Chastity's Angel

by Linda Ford

  "You'll have to yell in my ear," he roared, his breath teasing her hair, warming her cheek, making her acutely aware of his nearness.

  Determined to remain unaffected, she nodded and turned to shout in his ear, instead staring into his eyes, the sunlight reflected in his irises. His eyes invited her—she swallowed hard—to what she couldn't say. But she knew the invitation carried with it risks she vowed she would not take.

  She shook her head, indicating she didn't wish to repeat her statement, and sat back, her gaze on the falls.

  The buggy bounced as Ellen and Jack jumped down.

  Chastity stared at them and then turned to Adam. "What—?"

  Remembering he couldn't hear, she raised her eyebrows, silently asking what they were doing.

  Adam draped the reins and jumped down, coming to her side to hold out a hand. Curiosity overcoming caution, Chastity allowed him to help her down and lead her to the edge of the rocks where the spray washed their skin.

  Chastity couldn't take her eyes off the boiling water. It was like standing in the pit of a storm.

  She had almost forgotten the rest of them until Adam touched her shoulder. She started at his touch. He tilted his head toward the hill where Jack was scrambling up a narrow trail and Ellen was clutching at the bushes as she followed him.

  Adam held out his hand. Surrounded by the deep-throated roar of the falls, she allowed him to take her hand and lead her up the path. Diamonds dripped from every leaf and clung to every blade of grass. A rainbow caught in the mist, and she pointed to it.

  Adam nodded, then flashed a smile at her, mouthing words she couldn't hear. Shrugging, she took another step up the trail. Adam didn't move. On the narrow path their shoulders touched, their still-clasped hands brushed her leg.

  Moisture beaded on his lashes. One silvery drop splashed on his cheek. In the mist-shrouded scene, his blue eyes were warm and intense.

  She welcomed the cool moisture and tore her gaze away, seeking the rising trail. He led the way, and she could finally fill her lungs with the heavy moisture-laden air.

  As they climbed, the noise of the water softened to a murmur. They struggled over a rocky bench and stepped into a wide, grassy meadow. The river here was wide and quiet.

  Ellen sat close to the bank, tossing bits of grass into the water.

  Jack explored the underbrush of the trees.

  Chastity dropped Adam's hand and stepped away. Welcoming the warmth after the dampness of the trail, she turned her face to the sun rather than meet Adam's eyes.

  But she could not avoid him forever. Slowly she forced herself to turn. But he was gone. She turned full circle, wondering if he had joined Jack or Ellen, but he wasn't with them. She shrugged. But it was disappointment rather than relief she felt as she ambled to Ellen's side and dropped down on the grass beside her.

  "It's so beautiful here," Ellen murmured. "I wish we could stay here forever, just Adam and us."

  "You're really enjoying having him home, aren't you?"

  Ellen beamed. "Oh, yes, it's wonderful."

  The girl's words troubled Chastity, but how could she warn Ellen her brother was only looking for a home base?

  Ellen glanced over her shoulder. "Where's Adam?"

  "I don't know."

  "Here I am." Breathing hard, Adam stood at the top of the trail. "I went back to get my sketchbook." He held out a large black-covered book. "Too many good things to waste." He sat on a rock several feet away, his pencil already busy.

  He occasionally glanced toward Chastity and Ellen, but every time Chastity looked, he had his attention on the page. She tried to forget he was there.

  Jack bounded to Adam's side, peering over his shoulder. "Hey, that's pretty good."

  "Thanks, Sprout. What have you been up to?"

  Jack shrugged. "Just looking around." He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels.

  Recognizing his stance as an imitation of Adam, Chastity lowered her head to hide a smile.

  "I'm hungry," he announced.

  Adam closed the sketchbook. "Me too. Come on, Girls. Let's go back."

  Chastity jumped to her feet, brushing her skirt with her hand. Jack was already leaping over the rocks.

  "Jack, slow down," Adam cautioned. "I wouldn't want to have to fish you out of the water."

  "Okay!" Jack called out, leaping over another rock.

