Meg

by Clemmons, Caroline

  She leaned her head against his chest. “Oh, Curtis, she was so sick and yet she forced herself to hold on to life until she could get them safely into someone’s care. Such a remarkable woman, and I don’t know how she managed as weak as she was.”

  He ran his hands up and down her arms. “At the risk of ruining my reputation as a curmudgeon, you’re a remarkable woman, Meg.”

  Having her praise him and lean against him ignited a surprising depth of feeling. Right now he had the urge to pull her into his arms. He couldn’t in good conscience press her even for kisses. They’d decided to wait until Christmas to decide if they’d stay together and he felt obligated to abide by their decision.

  That meant he’d better put some distance between them. He slowly pulled away from her. “Now, we should get busy and get this week’s issue ready to print.”

  “I finished the article on Gabrielle and Otto Schulz. I hope the readers find it as fascinating as I did talking to them.”

  He sat down at his desk to read what she’d written. She sat at the used desk she’d found. It was an old one Maurice Beavers had taken as partial payment for a job. He was so eager to sell it that he’d even thrown in the matching chair.

  A stranger might examine them and think they were a settled and comfortable couple, contented with their life. He supposed that wouldn’t be too far from right.

  Chapter Twelve

  Later in the day, Meg was proofreading for Curtis.

  Quinn came into the office and leaned on the counter. “Getting colder out there.”

  She rose and smiled at him. “I’ll get you a cup of coffee. Days like this I’m glad I have a job indoors. What am I saying? I’m always glad I work inside.”

  Curtis made his way to the counter. “You here as friend Quinn or as Sheriff Cassidy?”

  Quinn grinned. “Little of both. I spotted those two men who followed Meg. I was friendly, but let them know I keep law and order in town.” He blew on the mug of steaming coffee Meg set in front of him.

  Curtis accepted the mug she gave him. “Any satisfaction there?”

  “The opposite. They said they’re miners who are in town until warmer weather arrives. The tall one says his name is Jack Brown and they’ve rented one of the cabins toward the edge of town.” He nodded to the north to indicate the direction. “He showed me some gold they’d found as if to prove they weren’t vagrants. He said they’ll go back to their claim soon as the weather is warmer.”

  He sipped his coffee and grinned. “Quality of the brew has improved since you arrived, Meg.”

  Curtis protested, “Hey, nothing wrong with my coffee.”

  Quinn toasted him with his mug. “I admit I never turned down the offer of a cup.”

  Meg hated to interrupt their banter but she wanted facts. “Did you question the short one about leaning on the window and scaring Penny?”

  “I did. Says his name is Mike Shaw. He mumbled around but denied it. I let him know he’d left his handprints on the glass. His reaction was telling, but he insisted the prints belonged to someone else. I warned them I’d be watching them.”

  She asked, “You think that will keep them in line?”

  He appeared pensive and tilted his head to one side. “I doubt it will. I suspect the little bit of gold they showed me is all they have to last the winter. They’re up to mischief or I’ve misjudged the situation.”

  She hugged her arms. “I know you can’t arrest them for walking around town. Honestly, they gave me such a bad feeling.”

  “Keep on the lookout. If they step out of line I’ll be after them like ugly on a fence post. Until then, all I can do is watch them and wait.”

  Tom’s arrival from school distracted them. “Hello, Sheriff Cassidy.” He removed his cap and coat.

  Penny ran into the room. She tugged her brother’s arm. “Tom, come see the picture I drew you. Guess what Mama gave us for our snack?”

  Tom looked at the adults and rolled his eyes. “I’m coming.”

  Quinn nodded toward the children. “Nice kids. Good you have a place for them to play while you work.”

  Curtis appeared thoughtful. “Seems to work out well. Not too far from the school for Tom to walk by himself. The room back there lets them nap or draw or play several games. Penny’s learned checkers and Tom’s teaching her dominoes. He’s learned to count by fives that way. Will help with his multiplication tables when he starts them.”

  “Becca is teaching Colin to play checkers. Not to brag—much,” Quinn grinned. “But between us we have some smart kids.”

