Promise me tomorrow by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

train leaves."
    "I have a schedule," he said quietly. He watched as she sat back and studied him.
    "Your life is very planned, isn't it, Mr. McCandles?"
    "Yes."
    "Do you ever long for a break in routine?"
    "No. "
    He wanted to laugh at her expression, which told him she wondered if he came from another planet.
    "Have you always been, shall we say, impetuous?" he wished to know in return.
    Rusty nodded, her face still thoughtful. "There are times when it lands me in trouble."
    Ican believe that, Chase thought. Aloud, he said only, "Have you learned from some of your mistakes?"
    "Yes and no," she shrugged a little. "You see, trouble is nothing I ever plan. It just sort of happens."
    It was so much a statement that an impetuous person would make, Chase couldn't stop his smile. Seeing it, Rusty heard herself.
    "I just realized what I said."
    Chase felt free to laugh now. It was all too true. She was capricious. He was certain she would call it fun, but Chase didn't think he could handle that much fun in his life. His assets would dwindle to nothing, and his business dealings would crumble around his feet.
    The conversation might have remained on that subject, but Lizzy chose that moment to rush into the room.
    "You're up, oh, Aunt Rusty, you're up! You've got to see Thomas. He's riding a horse!"
    "I'll come right now," she told her with enthusiasm to match. "Did you ride too?" she asked as she rose.
    "Not yet. I was scared."
    "Well, come on." Rusty had her by the hand now. "I've got to see this wonderful thing."
    They rushed out, Chase forgotten yet again. This time he didn't mind. This time he needed a few moments on his own. As Rusty rose, Chase had been on the verge of telling her to sit back down and eat. She'd barely touched her food. But he had stopped in time, reminding himself that she was not a child, and that he must not treat her as one.
    He thought about the things he'd witnessed on the trip so far and slowly shook his head. Letting her lead this operation was taking some tremendous willpower. With a prayer for help to remember all that he'd just resolved, he stood and followed Rusty and Lizzy to the paddock.
    ***
    "I hope we're not disturbing you, Miss Kay," Doug offered as he led the way into the schoolhouse that afternoon at 4:00, very pleased to see the teacher still in attendance. "We wanted to visit the school after the children left."
    "I'm so pleased that you felt free to come, Mr. Davidson. Please come right in." She watched the small band enter. "You have guests with you." Miss Kay knew that the Davidsons were trying to adopt, but she didn't want the children to know that. She smiled at all of them.
    "Miss Kay," Doug led the way halfway up the center aisle. "This is Miss Taggart and Mr. McCandles. And this is Lizzy Parks and her brother, Thomas Parks."
    "It's good to meet all of you," Miss Kay said warmly to the adults. She then turned to give the children her attention. "Was it Lizzy?"
    That little girl nodded.
    "Let me guess," she said slowly. "You must be about eight years old."
    Lizzy bit her lip, but her smile came through.
    "Was I right?"
    Again she was answered with a nod.
    "And you're Thomas?"
    "Thomas Parks."
    "Well, Thomas Parks, I think you must be five or six. Am I right?"
    "I'm five. I don't go to school yet. Lizzy goes for both of us."
    Miss Kay smiled in delight. "Lizzy must be very smart."
    Thomas nodded, his face very serious. "She can read."
    The teacher looked suitably impressed and turned back to Lizzy, who was trying not to look too pleased.
    "Would you like to look around the room with me, Lizzy? I can show you where things are, and you can tell me the different things you have at your school."
    "I have a slate," the little girl admitted. Miss Kay's heart melted when she realized what it had cost her to say even that much.
    "That's wonderful. Did you bring it with you?"
    "It's at the ranch house."
    "That's fine. Let's begin up here by the blackboard."
    Miss Kay ledLizzy away, and Thomas