She nodded. A thirteen-year-old girl named Kelsey from Chicago. If youd asked me yesterday how things were going I would have said not well. She was quiet and withdrawn. But today she appears more open. She loved the riding lessons at Clays yesterday and wanted to know when wed be going again. She broke off as she realized she was beginning to ramble.
Hows everything else going? he asked. His gaze narrowed slightly. You look tired.
I am, she admitted. I was just sitting at the table, thinking about everything I need to buy for the kids to start school next week. She smiled. Trying to figure out school supplies for seven kids in seven different classes is enough to make anyone tired.
Ill let you get back to it. I just thought Id check in and see how you were doing. He shifted his muscular body from one foot to the other. If you get a minute to yourself and want to get dinner out or maybe see a movie, you know all you have to do is just call me.
She smiled. Thank you, Adam. Ill keep that in mind.
They said goodbye and then she watched as he left the porch and walked back to his patrol car. He seemed like such a nice man, good-looking and obviously interested in her. Unfortunately, she just
didnt feel anything for him except a mild friendship.
As his car pulled away, she went back inside to the kitchen table. She finished making her list and by then it was time to kiss the kids good-night.
She went into the boys bedroom first. The room held two bunk beds and at the moment all four sleeping places were occupied. Barry and Sam, the two older boys, had the top bunks and eight-year-old Jimmy Nigel and seven-year-old Caleb Torrel had the lower bunks.
All tucked in? she asked Barry as she approached him first.
He nodded. Will you keep the nightlight on? he asked anxiously. Im not scared or anything, but I just dont like the dark.
Jewel smiled at the dark-eyed boy. They had this same conversation every night. The nightlight will be on until morning. Sleep tight, Barry.
As she moved from Barry to Sam and then to the two younger boys, she couldnt help but think of the baby shed lost. Shed desperately wanted to be a mother, had been thrilled to discover she was pregnant. The minute the doctor had confirmed what shed suspected, her heart had filled with a happiness shed never known before and hadnt known since.
As she moved from the boys room to the girls, she shoved away thoughts of the baby shed lost and dreams of what might have been.
There were three girls in residence at the moment. Kelsey slept on the top bunk of one of the beds and on the lower bunks were Lindy Walker and Carrie Lyndon, both ten years old.
Jewel went to Kelsey first. She didnt touch the girl in any way, wouldnt invade Kelseys personal space unless she was invited to do so. Ready to call it a night?
Kelsey nodded, her green eyes less guarded than theyd been the day before. Im not used to going to bed so early.
Jewel smiled. We believe in the routine of early to bed, early to rise around here. Besides, with school starting next week, its important that all of you get plenty of sleep.
Jewel moved to the other beds, where the girls demanded good-night kisses and hugs, then she left the room and turned out the light. As in the boys room, a small nightlight burned in a wall socket.
She met Cheryl in the hallway and smiled tiredly. Another day done, she said.
Cheryl returned her smile and swept a strand of her long, dark hair behind an ear. I wanted to run an idea by you. Jeff and I would like to plan a day trip for the kids in the next couple of weeks. Theres a Native American museum two hours from here and we thought it would be fun to visit the museum and have a picnic lunch at a nearby park.
Sounds like something they would enjoy, Jewel replied.
We havent finalized a day yet, I just wanted to put a bug in your ear about it.
Let me know what you and Jeff decide and well work out the details.
Cheryl nodded. Then Ill just say good night.
As Cheryl headed toward the front bedroom where she and Jeff slept, Jewel returned to the kitchen. She tucked into her purse the list of supplies she needed to buy, then once again sat at the table to make notes in the files she kept on each of the children.
Busywork. In the back of her mind she knew thats what she was doing, creating work to keep her mind off the fact that soon it would be time to go to bed.
To sleep.
To dream.
Again the taste of dread mingled with a simmering terror. If only she could have one night of peaceful sleep and happy dreams. If only she could wake up in the morning well-rested and happy.
If only Andrew hadnt died in the car accident.
She sighed and focused back on the files in front of her. These were her children, the ones who came to Hopechest Ranch in need of stability and love. They were all she needed. And maybe a good nights sleep was vastly overrated.
She didnt know how long shed sat working when she heard a strange scratching sound. She got up from the table and followed the noise to the front door. Definitely sounded like something scratching for attention.