Chip rubbed the back of his neck. “When I got close enough to assess the situation, their father’s wagon was fully engulfed in flames. The killers were nowhere to be seen. They must have ridden off, as Jasper said. Since I didn’t know for sure or have any idea how many people were involved in the holdup, I approached cautiously. Jasper told us afterward that he’d seen two men and one woman, but all I saw were footprints. The trio took the horses and left the wagon’s contents strewn all over the ground, evidence of a hasty search.”
“What were they after?” Tess asked.
Callie blurted the answer. “Jewels.”
He jerked his head toward her. “How did you know?”
“Jasper told me his father was on his way to Placerville to open a jewelry shop. If the crooks knew about that, it makes sense that’s why they’d come after him.”
He nodded. “Yes. I found a letter to that effect in his pocket from his new landlord.”
“Was he still...in the wagon?” Callie dreaded the answer, but she had to know.
Chip shook his head. Tightness around his eyes and mouth showed his anger, but his voice was level. “I found Mr. Tate tied to the trunk of a tree a short distance from the wagon. Based on the number of cuts and bruises he’d sustained, it was clear that before they shot him, his killers roughed him up in an attempt to get him to tell them where to find the jewels.”
Callie’s eyes burned with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall. She must remain focused on the children and their needs. Thanks to her new job, she’d be here to help them move beyond this tragedy and find happiness once again.
“I’m going to head up the hill now and see that Mr. Tate receives a proper burial. I’ll stop by the sheriff’s office afterward and report the crime to the deputy.”
Tess took charge, as was her way. “I’d like you to ask Spencer to provide a couple of ranch hands. They can help with the task and ensure that you’d have backup if the murderers return to the scene of the crime. We’ll have our workers keep a lookout for any suspicious activity here at the Double T, too. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to the children.”
“I’ll talk with Spencer and get underway.” Chip strode toward the barn.
Callie’s chest tightened. “You don’t really believe the children are in danger here, do you? It seems to me this would be the safest place possible.”
Tess cast a watchful eye over the area before returning her attention to Callie. “I like to think that, but we can’t be too careful. Now, about your job. Since you worked at Blair Brothers Lumber Company, I would like you to assist Chip.”
“Me? Why?” No sooner were the words out of her mouth than Callie wished she could take them back. “Wouldn’t a man be more suited for the position?”
Tess gave Callie’s arm a reassuring pat. “I contacted your previous employer and learned that you’re a quick study and are quite knowledgeable about the lumber industry. Chip will be busy building the furniture, but he’s sure to benefit by having someone close by who can hold things in place, hand him tools and help in other ways. You could do that and take care of Jasper and Ruby at the same time. They trust the two of you.”
Although she would enjoy serving as Chip’s assistant, spending so much time with him could make fighting her attraction difficult. “I’ll do whatever you want, of course, but I had hoped to be working with more of the children.”
“You will. When the furniture is built and Chip moves on to his next job, we can take in more children. You’ll become one of the new group leaders. In the meantime, Spencer and I like to expose the children to different trades. We’ll be sending some in to help in the woodshop, the word help being used loosely, especially with respect to the younger ones. You’ll be responsible for seeing that they’re kept out of harm’s way—and Chip’s, as well.”
She could keep the children out of his way, but it wasn’t them she was concerned about. Unless she wanted to set herself up for disappointment, she was the one who needed to keep her distance.
Joyful shouts and bubbly laughter filled the air. The older girls at the orphanage congregated around the swings, while the older boys performed gymnastic stunts on three sets of parallel bars. Several younger children were engaged in a rousing game of follow the leader.
“Faster, Miss Callie. Faster,” Jasper called from his end of the seesaw.
Callie stood behind Ruby, who sat on the end opposite her brother, and helped the little girl spring back up after Jasper had sent his sister’s side down. “I’m going as fast as I can. Ruby isn’t as big as you are.”
“But I wanna go so fast that I bounce when I hit the bottom.”
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