by DiAnn Mills
He forced a chuckle. “Hank, of course. I wonder why I’m even there.”
Jacob stuffed his hands into his trouser pockets and teetered on his heels. “You’re doing a good job.” He greeted the twins and helped one with a stubborn popcorn kernel. “Miss Weaver would have enjoyed this celebration. It’s a shame I needed her at the boardinghouse. Doesn’t give me much of a choice but to hurry back and tell her all about it. In fact, I’ll take her one of those sugar cookies.”
“Those are her favorite,” Charlie said. “She told us.”
“Wonderful. Then I’ll make her very happy.” He nodded at Zack.
You remind me of a schoolboy trying to make me jealous. Unfortunately, it’s working. “That’s real nice of you. I’m sure she’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
“I’m doing my best, and in my opinion, my effort is working.”
Zack smiled. “But let’s see who makes it to the finish line.”
*****
“I think you and Chloe should take a stroll.” Mama’s eyes sparkled, and Zack knew her matchmaking plans were falling into place. Sunday dinner was eaten, the twins were outside playing, and conversation filled the afternoon. “Travis and I will keep Curly and Charlie busy.”
Zack didn’t want to pass up an opportunity to have Chloe all to himself, even if it meant Mama would claim all the credit if the relationship progressed as he hoped. Yet he refused to take advantage of his parents. “Are you certain? Doesn’t Dad need to rest before services tonight?”
“Shoo. We love having those two to ourselves.”
“All right, but we won’t be gone long.” He caught Chloe’s attention. “I could show you where a tornado nearly whipped up Dad, Michael Paul, Lydia Anne, and me. I was twelve at the time, and it’s where I made some big changes in my life.”
A smile lit up her face. “That’s a story I want to hear. You were twelve, and I was six—not even in school.”
“Good, because I wasn’t the nicest kid around.”
“It’s a good story,” Mama said. “I remember the twister and how fear nearly made me crazy. It was also when I realized how much I loved Travis.”
“Another reason for me to hear this story.”
“Ah, but I was a dashing young man in those days.” Dad chuckled and winked at his wife. “Bonnie couldn’t resist me.”
“That’s not exactly how I remember it,” Zack said. “The tornado happened before you got a haircut and shaved off your wild beard. None of us knew what you looked like—other than a wild mountain man.”
Dad waved away Zack’s statement. “Insignificant detail.”
Zack caught Chloe’s attention. “If we don’t leave, we’re going to be caught here listening to old stories.”
Zack excused himself to find the twins and give them instructions about good behavior. He peered in every direction but didn’t see them. When he called, they didn’t answer. Dread washed over him. They had headed to the barn in search of the kittens. Zack remembered the cat tail-tying incident, but they knew better than to pull that kind of stunt again.
“Curly, Charlie, where are you?”
“Here, Poppy, behind the barn.”
Zack walked behind the barn to discover his twins were covered in cow manure. Curly and Charlie were down on their knees, squashing it between their fingers.
“What on earth are you doing?”
“Making mud pies,” Charlie said. “They smell a little, kind of like Simeon’s coffee, but they’ll get hard in the sun.”
“Get out of there this instant.”
The two peered up at him and then looked at each other.
“Are we in trouble?” Curly said.
“Deep trouble,” Zack said. “Out of there now, and then we’re heading to the watering trough.”
Charlie scratched her nose, spreading the mess over her cheeks. And their clothes? Would he ever be able to get them clean? He didn’t know where to start.
An hour and a half later, Zack and Chloe finally set off down the road toward his favorite fishing hole and the site of special memories.
“You can start the story about you and the tornado any time. Wait a minute. What did you mean by Brother Whitworth looking like a mountain man?”
When he swung a look her way, her eyes appeared to dance. Did she have any idea how those dark pools affected him?
“Dad came to town to take over Piney Woods Church when my grandfather, Reverend Rainer, decided to retire. He’d come from the Ozarks and looked quite the part.”
