by DiAnn Mills
“I’m glad we understand each other. Furthermore, Miss Weaver will meet you outside of the boardinghouse on Sunday mornings for church or any other activities.”
Now Zack was ready to tear into him. “Trust me, Barton. Your limitations with Miss Weaver regarding our relationship will not stop the inevitable.”
The man smiled. “In this instance, you may be wrong. I have plans to win her, so be prepared.”
“And you think by disappointing her and making her angry that she will see you as a good man?” Zack stuffed the accusations ready to take flight. “Chloe is a smart woman, and she will see through any deceit.”
The door to the feed store opened, and a farmer with two young boys ambled in.
“I’ll be right with you. Zack here is just leaving.” Jacob smiled and stuck out his hand. “Glad you came by.”
“We did have a pleasant conversation. I’ll make sure my bill is paid in full on Saturday when I move out.”
Zack shook Jacob’s hand—rather limp at that—and tipped his hat to the farmer. Jacob Barton had no idea how a man in love could fight for his woman.
*****
That evening after the dining room had thinned out to only a handful of people and while Chloe cleared the tables, Zack turned to Curly and Charlie.
“I have a surprise for you. This was supposed to be saved until Christmas, but I can’t wait any longer.”
“What is it, Poppy?” Charlie said. “I thought only children couldn’t wait till Christmas.”
“Oh, we adults are that way, too.”
Curly shook his head. “I’m keeping my Christmas present for you hidden until the right day. Miss Scott has it.”
Zack laughed at the little boy’s seriousness. “I can’t hide this one. It’s too big.”
“Please, tell us,” Charlie said. “It can’t be a pony, because we don’t have a place for it to eat or sleep.”
Zack glanced at Chloe, who balanced a stack of plates. She must have sensed his gaze and smiled at him. Yet her features still held the sadness of the prior evening.
“I found us a wonderful house with some land. The furniture is already there from the previous owner. Even the dishes are in the cupboard. All we need to do is move our clothes and things from the boardinghouse.”
Charlie clapped her hands. “A real house? When can we see it?”
“We’re going to see it tomorrow after school. And we will move into it on Saturday afternoon once the papers are delivered.” He leaned in closer as if telling a secret. “I bet Miss Chloe would like to see our house on Sunday after church.”
Chloe stepped closer, her hands full of dirty plates. “I can help you then, too.”
“I was thinking more of exploring the pecan grove or the apple orchard.”
“Pecans and apples?” Curly said. “I love ’em.”
She laughed. “I think you’ll have plenty of both. The apples are probably done for the season.”
“I have an idea,” Charlie said. “Miss Chloe could come live with us.”
Chloe whirled around, her face aflame, and hurried off to the kitchen.
Soon, my sweet daughter. Soon, Zack silently promised.
*****
Chloe had thought about Zack’s house ever since he’d made the announcement about leaving the boardinghouse. This afternoon the three people she loved the most would be moving away from her. She attempted to console herself with thoughts of Sunday at their new home, but the days of waiting expectantly for the twins or Zack to enter the boardinghouse door were gone.
“The guests are pleased with the Christmas decorations,” Mr. Barton said. Unlike her, he’d been in a jovial mood for the past few days. “One lady said it reminded her of home. Exactly what I wanted to accomplish.” He rubbed his palms together. “I have something for you, Miss Weaver.”
She forced a smile. “Did I lose something?”
He laughed. “Not exactly.” He reached inside his jacket pocket. “I have two tickets for the theater in Houston on New Year’s Eve. I also have reservations for dinner. We will travel by train on Sunday morning and return on Monday evening. I’ve decided to ask Miss Scott to accompany us as our chaperone.”
Chloe’s stomach rolled. “You should have asked me first. And what about the boardinghouse?”
“How good of you to think about my business. I have all that taken care of. I wanted to surprise you.”
“Aren’t you concerned about my reputation? An overnight trip to Houston sounds scandalous.” If she wasn’t careful, she’d lose her temper and get fired.
