The Texan's Inherited Family

by Noelle Marchand

He took a deep breath and felt his pounding heart begin to slow to a more relaxed rhythm. This wasn’t the end of the world. It was just learning with a new teacher. He could do this. He would do this. At least until Helen gave up.

  He opened his eyes at the sound of Helen dragging a chair closer to him. She squeezed his shoulder then settled in beside him. “Ready?”

  “Yes.” No. Maybe. He attempted a smile, which she returned eagerly. She was enjoying herself already and the lesson hadn’t even begun.

  “Before we start, you should know this is going to take time. Don’t expect to learn everything overnight. Be patient with yourself.”

  He wasn’t expecting to learn much of anything, so he’d have no problems there. He nearly groaned. Who was he fooling? He wanted to learn to read—desperately. That’s why he’d agreed to this crazy scheme. He wanted to know once and for all if there was something truly lacking in him or if, as Helen had suggested, he only suffered from lack of proper instruction. “How much time would it take for me to learn to read?”

  “As much or as little as you need. It also partially depends on what you know so far.”

  “I can write my first name.” He demonstrated.

  “That’s good! Can you tell me the names of the individual letters that make up your name?”

  He touched the pencil point to the paper beneath the first letter. “Q-u-i-n-n. Quinn. That’s it. That’s all I know. No. Wait. I don’t know what this letter is called, but it’s how your name starts. I remember because it sort of looks like a longhorn.”

  She laughed. “I’ve never thought about it before but you’re right. It does. That’s an H.”

  “How many other letters are there?”

  “There are twenty-six letters in the alphabet. They look like this.” She wrote them out across the top of the paper for him.

  He gave a low whistle. “How am I ever going to remember all those?”

  “You already know a few of them. Can you find the letters in your name among the others?”

  “Yep.” He pointed each of them out as he found them. “That’s strange. The Q doesn’t seem to be here.”

  “This is the Q.”

  “Why does it look different?” He couldn’t hide the alarm in his voice. “Have I been writing it wrong all these years?”

  “You’ve been writing it correctly. Each letter comes in two forms—uppercase and lowercase. We usually use the uppercase form to start a sentence or a name. That’s why these are both Q.” She wrote the uppercase letter directly over the lowercase then did the same with H. “These are both H.”

  He stared at the paper, wondering what the other uppercase letters looked like. First... “Show me the rest of the letters in your name.”

  She did so, filling in the uppercase forms of those letters as she went. Then he asked her to do the same with the names of Reece, Clara, Trent and Olivia. There were still some letters to uncover, but he slid his paper toward Helen. “Can you write our family’s name all together in one place?”

  She smiled and slid the paper back toward him. “I think it would be better if you did. I’ll spell them out for you. Remember that with names the first letter will be uppercase and all the rest will be lowercase. You already have your name written down, so suppose we start with mine.”

  It must have taken a while with her telling him the letters, him finding them on the list and then learning how to write them. However, before he knew it, he had all of their names written on his paper. The letters were big and a little misshapen. Yet he couldn’t help feeling a sense of pride while looking at them. He sent a self-deprecating smile to Helen. “It’s kind of sloppy.”

  She returned his smile with tears in her eyes as she shook her head. “It’s beautiful.”

  “What about the other letters? There are still a lot of them I don’t know and I want to see their other forms.”

  “Then let’s go over them.” She went through the alphabet, filling in their uppercase counterparts and teaching him how to write both forms of the letters.

  By the time she was finished, Quinn felt himself drifting toward confusion. “I’m never going to keep them straight even if I manage to remember them.”

  “Sure you will, because I have a song that will help.”

  “A song?” He couldn’t help perking up at that.

  She winked. “I thought you’d like that. It’s called ‘The Alphabet Song.’ As you sing, I want you to focus not just on the melody or sequence of the letters, but on remembering what each looks like. Got it?”

  “Yes, but will I be able to play it on my banjo?”

  She laughed. “I have no idea. Maybe. Now listen, repeat after me and do as I do. Ready?”

  “Yep.”

  She touched the appropriate letter when she sang it. He repeated after her, copying the melody and her actions as she walked him through the song. They did the same thing twice more. Then they sang it together. Finally, he sang it on his own. She clapped for him when he finished, though she did so softly so as not to disturb the sleeping children. “Bravo, my good man.”

  He managed a small bow even though he was seated at the table. “Thank you. What now?”

  “That’s all for tonight. You’ve accomplished a lot and I don’t want to overdo it on our first lesson. However, you should know that I am thoroughly impressed with you.”

  “You are?”

  “Most definitely.” She yawned and he realized that he’d been so involved with the lesson that he hadn’t noticed how late it was getting. “You catch on quickly.”

  “I do?”

  Her heavy lashes blinked drowsily. “You do. Now it’s time for sleep. Morning will come early and you’ll want to be rested for our lesson tomorrow. Good night.”

  “Wait.” He stood with her then lifted her chin so that her gaze focused on his. “I said it earlier in jest. I want to say it again from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. I never thought I’d be able to learn even this much. Now I’m beginning to think that maybe I can do this, after all.”

