The Princess Club / Family Secrets / Mountain Madness (16 page)

“But—”

“Hush! I've had mules with more sense than
you, Bob Allen. Mary wants to go, she'll go.”

Bob frowned. “Women!” he muttered.

“Bob, we haven't settled this,” Doctor MacNeill said. “Next time I hear you've been near the Washingtons, I'll be using my gun. And I won't stop to socialize first. You understand me?”

“I understand you started this whole miserable mess,” Bob shot back. “And I understand one other thing. You, Miz Christy, Miz Alice, the preacher, maybe two or three others are on the Washingtons' side. But I got me the whole o' Cutter Gap on my side. Who do you think is gonna win that war, Doc? We'll get you and those Washingtons. You started somethin' you ain't able to finish. You done forgot your roots, Doc. You're as much a part of this place as the rest of us.”

In two great steps, Doctor MacNeill placed himself squarely in front of Bob. He grabbed him by the shirt and shoved him hard against the wall.

Della May cried out. Mary gasped, her hand to her mouth.

“Don't you threaten me, Bob Allen,” the doctor said between gritted teeth. “That's a fight you don't want. And don't you talk to me about my roots. Right about now, I'm embarrassed to be from this place.”

Christy touched the doctor's shoulder. “Neil. Come on.”

Doctor MacNeill released Bob, who slumped against the wall, rubbing his neck. “Traitor,” Bob growled.

The doctor stomped out the door. Christy started to follow, then hesitated. “Come to the Bible study, Mary,” she said. “Please.”

When Mary didn't answer, Christy knew there was nothing more to say.

Eleven

O
n Monday during the noon break, Christy sat with David on the front steps of the mission school. The children were spread all over the lawn, lazing under the trees while they ate.

“So, any problems so far today?” asked David, who taught Bible study at the school and helped with arithmetic classes when he had time.

“Somebody put molasses on Louise Washington's chair while she was writing on the chalkboard. I tried, but I couldn't find the culprit. I'm pretty sure it was Lundy, though,” Christy sighed. “I just can't seem to get through to these children, David.”

“Join the club.” David gave an understanding laugh. “How do you think I felt yesterday, during my sermon about brotherly love and tolerance?”

“It was a wonderful sermon, David.”

“Too bad the church was only half full.”

“I keep thinking if I could just get one or two of the children to make friends with the Washingtons, that would be a good start. I thought I saw Della May whispering to Hannah this morning, but I was probably imagining things. Given the way Bob Allen feels, it's difficult to imagine one of his own children defying him that way.”

“It's hard for these children to take a stand like that,” David pointed out. “It takes real bravery to go against your family and friends and do the right thing.”

He pointed to Creed Allen, who was sitting under a tree, head in his hands. “Speaking of the Allens, what's wrong with Creed? He's been so quiet lately.”

“Scalawag ran away,” Christy explained.

“Oh, that explains it. Poor kid. Speaking of running away, I hear you're planning a trip with Doctor MacNeill.”

“Word travels fast.”

“You're going to a wedding?” David asked, brows raised.

“We'll see. If things don't settle down around here, I'm not sure I'll be comfortable leaving, even if it's only for a couple days. Miss Alice did say she wouldn't mind filling in at the school.”

“I'll help out, too, if I can. Although I'd prefer it,” David added with a grin, “if you were going to a wedding with me.”

Before Christy could reply, a sharp cry rang out. “Miz Christy, Preacher, come quick!” Ruby Mae called. “John and Lundy's a-fightin'!”

Christy and David ran to the other side of the school. A small group of students had circled around John and Lundy. John was on the ground. Lundy straddled his chest.

“Tell me, you slime-belly snake!” Lundy screamed. “Tell me what you did with it!”

“I don't know what you're a-talkin' about. I swear it!” John shouted.

Lundy raised his fist to strike. Just in the nick of time, David grabbed his arm. Together he and Christy yanked Lundy off John.

“Lundy Taylor!” Christy cried. “What do you think you're doing?”

“He stole my hat!” Lundy screamed. “Stole it right off my desk when I weren't lookin'.”

