He smiled. “I know them names! They’re from Mother Goose.”
“That’s right.” She sent him an encouraging smile. “What a bright boy you are.”
The rest of the trip passed in a flurry of questions. Jasper’s curiosity knew no bounds. Callie and Chip took turns telling him about every aspect of the Double T, from the cattle-ranching lessons Spencer gave the children to the impressive tree house in the massive oak behind the dormitories. She was surprised at Chip’s familiarity with the orphanage, but then, according to her brother, he did make regular deliveries of wooden toys he’d created.
Chip turned off the main road in Shingle Springs, heading north. When they’d traveled about a mile, the Double T came into view.
Ruby had fallen asleep, but Jasper let out a whoop that woke her. “It looks just like you said! I never seed so many cows.”
Callie breathed a sigh of relief. They hadn’t encountered any criminals along the way. Plus, she and Chip had succeeded in painting an accurate picture of the place and overcoming Jasper’s hesitation. If all went well, the dear boy would find solace here.
Ruby rubbed her eyes, looked up at Callie and pouted. “Where’s Papa?”
Oh, dear. The blond-haired darling hadn’t grasped the sad truth after all.
Jasper rested a hand on his sister’s arm and spoke with the assurance of a devoted big brother. “Papa went to heaven, Ruby, like Mama done, but it’s all right. I’m gonna take good care of you.” His boyish declaration melted Callie’s heart.
Seemingly satisfied with her brother’s explanation, Ruby clutched her doll tightly and nestled against Callie.
Chip brought the wagon to a halt in front of the main house. “You’ve got a right fine brother, Ruby.” His compliment hit its mark, putting a smile on the young fellow’s face.
Tess saw them and waved. The tall women left a group of older children working in the garden and crossed the yard. “Well, this is a surprise. One of the girls saw your wagon coming and told me a family had arrived, but I see that’s not the case after all.”
A surge of longing flowed through Callie. Her greatest wish was to have a family. The fact that she, Chip and the children had been mistaken for one was understandable. Jasper and Ruby, with their golden locks, did bear a resemblance to her, and the boy’s eyes were the same sapphire-blue as Chip’s.
Chip hopped from the wagon. “When I learned that Callie was coming this way, I offered her a ride. Along the way, we came across these children and discovered they’d been orphaned this very morning. We couldn’t think of a better place to bring them.”
Tess’s hand flew to her throat. “The poor dears. All our beds are full, but we’ll make do until you get the new ones built, Chip.”
Callie glanced from Chip to Tess and back again. “Your next job is here? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Chip shrugged. “It didn’t come up.”
She chuckled. “I’ll have to remember that you’re not the most forthcoming of gentlemen. All that aside, I’m glad you’ll be making beds for these precious children.” She turned to Tess. “This fine young man is Jasper, and the pretty girl in my lap is Ruby. Children, this nice lady is Mama Tess.”
Jasper piped up. “She’s real tall.”
Tess nodded and spoke with her characteristic mix of efficiency and warmth. “That I am. Tall enough to help you down, Jasper.” She lifted her arms, and he allowed the orphanage owner to assist him.
Chip had walked around the wagon. He reached for Ruby. “Come to me, princess.”
Princess. Callie heaved a silent sigh. Could Chip have said anything sweeter? He would make all those children he planned to have a terrific father.
Ruby went willingly into Chip’s arms. He shifted her onto his hip and offered his free hand to Callie—along with a knee-buckling smile. “Your turn.”
An unexpected wave of shyness washed over her. “Thank you, but I’ve got it.”
“I’m sure you do, but I’m here if you need me.” The rich timbre of his voice, coupled with his kindness, was her undoing. She didn’t need his help, but she certainly wanted it.
“It would be easier if I had assistance.” She took his hand. He clasped hers tightly as she navigated the sizable spaces from the wagon bed to the wheel’s hub and from there to the ground below. Much to her delight, he didn’t let go until several seconds after she’d completed her descent, giving her hand a squeeze—and her a wink—as he did. The handsome man possessed so much charm he was dangerous.
A slender young girl, around nine years old, sidled up to Tess. “I took the last of the gingersnaps out of the oven, Mama. What would you like me to do next?”
“I think these two youngsters might be eager to sample your baking, Lila. What do you say, Jasper? Would you and your sister like to go inside with my daughter and have a cookie?”
The boy cast a quizzical glance at Callie.
She nodded. “It’s fine.”
Uncertainty crinkled his brow. His gaze bounced between Callie and Chip. “You’re not gonna go off and leave us, are you?”
Chip was quick to answer. “I have an errand to tend to, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“What about you, Miss Callie? Ruby needs you.” The boy put on a brave front, but clearly he was scared, too.
“I don’t want to leave, but this isn’t my home.” Although she hoped it would be, she didn’t know what her future held.
Tess faced Jasper, stooping to put herself on his level, and spoke in a reassuring voice. “Your new friends will be here for you. Mr. Chip is building furniture to fill the rooms in Jack and Jill House so we can invite more children like you to come and live with us, and Miss Callie is going to be working here, too.”
“I am?” The words had slipped out before Callie could stop them. “But you haven’t even interviewed me yet.”
“That—” Tess straightened and waved a hand dismissively “—is entirely unnecessary. I’ve watched you when you visit your brother. Your love of the children is evident, and that’s my top priority. I can teach you everything else you need to know.”
“Thank you.” She’d always wanted children to shower with love. Now she’d have them.
Chip set Ruby down, and the youngsters followed Lila inside. He looked at Callie, one eyebrow raised. “You didn’t tell me you were coming here for a job interview. I thought you were just visiting your brother. And you said I’m not forthcoming?”
She ignored the teasing gleam in his eyes. The jovial man had a disturbing ability to weaken her defenses. She’d spent the past six months putting him and his endearing ways out of her mind. She responded with feigned detachment. “I wasn’t sure I’d get the job, so I saw no reason to mention it.”
Tess folded her arms and smiled. “I didn’t realize you two were so well acquainted.”
Callie rushed to answer, eager to dispel any false impressions. “We’re not. Close, that is. I helped Chip with his orders a few times when he came into the Blair brothers’ lumberyard, and we went to lunch once, but that’s all.”
“I see. Now, what can you tell me about the children?”
Chip quickly filled in Tess on how they’d come across Jasper and Ruby and made the decision to bring them to the Double T.
“What did you find when you went in search of their father?” Tess asked Chip.
Callie had been wondering the same thing.
He