Chief Cook and Bottle Washer by Rita Hestand Page A

with all the conveniences of city life. The
refrigerator was a huge commercial size, the stove had two built-in
ovens, the dishwasher was oversized. Everything was big and
beautiful. There were long counters to work from and lots of
cabinet space. She wondered if they had built this kitchen
themselves. No one had that kind of space unless they made it.
    Cal Travers had already gotten a bowl of
ice-cream for Sammie Jo and was feeding her as Emma approached the
huge table just the other side of the kitchen.
    "Yes sirree, nothing like a bowl of ice-cream
for those sore chompers, huh, Sammie Jo? Papa Cal knows, don't he?"
Cal was saying as he looked up at Emma with interest. "She's a
right friendly little tyke, isn't she?"
    "Yes, she is. But I've never seen her go to a
stranger so easily."
    Sammie Jo looked as though she couldn't be
happier. Emma watched their interchange with fascination. After
all, Sammie Jo didn't usually take to strangers. At her age she was
usually leery of anyone or anything new, unless curiosity got the
best of her. Emma imagined her teeth hurt so bad she just didn't
care. Either that or the senior Mr. Travers made an immediate
impression on her.
    The old man looked frail, but the sparkle of
life was in those nearly transparent blue eyes. A man to fall in
love with. A man very unlike her own father. Cal Travers emitted a
warmth Emma had seldom been exposed to. She liked him. He made her
feel at home.
    "You must have a way with children, Mr.
Travers."
    "Call me Cal. The Mr. makes me feel old.
Never thought much about it, but the Mrs. used to look just as
surprised as you do. Kids, calves, puppies, all the same. All they
need is love, and understanding. My wife taught me that, a long
time ago. I just never told her," Cal said whimsically.
    "She must be a wonderful lady," Emma
said.
    "Was wonderful, yes, the best." Cal's voice
drifted off. His eyes taking on memories.
    Emma felt his sorrow almost as if it were her
own, it seemed so profound, as though it might have happened
yesterday. These people astounded her. She felt as though she had
found an identical family to her own so very far from home. Except
her family had never been this much like a real family. No, they
were nothing alike. She just got a good dose of lonesome in her
soul.
    "Well Emma, welcome to your new home and
family," Deke said turning her loose and pulling out a chair for
her. He sat down on the other side of the table and eyed her for a
moment before speaking again.
    "I want you to know we don't expect much from
you. Just a couple of decent meals a day and a little laundry would
be nice. We aren't the best at that," Deke was saying. "Dad here,
can't tell the reds from the whites."
    "Now don't go telling her about the red
thermal. God, that was embarrassing," Cal clipped.
    Clint smiled. "Embarrassing for all of us,
even though it was Dad that goofed up."
    "Don't pay them any attention. I just hate
doing laundry."
    Emma chuckled. "Most men do. And that sounds
reasonable. What time does everyone get up around here?"
    "We work dawn to dusk."
    "So fivish be okay?"
    "Great."
    Emma smiled and nodded, her eyes going around
the room.
    Yes, it looked as though things might work
out here. This family wasn't a lot different than her own by size.
She could handle the house easily enough. They weren't slobs.
    Sammie Jo had just finished the ice-cream
when she fell asleep in Cal's arms. Her little face was almost in a
smile now, no sign of tears. Emma rushed to take her, but the old
man was having none of that.
    "Oh, I'll take her."
    "She needs to go to bed. Poor little thing is
tuckered, and in this heat there's no wonder. Look at those red
cheeks. That ice-cream was just the trick, she wouldn't have been
able to eat a regular supper anyhow. I hope you don't mind. I just
felt so sorry for her is all."
    "No, no I don't mind at all. I'm glad you
thought of it. I have a playpen for her to sleep in." Emma motioned
toward the truck.
    No sooner had she said