by BJ Hoff
“You know about kindergarten?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “I’m not entirely ignorant of the education system, Maggie. I do read and go to seminars on occasion.”
“I didn’t mean…oh, you’re teasing. Stop it! Has there ever been any thought of having a kindergarten at the school?”
Jonathan shook his head. “I’ve raised the subject a few times to make the board aware that a kindergarten is definitely part of the future, but as I’m sure you’ve noticed, we already have a space problem. We’re not set up to take children younger than six or seven years old yet. That would mean adding on to the building again and getting at least one more teacher. There’s simply no money for it. And more to the point,” he added with a sigh, “not a man on the board believes it’s necessary.”
“I want to know what you think, Jonathan. Tell me the truth. Will this be good for the children? And if so, do you believe we can make it work?”
He took a sip of coffee. “Where would you locate?”
“Probably in one of our homes to begin with. I doubt that we’ll have more than two or three children to begin with, and with both of us having our own babies to take care of—”
“Yes, how do you plan on managing that?” he interrupted. “Anna will have a new baby, and you’ll have Gracie.”
“We’ve already got that figured out. We’re thinking of only half-day sessions. At least to begin with, the babies will still be taking naps once or twice a day. While one of us is busy with the children, the other can look after our own little ones. And I’d be awfully surprised if Mum isn’t willing to help out as needed. You’ve seen how she is with Gracie. I think she’d love to help.”
Jonathan sat back and studied her. “You two seem to have this all worked out. Is Anna that certain she and Kenny are going to stay here?”
“She says Kenny is convinced this is where God wants him.”
Not wanting to discourage her, he said nothing for a moment.
“So?” she prompted. “Do you think the idea is too far-fetched?”
Did he? It was a lot to take in, with some fairly obvious complications that could crop up. “You’ll need more than just space, you know. You’ll need sanitary facilities, a play area outside and in. And supplies. In truth, you’ll need quite a lot just to get started.”
“You don’t think we can do it, do you?”
He couldn’t bear the discouragement in her eyes where only a few moments ago there had been nothing but enthusiasm. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her feelings or spoil her excitement, but he wanted to be very careful not to give her false encouragement. Besides, when had Maggie ever failed in something she set her mind to? Perhaps that was the key to making a venture of this magnitude work.
“You really want to do this? You’re quite sure?” he asked.
“I am, Jonathan. I honestly believe we can do it. But I don’t even want to try if you’re against the idea.”
He took in the firm set of her mouth, the light in her eyes, the conviction that molded her features. “I’m not against it, Maggie. Not at all. And, you know, it would be a tremendous help to me…and to the children, of course.”
She brightened still more. “Do you really mean that?”
“Of course I mean it,” he said firmly. “Why, Maggie, surely you’ve seen for yourself that we have children starting school who simply aren’t ready for school. We get children coming into first grade who can scarcely speak English. Some of the immigrant parents are so overwhelmed and beaten down by the time they settle in that it’s all they can do to function, much less prepare their children for school. Not to mention the families where the fathers are working the mine while the mothers spend every spare minute taking in laundry or sewing to make ends meet.”
“And don’t forget the farm children,” she put in. “Their mothers spend almost as much time working outside as the men do. Some of those little ones still can’t hold their eating utensils properly or speak more than a few comprehensible words.”
“All right then,” Jonathan said, draining the last of his coffee from the cup. “It seems that all that’s left is for you and Anna to draw up your plans. When are you planning on starting up? In the fall?”
“Probably not until after winter break. That should give Anna time to get situated with the new baby. It’s going to take some doing to work out all the details and get set up.”
Abruptly she stopped. “You don’t think this is too ambitious for two women? We’re not taking too much on ourselves?”
He reached across the table and took her hand. “What I think is that you can do anything you make up your mind to do. As I recall, the word ‘can’t’ has never been part of your vocabulary.”
“You sound like Eva Grace,” she said with a smile.
“How’s that?”
“Oh, she was always telling me I could do anything I wanted to. Like when she found out I was in love with you—she told me to fight for you.”
“Eva Grace told you that?” he said, unable to suppress a smile.
“Remember when I was changing my hair styles every other day?”
“Indeed I do. What was all that about?”
“Evie was trying to make me look more mature.” She paused. “That was her way of helping me…gain your interest.”
“Are you serious? That was for me?”
“In a manner of speaking. And you needn’t look so pleased with yourself.”
“So…Eva Grace knew you were in love with me?”
“Don’t be smug, Jonathan. Yes, she asked me, and I told her the truth. She also knew that you were in love with me. It so happens that Evie saw it before I did.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Now, can we talk about the school?”
“Of course. Just one more thing—”
Maggie sighed.
“Did Eva Grace happen to say how she knew I was in love with you?”
Now it was Maggie who looked smug. “She said she could tell by the way you choked on your own tongue every time you looked at me.”
Well, he had asked.
“Let’s do the dishes,” he said.