  Meg wasn’t sure what Curtis would say so she said, “We do at that. Aren’t we fortunate?”

  Quinn said, “I sure feel like a lucky man.” He clapped Curtis on the shoulder. “What say you, friend?”

  His face a mask, Curtis nodded slightly. “I agree the children are smart and well-behaved. Wouldn’t enjoy being around the other kind.”

  With a chuckle, the sheriff said, “Ah, I’ll bet I know the family you mean but tactfully didn’t name.” Quinn settled his hat on his head. “Nice talking to you, but I’d better get on with my rounds. You see those fellows hanging around, let me know.”

  When the sheriff had gone, Meg was dejected. Without comment, Curtis went back to the article he was setting in type. He hadn’t even come close to matching Quinn’s enthusiasm where children were concerned. She hadn’t expected him to fall in love with her even though she hoped he would eventually. She’d hoped by now Curtis would have developed tender feelings toward the children and toward her.

  What else could she do to change his mind? Using the few mementos she’d been able to bring, she’d decorated the house so it looked more home-like and welcoming. At least she thought it did. She’d been told she was a good cook and she worked hard to prepare appealing meals. Although Curtis complimented her on her cooking and improvements to the house, he hadn’t shown signs of softening his opinion of her.

  He never referred to the new furniture and carefully avoided sitting in the parlor rocking chair. Perhaps he thought of it as hers since she sat there in the evenings. Was that the reason or did he resent the fact she’d paid for it with her inheritance? She wished she could read his mind.

  Curtis hadn’t known how to respond to Quinn’s question about being lucky. His opinion about the children had altered, at least to a degree. He still resented Meg bringing them without him having any say in the matter.

  Try as he might, he couldn’t figure out how he felt. Sure, he was glad Meg was turning out to be a real help with The Herald. She was a beautiful and intelligent woman, a great cook, and good with the children.

  He’d tried several times to apologize for his initial reaction, but he didn’t know how. Besides, he didn’t think he was in the wrong. Why couldn’t she apologize for showing up with two children she hadn’t had when they went through their proxy marriage? Thinking about it, he recalled she had.

  His life was like a beautiful lake, smooth and tranquil on the surface. As far as he could judge, underneath was quicksand. Every day that passed made it harder to reach a safe shore. He didn’t know who he could talk to without feeling like a fool.

  Maybe Paul Graham would be a good choice. An attorney had to keep everything in confidence, didn’t he? Tomorrow he’d make an excuse to go see Paul.

  That night at supper, Tom looked at him. “Sir, guess what? Mrs. Schulz said she was proud of me for being able to count by fives to a hundred. I told her you taught me.”

  Curtis smiled at the boy. “She was right to be proud of you. A lot of people older than you can’t do that. And now you’re teaching Penny.”

  How sad that Tom called him sir instead of Curtis or Papa. Clearly the boy didn’t know how to address him.

  “Tom, you don’t need to call me ‘sir’. I appreciate you being so polite. What would you like to call me?”

  The boy bit at his lower lip a bit before he said, “C-Could I call you Papa?”

  Curtis reached over and patt
ed the boy’s shoulder. “That would be fine with me.”

  The boy’s face beamed. “That’s real good of you, si... Papa. I didn’t want to make you mad. I know you didn’t want us when we got here.”

  Bingo, out of the mouth of babes. Inwardly, Curtis cringed.

  Meg stared at him with widened eyes.

  He leaned toward the boy. “Please understand it’s not that I didn’t want you and Penny. I was just real surprised and not that well prepared. Even though I had a house with plenty of room, I didn’t even have a bed or linens for you. Fortunately, your mama had the money to make sure you had clothes and a bed and such so everything worked out all right.”

  Meg exhaled and visibly relaxed.

  Tom smiled as if genuinely relieved and gazed around the kitchen. “This is the nicest house I’ve ever been in. My room and my furniture are real nice, too. Until I met Mr. Sutton I didn’t know you could have special furniture made like that.”