“I see. Hard for me to picture Brother Whitworth anything but clean shaven.”
Zack laughed. “He was a sight, but it was his heart that everyone loved.”
“Both of your parents are dear. I sincerely appreciate their inclusion of me in family gatherings.”
“And what would I do without you?” Had life ever been without Chloe?
“Have no one to listen to your stories?”
“Oh, Miss Weaver, you are witty today.”
“I’m just getting ready for the tornado story.”
“I already said I was twelve years old, angry that my father had died, and a bully. In fact, Mama threatened me with military school if I didn’t learn to behave. I picked on Michael Paul and Lydia Anne and anyone else who got in my way. I was ready to run off somewhere. In the meantime, I kept getting into one scrape after another. About that time, Brother Travis came to town. He set out to do all he could for the church and the community. So when he learned about all the trouble I was causing, he offered to take me in.” Zack laughed. “The town’s new preacher had no idea what kind of trouble I could cause, which is why I tend to be a little hard on the twins. I don’t want them to ever get into that kind of trouble.”
“They need so much love, and you are doing a wonderful job as a father.”
“Thanks. I may need you to repeat those words when they have me in a ‘twister,’ like the cow manure.” He caught another of her smiles, and his pulse sped away like a racehorse. “Dad devoted much of his time to me. He schooled me and taught me what it meant to be a godly man. And when false accusations about me sprang up, he defended me. Loved me when I needed a trip to the woodshed. But it took a twister to get my attention.”
Chloe’s face paled, and he wondered where her thoughts had gone.
“Did I say something wrong?” he said.
“Oh no. The boy you’re describing is not the man before me.”
“I’m a miracle of God. Without Him in my life, I’d be behind bars or hung by now.”
“I’m glad you allowed Him to work in your life. If not, I’d probably be with—”
“Jacob Barton?”
She frowned then a slight smile tugged at her lips. “Maybe.” She took a deep breath. “What happened in the twister?”
Zack pointed to the river. “Farther down there and beyond those trees, there’s a clearing at the bottom of the hill. Dad had taken Michael Paul, Lydia Anne, and me fishing. It was one of my better days. Dad’s way of living was starting to sink in. A storm rushed in, and we headed back to the ranch. But we hadn’t gone far before Dad and I saw a funnel cloud. We climbed down from the wagon, let the horse loose, and ran for safety. At the foot of the hill, Dad had us lie down, and he covered us with his body. The roar of the twister echoed in our ears. I thought I was going to die, and I wasn’t proud of the things I’d done. I asked God to save the others but to take me because I didn’t deserve to live. I wanted so badly to live my life for Jesus, but my day of reckoning had come. I asked Jesus to save me, and I acknowledged Him as Savior and Lord. The twister touched all around us, the sound like a roaring train, but we were safe. When it was over, I told Dad and my brother and sister what happened. I apologized for the things I’d said and done to them. Then we hurried back to Mama, afraid she might not have survived. It was a real tearful reunion. A few months later, Dad asked Mama to marry him.”
He heard Chloe sniff.
“Hey, this story has a happy endin
g.”
“I know. That’s why I’m crying. It’s beautiful and . . .”
He took her hand, and they continued to walk over crackling brush. “Is there something you need to say?”
Silence greeted him, but he chose not to prod her.
“I think my faith needs some help.” She stepped over a fallen log. “When I was six and my mother lay dying, she called me to her side and said it was important for me to love Jesus. She was going to live with Him soon and didn’t want me to cry. She said her new home in heaven was a beautiful place, and she wanted me to one day live with her there. She prayed with me and assured me that I would one day live with her and Jesus in heaven. I thought I knew what she meant, and I loved my mother dearly, so I told Brother Whitworth what Mama told me to say. He baptized me.”
“I remember. The baptismal creek was real warm. August, I think.”
