She’d succeeded in surprising him yet again. “Apology accepted.” He raised a brow in question. “Perhaps we can just call it even, then.”
She nodded.
“One other thing. I want you to know that you don’t have to worry about me pressing my suit with you again. You’ve made your feelings quite clear, and I’ll honor that. In the future it’s friendship between us, and nothing more.” He’d watched her face as he spoke and saw the relief he’d expected. But was there also a touch of regret?
If so, it was quickly gone.
“Thank you,” she said, then changed the subject without further comment. “I paid a visit to Edith Lawrence today.”
One of the names on his possible-wife list. “And?”
“And I’m afraid we need to scratch her off the list.”
Hank grimaced. He hadn’t expected this to be such a difficult quest. He wasn’t the town’s most eligible bachelor, but he didn’t consider himself totally unacceptable, either. “What reason did she give?”
“She’s looking for someone younger.”
He winced. “I didn’t realize I was considered old.”
“I think that’s just Edith. She didn’t strike me as particularly mature.”
At least she seemed ready to defend him—he supposed that was something.
A moment later he realized she still seemed tense and was struggling with something.
“Did Edith say anything else? Don’t worry—I’ve got a thick skin.”
“Yes, but not like that. It’s about something in your past.”
“Oh.” That again.
“I didn’t invite her to tell me this, and I should have cut her off as soon as I realized it was gossip, but I was just taken so off guard—” She took a deep breath. “Anyway, I’m sorry.”
The last thing he wanted from her was pity. “No need to apologize.” He managed a smile. “I assume we’re talking about my former fiancée and our aborted wedding?”
She nodded.
“As I said, no need for apologies.” He’d rather not go through the whole story again. “To be honest, I assumed you already knew, just like everyone else in town.” He heard the touch of bitterness in his tone and wished it back. It wouldn’t do for her to think it still smarted.
He mustered up another smile, hoping it looked genuine. “So I’m too old, am I? I suppose I should look into getting a cane and a rocking chair.”
“I told you, Edith is a silly goose. You and the children are better off without her.”
“Perhaps. But that still leaves me without a wife. Who’s left on our list?”
“Norma Crandall and Selma Winters. Do you have a preference as to which one I speak to first?”
Hank thought about that for a moment. Norma was about two years younger than him and helped her brother run the hotel. She was rather bookish and dour, but she seemed to be a good person, and as long as she got along well with the children, he supposed he could overlook the rest.
Selma Winters ran a laundry business. She owned her own home and lived alone. His impression was that she was a hard worker and very independent.
So if he had his choice of the two, whom would he prefer? There were pros and cons to each woman. He tried not to think about the fact that the biggest con was that neither of them was Janell.
“No preference. Just whichever one you can get to first.”
She gave him a curious look, then nodded. “Of course. You’ve made it very clear that speed is of the essence.”
He frowned at her tone, trying to figure out why she would sound so irritated by that deadline when she’d known what it was all along.
* * *
“Miss Whitman?”
Janell looked up to see a young woman standing in the doorway of her classroom. It was Wednesday and class was done for the day. It was just her, Chloe and Alex left in the building. She’d stayed to work on some papers and had asked the two children to work on their lessons until she was ready to go.
Janell put her pencil down. “May I help you?”
“I was hoping I could have a private word with you.”
Janell stood. “Of course.” She turned to the children as she moved around her desk. “Please continue with your lessons. I’ll be right outside.” She signed an abbreviated version of this at the same time and she was pleased to see that Chloe appeared to understand.
Janell escorted the visitor out to the porch. When they were out in the sunshine, she turned to the visitor.
“Is there something I can help you with, Miss...?”
“My name is Cassie Lynn Vickers.”
The last name at least was familiar. “Are you related to Norris and Dwayne Vickers?” She’d taught both boys in the past but they were now in Mitch Parker’s class.
“They’re two of my brothers.”
Why had she never met Cassie Lynn before? “If you don’t mind my asking, how old are you?”
“Turned twenty last month.”
Then she was young enough to have still been in school when Janell started teaching here—albeit as an older student. But now was not the time to ask her about that. “Neither of your brothers are in my class any longer. Perhaps it’s Mr. Parker you need to speak to.”
Cassie Lynn shook her head. “It’s not my brothers I’m here to talk about.”
“Then what are you here to discuss?”
“I live on a farm about five miles north of town with my pa and four brothers. I had to quit school when I was twelve to help around the house when Ma passed. And Pa doesn’t believe in going to church like Ma did, so we don’t make it to services much.”
So that was why she’d never met Cassie Lynn. Sounded as if the young lady had led a rather isolated life since her mother had died.
“My oldest brother, Verne, is getting married Saturday, and his wife will be moving into our place with him. Dinah, his wife-to-be, is a nice girl, but I figure there ought to be only one lady of the house.”
