Love Finds a Home (Anthologies)

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “Why did he do that?”

  “Roger was shoutin’ names at Andy and some of the other boys from the canal,” Karen spoke up. “He said they were a bunch of dirty canalers who don’t have no more brains than a dumb mule.”

  “That’s right,” Melody agreed. “I think Andy got sick of it, ’cause he told Roger what he thought. That’s when the mean fellow pushed him off the porch.”

  Judith clenched her fingers. She hated name-calling and thought she had made it clear that it would not be tolerated. Glancing at Andy’s arm again, she knew the first order of business was to take him to the doctor in case it was broken. She would deal with the troublemakers tomorrow morning.

  “Clem, please get my horse hitched to the buggy,” she called to one of the older boys. “When that’s done, could you find Andy’s father and let him know what’s happened? Be sure to tell him that I’m taking his son to see the doctor.”

  “Sure, Miss King. I know right where Ernie’s cuttin’ ice today, ’cause my pa’s workin’ there, too.” Clem sprinted toward the corral where Judith kept her horse during school hours.

  “Beth, would you please take over for me until school is out?” Judith asked the older girl.

  Beth’s dark eyes became huge. “You—you want me to teach the students?”

  Judith shook her head. “Just have them finish their reading assignment and then dismiss the class.”

  Beth nodded and called to the other children, while Judith helped Andy to his feet and over to her waiting buggy.

  “Can I go along?” Grace asked, running beside them.

  “Of course. Hurry and climb into the back of the buggy.”

  A short time later, Judith and Grace sat in the waiting area at the doctor’s office, while Andy was being examined in the next room.

  “What if my brother’s arm is broken?” Grace questioned. “How’s he gonna do his schoolwork?”

  Judith patted Grace’s hand, and in so doing, she noticed a tear in the sleeve of the child’s faded green dress. “Would you like me to fix this for you?”

  Grace nodded. “Jeb and Papa don’t know how to sew. Mama used to fix the rips in my clothes, but now she’s in heaven with Jesus. Papa said so.” The child stared at her hands, clasped tightly in her lap.

  Judith reached into her satchel and retrieved a needle and thread. As she stitched the tear, she told Grace about losing her own mother when she was ten years old.

  “Guess maybe our mamas are visitin’ each other up there with God.” Grace’s tone was so sincere—and her expression of such conviction—it caused tears to spring into Judith’s eyes.

  She sniffed and tried to keep her focus on the needle going back and forth through the hole in Grace’s dress. “I’m wondering why you don’t join the other girls at school whenever they play on the swings during recess,” she asked, feeling the need to change the subject.

  The child stared up at Judith with huge brown eyes and shrugged her slim shoulders.

  “Don’t they make you feel welcome?”

  “They say mean things to me, ’cause Papa’s a dirty old canaler. Some even sing that awful song we don’t like.”

  “What song is that?”

  “‘You rusty ole canaler, you’ll never get rich.’” Grace’s eyebrows drew together. “That’s all the words I can say, ’cause Papa says some of ’em are bad.” Her chin came up and quivered slightly. “He said if he ever catches me or Andy sayin’ bad words, he’ll wash our mouths out with soap.”

  Judith nodded and broke off the piece of thread then tied a knot. “There, it’s almost as good as new.”

  “Thank you, Teacher.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  The front door opened then, and Ernie rushed into the room.

  Grace jumped up and hurried to his side. “Papa!”

  He patted the top of his daughter’s head, but Judith could tell he was barely aware of the young girl’s presence. “What happened? Where’s my boy? Is he gonna be okay?” Ernie’s eyes were wide, and his face was a mask of concern.

  Judith stood and moved to stand beside him. She quickly explained how one of the boys had been calling names and then told what had followed.

  Ernie’s eyes flashed angrily. “I knew it was a mistake to put my kids in school with a bunch of young-uns who think they’re better’n us.” He leveled Judith with a look that made her toes curl inside her high-top shoes. “I can’t believe you’d let somethin’ like this happen.”

  She reached out and touched the man’s arm, hoping to calm him down, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. Ernie pulled away like he’d been stung by a hornet. Strangely enough, Judith felt as if some stinging insect had attacked her, too. Could it have been the contact of her fingers touching Ernie’s skin?

  She took a step back. “All children tend to argue and fuss at times. But you can be sure the boy who pushed Andy will be punished.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Ernie looked around the room. “Where is my boy? Is he gonna be okay?”

  “He’s with Dr. Smith, and we should know something soon.” Judith nodded toward the wooden chairs. “In the meantime, why don’t we have a seat?”

  With an exaggerated shrug, Ernie marched across the room and flopped into a chair. Grace took the seat beside him, and Judith sat on the other side.

