Alex’s eyes widened at his words and a smile started to lift the corners of her alluring mouth. “Do tell.”
His arms wrapped around her and pulled her to his chest. “In fact, I nearly forget my own name in your presence. All I can think about is how badly I want to kiss those cherry-ripe lips.”
The heated look she gave him made Arlan groan as he dropped his head to hers and sampled her lips. They were sweet, dark, and deliciously perfect. Moving slightly so he could hold her closer, Arlan kissed her again with a growing sense of urgency and longing.
Her arms wrapped around his neck and she returned his fervor, lost in how right it felt to be in his strong, capable arms.
Alex had taken care of herself for so long, she barely remembered what it was like to allow someone else into her life, into her heart.
There could be no doubts that Arlan had taken up residence there, with his tender spirit, kind eyes, and endearing smile.
Breaking away from him, Alex needed to send him on his way before their kisses became too involved.
The thought of him leaving didn’t hold any appeal, though, so she took his hand and led him to the rocker. He took a seat while she settled into the side chair and they chatted like old friends for a while.
Arlan meshed their fingers together as they talked and continually fought to behave like a gentleman. He wanted to pull Alex onto his lap, tug the pins from her hair, and bury his face in her fragrant tresses.
Instead, he asked her about her life in New York. “Do you have any siblings?”
“No. My parents had two boys before I was born, but both of them died before they reached the age of two. The doctor said they had weak hearts. I think my father always regretted the child that came out with a powerful set of lungs and strong heart had to be a girl. My mother had a weak heart, too. It’s what eventually claimed her life.” Alex’s eyes held wistfulness as she got up and put the kettle on the stove to heat, wanting the comfort of a cup of tea.
Arlan watched her movements and moved to sit at the table with her when the water boiled and she poured two cups full.
“Alexandra. Is that a family name?” He asked as she stirred sugar into her tea while he drank his plain.
“I suppose you could say that. My father’s name was Alexander. The first Alex the Amazing.”
Arlan was surprised by this revelation. “So your father was a magician, too?”
“Yes. He taught me everything he knew. Everything he learned from my grandfather.”
“Your grandfather? Was he an Alex, too?” Arlan took a drink of his tea and accepted the piece of gingerbread cake Alex set before him.
“No. Gramps was Gerik the Great. He and my grandmother came to America from Poland before my father was born. Gramps had the show wagon specially built. He’d set up on street corners and perform while my grandmother worked as his assistant. They had four daughters and then my father. The girls weren’t interested in the magic business, but Gramps had high hopes for his son. He taught my father everything he knew about magic. Then my father learned all he could by watching other magicians. When it became clear he’d never have a son to pass the trade to, he began training me.”
Arlan studied Alex as he took a bite of the moist, spice-laden cake. He wondered if her father realized what a treasure he had with such a loyal, determined girl. “Do your aunts still live in New York?”
Alex shook her head. “No. One of my aunts died of scarlet fever when she was sixteen. The other three moved away. Two of them live near Boston and the third lives in Philadelphia, last I heard.”
Arlan dreamed of someday going to both those cities to learn more about the nation’s historical events that occurred there. He wondered if Alex would ever want to visit her aunts. Perhaps she had other relatives from her mother’s side, too. “What about your mother?”
She smiled as memories of her mother flooded over her. “Her parents came from England, determined to make a fresh start in America. They died when I was young, but I remember them both as being happy. My mother was an only child and full of laughter. She was such a good balance to my father. He tended to have a darker personality but my mother pulled the light out of him and helped him shine. I think we all need someone like that, don’t you?”
At Arlan’s nod, she continued. “After they married, my father didn’t do much magic. He kept the wagon he inherited from Gramps, had his name painted on it, and occasionally took it out for a show. When Mother died, the light in my father did, too. He had a good job in the city with an assessor’s office. After she passed away, he decided he couldn’t stay in the city, loaded the magic wagon, and off we went across the country.”
“But how did you get your teaching certification?”
“I was always a good student and earned the certification before I turned sixteen. I’d only been teaching a few months when my mother died. Although my father trained me to do the magic business, I always wanted to teach. As an only child, school was the place I interacted with others and I loved learning.”
Arlan rested his hand over Alex’s and gave it a comforting squeeze. “Your mother must have been so proud of you.”
“She was.” Alex cleared her throat, brushing away her memories and emotion. “Enough about my past. The thing that matters now is that my wagon is repaired and ready to go, the children are excited about school, and you’re no longer committed to Edna.”
The flirty grin she gave Arlan made heat surge from his core to all his extremities. He leaned toward her but before their lips could connect, she jumped to her feet and carried their cake plates to the sink.
“It’s probably time for you to go, before I give the gossips in town even more fodder.”
Arlan wrapped his arms around her from behind and placed a warm kiss on her neck. He could feel the shudder that passed through her and wondered if that was a good or bad thing.
When she spun around and pulled his head toward hers, kissing him passionately, he knew it was all good.
Embarrassed by her brazen actions, Alex took a step back and crossed her arms in front of her, creating a barrier Arlan couldn’t cross.
