A Texas Legacy Christmas

by DiAnn Mills

  Although I don’t condone fighting for any reason, the children are not entirely at fault for today’s incident. I suggest you ask them what happened, and I’ll be glad to speak with you about the matter.

  Annabelle Scott

  “What did she say?” Curly twisted the buckle on the right side of his overalls.

  “She said I should ask you two what happened.”

  The twins exchanged glances, then looked to Lydia Anne and Stuart.

  “I’m not tellin’,” Stuart said. “And Lydia Anne wasn’t around.”

  Curly’s shoulders fell. “We got into a fight because . . . because—”

  “Just tell it,” Charlie said. “Never mind. I will. One of the big boys called me and Curly a bad name. I kicked him in the knee and told him we were not . . . what he said. That we had a poppy and our real mama and papa died. He said you only took us because you felt sorry for us. I kicked him again.”

  “Then I punched him in the stomach,” Curly said. “And he blacked my eye.”

  Zack wished he could have been there. He would have escorted that kid to his parents. “Listen, you two.” He sat on a chair and pulled them in front of him. “Fighting doesn’t solve anything. Now that boy will be picking on you even more. When someone tells lies about you or calls you a bad name, pretend you didn’t hear. All right?”

  “Yes sir.”

  How could two children have such angelic voices? He lifted Curly’s chin. “That’s quite a shiner. It needs some ice.” He glanced about the office. “I have a customer coming by any minute, but I’ll let Hank take care of it. Your eye is more important, and I think we have more to talk about.”

  “I’ll take them to the boardinghouse and clean them up,” Lydia Anne said. “When Dad or Mama stops by, you can send them there.”

  Zack reached into his pocket and pulled out his room key. Handing it to his sister, he saw one tear after another roll over Charlie’s cheeks. “I’ll be along within fifteen minutes.”

  “Are you mad at us?” the little girl said.

  He bent to her and Curly’s level. “No, I’m not mad, just sad that you were fighting.” He drew them both into his arms and hugged them. “Who was the boy?”

  “Eli Scott,” Stuart said. “He’s a year older than Lydia Anne.”

  Seventeen? A year older than Lydia Anne? Anger soared to the top of his head. A boy that old had no business picking on six-year-olds. Why, he was grown. The name didn’t sound familiar, but he’d find out who the boy was before the day was over. He wondered if Chloe remembered him from her days at school.

  “Thanks, Lydia Anne, for looking after these two. I’m sure Simeon or Miss Chloe will help you with a piece of ice. Believe me, I’ll be talking to Miss Scott about Eli Scott.”

  Thirty minutes later, Zack walked into the boardinghouse with his mother. He’d left work at the newspaper, but he was too furious to do anything but plan his speech to Miss Scott about the bully in her school. He’d already decided to pay a visit to the Scott home. And he would tonight if he could find out where the boy lived.

  “Miss Scott can handle him,” Mama said. “Getting angry doesn’t solve a thing.”

  Zack didn’t respond. Not that he didn’t have a mind full of comments about the age difference between the bully and his twins.

  “Zack, I can read your mind without your saying a word.” Mama straightened to her barely five-foot frame. “Handle this in a proper manner. For right now, think about more pleasant things.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Now he knew how the twins felt when he corrected them.

  “Have you asked Chloe to accompany you for Thanksgiving dinner?”

  Maybe she did read his thoughts. “Not yet, but I will.”

  “She’s a beautiful girl and so good with the children.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “I’m sure the problem at school can be explained away.” Mama nodded to punctuate her words.

  Inside the boardinghouse, Zack and his mother found the family in the kitchen. Curly sat on a small worktable, and Chloe held a cloth, obviously containing ice, over his eye.

  “How’s the patient?” Zack attempted to sound light. “Do we need to take him to the doctor?”

  “If you ask me, the bully who did this needs two black eyes.” Simeon turned back to dusting slices of beef with flour. “But nobody asked me.”

  Chloe shook her head, but she didn’t turn to acknowledge him or even speak.

  “Miss Chloe cried,” Charlie said.