She smiled. “When I was a few years older, Miss Scott and I talked about what happened then. I prayed again, because that time I really understood what it meant to love Jesus and have Him rule my life. I’ve never doubted my faith, but I’ve been angry with God for a long time. I believed He despised me because of my Indian heritage—caused others to ridicule me, my mother to die, and then my father to burn in such a horrible death. Listening to your story and how God brought you peace has touched me. I—I don’t want to feel this way ever again. When we get back to the ranch, I want to talk with Brother Whitworth about getting rid of my bitterness. It’s past time I did something about it.”
Zack lightly squeezed her hand. “I thought you might be hurt, and I certainly understand why. God loves you, Chloe. He doesn’t want you filled with pain.”
She nodded and blinked. “Since you’ve come back to Kahlerville, I’ve seen the hand of God. You’ve taken the challenges presented to you and not given up.” She shrugged. “You’ve inspired me to seek the Lord more closely, and for that I thank you. And I also see how God has used my past to help with the twins. I’ve been homeless without a parent, and so have they.”
“You humble me, Chloe. I don’t know quite what to say.”
She shook her head. “Nothing. I said what was on my heart.”
“Living our faith is never easy but always so worth it to please our God.”
She pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed her nose. “Did you find it difficult living your faith in New York?”
“I found it hard at times, but as soon as I made a decision to get involved with a good church, it became easier. My problem was a young woman who caught my attention. She attended the same church, and we saw each other socially for a short while. Later I learned she was searching for a wealthy husband, and I no longer held her interest. I thought I’d never be the same again, but I realized she didn’t have a relationship with the Lord.” He paused. “I wouldn’t have found you if God hadn’t stepped in.”
“I’m very glad.” Her cheeks flushed, and she glanced away. “But I’m also thankful to hear you aren’t perfect.”
He laughed. “Oh, we are a good pair. Interesting how each one of us has a story. The twins are learning abut Jesus, and I pray for the day when they desire a personal relationship with Him.”
“I think it’s a legacy that we all have to pass on to the next generation.”
Would she be a part of his legacy? He hoped so. He’d have said more about the importance of her life linked with his, but he didn’t feel this was the right time. Not with her needing to talk to his dad. His desires sounded selfish, and she needed to have peace with God first before she could contemplate a life with Zack.
Chapter 20
The next morning before the boarders were ready for breakfast, Chloe reflected on the previous day with Zack and her conversation with Brother Whitworth. He’d helped her walk through her bitterness in a way that not only brought her peace but also helped her to understand herself a little better.
Before yesterday, trusting Zack was a whole lot easier than trusting God. She loved Him. She served Him, but she couldn’t help but think that He’d created the universe, sent Jesus to this miserable world, then sat back and watched. After all, where was God when her mother died? Where was God when her father drank himself to death and burned down the house? Where was God when Eli Scott threatened her? She asked all of those questions of Brother Whitworth, and he responded honestly with scripture.
She stared out into the empty dining room with serenity filling her whole being and her heart lingering on a brighter future. Zack could have turned from her in disgust yesterday when she confessed her problem with God. Instead, he listened and helped. She was so very fortunate to have his attention. She paused in her thinking. She wasn’t fortunate but blessed.
Lord, thank You for moving me to give You all of my life, even the parts that hurt. Help me to love You more. I forgive my mother for leaving me and Pa for grieving so that he despised me. I also forgive Eli and all those who have hurt me with their words and actions.
“Are you all right, Miss Chloe?” Simeon said in the kitchen doorway. “I sure hate to see you crying.”
She whisked away the tears. “I’m fine. Simply happy.”
“Love will do that to you. Makes you laugh and cry at the same time.”
“Yes, it will. I’m grateful to God for all the things He’s given me.”
“I’m powerfully beholding to Him myself. Me and Miss Annabelle, well, I think we’ve found something special. Here I am an old man and clearly as in love as a schoolboy.”
“I think Miss Scott is partial to schoolboys.” She gave him a teasing smile.
He laughed. “I’m glad she finds me fittin’. I want to make her happy every day of her life.”