“Miss Scott is an excellent chaperone.”
She moistened her lips and prayed for guidance. “I appreciate your thinking of me and the time you spent planning this trip, but I should have been asked, as well as Miss Scott, before you purchased the tickets and made arrangements.”
Shock registered on his face. “Are you refusing me?”
“I am. Even at the expense of my position here.”
“That is most unusual, Miss Weaver. I never expected this response.”
Courage rooted inside her. “It’s not my intent to hurt your feelings or take advantage of your generosity.”
His downward glance pulled at her emotions.
“Mr. Barton, we have an employer and employee relationship. I respect you and the good things you do for me and this town. But I do not have feelings for you.”
He lifted his gaze. “From my viewpoint, Miss Weaver, you haven’t tried.”
She wrung her hands. Honesty. “Perhaps I haven’t.”
“We shall see. I’m accustomed to handling matters my own way.”
“Does this mean I’m dismissed?”
He crossed his arms over his chest and averted his gaze. “Not at all. I need you here to keep things running smoothly. But, oh, you do this heart much damage.” With those words he strode to the kitchen.
Chapter 23
Saturday morning sped by much faster than Zack intended, leaving a desk piled high with work in its wake. His parents had picked up the twins early, but even without them, he couldn’t get caught up.
“Get on out of here.” Hank waved him toward the door. “You need to move and set up housekeeping.”
“And leave you with delivering the papers and all the other chores waiting to be done?”
“Have you forgotten that I did this before you came to town?” Hank shook a finger at him. “Gil and I will tidy up and take care of things.”
Zack did need the extra time. He wanted the twins to explore every inch of the house, and then he’d take them for a long walk. Mama and Dad wanted to help, too.
“All right. You convinced me, but I will make it up to you.” He grabbed his jacket. “By any chance, has anyone heard from our local hungry fellow since we ran the article?”
“Not a word,” Hank said. “Maybe he’s thinking about it.”
“Or he’s a chicken,” Gil said. “Not so sure I’d want to come forward after stealin’ from folks.”
“I could have been wrong about this. I may do a follow-up article as an appeal to him. Maybe invite him to stop by the paper.”
Hank nodded. “What I like about the newspaper covering this is we’re reaching out to a man who needs to change his ways and appealing to a community to be forgiving. But what do we do if he steals something large or damages property?”
“Then he’s at the mercy of the law. We won’t have a choice.”
“My thoughts, too.” Hank grinned wide. “Now get.”
Zack headed for the door. “See you in church.”
*****
Once the afternoon settled upon the boardinghouse, Chloe watched Zack and the twins carry their personal belongings down the boardinghouse stairs and out to a wagon. Brother and Mrs. Whitworth came by to offer their assistance, but it didn’t take them long. Chloe couldn’t help because Mr. Barton stood by the registration desk the entire time. However, her employer did not object when the twins hugged and kissed her good-bye.
That night in the darkness of her room, she wept. Zack had found a way for them to continue seeing each other despite Mr. Barton’s demands. And the twins now had a big house and acres to run and play. No more short tempers from being cramped up at the boardinghouse. No more tears on Tuesday nights when Simeon made liver and onions, which neither Curly nor Charlie liked. Chloe should be happy, ecstatic with the outcome of it all. Instead, she felt miserable.
Mr. Barton could decide to dismiss her tomorrow. Then where would she be? She couldn’t stay with Miss Scott since her niece would arrive tomorrow from Dallas. Her savings could hold her for a little while, but where? Mr. Barton owned the only reputable boardinghouse.
Staring up at the ceiling, she prayed for strength. Worrying about what might happen meant she didn’t trust God to take care of her. Part of her sadness dwelt with not being able to see Zack and the twins as much as before. Since he’d returned to town, she’d seen him at least twice a day. He’d put the color in her cheeks in the mornings, and the prospect of hearing his voice in the evenings made any dark moments of the day vanish. How she treasured those late night talks after the twins were asleep. Beginning tonight, those precious times were but memories.
