A huge grin filled his face suddenly. “Theo. It goes with both my real name and what I want to do with my life.”
She knew her mouth had twisted like she’d tasted a sour pickle. He looked happy about the choice and she didn’t want to admit she didn’t understand why.
His shoulders sagged. “No good, you think? I really like it.”
Ginger squared her shoulders and spat to one side, something she remembered her brother doing. “Well now, use if you like it. I don’t rightly know what it has to do with your life, though.”
Face brightening, eagerness filled Theodore’s. It made Ginger wonder if he wasn’t younger than she first thought. Maybe closer to his mid-twenties rather than thirty.
“It’s like the word theology. That refers to studying about God.” He stopped to be sure his companion understood. When he saw an abrupt nod, he went on. “I’m a lawyer now. In the next year, I want to go to a seminary and study theology so I can be a minister.”
Well, shoot. She finally found a man who called to her soul, and all he would want to do was save it. Just her usual kind of luck.
Quiet stretched between them. Theodore—now christened Theo—sent her an odd, questioning glance. Ginger shrugged but kept quiet. What was there to say, after all?
As she struggled to start the conversation, they rounded the corner to see the white house looming close at hand. It’s wrap-around porch and swing called to her. Many a time, she and Mrs. Hooper sat there, solving the problems in Ginger’s life.
Today, she walked past it and knocked on the door. Fingers crossed in her pockets, she hoped the woman would remember to call her Guy. She never did. Still, a stranger presence should be reason enough for the smart lady to not slip up and give Ginger away.
Instead of Mrs. Hooper, Miss Mari Lisa opened the door a crack to peek out. “Did you manage to lose the troops?” Her whisper had Theo raising his brows. Ginger didn’t miss a beat, however.
In a serious tone, Ginger hissed back in a whisper. “Yes, ma’am. It was just a small scouting detachment, and they’re gone. You and the house are safe.”
The door opened the rest of the way. Miss Mari Lisa, dressed in her customary flounces and lace, gestured for them to come in. “Thank you, suh. I am so pleased to have you guarding me. Yankees do seem to be everywhere lately.”
She looked beyond Ginger. Ignoring Theo, she brightened at seeing Willard. “And you brought my favorite beau.” With a graceful movement, she reached for his arm and drew the blushing youth into the house. “Come along, Mr. Thatcher. You may have tea whilst I play the pianoforte for you.”
Docilely, Willard left with her. This was a game he enjoyed each time they came. Miss Mari Lisa had taken to the handicapped man when they met and loved to imagine he came to court her.
Theo’s mouth gaped as the old woman guided the hulking boy out of the foyer. Ginger grinned but took pity on him and explained.
“Miss Mari Lisa had a rough time of it during the war. The sweet lady can’t manage to see the world like the rest of us.”
Ginger shook her head but continued with true fondness in her tone. “She never hurts anyone. She’s been with Mrs. Hooper since before they settled in Kearney. A cousin of sorts to the woman, I think.”
As if the mention of her conjured the woman, Mrs. Hooper glided into the room. Her somber gray dress made her seem almost like a dark cloud entering the foyer. The woman’s welcoming smile shone like rays of the sun parting that cloudiness.
“Welcome. Guy, you must have brought my newest boarder to me.” Holding out her hand, Mrs. Hooper warmly greeted, “I am very pleased, Mr. Edwards, to have you staying with us. Mari Lisa will be as well. That is, once Willard is no longer around to claim her attention.”
Chuckling softly, the woman gave a fond look in the direction the two had gone. “She does dote on her beau.”
Theo reached for his landlady’s hand, kissing the air above it. The action had gooseflesh standing on Ginger’s arms as she imagined him kissing her own hand.
What a time to be stuck in her brother’s clothes! This lie got worse and worse.
Chapter 4
What a house to live in!
Mrs. Hooper’s home was nicely furnished and comfortable. Beyond that, chaos reigned. When she presented her hand to him, Theo automatically bowed over it. Before he could straighten, an odd noise and a firm tugging on his trousers pulled him off balance.