  Adam stood back, waiting for Ellen to follow her younger brother.

  "Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked Chastity, falling into step at her side.

  "It's lovely," she murmured, keeping her attention on the path. The rocks proved difficult to traverse, and she admired Jack's nimbleness in jumping over them. Her foot slipped. She grabbed at a bush to steady herself and found instead a warm hand.

  "Better let me help," he said. "Wouldn't want to fish you out of the water either."

  His touch did more to her than steady her steps—-much more. Things she didn't want; things she had promised wouldn't happen. But the trail was steep and slippery, and she welcomed his help, while remaining vexed at the waywardness of her heart.

  She blinked the mist from her eyes. He would be gone as suddenly as he had returned. A man with no roots. Her resolve returned, strong enough to enable her to cling to his hand without letting her emotions dissolve into a vapor.

  The roar of the water made conversation impossible, allowing her to concentrate on the trail as she scolded herself mentally.

  They stepped to level ground, and she pulled away from his grip, clutching her fingers together to prove her inner victory.

  Ellen and Jack were already seated in the buggy.

  Chastity hurried over, but before she could step up on her own, Adam was at her side taking her hand. She nodded her thanks without meeting his eyes. She felt his surprise when she busied herself smoothing her skirt rather than looking at him.

  Slowly he released her hand.

  She drew a shaky breath. Please, God, give me strength to be true to my convictions.

  They drove along the river's edge to a clearing where they spread blankets. Ellen opened the large basket and began to set out the food.

  As they ate, Chastity turned to Jack. "How is school going?"

  "Okay," he mumbled, his eyes downcast.

  When he didn't say anything more, she prodded. "Jack, is there a problem?" She had always found him an eager student.

  He shrugged. "It's just I don't like Mr. Martin as much as you."

  "Why, thank you, Jack." She thought the children would have forgotten her.

  "You said you'd come back."

  She had explained to her class that she had to leave to take care of her mother, but she thought then it would be only a month or two. "I know I did—and I want to. But, you see, my mother still can't manage on her own. She needs me."

  A thoughtful look crossed his face for a moment. "Yep," he finally said, "if someone you love needs you, you should look after them."

  "I agree." She didn't dare look at Adam. She was afraid for all of them—Jack, Ellen, herself. What would happen to them when Adam left again?

  Ellen asked, "You won't leave again, will you, Adam?"

  Chastity caught her breath, waiting for his reply.

  "I can't promise I won't go see what's going on in another part of the country. But I can promise you I'll always come back."

  Ellen lowered her head, but not before Chastity glimpsed her look of disappointment. He didn't say when he'd come back. Ten years maybe? She twisted a blade of grass around her finger. A person would never be certain with Adam.

  Jack sprang to his feet. "Can I go wading, Adam?"

  "I don't see why not."

  "Thanks." Jack sprinted to the river.

  "Take off your shoes and socks and roll up your pants first."

  Jack shot an adults-are-so-strange look over his shoulder. "As if I'd forget."

  Adam laughed. "It's happened before."

  Ellen tugged on Chastity's hand. "Let's go.
"

  She followed Ellen behind some bushes, where they took off their shoes and stockings.

  She dipped a foot in the cold water and hesitated, but Ellen raced in splashing and squealing.

  She wondered if Adam would join them, but he sat on the bank, sketchbook on his knee. She felt awkward and not a little immature at his amused expression.

  "Come on, Adam!" Jack called. "It's fun."

  "I'll just watch."

  "Aw, come on." Jack scooped up a handful of water and threw it at him.

  Adam ducked and rolled away.

  Laughing, Jack threw more water.

  Adam tossed a handful of pebbles into the water in front of Jack, but the splash posed no threat to the boy.

  Jack paddled his hands in the water, trying to soak Adam, and succeeded in drenching himself.

  Adam retreated along the shore with Jack in pursuit.

  "Enough," Adam ordered.

  And Jack quit, more so, Chastity was sure, because he was laughing too hard to continue than because he felt like obeying. He plowed through the water toward the girls, with Adam following more sedately at a safe distance.