  “Then you’d be right.”

  It would be so easy to taste the sweet smile blossoming on her lips, but he doubted that she’d want him to. Sure, she’d kissed him once before, but that had only been to shut him up. Besides, as wonderful as she had been about his illiteracy problem, it had to have lowered her opinion of him—even if she didn’t show it. In fact, she probably wouldn’t show it so as not to make him feel worse about himself. That was just the kind of thing she would do because she was smart and patient and far too good for him.

  Pulling in a deep breath, he released her chin and let her retire for the night with nothing more than a softly spoken good-night. He sat back down at the kitchen table to stare at the papers on the table—papers on which he’d written letters he now recognized. Something within him quickened. He may not deserve Helen now, but if he could learn to read...perhaps he could earn her.

  Why hadn’t he thought of that before? Surely, if he made himself a better man, he’d deserve better things and he wouldn’t have to worry about ending up like his father and brother. It would need to be more than just learning to read, though. He’d need to become a better Christian, father and husband. It wouldn’t be an easy task. Yet, if it would give him a chance to earn Helen, then he had to take it.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Two weeks after Quinn’s first lesson, Helen cleared the books and paper he’d been using from the kitchen table to make room for breakfast. She’d just set them on the end table by the settee when he clomped in from outside with an armful of wood for the stove. He stacked the logs in the wood box. “Sorry about that, Helen. I meant to move them before I left.”

  “No problem.” She returned to the stove and began cracking eggs into a bowl. “How late did you stay up last night?”

 
He scratched his jaw. “I think I went to sleep about one.”

  “Quinn—”

  “I know. It’s just that I get caught up in practicing what you teach me, then I look up and hours have gone by.” He gave her a confident grin that set his dimples winking. “Did you see my handwriting? It’s improved a lot, hasn’t it?”

  “It certainly has.” How could she chide him when he was so eager to learn and please? He was blazing through the process so quickly that she was afraid he’d burn out. Every spare moment not consumed by the children or the farm was spent in her teaching him or him reviewing what he’d learned. There seemed to be a lot of spare moments lately with the winter wheat no longer in the ground. He also hadn’t made any mention of adding on to the house though there were plenty of funds for him to do so. However, rather than finding encouragement in that, Helen suspected it was only a side effect of his determination to conquer reading and writing.

  Helen reveled in his every accomplishment and enjoyed seeing the confidence he was gaining in those subjects spread to other areas of his life. Yet she couldn’t shake the nagging fear that she’d relegated herself to becoming merely a teacher in his eyes. She wanted to be more than that, but she didn’t feel as though she was making much progress in that respect. She was getting impatient and frustrated with herself. After all, how long had they been married? Shouldn’t they be further along in their relationship than this?

  “I’ll awaken the children.”

  She nodded, deep in thought as she whisked the eggs together with some seasoning. A month, she realized. They’d been married for one month today. It wasn’t that long. Just long enough for her to become a little discouraged that she’d never be able to convince Quinn to love her. Maybe she needed a change in her perspective or just a change of scenery. She hadn’t left the farm except to go to church on Sundays since she’d married Quinn. If she gave in to this sudden craving for a few moments to herself, would she be a horrible wife and mother?

  She certainly felt like one during breakfast when she announced her plan to go to town alone. The children from oldest to youngest followed their uncle’s lead in setting down his fork to stare at her. Quinn wiped his mouth with a napkin and frowned. “There’s no need for that. I’d be happy to go to town to get whatever you want.”

  “I know you would, but I’d like to get it myself.” Particularly since she hadn’t decided on what exactly she’d be getting yet.

  Clara leaned across the table with dancing blue eyes. “Will you bring us back a surprise, Aunt Helen?”

  “I certainly will.”

  Quinn’s acquiescence was a bit grumbly. “I’ll saddle one of the horses.”

  “Actually, I’d rather drive the wagon than ride.” The doctor had ordered her not to ride again after that fateful accident. Out of concern, her parents had enforced that rule. Helen wouldn’t feel comfortable enough to ride to town alone on a horse even if she’d wanted to—which she didn’t. Thankfully, Quinn didn’t find the request odd. He just nodded and that was that. Soon Helen put on her hat and coat then kissed the children goodbye before walking to the wagon Quinn had readied for her. He helped her onto the seat then handed her the reins. “You won’t be gone too long, now, will you?”

  “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “We’ll be waiting.” He backed away to watch her go. She glanced back as she neared the turn that would soon hide the house from view. The sight of Quinn waving at her with the children lined up beside him made her want to turn the wagon around right then and there. How could she leave them, if only for an hour or two?

  No, she was being silly. She’d cure her case of cabin fever and be back home in no time at all. She answered Quinn’s wave with one of her own then focused on the winding road before her. It wasn’t long before she strolled into Peppin’s bustling mercantile. The owner’s daughter, Sophia Johansen, welcomed her with smile. “Hello, Helen. What can I do for you?”

  “I’ll take twelve ounces of candy corn.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Isabelle sidled up to the counter beside Helen. “Sophia, do you have any of my mother’s favorite tea in the back? There’s none left on the shelf.”