  “We’re lucky he lives here. Otherwise we’d have to order everything shipped here and probably nothing would arrive until spring.”

  Penny left her chair to tug on his sleeve. “My bed has flowers on it ’cause I’m a girl but Tom’s has boy things. I like my flowers best.”

  Meg said, “Penny, get back in your chair, please.”

  She took a step toward her chair, but still faced him. “Can I call you Papa, too?”

  “Yes, if you wish.”

  Penny laughed and hopped onto her chair. “Did you hear, Tom? I can call him Papa like you can.”

  “I’m right here. How could I not have heard?”

  “I don’t know. Did you forget to wash your ears?” She giggled.

  Meg rapped her knuckles on the table. “Children, eat your supper. The woman at the bakery gave us a cherry pie.”

  Penny asked, “Why did she do that?”

  “She was excited because while you were having a nap, I interviewed her for next week’s edition of The Herald. The article might make more people come to her shop.”

  Curtis buttered another slice of bread. “I hope so. If it does, then more people might take out ads. Also, seeing their neighbors in print might increase circulation.”

  “I’m sure it will. It’s more reliable than local gossip.” Meg’s blue eyes twinkled. “Though not always as creative or as interesting.”

  He shook his head. “I hope not. Some of the things I’ve heard since I arrived are so outrageous I wonder how anyone could believe them to be true.”

  She leaned back in her chair. “Surely you don’t mean people have wanted you to print gossip?”

  “On several occasions. The first time it happened, I told the person I can’t use any information unless I’ve verified it. That resulted in the person asking if I was calling him a liar. After that, I simply thanked the person and said I’d keep it in mind without committing.”

  After the evening meal was finished and the kitchen cleaned, they moved into the parlor. Knitting on a project, Meg sat in the rocking chair she obviously loved. His chair might look disreputable, but it was surprisingly comfortable. The children alternated between the couch and the floor in front of the fire where they played on the rug.

  “Isn’t this cozy and restful? This is what I envisioned when I wrote that advertisement for a wife.” He hadn’t counted on the children, but having them was nice.

  She looked up, a surprised expression on her lovely face. “This is what I’d hoped for as well. We have a nice family, don’t we?”

  He met her gaze. “As a matter of fact, we do.”

  He looked at the children. “How would you like to go chop down a Christmas tree when Tom gets to the office tomorrow?”

  Tom leaped up. “That’d be great.”

  Penny clapped her hands. “Hurray!”

  Meg smiled. “That would be wonderful. The children can make decorations while we work. I suppose I can buy some things at the Mercantile. I brought a few with me.”

  He nodded. “Let’s consider it a date.”

  Curtis pretended to read while he thought about the supper conversation. Apparently, both children had wanted permission to call him Papa and only waited for his invitation. Why had he waited over a month? His only excuse was that he was afraid of the confusion when or if Meg decided to move on this spring.

  What should he do about their sleeping arrangements? How could he discover her thoughts on staying married or getting an annulment? He was ready to have a wife in all ways, but she hadn’t given him any clues to how she felt.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The following day, Meg started Penny making a paper chain for the tree they’d cut later. After excusing himself in the afternoon, Curtis left with a promise to return for her and Penny in a few minutes. Sure enough, he returned driving a rented wagon and team which he halted in front of the newspaper office.

  Curtis hurried in and hung a sign on the door.

  Sorry we missed you.

  Please call again tomorrow.

  In preparation, Meg carried a blanket from the back room and had bundled Penny and her as warmly as possible. On the wagon, she spread the blanket across their legs. In a festive mood, they drove to the school and waited for Tom.

  Penny stared at the cabin. “You mean that’s where Tom goes to school? It looks like a house.”

  Meg hugged Penny to her. “Some people call a school ‘the schoolhouse’. Maybe that’s why.”

  “Can I go to school next year?”

  “Children are supposed to be six to start classes. We’ll see next fall if Mrs. Schulz thinks you’re ready.”

  “Oh, I hope I can go. Then I could have a lunch pail like Tom’s and I’d get to play with other children.”