Chloe started to weep again but hastily sent the tears on their way. “I hope everything works out for you. You and Miss Scott are two of the finest people I know.” She smiled through watery eyes. “I keep dreaming for myself, but I’m afraid I’ll wake up and find out these past weeks with Zack haven’t been real—as though I’ve been living in a fairy tale.” For once she didn’t care if Simeon knew her heart had toppled for Zack Kahler. “He’s been my Prince Charming ever since I was a little girl.”
Simeon scratched his whiskered jaw. “I’ve listened to Miss Annabelle read those fairy tales to Curly and Charlie. Seems to me that every one of them is about someone fightin’ to make sure life is good. Yer a fighter, Miss Chloe, and whatever comes your way is nothin’ for the blessin’s the good Lord is planning to give you.”
Maybe Simeon should have been a preacher instead of a cook. No surprise at all that Miss Scott had found her one true love in an apron-covered, weathered old man who had more sense than a dozen other men put together.
*****
One more time Zack proofread the article about the local thief who had captured the hearts of various townspeople. He liked the human interest angle and the idea that the community could be forgiving of the thefts this time of year as long as the culprit came forward and apologized. Used to be Zack wouldn’t have felt so strongly about a situation in which someone was knowingly breaking the law, but the fact the fellow had stolen food and blankets—and Hank’s mug of coffee—had unfortunate written all over it. In any event, the power of the press was about to push the public and the thief toward reconciliation.
He turned his attention to the article:
Jacob Barton reports that a loaf of bread and a pecan pie were stolen from a windowsill at his boardinghouse. However, when he instructed his cook to place a plateful of food on the windowsill daily with a note requesting the plate and utensils be returned, the fellow obliged and has continued to comply.
“We do not want to press charges,” Sheriff Jackson said. “This is the season of the year when the community wants to reach out and help others. If the man steps forward and identifies himself, all will be forgiven.”
Zack continued to the end of the article with a final request for the man in question to make himself known.
“Are you
ready with your article?” Hank said.
“Yes. I’d like to place it on the front page. With all the problems of the world and right here in Kahlerville, a bit of peace on earth and goodwill toward men sounds good. What do you think?”
“I agree. We’ll print it and see what happens. I’m sure someone in the community would give the fella a job.”
“Would you have written an article like this?”
Hank laughed. “Yes, if the idea had popped into my head. You worry too much, Zack. You’re doing a fine job. Brought in new advertisers and changed up the looks of the paper.”
“You’ll tell me when I’m starting to make a big mistake?”
Hank pushed back his cap and rubbed his bald head, swirling newspaper ink where once hair had grown. “That’s my job. I may not have ever worked for a big, fancy newspaper, but I can tell what folks want to read.”
“I know you suggested a morning edition of the paper instead of an evening, but I can’t do that and still take proper care of the twins.”
“They come first. Someday when they’re grown, you’ll wish you had a dirty face to scrub or two extra mouths to feed.”
“I want to make up for all those things they missed in New York. Every day I wake up and ask God to show me how to love them more. Guess I’m sounding a bit silly.”
“Not at all. You sound like a man who loves his children.”
“I’m that man.” Zack chuckled. “With all of this responsibility, I wonder why folks have kids.”
Hank laughed and clasped a hand on Zack’s shoulder. “’Cause we don’t know any better.”
Chapter 21
Chloe righted a crooked candle on the parlor fireplace and adjusted a red ribbon on the Christmas tree. The holiday decorations draped throughout the boardinghouse had seemed to put everyone in a festive mood. And that appeared to enhance the romance unfolding in the kitchen between Simeon and Miss Scott. The twins were with the two lovebirds in the kitchen now. Chloe guessed the children kept Miss Scott and Simeon from speaking their true hearts. How sweet and dear for the older couple to find love in their graying years. She felt a twinge of jealousy when she had to hide her love from Zack. At least she was free to lavish her affections upon Curly and Charlie.