Hank stood, extending his hand. “I agree to your plan. How soon can you start?”
“Will Monday be okay with you?”
Janell spoke up. “But I thought you were eager to move out of your father’s home?”
“I am. When I start work here on Monday I won’t be going back to the farm.”
Hank frowned. “Are you planning to sleep here? I mean, I suppose I could bed down in the horse barn with Hector—”
She shook her head vigorously. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t think of turning you out of your own home. I figure I’ll talk to Reverend Harper about sleeping over at his place for a couple of weeks. He’s told me before that if I ever need anything at all, I should come to him. And their daughter is back East at pharmacy school, so I figure they’d be okay with putting me up for a little while, especially if they didn’t have to feed me or nothing.”
Cassie Lynn really had been thinking this through. Hank was impressed with her maturity and resolve.
Cassie Lynn looked from him to Janell. “Would it be possible for me to meet the children?”
Janell stood. “Of course. I’ll fetch them.”
Hank tried to read her expression but couldn’t. Was she relieved things seemed to be working out for him? Her life could finally go back to the way it had been before he and the kids had taken it over.
Of course, she’d still have Alex and Chloe in her classroom.
But would she miss spending time with him at all?
Chapter Twenty-One
Hank found Miss Vickers to be both competent and pleasant. She kept his home spotlessly clean, cooked tasty, filling meals and was very good with the children.
If the children themselves were a bit standoffish, that had more to do with the fact that they missed Janell, not that they had anything against Miss Vickers.
He understood exactly how they felt.
Janell only came around now for about an hour in the afternoon to help them with the sign-language practice. She left before supper, telling him that it would be best if the children started to see Cassie Lynn as the lady of the house. The first evening, when he offered to walk her home, she wouldn’t have it.
“The sun is still up and you’re supposed to be getting to know Cassie Lynn better. Besides, if you keep walking me home, folks will think we’re courting.”
He had no response to that, so he let her go home alone. By Wednesday, however, he was better prepared. He followed her out the door, shrugging into his coat as he went.
She gave him a severe, disapproving look. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I just need a word with you. In private.”
When she didn’t move, he added, “It’s about Miss Vickers and the children.”
Her expression immediately changed to one of concern. “Is something wrong?”
He started to walk and she fell into step beside him. “I’m not sure I’d say wrong so much as troubling. The children aren’t warming to her the way I thought they would.”
“Oh, I see.”
“You don’t sound particularly concerned. Don’t you think it’s important that they like the woman I choose to be their mother?”
“First, be careful of how you refer to her. The children probably aren’t ready to look on another woman as their mother yet—they may never be.”
He’d thought they were reaching that point with her.
“And yes,” she continued, “of course it’s important that they grow to like, and someday love, the woman you marry. But I think you’re rushing things.”
“It’s been three days.”
She gave him an exasperated shake of her head. “Chloe and Alex have been through a tremendous amount of change in a very short period of time. And remember, you haven’t told them that you’re considering making Cassie Lynn part of the family. So it’s difficult for them to trust that this arrangement is going to grow into anything permanent.”
He mulled over what she’d said. “So how will I know if this will work out between them?”
She placed a hand on his arm, then withdrew it quickly. Looking straight ahead, she cleared her throat. “I’ve seen Cassie Lynn with them. I have every confidence that they’ll get along quite well together. Just don’t try to force it. Give them some time for it to happen naturally.”
He was silent for a moment, then quietly said, “I’ve missed our little evening walks.”
“Me, too.” Her lips clamped shut as if she wished to take back the words. “But if that’s all you needed to speak to me about, I’ll leave you here to return to your home.”
He ignored her words. “Your sister arrives tomorrow afternoon, doesn’t she?”
She nodded, her expression brightening. “On the three o’clock train.” Then she cut him a diffident glance. “If you don’t mind, I probably won’t come to your place tomorrow afternoon as I usually do.”
“Of course. Your sister is coming a long way to see you and you’ll want to spend as much time with them as you can.” He noticed the way she was gripping her hands together tight enough to turn her knuckles white. “Are you nervous about seeing her again?”
She nodded. “Nervous and excited all at the same time.”
That urge to protect her came stampeding back in. “Would you like some company?”
A number of emotions flitted across her face. “But...your work?”
“One of the benefits of owning your own business is that you can leave early occasionally if you want to.”
“Then yes, I would very much like to have a friend with me when my sister and her family arrive.”
The fact that she wanted him with her raised his spirits considerably. Then he had another thought. “Will I need to sign to communicate with her?”
Janell shook her head with a smile. “Lizzie is quite adept at reading lips. Just make certain you face her and enunciate clearly when you speak and she should have no trouble understanding you.”
“Do you think Chloe will ever be able to do that?”
“Lizzie warned me that reading lips is not an easy skill to master, but I’m hopeful.”
“Which brings me to my next question. I understand that part of the reason you invited your sister was to give Chloe a chance to spend time with her. How do you plan to make that happen?”
