A Texas Legacy Christmas (10 page)

Chloe counted three days until Thanksgiving knocked at everyone’s door, and she’d be spending the holiday with Zack and the twins. A calendar lay inside the ledger at the registration desk. Ever since Zack had invited her to spend the holiday with his family, she’d checked off each day in pencil. That way she could erase the markings in case Mr. Barton asked her what they meant. Sometimes she wished she could erase all the ugly reminders of her past. The Bible said God took care of those things, but why was she still plagued with reminders?

Special occasions were a rarity for Chloe, other than her graduation from school. Pa had attended the ceremony and even said he was proud of her. Just when she believed he didn’t care, he’d surprised her with a comment that proved otherwise. Poor man. Once her mother died, he found little to live for except the bottle.

Time off from school meant being with Pa and something about Chloe always made him angry. She guessed it was her resemblance to her mother. But she’d been given a substitute mother in Miss Scott. The dear woman had always given her fruit and nuts at Thanksgiving and more again at Christmas, which Chloe hid from Pa. Maybe that had been wrong, and she should have shared. Women from church always made sure she had food and clothing. One year they gave her a quilt. Two of the girls at school had teased her about wearing their old clothes until Miss Scott scolded them. Eli had amused himself with his own teasing, but Chloe refused to think about those lewd comments. More than once, he’d frightened her with his filthy talk.

She shook her head. No reason to dwell on things she couldn’t change or ever tell a soul.

“Miss Chloe, do you have a minute?” Simeon called from the kitchen.

She scurried around the desk to see what he needed. Once inside the kitchen, she saw he had a basin full of carrots and potatoes to peel.

“If ya have a little time, I could use your help cleaning these taters and carrots for dinner.”

“Always for you.” She snatched up an apron and a paring knife.

“How is Miss Scott doing?”

For certain Simeon fancied the lady. Chloe doubted if he really needed help peeling the vegetables. “Very well, I think. In addition to having her tutor the twins, Zack hired her to write a column for him—recipes, sewing instructions, health tips, fashion, and the like.”

“Oh, she’ll do a mighty fine job. Isn’t her given name Annabelle? What a purdy name for a sweet lady.”

Chloe turned her head so he wouldn’t see her amusement. “Yes, her name is Annabelle. Did I see you watching her when she came by to check on the twins?”

“Couldn’t help myself. Mighty fine woman. Yes, she is.” He shook his head as though the memory of her visit had rooted in his head and heart.

“Simeon, are you smitten with Miss Scott?”

The tilt of his head and the twinkle in his eyes confirmed her suspicions. This time she did laugh aloud. Chloe finished peeling a potato and dropped it into a pan filled with salt water. “No need to answer. The look on your face tells it all.”

“You are one to accuse me of admirin’ someone.” Simeon wagged his finger at her and batted his eyes. “Have my ears deceived me? ‘Oh, Zack, everything you say and do is just wonderful.’”

Simeon was in for it now. “I don’t say those things at all.”

“You don’t? ‘Oh, Zack, yer children are beautiful. Can I get you another piece of pie?’”

She lifted her chin. “How about this? ‘Oh, Miss Scott, I love every word that comes from your mouth. You are the best school teacher in the state.’”

Simeon lifted his hands. “All right. I give. I think we’re both drownin’ in something we don’t know what to do about.”

She shrugged. “Maybe you are.”

He cleared his throat.

“All right. Maybe we both are. If you’re finished with the teasing, I have a question, a serious one.”

Simeon raised a brow. “Need advice from a wise ol’ man? Go right ahead.”

“Can you think of something I can do for small Christmas gifts this year?”

He expertly whipped the peeling off a carrot. “I believe I do. I have more apples at my place than I know what to do with. How about makin’ a batch of apple jelly? I have some extra jars, too.” He grabbed a potato. “We could make it here in the afternoons when work slacks off. Apple butter would be good, but it takes too long.”

What a perfect idea. “Simeon, that’s wonderful. There are a few special people I’d like to give a gift, but money is a problem. With your idea, I could tie the lids with red and green ribbon. What do I need to buy? Sugar?”

He nodded. “Something sweet from somebody sweet.”

She laughed. “Are you practicing on me for Miss Scott?”

