The Christmas Calamity

by Shanna Hatfield

  Alex pulled her hand away and tugged down her sleeve.

  Indignant on her friend’s behalf, Filly tapped her foot impatiently once she regained her seat. “You should show those bruises to the sheriff. Maybe a little time in jail would help straighten out Fred.”

  “No one would throw him in jail for man-handling me. I’m not part of your community and no one would care that much.”

  Incredulous, Filly glared at her. “You’re every bit as much a part of this community as Fred or his mother or me. No one should be allowed to treat anyone the way that woman and her son have treated you. You’ve done nothing to deserve it, other than refuse to put up with his shenanigans.”

  Tears stung the back of Alex’s throat and pricked her eyes, but she choked back the emotion and forced herself to smile. “They do keep things interesting.” Desperate to change the subject, Alex brought up the Christmas Carnival. “Did Ginny tell you about our plans for a Christmas Carnival the last day of school before the holidays?”

  “Yes! I’m so excited Dora agreed to let you use her house. Don’t you think it will be perfect? Of course, I’d be happy to volunteer to oversee the refreshments. With Dora’s big kitchen and dining room, it will be easy to set up a table of food and we can have hot apple cider and…”

  Pleased at Filly’s willingness to discuss the carnival and offer her assistance, Alex relaxed in the warmth from the crackling fire and the companionship of a good friend.

  As they discussed plans for the event, Alex couldn’t keep her gaze from resting on the baby. Filly finally rose and lifted Maura from her cradle, setting her back in Alex’s arms.

  “She doesn’t care where she sleeps. I think she could sleep right through the town’s band performing next to her cradle.”

  Alex laughed. “The town has a band? Do you think they’d perform at the carnival?”

  “Oh, yes. Absolutely. Arlan could ask since he plays the trumpet.” Filly rose and excused herself to go make them a pot of tea.

  Surprised to learn the man had musical talents, Alex planned to ask him about it later. It didn’t fit with the picture she had in her head of Arlan. Music seemed too free moving and interpretive to be something he would enjoy, but obviously, there was more to him than met the eye.

  Thoughts of how attractive he was to her eyes made her duck her head and study the baby as the sound of the front door opening alerted her to his return.

  Luke and Arlan stepped into the parlor, noticing Alex sitting in the rocking chair holding Maura and softly humming.

  Boasting a ridiculous grin, Luke gave Arlan a shove into the room while he went to find Filly.

  Rather than disrupt the domestic scene before him, Arlan observed Alex lightly brush her fingers over the baby’s fine hair and kiss her cheek.

  The sight of her dark head bent over Maura did something crazy to Arlan’s heart. Instinctively, he knew she’d be a wonderful mother. She’d proven that by how much all the students at school loved her.

  Thoughts of school reminded him of Fred, so he blocked out the unpleasantness of earlier in the day and watched Alex cuddle Maura in the firelight.

  She looked achingly lovely in a deep blue dress with her hair beginning to spill out of the hairpins that confined it. His fingers itched to take out pins and see all her abundant dark waves in the glow from the fire.

  “Coffee or tea, Arlan?” Filly asked as she breezed into the room with a tray.

  She gave him a teasing wink as she set the tray on the low table in front of the couch and glanced at Luke as he walked in with a dessert tray holding plates of apple pie.

  “Coffee, please.” He doubted he’d be able to get any rest as it was, so he might as well enjoy another cup of Filly’s good coffee.

  Chapter Nine

  An idea for a project sure to entertain the children while teaching them a wonderful lesson caused Alex to rush along the boardwalk to the bank.

  She wanted the school board’s permission to work on it and Arlan’s help with the planning. It would require a good deal of mathematics and she knew he’d enjoy the challenge.

  Cheerfully opening the bank door, she noticed Arlan helping a customer while Luke sat with a ledger open on his desk. He glanced up and waved her over.

  “Hello, Miss Alex. What brings you in today?” Luke stood and held out a chair for her to take a seat at his desk. “Fred isn’t back, is he? Did he do something to upset you?”

