Promise me tomorrow Read Free

Sensing that Mrs. Harding was backing away, he stopped on the threshold and waited for his father to notice. The older of the two Mc Candles had his head bent over some papers in front of him, and there was a stack of files at his elbow. Nearly 60 seconds passed before he looked up and noticed his son.
    "Come in, Quintin," he said immediately, his voice pleasant but businesslike. The brown-eyed, brown-haired child came forward and would have stopped at the front of the large wooden desk, but his father turned his chair to the side, and Quintin knew that he was to go and stand before his father's knees.
    "I have to go on a trip. I leave Thursday," Chase wasted no time in saying.
    Quintin stared at him in silence.
    "I'll be gone for a few days, maybe a week. You'll be a good boy for Mrs. Harding?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "Good job," Chase said as he laid a brief hand on Quintin's shoulder. It was their only physical contact. "You can run and play now."
    "Yes, sir," Quintin answered respectfully and turned away, but he certainly did not run; it wasn't allowed in the house. As for playing, he'd already had the playtime Mrs. Harding allotted for the morning.
    Manitou
    "Are you all set for the morning?" Paddy asked Rusty, an arm around her shoulders.
    "I think so. How long do you want me to stay?
    Paddy thought a moment, his face intent, and then with an arm still around her, turned her about and took her into his office.
    "I think I should read something to you." Paddy had gone around the desk and taken a seat. Rusty seated herself in front of the desk.
    "This is the last letter I received from Mr. Davidson," he began. "He writes, 'Is it foolishness to want something so much? We have said goodbye to so many babies but never really known any of them. If Lizzy and Thomas come and don't want to stay, it will be the most painful thing of all. I will have been forced to watch my wife with them. I will see their faces and smell their skin but then have to watch them walk away. There are times when I ask myself how I can do it, but I must have hope and I must trust in God. We love those children as if we'd had them from birth. I pray only that they'll give us a chance.'"
    Paddy raised his head. Rusty's hands had come to her mouth, and her eyes were closed. She kept them closed, and a moment later her uncle began to pray.
    "Father in heaven, we thank You for the gift You have given to Rusty, this gift with children. They love her and are loved in return. Please bless the Davidsons. We thank You for bringing them to us. We wish we had a hundred more couples just like them. I know they will love Lizzy and Thomas, if only Lizzy will let herself be loved. Give Rusty great wisdom, Lord, help her to know how long to stay. I know the Davidsons would keep her a month, but that is not prudent. I know she will be wise, Lord.
    Help her to turn to Chase if she needs advice, and give him wisdom as well. We thank You for all You have planned, Lord Jesus. Bless us all this day and in the days to come. Amen."
    "Amen," Rusty echoed. She looked up at her uncle and was quiet for a few moments. When she spoke again, she said, "I dreamed about Mr. McCandles last night. Why do you suppose I did that?"
    "Because you haven't met him, and that's always a little uncomfortable."
    "Is there anything I should know?"
    "There's nothing you should be worrying about, if that's what you mean. He's not the effervescent type, but he's kind, and I know that no harm will come to you in his care. You might not find him overly talkative at first, but if you need help, you need only ask."
    Rusty nodded. It was enough. In truth, it didn't matter to her whom they sent to escort her, just as long as she was able to do the job expected. Lizzy and Thomas were both so sweet, but they couldn't help but be nervous and excited. She was a little excited herself. Kurth was farther than she'd ever been assigned to go. Children who were placed that far from Manitou were harder to check on, and Rusty