  Confusion hit him. Had she been so upset over the twins’ abuse that she openly wept? He studied Lydia Anne’s and Stuart’s faces. Nothing. Then Lydia Anne moistened her lips.

  “She knows Eli Scott, and that’s all I’m saying.”

  “Chloe, has there been a mistake here, or is he a bully?” Zack said.

  She sniffed. “He’s a bully.”

  “Lydia Anne, has he bothered you and Stuart?”

  “No. I think he’s afraid of Dad, Uncle Morgan, and Uncle Grant.”

  “Do you know where he lives?”

  Lydia Anne nodded. “He’s Miss Scott’s nephew.”

  Zack remembered the note. Miss Scott hadn’t blamed the twins. “I’m going to take care of it tonight.”

  Chloe slowly turned to face him. Her eyes were red, her face splotchy. “Don’t let him get by with this, Zack. If he’s not stopped, it’ll get worse.”

  “Believe me, I won’t rest until this is settled.” Something in her tone told him Chloe had experienced a problem with Eli too. Later he’d ask. He took the icepack from her and noted her trembling fingers. Her reaction made him even angrier at the Scott kid. She turned away from him. No doubt her tears had embarrassed her.

  Zack cringed. Curly’s eye was a mass of purple and blue, worse than before.

  “I still wish you’d let Miss Scott handle this.” Mama peered around Zack to look at Curly’s eye. Her face paled.

  “He’s horrible,” Lydia Anne said. “He steals lunch from the other kids and says things that should get him whipped. Miss Scott never hears or sees what he does, or she’d handle the matter.”

  “All that has been taken care of.”

  Zack whirled around to see Miss Scott standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She lifted her chin.

  Simeon cleared his throat. “Do y’all think you could take your business to the dining room? I don’t think my kitchen can hold one more person.”

  A few moments later, the group sat at a large table. Luckily, no one else was about. Zack had Curly on one knee and Charlie on the another.

  “Eli is no longer at the school,” Miss Scott said. “I had him removed this afternoon after the incident with Curly and Charlie. I’d have been here sooner, but I needed to tell my brother about my decision.”

  Zack nodded, observing the determined look on his old teacher’s face. A quick step into the past to a time when he used to get into fights flashed across his mind. She didn’t put up with it then, either. “I appreciate what you’ve done, Miss Scott. I understand Eli is your nephew.”

  She swallowed. “Yes, and I’ve made excuses for him for far too long. He will not be permitted to return.” She paused and turned her attention to Chloe. “I’m sorry, Chloe. I should have removed him long before now.”

  What had that bully done to her? Zack was furious again.

  “Thank you, Miss Scott.” Chloe rose from her chair. “It’s time for me to help Simeon. Please excuse me.”

  “And I must be getting along.” Miss Scott bent down toward the twins. “You have no reason to be afraid at school. Monday will be a new week with all the ugliness of Eli gone.” She cupped the chin of each child, then stood to face Zack. “Thank you for your understanding in this unfortunate situation.”

  Zack had too many thoughts swirling around in his brain, but one thing at a time. His children were safe, and that was most important. He pulled them close to him and wondered when he’d begun to love them—really love them.

  C
hapter 10

  Chloe had avoided Zack the rest of the evening, knowing he’d ask questions about Eli. She couldn’t let him find out how Eli used to follow her home and later to the creek . . . and the things he’d said and tried to do. She’d been successful in fighting him off with Pa’s knife, even left a mark or two. But her efforts seemed to make him more determined. Thank God she’d found the job at the boardinghouse. The memories of what he’d attempted were fresh. Frightening.

  Now as morning peeked over the horizon, she considered keeping distance between her and Zack. How humiliating if he knew of the times she slept by the creek. She bundled up the sheets and pillowcases and placed them in a basket for pickup later. Saturdays always had extra people wanting breakfast, and she wanted to help Simeon.

  The stairs creaked, and she glanced up to see Zack heading her way with an armful of linens. Despite the darkened stairway, she’d recognize his features anywhere. The mere sight of him took her breath away.

