She caught the skepticism in Curtis’ eyes. What else could she do to make him believe she wanted to remain his wife? She wouldn’t spoil the children’s day by worrying.
The children were busy hanging ornaments and oblivious to anything else. She couldn’t help laughing at their excitement. To her surprise, Curtis joined in the merriment.
He scooped up Penny so she could hang a lamb high on the tree. He joined Meg to hang a few ornaments on the higher branches. Last, he lifted Tom to place the star on the top.
They clustered near the fireplace to admire the tree.
Curtis shoved his hands in his pockets as he assessed their handwork. “It looks impressive, don’t you agree?”
Tom stood with his hands in his pockets, a perfect copy of Curtis. “It is a perfect tree.”
Penny tugged on Meg’s sleeve. “Santa will like it, won’t he?”
Meg glanced at Curtis. “I think he will. I like it. In fact, I love it and don’t believe I’ve ever seen a prettier Christmas tree. Now, I’m going to make our supper.”
Chapter Fourteen
A few mornings later about ten o’clock, Curtis took off his shop apron and removed his sleeve protectors. “I have a quick errand to run, but I won’t be gone long. Will being alone cause you to be afraid?”
Meg glanced up from the story she was composing. “I don’t believe so. I’m just writing some preliminary notes on the town Christmas Eve party while Penny makes more paper chain for the tree. I finished my new blue taffeta dress and plan to wear it to the party.”
“You’ll be the belle of the ball no matter what you wear. Blue is especially nice for you, though, because it matches your eyes.” He put on his coat and cap and hurried to see Paul. The attorney was mostly retired, but kept short office hours. Paul had said he couldn’t give up work entirely. Curtis supposed lifetime habits are hard to break.
He strode into the office.
Paul laid aside the book he’d been reading and stood to greet him. “Hey, how’s married life?”
“That’s what I’ve come to talk about if you have time.”
The attorney gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Take all the time you need.”
“You’re my attorney and therefore anything we discuss is private, right?”
Paul leaned forward with his elbows on the desktop. “My, this sounds serious. Yes, I keep such conversations confidential.”
Curtis explained his indecision, conflicting emotions, and confessed he needed advice on what to do and how to do it. “See, I’ve been a loner all my life and I don’t know how to talk to women. But Christmas Eve is when we said we’d decide and that’s in only two days.”
“Let me make sure I understand your situation. You’ve married a beautiful, intelligent, hard-working, woman who is a good cook and housekeeper. Yet you’re upset because she had the compassion to rescue two children from their dying mother. Now even though the children are both well-behaved, you resent them. Is that correct?”
Curtis felt his face heat in embarrassment. “When you put it like that, it makes me sound churlish. I did resent them, but I don’t feel that way now. In fact, I told them both they can call me Papa now.”
Paul raised his eyebrows. “Well, it’s about time.”
“I’m sorry Meg and I got off to a bad start, but I don’t know how to remedy the situation. I have no idea how she feels. She’s always cheerful and efficient, but that could just be a façade. I don’t know whether she’ll want an annulment or to stay here with me. I’m at my wit’s end as to how to act around her.”
“My wife and I have been married for forty-five years. One thing I’ve learned is to talk things over—not just big things but also little ones. I suggest you sit down with Meg and have a nice long talk about your future.”
“I already feel such a fool. How do I start a conversation like that without making an even bigger fool of myself?”
The attorney scowled and tapped a forefinger on the desk. “You say you’ve been a loner all your life. Unless you want to be one for the rest of your days, you’d better figure out when and how to talk to your wife. Be ready to eat some crow. I’ve seen those children and feel like I need to give you a swift kick in the rear for ever resenting them and Meg.”
“Like I said, I haven’t resented them except when they first arrived. Figured with her inheritance and children, there’s no reason why Meg would need me.”