  “No, nothing like that.” Alex gave him a reassuring glance.

  The sheriff, Arlan, or one of the school board members managed to stop by the school after she dismissed classes for the day to make sure she was fine. Astounded by their concern, she couldn’t fathom the respectful care they showered upon her. No one had ever been so nice to her, at least not since her father died.

  On the evenings Arlan came to watch over her, he helped her clean the classroom, carried assignments to her house, built up the fire in her little stove, and sometimes stayed for supper. A few times, he invited her to dine with him at the restaurant in town and she’d accepted.

  Alex told herself it was due to the fact she relished the opportunity to eat a meal someone else prepared, but her heart knew it was because she thrilled to be in his company. The sound of his voice, the feel of his hand when it brushed hers, the masculine scent of him - everything about Arlan captivated her. She had no idea what she’d do when it was time for her to leave town.

  Ferociously shoving those thoughts aside, she focused on her reason for visiting the bank.

  “What can I do for you, Miss Alex?” Luke sat across from her and leaned back in his chair. “You don’t happen to have a magic trick to show me, do you?”

  Entertained by how much Luke enjoyed her magic tricks, she grinned at him. Some tricks he’d seen her do several times and she had no doubt he’d figured out how they worked. Others he’d only seen once. She saved several to debut at the Christmas Carnival, as a surprise to those in attendance.

  “Do you have a spare coin?” Alex removed her gloves and held out her hand. Luke dropped a five-dollar gold piece in her palm and took a seat next to her. With rapid movements, the coin spun over and under her fingers until it disappeared.

  “I know you aren’t keeping my money, so where did it go?” Luke stared at her hand intently, expecting it to reappear.

  “Perhaps you should check your pocket, Mr. Granger.”

  Luke patted one of the pockets on his suit coat, not feeling anything, then tried the other and fingered his coin.

  “How did you get that in there without my noticing?” Light glinted off the coin as Luke held it up in his fingers.

  “It’s magic, Luke. I keep telling you, it’s magic.”

  He chuckled and folded the coin back into her hand before taking a seat on the other side of the desk. “I know you didn’t come in here to dazzle me with your magical abilities. In fact, I’m sure as soon as Arlan finishes up with Mr. Johnson, you won’t have any use for me at all.”

  A faint blush colored Alex’s cheeks with a pink hue as she shook her head. “I came to see you both, but I need your permission before I can seek Arlan’s assistance.”

  “By all means, ask and it most likely will be granted.” Curious what Alex planned, Luke leaned forward.

  “Would it be acceptable to have the students create their own version of the Statue of Liberty? I read an article in the paper yesterday about New York celebrating the tenth anniversary of the statue’s dedication last week. By creating their own statue, it would give the students an engaging way to learn about such an important event happening in our country’s history.”

  Luke sat back in his chair, grinning. “I think it’s a splendid idea. What do you need from me?”

  “I wanted to be sure the school board approved the undertaking before I have the students construct it. I’d like to make a smaller version, to scale, and have a little celebration in the school yard before it snows.”

  “That sounds like a fine plan to me. By
all means, go right ahead.” Luke glanced at the gold piece she’d set on the corner of his desk. “You take that coin and buy whatever supplies you need for the project. If you need more, just let me know. My only stipulation is that you invite me to the celebration so I can see it.”

  Alex laughed and glanced at Arlan as he stepped up to Luke’s desk.

  “What’s all the ruckus over here?” Arlan forced a stern look to his face although his eyes twinkled merrily. “Do you two not know this is a bank and a serious place of business?”

  “Sit down and lighten up, my friend.” Luke motioned for Arlan to take the seat next to Alex. “Our schoolteacher has a brilliant idea for implementing an incredible learning opportunity with our students.”

  “And what might this brilliant idea be?” Arlan asked, pleased by the happy smile on Alex’s face. He hadn’t seen her look as full of excitement and joy since before the incident with Fred. The boy had been lying low since the sheriff threatened to lock him in jail if he didn’t behave himself and stay away from both the school and Alex.