  “Good morning.” She smiled. Why did he always have to look so perfect?

  “Morning. We had a little accident last night.”

  “But he’s doing better.”

  “Yes, he is.” He stopped on a step. “Chloe, are you upset with me?”

  “Of course not. Why do you ask?” Her heart thudded against her chest.

  “Because ever since the problem at school with Eli yesterday afternoon, you’ve seemed to ignore me and the twins. I’ve already surmised that you had problems with Eli, and I’m sorry.”

  She took a deep breath. “Work keeps me busy.”

  He stared at her. “I thought you and I were friends. Good friends. Maybe the start of more than friends—and not because you help me with the twins.”

  If he didn’t hush, he’d hear her heart pound like a bass drum. Yet what if he was serious? “I was embarrassed by Miss Scott’s apology to me.”

  “Sounds to me like Eli is the one who should be embarrassed.”

  “Maybe so. I’d like to think I’d grown up and escaped schoolhouse problems.”

  “I think I understand. If you ever want to talk about it, I’m available. I can be a good listener.”

  “I remember your listening to a little girl with all of her childish whims.”

  “Those times were a pleasure. Would you join us for church tomorrow and dinner with my parents?”

  You’d like for me to accompany you again? Her pulse raced with the thought. “Are you sure they won’t mind?”

  “I’d be ordered to turn back around if you refused.”

  She sensed her lips curving upward. “I’d be delighted.”

  “Wonderful.” He deposited the soiled linens into the basket. “We’ll not see you until dinner. I’m taking the twins with me to deliver papers, and we’re having lunch with my uncle and aunt, George and Ellen Kahler—the other side of the family. I haven’t seen him since he was elected mayor.”

  “He’s doing a fine job. When word got out about the possibility of moving the county seat to Kahlerville, he worked hard to make it happen.”

  Zack started up the steps, then swung around. “Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?”

  Her heart threatened to burst from her chest. “I have to work through breakfast, but then Mr. Barton has someone coming in to relieve me.”

  “Would you accompany us to my uncle Morgan’s that day? There’s a bunch of us, but we always have a good time.”

  Chloe wondered if he could ever ask anything she’d refuse. “I’d like that very much. Please let me know what I can bring.”

  “A smile and a hearty appetite. There will be plenty of food and lots of leftovers. Almost seems a shame at times, but none of it goes to waste with hungry ranch hands.”

  Chloe heard Simeon whistling “Clementine.” Did he hear everything from his post in the kitchen? If she didn’t love the dear old man, she’d scold him.

  “The last time I came down these stairs he was whistling ‘Oh! Susanna.’ Does he ever run out of songs?”

  “I don’t think so.” Especially when it came to teasing her about suitors. “Would you like to take a cup of coffee back to your room?”

  In the shadows, she could see his smile.

  “Can’t refuse a cup of Simeon’s finest brew.”

  The two walked into the kitchen, where the older man deftly peeled potatoes. “You two meet at the oddest places and times. Why, when I was in my courtin’ days, we went on picnics and took long walks in the moonlight. You two court in the stairway and in my kitchen.” He laughed and grabbed another potato. “Guess that makes me a chaperone.”

  Chloe thought she’d sink right through the floor. A witty remark danced across her mind, but at that moment, Simeon started whistling again. And this time he danced a little jig.

  She poured Zack his coffee and met his gaze. He certainly knew how to make her tingle to the tip of her toes. His smile stayed fixed in her mind the rest of the day. She allowed the old dreams to creep back into her heart. Maybe the start of more than friends. He wouldn’t have said something he didn’t mean. Zack Kahler was far too noble for that. Sometimes she wondered if she’d put him on a pedestal too lofty for a mere mortal. But she blamed her kingly opinion of him on love. Surely he had faults . . . somewhere.

  *****

  Zack enjoyed delivering papers to rural folks. It gave him time to meet with good people. Some of them seldom saw anyone except on Sunday, and they were always eager to talk. A lot of wisdom rested in country people. Today he had the twins to show off and hoped the two behaved. Sometimes their language slipped to those things from the streets of New York City, but he was working hard to eliminate inappropriate words from their vocabulary.