“I didn't take his fool hat,” John said as he climbed to his feet shakily. “What would I want with that dirty ol'—”

“I'm goin' to pummel you good for that!” Lundy started for John, but David held him back.

“Did anyone see John take Lundy's hat?” Christy asked.

Nobody answered.

“Who else woulda took it?” Lundy asked. “That's how they are, my pa says. Can't trust 'em as far as you can throw 'em. 'Sides, I ain't the only one what's had somethin' stole since they come to school.”

“Someone took my bread last Friday,” Wraight Holt said, glaring at John.

“And Mary O'Teale,” Lundy added, “she done had her hair ribbon swiped.”

Mary nodded. “It's true, Teacher.”

“And that rag doll Vella Holt's always
carryin' around with her like it's a real baby,” Lundy said. “That's gone. All of it since
they
—” he jabbed a finger at John, “come to school.”

Christy put her hands on her hips. “Has anyone seen these items taken? Does anyone have any proof that John or his sisters
are responsible?”

“That's how thiefs is,” Wraight said. “Sneak up on you when you ain't suspectin'.”

“I didn't take your things,” John said defiantly. “I ain't got no need of 'em.”

“All right,” Christy said firmly. “Here's what we're going to do. I want everyone to look high and low for these items for the rest of the noon break. Until we can prove what happened to them, there will be no more accusations. And Lundy, I want you to go home for the rest of the day. You know how I feel about fighting.”

“But it weren't
my
fault!” Lundy screamed. “It was him—”

“That'll be quite enough, Lundy,” David said. “You're lucky we aren't going to expel you.”

Lundy sent a poisonous look at John. He spat on the ground. “You'll get yours,” he growled. Then he spun on his heel and stomped off, muttering to himself.

When the fighting was over, Della May went over to her brother and sat beside him. “Bad fightin',” she reported.

“Lundy and John?” Creed asked.

“Yep.”

“I figgered as much.”

“You think they stole those things like Lundy said?”

“Don't rightly know.” Creed leaned back against the tree trunk, sighed, and closed his eyes.

“Creed,” Della May said, “Scalawag's bound to turn up. You heard Granny. She ain't hardly never wrong.”

Creed didn't answer. That was a bad sign. Creed
always
had something to say.

“I ain't never heard Granny yell the way she did at Pa the other day,” Della May said. She picked a piece of grass and chewed on it.

“Nope,” was all Creed said.

Della May paused. “You think Pa was the one shot at John?” she asked softly.

“Most likely.”

“If someone shot at you,” Della May said, “I'd be powerful mad.”

Creed opened one eye. “Thank you kindly, Della May.” He smiled, but just a little.

“Creed?”

“Hmm?”

“You figger pas are ever wrong about things?”

“Hardly never. That's why they's pas and we's just children.”

“Creed?”

“Lordamercy, Della May! Can't you see I'm restin'?”

“You figger Pa'd be right mad if'n I just talked to Hannah now and again?”

For that, Creed opened both eyes. He scratched his head, eyeing her like she'd gone plumb mad. “Talk to 'em to say mean things? Or talk to 'em to say friendly-like things?”

“Friendly-like.”

Creed let out a low whistle. “Della May, you'd be a-walkin' on thin ice, girl.”

“I've been givin' it some time. And I've come to figger out that Hannah's purty nice. Today she told me she's been lookin' for Scalawag for you every single day since he run off.”

Creed gave that some thought. “Every day?”

“Every day. And I believe her, 'cause she likes animals same as you and me. Has a mouse in her pocket, name of Violet.”

“Sounds to me like you already done your share o' talkin'.”

“Some, maybe.”

“Sounds to me like you already done made
up your mind, Della May Allen.”

“Maybe so.”

“Then you don't need me a-tellin' you what to do, do you?”

“No. I s'pose not.”

Creed closed his eyes again. Della May got up to leave. She'd only gone a few steps when she heard Creed call, “Della May?”

“Yep?”

“If'n you do decide to do more talkin', tell
her thank you kindly about Scalawag.”

Twelve

A
fter school that afternoon, Christy hurriedly graded some papers and cleaned the chalkboard. When she was done, she headed straight to Miss Alice's cabin for the weekly Bible study.