  “Teacher fixed the hole in my dress,” Grace said, lifting her elbow and leaning toward her father.

  His face softened, and he gave Judith a half smile. “That was right nice.” Then he glanced back at his daughter. “Did ya tell your teacher thanks?”

  “I did.”

  Just then the adjoining door opened, and Dr. Smith stepped out. Andy followed, his right arm in a sling.

  Ernie jumped to his feet, as did Judith. They both took a step forward and, in so doing, collided. Judith’s face heated with embarrassment, as Ernie’s hand went around her waist. This was the second time today he’d kept her from falling over. “You all right?” he croaked.

  Not trusting her voice, she only nodded.

  Ernie turned to face the doctor. “How’s my boy? Is his arm broke?”

  Dr. Smith shook his head. “It’s just a bad sprain, but he’ll need to wear the sling until the swelling goes down.”

  “Glad you’re not hurt real bad,” Ernie said, patting Andy’s shoulder.

  Andy grimaced. “Me, too, but it still smarts somethin’ awful.”

  “It’ll feel better in a day or so.” Ernie nodded toward the chairs where Grace sat. “Have a seat by your sister while I settle up with the doc.”

  Judith joined Grace and Andy, while Ernie and Dr. Smith tended to business.

  “I’m sorry about your accident,” she said to Andy. “You can be sure that Roger will be punished.”

  Andy hung his head. “He thinks I’m dumb and dirty ’cause I lead my papa’s mules.”

  “You’re not dumb, Andy. You’re a quick learner, and—”

  “It’s time to go,” Ernie announced, sauntering toward them. “Should we stop at the café for somethin’ to eat before we go home?”

  “Can Teacher come, too?” The question came from Grace as she grabbed hold of Judith’s hand.

  “I should probably get home,” Judith was quick to say. She didn’t want Ernie to feel obligated to include her in their supper plans.

  Ernie shuffled his feet. “Would ya … uh … like to join us at the café? You’re more’n welcome.”

  Her heartbeat quickened, and she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “That would be very nice, thank you.”

  CHAPTER 7

  For the last ten minutes, Judith had been sitting inside Baker’s Café with Ernie and his children, and so far the only words Ernie had spoken were to the waitress when she took their order.

  If he wasn’t going to talk to me, then why did he invite me to join them for supper? Of course, I’m not doing such a good job of making conversation, either.

  Judith hated to admit it, but she was attr
acted to Ernie. There was only one problem—she was sure Ernie didn’t feel the same way about her. For that matter, no man had ever shown an interest in her, and she knew why.

  She lifted her glass and took a sip of water, hoping the action might help her think about something other than how handsome Ernie was and how homely she must seem to him. He probably thinks I’m a lonely old maid schoolteacher and only included me in this meal because it was Grace’s idea.

  The tantalizing aroma of sizzling steaks caused Judith’s stomach to rumble, and she drank more water to tide her over until the food arrived. Where is that waitress? I’m hungry and so nervous I feel like I might faint.

  Judith glanced over at Grace. The girl’s elbows were on the table, and her chin rested in the palm of her hands. Judith fought the urge to mention that it wasn’t polite to lean on the table. She’s Ernie’s daughter, not mine. He probably wouldn’t appreciate me correcting the girl when he’s sitting right here.

  The child offered her a wide smile. “It’s sure nice havin’ ya eat with us, Teacher. Wish we could do this every night.”

  Judith’s cheeks warmed. “It’s nice for me, too.” She looked at Ernie, wondering if he would say something, but he merely smiled then looked away.

  She sighed. I wish I’d had the good sense to go home after we left the doctor’s office.

  Ernie toyed with his fork as he stared across the table at Judith. Grace sat beside her, and Andy was seated next to Ernie. The children had been chatting with one another, but Ernie felt too nervous and tongue-tied to say anything sensible to Judith. He didn’t know what had come over him when he’d invited her to join them for supper. Being around the pretty schoolteacher made him feel so scruffy and dim-witted.

  He thought about his late wife and how she used to make him feel. Anna had been quiet, meek, and pretty—but in a plain sort of way. She’d been the daughter of a lock tender and hadn’t received any more education than Ernie. He’d loved her, though, and would never regret the years they’d had together.

  Ernie wondered if his attraction to Judith King went deeper than her physical beauty. Maybe I’m interested in her because I know I can’t have her. Sort of like the fish in the canal that can never live on land.

  He chanced another peek at Judith, and she offered him a brief smile but then looked quickly away. Did she feel as nervous as he did this evening?

  Sure wish our food would come. At least then we’d have somethin’ to do besides sit here and stare at each other.

