my system and exactly what I would want you to do. For the first few weeks you’d probably be full time but then on most days, if you’re as fast as I suspect you are, you’ll probably be ready to go home by two.”
How can I possibly spend all day working with this man? Kate asked herself. He had backed way off and had become her friend, just as she’d asked him to, but now her heart was changing just as his must have. Only she was falling for him and he obviously thought better of getting involved with her.
Oh, he was kind to her, really sweet actually, but the intensity he’d shown when they first met was gone. Maybe that was for the best.
“I’ve never noticed anyone working in your office.”
“No, I’ve never hired an office clerk, but I’ve prayed a long time about someone to keep books for me, someone I could trust, and I just feel that the Lord sent you my way.
“If you’re worried about us working alone in the office, well, it’s very open. Anyone in the front-half of the store can look up and see all the way to the back wall. I’ll have another desk brought in and, actually, if you’re doing my book work, freeing me up for things on the floor, I shouldn’t have to be underfoot very often.”
In his next breath Rigg told her what he would pay, along with offering an employee discount on items in the store. Kate’s mind reeled.
“What about my father?” His face suddenly sprang up in her mind. “I don’t have any idea when he’ll be back or where he’ll want to live. I wouldn’t want to leave you without help.”
Rigg had already considered this and knew that he’d ask Kaitlin to marry him on the spot before he’d ever let her up and walk away.
“Well, I don’t have any help with the books now, so however much time you can give me will surely help. Don’t let that stop you from taking the job. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“May I let you know?”
“Certainly.” Rigg stood. “Take your time and just tell me when you’ve decided.”
Kate thanked him and he left a few minutes later.
“You’re going to tell him yes, aren’t you?”
“Marcail Donovan! You were eavesdropping!”
“Yes, I guess I was,” Marcail admitted from her place outside. She poked her head through the window that sat to the side of Kaitlin’s desk. Rigg must have known she was there all along.
“What are you standing on?” Kate knew she wasn’t that tall.
“A box.”
“Well, get down before you fall and don’t do that again.” Kaitlin tried to sound stern but the truth was she was so pleased she couldn’t scold anyone.
A job at the mercantile! It was something she’d never considered. A moment later Kate found herself almost wishing that her father wouldn’t return right away and then instantly felt guilty for the thought.
She stopped then and there to pray for her father, wherever he was. As always it was a comfort to know that God knew his location and loved him more than she ever could.
Unfortunately, knowing God was in control did not lessen the pain of their separation. Kaitlin bit her lip even as she wondered if he was still alive. My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, the verse came softly to Kate and she closed her eyes against a sudden rush of tears.
Oh God, she prayed, help me to go on without knowing. I wish he was here but I want to trust You.
“What are you doing Kate?” The question came from her brother, who had entered quietly.
“I was praying and trying to find some peace about Father.” Kate was not prepared for the angry look that came over Sean’s face.
“Sean, what is it?”
“I just think he should be here! School lets out in a month and Rigg wants me for more hours but it isn’t going to be enough to pay the rent on that house and—”
“Sean, he offered me a job at the mercantile,” Kate cut into Sean’s angry tirade. He gaped at her.
“Doing what?” the boy’s voice was cautious.
“The book work, up in the office.” Kaitlin watched her brother’s shoulders sag and understood for the first time, the pressure he’d been putting himself under.
“Sean,” Kate’s voice was gentle. “We’re going to be fine. God is going to take care of us. He always has.”
The words failed to comfort him as they had in past times but he was careful not to show his sister. He nodded and smiled at her and then Marcail came in and they talked, each one agreeing that Kate should take the job. As Kate closed up the schoolhouse, she couldn’t help but wonder what the next few months would bring.
thirty-eight
The final month of school went by in a whirlwind of activities. Many of the families wanted to have the schoolteacher to dinner before summer break. Kaitlin, Sean and Marcail went to supper in ten different homes in two weeks. Exhausted, Kate was nevertheless bound and determined to put on an end-of-the-year program. The children were learning songs and poems and even writing pieces to share.
As the children’s big night drew near, Kaitlin’s nerves were fraying. Rigg was over at their house to finally give them the sack of groceries he’d had on his desk for so long, and Kate looked ready to come apart at the seams.