“She knew she was coming into money when she married you. She already had her inheritance before she arrived here. If she hadn’t wanted to be married to you she could have gone anywhere else. But she came here to be your wife. Decide if you can raise those two children as if they were yours by birth and not show a difference between them and any children you and your wife will have.”
“I’ve thought about that. I’m not sure I could, but I know I’d try. One problem is, I’ve never been around children and don’t know how to talk to them.”
“Remember how you felt when you were a child. Get busy, young man, and straighten this out before you’ve waited so long you’ve missed your chance at happiness.”
Feeling thoroughly chastised, Curtis had to admit Paul laid out the situation in plain facts. “I’ll do as you suggest. This evening, I’ll talk to her until we’ve worked out our future.”
Meg glanced nervously at her lapel watch. The children were supposed to get out of school early today because tomorrow was Christmas Eve.
When he returned from his errand, Curtis stamped snow from his boots. “The weather is bitter. I’m sure there’s snow on the way.”
“Tom should have been here by now.”
“You mean he hasn’t come in from school?” Curtis frowned and stopped unbuttoning his coat. “He’s never been late before. I’ll check the house and see if he went there.”
Meg looked in on Penny then paced the two rooms.
“Mama, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing really, except I thought Tom would be here by now. He should have asked our permission if he was going home with a friend. Papa has gone to find him.”
“I’ll make him a nice picture.”
“That’s a good idea. What are you going to draw?”
“A dog. Tom wants a dog real bad but he was afraid to ask Papa. We’re trying real hard to make him like us.”
“Honey, he does like you. What makes you think otherwise?”
She tapped her cheek with her pencil. “He never hugs us like you do or plays with us except for dominoes. That’s not really playing ’cause he’s teaching us to count.”
“Some men think they’re being a sissy to show how much they care for others. I don’t know about his sisters, but believe his mama and papa and brother are like that. Maybe he doesn’t know how to act any other way.”
“I didn’t know that. Let’s teach him.”
Meg hugged her daughter. “That’s another good idea. We can try, can’t we? He took us to cut our Christmas tree. That shows he wants us to be happy.”
“I’ll bet he’ll be surprised when he sees we have Christmas presents for him. Those should show him we love him.”
Meg didn’t know what to say. She had grown to love Curtis. In spite of being reserved, he was a very good man. She was spared from answering Penny by Curtis bursting through the door, a sheet of paper clutched in his hands.
He waved the paper. “They have Tom. This was nailed to our front door.”
Meg took the paper from him and read it.
We has yer boy. If you want to see him agin bring $2,000 to yer office and wait fer us to tell you what to do next. Don’t go to the sheriff. Cheat us and you won’t never see the boy agin.
Meg almost collapsed, but Curtis pulled her to him. “We’ll get our boy back, Meg. Don’t give in to fear. We have to outsmart the kidnappers.” He guided her to a chair, then paced a few minutes.
She couldn’t help crying. “What can we do on our own? Oh, Curtis, he’ll be so scared and cold.”
“I’ll bet it’s those two men who followed me. They heard Mr. Kroffitt talk about my money arriving. Oh, I knew those two were evil.”
He blotted the ink, then folded the paper. “I’m sure you’re right. Are you able to go to the bank and not show how upset you are? I can go alone if you aren’t up to it.”
She dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief and wiped her nose. “I can go if you and Penny are with me.”
“That’s good. I don’t want to leave your side or Penny’s until we have Tom back and the kidnappers are in jail.”
Penny stood in the doorway between the two rooms. “What’s wrong, Mama? Why are you crying? Where’s Tom?”
Curtis scooped her into his arms. “You have to be very brave, Penny. Some mean men took Tom and we have to get money to get him back. We can’t tell anyone what’s happened or the mean men won’t return him to us. Promise me you’ll help.”
She scrunched her face and started to cry. “I want Tom.”
Curtis hugged her to him and patted her back. “We all do, sweetie. No more crying. We have to act like nothing is wrong. Can you do that for Tom?”
