by Lori Wick
"Thank you, Mr. Riggs, but I'm afraid I don't approve of such informality. Sean, Marcail and I will call you Mr. Riggs." Kate knew she sounded like a terrible snob, even Marcail was staring at her.
Rigg was not the least bit offended, only fascinated by this beautiful, if disheveled woman. That she wasn't normally so snippy was obvious in the looks her siblings were casting her. That she was exhausted and embarrassed would have been evident to a blind man. Rigg also knew that his staring at her didn't help in the least, but he was finding it hard to look away.
Rigg nodded in her direction and then turned to his housemate. "I just stopped Sean, to check on you. I'm headed home now and I'll see you when you get there." Rigg turned toward the door.
"Thanks, I'll see you later."
Rigg was not ten steps away from the house before he heard Sean's voice raised in anger. "Kaitlin, what is the matter with you?" It confirmed his suspicions about Kaitlin Donovan's actions of the last few minutes.
He had no desire to eavesdrop so he picked up his pace and was quickly out of earshot. Back at the house Kate was trying to make amends.
"I'm sorry, Sean."
"Why, Katie?" Sean's faced showed his keen disappointment. "I thought you would like him."
"I don't even know him." Kate began to feel defensive all over again as her mind pictured those beautiful gray eyes leveled so intently on her. "But you're right, my actions were inexcusable and I'm sorry."
Sean forgave her and helped her clean up the few dishes. He told his sisters he would see them in the morning and then took himself off to Rigg's.
sixteen
Sean let himself quietly into the house and when he would have gone straight into his room, Rigg hailed him from the kitchen. Sean came only as far as the doorway and leaned against it with his hands in his pockets.
"I'm sorry about the way my sister acted tonight. I don't know if it helps, but I've never seen her like that and I know she feels bad."
"Moving is hard work; I'm sure she's tired. How about some supper?" Rigg asked kindly and Sean was rather glad for the change in topics.
"I've eaten, thanks."
"I remember being hungry all the time at your age. Are you sure you wouldn't like something?" Rigg's mother had brought over a large kettle of stew and the aroma was floating from the stove straight in Sean's direction.
"Maybe I'll have a little."
Rigg turned away to hide his smile and filled two large bowls. There was fresh bread and butter on the table and a bowl of fruit. Rigg prayed for the food and the men ate without conversation for quite a spell.
"I normally stay out of my employees personal lives Sean, but would you mind if I asked you a question?"
"No, not at all." Sean seemed genuinely surprised and Rigg wondered at his first impression that all was not well for this new family in town.
"What brings you to Santa Rosa?"
"We saw the ad for the job and came, hoping that Kate would get it."
"Where are your folks?"
There was no mistaking the pain in those young eyes and Rigg waited in silence as Sean took a moment to answer.
"My mother just died and my father is in Hawaii."
Rigg didn't know what to say to this but he didn't have to speak because Sean was ready to talk. He came close to telling Rigg his entire life story-how he had been born and raised in Hawaii, when he'd made a decision for Christ, and right up to the trip to San Francisco, including his mother's death. He ended by explaining why his father left and that he was coming back soon.
"Did your aunt change her mind about your staying with her?"
Rigg considered the question a mild one in the light of all that Sean had shared but the change that came over the boy was startling. Tension radiated from Sean and again Rigg waited. He watched Sean move from the table to the window. He thought he might be calming down but when he turned from the window, his eyes showed deep anger and pain.
"I don't think it's right that a man forces a woman to do something against her will."
The hair stood straight up on the back of Rigg's neck over the image Sean's words created. One woman's face stood out in his mind, a woman he'd seen for so brief a time that it was unusual he would even remember her. But remember her he did, and he was surprised at the emotions flooding through him at the thought of someone-hurting her. He worked at keeping his voice level.
"I certainly agree with you, Sean. Did you want to tell me about it?"