“I don’t need to practice. The words just drip from my tongue like honey.” He rubbed his whiskered jaw. “Like I said, she’s a mighty fine woman.”

Chloe paused again to remember all the fine things Miss Scott had done for her. “After my mother died, she made sure I had food and clothes.”

“I heard her say that she thinks of all the young’uns she’s taught through the years as hers.”

Oh, to put Simeon and Miss Scott together. Perhaps at Christmas when she delivered her gift to the dear lady, Chloe would tell her how much she appreciated the years of teaching and how Simeon had helped her make the jelly. The dear woman may not have had any children of her own, but she certainly had adopted a whole lot more—just as Zack had adopted Curly and Charlie.

Thanksgiving at Morgan and Casey Andrews’s ranch? Her stomach fluttered. All those people would make her nervous. What if she said the wrong thing? What if they asked her about Pa’s death? Or where she’d lived before finding employment at the boardinghouse? But Zack’s family had always been kind to her.

Seemed like Chloe’s dreams were slowly coming true, like a batch of candy slowly coming to a boil when it was perfect. When Pa died, she believed her life had taken another turn for the worse. As ugly as he could be at times, she never wanted him dead, and he was her only living family member. Good memories of him when her mother was still alive floated in and out of her head. Perhaps Pa had found peace. He’d been happy before her mother died, and they’d attended church. No matter that they didn’t have much money. Love had kept them together.

“Where are your thoughts?” Simeon whispered.

She smiled. “Days gone by.”

“Remember the good ones and forget the bad ones. That’s the best way to make it through life. I know you love Jesus.”

“I do.”

“If He can forget the nonsense in our lives when we ask, then we need to do the same.”

“You are a wise man.”

He smiled. “Naw. Jest lived a lot of years and seen folks make good and bad choices.”

She gave him a kiss on the cheek and finished peeling the potatoes and carrots. The grandfather clock in the foyer chimed four o’clock. The time had slipped by this afternoon, and she had many more chores to complete before the evening.

The day wore on until near dinnertime. Chloe lit a lantern on the sideboard in the dining room. As the days shortened, those who dined at the boardinghouse needed light for their evening meal. And today had been cloudy with a steady shower of rain. Sometimes a candle on each table suited her purpose, but she liked to vary things a bit.

She blew out a breath and noted a crooked tablecloth. Once it was straightened, she thought about the days when her stomach had rumbled for food and her life had looked bleak. Then she remembered the incident of Simeon’s stolen bread and pie. Mr. Barton had agreed feeding someone made more sense than having food disappear that was needed for the boarders. Beginning on Saturday, she’d placed a plateful of food on the windowsill, and the next day the plate and fork were returned. As Chloe considered her own good fortune of late, she questioned if God was no longer upset with her. Her entire life had been plagued with sadness until recently, and she’d assumed God was displeased with her. But life had taken a change for the best. God had blessed her with employment, a place to live, food to eat, and Zack and the twins.

“I’m really pleased with your work.”

She swung her attention to the foyer that separated the dining from the living room and smiled at Mr. Barton. She hadn’t heard the bell jingle over the boardinghouse door. “Thank you. This is home for me.”

“And it shows. There’s not a speck of dust in the whole establishment. With the books in excellent condition and Simeon in the kitchen, I don’t have a single worry. Is your room adequate?”

“Very much so.” She sensed his eyes boring a hole through her, and suddenly she felt uncomfortable. His interest in her was clearly evident, just as Simeon had indicated. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“As a matter of fact there is. I know it’s a little early with Thanksgiving not until this Thursday, but I have an idea to help the community for Christmas. And I wanted your opinion and possibly your help.”

“I’d be glad to do whatever I can. What is your idea?”

“If I could talk Simeon into baking cookies for the schoolchildren, would you help me distribute them?”

“The children would love your thoughtfulness. It hasn’t been that long since I was a student there, and the days before Christmas are spent more in daydreaming than learning. I’d be happy to help Simeon with the baking. He admires Miss Scott.”

Mr. Barton chuckled. “I’ve seen the gleam in his eyes, and more songs seem to have appeared on his repertoire of whistling tunes. I’ll be sure to mention her name. I’d also like to open the dining room to needy folks on Christmas Eve. After the incident last Friday, I want to make sure all the hungry people of this town are fed. Do you think it would be too difficult for you and Simeon with the extra work? I plan to help too.”