  He took a moment to admire the striking vision she created. She wore his favorite dress, the deep amethyst gown that made her hair take on purple highlights and her lips turn a dark crimson shade that enticed him almost beyond his ability to resist.

  “I want the students to create their own Statue of Liberty. I’d like to make it a smaller version, of course, but I want the scale to be correct. That’s where I was hoping you’d help, Arlan. You’re so good with numbers, you can figure out the measurements in a matter of minutes when it would take me forever to get them right.”

  Pleased by her compliment, Arlan readily agreed to help. “I’d be happy to provide whatever assistance you need. What do you propose to make it out of?”

  “I thought we could build a base out of chicken wire and then use paste and newspaper to cover the form. The children could paint it once the paste dries. Perhaps we could make it to fit in a corner of the classroom.” Alex handed the newspaper she’d brought along to Arlan. It featured a sketch of what the statue looked like fully erected in the New York harbor.

  “Did you attend the original dedication ceremony?” Arlan aimed the question at Luke.

  “Yes. We were all in New York at the time and joined in the celebration. It was quite a memorable occasion. Did you have the opportunity to attend, Alex?”

  She nodded. “As a matter of fact, I did go. My parents also took me to see the arm when I was a little girl.”

  Arlan looked from her to Luke. “The arm?”

  “Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed the monument,” Luke explained. “He completed the head and the torch-bearing arm before the statue was fully designed. The arm was displayed at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 then moved to Madison Square Park until 1882.”

  “I was fortunate to visit the statue again before Papa and I left New York.” Alex recalled the day she and her father studied the historic collaboration between the Americans and the French, uncertain if they’d have the opportunity to see it again.

  “I haven’t had time to read the paper. Does the article include specifications for the statue?” Arlan leaned closer to Alex as she tapped her finger on a paragraph.

  “Yes, right here. It gives the dimensions.”

  Arlan picked up a pencil and accepted the sheet of paper Luke held out to him. As he scribbled out notes and numbers, Alex watched in awed wonder, amazed by how fast Arlan’s mind worked through the calculations.

  “If you plan to make the statue to fit in the classroom, it would need to be no taller than six feet because the width…” Arlan explained the size he proposed they make the statue. When Alex agreed, he quickly noted how much chicken wire would be needed, as well as approximations for the paste and newspaper.

  Glancing from Luke to Alex, Arlan set down the pencil and slid the paper to her across the desk. “Should your statue have a base? Something to help keep it sturdy and upright?”

  “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.” Alex turned her gaze to Luke. “Do you think Blake might be coerced into making something?”

  “I’m sure he’d be glad to help and Ginny could get you newspaper and provide assistance with the paint, if you need it.”

  “Wonderful. I’ll ride out to ask them tomorrow.” Alex stood and pulled her gloves back on, slipping the coin from Luke into her reticule. “Thank you both, so much. If all goes well, I’d like to get started on this next week.”

  “If you like, I’ll go with you to get the chicken wire now.” Arlan glanced to Luke, seeking unspoken permission to leave early instead of staying to close the bank for the night.

  “That would be very much appreciated.” Alex smiled at Arlan then at Luke. “Thank you, Luke, for making this possible.”

  “In a few years, my little Maura will attend that school and I hope she has a great teacher like you who’ll make learning a fun adventure.”

  Embarrassed by Luke’s praise, Alex felt heat fill her cheeks. The last thing she’d envisioned herself doing was teaching. Now that Fred wasn’t disrupting her class and causing problems, she absolutely loved working with the children.

  Seeing their eyes light when they understood a new idea or the smiles on their faces when they accomplished their assignments filled her with a satisfaction and contentment she’d never known.

  If Miss Edna wasn’t planning to return in January, Alex might consider staying in Hardman as a permanent resident.

  As it was, she needed to leave. The job she loved belonged to Edna, as did the handsome man walking beside her.