“Mouse! No! Leave him alone.” At the firm command, the three-legged dog limped away from Theo.
Giving it a hard stare, he saw the beast resembled a brown lion, shaggy and even with a mane. “How did that giant get the name mouse?”
Guy snorted and looked toward the large grandfather clock tucked opposite the open staircase, pointing. “It’s only a minute till the hour. Just watch.”
As the clock chimed, the large animal sat on its haunches and howled. The youth gave a high-pitched giggle. Theo only vaguely noted the odd laugh since the noisy dog claimed most of his attention.
“He does that every hour? How does anyone get sleep?” He didn’t bother to hide the horror he felt.
Mrs. Hooper looked at the mutt fondly before answering. “I stop the chimes and shut the dog away in a shed at night. It’s the kindest thing for all of us.”
With a disbelieving shake of his head, Theo looked at his recently acquired companion. “What does the clock have to do with the name Mouse?” Like everything he’d seen so far in this house, that didn’t make any sense.
Guy Snap smirked. “Don’t you know the rhyme?”
Even more confused, Theo woodenly shook his head. Guy’s smirk broadened to teasing mirth. “Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock. Since he runs to the clock if he’s not in the room, I chose that name.”
“You chose it? Do you live here?”
A sort of longing passed the young man’s face. It was brief, and Theo barely caught a glimpse of it. He wondered what kind of home this kid and Willard had.
“Nah. I got a farm not far out of town. Good place for growing corn and sorghum.” Pride of ownership brought an almost feminine glow to the boy’s face. How old was he since the kid already owned a farm?
“You look kind of young to already claim land. Don’t you have to be twenty-one to file?”
A look passed between Mrs. Hooper and Guy. Whatever the secret was, they didn’t let him in on it.
“Guy inherited his uncle’s farm earlier this year. He’s working hard to keep it up.” While Mrs. Hooper spoke, Guy ducked his head to stare at his hands.
Theo opened his mouth to ask about the inheritance. His landlady cut him off with a brightly chirped, “You must see your room. Surely after your trip, you’ll want to wash. Perhaps even have a lie down.”
Behind her, Guy muttered, “Better collect Willard. Chores are waiting for us, and daylight’s burning.”
As he stepped onto the first rung of the stairs, a bird flew past Theo’s cheek and laughed raucously. A parrot! What other surprises did this place hold?
“So, you see the need. Not much law business in town, but you’ll be kept busy with your trips up to the Black Hills.”
Melvin Edwards stood over him like the shadow of death in this small, coffin-like office. The man had black hair, a black suit. He even wore a black shirt! Leaning his gaunt, tall form over a seated Theo, the older man’s dark eyes snapped in his skeletal face. Excited, he spoke of cashing in on disagreements among the prospectors mining in the Black Hills.
“I’ve had some come down here for legal help. It’s a long trip down, though. Just imagine the fees we can charge if you go to them instead.”
When Theo had imagined a small-town lawyer, he was sure the man would be complacently satisfied with few cases and little to no courtroom drama. Melvin gave the impression of being opposite that.
Like Theo’s own father, his cousin radiated ambition and cold determination. He’d barely welcomed Theo before he outlined his plans for the junior lawyer
to head into the wilderness of the Dakotas.
Swallowing the knot in his throat, Theo paused before he spoke. “When do you plan for me to head out of Kearney?” Satisfaction at keeping any tremor out of his voice helped give him the courage to look Edwards in the eye as he waited for an answer.
“Well, as to that, there are a few things here in the office I want your help with first. Plan to be here until after the Independence Day festivities.” Then the man smirked. “Farmers’ daughters get right friendly at doings like that one. Dark night, music, and nearby bushes all make for a good time. Why, last year I—”
Rising, Theo crossed his arms and glowered at the man who would be his boss for the next twelve months. “Please, Mr. Edwards, I plan to be honest and a hard worker for you. I ask that you keep such talk away from me and this office in return.”
Scowling, the man rasped the back of his fingers along the dark stubble on his jaw. “Right, Mike did write that his boy wanted to be a priest or some such thing. So, you got too much religion to be a man, I guess.”