Three strides carried him to the door where he slipped on his coat and settled his hat on his head. “Thanks for dinner, Alex. I appreciate the good meal.”
“Thank you for helping me with Libby.”
“Libby?” Arlan gave her a curious glance.
“That’s what the students named the statue.”
Arlan laughed and opened the door then kissed her cheek. “Sweet dreams, Alex the Amazing.”
Her smile filled his vision while her fragrance filled his nose as he stepped out into the dark.
Although he had limited knowledge in the ways of women, the few he kissed had never ignited such a yearning in him as he experienced just by looking at Alex. Her kisses set his blood on fire and sent his thoughts spinning out of control.
“The end of passion is the beginning of repentance.” The quote from Ben Franklin didn’t make him feel repentant in the least.
In fact, thoughts of Alex, and how perfectly she fit in his arms, made him wish she were wrapped in them still.
Emotions warred in him as he walked home. If it took every ounce of energy he possessed, he would convince Alex to stay in Hardman - with him.
Chapter Eleven
Thanks to Mrs. Decker’s continuing insistence Alex performed witchcraft at school, two of the school board members spent the day in her classroom, observing her every move.
The two farmers, Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Grove, both kept somber faces throughout the morning. At lunch, they disappeared into town, but returned as she rang the bell to call the students back to class for the afternoon.
Frowns marked their faces as they sat through the history lesson, making Alex nervous although she tried not to show it.
Despite their presence in her classroom, she went on with the lessons just as she planned for the day.
Near the end of the afternoon classes, she set
a pitcher of water, a drinking glass and a penny on her desk then looked over the class.
Percy Bruner raised his hand and waved it enthusiastically over his head. “Are you gonna do a magic trick, Miss Alex?”
“Of sorts.” She smiled at the boy while ignoring the two men at the back of the room. “Do you think I can make a penny disappear?”
Cheers of “yes!” echoed through the room.
“Why don’t you all come up here around my desk so you can get a better view?”
Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Grove joined the students crowding around Alex’s desk.
She moved behind it and set the penny down where they all could see it.
“First, look at this glass and tell me if it has any hidden parts to it.”
The students passed it around with the older students carefully examining it before handing it to the school board members. The two men tapped the glass, held it up to the light, and gave it a thorough inspection before handing it to Alex.
“Is it a regular drinking glass?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The students enthusiastically responded.
“I’m going to set the glass on top of the penny.”
Alex placed the glass over the penny and motioned to it. “The penny is still clearly visible, isn’t it?”
Affirmative answers met her question.
“Now, I’m going to pour water into the glass and the penny will disappear.”
She filled the glass and as she did, the penny became less visible until it disappeared completely.
The students clapped their hands and returned to their seats while the two school board members looked at the glass. Alex raised it and showed them the penny sat beneath it.
“I didn’t move the penny, but you thought I made it disappear through something called refracted light. When light passes through different substances, it can be bent. This happens because light travels at different speeds based on the substance. The speed that light goes into water is different from air, which is why the penny seems to disappear when the glass is filled with water instead of air. Make sense?”
The two farmers looked at each other and returned to their seats at the back of the classroom. Some of the older students raised their hands and asked questions about the speed of light and refractions.
Alex patiently answered them then glanced at the clock. The last twenty minutes of the school day, she typically spent reading to the children. The book they’d started was a lively and sometimes sad tale of a wooden toy named Pinocchio that wanted to be a real boy.
The story illustrated what could happen when children told lies and was one of the reasons Alex chose it to read aloud to the class.
Deciding to go ahead with her reading time, she moved her chair in front of her desk, picked up the dog-eared book, and sat down.
“Miss Alex?” Anna Jenkins raised her hand.
“Yes, Anna?”
“Can you tell my daddy what the story is about so he and Mr. Grove will know what we’re reading?”
Alex smiled indulgently at the child. “Certainly, Anna. I think that’s a good idea before we begin where we left off yesterday.”
After giving the two men a quick summary of the book, Alex dived into the story and the students sat quietly listening to the tale. When she reached the end of the chapter, she closed the book and stood.
“Thank you, students, for doing so well today. Have a wonderful evening. Class is dismissed, unless Mr. Jenkins or Mr. Grove would like to say anything?”
“No, ma’am.”
Once the students ran outside, Leroy Jenkins and James Grove walked to the front of the room.
“May I see the book you read to the students, Miss Alex?” Mr. Jenkins asked.
Hesitantly, Alex handed him the volume in her hand. She watched as he opened it and flipped through the pages.
“This isn’t English. What…?” Mr. Jenkins held the book out to Mr. Grove.
The two men looked at her in confusion.
“It’s written in Italian. I purchased that copy years ago before it was translated to English.”
Mr. Jenkins ran his hand over his head then gave her a long, inquisitive look. “Do you speak or read any other languages?”
“Just French and Polish.”
Mr. Grove looked at Mr. Jenkins and shook his head then handed her back the book. “So you are fluent in English, Italian, French, and Polish?”