  Ellen trailed her fingers through the water, singing softly.

  "Stop."

  At Adam's sharp word, everyone froze.

  "Don't move," Adam ordered.

  "What's the matter?" Afraid to breathe lest she invite some lurking danger, Chastity kept her eyes on Adam's face.

  A slow smile widened his mouth. "Stay right where you are."

  She moved nothing but her eyes. "Jack?"

  His eyes were saucers.

  "Don't move," Adam said again, grabbing his sketchbook. "The sun has caught the moisture around your head. It looks as if you're wearing a rainbow halo."

  Chastity forced herself to stand still, though she inwardly squirmed at the way Adam stared, then looked down to draw a few lines.

  After a moment he lowered the paper. "It's gone."

  She longed to see what he had drawn, but his bright-eyed intensity made her keep quiet.

  The cold seeped upward from her ankles, and, shivering, she hurried from the water.

  "You were so pretty, Miss LaBlanc," Jack said, his voice squeaky.

  Grateful for a reason to flee Adam's look, Chastity ducked behind the bushes to pull on her stockings and shoes.

  When she returned, Adam lounged against a tree, his sketch pad at his side. She chose a spot within easy talking distance but far enough away to provide herself some confidence.

  Jack pulled himself from the water, soaked from head to toe. "Let's go exploring," he said to Adam.

  Adam rested his head against the tree. "You go ahead, Sprout. I think I'll stay right here."

  Jack called over his shoulder, "Come on, Ellen. Let's go."

  His sister hurried to put on her stockings and shoes, and the two set off. Chastity wavered, not knowing if she should follow them or stay where she was.

  "Chastity and I will stay here," Adam told the others, settling the question.

  Adam lay back, and Chastity relaxed, enjoying the murmur of the water, the chatter of birds, the fresh pine scent. The sun was warm, and she let her tension seep away.

  She had almost dozed off when Adam stirred, rustling the pine needles. She kept her eyes closed, not wanting to end the delicious sense of peace, but she could hear him turning the pages of his sketchbook.

  He cleared his throat. "I thought you might like to see the sketch I did."

  She sat up. "I would indeed."

  He scooted over, laying the open book on her knees. She saw herself, face framed by spray, hair tossed up. She looked so ordinary.

  "It's just a crude sketch," Adam murmured in her ear. "You can't see how the light broke into a full spectrum around your head. It was really quite unusual."

  "I wish I could have seen it."

  He chuckled. "Wait until I paint it—that is, if you'll give your permission?"

  There seemed no reason to refuse. "What would you do with it?"

  "Guess it depends on what you want. You could have it if you like, or I could add it to my collection." He hesitated. "I would love to do that."

  Confused, she asked, "Do what? Paint the picture or add it to your collection?"

  "Both."

  He flipped a page. She and Ellen sat at the riverbank. He flipped another page, and she laughed at the drawing of Jack jumping in the water, his mischievousness captured perfectly.

  Adam showed her several more sketches and then, leaning back on his elbows, looked at her.

  She tried not to let her gaze jump about. Finally she demanded, "Why are you staring at me?"

  He pulled his gaze away. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was."

  She didn't speak.

  "I had to come back," he offered.

  She nodded. "I know a young boy and girl who are grateful you did."

  "I suppose they're the only ones?"

  Aware he was watching her closely, she made a great study of the pinecone she had plucked off the ground. "I'm sureyour mother and father are equally grateful."

  "Hmm. Anyone else?"

  She looked down the trail. "You don't suppose they've encountered a problem, do you?"

  "I'm sure they're fine."

  She sighed, looking everywhere but at Adam. "This is a really lovely place. I'm glad Jack invited me along."

  "I had to see if you were as I remembered."

  It still amazed her he claimed to remember so much of her. She faced him, instantly regretting her action as his blue gaze caught and held her like a trap.

  "I thought I might have actually created you in my imagination." The pulse in his throat beat with steady rhythm, echoing in her emotions. "I was in love with a memory and had to find out if it was real."