Christy had always loved these meetings. Miss Alice would read in her soothing voice while the other women sewed or simply listened. It was a beautiful cabin inside, full of warmth and color. Polished brass candlesticks shone on the mantel. Cherry and pine furniture gleamed in the sunshine. Whenever Christy was there, she felt transported back to her old life in Asheville. It was a place of beauty, of sophistication, a place where the world was full of promise, not despair.

A world, she realized, like the one Doctor MacNeill seemed to be longing for.

Today, however, when Christy entered Miss Alice's cabin, the scene was not at all what she expected. In one corner sat some of the women who came regularly to the meetings. Granny O'Teale and her daughter-in-law, Swannie, were there. Aunt Polly Teague—at ninety-two, the oldest woman in the Cove—was in her favorite rocker. Fairlight Spencer, Christy's close friend, had come, and so had Lety Coburn. Christy was surprised and relieved to see that Mary Allen had come, too.

Still, many faces were missing. One look at the other corner, where Margaret and Louise Washington sat alone, explained why.

How did the word get out so quickly?
Christy wondered. But of course she knew the answer. By now she understood that news had a way of traveling fast in Cutter gap—like “greased lightning,” as her students liked to say.

“Christy!” Miss Alice exclaimed. “Come, sit down. We were just getting started. You see we have some new faces.”

“Margaret, Louise.” Christy sat down beside them. “I'm so glad you could come. You, too, Mary.”

Mary gave a terse nod, but said nothing.

Christy gazed around her. Most of the
women sat on one side. Christy and the Washingtons sat on the other. Miss Alice in the middle, trying to make peace. They were divided into warring camps, separated by hate and misunderstanding. Just like her classroom.

Miss Alice seemed to be reading Christy's mind. “I'll strain my voice, having to read to the east and west side of the cabin. Suppose we all try to move our chairs a little closer?”

No one moved. Margaret studied her Bible. Louise looked as if she were about to cry.

Fairlight cleared her throat. She picked up her chair and moved it next to Louise. “There,” Miss Alice said. “That's much better.”

Christy looked at her gratefully. Fairlight was a good woman, as warm and gentle as her radiant smile. She would be one ally, at least.

“How was school today, Christy?” Miss Alice asked, clearly hoping to break the icy silence.

Before Christy could answer, Lety Coburn spoke up. “Any more stealin'?” she asked, shooting a look at Margaret. “I hear tell things are
disappearin' from that school right and left.”

“I don't think it's anything serious, Lety,” Christy assured her. “A doll, a hat, some odds and ends. I suspect the children just misplaced them.”

“You suspect what you suspect,” Lety said, “but I have my own ideas.”

Christy sighed. “Is there some reason we can't at least try to get along? On my way here, I passed one of my students playing with Margaret's daughter, Hannah. They were laughing and giggling and having a wonderful time. I think we could all take a lesson from—”

“Whose child was it?” Swannie O'Teale demanded.

“That doesn't matter,” Christy said, suddenly realizing she was just making things worse. The last thing she wanted was to get Della May in trouble for having shown some kindness to Hannah. “The point is—”

“Weren't my Mountie or Mary, were it?” Swannie pressed. “I done told those girls to keep their distance.”

“Then why are you here?” Margaret spoke up for the first time. “You must have heard we were coming to the Bible study. Everyone seems to know everything in this place.”

“I'm here 'cause it's rightfully my place to be here,” Swannie jutted her chin. “unlike some.”

“If we ain't wanted here,” Louise said, leaping from her chair, “then I think we should go, Ma!”

“Louise, please stay,” Miss Alice said in a calm, reassuring voice. “Everyone is welcome here in this cabin. This is a place for fellowship and love.” She gave Swannie a stern look. “Not intolerance. Christy's right. Let's think about how we can get along. In God's eyes, we are all family, all worthy of His love. I think the key to understanding is to look beyond the surface and see what we all have in common. Before I start today's reading, why don't you tell us a little more about your family, Margaret? Once we get to know one another better, we'll have a better chance at getting along.”