Penny wiped her eyes on her sleeve and nodded.
Meg’s limbs felt weighted by lead. She pulled on her coat and scarf, then helped Penny with hers. She thought of her sweet, little boy and how frightened he must be.
Dear Lord, please protect Tom and help us rescue him. Keep him warm and safe until we can find him.
Chapter Fifteen
Meg waited while Curtis hung the sign Back Soon on the door and locked up the newspaper office. Curtis carried Penny as they walked to the bank. The air was frigid and the sky darkening. What if a snowstorm hit before they recovered Tom?
Meg couldn’t say who they passed, but she was aware of nodding and smiling as if nothing was wrong. Inside the bank, she was glad there was no line at the teller’s window. For a Friday, there were few people in the bank. More than likely people were sheltering at home against the weather.
Mike Shaw, the shorter of the two culprits, waited inside the bank. He stood at the small counter in the center of the lobby where people could write out their drafts or deposits. He glanced up, but neither she nor Curtis let on they’d seen him. Oh, she hoped Penny wouldn’t say anything when she saw the man who had scared her.
Curtis whispered something to Penny and the little girl put her head on his shoulder.
Meg made out a draft for the money while standing on the opposite side of the counter from the evil kidnapper. She was aware of his scrutiny. How she wanted to scream at him and attack him for daring to steal her son. She suppressed her rage, but the effort made her feel as if she were a volcano about to erupt. For Tom’s sake she was able to keep up the pretense of calm in spite of how she felt.
Mr. Kroffitt smiled. “Hello, Mrs. McClain, Mr. McClain. Sure turning cold, isn’t it?”
When she presented the draft to Mr. Kroffitt, she slipped him the note as well. She stood so her body blocked the villain’s view.
“My husband believes a snowstorm is on the way.”
The teller read the note and his eyes grew wide. He quickly refolded it. “Excuse me, Mrs. McClain. I’ll have to get Mr. Longfellow’s approval to cash this. I know it’s good, but it’s over the limit I can approve.”
He went into the owner’s office, and soon came out waving the draft. “Of course, he approved it. But we don’t keep this much in our cash drawers. I’ll have to get it from the vault. It won’t take long.” He went into the bank’s vault.
Meg leaned on the counter in front of the teller’s window. She was grateful Curtis was with her. Even so, her nerves threatened to shatter into a million pieces. Only the thought of Tom’s ordeal gave her the strength to continue this charade.
Too soon the teller was back with cash.
He slowly counted it out to her. “Wait, I think I made a mistake there.” He counted it again, even slower.
Meg realized he was deliberately stalling. Perhaps Mr. Longfellow had a back exit and had gone for Quinn. “Take your time, Mr. Kroffitt. Better to spend a few extra minutes and get the amount correct.”
The teller met her gaze. “I try to do my job well. As a matter of fact, Mr. Longfellow complimented me just now.”
“I’m sure he’s grateful for your efficiency. I hope he gives you a promotion and a nice rise in salary.”
“Thank you, Ma’am. You’re very kind.”
Finally, she had her cash and there was no way to stall any longer. She joined Curtis, who was standing at the front window. He had Penny telling him what she saw that she would draw.
When Meg stopped at his side, he smiled at her. “Shall we go back to the office now, my dear?” Still holding Penny, he opened the door for Meg.
Snow was falling and the temperature had dropped while they were in the bank. Was Tom in a warm place? Had they hurt him? Her sweet boy must be so afraid.
Meg thought she should be an actress on the stage. Certainly, she was proving she could act. Otherwise she would be curled into a ball and sobbing. Instead, she pasted a smile on her face and fought to appear as if this were any other outing with her husband and daughter.
Back at the newspaper office, they removed their coats. Her churning emotions had exhausted her and she sat at the desk she used. “Penny, I heard you tell Papa you were going to draw a picture. Why don’t you do that now with your grease pencils?”
