Charlie was surprised to see Mr. Beets buggy parked at the house when she arrived home that afternoon after school. His horse was unhitched, and

out in the pasture. Usually when he visited, it was on the weekend. Still, it was a nice surprise. Charlie thought his impromptu visit might have something to do with her upcoming adoption.

Maybe he would know just when it would happen!

Charlie tended hurriedly to Gurth, and turned him out into his pasture, petting the dogs as they jumped on her in greeting, all the way to the back

door. Maria was not in sight, but Teresa was. She was wearing an apron over her blue dress, and was bent over, basting juice over the meat

in the oven. Charlie came closer to peer into the oven.

"Hi, Charlie," Teresa said.

"Hi. What are you making?"

"It's a beef roast," Teresa said.

"It smells good," Charlie said. "I'm hungry."

"Have a cookie. Just one."

"Why is Mr. Beets here?" she asked Teresa, going to the sink to pump water and wash her hands.

"He came to visit. Says he's missed playing chess with Murdoch."

"Does he know when my adoption date is?" Charlie asked, taking a cookie from the jar.

"I haven't heard him say so, but I've been busy. He's been visiting with Murdoch for most of the afternoon. Would you set the table,

please?"

"I want to say hello first," Charlie objected.

"Well, do that, and then come back to help me."

"Is Scott in here?" Charlie asked, and Teresa answered in a distracted manner.

"No. I haven't seen him. Hurry back."

Charlie scurried to the great room, where Murdoch and Mr. Beets were sitting, perched at the small table that held a chess board.

Both men paused in their playing when Charlie came into the room.

"Hello," she said in greeting.

"Hello, darling," Murdoch said, and Mr. Beets stood up. He put out his hand to shake Charlie's.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I'm very well. How are you?"

"I'm also very well," Mr. Beets said with a smile. "I believe you've grown another inch since I saw you last."

"She's shooting up like a weed," Murdoch said, with fondness.

"How is school? Going well?" he asked Charlie.

"Yes. We have a good teacher now."

"I'm very glad to hear that," Mr. Beets said. He was looking at Charlie with interest, taking in what she was saying. "And still

enjoying time with your friends?"

Charlie hesitated, looking at Murdoch briefly, then back at Mr. Beets. She wondered if Beets knew about her escapade with Monte and

the animal traps. If he didn't yet, he likely would later. As she had, since she'd become better acquainted with Mr. Beets, she hated

to have him hear about her trouble and have to face his possible disappointment.

She settled for a short answer. "I have. But not much fishing lately."

Beets nodded in response, and said, "Would we be able to go for a walk together, after supper?"

Charlie nodded. "Yes."

"I look forward to that," the older man said.

Charlie went to help Teresa finish with the evening meal, and was setting the large table when she heard Scott coming in, his voice

mixed with Johnny's. Scott came to the door of the dining room as Charlie was laying the plates.

"Hey, kiddo," he said. "How was your day?"

A plate still in hand, Charlie came over to stand close to him. "It was good," she said.

"Good," he said.

"Mr. Beets wants to take a walk after supper with me."

Scott nodded. "Alright."

"Do you think he knows when the adoption date will be?" Charlie asked.

"He might. I'll speak to him after supper, as well."

Happy just thinking about it, Charlie leaned into his side.

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Teresa's roast was delicious. Along with the potatoes and carrots that accompanied it. Charlie ate her meal, listening to the

adults converse. She wondered now if she would have time or opportunity to talk to Johnny about the baby foxes...

There wasn't, because after supper, Charlie helped Teresa do the dishes, and straighten the kitchen so that Maria would

find it pleasing the next morning when she arrived.

She could hear male voices talking, and then approaching the kitchen, Scott's and Mr. Beets. They appeared in the kitchen doorway,

"Shall we walk, Charlotte?" Mr. Beets asked her. "When you've finished with your chores?"

"I can finish now," Teresa said. "You go on, Charlie."

"I'll take over for Charlie," Scott offered, and took the dish towel from Charlie to dry the dishes as Teresa washed.

Charlie walked out with Beets, the dogs galloping along joyfully with them. Thru the courtyard, and out into the fields where the

horses were grazing.

Beets asked questions, as usual, about school, and how she was doing with her studies. Charlie told him about her high marks

in spelling, and how her handwriting had improved.

"I still have a little trouble with arithmetic," Charlie confided.