“Not at all. I’d welcome the opportunity to give to others.”

“Good. I’ll proceed with those plans. I’ll ask Brother Whitworth for a list of those who could use a good meal.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “Do you have plans for Thanksgiving dinner?”

Her stomach churned. Her suspicions had been more than correct. Although Mr. Barton could be gruff and at times difficult to please, her opinion of him had changed because of his concern for those less fortunate. “Yes, sir, I do.”

“Is it anything you could cancel? I’d like to share Thanksgiving dinner with you. Simeon is preparing a huge meal, and I’m sure it will be wonderful.” His normal, businesslike facade softened.

She didn’t want to disappoint him, but she must share the truth. “I’m sorry, but I have already made a commitment.”

Immediately his features hardened. “I see. If you change your mind, kindly let me know.”

“I will. I appreciate your invitation.” Chloe walked to the foyer and watched him leave. This could be a sensitive situation with Zack living at the boardinghouse. Mr. Barton probably assumed she’d be spending the holiday with him and the twins. For that matter, Mr. Barton could change his mind about letting her have Thanksgiving Day off after breakfast.

No sooner had Mr. Barton left than he returned. “Miss Weaver, have you had lunch or dinner yet today?”

“No, sir. We’ve been busy.”

“I smell beef stew and corn bread. Would you mind joining me?” He smiled. “It’s a good hour before dinner is served for the boarders.”

“I’d be delighted.”

He gave her a half smile. “As delighted as sharing a meal with Zack Kahler and his children?”

Her face flushed warm. How rude. What should she say?

“I apologize. I’ve embarrassed and offended you.” He picked at a piece of lint on his coat. “My comment was uncalled for. I tend to speak whatever is on my mind without thinking of others.”

She swallowed and attempted to control her irritation. “It’s all right. Shall I get our food for us?”

“You are a gracious lady indeed. That would be fine, and I’ll spend the time contemplating my poor social skills.”

Simeon appeared to have dinner in hand, except for arranging the serving dishes. Chloe ladled stew into bowls and placed a few pieces of corn bread on a platter. She placed the food and two cups of coffee onto a tray and headed for the door.

“Who’s that for?” Simeon said.

“Mr. Barton and me.”

“You don’t look happy about eatin’ with the boss.”

“Hush. He’ll hear you.” She blew out a very unladylike sigh. “He has strange mannerisms at times.”

“Don’t I know it?”

She lifted her chin. “But he has a good heart, and I’m thankful for this job and the way he cares about the community.”

Simeon stared at her for a few minutes. “You need to work, don’t ya?”

“I’m all I have.” She shook her head. “I sound like a whining child.”

“I understand. Life ain’t always easy. Things will work out.”

Forcing a smile, she tilted her head. “I hope so.”

Once at the table in the dining room with dinner set before them, she listened to Mr. Barton ask the blessing. “Bless the hands who have prepared this food, and may it nourish our bodies so we can nourish Your kingdom. And I could use a bridle on my mouth. Amen.”

Startled, she glanced into his face. His lips curved up and he laughed, urging her to join him.

“We might as well laugh about my lack of manners,” he said. “You could have slapped me and quit your job. Then where would I be?”

“Where would I be?”

“You’re right.” He picked up his spoon and dragged it through the thick stew. “We’d both be in a fine mess. Truce?”

“Truce.”

“But your refusal of my invitation to join me for Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t mean I won’t stop trying to earn your favor.”

She picked up her spoon. “Am I supposed to respond?”

“Probably not. I like a good challenge, and I’m afraid Mr. Kahler is in the lead in this race.” He leaned in closer. “Do you find my withered hand repulsive?”

“Absolutely not. I look at a man’s heart. But sir, you barely know me.”

“Sometimes a man knows the blessing in front of him without a word being said.”

How sweet and she struggled how to respond. “I wouldn’t want you or Mr. Kahler to be disappointed.”

“I assessed you correctly. May the best man win the prize.”

The question crossed her mind whether she should tell Zack about Mr. Barton’s conversation. She hesitated. Not yet, unless Zack chose to deepen their relationship. This could get very complicated.