Free Whatever Tomorrow Brings (The Californians 1) by Lori Wick Page B

ten steps away from the house before he heard Sean's voice raised in anger. "Kaitlin, what is the matter with you?" It confirmed his suspicions about Kaitlin Donovan's actions of the last few minutes.
    He had no desire to eavesdrop so he picked up his pace and was quickly out of earshot. Back at the house Kate was trying to make amends.
    "I'm sorry, Sean."
    "Why, Katie?" Sean's faced showed his keen disappointment. "I thought you would like him."
    "I don't even know him." Kate began to feel defensive all over again as her mind pictured those beautiful gray eyes leveled so intently on her. "But you're right, my actions were inexcusable and I'm sorry."
    Sean forgave her and helped her clean up the few dishes. He told his sisters he would see them in the morning and then took himself off to Rigg's.
     

sixteen

    Sean let himself quietly into the house and when he would have gone straight into his room, Rigg hailed him from the kitchen. Sean came only as far as the doorway and leaned against it with his hands in his pockets.
    "I'm sorry about the way my sister acted tonight. I don't know if it helps, but I've never seen her like that and I know she feels bad."
    "Moving is hard work; I'm sure she's tired. How about some supper?" Rigg asked kindly and Sean was rather glad for the change in topics.
    "I've eaten, thanks."
    "I remember being hungry all the time at your age. Are you sure you wouldn't like something?" Rigg's mother had brought over a large kettle of stew and the aroma was floating from the stove straight in Sean's direction.
    "Maybe I'll have a little."
    Rigg turned away to hide his smile and filled two large bowls. There was fresh bread and butter on the table and a bowl of fruit. Rigg prayed for the food and the men ate without conversation for quite a spell.
    "I normally stay out of my employees personal lives Sean, but would you mind if I asked you a question?"
    "No, not at all." Sean seemed genuinely surprised and Rigg wondered at his first impression that all was not well for this new family in town.
    "What brings you to Santa Rosa?"
    "We saw the ad for the job and came, hoping that Kate would get it."
    "Where are your folks?"
    There was no mistaking the pain in those young eyes and Rigg waited in silence as Sean took a moment to answer.
    "My mother just died and my father is in Hawaii."
    Rigg didn't know what to say to this but he didn't have to speak because Sean was ready to talk. He came close to telling Rigg his entire life story-how he had been born and raised in Hawaii, when he'd made a decision for Christ, and right up to the trip to San Francisco, including his mother's death. He ended by explaining why his father left and that he was coming back soon.
    "Did your aunt change her mind about your staying with her?"
    Rigg considered the question a mild one in the light of all that Sean had shared but the change that came over the boy was startling. Tension radiated from Sean and again Rigg waited. He watched Sean move from the table to the window. He thought he might be calming down but when he turned from the window, his eyes showed deep anger and pain.
    "I don't think it's right that a man forces a woman to do something against her will."
    The hair stood straight up on the back of Rigg's neck over the image Sean's words created. One woman's face stood out in his mind, a woman he'd seen for so brief a time that it was unusual he would even remember her. But remember her he did, and he was surprised at the emotions flooding through him at the thought of someone-hurting her. He worked at keeping his voice level.
    "I certainly agree with you, Sean. Did you want to tell me about it?"
    "I don't know. I don't want you to think badly of her. That is, I don't know why you would but it's just been so hard here. No one in Hawaii ever looked at my sister the way they look at her here. She told me that she even had to wear her cloak all the time on the ship because the sailors stared at her. And then our cousin grabbed