Relaxing his fists, Theo refused to look away as he answered. “Something like that. And I plan to be a minister, not a priest.”
With a wave of dismissal, Edwards snorted and derisively asked, “What’s the difference?”
“A wife, for one thing. Priests don’t marry.” If Melvin Edwards had been sincerely interested, Theo would have shared about his personal commitment to Christ. Something in his tone, though, had Theo holding back.
“Doesn’t matter to me. Don’t get your bloomers in a knot, boy.” His sardonic use of that last word made Theo stiffen.
Great! He didn’t want to be there. Didn’t want to either stay in Mrs. Hooper madhouse or work for this man. And now, he’d managed to set the man against him. How in the world could the Lord use him in this situation?
He retreated behind the good manners his grandmother drilled into him. “Thank you, Mr. Edwards. I appreciate your understanding.” Whether he understood or not, Theo would kill the man with kindness.
“Sure enough, kid. Now, let me tell you about the client we’ll be visiting with tomorrow…”
Chapter 5
“Is he here?”
Ginger stood on Mrs. Hooper’s porch and hunched her shoulders. She had never been shy or secretive about her visits to this house. Today, Ginger definitely felt differently about being there.
Mrs. Hooper noticed and pursed her lips in what appeared to be speculation. “Good morning to you, too, Ginger.”
The girl stiffened at the woman’s use of her real name. Logic followed quickly, her body relaxing. Using that name, her name, was Mrs. Hooper’s answer to her earlier question. Obviously, her boarder must be out.
Twisting her hands, Ginger kept her head down as she spoke. “I need your help. Can—uh, I mean, may Willard and I come in?”
As the kind woman opened the door wider for her visitors, a cold nose shoved into Ginger’s hand. Before she could do more than pat Mouse’s head, the dog had moved past her to yip and whine for Willard’s attention. Animals plain loved that boy, and the feeling was returned. Such a gentle soul in the strong body of a killer. The contradiction made her shake her head as she watched the dog lean into him.
Just then, the airy voice of Miss Mari Lisa filled the foyer. “Mr. Thatcher! I did so desire a visit from you today. I must have sent my thought to you on the breeze because here you are!” Yanking Willard away from the dog, Mari Lisa led the child-man into the parlor, her violet flounces waving like the sea as she moved.
Linking her arm with Ginger, Mrs. Hooper walked the younger girl into the small library on the east side of the house. It was early yet and sunshine filled the room, adding a glow around the older woman. Ginger privately thought the halo was appropriate. This woman had done so much for her. Hopefully, she could perform a miracle now.
In a rush, Ginger blurted, “I want to go to the dance!”
Mrs. Hooper’s scrutinized the girl before asking, “As Ginger, you mean?”
She tapped a finger to her lips. Ginger knew it meant her friend was considering the problem. She sat quietly, not wanting to interrupt the woman’s thoughts.
Finally, an odd smirk lifted the corners of Mrs. Hooper’s mouth. “Well, Cinderella wants to go to the ball. How can I resist playing fairy godmother?”
Then her mouth puckered on one side as she stared at Ginger. “Does this have anything to do with my lodger?”
Silently, Ginger gave a small, miserable nod. “He’s such a fine gentleman. Will he notice me?”
“That I can’t answer. I can tell you that we’ll get you ready for the Fourth of July party.”
“Reckon I can’t ask for more’n that.” For some reason, her friend cringed as Ginger spoke.
“My dear, we need to work on manners and speech. Are you able to imitate?”
Remembering her friends phrase from moments before, Ginger straightened her spine and sat on the edge of her chair in the same way as Mrs. Hooper as she answered. “That I can do.”
With a silvery laugh, the woman rose to stand in front of her bookshelves. After a short search, she removed a dark orange book and carried it back to Ginger.
“This is your first assignment. You’ll need to work quickly, I’m afraid.” At Ginger’s nod, she continued. “Read the book to imitate the manners and the speech in it. Miss Austen is an excellent recorder of social behavior.”
