Keli Gwyn - Her Motherhood Wish

“Th-this many.” Ruby let go of the doll in her lap, raised a trembling hand and held up two fingers.

“Yep! That’s how old Lucy is. She’s the youngest. If you look over there, you can see her.” He pointed to the head table, where Spencer and Tess sat with five children. “She’s sitting next to Lila, the one who gave you the cookies. Do you remember her?”

Ruby glanced at the rest of the Abbott family and nodded.

“Who are them others?” Jasper asked.

“The older boy is Lewis. He just turned seven. The younger one, Lionel, is six. The other girl is Lorene. She’ll be turning five next week. I can’t wait. I’ll get to eat chocolate cake two different times.” He smacked his lips.

Jasper craned his neck to look at Luke. “How come?”

“Mama makes a cake just for us whenever there’s a birthday in our family, but we’ll have a party here in the dining hall, too, for all those who have birthdays in April. We do that on the first Saturday of every month.”

Jasper held up his fingers, ticked off the months and looked up, his eyes wide. “All the orphans here get chocolate cake twelve times in one year?”

Luke nodded. “You will, too, if you’re here that long.”

“’Course I’ll be here. I don’t have nowhere else to go.”

Callie’s heart pinched. “You could get adopted and go live with a nice family who loves you.”

A fierce scowl creased Jasper’s brow. He folded his arms over his chest. “I don’t want a new family. I just want my papa back.”

The dear boy’s reaction was understandable, given his circumstances, but his future could hold untold blessings, as hers had. “It’s hard. I know. I lost my parents when I was young, too, but there are wonderful people out there who have hearts full of love, and they want to give it to special children like you and Ruby.”

“I don’t want no one else. You and Mr. Chip can take care of us.” He gave a decisive nod.

Chip rested a hand on the grieving boy’s shoulder. “We will be looking out for you. You can count on that.”

Callie opened her mouth to speak, but Chip shook his head. He was right. Clarification could come later. The children needed reassurance now. “Yes. We’ll be here.”

Tess stood and clapped three times, bringing the chatter in the room to a close. “It’s a special day here at the Double T. We’ve had two children join our happy family—Jasper Tate and his sister, Ruby. Welcome!”

Heads turned in their direction, and applause broke out. A few children even cheered. Jasper and Ruby went from stunned to smiling in a matter of seconds.

Luke leaned over and whispered, “I need to join my family now, but I’ll see you all later.” He left.

Once the room quieted, Tess continued. “As you can see, Jasper and Ruby, we’re happy to have you here. Now, it’s time for Papa Spencer to ask the blessing, so bow your heads and close your eyes.”

Tess sat, and Spencer stood. “Lord, thank You for the food we’re about to eat, for the many hands who helped make it and for each of the boys and girls here. I ask You to be with Jasper and Ruby. Thank You for bringing them to us. Please help them to feel at home here. It’s in Your name I pray. Amen.”

Callie opened her eyes to find Jasper blinking his. She leaned over. “What is it?”

“Papa Spencer was talking to God, wasn’t he? About me and Ruby?”

She nodded.

“I never had anybody do that before, except for my papa.”

“Mr. Chip and I have been praying for you, too.”

“Really? Does God listen to you?”

Chip answered before she could. “Yes.”

Jasper wiggled his mouth from side to side, stopped abruptly and jerked his head toward Callie. “Then He knows what those bad people did to Papa, don’t He? And where we are now?”

“He does. Why?”

“Because He can still watch over me and Ruby, just like He did when we was with Papa.”

It appeared the dear boy was scared, which made sense after what he’d gone through. “Of course He can, and He will, but I don’t think you have anything to wor—”

“Here you go.” Chip plopped a spoonful of mashed potatoes on his plate and shoved the bowl at her.

If she wasn’t mistaken, he’d interrupted her on purpose. What did he have against letting the children know they were safe? She attempted to make eye contact with him, but he didn’t look her way. He asked Jasper what he’d seen when Tess had given him and his sister a tour of the Double T, which prompted the talkative fellow to launch into a detailed description.

Fine. Chip might be able to ignore her now, but once they’d tucked the children in bed, she’d let him know what she thought about him cutting her off. He might believe Mr. Tate’s murderers would come looking for Jasper and Ruby, but that didn’t mean she agreed.

The meal passed quickly. Despite her opposing view, she was still drawn to Chip. For a man as regimented as he was, he certainly had a playful side, which the children seemed to bring out. He kept Jasper distracted with his stories throughout the meal and even managed to get a smile out of Ruby.

Tess stood. She clapped thrice, as she’d done before the meal, and the room grew quiet. “Children, I’m sure you’ll want to see to the clean-up as quickly as you can tonight when you hear what special treat awaits you.”

Excited murmurs swept through the room. Callie tapped Chip on the shoulder to get his attention and whispered over Jasper’s head. “Do you know what’s going on?”

A lopsided grin and a wink were her answers. She suppressed a stab of jealousy. Evidently, he was privy to information she wasn’t. Just how much did he know about the workings at the Double T? And how had he come by his knowledge?

Once Tess had the youngsters’ full attention, she continued. “You probably noticed our newest helpers who joined us for dinner. For those who don’t know, Mr. Chip is a carpenter. He’s going to be working here the next few weeks while he builds furniture for Jack and Jill House, and Miss Callie will be helping him.”

The heads of several curious children turned toward them, and Callie smiled. She looked forward to getting to know everyone who called the Double T home.

Tess continued. “Some of you have been here longer than others and can remember when he built the seesaw, parallel bars and that wonderful tree house, his gift to all of you. And I’m sure you’ve seen the wooden toys he’s made. Tonight we’re going to discover another of his talents.”

So Chip was the one behind the play equipment, was he? It appeared his generosity knew no bounds, which wasn’t a surprise. Although he was focused on chasing after his goals, she’d heard numerous tales of good deeds he’d done up in Placerville. He’d added a room on a house for a young widow left with five children to raise on her own, fashioned a tiny coffin for a family who’d lost their infant son and repaired a roof for an injured miner’s family—all with no cost to the recipients. It was a wonder the hardworking man had time for sleep.

Callie leaned forward, as eager as the children to find out what Chip was going to do.

Tess swept her gaze over the room, her smile evidence of how much delight she took in building the suspense. At last she spoke. “How many of you have heard of whittling?”

Hands shot up, some of them waving wildly. Jasper’s was among them. As was Callie’s.

“That’s great. Many of you have seen the darling little figures Mr. Chip makes. Tonight he’s going to do wood carving. He’ll be creating something bigger and better than anything he’s done before. And you get to watch him begin the sculpture.”

A young boy raised his hand.

Tess called on him. “Yes, Freddie?”