Now you know why I’ve been working so hard. The best is yet to come. I’ll have the family I’ve dreamed of ever since I was nine.”
That wouldn’t happen for quite a while since The Plan didn’t call for him to begin courting for three more years—after he’d added some unspecified amount to his savings in order to “ensure that my family is well provided for.”
She cast a glance at Ruby. Assured that she was fine, Callie continued. “When I asked earlier how you survived, what I was really wanted to know was who took you in and how you fared with them.”
“And I filled your ears with the tale of my remarkable recovery. Sorry about that.” He gave her an apologetic smile.
“I’m glad you told me, but I am curious about the other.”
He averted his gaze and drew circles on the ground with the toe of his boot. “I spent a few years with a carpenter once I reached California—the one who gave me the nickname. He taught me everything he knew, and I moved on. I found a few other woodworkers who were willing to take me in, and I gleaned what I could from them, too.”
Clearly, there was more to his story, but she could understand why he wouldn’t want to talk about it. “You’ve done remarkably well for someone who’s been on his own for so long.”
His head came up. He moistened his lips, which drew her attention to them. What would it be like to feel them against hers?
You have no business thinking about that, Callie. Get a hold of yourself.
“I can see why family is so important to you and understand why your upcoming goals are related to that, but I’m sure you realize they’re different than the ones that came before.”
“What do you mean?”
She chose her words carefully. “All of your goals to this point were, to a certain extent, under your control. A number of those coming up—find a woman to court, marry and have children with—aren’t. You might find a lady you’d like to court, but she might not be interested in you.” Although the possibility of a woman being able to resist Chip’s many appealing characteristics seemed unlikely, it could happen.
He laughed. “Not that I’m vain or anything, but I don’t think that will be a problem. I work hard, and I’m not bad looking.”
Certainly not, but there was more to it. “Suppose the lady who captures your eye realizes what a wonderful man you are and marries you according to your plan. There’s no guarantee children will come along according to schedule, is there? It seems to me the Lord would have a hand in that. Wouldn’t you agree?”
All signs of amusement drained from his face. “You have a point, but He knows how much having a family of my own means to me. I see no need to alter The Plan. May I have it back, please?” He held out his hand, and she placed the paper in it.
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.