Taking the book, Ginger read the title aloud. “Pride and Prejudice? Never heard of it.”
Mrs. Hooper looked down at the book fondly. “It is one of Mari Lisa’s favorite books. I read it to her often in the evenings. Hopefully, you will enjoy it as well as learn from it.”
When Ginger would have opened to the book’s first page, her friend told her to set it aside. “We have measurements to see to if I’m going to have you ready for the ball, Cinderella.”
The day had been hot. She’d hoed the field of young sorghum plants. Willard came behind and picked up any large weeds she’d removed, throwing them into a bushel basket for the goat’s supper. Gertie loved anything they gave her and Willard thrived on having a job. If only she could trust him with a hoe, the job would have been done more quickly.
She’d left him currying the horses, a task she saved as a reward since he loved doing it. Also, she could sneak away when he was busy at it. When she wanted time away from him, Ginger always directed him to care for the horses.
Last month, as she and Willard walked the length of the stream on her property, she’d found a sort of grotto. An artesian well filled it before the water ran into the stream. Trees, vines, and rock walls on two sides enclosed the area, giving a swimmer needed privacy.
That had been the same day Ginger almost died.
When she and Willard had reached the road, Ginger bent to pick up an interesting rock. Willard did love rocks so she occasionally pocketed a special one for a time in the future when he needed calming.
On that day, Willard’s obsession saved her. As she bent, a projectile whizzed over her head. She made out the rifle’s report after it.
Someone shot at her! She could have died. Staying low, she called for Willard to follow her back into the woods. A second shot sent bark flying by her face. This had been no hunting accident. Someone definitely wanted to shoot her.
Step Pappy pooh-poohed her story. “You gone crazy, girl? Who’d care enough to shoot you?”
Still, she and Willard had visited Sheriff Riley the next day. He shook his head sadly. “Can’t help ya. I’m only sheriff of the town.”
His face took on an almost feral expression. “You country folk are on your own.”
Now, as she sneaked away for a couple precious hours of time alone, she thought about the attack. No other strange events had happened. Perhaps, it had been a hunter after all.
As she headed for her secret spot, Ginger shifted her thoughts to the scene in Pride and Prejudice that she’d read the night before. Mr. Darcy’s words about it being a punishm
ent to dance with the women in the room haunted her. What if Theo looked at her and didn’t want to be her partner? After all, he was a fine gentleman, just like Darcy.
And Darcy was mean about it. Poor Elizabeth could hear him when he said she wasn’t handsome enough to tempt him. Could Theo ever be that cold and unfeeling? Somehow, Ginger couldn’t imagine him saying anything like Darcy had.
At times as she read, Ginger would softly repeat phrases. She noticed as she did so that the characters rarely shortened their words. After she began to practice speaking that way around her family, Step Pappy had given her more than one odd look while Amy May only frowned and muttered about, “Them what have to be better’n others.”
The woman didn’t understand that Ginger wanted to improve herself rather than to try and outdo the people around her. Since her stepmother never had a kind word for Ginger, she didn’t bother to correct her.
Pushing her way past a prickly cedar, tall grass grabbed at her ankles. Pulling her feet high to untwist the plant from her legs, she made her way toward the promise of cold water. The pool bubbled as the natural well continually pumped water, keeping it from becoming stagnate.
Setting down the linen towels she carried, Ginger slid the suspenders from her shoulders and stripped quickly. Unwinding her tight bindings, she sighed with relief and pleasure. She was so glad to be rid of them for the moment. It seemed that her figure developed a bit more each day, making it harder for her to hide it.
Holding her lemon soap, she dipped a toe into the darkly shaded water. The cold had her catching her breath. Still, after the day of hard work under the burning sun, she relished some relief.
Walking into the pool, she sat down in its center. The water being only about three feet deep, Ginger curled her shoulders downward to submerge more of herself.
After acclimating herself to the coldness, she leaned backward and dunked her entire body, head to toe, in the water. Coming up for air, she slicked her hair away from her face. It was then that she saw him. Watching!
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