The Holiday Courtship

by Winnie Griggs

  She shook her head. “But the real reason, I’m ashamed to say, was that I wanted others to think well of me, to admire my humility. It was pride, pure and simple. And as a result, I missed many wonderful blessings I could have had, had I only lived the life the Good Lord wanted me to.”

  She fingered the cameo. “My best friend gave this to me the night she made me confront what I’d become.”

  Why was the woman telling her all this?

  Mrs. Collins smiled as if she’d heard Janell’s silent question. “I just don’t want to see that same sort of pride steal anyone else’s happiness.”

  Did she think that applied to her? Janell knew she was far from perfect, but this, at least, was not one of her shortcomings.

  But she gave the woman a smile as she escorted her into the boardinghouse and thanked her for the story.

  * * *

  The next morning, Janell stood in front of her classroom with a nervous Alex beside her. “Children, this is Alex Hobbs. He and his sister moved here from Colorado to live with their uncle, Mr. Hank Chandler. Let’s give Alex a warm Turnabout welcome, shall we?”

  Janell kept her hand on Alex’s shoulder while she waited for the chorus of “Hello, Alex” to die down, then spoke again. “Alex’s sister, Chloe, will be joining us on Friday.”

  She pointed to an empty desk in the second row. “Alex, why don’t you take that seat.” Then she smiled at the boy seated in the next desk over. “Jack, please help Alex for the next few days, until he gets used to where we are in our lessons.”

  As soon as Alex slid into his seat, Michael Greene raised his hand.

  She nodded at the boy. “Yes, Michael?”

  “Is it true his sister can’t hear nothing?”

  “Can’t hear anything,” she corrected. “And yes, that’s true. An explosion went off close to Chloe and it damaged the part of her ear that allows her to hear things.”

  “So how are we gonna talk to her?” the boy asked.

  “That’s a good question.” Janell looked around the classroom. “I’ve never told any of you this, but I have a younger sister, and she, too, went deaf. So my family and I had to find a new way to communicate with her.”

  “What did you do?”

  She looked around the classroom. “Have any of you ever heard of sign language?”

  Most of the children shook their heads.

  “It’s a very special language that allows you to talk with your hands. All of my family, my sister included, learned how to ‘talk’ to each other this new way. And now I’m teaching it to Alex, his sister and his uncle. Pretty soon we’ll be able to hold entire conversations with each other, without saying a word.” She lowered her tone conspiratorially. “We can even send secret signals to each other if we like. Like this.” She signaled how are you Alex’s way and he immediately responded with I am well.

  The students seemed quite impressed. “What did you say to each other?” Lily Tucker asked.

  Janell relayed the simple conversation, then gave them her best conspiratorial look. “Is there anyone else here who would like to learn to do that?”

  Nearly every hand shot up.

  She nodded approvingly. “Wonderful. Any day that we finish our lessons early, we can spend the extra time on sign-language lessons. Those who don’t care to learn can either read or work quietly on their homework at their desk.”

  She’d speak to Mitch Parker about making the same offer to his students. The more people in town who learned the fundamentals of signing, the less isolated Chloe would feel and the more comfortable she would be going out in public. And that was half the battle.

  Satisfied she’d taken a strong first step, Janell returned to her normal classroom routine. “Now, let’s begin our lessons.”

  As the school day progressed, Janell couldn’t help wondering how things were going with Mrs. Collins and Chloe. She’d promised Mr. Chandler’s aunt she’d walk Alex home after school and then let the woman slip away to her room at the boardinghouse for a few hours again today before supper.

  And that meant she would be there when Mr. Chandler returned from the sawmill. She wanted to report on how Alex had done at school and see how Chloe had fared without her brother for most of the day.

  But a small part of Janell knew that there was more to it than that. She was eager to see Mr. Chandler.

  Pushing that thought away, she forced her mind back to the present.

  She was pleased to see Alex playing with the other boys at recess. Getting out among other children would be good for him. And it looked as if Jack had taken the boy under his wing.

  Then Janell caught sight of Leo on the playground and it reminded her of her conversation with Eve on Saturday. She headed for Mitch Parker’s classroom and told him about her idea for a nativity play. Not only did he agree that it was a good idea, but he also suggested letting some of his more creative students help to write the play as a class project.

  This year Verity Cooper came to the school three days a week for one hour right after recess to give the children music lessons. This included not just singing, but lessons on how to read music and how to play the small upright piano that had been donated to the school. All students, whether or not they were in the choir, were encouraged to attend.

  Except, that was, for those students who’d fallen behind in their lessons. Those students gathered in Mr. Parker’s classroom for extra study time, while the music lessons went on in Janell’s classroom, where the piano was housed.

  Janell was especially happy about this arrangement because it gave her the kind of access to a piano that she hadn’t had since she’d moved to Turnabout.

  Piano music had been a big part of her childhood. Her mother was an accomplished musician, but more than that, she was very passionate about music in all its forms. She’d tried to instill that same passion in her daughters as well.

