Love Finds a Home (Anthologies) (13 page)

“Whew! Sure is gettin’ cold out,” Lon said, rubbing his shirtsleeves and turning toward the front of the building.

“Yep. Won’t be long now, and the canal will be shut down till spring,” Ernie agreed. He glanced in the direction Lon was heading and froze. A young woman stood near the front counter talking to Grace. She was tall, with blond hair pulled back into a bun, and curly bangs spreading across her forehead. She wore a solid navy-blue dress that touched the top of her black leather shoes, and a white knitted shawl was draped around her shoulders.

“Now there’s a looker for ya,” Jeb said with a crooked grin. “Don’t recollect seein’ that beauty ’round here before, have you, boss?”

Ernie shook his head, unable to form the right words. He stared at the woman a few seconds, then pulled his gaze away. This wasn’t right. She could be married, and if she was, he had no call to be gawking at her.

Don’t have no reason to be starin’ even if she ain’t married
, he berated himself.
The only thing I should be thinkin’ about is getting’ my load of coal hauled up to Easton
.

“Ain’t ya gonna go up front and see why that woman’s talkin’ to Grace?” Jeb’s bony elbow connected with Ernie’s ribs, and he jumped.

“Hey, cut that out!”

“I was only tryin’ to get your attention. You’ve been standin’ there like you was struck dumb or somethin’.”

Ernie ran a hand through his thick, wavy hair and grimaced. “You’re right. I should find out who she is and why she’s talkin’ to my daughter.”

Before Jeb had a chance to comment, Ernie tromped across the wooden floor and stopped beside the blond-haired woman. He cleared his throat. “Ahem.”

She turned and offered him a tentative smile, then glanced down at his daughter. “Is this your papa, Grace?”

The child nodded and pointed to the woman. “This here’s Miss Judith King, Papa. She’s the new schoolteacher in Parryville. She says she ain’t married and don’t got no kids.”

“But I do like children, and that’s why I teach.” Judith extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr.—”

“Snyder. Ernie Snyder.” He shook the woman’s hand and then released it, feeling like an awkward schoolboy who didn’t know up from down.

“Your daughter tells me she’s never been to school before.”

“That’s right, but as soon as the canal’s drained, she’ll be goin’ with her brother.” Ernie motioned to Andy, who stood near the potbellied stove warming his hands as he held the sucker between his lips.

“That’s good to know, but don’t you think your children should be in school all year?” Judith questioned.

Ernie’s defenses rose, and he clenched his fingers while holding his hands at his sides. “I own my own boat, and my kids need to be with me when the canal’s up and runnin’.”

“What about your wife? Can’t she bring the children to school?”

His forehead wrinkled. “Anna’s dead. Died a few years ago from pneumonia.”

Judith blinked a couple of times, and he noticed that one of her eyes was blue and the other was brown. He’d never seen anyone with two different-colored eyes before, and it was hard not to stare.

“I’m sorry about your wife, Mr. Snyder,” she said in a sincere tone. “I’m sure you’re doing the best you can by your children.”

“Yep, he sure is. That’s why he hired me to cook, clean, and watch out for Grace,” Jeb declared. He stepped up beside Ernie and offered Judith a toothless grin.

“My kids don’t get the kind of learnin’ that some do,” Ernie said, “but I’ve taught’em a few Bible verses, and they can recite several by heart.”

“That’s right,” Grace chimed in.” ‘God has made everything beautiful in his time.’ Ecclesiastes 3:11.”

Judith touched the child on the shoulder. “Well done.”

“I know more. Want to hear ’em?”

Before the schoolteacher had a chance to reply, Ernie tapped Grace on the shoulder and said, “Not now, daughter. We need to pay for our things and get back to the boat.”

Judith leaned over so she was eye level with Grace. “I’d be happy to hear some other verses when you come to school.” She straightened again and looked directly at Ernie. “I’ll look forward to having your children in class … sometime next month?”

“Right. The weather’s gettin’ colder now, so most of the canal will probably be drained by then.”
She’s tall. Really tall
. Ernie chewed on that thought a few seconds.
Never met a woman who could look me right in the eye
.

He shook his head, hoping the action would get him thinking straight. Then, with a sudden need for some fresh air, he slapped some money on the counter in front of the storekeeper. “Give Jeb the change when he finishes his business.”

“Will do,” Lon said with a nod.

Ernie grabbed his daughter’s hand. “Me and Grace will be waitin’ on the boat, Jeb.”

“Okay, boss. Andy and me will be along just as soon as we gather up the supplies.”

Remembering what his mama used to say about good manners, Ernie called over his shoulder, “Nice meetin’ ya, Miss King!” Then he and Grace went out the door.

CHAPTER 3

A
s Judith stood on the front porch of the schoolhouse, ringing her bell, she was pleased to see the Snyder children tromping up the path with their father. School had been in session a little over a month, and now that freezing weather was upon them, many of the canalers’ children would be coming to the new schoolteacher for some book learning.