Chapter Twenty-two
On Behalf of Good Men
When thy heart, with joy o’erflowing
Sings a thankful prayer,
In thy joy, O let thy brother
With thee share.
Theodore C. Williams
Was it Jonathan’s imagination or was Matthew MacAuley walking a little straighter these days? And with a less noticeable limp? Curious, he watched his father-in-law enter the church sanctuary and walk down the aisle. This wasn’t the first time he’d detected what he thought might be a difference in Matthew’s gait. Especially noticeable was the improvement in his lame leg. What accounted for it? If Maggie had noticed, she hadn’t mentioned it.
He would have pointed it out to her if she were here. She’d planned to sit in on rehearsal today, but at the last moment Gracie had shown symptoms of a light cold, so they stayed in.
Perhaps he would just ask Matthew. Surely a son-in-law had a right to inquire about such things.
He had moved the men’s rehearsal into the sanctuary today because the acoustics were clearer. Now that they were more firmly established as a group and had reached the point where they harmonized surprisingly well, he wanted to get an idea of their communal voice and the depth of their projection. He had an idea he’d like to try with them, though admittedly even he questioned whether it was too ambitious for such a new group. Still, he saw no harm in stretching them a little and giving them a goal.
The larger part of his idea was to give the town a gift. He sensed the time was approaching when the men would be ready to do just that.
Jonathan and Matthew usually stood talking a few minutes after rehearsal, so when they finished today Jonathan took advantage of the opportunity to satisfy his curiosity.
“I can’t help but notice something, Matthew. Would I be out of line in asking
what accounts for the difference in the way you’re walking these days?”
The older man regarded him with a measuring look. “You just might be, you know,” he said in a tone that hinted more of amusement than impatience. “Not that it would be the first time.”
The thing about Matthew, it wasn’t all that easy to tell when he was serious. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help but notice—”
“I’m funnin’ you, lad. Be easy.” He glanced around as if to make sure no one else was nearby. “In truth, I’m glad it’s that noticeable.”
He dropped his voice even lower. “That woman gave me some braces to wear. I’ve been feeling better. If you’ve noticed a difference that’s good. It means I’m not imagining it.”
“The woman—that would be Dr. Gordon?”
Matthew nodded. “She gave me a contraption to wear for my back and another for my knee.”
“They’ve helped with the pain?” It was all Jonathan could do to contain himself and not let the other see how pleased he was. He’d tried more than once to talk his father-in-law into seeking out Dr. Gordon’s help, but each time Matthew had been adamant in his refusal.
“Aye, that seems to be the case. I don’t much take to the idea of wearing the things for any length of time, but so long as they help, I’ll give them a try.”
“Well, I’m so glad Dr. Gordon was able to help. I tell you, Matthew, from everything I’m hearing about her, she’s a fine doctor.”
“The woman is a bully is what she is,” Matthew said, his lip curling. “She doesn’t let up.”
Jonathan bit his tongue to keep from laughing. “Could be she recognizes a difficult man when she sees one.”
Matthew shot him a squint-eyed look. “Some men need to show more respect for their in-laws, I’m thinking.”
It struck Jonathan that if the other knew just how much respect he did have for him it would likely embarrass him to pieces. He ventured a suggestion. “You know, there are other men who could undoubtedly benefit from Dr. Gordon’s attention—if they only knew she could help them.”
“Now listen, Jonathan—” Again Matthew cast a furtive look around to make certain no one was within listening distance. “I don’t want any of the men knowing about these braces. Bad enough I had to have my arm set by a woman doctor. If they find out she’s got me wearing a corset and a knee band, I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Jonathan considered that for a moment. “You wouldn’t have to tell them anything specific. But it does seem only fair to put in a good word for her. It couldn’t hurt to at least let them know you consider her a good doctor and that she’s been of some real help to you.”
Clearly unmoved, the other waved off his suggestion. “I’d best be getting away now. I need to get in some wood and see what else Kate might need done before bedtime.”
“Is Ray home?”
“No, he won’t be in from the farm until a bit later. This is his last weekend out there.” He stopped. “The boy’s down in the mouth about losing that job. I wish Jeff and Martha hadn’t decided to sell out. It’s a good farm with great land.”
“Yes, he’s going to miss it, I’m sure. Listen, I’ll stop by on the way home and help you with the wood.”
“No need for that.”
“You’ve no business chopping wood with a broken arm, Matthew.”
“Who said anything about chopping it? I’m just going to carry some in. I chopped it last evening.”
Jonathan shook his head in exasperation. “You chopped wood with one arm?”
“Nothing wrong with the good arm. But thanks for offering.”
Jonathan sighed as he watched his father-in-law walk away. Matthew always managed to have the last word.
Matthew grinned to himself as he left the church. He was actually feeling good today. And he felt even better now that he knew the improvement was obvious, at least to Jonathan. The woman doctor might be a bit of a harridan, but these contraptions she’d put him in were making a difference, he had to give her that. Whatever accounted for the way they worked, neither his knee nor his back pained him quite as much as they had.