She grimaced. “I haven’t planned anything specific. Perhaps we could have an outing of some sort on Saturday.”
“What kind of outing?”
“I’m not sure. It’s too cold for picnics or sporting activities. I’ll come up with something.” Then she grinned as if she’d had an idea. “Perhaps I can talk to Mr. Crandall about letting us have the use of the hotel dining room for the afternoon. That way we could comfortably eat together and afterward visit and play parlor games.”
“Edgar would probably go along with that, but he’d likely charge a fee.”
She waved that away as if it was of no concern. “Don’t worry—it’ll be my Christmas present to you all.”
Just how much money did Miss Janell Whitman have, anyway?
* * *
Janell halted and set her lips in a hard line. “Now, I’m sure Cassie Lynn is holding supper for you. You really should get on home before you ruin everyone’s meal.”
Hank nodded, said his goodbye, then turned and walked back toward his place.
Distancing herself from Hank and the children was proving even more painful than she’d thought it would be. And his thoughtfulness didn’t make this easier.
The fact that he’d even thought to ask about the best way to communicate with Lizzie touched her more than any gift he could give her personally. Then his offer to meet her sister’s train with her, just to be supportive, was touching in a whole different way.
That he could s
till show such concern for her on a personal level, after the way she’d turned him down—twice—without explanation, both humbled and pleased her.
He was going to be a great husband to some woman—and oh, how she wished it could be her!
The only bright light in this was that she felt Cassie Lynn was truly going to be a good mother to Chloe and Alex. Her claim to be a fast learner was proving true. From the amount of progress she was making with sign language, she had to be practicing when she was home alone.
Oh, how she wished things could be different, that she’d met Hank before she’d married Gregory and her world fell apart. But her warning to him to make sure he really knew Cassie Lynn before he married her came from hard-won experience. She wished someone had given her that advice all those years ago.
Then again, would she have bothered to listen? She’d been so sure she’d found the perfect man and that they would live happily ever after.
Nothing could have been further from the truth.
* * *
Thursday afternoon Janell hurried to the train station as soon as school let out. The idea that she would be seeing Lizzie again after so many years was adding speed to her steps.
The train was not yet in sight when she arrived at the depot. Neither was Hank. Janell had to consciously plant her feet firmly on the platform floor to prevent herself from nervously pacing.
Would Lizzie and Hank like each other?
Had Lizzie truly forgiven her for her last visit?
Would Lizzie keep her secret?
Hank showed up a moment later. While he wasn’t wearing his Sunday best, it was obvious he’d taken the time to stop by his house to clean up. The fact that he’d care enough to do that pleased her. But more important, she was glad of his company. It wasn’t that she was afraid to see her sister alone. It was just that having a friend at her side made her feel somehow more grounded.
That he’d sensed this need in her before she’d even admitted it to herself said something about what a truly caring man he really was. Cassie Lynn was one lucky lady.
Before she could do more than greet Hank, the first rumbling of an approaching train sounded. She waited impatiently for the train to pull into the station, winced at the loud shrillness of the whistle, then tried to watch all four passenger cars to see which one her sister would step out of.
There she was, two cars down, dressed in a stylish blue traveling suit—Lizzie always took pleasure in nice clothes—and holding the hand of a little boy.
Janell hurried forward and threw her arms around her sister, and she almost broke into tears when her sister’s arms came around her just as tightly. A moment later she moved back enough so her sister could see her lips. “It’s so very good to see you.”
“Oh, Nelly, I’ve missed you so much.”
Janell gave her sister another quick hug, then looked past to the man behind her. “Hello, Wilfred.”
“Janell. You’re looking well. It appears Texas agrees with you.”
“That it does.” It was nice of Wilfred to compliment her. She knew, compared to Lizzie, she was no beauty, and her own frock was more serviceable than stylish.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Janell belatedly remembered the man behind her. As if responding to her thoughts, Hank stepped forward.
She placed her hand lightly on his arm. “Lizzie, Wilfred, this is my friend Mr. Hank Chandler.” She smiled at Hank. “Mr. Chandler, this is my sister, Lizzie Hastings, and her husband, Wilfred.”
The three of them exchanged greetings, and then Lizzie drew the little boy forward, claiming his hand once more. “Allow me to introduce our son, Elliott.”
Janell stooped slightly to greet him. “Hello, Elliott. I’m your aunt Janell.” The last time she’d seen the boy he’d been only a few days old.
Her nephew’s face scrunched up in a frown. “But Mama says we were coming to see my aunt Nelly.”
She smiled. “Nelly is what your mama calls me.”
“You’re my mama’s sister.”
“That’s right. Her big sister.”
“And the little sweetheart sleeping on Wilfred’s shoulder is Olivia.”
The eight-month-old had pudgy hands, rosy cheeks and a riot of golden curls on her head. “She looks just like you.”