  Janell didn’t consider herself a talented musician but she did enjoy playing, especially when she was anxious or trying to work out a problem in her mind. She would often play the piano after school or on weekends. The music had both a calming and focusing effect on her so that problems didn’t seem so overwhelming.

  When Verity arrived today, Janell was ready to approach her with the idea of a children-cast nativity play to go along with the Christmas music program. Verity was in enthusiastic agreement.

  Before Janell could explain about the choir to Alex, she saw Jack leading the boy over to introduce him to the music teacher. For a moment she wished she could convince him to join the nativity play instead so she could keep an eye on how he was doing.

  But she took herself to task for such selfish thoughts. It would be good for Alex to widen his circle of acquaintances, with both children and adults.

  And since she wouldn’t be a presence in his home much longer, it was really time she started distancing herself somewhat.

  That thought put a damper on her spirits. Those two children had grown so precious to her in such a short time—watching another woman step into the role of mother to them was going to be wrenching.

  Sometimes she wanted to just scream out that she’d paid enough for her foolish actions, that she should be able to leave the past behind her. But she knew that it would never be behind her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  When Hank arrived at home he was greeted by the aroma of food simmering on the stove, the warmth of a fire in the fireplace and the sound of a woman humming as she worked.

  A man could get used to coming home to this.

  He walked into the kitchen and was met with a cheery greeting and warm smile from Miss Whitman. Aunt Rowena was no doubt relaxing in the schoolteacher’s cat-free room at the boardinghouse.

  After a quickly exchanged smile with Miss Whitman, he turned to the kids. “So, Alex, how was your fir
st day of school here in Turnabout?”

  The boy shrugged. “It was okay. Miss Whitman is a good teacher.”

  Hank glanced up and met Miss Whitman’s smiling gaze. “I’m sure she is.”

  The boy sat up straighter. “And guess what? She’s teaching a bunch of the kids at school how to do sign language, too, so they’ll all be able to talk to Chloe.”

  Hank met her gaze again with a warm smile. “Is she, now? A whole bunch, huh?”

  Miss Whitman’s cheeks turned pink. Nice to know he could have that effect on her.

  “It’s purely voluntary,” she said, “but the majority want to participate.” She grinned. “The ones who normally wouldn’t be inclined to join in will be afraid of missing out on something fun.”

  Then she turned back to Alex. “Don’t forget to tell your uncle about the choir.”

  “Choir?”

  Alex nodded. “The choir lady comes to the school three days a week to teach music. And she said I could join the children’s choir if I want to.”

  “And you want to?”

  Alex nodded again, more vigorously this time. “Lots of the kids are in it, even the boys.”

  “Well then, I think it’s a good idea.” The kids might actually learn to feel at home in Turnabout after all. Or Alex, at least.

  Hank turned to his niece. “And, Chloe, how was your day with Aunt Rowena?”

  The girl just gave him a blank stare.

  Miss Whitman nodded toward the slate. Hank obediently picked it up and wrote out his question.

  Chloe read it and shrugged, then bent her head back down over the paper she’d been scribbling on. Was she deliberately shutting him out? Or was it just a normal thing for a girl her age?

  He tried again. “What are you doing there?”

  Hank grimaced as soon as the words were out of his mouth. It was still hard to remember his niece couldn’t hear him.

  He moved closer and looked over her shoulder. To his surprise, this was no childish scribble. It was a drawing of a dragonfly on a blade of grass, and while it was by no means perfect, it was obvious Chloe had a talent worth nurturing.

  He tapped her shoulder to get her attention. When she looked up he laboriously signed out good picture.

  Chloe watched his hand movements closely, a little furrow of concentration creasing her forehead. When he was done she glanced up to meet his gaze and gave a shy smile, then ducked her head and went back to her sketch.

  He glanced up to see Miss Whitman smiling at him with approval. Why did such a simple act suddenly make him feel ten feet tall?

  * * *

  Janell was beginning to look forward to these few minutes when Mr. Chandler walked her home. It gave them time to talk privately about the progress the children were making, about his search for a wife and about nothing at all.

  “Have you seen any of Chloe’s drawings?” he asked.

  “Yes. They’re quite good for a child her age.”

  “I think so, too. Why didn’t I see evidence of this talent before? I mean, I’ve noticed her scribbling but never paid attention to what she was actually creating.”

  She touched his sleeve. “Don’t take yourself to task. You’ve had quite a few other things on your mind lately.”

  He placed his hand on hers and gave it a light squeeze before releasing it. “That’s no excuse. I have vague memories of her hunched over a tablet of paper, scribbling away, but I never paid a bit of attention to what she was drawing. I just figured it was another way for her to avoid me.”

  Janell dropped her hand from his arm, but her fingers still tingled from his touch. She tried to push away that thought. Much better to focus on how vulnerable he seemed at the moment. “But you have noticed now, so what matters is what you do with that knowledge.”

  “I’ll encourage her, of course, and let her know how special her talent is.” He eyed her quizzically. “Is there something else you think I should do?”