  With a pang of guilt, Meg vowed to arrange for Penny to play with Colin Cassidy and Nickie Walker soon. Obviously, her little girl longed for companions. Meg certainly understood that need.

  In a few minutes, school was dismissed. His face beamed in surprise when he spotted them.

  Penny yelled, “Hurry, Tom, so we can get our tree.”

  He climbed onto the wagon seat. “I didn’t know you’d come by for me. Where will we get our tree?”

  Meg adjusted the blanket to cover all their legs.

  With a snap of the reins, Curtis glanced at Tom. “Werner Tate said we could chop a tree from his land. I brought a saw and an axe. I hope we can find the perfect tree.”

  Excitement hummed through Meg. She was as excited as the children. “I’ve never been to cut a tree. We bought ours from someone who sold them in town.”

  “My family cut one from my grandparents’ farm as long as they were alive. I suspect it’s because that was cheaper, but it was also a nice outing. Later, my folks didn’t bother with a tree.”

  What a bleak childhood her husband had. She was glad she wouldn’t have to meet and be nice to people who’d treated him in such a cold way. “Is the Tate land very far?”

  “Not long now. Should be around the next bend.”

  As the road turned, a small sign appeared announcing the Werner Tate farm. Curtis turned down the lane. They drove up to the house and a man came from the barn.

  Curtis climbed down and shook the man’s hand. “Mr. Tate, we sure appreciate you letting us cut a tree. This is my wife, Meg, and the children are Tom and Penny.”

  Meg smiled and nodded to Mr. Tate. “You’re very kind to let us have one of your trees.”

  “Glad your family will have a fresh tree to decorate. Don’t let me keep you. Come back when you can come in for a spell.” He gestured broadly. “Go a quarter mile and turn onto the small lane.”

  Curtis climbed back onto the wagon bench. He turned the wagon as Mr. Tate had directed. They turned down the small lane and soon reached a stand of pines of varying sizes.

  “Whoa.” Curtis pulled on the reins then set the brake. “Here we are. Children, stay with Mama and me. There are wild animals about.”

  Penny squeaked and held tightly to Meg’s hand.

&nbs
p; Curtis handed Tom a saw. “Would you carry this? Call out if you see the perfect tree.”

  Meg followed Curtis. Tom stayed with Curtis, too, but looked around.

  Penny tugged on Meg’s hand. “It’s hard to walk.”

  Curtis swung her into his arms. “I guess the snow is pretty deep for a little girl to manage.”

  Meg stopped by a bushy tree. “This one is pretty.” She walked around it. “Oh, it’s kind of sparse on one side but that could go against the wall.”

  “Remember where it is and let’s keep looking.” Curtis examined several trees. “Anyone have an opinion?”

  Tom stared up at one. “This one sure is pretty.”

  Curtis and Meg walked around the specimen Tom chose.

  Meg held Penny’s hand. “I believe this is the best one, Tom.”

  Curtis knelt on the snow. “Bring me the saw, Tom.” He chopped a notch in one side of the trunk. From the other side, he sawed until the tree fell.

  “Hurray!” Tom jumped up and down.

  “Hurray!” Penny copied her brother.

  “Penny and I will carry the saw and axe while you men get the tree to the wagon. Penny, walk where Papa and Tom walked so it’s easier.”

  They loaded the tree onto the wagon and set out for home. Once the tree was moved to the porch, Curtis took the wagon back to the livery. When he returned, he carried two pieces of wood nailed to an X. He nailed that to the base of the trunk and stood the tree.

  “Doesn’t seem to be any the worse for wear for its trip here. Shall we take the tree inside?”

  That morning, he and Meg had made a place for the tree in a corner of the parlor. She was relieved the spot was the perfect size.

  Penny’s lips trembled. “We left my chain at the office.”

  “We’ll get it tomorrow. You’ll need to make more so there’ll be enough. Tomorrow after school, Tom can help.”

  Meg brought the ornaments she had purchased and those she had brought in her trunks. “You each get to help hang these. We can add more each year.”