Promise me tomorrow Read Online Free PDF Page B

of the children's ease had come from listening to them. Rusty's estimation of Chase moved up several notches when he spent the trip asking questions of Douglas that the children might want to know. Would they share a bedroom? How close were their neighbors? And how close was the school? Rusty had watched the children listen and even felt her heart melt at the pleasure on their faces and the looks of excitement they exchanged.
    They were in the yard now, and as Rusty watched, a woman came out of the house. Rusty had caught sight of Mrs. Davidson at the orphanage without ever seeing her husband. It wasn't hard to remember her now. She had a head full of black hair and a smile that reached her eyes before it stretched her mouth. Right now both eyes and mouth were smiling as she saw the children in the back.
    "Hello," she called to them as she came off the porch. "How was the trip?"
    "Fine," her husband answered her, stopping the team. He and Chase came down from the seat together, and Douglas approached the children with a big smile. Lizzy's backward movement was subtle, but he caught it. Rather than reach for the children, he stopped at the wagon side.
    "Were you comfortable back here?" he simply asked.
    "We leaned on Aunt Rusty," Thomas told him.
    "Wasn't it nice that she sat with you?"
    Mrs. Davidson came up at that moment and stood beside her spouse. There was something warm and comforting about her. Rusty immediately felt drawn to her.
    "Do you remember my wife?" Mr. Davidson asked.
    "Hello, Lizzy. Hello, Thomas," she smiled at them. "How was the train?"
    "We sat by the window," Thomas informed her.
    "You did? That's my favorite place too. Now before you come inside, let me tell you some things." Her tone was kind and authoritative, much like Rusty's, and the children hung on her every word. "You can call me Jessie, and you can call Mr. Davidson, Doug. You don't share a bedroom, but if you want to sleep together, you may. We've tried to make everything comfortable for you, but if you need something and can't find it, you just need to ask." She paused to smile at them again. "Are you ready to come inside?"
    Thomas nodded yes and came to his feet to be helped out. Lizzy turned to Rusty.
    "Are you coming, Aunt Rusty?"
    "I certainly am. You go ahead, and I'll be right behind."
    Rusty watched in amazement as Lizzy lifted her arms to leave the wagon. Douglas performed the act as a matter of course and let go of the little girl as soon as she was on the ground. Rusty watched her move away with Thomas and the adults and noticed that she didn't even look back. Chase had moved around the wagon and was watching as well.
    "Did you see their faces?" she asked softly. "They already love them. Lizzy has to stay here. No matter what, she and Thomas have to stay."
    "The Lord will work it out." Chase's deep voice came to her ears, and she looked at him, her expression telling him she was thankful for the reminder. He helped her from the wagon and then grabbed all the bags. Motioning Rusty to precede him, they followed the others inside.
----

5
    Rusty found the ranch house was as warm and comfortable as the people who lived there. She was no more inside, Chase bringing up the rear, when Jessica Davidson approached, her voice low.
    "I'm so sorry, Miss Taggart. I was so excited about the children that I left you sitting in the wagon."
    "That's fine. I was so busy watching Lizzy that I didn't even notice."
    "She came right with us." Jessie breathed the words, her face full of hope.
    "I noticed. Has she even asked about me?"
    "No. Right away Doug asked them if they wanted to see the kittens, and they both said yes. He took them out the back door to the barn."
    Rusty's heart lifted. They were off to a wonderful start.
    "I'm Rusty, by the way," she said as she held out her hand.
    "Jessie," the older women replied as they shook. "It's so good to have you here."
    "Jessie, this is Mr. McCandles."
    Chase's hand came out. "Please call me Chase."
    "Thank