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.
Copyright © 2017 by Keli Gwyn
ISBN-13: 9781488017520
A Temporary Family
Copyright © 2017 by Sherri Shackelford
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