Keli Gwyn - Her Motherhood Wish

Callie smiled. “You’re an adventurous one, Jasper. I have an idea. I’ll give Ruby a ride.” She reached for the little girl, who had clung to her ever since Tess’s oldest daughter, Lila, had brought the children back outside. “Come here, sweetheart.” Callie scooped Ruby into her arms, sat in front of the seat and T-shaped handle, with her legs to one side of the seat board, and held the little girl close.

The seesaws Callie had used as a girl had simple rope handles and had been made from roughly hewn white pine planks. The builder of this one had used Monterey pine, known for its strength and durability. Having been sanded until it was smooth, there was little likelihood of getting a splinter, as she had after riding the seesaw in a park near her parents’ house in Chicago.

The memory of her father removing the sliver resurfaced, causing tightness in her chest. Although he’d been gentle, his words had cut her to the core. See that you’re more careful after this, Caroline. I haven’t time for such trivial matters. I’ve got more pressing business to attend to.

As far back as she could remember, neither her mother nor her father had shown much interest in either of their children. As a result, she and Isaac had grown close. Her brother had been there for her back then, just as she was there for him now.

Although the war had been over for ten years, Isaac continued to deal with Soldier’s Heart, an affliction many soldiers had developed, especially those who’d endured as many battles as he had. They experienced bouts of anxiety brought on by sudden loud noises, along with elevated heart rates. Aside from a limp, the result of an invading minié ball, her brother was as healthy as the horses he loved. But if his routine was upset or something startled him, he could become as skittish as a newborn colt. With her new job at the Double T, she could help him move beyond his painful memories and enjoy life again.

“Hold on, Jasper.” Callie pushed her toes against the ground and bounced up, sending the boy dipping down a short distance.

He stated the obvious before she had an opportunity. “This won’t work. You’re too big.”

“You’re right.” Even though she’d attempted to compensate for their size difference, the weights were uneven.

A tall young man of around thirteen crossed the yard and squatted beside Jasper. “Looks like you could use a partner.”

The boy’s eyes widened. “I thought orphans was little. You’re almost all grown up.”

“I’m not an orphan. My parents run the Double T. You met my mother earlier.”

“Mama Tess is your mama?”

“She is. I’m Luke. Mama told me you’re Jasper. Would you like to ride the seesaw with me and make your sister and Miss Callie go way up high?”

“Yes!”

Callie moved to the seat, putting Ruby and her ever-present doll in front of her. Luke took his place behind Jasper and shoved off with gusto, sending Callie and Ruby rushing down. Thanks to the wood chips spread under the seesaw, they had a soft landing. Callie used both feet to push against the ground as hard as she could. Ruby squealed as they shot upward.

Up and down they went, over and over again. Since Jasper and Ruby were having such a good time, Callie couldn’t bring herself to put an end to their fun. Reality would return soon enough.

Chip’s hearty laugh came from behind her. “What do we have here?”

At the sound of his rich, full voice, she experienced a rush of breathlessness that had nothing to do with her descent as Luke kicked off on the opposite side, and everything to do with the man who’d filled her thoughts ever since he’d left on his sorrowful errand. She’d missed his solid strength and reassuring presence.

“We’re riding on a seesaw, Mr. Chip,” Jasper said, as he and Luke started upward again.

“Would you mind letting me take your place, Luke? I’d like to get in on the fun.”

“Not at all.” Once stopped, Luke climbed off and headed to where the older boys continued their impressive feats on the parallel bars.

Chip positioned Jasper in front of him. “Let’s see if we can make Miss Callie and Ruby bump a bit when they hit the ground.”

“No! I wanna go bump.” Jasper’s mouth drooped.

Callie was eager to cheer him up. “Oh, you’ll bump, Jasper. Ruby and I will see to that, won’t we, sweetheart?”

Ruby nodded. “Don’t be sad, Jaspy. We’ll make you bounce weal hard.”

“Yee-haw!” Chip hollered. “Let’s have some fun then.”

His enthusiasm was contagious. Before long both children were laughing, a welcome sound that warmed Callie’s heart. There would be plenty of time for tears and cuddles, but showing the children that life would go on and they could still have fun was important, too.

Despite her best efforts, Callie couldn’t send the seesaw upward with enough momentum to offset Chip’s larger size and grant Jasper’s wish. “We need to make a switch, Chip. I’ll take Jasper, and you can take Ruby.”

“That’s a great idea. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it myself. I’ve got a lot on my mind, I suppose.”

Understandable after his mournful task. “I’d like to hear about it. Later.”

He and Jasper hopped off when they 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.”