LITMIR.BIZ

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a nearby stone, but I saw something else.” She paused for dramatic effect.

      “What was it?” Jasper asked.

      A strangled sound from Chip stopped her. She recognized it for what it was—a cough covering a chortle. He was laughing. At her.

      So be it. She wasn’t going to let his amusement ruin Jasper’s fun. “It was a big ol’ bullfrog with bulging eyes. That fellow was huge. Why, he must have been as big as my hand. Or bigger.” Definitely bigger. And very ugly.

      Jasper trembled with excitement. “And you picked it up?”

      “I sure did. He didn’t like being disturbed, though, so he took a flying leap out of my hand.” If she wasn’t embellishing the tale for the boy’s benefit, she might have mentioned that the slippery creature didn’t have much choice, not when she’d flung him as fast and as far as possible. She could happily live the rest of her life without seeing another frog.

      “Miss Callie is a brave woman, isn’t she, Jasper? Now that she’s finished her exciting tale, we should be going. I have to make sure everything’s ready before the rest of the children arrive. How would you like a piggyback ride?” Upon receiving a nod, he hefted Jasper onto the bench and presented his back. The young fellow climbed up and wrapped his arms around Chip’s neck. Chip galloped across the dining room, bringing forth peals of laughter.

      Chip stopped at the doorway and turned. “The honorable knight and his trusty steed can’t ride off and leave the pint-sized princess and her lovely lady’s maid behind. It’s our job to protect the ladies—and the realm.”

      There it was again—that edge of concern to his voice. Why was he so convinced that the children were in danger? And if he was, why had he cut her off earlier when she attempted to reassure Jasper? Those were questions she’d ask him as soon as she could get him alone, but with their two young chaperones present much of the time, opportunities to have Chip to herself could be few. Which could be a good thing. He might exasperate her on occasion, but his charisma and magnetic personality drew her to him.

      Since she didn’t know him as well as she’d thought, she would be wise to keep her distance, for the time being anyhow. But there was nothing to stop her from inviting the attractive carpenter to have a cup of hot cocoa with her after they got the children in bed later that evening, was there? They did need to make plans, after all, and admiring him over the streaming beverage would be a nice way to end the day. If their time together led to her having sweet dreams, so much the better.

      * * *

      Carving with an audience wasn’t something Chip had done very often. The few times he’d attempted it, he’d had a handful of adults looking on. Mindful of his need to concentrate, they’d remained silent. Carving with a group of curious children watching and calling out their guesses would test his ability to remain focused on his work, but he thrived on challenges.

      He stood in the middle of the large space that would become the new playroom, with Tess by his side. She surveyed the setup. “Do you think this arrangement will work?”

      “I do.” The older boys, assisted by their group leaders, had carried in benches from the dining hall and arranged them in a U shape, three rows deep, with a sturdy table in the middle.

      “Very well. Then I’ll leave you to finalize your preparations.” She headed out the door just as Callie walked in, with Ruby by her side.

      Apprehension clamped a vise around Chip’s chest. “Where’s Jasper?”

      Callie responded with a casual shrug. “Outside.”

      “Where?”

      “I’m not sure exactly, but he’s fine.”

      The vise squeezing Chip’s chest tightened. “How do you know that, if he’s not with you?”

      “He’s with Spencer and Luke. I believe they’re capable of looking out for him, don’t you?”

      She didn’t understand how important this was. He lowered his voice so Ruby, who was walking between the rows of benches, wouldn’t hear them and become alarmed. “I know you don’t think the children are in danger, but based on the facts, I believe they could be.”

      Her words were hushed but forceful. “If they are—and I’m not convinced that’s the case—I see no need to alarm them.”

      “Neither do I.”

      “Really? Then why did you stop me at dinner when I tried to assure Jasper that they’re safe here?”

      How had she come to that conclusion? “I didn’t—”

      “Cut me off? Yes, you did. Jasper asked about the ‘bad people’ and was concerned that God wouldn’t know where he and Ruby are and be able to watch over them. All I was going to say was that he didn’t have anything to worry about, and you interrupted me.”

      “But there is cause for concern. Surely you can see that.”

      She huffed out a breath. “Of course I do. Life is fraught with dangers, but the children don’t have to worry because we’re here to see that they’re safe, just as their father did and God does. The last thing they need right now is to sense any anxiety on our part. They need to feel safe and secure so they can deal with their grief. Surely you can see that.”

      “I’m not the enemy, Callie. I care about the children, too. I’m just trying to protect them, the same as you are. It would be easier if we could work together on this. Can’t we do that?”

      He must have said what she wanted to hear because the tension in her lovely face eased. “That’s what I want, too.”

      “Good. Then we’re a team.”

      “Miss Callie?”

      “What is it, sweetheart?” She sat on one of the benches and pulled Ruby into her lap.

      “Where’s Jaspy?”

      “He’s outside with Luke and his papa, but he’ll be here soon.”

      “Where’s our papa?”

      Callie lifted sorrow-filled eyes to Chip. Her compassion knew no bounds. She shifted her gaze to the darling girl and spoke with such tenderness that his chest tightened. “Oh, sweetheart, he’s gone, just like your mama. But Mr. Chip and I are here. Mama Tess and Papa Spencer, too. We’ll take good care of you.”

      Ruby’s chin quivered, and tears ran down her cheeks. “But I want my papa wight now.”

      “Of course you do. Losing a mama or a papa hurts in here.” Callie placed a hand over Ruby’s heart. “I know. Mine went away when I was a girl, too, but some nice people took me in. Someday, you’ll have a new family, too, and they’ll love you, but right now this is your home and we’re your family.”

      Her sentiment was well-intentioned, but circumstances didn’t create a family. You were born into one, and they loved you from the start. No matter what you did or how many mistakes you made, they were there for you, just as his had been there for him. Hoping for that same level of love and acceptance from someone else was foolhardy. He’d learned that lesson the hard way.

      But Callie was right about one thing. The children would be well cared for. And they’d be safe. He would see to that.

      “Let’s dry your tears before the other children arrive.” Callie pulled a handkerchief out of her sleeve, dabbed each of Ruby’s cheeks and kissed them. “That’s better, isn’t it?”

      The little girl nodded. “You’re a nice lady.”

      Callie smiled. “And you’re a lovely girl. Now, shall we see if Mr. Chip needs anything?” She held out a hand, and Ruby took it.

      They slipped between the benches and joined him.

      Ruby gazed up at him. “Do you need help, Mr. Chip?”

      “As a matter of fact,

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