"I don't know. I don't want you to think badly of her. That is, I don't know why you would but it's just been so hard here. No one in Hawaii ever looked at my sister the way they look at her here. She told me that she even had to wear her cloak all the time on the ship because the sailors stared at her. And then our cousin grabbed her and..."
Sean could not go on, but then, he didn't need to. The picture was now quite clear to Rigg as to why they were no longer living with their aunt. He didn't think it had gone as far as rape but then it didn't need to, evidently, to leave lifelong scars.
Rigg chose his next words carefully. "Sean, is your sister all right?"
"I think so. She hasn't talked about it so maybe it didn't bother her as much as it bothered me."
Rigg didn't believe that for an instant, but kept the thought to himself.
"I'm glad I came into the library when I did or I don't like to think what would have happened." Rigg knew great relief with those words but also realized that even though the worst didn't happen, this was very serious.
"Sean," he finally spoke. 'Are you afraid that your cousin will show up here?"
"I've thought of that but no, I think he's a coward. He won't come here."
"Then I'll tell you what you probably already know. You've got to forgive this man." Sean clearly did not want to hear those words and he sat back down in his chair with a dejected thud.
"Don't be discouraged by my words, Sean. God can help you to that end. I believe that with all of my heart."
"I believe it too," Sean admitted quietly.
Rigg could see that he'd said enough. Silently he decided to look up some verses on forgiveness in his Bible and share them with Sean when the time was right. The life of Joseph came to mind, as recorded in Genesis in the Bible. Joseph was a man persecuted by his family and yet, when he was given the chance, he forgave them.
The men cleaned up the kitchen and Rigg, checking on Sean less than 15 minutes after he'd gone to bed, found him sound asleep.
One street away Kate wished for sleep. She'd confessed her actions to the Lord and knew that in the morning she had to make it right with Mr. Riggs.
Outside of that, the only reason sleep wouldn't come was because she was freezing. After sundown the temperature had plummeted. Now in bed with only the lightest of blankets to cover them, the only warm spot on her was where Marcail was snuggled up against her.
She felt Marcail shiver and pulled her a little closer. She sighed in the darkness. It looked like it was going to be a long night.
seven teen
The next morning Rigg awoke with a start. With everything Sean had told him, he'd completely forgotten to ask about the Donovans' financial state. It had been greatly on his mind when he left that small house where he'd seen two people sharing a spoon and all three of them eating from the same pot.
The next thing Rigg thought of made him sit up and reach for his pants. Santa Rosa's nights were very cold and he hadn't noticed any blankets.
Rigg was glad to see Sean up when he walked into the kitchen from his own room. He came right to the point.
"Good morning, Sean. I wanted to ask you something last night and it completely slipped my mind. Do you and your sisters have enough money?"
Sean felt uncomfortable about the question, as though answering would be hinting that he wanted a higher salary from the mercantile.
"Well, Kate and I really haven't started to work yet. We'll be fine as soon as payday comes."
Rigg began making coffee and thought how
nicely he'd evaded the question. But Rigg was not to be put off.
"What about right now, Sean? Do you have enough money for right now?"
"We have a little."
"How much?" Rigg asked and was thinking, When you break your rule about other people's business Rigg, you break it good.
Sean could see that he wanted an answer but still he hesitated. Rigg's chest, just as tan as his face, became the focal point of Sean's unseeing stare as he tried to think of what to say. Rigg was silent for a full minute.
His hand moved over the hair on his chest and he smiled. "Sean, buddy, what are you staring at?" The amusement in Rigg's voice brought Sean's attention back and Rigg tried another tactic.
"Do you know how much money you have, or does Kaitlin keep track?"
"I know."
"Is it enough to get you through until one of you is paid?"
"No sir." The voice was quiet and resigned.
Rigg nodded. "What I'd like you to do, Sean, is run over and ask your sisters to come for breakfast. You don't need to rush them because I haven't even shaved. That way your sisters will have a meal and I'll have some time to think."