  Ernie was relieved when Grace leaned over and said something to her teacher. That left Andy free to talk to him. “How’s that arm feelin’, son?” he asked. “Does it still hurt real bad?”

  “Naw, it’ll be okay.” Andy shook his head, but his pained expression told Ernie he wasn’t quite as brave as he pretended to be.

  “You gonna be able to do your schoolwork with your left hand?”

  Andy frowned. “I don’t write so well even with my right hand, so I’ll probably make a mess of things when I try to use the other one.”

  “We could spend time in the evenings practicin’,” Ernie suggested.

  “Yeah, maybe so.” The boy leaned closer to his father and whispered, “I’m wantin’ to write somethin’ to put in Miss King’s letter box.”

  Ernie smiled. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. Just take your time as you print each letter.” He reached for his glass of water and took a drink. If I was one of Judith’s pupils, I know what I’d say.

  The following day, Judith waited until school was dismissed to check the letter box. Roger, the boy who had pushed Andy off the porch, had been sent outside to chop wood as his punishment. She’d kept two other boys, Garth and Eric, after school to write essays because they had talked out of turn today. While the boys worked, Judith planned to answer the recent letters she’d received, putting those that were unsigned in the second box inside the coatroom and saving the others to hand out to the students who had signed their names. Judith pulled the first one out and read it silently.

  Dear Teacher:

  How come Beth gets to play the part of Mary in the Christmas program?

  Ruby

  She turned the paper over and wrote on the back:

  Dear Ruby:

  Beth is older, and there are more lines for her to speak. I think you will make a sweet little angel.

  Miss King

  The next letter brought a smile to Judith’s lips.

  Dear Teacher:

  Is it true that a giraffe sleeps standing up? Can I sleep that way, too?

  Andy

  Judith noticed the boy’s disjointed letters. It must have been difficult for him to print with his left hand. She flipped the paper over and wrote the following reply:

  Dear Andy:

  The book I have about giraffes says they do sleep standing up. Horses and mules do that sometimes, too. If we tried to sleep while still on our feet, we would lose our balance and fall over.

  Miss King

  There was one more letter in the box, and this one was not signed. It read:

  Dear Teacher:

  I think you’re smart and very purty.

  Judith heard some snickering and glanced at the back of the room. Eric and Garth had their heads together, and she wondered if they knew something about the unsigned letter. Perhaps one of them had written it as a practical joke. It had to be a prank, because she was sure none of her students thought she was pretty.

  She rose from her chair and marched over to the boys. “What’s so funny, and why are you out of your seats?”

  “Nothin’s funny. We was just talkin’.” Garth wrinkled his nose, Eric looked kind of sheepish, but they both scampered back to their desks.

  “Are you finished with your essays?” she questioned.

  “Not yet,” Eric replied.

  “Almost,” said Garth.

  Judith glanced at the clock on the far wall. “Please get them done, or you’ll be late getting home for supper.” She moved back to her desk, and the unsigned letter caught her attention again. Should she respond to it, and if so, what should she say?

  Pursing her lips, she picked up her pencil.

  Dear Student:

  It’s nice to know that you think I’m smart and pretty. No one has ever told me that before.

  Miss King

  She held the end of the pencil between her teeth. Should I have said that? If this letter was written by one of the troublemakers, anything I say could be used in their next joke.

  Quickly, she erased what she had written and started over.

  Dear Student:

  It’s nice to know that you think I’m smart and pretty. Thank you,

  Miss King

  Ernie stepped into the small clapboard house he shared with his children during the winter months. It had been a long day, and he was tired and chilled clear to the bone.

  “How’s your arm?” he asked Andy, who sat on the living room floor in front of the woodstove, reading a book.

  “Gettin’ better, Papa.”

  Ernie bent over and ruffled the boy’s hair. “Glad to hear it.” He glanced around the room. “Where’s your sister?”

  “When we got home from school, Grace said she was tired, so she went to her room to take a nap.”

  “Okay.” Ernie squatted down beside his son. “How was school today? Did everything go okay?”

  Andy shrugged. “Same as always.”

  “That’s good.”

  “Think we can eat supper with Miss King again?”

  Ernie stiffened. He wanted that, too. Fact was, he’d give most anything to spend more time with Judith.

  “Papa? Did ya hear what I said?” Andy persisted.

  “Yeah, I heard.”

  “Can we ask her then?”

  Ernie blew out his breath. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Christmas was only a few days away, and an air of excitement had filled the school for the past week. Judith had dismissed her
class nearly an hour ago and had almost finished cleaning the schoolhouse when she heard a thump, thump on the porch. Had one of the children forgotten the gift he’d made for his parents?