“But where’s Tom? You said we were going to buy him back with the money.”
“We will, but it takes a while. The men who took him want the money or they won’t give Tom back. They’ll let us know where they want to exchange Tom for the money we just got from the bank.”
The door opened and Mike Shaw came into the office. “I seen you got the cash, so give it to me and you’ll get your boy back.”
Curtis held up a halting hand. “Oh, no, you bring Tom here and we’ll exchange the money for him. Until we see him and know he’s all right, you get nothing, understand?”
The kidnapper narrowed his eyes and stabbed a forefinger at Curtis. “You double-cross us and you’ll never find him. Give me the money.”
Curtis stood with feet braced and hands fisted at his side. “We’re not stupid enough to give you cash without seeing our son. Bring him here safe and sound and we’ll give you all of the money. You won’t get a cent until then.”
“You’d better not double-cross us or you and that boy will sure be sorry.”
Meg stood and glared at Shaw. “You were at the bank so you saw we got the money without talking to anyone except the teller. You could hear what I said to him, I’m sure, and know we didn’t mention Tom or you. Please hurry and bring Tom to us before the snowstorm gets worse.”
Shaw glanced around. “I’m cold so I believe I’ll take that there nice coat you was wearing.” He reached for Curtis’ coat where it hung on a hook.
Curtis gave a dismissive wave. “Take it and get on with bringing Tom here.”’
The kidnapper pulled on the coat, which was several sizes too large on the shorter man. He wriggled his shoulders. “This sure is warm.”
Meg was shaking. “Go! I want my son and you’d better bring him here right away or I will hunt you down and… and… I’ll do terrible things to you.”
Shaw laughed at her. “Lady, you don’t scare me. Whooee! This is the first time I’ve been warm in several months. I’ll tell my partner what you said. He don’t always do what I want. He may have other ideas about how you get your boy back. You better keep this quiet and don’t go telling the sheriff.” After a menacing glare, he left.
Curtis looked out the door. “This time he’s not dallying, but is striding fast.”
Meg joined him at the door. “What do we do now?”
&n
bsp; He stepped back inside and closed the door before he turned and pulled her into his arms. “I don’t know if they have someone watching this place to make sure we don’t talk to Quinn or if they’re counting on fear to keep us in line.”
She blinked back more tears and rested her cheek on his broad chest. “If they want fear, they should be happy. I’m terrified. Imagine how Tom must feel. I hope those awful men keep him warm.”
“He’s a brave boy. If they’ll just keep him from getting too cold, he’ll be all right. Quinn will be searching for him.”
Meg sniffled. “I hope so.”
“I’m sure of it. I imagine Mr. Longfellow took our note to Quinn while we were still at the bank.”
“I wish we knew. I can’t stand this waiting and not knowing how Tom is and if Quinn is on the trail of the kidnappers.” She couldn’t hold back her tears.
Penny came with a sheet of paper in her hand. “Where’s Tom?” she demanded. “I drew him a picture like you said because I thought he would be here now. When is he coming back?”
Meg sat at her desk and pulled the little girl onto her lap. “We’re waiting on the men to bring him. We hope he’ll be here soon. Why don’t you show me your picture?”
Penny put the drawing on the desk. “See, there’s our family plus a dog for Tom and a cat for me.”
Meg scanned the crude figures. She made out the one supposed to be her, the tallest one that was Curtis, a boy, and a girl, a dog, and a cat. The sun was shining and the grass was green—not at all like their current setting. Flowers dotted the grassy part.
“Papa said when it’s summer the grass is real green and there are wildflowers. That’s why I drew the picture like that.”
Curtis examined her work. “You did a very nice job, Penny. I see you want a cat and Tom wants a dog. I think we can arrange that if your mama approves.” He met Meg’s gaze. “They have to be indoors most of the year.”
Meg stared at him. “Does that mean we can stay?”
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