Consequently, he’d cut down on the laudanum. Truth was, he’d cut it out altogether. He was taking the pain powders the woman had given him in its place. And they didn’t make him feel nearly as groggy and as worthless as that other stuff. That in itself made the woman worth whatever he’d have to pay her eventually.
He picked up his pace a bit more as he started for home, almost enjoying the sting of the evening wind on his face. For the first time in what seemed an age, he felt like a man ought to feel.
He caught up to Lem Odle and Thom Moloney along the road. When Lem started complaining about the cramps he got in his legs if he stood in one position for any length of time, Matthew thought about it, cleared his throat, and said, “You ought to see that Dr. Gordon, Lem. I’ll wager she’d know what to do. She’s a woman, and all, but she’s helped me a good bit, and that’s the truth.”
Jonathan stood outside the church building, watching his father-in-law as he headed toward home with two of the other miners. He didn’t even try to suppress the wide smile that broke over his face at the sight of Matthew advancing along the road at a good pace. Why, the man very nearly had a spring to his step.
It did his heart good to see something going well for his father-in-law. Life had been hard for him, painfully hard. He was a good man—as good as they came—and he deserved something to break well for him for a change.
With God’s help—and Maggie’s agreement—he had a plan that just might bring some more good fortune Matthew’s way.
Chapter Twenty-three
Jonathan’s Plan
To be honest, to be kind;
To earn a little and to spend a little less;
To make upon the whole a family happier for his presence…
Robert Louis Stevenson
All week Jonathan mulled over the idea that had been working at the back of his mind for more than a month now. It had also been near the top of his prayer list for just as long. By Friday he knew it was time to raise the subject with Maggie. She would be the one to say yes or no.
If he followed through with this, it would involve both responsibility and change for both of them. Seeing as how they’d already experienced a fair share of both, he had no intention of going any further without a clear show of approval and enthusiasm from his wife.
When they stopped at the MacAuleys after school that afternoon, instead of taking Gracie home, he surprised Maggie by asking her mother if she’d be good enough to mind the baby that evening so he and Maggie could have a quiet evening alone.
The discussion he had in mind was serious business, and he was resolved that they would have all the uninterrupted time they needed to talk it through.
That evening they drove out to Holly Hill House, a country inn and the only refined dining place in the area. Jonathan thought the combination of the inn’s cheerful decor and a leisurely ride into the country might be good for both of them.
Maggie’s excitement convinced him he’d made a wise choice.
“I’ve never been here, you know,” she told him after they were seated in the private corner he’d requested. “Candles, tablecloths, paintings on the walls!” Maggie couldn’t stop staring at her surroundings. “The only time I’ve ever been to a place this nice was when some friends took me out to a birthday supper in Chicago. This is lovely, Jonathan. Thank you!”
He smiled at her enthusiasm. “I thought you might like it.”
But in an instant her lively expression gave way to a look of suspicion. “Wait. Is something wrong?”
He laughed at her. “Because I want to take my wife out to dinner? No, dear heart, nothing is wrong.”
“You’re quite sure?”
“Maggie—”
“All right then. I’ll relax and enjoy myself.”
“That’s what I was hoping for.”
“I suppose you’re used to nice places like
this,” she commented, “growing up in the city and all.”
“Lexington has its share of good restaurants, yes. When we go back one day, I’ll take you to some of them.”
Her eyes clouded, most likely from the memory of their interrupted honeymoon trip to Lexington, when they were called back to Skingle Creek because of Eva Grace’s death. Unwilling to let anything cast a shadow on the evening, Jonathan quickly changed the subject. “I saw you had the Conibear twins cornered again this afternoon. What happened this time?”
She brightened. “Actually, I took them aside to tell them how proud I was of the way they behaved today. I can’t think what struck them, but I didn’t have to call them out once.”
“You’re sure they’re well?” Jonathan asked dryly.
“Isn’t that the way with them though? They behave for an entire day, and we think they’re ill!”
The waitress appeared with menus, and they went on exchanging school stories until their dinners were served. About halfway through the meal, Jonathan realized he’d been quiet for too long when Maggie put her fork down and asked, “There is something wrong, isn’t there?”
He hurried to reassure her. “No, I promise you there isn’t. There is something I’d like us to talk about, but it’s a good thing—at least I hope you’ll think so.”
She studied him for a moment. “It’s really something good?”
“I believe it is, yes. But I want your opinion.”
She tilted her head a little. “So…I can have a piece of that fancy chocolate cake on the dessert cart while we talk?”
“Absolutely.”
Jonathan beckoned the waitress.
“All right then. Tell me,” Maggie said when the cake arrived.
And so he did.
A good twenty minutes later—or was it longer—she was still staring at him as if he’d just announced he was running for governor.
“Of course,” he said, “if you’re interested we’ll have to drive out and talk with your cousin as soon as possible.” He paused. “Well, what do you think?”