  “Mitch Parker, the teacher for the older students, is quite accomplished at sketching. I can ask him for resources that might be of interest to her if you like.”

  He nodded, and then he changed the subject. “I see most of the shopkeepers in town have got on board with the decorating contest.”

  Janell smiled. “For once I have to agree with Mayor Saunders. I think the decorations are very festive and cheery.” They were currently passing by the dress shop. “Like this one, for instance. That tree decorated with lace and sequins is quite pretty.”

  The saddle and leather goods shop was next door and Hank nodded toward the lack of ornamentation. “At least Nate Cooper hasn’t succumbed yet.”

  Janell grinned. “Just wait. Verity told me today of some ideas she has for it.”

  He groaned, then changed the subject again. “Any progress on the wife hunt?”

  She ignored the little twinge of dissatisfaction. She refused to think of it as jealousy. “Only to scratch another name off the list, I’m afraid.”

  He frowned. “Who?”

  “Joan Wimple.” She watched him obliquely for signs of disappointment. Joan was a very pretty young lady with an infectious smile.

  “What was it this time?”

  “Joan is the oldest and only female of seven siblings. She’s been helping her mother raise her younger brothers most of her life. At the moment Joan’s more interested in a bit of freedom than in tying herself down with children.”

  Mr. Chandler didn’t say anything but she thought she heard a smothered sigh.

  “Don’t worry.” She almost put her hand on his arm again, but got hold of herself just in time, brushing at her skirt to hide the involuntary movement. “There are still other names on the list to check out.”

  They’d arrived at the boardinghouse by this time. But for some reason Janell wasn’t ready to go inside just yet.

  She paused on the top step of the porch and turned around to face him. “Your aunt is truly a selfless woman. I’m not certain I could have lasted this long, much less be willing to stay for another day and a half.”

  Mr. Chandler nodded and leaned his shoulder against a support post. “She is a good, God-fearing woman. I’ve often thought it was a shame she never had kids of her own. I feel bad for putting her through this, even though she insisted.”

  “No one can blame you for that. You’ve been put in a difficult position and are doing the best you can.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest and studied her quizzically for a moment. “I know why Aunt Rowena is going out of her way to help me. She’s family. What I can’t quite figure is why you’re going out of your way to help us.”

  She held her head up, willing herself not to let him see that his question had flustered her. “Why, for Chloe and Alex, of course. Helping children is what I do. It’s what I’ve made my life’s work.”

  “And that’s your only reason?”

  “Of course.” Or at least it had been at the outset. In the past few days it had got a bit more complicated. But he didn’t need to know that.

  He studied her silently for another long moment, and it was all she could do not to squirm under that steady gaze.

  Finally he straightened. “Well, Aunt Rowena will be wondering what happened to me. I’d best be heading back home.”

  She clasped her hands in front of her and nodded. “Good night, Mr. Chandler. Thank you for escorting me home.”

  Janell watched him leave, an unsettled feeling jangling inside her.

  This was ridiculous. Discounting the fact that he’d been a vague figure who happened to live in the same town as she did, Janell had known Mr. Chandler for less than a week. How could she be developing such strong feelings for him?

  She’d known her ex-husband, Gregory, for more time than that, and look what had happened the
re.

  No, she had to keep her distance, had to make certain they maintained a strictly platonic friendship.

  But a little voice inside her whispered that it was already too late.

  * * *

  Hank stuffed his hands in his pockets as he headed home. He was convinced the very proper Janell Whitman wasn’t as cool toward him as she’d have him believe. He’d felt her reaction when he squeezed her hand earlier and he’d caught her watching him a time or two lately with unmistakable warmth.

  So why was she being so stubborn about accepting his offer? Did he not measure up to her standards of what a husband should be? Even if she came from a wealthy background, she obviously led a fairly simple life now.

  Or maybe it was something much simpler? She’d been harping on the fact that he shouldn’t be quite so abrupt and businesslike when he proposed to whatever candidate made it to the top of his list. Perhaps that was what she was looking for—a bit of romance.

  He rotated his head from side to side, trying to ease some of the tension in his neck. He supposed he could court her a bit. It wasn’t as if she didn’t know what his ultimate goal was, so it wouldn’t be deception. She, of all people in this town, knew exactly what his intentions were.

  But just because he hadn’t been acting like some besotted mooncalf didn’t mean he couldn’t introduce a bit of romance into their relationship. At one time he’d played the part of the love-struck beau, courting a woman who’d gone and made a fool of him.

  However, now he’d be doing it with open eyes and guarded emotions.

  Yes indeed. If she wanted a proper courtship, he could definitely play the role.

  The next morning he put his plan into motion. When he walked Alex to school, he made sure to compliment Miss Whitman on the color of her dress. He held her gaze for a couple of extra beats, just long enough to see her pupils expand. He also made a point of finding an excuse to touch her arm briefly and ask her opinion on a few trivial matters.

  That afternoon he left the sawmill early, ostensibly to deliver firewood to the school. It put him in the position to be there while Janell was finishing up the day with the sign-language lessons, and then he could walk her and Alex home.