"Mathematics can be challenging," Beets agreed.

Charlie nodded in agreement. "Scott helps me sometimes with it, if I can't solve it."

Beets nodded in approval, and Charlie added, "He gives me clues, to try to make me figure it out mostly on my own, though."

"Scott's wise," Beets said, with a smile for her.

Charlie reached down to pluck a purple wildflower. "Will my adoption be soon?"

"I've spoken to Scott about that," Mr. Beets said, and for a moment Charlie felt a sense of panic. That things were not as they should be.

'I think he wants to talk with you about it all." He smiled at Charlie. "But, don't fret. It's good news."

Charlie nodded, relieved, yet still feeling impatient that Mr. Beets wouldn't just tell her the answer.

As they began their walk back towards the house, Mr. Beets asked, "Are you happy. Charlotte? Still feel as though things are

going well?"

"I'm happy here," Charlie said. "I want to be adopted, Mr. Beets."

He nodded. "I'm glad of that. You deserve to be happy, and secure. I believe that Scott-and all the family-can give you

that security."

Charlie surveyed him, wondering if he'd been told about the traps-and her part in it.

"Did Scott tell you? About the animal traps?" she asked, with dread.

Mr. Beets looked serious. "Yes. He told me."

"Oh," Charlie said, in embarrassment.

"It sounds as though it was a valuable lesson," the older man said, not unkindly.

"It was," Charlie admitted.

"Scott is looking out for your well-being, Charlotte," Mr. Beets said, and Charlie looked at him. Scott must have told him everything.

"I know," she said, humbly. "I have to earn back trust."

"Trust is valuable, indeed."

"I don't like not having Scott trust me," Charlie said. "It's-hard."

"I'm sure you'll be able to gain it again," Beets said, kindly.

"I hope so," Charlie said, fervently.

When they went back to the house, Beets went off to play more progress with his chess game with Murdoch. Charlie sat, watching,

and the evening passed swiftly. Along with watching the chess game, there was chocolate cake for dessert. Just before eight,

Charlie was sent up to prepare for bed.

"Will you still be here tomorrow afternoon when I get home from school?" Charlie asked him.

Before Beets could answer, Murdoch spoke up. "I'm trying to convince him to do just that."

Mr. Beets chuckled at Murdoch, and then said, to Charlie, "Well, we'll see. I might be."

Charlie was in her nightgown, with her knees tucked up to her chest, waiting for Scott to come up. When he did, carrying the book

they were currently reading, Charlie was so excited she was nearly bouncing.

"Mr. Beets said he talked to you about my adoption," she burst out, as soon as he'd walked into the room.

"Yes. He did," Scott said, a smile at the corner of his mouth.

Charlie popped up and sat on her knees, and actually did bounce now a few times.

"When is it?" she asked.

Scott came over, laying the book on the night table. He sat down on the edge of the bed.

"In two weeks," he said. "Actually, not quite two full weeks. About-12 days."

Charlie sat back on her heels, going very still all of a sudden. "Twelve days?" she asked, breathlessly.

"Twelve days," Scott affirmed.

Charlie nibbled at her bottom lip. "That's not long," she said.

"No. It's not long at all," Scott said, with a smile at her.

Charlie studied his face. "Are you glad?" she asked.

"I'm very glad," Scott said. He reached out and tucked a curl behind one of her ears. "Are you glad?"

Charlie beamed at him, and nodded.

As he reached for the book and opened it to where they'd stopped their reading, Charlie said, "Can I still have a party?"

"Absolutely, you can."

"I'd like Rebecca and Jason, and some of the other kids from school, maybe. And Monte," Charlie chattered on.

"Teresa can have Cole come if she wants-I don't know if Cole will want to come, though-and Mr. Beets. And do you think

Hallie might want to come?"

When she stopped to take a breath, Scott said, "Any of your friends are welcome to come. And you can ask Teresa about Cole. I think

it's fine that you want to invite Hallie. If she can, I'm sure she'd like to come."

A sudden thought occurred to Charlie. "Katherine doesn't have to come, does she?" Her tone was slightly horrified.

"No. Katherine doesn't have to come. It's your party, Charlie. You can have whoever you want." Scott tapped the end of her

nose. "Within reason. We don't want to overflow the house or anything like that."

Charlie smiled at his teasing. She hooked her arm thru Scott's, pressing against his side.

Charlotte Lancer.

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