Rigg gave Sean no chance to question him as he put the coffee pot on the stove and returned to his bedroom.
Sean found Kate and Marcail still in bed. He let himself in quietly and called Katie's name.
"Oh, Sean, we must have overslept. It was cold in here last night."
It still is cold, Sean thought and knew they would have to do something to make this house a home.
"Hi, Sean," his little sister spoke up from her place beneath the covers.
"Hi, Marc. Listen you guys, Rigg sent me over to ask you to breakfast."
Kaitlin hesitated.
"He's got hot coffee."
The covers were whipped back and Kate jumped out of bed wearing both nightgowns and her robe. Sean stepped outside so they could dress.
Kate thought Rigg's house was beautiful. It was a rambling two-story painted a pale yellow. The front door put them directly in the living room, without an entry way or foyer. At the far end of the living room was an archway that showed a large dining table. Off the bottom of the stairs was a door and Sean led his family in to see his room. It was spacious with a full bed and dresser, a washstand and small table with a lamp.
Kate looked with some envy at the lamp. They didn't have one, so when the sun left the sky and darkness descended, Kate and Marcail were plunged into blackness. Kate had joked with her sister that they would have to wait for a full moon before they could move around without stubbing their toes.
When they again passed the stairway to exit Sean's room, he told them that the upstairs was closed because Rigg never used it. Back into the living room and through the dining area, Sean took them to the kitchen.
There were several doors leading off the kitchen, one was a pantry, one took you to the backyard and one led to Rigg's bedroom. But Kate didn't see any of these because her attention was centered on the man standing at the stove.
Rigg's pants were black and his shirt was snow white with a black string tie at the collar. His features were almost severe with his hawk-like gaze and aquiline nose. He would have been a little frightening if those beautiful gray eyes hadn't been so kind.
"Good morning," he greeted the newcomers. "Coffee?" He held the pot toward Kate.
"Please." Kaitlin wanted to say more but he had come very close to hand her a mug and after the way she'd acted the night before, she was embarrassed.
Rigg prayed for the meal and Kate knew in an instant that he was a believer. It took such a load off her mind about Sean staying in this house that she wanted to weep.
Rigg had made a large pot of cooked cereal and heated a half a loaf of bread in the oven. It wasn't fancy, but very filling. Sean put away enough cereal for three and even Marcail had seconds on cereal and toast. Kate's hard night was catching up to her and the only thing she wanted seconds on was coffee.
Rigg refilled their cups and let himself really look at Kate for the first time that morning. She was in the chair nearest his. Her black dresses must have been in the wash because she was in a dark blue skirt and white blouse that accented her dark hair and eyes to the extent that Rigg could not look away. Kaitlin's face began to warm under his regard and she knew she had to apologize now or she never would.
"Mr. Riggs, I'm very sorry about the way I acted last night when you were at our house. I hope you'll forgive me."
Rigg smiled in a way that made Kate's heart thunder. He wondered how long she'd rehearsed that in her mind before gaining the courage to voice it.
"It can't be easy moving and adjusting to a new job. I promise you, it's forgotten." Rigg reached out and touched Kate's hand where it lay on the table. It was a mistake. Kaitlin's face registered shock and Rigg pulled back swiftly, feeling almost as though his hand had been burned.
Rigg was a physical person, in the sense that he was not afraid to touch a person to help convey his feelings. He hugged his parents and brothers often and it wasn't at all unusual for him to touch the arm or shoulder of the person to whom he was speaking. Most people responded well to his warmth.
But, Rigg reminded himself as he began to clear the table, it would be easy to give the wrong impression. And that is the last thing you want to do with Kaitlin Donovan.