  The air had turned crisp, and the scent of straw filled his nostrils. The rolling fields were bare as though resting until next spring. He glanced to the back of the wagon to see what Curly and Charlie were doing. Knowing them, they were conspiring how to sell more of their poppy’s newspapers. They perched on a stack of the latest edition while taking in the countryside, pointing to this and that. The country air sure smelled a lot sweeter than the sewers of New York. Zack’s attitude had improved tremendously too.

  One of the twins laughed about something. Those two. He shook his head. Guess it was about time he set them straight about a matter.

  “Hey, you two wild animals.”

  “Yes, Poppy.” Charlie’s sweet voice sounded like a tiny bird.

  “I love you.”

  “Both of us?” Curly said.

  “Yes, both of you.”

  Curly reached from the back of the wagon and touched Zack’s suspenders. “We love you too.”

  “Mama told us that once,” Charlie said. “But most of the time she was too tired ’cept to sleep. Does Miss Chloe love us?”

  “I bet so.” Zack watched the two of them exchange glances, then cover their mouths to conceal a giggle.

  “Do you love her like you love us?” Charlie said.

  “Nope. I love you in a whole different way.”

  They laughed again. What were they up to now?

  “Miss Chloe is going with us to celebrate Thanksgiving.”

  Curly tugged on his suspenders again. “What’s Thanksgivin’? Miss Scott talked about it at school, but we don’t know what it is.”

  Had they not shared in a Thanksgiving before? “Well, a long time ago when folks first came to America, they had a hard time growing food and having enough for everyone to eat.”

  “We’ve been hungry, Poppy,” Charlie said.

  He shook off the emotion rising in him and concentrated on his story. “The Indians living nearby showed them how to plant corn and other vegetables so they wouldn’t starve. One year they had a big harvest, and the people decided to have a feast to thank God for all of their blessings. They invited all the families and friends, including the Indians. It’s a time when family and friends get together and thank God for all of their blessings. We have a big turkey dinner with plenty of food for everyone. This y
ear my uncle Morgan and aunt Casey have invited the whole family to their ranch.”

  “What about the hungry people?” Curly said.

  “Our church has taken care of those people, and we’ll do it again at Christmas.”

  Charlie’s eyes widened. “Good. Nobody should be hungry. Does Uncle Morgan and Aunt Casey have kittens?”

  “Do Uncle Morgan and Aunt Casey, not does. Anyway, I’m not sure if they have kittens or not. We’ll have to check. They have horses, but you two stay outside the fence.”

  “Yes sir. We promise,” Charlie said.

  He wondered if heaven heard those two cherub voices.

  “I’m glad Miss Chloe is going with us. She’ll make a fine mama,” Charlie said. “I already told her.”

  Zack gulped. “You what?”

  “Yeah,” Curly chimed in. “When she was holding ice on my eye and crying ’bout Eli hitting me, we both told her that.”

  “What did she say?”

  “Nothing, but she did say she loved us,” Charlie said.

  “Don’t you think if I’m ever to get married and get you two a mama that I should do the choosing?”

  Curly shook his head. “We already chose Miss Chloe.”

  Lord, help me here. I thought You wanted me to run a newspaper—bring the truth to light. In a matter of a month, these two have jumped into my heart, and Chloe is close behind.

  “Maybe we should talk about having lunch at Uncle George and Aunt Ellen’s.” Anything to get those two off the subject of Chloe and needing a mama.

  “Do they have a ranch?” Curly said.

  “No. They live in Kahlerville in a big house that Uncle George built. He owns the lumberyard and sawmill. He’s also the town’s mayor. You will have lots of cousins to play with.”

  “How many?” the twins chorused.

  “Ten. Five boys and five girls. Mind your manners. And don’t talk about me and Miss Chloe.”

  “Why?” Charlie said. “Are you mad at her?”

  “Oh no.” Lord, help me. “I think all the cousins will be interested in getting to know you and Curly.”

  “Do you want us to tell them about New York?” Curly said.