“So you’re planning to move out.”
“I am.”
“I still don’t see—”
“I heard some talk that you’re trying to help Mr. Chandler find a woman to get hitched to.”
Janell stilled. “That is true.”
“Then I’d like to add my name to your list.”
A willing candidate at last. Janell wasn’t certain if she was relieved or disappointed. “And have you ever met Mr. Chandler?”
“I’ve seen him across the way once or twice. He seems like a respectable kind of man. Besides, if what I heard is true, he’s looking for someone to help with those two kids and to run his household, and that’s something I know how to do. And to be honest, a practical rather than romantic arrangement like that is fine by me.”
Just what Hank was looking for. Janell glanced toward the doorway leading into the classroom. “Do you know about Chloe’s condition?”
Cassie Lynn nodded. “I’ve heard. I also heard that you’re teaching folks how to talk to her with sign language.” Her tone and expression held the hint of a question.
“I am.”
“Then I reckon you can teach me, too. I may have had to quit school early but I promise you I’m a fast learner. It would please me no end to be able to bring a little joy to both those kids’ lives.”
Janell had to admit she liked Cassie Lynn. Reading between the lines, it sounded as if the young woman had dealt with a lot in her short life, yet she still seemed to have a positive attitude.
And Janell hadn’t heard anything to make her think Cassie Lynn wasn’t a good choice for Hank. In fact, she seemed to meet most of his criteria. She’d helped raise her brothers, so she knew about children. She’d run her father’s household, so doing the same for Hank shouldn’t be an issue. And
it appeared she had the right spirit to help Chloe deal with what life would hand her in the years to come.
“So you see marrying Mr. Chandler as a way to get out of your father’s home?”
“I won’t lie to you, Miss Whitman—that’s part of it. But I wouldn’t be here talking to you if I didn’t intend to do my very best to be a good wife and mother. I think I have a lot to offer this family. But I’m confident the Good Lord has this whole business under His control. If Mr. Chandler decides I’m not what he wants, then I’ll find some other way to get by.”
She gave Cassie Lynn a smile. “Let me speak to Mr. Chandler this afternoon and, if he’s agreeable, then perhaps the two of you could meet and discuss the matter.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you considering my request. Maybe me and him can have that talk on Saturday, after my brother’s wedding.” She smiled apologetically. “I don’t get the opportunity to leave our place much.”
Janell felt sympathy for the girl. But she admired her, too. There was a quiet courage and strength about her that would make her an excellent mother for the children.
Had she truly found Hank’s future wife?
And why wasn’t she happier about it?
* * *
Hank took a seat at the kitchen table and leaned back in his chair. He’d looked in on the kids when he got home from work, but then he’d wandered back in here. He found he liked watching Janell cook—her efficient movements, her pleasant humming, the intriguing little sounds she made when she tasted her foods. It was like watching a musical performance.
“Are you familiar with the Vickers family?”
Her question pulled him back from those inappropriate musings. “Not well, but I’ve had a few business dealings with Alvin Vickers. Why?”
Rather than answering his question, she asked another. “More specifically, do you know Cassie Lynn Vickers?”
“Alvin’s daughter?” He tried to picture her and all that he could summon was the hazy image of a girl who was totally unremarkable—brown hair, average height, commonplace features. “Even less well than Alvin.”
“I met her today.”
“Oh?” Where was this going?
Janell cut him a sideways look. “She heard I was helping you look for a wife.”
He straightened at that. “You mean she wants the job?”
Janell’s brow sailed up a notch. “You consider being your wife a job?”
He waved a hand dismissively. “You know what I mean. Anyway, last time I saw Cassie Lynn she was just a kid.”
“Well then, it must have been a long while. She tells me she just turned twenty.”
“And she sought you out?”
“She did. Apparently her brother is bringing a new bride home and Cassie Lynn feels she’s going to be in the way.”
“So I’m her way out.” He wasn’t sure how he felt about that.
“I have a feeling whether she marries you or not, Cassie Lynn is strong enough to find a way to escape her current situation.”
“Sounds as if you like her.”
“I do. She has a lot of spirit.”
“So she has your approval?”
Janell nodded but her expression had closed off. “I think she’d make you a fine wife and the children a very good mother.”
“So what’s the next step?” It seemed he was about to get what he’d asked for. But not what he wanted.
“The two of you need to talk so you can see if you think you’ll be able to make a marriage between you work.”
“As long as she meets those requirements I gave you, and you think she’ll be a good mother to the children, then the rest doesn’t matter to me.” Especially if the woman in question couldn’t be Janell.
“But it may not be all the same to her. You forget, she needs to be comfortable with you as a husband as well.”
He hadn’t thought of that. “But surely, if she came to you...”