The first thing he wanted to do, and knew that he couldn't, was to touch her hand again to see if it was as soft and warm as he'd remembered.
eighteen
Not until the dishes were ready to be washed did Rigg notice how quiet Marcail had been throughout the meal. His heart softened at the sight of her; she was so small and vulnerable. The family resemblance could be seen in all three of them but where Sean and Kaitlin had a very sturdy look about them, Marcail was almost frail in comparison. Rigg had a soft spot for children and set out to charm this little girl, whom he guessed to be maybe six or seven.
"Marcail," he asked her, "if I get you a chair would you dry these dishes for me?"
"Sure," was the congenial reply.
They worked for a time in silence as Sean and Kate continued to clear the table and straighten the chairs. Kate offered to wash but Rigg refused.
Sean disappeared and when Kaitlin had nothing else to do, she sat down at the table to read the newspaper. But it felt strange not to be working, and her eyes continued to move toward that broad back bent over the wash basin. Kate finally gave up on the paper and listened to the conversation between her sister and her host.
"Do you think you'll like having your sister for a teacher?" Rigg was unaware of how patronizing his voice sounded, thinking he was addressing a very young child.
"She was my teacher in Hawaii, too."
"How about Santa Rosa, do you think you'll like it here?"
"I think it's nice. I wish I had someone to play with. Do you have a little sister or brother?"
"I have three younger brothers but they're all a good deal older than you."
"We met your brother Jeff and your father. He stared at Katie an awful lot."
"My father?" Rigg's voice was surprised and Kate broke in from behind them in sharp Hawaiian.
"Marcail, you deliberately let him misunderstand you!" Whenever Marcail's siblings spoke to her in Hawaiian she always followed suit.
"Well, he thinks I'm just a baby because I'm small, and I'm not." Kate gave her a stern look but kept silent.
By now Rigg had turned from the countertop with dripping hands to stare at the females in his kitchen. Sean came in just then, and having heard the conversation, was smiling at the look on Rigg's face. He also took pity on the older man.
"You'll have to watch Katie, Rigg. She tends to forget that everyone here speaks English. And by the way, Marc is nine."
Rigg was still silent. Kate turned a disapproving eye on her brother for a moment and then glanced back at Rigg to find him studying her intently. He seemed to be waiting for something, so Kate apologized.
"No, don't be
sorry. I'm just waiting for you to do that again."
Aunt Maureen had done this once so Katie was not totally taken aback. Of course, Kate was a good deal more comfortable with Aunt Maureen than she was with this man. She searched for something safe to say and after a moment spoke in soft Hawaiian.
"I'm not sure if I thanked you for breakfast and for letting Sean stay here, but please know that we're very grateful for both."
Rigg's eyes immediately swung to Sean who translated. A huge smile broke out on his face and he turned back to Kaitlin.
"You're welcome."
Kate answered with a smile of her own and Rigg went back to the dishes grinning like a fool. This woman captivated him, there was no getting around it. A plan had been forming in his mind and as soon as he was finished with the dishes, he was going to bring it up. As he worked he prayed for the right words and for the proper way to approach this young woman, this enigma, who'd landed so unexpectedly in his life and who was causing his heart to do the strangest things.
"So you see Miss Donovan, Sean is welcome here for as long as he needs, but for now I think you girls should go to my folks. We can make the announcement Sunday at church that you need blankets and dishes and things. I'm sure by next Sunday you'll have all you can use and more, and then you'll be able to move back to the little house."
"But Mr. Riggs, you haven't even checked with your mother. She's already having us for lunch on Sunday and we can't-"
"Yes you can. She would love to have you. What you can't do is go on freezing the nights away and sharing spoons. The other idea I have is that I'll move home until school is out and you can have this house." Kate stood up so fast she nearly fell.
"Put you out of your home? We couldn't possibly!"
Kaitlin moved away from the living room sofa where she'd been sitting with Rigg and began to pace the room. Putting some space between them helped her to think more clearly.
Didn't this man know he did crazy things to her insides? Kate was not what anyone would term petite, but while on the sofa next to him she'd felt like a little girl.