Wanted: A Family by Janet Dean

wanted to paddle my behind.”
    Tears flooded Mildred’s eyes. “No, dear girl. You’d lost your brother and your parents. I lost only petals.”
    A sudden spasm seized Callie’s throat. Her baby brother, Ronnie, just starting to walk. Mama and Papa going about their routine with no warning that the dam was about to give way. All gone.
    When she could finally speak, Callie said, “Where would I be if not for Aunt Hilda and people like you, who took a frightened little girl into your hearts?”
    “You’d be fine. You were born with all the strength you needed, just like your mother. She’s up in Heaven chatting with that inconsiderate husband of mine.” She patted Callie’s cheek. “That faith of yours will see you through. I’m proud of you, Callie Marie Mitchell.”
    Callie’s smile trembled. “You’ve been my rock. I’m happy I can do something for you now. Writing this history will be fun. Imagine, Peaceful’s past at my fingertips.”
    Mildred removed some bills from her pocket. “This’ll get you started.”
    At the generous sum, Callie shook her head. “I can’t accept this.”
    “You’ll soon have four mouths to feed.” Mildred said, then left through the back door and disappeared between the shrubs separating their houses.
    In Callie’s hands was enough money to meet their needs for months, maybe more. As she tucked the bills into her purse, the weight of obligations she’d had no idea how she’d pay fell from her shoulders. And she knew—
    A naughty little girl’s petal trail had brought Mildred Uland into her life, a very special friend. God had seen Callie through her troubles every step of the way. He’d given her this home. He’d sent Jacob Smith to make repairs. And Mildred with an offer of much-needed funds. Ensuring that she’d be able to take care of her baby and keep the promise she’d made to Nell, a desperate young girl who’d believed she had nowhere to turn.
    With her heart filled to overflowing for the good fortune God had brought into her life, Callie could barely contain the unfettered joy pounding through her. A walk would help expend some of that energy.
    She opened the screen door and jerked her foot back. Most of the porch floor was missing. The boards had been stripped away, revealing support timbers underneath. Thankfully, they appeared solid and wouldn’t need to be replaced.
    Jacob Smith turned from tossing another plank to the lawn.
    Callie smiled. “I’m amazed at the progress you’ve made while Mildred and I have been visiting.”
    “I don’t believe in wasting time.”
    Truer words had never been spoken. Jacob might not be an open book but he could be trusted to do a good job in a timely manner.
    “If all those newspapers your neighbor brought get in your way, I could haul them to the barn.”
    “They’re fine where they are.”
    “I’m curious why Mrs. Uland dumped them on you.”
    “Mildred’s—” She wouldn’t spoil her neighbor’s surprise. “Asked me to handle a project for her. I have plenty of room.”
    “Might make interesting reading. I like looking into thehistory of old houses. When you’re finished, I’d like to take a look, see what I can find.”
    “I won’t be done anytime soon.” She cocked her head at him. “Are you planning on staying in town that long?”
    “Only long enough to…repair your house. Then I’ll move on.”
    Exactly as she’d thought. She wouldn’t get involved with Jacob Smith or the problems she felt lurking beneath his polite, standoffish exterior. Why, he could walk out of her life as quickly as he’d walked in and never finish the job. She straightened her spine. Another reason to steel herself against this strange attraction she had for him.
    “You might want to lock the screen so you and Elise don’t use that door and fall through the floor joists.”
    Nodding, Callie closed the screen, hooked it, closed and locked the wooden door, and then found a red ribbon and tied it around the