Zack Kahler, I’ve loved you for so long that I can’t remember when I didn’t.
Tears dampened her pillow again. Her heart had opened to a pair of red-haired, freckle-faced children, too. She’d get through each lonely day, knowing that on Sunday the four of them would be together again—beginning tomorrow.
Christmas. Why would Mr. Barton want her to spend the day with him when she had no feelings for him? And whatever had he been thinking to plan a trip to Houston for New Year’s Eve? Anger and pity wrestled with her mind.
Sunday morning, she rose and dressed in the dark skirt and blouse that Miss Scott had found for her. At least Zack would see her in something different. And she’d wear a smile too, a big one that spoke not one word of gloom and sadness.
“You look lovely this morning. That must be a new dress,” he said as he helped her into the wagon. “I’d better hold on to you tight or someone might snatch you away.”
Like Mr. Barton.
“We’re holding her hands, Poppy,” Charlie said. “Nobody’s going to get our Miss Chloe.”
“Thank you.” Zack winked. “Well, what do you two want to tell her about our house?”
“It’s beautiful,” Charlie said. “We have a kitchen and a dining room and a parlor and lots of rooms with beds in them.”
“I can hardly wait to see it.” Chloe lightly squeezed the little girl’s hand and turned to Curly. “And what do you think about your house?”
“Heaben.”
“Heaven,” Charlie said. “Not a b but a v.”
Curly scowled. “God don’t care how I say it.”
Zack cleared his throat, and the twins quieted. “We are very pleased. Last evening we took a walk back to the apple and pecan trees and to the creek.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Chloe said, and she really was.
She glanced up at the row of buggies and the familiar faces. The sky glistened with the brightest blue she’d ever seen, and she knew that very moment that it didn’t matter if Mr. Barton dismissed her. One of those smiling faces would take her in until she found another job.
“You are all smiles this morning,” Zack said and waved at his mother and dad.
“Strange, isn’t it?” She spotted Mr. Barton and waved. “I had a discussion with my employer yesterday morning that nearly devastated me, but right now I’m perfectly happy.”
Zack glanced at the twins. “We can talk this afternoon.”
Chloe adored sitting by Zack and the twins in church. Curly and Charlie wanted to tell her all about their new home, but she convinced them to wait until after the services.
“I’m cooking lunch,” Zack whispered once the music began.
“I’ll help,” she said.
“Actually, it will be breakfast with scrambled eggs and ham.”
She laughed, then turned her attention to what was really important—Brother Whitworth’s message.
Afterward, when church members were properly greeted, Zack drove the buggy out of town.
“Why not let me fix lunch for all of us?” she said on the way to see his new home.
He held the reins firmly and shot a smile her way. “But I invited you. I know how to cook. Years ago before my dad and Mama married, I lived with Brother Travis. Remember?” He hastened the horse to a trot. “He made me learn how to take care of myself. Later when I moved to New York, I had to use all of those skills to survive.”
She laughed. Strange how love could make a person forget all the turmoil of life. “I don’t doubt your abilities.” She nodded to accent her determination. “We could do this together.”
Zack frowned. Then a smile tugged at his mouth. “All right. Only because you are too pretty to refuse.”
“Oh?” She widened her eyes. “I’ll make a list of all the things I want in this world and give it to you with my best smile.”
He shook his head. “Now I’m trapped.”
When the horse and buggy stopped in front of a huge, two-story, white-framed farmhouse, Chloe gasped. “It is beautiful.”
“Hank’s mother lived in the house until she died, and everything is here that we need. I found canned peaches, green beans, and corn in the pantry.”
He helped her down from the buggy, and she hoped he didn’t sense what his touch did to her. “Curly, Charlie, you are so lucky. I agree with Curly. This is heaven.” She tossed a smile Zack’s way. “After the boardinghouse, I imagine this seems like a palace. I bet you’d get lonely without two little people constantly surrounding you.”