At Alex’s nod, the man released a sigh. “And you use your magic tricks to teach the kids lessons in a fun way?”
“I try.”
“What about that thing in the corner?” Mr. Jenkins pointed to Libby, their statue of liberty. Ginny helped the students paint it one afternoon then struck upon the idea of cutting colored paper to look like flames in the torch. All the students held a certain amount of pride in their statue.
“The students made their own version of the Statue of Liberty. I thought it would be a good way to tie in history, both of our nation and the world, patriotism, creative arts, and science.”
Mr. Jenkins tipped his head at Alex before slapping his hat on and walking toward the door. Mr. Grove followed close behind. “Thank you for allowing us to observe your classroom today, Miss Alex. It’s been very enlightening.”
Afraid to ask what the comment meant, Alex watched as they strode down the steps, spoke to their children, and then headed off in the direction of town.
Sticking her head outside the door, Alex caught Tom’s attention and waved him over.
The boy ran up the steps. “Did you need something, Miss Alex?”
“I just wondered where your father and Mr. Jenkins are headed.”
“Dad said they’re gonna go talk to Luke then they’ll give us a ride home.”
Alex patted the boy on the back and smiled. “Thank you, Tom. You enjoy yourself until your father comes back.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Tom ran off to join John as the two of them took turns pushing one of the older girls on a swing. Percy Bruner lingered, playing on the teeter-totter with Anna Jenkins and her little brothers.
Nervous about what the men would report, Alex wanted to run to Granger House and sit with Filly until Luke arrived home from the bank and offered a full report.
Instead, she turned her attention to grading assignments, cleaning the blackboard, and straightening the classroom.
A tap at the door made her lift her gaze from her desk as Mr. Grove stuck his head inside.
“Thank you, Miss Janowski, for today. Enjoy your evening.”
“Thank you, sir. Have a pleasant evening.”
With her curiosity about to get the best of her, Alex quickly gathered her things and locked the schoolhouse door behind her before hurrying home.
She couldn’t concentrate on the book she tried to read or the lesson plans she’d brought home to complete.
Finally, she took scissors to a piece of paper and began cutting snowflakes to hang up in the classroom as a winter decoration.
Anxious and nervous, a knock on the door made her jump, slicing through a fold in the paper and ruining the snowflake pattern.
Wound up over what the two school board members reported to Luke, she hoped he’d give her a report on his way home from the bank.
When she opened the door, she wasn’t surprised to find him standing on the step.
“Afternoon, Miss Alex. My wife asked if you’d mind joining us for supper this evening, if you haven’t already eaten.”
“No, I haven’t eaten, and I appreciate the invitation.” Alex grabbed her coat from a hook and slipped it on then locked the door behind her.
As she and Luke started through town, she waited for him to say something about what Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Grove reported.
Rather than put her mind at ease, Luke seemed oblivious to her concerns. He discussed the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, reminding Alex she promised to dine at their house, along with Arlan, Ginny and Blake, Pastor Dodd and his family, and the Bruner family.
“Filly
still hasn’t told me what I can bring.” Alex glanced at Luke as they strolled toward his imposing home.
“She probably won’t either, but she loves chocolate. If you want to make something she might like, anything chocolate would tickle her fancy.” Luke winked at her as he escorted her down the front walk and up the steps. “What would really be appreciated is a magic trick or two, if you were so inclined.”
Alex laughed. The man never missed an opportunity to suggest she perform at least one trick. “I think that can be arranged.”
“Then forget making any treats and just bring a few of your tricks.”
As he helped her off with her coat and hung it on the hall tree, Alex noted a coat and hat that looked like Arlan’s.
Eager to see him, she followed Luke to the kitchen where Filly stirred something on the stove and Arlan set plates on the table.
“Oh, Alex, I’m so glad you could join us.” Filly wiped her hands on her apron and hurried over to give her a hug.
“Thank you for the invitation. May I help with anything?” With a soft look in her eye, Alex peeked at the baby in her cradle before returning her attention to Filly.
“If you wouldn’t mind filling the water glasses, I think dinner is ready.”
While Filly hustled to spoon a hearty stew into bowls, Luke carried a cloth-covered basket of hot rolls to the table. Arlan finished placing silverware next to each plate.
Inadvertently, Alex brushed against him when she set down a glass. Heat seared her cheeks while red flushed his neck.
Aware of their discomfort, Luke attempted to hide a chuckle behind a cough and ended up turning his head away as he seated Filly at the table. Arlan held Alex’s chair then took the seat next to hers.
After asking a blessing on the meal, Luke looked at Filly. “This is excellent stew, wife. I do enjoy a good bowl of stew, along with hot bread on a cold day. There’s nothing quite like…”
“Luke, behave yourself.” Filly slapped his arm then motioned toward Alex. “You’ve made this poor girl suffer, wondering if she’s in trouble with the school board. I can tell by the look on her face you didn’t have the decency to set her mind at ease before you brought her over here for supper. Tell her right now what Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Grove had to say.”
The Christmas Calamity Page 12