  She jolted to her feet, half running down the path in pursuit of Ellen and Jack. "I think we should check on them," she called, not caring if he thought she was acting strangely. She couldn't bear to hear any more.

  Emma's words rang in her ears: "Don't go falling in love with him." She had promised she wouldn't, thinking it would be easy. He was just the opposite of what she wanted.

  She tried to calm her pounding thoughts. She knew what she wanted. Someone steady, someone she could count on. Someone like Michael. Her insides settled.

  Yes, Michael was exactly what she needed.

  Chapter 5

  She caught up to Jack and Ellen and called them to return.

  On the way back, Jack poked into every tree stump while Ellen picked flowers. Chastity followed slowly, welcoming the chance to settle her thoughts before she had to face Adam again.

  When they marched into the clearing, Adam was intent on his sketchbook. He stood and stretched. "Good. You're back. It's time we headed home."

  "Aww," Jack began, "already?"

  Adam ruffled Jack's hair. "I promised Chastity I'd have her back for supper." He scooped up his drawing materials and started toward the buggy.

  Jack blocked Chastity's path. "Couldn't we stay longer?" he begged.

  Chastity smiled down at the boy. "I'm sorry, Jack, but I promised Emma I'd be back."

  "Couldn't you break your promise?"

  "No, Jack, I wouldn't do that."

  The boy studied her for another moment. "It wouldn't be honest, would it?"

  "No, it wouldn't be. People should be able to trust what we say."

  "Come on, Sprout." Adam stood beside the buggy.

  Jack nodded thoughtfully before he sprinted toward Adam.

  Chastity would have preferred to climb up on her own, but Adam waited, hands planted on his hips, leaving her no choice but to go to his side. Grabbing a deep breath, she reached for the hand he extended, keeping her eyes on the step. He released her hand quickly, turning to help Ellen.

  Chastity clutched her hands together in her lap, staring ahead as Adam took his seat and flicked the reins.

  He didn't speak until they were away from the noise of the falls. "Did everyone have a good
time?"

  Two voices from the backseat chorused, "Yes."

  "Thank you, Adam." Chastity angled a glance at him.

  He smiled. "My pleasure." His silver-threaded gaze returned to the trail.

  At his impersonal response, Chastity wondered if she had imagined the passion of his earlier confession. But the way he had looked at her—seeking—insisting—on a response she didn't feel able to give, had not been a fancy of her wayward thoughts. It had been there. It had been real.

  The homeward journey was quiet. The two in the backseat, Chastity suspected, were tired. She was content in her own thoughts, as long as she avoided remembering Adam's behavior at the river.

  In front of the boardinghouse, Adam reached behind the seat to grab his drawing pad and pulled out two pages. "I want you to have these. To remember your first trip to the falls."

  One sketch was of the falls. Even on paper, the water appeared to roll and churn. The other was of Chastity and Ellen splashing in the river, their skirts tucked up to their knees. Ellen was attempting to catch a drop of water; Chastity appeared fascinated with the splash her feet made.

  A lump swelled in her throat at Adam's kindness, and she allowed herself to look at him. "It was a wonderful day, Adam. I'll cherish it always."

  The taut lines around his mouth disappeared as he smiled. "Me too."

  She turned to bid good-bye to the others.

  "Don't forget to come to Adam's shop on Monday," Jack reminded her.

  "I won't," she said.

  She stepped away from the buggy, waving good-bye to them, and barely had time to turn toward the house before Emma yanked open the door. "So? How was your date?"

  Chastity rolled her eyes. "It was an outing, not a date."

  Emma tossed her head. "And I'm a chef, not a cook."

  "Have you been to the falls?"

  "A teacher took us once several years ago." She planted herself in front of Chastity. "I don't want to know about the falls. I want to know about Adam."

  Chastity wrinkled her nose. "Then maybe you should have gone with him."

  Emma waved her hand in dismissal. "I don't mean for me, Silly. How did Adam treat you?"