reached the bottom. Chip kept a firm grip on the handle and lowered the plank slowly until Callie and Ruby were resting on the ground. He covered the short distance between them and swept Ruby into his arms. The look he gave Callie, a mix of sorrow and determination, sent the message that he cared about the children as much as she did and would help ease their pain. “I talked with Tess, and there’s to be a change in plans. When we’re finished here, we can discuss it.”
His serious tone didn’t bode well. She hoped he hadn’t balked at the idea of having her as his assistant because, despite her reservations, she wanted to spend time with the handsome, hardworking carpenter. As long as she reminded herself that he would finish the job in a few weeks and walk out of her life, everything would be fine. She could do that. Couldn’t she?
* * *
By kicking off the ground as hard as he could while holding Ruby tightly, Chip managed to make Callie and Jasper hit the ground with a satisfying thump. Jasper’s gleeful grin and Callie’s musical laugh were his rewards.
Working with the cheerful young woman would present a challenge. Not only was she fun to be around, but she was also mighty nice to look at. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, transforming her blond hair into a rich gold. Several strands had come loose from the thick braid swirled on top of her head, and they framed her lovely face.
Her radiant smile drew his attention to her pretty pink lips. Without warning, she pressed them together and raised a dainty eyebrow. Heat crept up his neck. She’d caught him staring at her. He would have to be content with surreptitious glances in the future.
Tess appeared a few minutes later, bringing their seesaw ride to an end. “Jasper and Ruby, I’d like you to come with me. I’m going to show you around the place.”
Ruby tensed in Chip’s arms but said nothing.
He summoned his most reassuring tone. “It’s all right, princess. Mama Tess is a nice lady. She’ll take good care of you.”
“I wanna stay with you and Miss Callie.” The tremor in the little girl’s voice touched a chord. He could remember vividly the day he’d found himself alone in the world, bouncing around in the back of his father’s prairie schooner, weak from the cholera that had claimed his last family member hours before. No one in the wagon train had cared about an orphaned boy likely to die.
But these children weren’t alone. They would receive loving care at the Double T. “We’ll still be here. You’ll see us at supper.”
Jasper hopped off the seesaw and rushed to his sister’s side. “Don’t worry, Ruby. I’m here with you.”
Mollified, the little girl allowed Tess to take her by the hand. The caring woman offered Jasper her other one and headed for the playground, leaving Chip alone with Callie.
She stood beside him and watched with furrowed brow as the children got farther away. Ruby trudged alongside Tess, her tiny shoulders hunched as she hugged her doll tightly, but Jasper had a spring in his step. The energetic boy seemed to have Callie’s positive outlook on life and wasn’t ready to deal with his grief. Ruby, on the other hand, was understandably scared. Her fear brought out a protective instinct in Chip unlike anything he’d experienced before.
“The poor dears.” Callie shook her head. “I know they’ll be all right, but they’ll have a difficult time ahead of them.” She turned to him. “Were you able to give their father a proper burial and find out why those horrid people did that to him?”
He inclined his head toward two giggling girls skipping by with linked arms. “Let’s go somewhere else, shall we?” He headed for Jack and Jill House, the largest of the three dormitories, beyond the two smaller ones. The impressive three-story clapboard building, recently completed, sat empty, awaiting furniture he’d been hired to build. He had a busy month ahead of him, but that was how he liked it.
Callie fell in step beside him. “Do you mind slowing down a bit? I can’t keep up when you take off with that determined stride of yours.” Although her tone was pleasant, he sensed an underlying edge.
“I cover ground when I’ve got work to do. I’ll have to remember to take it easy when you’re with me. I can’t be leaving my assistant in the dust, can I?” He flashed her a grin.
She ground to a halt and stared at him in disbelief. “So, I am working with you?”
He stopped. “Yes. Tess told you that, didn’t she?”
“She did, but you said the plans had changed. I thought...” She shook her head. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”
He’d built homes and furniture to suit the wives of many men through the years and had made an important discovery. If a woman said something didn’t matter, that was rarely the case. “It obviously does, but I’m not sure what it is. Care to enlighten me?”
She took a sudden interest in her boots, clicking the heels of the tiny things together. “I thought you’d asked Tess to find you another assistant.”
“Why would I? You know as much about lumber as most carpenters and have an impressive grasp of design. I’m looking forward to working with you.”
He’d obviously said the right thing because Callie look up, beaming. “Thank you, Chip. I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations.”
Three resounding rings of a cast-iron bell sent a swarm of children their way. He’d learned during the many hours he’d spent at the Double T that Tess used the bell to convey messages to the children. Earning the right to swing the striker inside the large triangle was a privilege the orphans eagerly awaited. Three rings meant the end of playtime.
The boys scurried past them on their way to the barn, where their chores awaited them. The girls flocked to the kitchen on the bottom floor of Miss Muffet House, where they would help prepare supper.
“Let’s get out of here before these young’uns run us over.” Chip chuckled and put a hand on the small of Callie’s back, steering her clear of the hubbub. Reluctant to release her, he kept his hand there as they walked. To his surprise, she didn’t pull away. Interesting.
They reached Jack and Jill House, but he decided to take her to the woodshop on the far side of it instead. He opened the door for her. She stepped inside and inhaled deeply. “I love the smell of freshly cut lumber. Don’t you?”
He fought a grin but lost the battle. “I like watching you enjoy it.”
She gave his arm a playful swat. “Don’t go making fun of me.”
“I’m not. I like the way you embrace life.” He wouldn’t mind if she embraced him, too.
But The Plan didn’t call for him to court a woman yet. From what he’d seen, the lovely Miss Caroline Hunt had potential, but if he gave in to his attraction so far ahead of schedule, he wouldn’t accomplish his goals.
Callie’s face fell. “Most days I have no trouble keeping a sunny outlook, but sometimes shadows cross our paths when we least expect them. I can’t help thinking that the children’s father drew his last breath this morning. Were you able to take care of everything?”
“Spencer’s ranch hands helped me bury Mr. Tate at the cemetery in town.” An image of the man’s lifeless body rushed in, causing Chip’s stomach to pitch,