“Good morning, Mr. Snyder,” she said as Ernie and his children stepped onto the porch.

He gave his navy-blue stocking cap a quick tug and offered her a crooked grin. “Aw, just call me Ernie. ‘Mr. Snyder’ sounds too formal-like.”

Judith smiled in return. “Ernie it is, then.” She glanced at his daughter, noting several places where her jacket was torn. “Hello, Grace. I’ve been looking forward to having you in my class.”

Grace stared at her rubber boots. “’Mornin’, Miss King.”

Ernie gave his daughter’s arm a pat. “She’s feelin’ kind of nervous, what with this bein’ her first day of school and all.”

Judith’s heart went out to the child. When she was a girl, she had been shy and self-conscious, rarely speaking unless she was spoken to and always worried about her appearance.

“You’ll be fine once you get to know everyone,” Judith assured the child. She bent down, so she was eye level with Ernie’s son. “And what’s your name?”

“Andy,” the boy mumbled. “Papa said I have to come to school, but I’d rather be helpin’ him cut ice all winter.”

Judith glanced back at Ernie. “You’re an ice cutter?”

He nodded. “Just durin’ the winter months. Gotta make a livin’ somehow when I can’t run the boat.”

“Do you live on the boat all year?” she asked.

“Naw. We have a little house on the far side of town. Like to hunker down there durin’ the colder months.”

When Judith was about to comment, she heard a ruckus going on in the schoolhouse, and her attention was drawn inside. “Please come in and take off your coats,” she said, motioning to the door. “Apparently I’ve got some rowdy students who must be anxious for their day to begin.”

As they stepped inside the schoolhouse, a wadded-up piece of paper sailed across the room, just missing Judith’s head. She hadn’t seen who had thrown it, but from the guilty look on Roger’s face, she suspected it was him.

She bent to pick up the paper. “Everyone, please take your seats. We have two new students today—Andy and Grace Snyder.”

Ernie shuffled his feet a few times. “I reckon I should be headin’ back to work. I’ll be by after school to pick up my kids.” He looked first at Andy, then at Grace. “You two behave yourselves, ya hear?”

“Yes, Papa,” Grace said meekly.

Andy only gave a brief nod.

Judith motioned to an empty desk near the front of the room. “Why don’t the two of you sit there today?”

As the Snyder children took their seats, she escorted Ernie to the door. “I’m sure they’ll be fine, Mr. Snyder—I mean, Ernie.”

He grunted and reached up to rub his chin, which appeared to have recently been shaved. Judging from the spot of dried blood, Judith figured he’d probably nicked himself.

With a quick “See ya later,” Ernie tromped out the door.

That man needs a warmer coat
, Judith thought when she noticed Ernie pull the collar of his threadbare jacket around his neck.
And what a nice father for escorting his children to school
.

As Ernie headed for the icehouse on the other side of town, all he could think about was Judith King, with her haunting multicolored eyes and dimpled smile. It was dumb, just plain stupid, to think a woman as beautiful and smart as she was would ever give anyone like him a second glance.

I only went through the fourth grade. If she knew that, she’d probably think I was a poor canaler who’s dumber than dirt
. Ernie kicked a hefty stone with the toe of his boot, hoping the action would get him thinking about something else.

“Sure hope my boy don’t give the teacher no sass,” he mumbled, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. Andy had been a handful since Anna died, often playing tricks on his sister and not always minding the mules the way he should. Ernie knew if he didn’t stay firm with the child, he might grow up to be lazy.

Ernie had begun walking the mules when he was eight years old. Later, when his pa was sure he could handle the boat, he’d become the spotter and sometimes got to steer. From the beginning Ernie had known he would own a canal boat someday. He loved being on the water, moving up and down the canal hauling anthracite coal, and he hoped Andy would want to follow in his footsteps—although with the growing competition from trains, the family business might come to an end before then.

Ernie picked up his pace. His primary goal in life was to see that his kids were properly cared for. He also knew it was important for them to memorize some Bible verses and learn to do an honest day’s work.

Guess they might need a bit more book learnin than I had, too
.

Judith stood at the window overlooking the schoolyard, watching the children during their afternoon recess. Even though it was cold outside, it was good for them to run and play. When the students came back inside, they would be ready to settle down. She might have a spelling bee for the older ones and get the younger children involved in an art project. Soon Christmas would be here, and some colorful decorations for the schoolhouse would be a nice addition.

Judith turned to study the room.
I’ll need to think about a Christmas program soon and who will get what parts. The children would probably enjoy singing some Christmas carols, too
.

A commotion outside drew Judith’s attention back to the window. Several children stood in a circle, chanting, “Hit him! Hit him! Hit him!”

Judith rushed out the door, not bothering to fetch her shawl. “What’s going on?” she shouted above the noise.

The chanting stopped, but no one spoke. Then she spotted Grace crouched next to the teeter-totter.

When Judith pushed through the circle, she realized that Andy stood in the center, toe-to-toe with Garth. Both boys held up their fists as though ready to take a swing.

She ducked between them. “What is the problem?”