“They slept with me last night.”
“And no accidents,” Curly said.
She hadn’t been aware of the twins listening to every word. “That’s wonderful.” Her gaze met Zack’s. “You are such a good father.”
He shook his head. “Not when I think of all the times I’ve fished for the right words or questioned something I’ve done with my children.”
“You do your best, and that is what’s important. Now show me your wonderful new home.”
Zack offered her his arm, and she linked hers to his. Maybe someday this would be her home. That would really be a dream come true.
The tour of the inside of the home was like a picture book. Perfect in every way for Zack and the children. He was as excited as Curly and Charlie in showing her every nook and corner. And the kitchen . . . she loved it. A set of beautiful pink-flowered plates with a thin green leaf design caught her attention. Would she one day be able to use these for her husband and children?
“Why don’t you two run outside and play while Miss Chloe and I fix us something to eat?”
The twins didn’t need any more encouragement, and they soon disappeared.
“I brought some ice with me yesterday, so the milk, ham, and eggs are in the icebox,” he said. “I’ll start the ham if you want to break the eggs.” He opened the icebox as though it were a banker’s vault. But he had every right to be proud.
Chloe reached inside a cabinet and pulled out a bowl. A pair of arms encircled her waist, and Zack nuzzled against her neck. Her pulse raced ahead.
“Aren’t you concerned about your children hurrying back inside?”
“No. And since I have you alone, I want to make the most of every moment.”
“Shame on you.”
“I don’t see you pulling away.”
“I’m trying to be a good guest.”
He chuckled low, and the sound caused her to feel warm—and special. The only other times they’d been alone were drinking coffee in the upstairs hallway of the boardinghouse or in the dining room when the rest of the boarders were asleep. Then there were the mornings when he delivered soiled laundry. This was much more enjoyable. But dangerous. She should have requested that Lydia Anne be with them.
She peered out the
kitchen window at the twins running toward the barn, just running as though someone might steal it all from them. She felt the same way. “Goodness, Mr. Kahler, would what Mr. Barton say?”
“He’s not here.” Zack turned her to face him. “Does it matter?”
Tenderness and another look that she dared hope was love shone into her face. “No. It doesn’t. But we should have asked Lydia Anne or your parents to be with us today.”
“Probably so. I’ll take care of that the next time. Chloe, I want to know what happened between you and Jacob yesterday.”
“Why ruin our Sunday?”
“Chloe.”
“All right. This is what happened . . .” And while he held her close, she told him about Mr. Barton’s plans for New Year’s Eve and her refusal.
“If he no longer needs you at the boardinghouse, I know Mama and Dad would have a place for you to stay until you found another job.”
She nodded. For the first time she didn’t feel pride invading her senses.
“I know it’s only been a short while since I came back to town, but I have to tell you this or I’m going to pop.” He smiled, and his fingers ran through her hair while his eyes seemed to look beyond her—beyond time. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known, ever seen. It’s more than your dark eyes that seem to pierce my soul or your silky hair or even the sound of your voice. It’s everything about you. I—”
“Poppy, come see.” Charlie burst into the kitchen. “We found kittens behind the barn. They’re almost like the ones at Grandma and Grandpa’s.”
Zack stepped back from Chloe. The moment between them had vanished. But she refused to show her disappointment, even with the longing creeping through her. She wouldn’t allow jealousy to rule her emotions when Zack’s children needed him.
“Let’s go see those kittens.” She rubbed her hands together.
“Please hurry, Poppy. They might run away.”
“All right. How did you find them?” Zack held the door open for both of them.
“Behind the barn. They are so beautiful, all black with a white stripe down their back.”
Zack paled. Chloe gasped.
“Stay here,” he said to Chloe and Charlie. “I’ll get Curly.” He ran toward the barn. “Curly, come here right this instant. Do not touch those animals!”