  “I’ll check.” Sophia handed Helen the candy corn in exchange for payment.

  “Thank you!” Isabelle turned to Helen as Sophia disappeared into the stockroom. “This is a nice surprise. What are you doing in town?”

  Helen shrugged. “Cabin fever set in.”

  “You made it about a month. Not bad for a former city girl.” Isabelle glanced around the mercantile. “Where are your husband and the little ones?”

  “I left them at home.”

  Isabelle smirked. “She said guiltily.”

  “I feel awful.” Helen grimaced. “You should have seen them when I left. It was as if they thought I would never come back.”

  Isabelle only had time to make a sad face in sympathy before Sophia returned with her order. At that instant, Helen felt a soft touch on her back and turned to find Ellie grinning at them. “So many of my good friends all in one place. Why didn’t anyone tell me there was going to be a party?”

  Helen laughed. “It wasn’t intentional.”

  “Says who?” Sophia asked. “Whenever I’m bored, I pray for company then wait to see which one of my friends will show up.”

  Isabelle gestured to the busy counter where Sophia’s father, Mr. Johansen, and brother, Chris, were dealing with customers. “It looks like you have a lot of friends, Sophia.”

  “That’s why my father keeps me around.” Sophia winked as Isabelle paid her bill. “What can I do for you, Ellie?”

  “Not a thing. Lawson is the one with the list and I think Chris is helping him. Hey, all of us being in one place is too good an opportunity to pass up. Why don’t we go across the street for some of Maddie’s pie and coffee.”

  Helen and Isabelle quickly agreed. Sophia declined since she had work to do. After Ellie arranged to meet her husband later at his parents’ house, they settled in at a table in Maddie’s Café. Ellie’s warm green eyes focused on Helen first. “So you’re in town alone?”

  “Yes.” Helen shot a quick glance at Isabelle, who patted her arm.

  “And she feels guilty about it. Ellie, tell her she shouldn’t.”

  “Why don’t you tell her, silly?”

  “She’s more likely to believe you because you’ve been married longer than her.”

  “Just a minute.” Helen set her cup of coffee down with mock indignation. “Ellie only beat me to the altar by a week.”

  Ellie waved off her protest. “Listen to some advice from a mature, married woman.” She waited until they finished laughing before she continued. “Actually, it isn’t from me, but from my sister Kate who’s been married more than ten years. It’s permissible to take some time for yourself every once in a while—healthy, even. Stop feeling guilty, Helen.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Maddie brought them three slices of pecan pie and the conversation lulled as they dug into it rather enthusiastically. Ellie set her fork aside long enough to ask, “Helen, what’s it like being a mother to four children from the get-go?”

  She felt herself beaming. “It’s more wonderful than I ever dreamed. It’s also harder than I imagined. Just keeping up with all of them can be a challenge sometimes. Each one has their own little personality that’s so fun to see developing. Reece is the protector. Clara is just a sweetheart to everyone. Trent is the deep thinker of the group, even at four years old. Baby Olivia is always a smiling little ray of sunshine.”

  Isabelle smiled. “They think the world of you. I can tell that just from seeing y’all together at church.”

  “Well, I think the world of them, too.”

  “Aw. That is very sweet,” Ellie said, then tilted her head. “What about
Quinn? How are things going with him?”

  “He’s doing well.” Helen sorted through what she could and couldn’t say since she wasn’t sure he’d want anyone to know she’d been tutoring him. “We’ve been able to spend more time together recently, so that’s been nice.”

  Isabelle shook her head. “It seems like everyone is getting married all at once. First, you, Ellie. Then Amy. Then Helen. All back to back. I have to admit, y’all have me curious as to what all the fuss is about.”

  Helen lifted a brow. “Curious enough to try it yourself?”

  “Perhaps one day. Of course, there is a little matter of finding the right groom. None of the boys in town seemed the least bit interested in me when Amy was around. There was something about her that drew them like bees to honey.”

  Ellie nodded. “I think you’re right about that, but she’s gone now. That ought to change things.”

  “I think it did.” Isabelle blushed.

  Helen’s mouth dropped and she exchanged wide-eyed glances with Ellie before turning back to Isabelle. “You’ve got a beau. Who is it? Rhett?”

  “What? No! I don’t have a beau. If I did, it certainly wouldn’t be Rhett. Why would you guess him of all people? Everyone knows he was in love with Amy.”

  Ellie just smiled and ignored the protests. “Helen, what made you think of Rhett?”

  “He drove Isabelle to my house once and I detected a certain something in the air.”

  Isabelle rolled her eyes. “Manure most likely.”

  “Methinks the lady doth protest too much,” Helen murmured over her coffee.

  Ellie shuddered. “Please, no Shakespeare. It brings back memories of a certain pig farmer who shall go unnamed.”

  Helen sent a sly grin to Isabelle. “Which is funny because the quote is from Hamlet.”

  “You, stop it.” Ellie glared then turned to Isabelle. “Who did you mean if not Rhett?”

  “I only meant that men in general seem more interested in me now that Amy is gone. Now, let’s change the subject. So, Ellie, how is married life?”