  Alex knew Arlan wasn’t engaged to Edna, but it still seemed wrong to fall for someone another woman loved.

  At least she assumed Edna and Arlan were in love. She often heard Arlan whispering the woman’s name repeatedly with an almost frantic intensity.

  Nevertheless, no matter how frequently her head told her to stay away from Arlan, she couldn’t seem to do it. Pleased at the prospect of spending time with him working on this latest project for her students, she hoped she could convince him to help her with it the following day, since it was Saturday.

  “If I promise to feed you lunch, would you help me get the chicken wire portion of this project done tomorrow and maybe ride out to see Blake and Ginny?”

  “Madam, do you think I have nothing better to do than follow you around, seeking to fulfill your bidding?” If she hadn’t glanced up and caught the smile on his face and the light in his warm blue eyes, Alex may have thought he was serious.

  Instead, she squeezed his arm with her hands and bumped her shoulder against him as they strolled down the boardwalk to the feed store.

  “As a matter of fact, I’m sure of it.”

  Arlan laughed and opened the door to the store with a flourish, motioning her inside.

  Chapter Ten

  “Why don’t you take a break, Arlan? Go get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. Before long we’ll be buried with snow.” Luke pointed to the door, indicating Arlan should follow his suggestion. “The bank’s quiet right now so you may as well take advantage of it.”

  Shrugging his shoulders into his coat and settling his hat on his head, Arlan grinned at Luke then opened the door. “If you insist.”

  “I do, my friend. I purely do.”

  Arlan heard Luke’s laughter as he closed the door and strolled down the street, breathing in the crisp November air.

  After stopping at the post office and retrieving his mail, Arlan shoved two letters into his coat pocket and entered the mercantile. Mrs. Decker stood at the counter waggling both her finger and her chins at poor Aleta Bruner.

  The storekeeper lifted her gaze to Arlan’s and unobtrusively rolled her eyes while seeming to hang on Mrs. Decker’s every word.

  Arlan wandered down an aisle out of sight, but kept an ear attuned to the front of the store. The cantankerous woman launched into a slanderous rant about Alex.

  “I knew she was a Jezebel the day she set foo
t in town. She’s a shameless schemer who’ll beguile all the men in Hardman before she’s through. Mark my words.” Mrs. Decker took a breath before continuing. “Why, from what my sweet little Fred mentioned, the woman does witchcraft in class and has the students entranced. Fred’s too smart to fall for her manipulations, though, like the rest of the students. I can’t imagine what the school board is doing, allowing her to associate with the town’s children like they do. That woman is…”

  Aleta interrupted the tirade. “It’s time for you to take your purchases and go home, Mrs. Decker. Percy and Alice say Miss Janowski is the best teacher they’ve ever had and I quite agree. As for your insinuations that my children aren’t bright enough to discern when someone is being deceitful, I don’t appreciate that comment in the least. Good day.”

  The sound of Mrs. Decker marching her considerable girth out of the store along with the slamming of the door let Arlan know the woman was gone. As he approached the front counter, he nodded to Aleta, glad to know the Bruner family appreciated Alex’s efforts to teach their children.

  “That woman and her son are the two biggest nuisances this town has ever had. It may be wrong to think it, but I sincerely wish they’d go live wherever it is Mr. Decker has gone.”

  Arlan studied the assortment of candy sitting in glass jars on the end of the counter. “Since I’m of the same opinion, I don’t think it’s wrong in the least.”

  Aleta smiled and filled a bag with the licorice pieces Arlan indicated. Occasionally, he purchased candy and took it to the school when he went to check on Alex. The storekeeper accepted the coin Arlan handed her and passed him the candy with a knowing smile. “Please give my regards to Miss Alex.”

  “What leads you to believe I’m heading to the school?”

  “There are only two reasons you’d be wandering about town in the middle of the day. The first is to run an errand for Luke. The second is to check on our schoolteacher and the candy gave you away.” Aleta tipped her head toward the door. “I saw Fred go by a little while ago toward the other end of town, so I assume he’s not pestering her today.”