Lizzie nodded proudly, then turned to Hank. “Janell’s told me all about you in her letters. My condolences on the loss of your sister.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Please, call me Lizzie.”
Hank nodded then turned to Wilfred. “I assume you have more luggage than what I see here.”
Her brother-in-law nodded. “Several trunks in the baggage car.”
“Come on, then. I’ll help you make arrangements to have them delivered to the hotel.”
Wilfred handed Olivia to Janell and followed after Hank. The baby fussed for a moment at the transfer, then snuggled down on Janell’s shoulder without ever opening her eyes.
She glanced up to see her sister watching her.
“You should have a houseful of babies of your own by now.”
A sharp pain pierced her at those words. Pain for what could never be. “I have a classroom full instead.”
“But that’s not the same.”
No, it wasn’t.
“Are you truly happy here, Nelly?”
“I am.” Or at least she’d thought she was, until Hank and his two young charges came into her life, reminding her of what she didn’t—would never—have. “But I miss you and Mother and Father very much.”
“Then why don’t you ever come home to visit?”
“You know why.” Why would Lizzie dredge up those old hurts?
She tried changing the subject. “I’m sorry you have to stay at the hotel, but since I live at a boardinghouse—”
Lizzie gave a limp-wristed wave. “Fiddlesticks. We don’t mind at all.” She squeezed Janell’s hand. “I’m just so happy to be here. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for you to issue the invitation.”
Was there a hint of a reproof in that statement? “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shut you out.”
“Well, we’re here now.” Then it was her turn to change the subject. “I like your Hank.”
Janell rolled her eyes. “He’s not my Hank.”
Lizzie made a noncommittal sound and Janell cringed inwardly. She hoped her sister didn’t take it in her head to do some matchmaking. At the first opportunity, she’d explain the situation with Cassie Lynn.
The men rejoined them and they headed for the hotel at a leisurely stroll. Janell pointed out the livery in case they wanted to rent a carriage during their stay. She also pointed out the boardinghouse when they passed nearby so they’d know where she lived. Lizzie exclaimed over the jaunty red bows on the lampposts and many of the decorations in the windows of the shops and businesses they passed along the way, declaring Turnabout to be a charming town.
Once they were checked into the hotel, Hank took his leave. “It was a pleasure meeting you folks, but I’ll leave you to your visiting. I trust I’ll be seeing more of you during your stay.”
Lizzie gave him one of her dazzling smiles, the kind of smile Janell had feared to never see again during those dark days after her illness.
“Thanks for taking time to welcome us to your lovely town. I also look forward to getting to know you better.”
Olivia had finally decided to take notice of the world around her and, based on the loud wail she let out, she was not pleased.
Janell smiled at her sister. “It seems that she takes after you in more than one aspect.”
Lizzie made a face before she took her daughter. “It’s time to give my lamb-kins her feeding.”
Janell nodded. “Then I’ll leave you to get settled into your rooms and re
st up from your trip.”
Lizzie frowned. “But you’re going to join us for dinner, aren’t you? I insist. We haven’t had near enough catching-up time.”
“Of course, if you think you’ll be up for company that soon.”
“It was my idea.”
Wilfred shook his head. “Lizzie has spoken of nothing else since she received your invitation. Believe me, she’s planning to take up a great deal of your time while we’re here.”
“Which suits me just fine. I’ll return in time for dinner.”
* * *
As it turned out, when Janell stepped into the hotel dining room, only Lizzie was there.
“Wilfred said he was tired and preferred to eat in the room, so he volunteered to watch the children while we ate.” She smiled fondly. “I think he was just trying to give us some time to talk in private.”
“Wilfred is a good man.”
“Yes, he is.” Lizzie settled in her seat with an expression of deep satisfaction. “And your Hank seems like the same sort of man.”
“I told you, he’s not mine, but yes, he’s a good man.”
Lizzie gave her an exasperated look. “Not yours? From the way you wrote about him, and the way he looked at you, I just assumed—”
“Lizzie, you, of all people, know that can never be.”
Her little sister drew herself up as if she’d been challenged. “I know no such thing.”
Janell loved that her sister wanted her to be happy, but she had to face facts. “Please, let’s not talk about such things today. I want this to be a happy reunion.”
Lizzie smiled. “Very well.” Then she gave Janell an arch smile. “But be warned—we will revisit this topic.”
Of that, Janell had no doubts.
Just then, the waitress came by to take their orders. Janell could tell the woman wasn’t facing the right direction or speaking clearly enough for Lizzie to read her lips. But before she could say anything, Lizzie spoke up.
“Excuse me. I know you’re not aware of this, but I’m deaf. For me to read your lips, I need you to face me and speak clearly.” Her sister’s tone was pleasant and nonaccusatory.
The woman’s face reddened and she immediately turned to face Lizzie more fully. “I’m so sorry. Is this better?”
The Holiday Courtship Page 19