“Of course. And I got the impression that, as long as you weren’t an ogre, she would be willing to marry you in exchange for a home of her own.”
Not an entirely flattering proposition. And there had to be a catch. “But?”
“But you said yourself that the two of you don’t know each other. And before making such a solemn commitment, you really need to take the time to get to know each other.”
She spoke with such conviction it made him wonder if perhaps she’d been close to someone who’d been trapped in such a situation.
But Janell wasn’t finished speaking. “She asked if you’d be willing to chat with her after her brother’s wedding on Saturday.”
“Of course.” He held her gaze. “And I’d like you to join us for that chat.”
She paused for a split second, turning to stare at him in surprise. “Don’t you think this is something best handled by the two of you alone? I’d be glad to watch the children while—”
“No. You agreed to give me your input on this and I’m going to hold you to it.” Before she could argue further, he pressed on. “We can meet here so there’s no need to worry about the children—they can play in their rooms. If things work out, I’ll want them to meet her anyway.”
“Very well. But I plan to be a silent observer only. The two of you need to do the talking.”
Hank nodded, then leaned back as she turned back to her cooking.
So this was it. She’d found him a woman who not only met all his requirements, but who was also willing to marry him. He could actually be married by Christmas.
It was what he’d wanted.
So why wasn’t he happy?
* * *
For Janell, the next few days were busier than ever. She received some good news on Thursday from her sister. Lizzie and her family should arrive in Turnabout the following Thursday. Janell was elated at the prospect of seeing her sister again after so long. But a small part of her worried that, with both Lizzie and Wilfred here, her past would somehow get out.
The children’s Christmas Eve program was coming together but they definitely still needed more practice. The nativity play was a very simple enactment of the Bible story of Christ’s birth, with few lines. But the children were also spending part of their time working on the costumes and props, things like wings for the angels, staffs for Joseph and the shepherds, gift containers for the wise men and some large canvas-and-wood backdrops that had to be painted.
Mitch Parker, with his artistic skills, was a big help with that project. And when she told him about Chloe’s budding talent, he made sure the girl was involved as well.
She was also very pleased with the way the sign-language lessons were going. Most of the schoolchildren were already picking up some rudimentary skills, and those who were highly motivated—Lily and Jack, for instance—were doing exceptionally well.
But always in the back of her mind was a ticking clock, telling her that her time as part of Hank’s household was coming to an end.
She didn’t want to think about the lonely days looming before her.
* * *
Saturday finally arrived. To cut down on the speculation, it was Janell who met Cassie Lynn at the church and escorted her to Hank’s house rather than Hank himself.
As the women stepped into the parlor, Hank studied the young woman closely. He detected no signs of nervousness or coyness in her, both positive signs.
He stepped forward. “Miss Vickers, thank you for agreeing to meet with me. Please have a seat.”
Once they were all settled, he waved a hand Janell’s way.
“I hope you don’t mind that I asked Miss Whitman to join us.”
“Not at all. I have no secrets to hide.”
Hank leaned back. “So tell me, if we were to marry, what do you think you would do here?”
“Well, naturally I’d take care of our home and cook our meals. But most importantly, I’d take care of the kids.”
“And what does taking care of the kids mean to you?”
Cassie Lynn didn’t hesitate. “I’d see that they had a good Christian upbringing, and that doesn’t just mean taking them to church on Sunday. We’d read the Bible together and say prayers and learn what it means to be honest and charitable. And I’d make sure they got their schoolin’ and help them with their lessons if need be. I’d take care of their clothes and care for them when they get sick. But most of all I’d make sure they knew they were loved.”
Janell was impressed and she could tell Hank was, too.
He cleared his throat. “And Chloe? How do you plan to help her?”
“I don’t have experience dealing with deaf people, but I can learn. And I’ll ask Miss Whitman to help me do it right.” She leaned back in her seat. “Do you mind if I ask a few questions of my own?”
“Of course not.”
“Do those two young’uns know you’re looking for a wife?”
“No. I didn’t want to add any other big changes in their lives until I knew it was going to happen.”
“But they’re going to be as affected by this as you and I will.”
“Surely you’re not suggesting I let them have a say in this matter.”
“Not exactly.”
“Then what are you suggesting?”
“A trial run of sorts.” Hank saw the startled expression on Janell’s face, a reflection of his own reaction.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Hear me out. I’d like to suggest that I come to work for you as a housekeeper for the rest of the month. That’ll give the children time to get used to me being around and will give the two of us time to get used to it as well.”
Hank rubbed his jaw. What she was saying made sense.
“That should give us time to see if we’ll be able to get along as a happy family.”
Now she sounded like Janell. “And if we don’t get along well?”
“Then we walk away, with no regrets and no recriminations.”
The Holiday Courtship Page 18
