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asked.
    He consulted his pocket watch. "It's 2:20."
    Rusty nodded and glanced around. Just inside the door was a long bench. "We'll just sit here and wait, children. Are you both warm enough?"
    "Yes, Aunt Rusty" was their answer, and she could see that they were both starting to flag.
    "Come now." She kept her voice brisk. "I'll sit between you so we can talk."
    Fascinated, Chase watched her. He was accustomed to doing things his own way and being in charge. It was rather captivating to have her consult him so seldom and take complete charge of the children. The last woman from the orphanage he'd accompanied had turned to look at him with every question out of the children's mouths. They had placed four boys that time, and the inquiries had been endless. Chase followed Rusty and the children inside, set the bags beside the bench, and stood looking out onto the street.
    "All right, Thomas, we'll start with you. I'm certain the Davidsons know about you, but let's make sure you have all the information. Tell me your full name."
    "Thomas Joseph Parks."
    "And how old are you?" rive.
    "When is your birthday?"
    "I don't know."
    "I think it's July 5, but we'll have to check on that."
    "5."
    "July"
    "That's right. Now to you, Lizzy. Give me your full name."
    "Elizabeth May Parks."
    "Very good. How old are you?"
    "Eight."
    "And your birthday." "December 10."
    'Are you going to want them to call you Lizzy or Elizabeth?"
    Lizzy.
    "That's fine. We'll be certain that Mr. and Mrs. Davidson know that."
    "What's your big name, Aunt Rusty?" Thomas asked.
    "Katherine Alexa Taggart," she told him with pleasure.
    The little boy's eyes grew.
    "Cat."
    Rusty turned at that word to find Chase looking down at her. She had not even been aware that he'd been attending.
    "My Uncle Robert calls me that," she said softly, not sure if she was supposed to reply.
    His eyes moved over her features. "It's overstated."
    "Overstated?" she questioned uncertainly.
    This time his eyes briefly swept her from head to toe.
    "You're more kitten size, I would say."
    Their eyes met for the space of several heartbeats, and then Chase's gaze went back to the street. Rusty would have loved to sit and figure out what his comment implied, but Lizzy took that moment to lay her head against Rusty's arm. Rusty still had a job to do.
    "I think now would be a good time to clean up a bit," Rusty said as she stood. She dug around in her bag until she found a comb and then gave the children a once-over. She checked their hands and faces, and although not spotless, they were passable. She was wishing for a mirror to work on her own hair when she heard someone speak from the street.
    "Excuse me, sir. I'm looking for a woman with two children. Someone at the train station said they had come this way."
    Without speaking Chase looked to her. Rusty swiftly put the comb away and moved to the double doorway.
    "Are you Miss Taggart?" a man sitting in the seat of a large wagon immediately asked her.
    "Yes, I am."
    "I'm Douglas Davidson. Did you bring Lizzy and Thomas?"
    The question was no more out of his mouth when Thomas peeked around the doorway. Rusty felt something catch in her throat as she watched the man's eyes soften.
    "Hello, Thomas. Did you bring your sister?"
    Thomas could only stare at him.
    "Come, Lizzy," Rusty bade the little girl softly, and although it was said kindly, Lizzy knew better than to disobey. She took the hand that Rusty held out to her and tried to bury herself in the side of Rusty's dress. However, the moment she had the little girl's hand, Rusty moved toward the wagon, her free hand catching Thomas' shoulder and bringing him along as well.
    Douglas came down from the wagon, his hat in his hand. He was a large man, cleaned up for town but clearly accustomed to hard work.
    "Thomas, Lizzy, do you remember Mr. Davidson?"
    Thomas nodded his head yes, but Lizzy's eyes stayed down.
    "Come now, Lizzy, our best manners."
    The little girl looked up swiftly, dropped her eyes,