“What if no one comes?” Kate’s voice was on the edge of panic.
“Everyone will come,” he assured her calmly.
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes I do. The people in this district love their children and they’ll be there. Kate, try to calm down.”
“I am calm.”
Rigg nearly laughed out loud. She was working very hard at being her prim and proper self while biting off every one of her nails.
“Why don’t the three of us go for a walk right after supper?” Rigg asked the question with real enthusiasm but Marcail had just found some cookies in the bag of food and Kate was staring at the tabletop as though the secrets of life were written upon it.
“Katie, may I have some of these?”
“Sure,” Kate answered without even looking at Marcail who was holding up the cookies. Rigg knew in that instant how really exhausted she was. Supper was on the stove and she’d just told Marcail she could have cookies.
“Why don’t you wait until after supper, Marc?” Rigg asked softly, and the little girl nodded in agreement. Rigg then proceeded to put supper on.
“Kaitlin,” he reached over and took her hand. “You need to eat.” He watched as she gave her head a little shake as though trying to clear it. Marcail thanked God for the food and the evening went much better. Kate voiced many of her fears and Rigg did his best to reassure her. As supper continued, Kate relaxed. She even remembered to thank Rigg for the gift of food as he was leaving.
The schoolhouse was packed the night of the program, just as Rigg had told her it would be. But even in the crush Kate noticed that Joey Parker was absent. He didn’t have a solo part, but Kate felt his absence in a very personal way and realized how much she’d come to love the boy.
The program went off without a hitch—well, almost without a hitch. Some lines were forgotten and there were occasional nervous giggles, but the children were respectful and the parents applauded after each recitation or song, as though seeing and hearing the greatest performers the country had to offer.
Parents and grandparents flocked around Kate to thank her for a job well done. When the formal program was concluded, the older students called Miss Donovan to the front and presented her with a gift. They insisted that she open it in on the spot and the room shook with laughter as Kate peeled back the paper to reveal a cookbook. Kaitlin hadn’t realized how far afield the news of her cooking skills had traveled. But she laughed along with everyone else.
A few moments later she had to fight down tears when the younger students presented her with a lush bouquet of flowers. The evening closed with refreshments and everyone confirmed that it was a huge success.
The nex
t day, a Friday, was the last day of school. The children were squirmy and Kate let them all go early. She was, she admitted to herself, a little squirmy too. Monday was to be her first day at the mercantile. She thought it might be rather nice to have a job that you didn’t need to prepare for on Saturday. Of course the hours at the mercantile were different because so much of her schoolwork could be accomplished at home but Kate was looking forward to the challenge.
Rigg, Bill, May and all the Donovans sat down together to figure out a schedule for Marcail. It was agreed that on the days Sean didn’t work, she would stay with him. The other days, May would stay home or run errands and Marcail would be with her.
Kate was very careful to check with her sister on all the plans, watching her face intently for signs of fear or feelings of being deserted. Kaitlin was relieved to see that Marcail found the whole idea a lot of fun.
With Kate’s raise in pay from school and her final check, they were able to buy dress material. May planned to start sewing the very next week for her new little charge and Marcail couldn’t stop talking about her new dress.
Kaitlin woke up Saturday morning with her new job on her mind. The day promised to be a relaxing one, with plans once again to go out to the Taylors’ for supper and to stay the night. The girls had done so many little things as the day progressed that they didn’t get to the post office until they were on their way out to Taylors’.
Rigg was driving them in his wagon and Sean and Marcail waited with him outside. When Kate exited the small building the smile she’d been wearing on the way in had been replaced by a look of worry and almost fear.
Two letters had arrived. One from Aunt Maureen, the other from Father.
thirty-nine
The letter began “Dear Children.” Kate read out loud from her place near the creek, where she, Sean and Marcail had gone for privacy.
“There is no way for me to express how helpless and angry I felt when you explained why you had to leave your aunt’s. Please know that I’m glad you did. I was just about to write to you in San Francisco when your letter arrived from Santa Rosa. When I looked at the date you wrote, I know that God alone sped that letter to me.