White River Brides

by Frances Devine

  A blush slid over her cheeks. “But I thought…” She shook her head and appeared confused. “Oh, never mind. How have you been?”

  “Not very well as a matter of fact.” He pressed his lips together, determined not to expound on his reply.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” She bit her lip again and glanced toward the school. “Well, I need to get inside. The children will be here soon.”

  He gave a nod and moved aside so she could pass. “Will I see you at the Christmas Ball?”

  “Why, yes. I plan to be there. Will you?”

  “Yes, I promised Rafe and Abby. They tell me it’s a grand event.”

  “Yes, it is. Everyone works hard to make it special. It’s been held at Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins’ old barn for as long as I can remember.”

  He nodded. “That’s neighborly of them.”

  “Yes,” she said a little too brightly. “The red bows and evergreen boughs are so beautiful, and of course there are dozens upon dozens of candles burning. And an enormous tree.”

  “It must be quite beautiful.”

  She took a deep breath. “I thought you’d have left Branson by now.”

  “I probably should have. I had a few things I wanted to look into first. Unfortunately, they didn’t work out.”

  “I see. I’m sorry.” She took a step toward the school. “Perhaps I’ll see you at the ball, then.”

  “Addy, I’m leaving in January. I’ve accepted a job in New York.” Would she care?

  She stopped. For a moment she didn’t move, and then she looked up at him, her face stiff. “Well, I’m sure Rafe will miss you. But after all, we did know this day was coming. I hope you’ll be very happy in your new job. New York must be wonderful.”

  He watched silently as she walked away.

  Addy leaned over her desk, her head on the hard wood, and sobbed. She’d known he would leave one day. Actually, she’d expected him to be gone long before this, but she’d had no idea how badly it would hurt.

  She supposed Martha Tyler was the girl he was seeing now. Addy’s heart had jumped into her throat when she saw the girl lay her hand on his arm so possessively. He hadn’t said anything about getting married, but it was fairly obvious. So much for her silly dreams. Martha would be the one leaving on the train with Jim Castle.

  She must pull herself together before the children arrived. It was a good thing she’d gotten here early. But then, if she had arrived at her usual time, she wouldn’t have run into Jim and heard the news.

  Addy raised her head and blew her nose on her monogrammed handkerchief. She patted her hair back into place and stepped over to her water pitcher. Removing a cloth from the shelf below the pitcher, she put a little water on it and dabbed her face and neck.

  If the children knew she’d been crying, some of them would be upset. She wouldn’t spoil their day. They were excited to get the results of the essays contest. She had given them free rein over their subjects, and their essays showed a great deal about their personalities.

  She went outside and found the children lined up waiting for her. Smiling, she rang the bell in case of stragglers. And sure enough, Johnny and Sam came running from around the building.

  After roll call she stood in front of her desk, a stack of essays in her hand. “This is an exciting day, students. I’ve read and graded your papers and was quite impressed at how well you did. I’ve chosen the top essay for each grade level, first through eighth, which I have in my hands in no particular order except for the top two, which will be last. When I call your name, please come to the front of the class and read for us.” She glanced down at the top essay on the pile, a short history on the tomato canning factory and quite good. “Cora March.”

  With a beaming smile, the twelve-year-old stood and walked up the aisle. Her black hair lay in two long, neat braids in front of her shoulders. She handed Cora her paper, gave the girl an encouraging nod, and then took a seat.

  Cora beamed when she saw the B+ at the top. Cora read without stumbling over a word then took her seat.

  “Thank you, Cora. Next, Harry Porter.” The third grader jerked his head up, and his face flamed as he jumped from his seat. He stumbled through his essay, which consisted of a how-to on making a lariat, then went back to his seat, a big grin on his face.

  As the morning progressed, she could tell the students were beginning to get restless. She called a short recess, and they filed out with relief on most of their faces.

  Funny the difference in people. Even twins like her and Abby. Addy had always enjoyed writing essays, especially if she was allowed to choose her topic. But anyone would have thought Abby had been sentenced to slave labor. Addy had always had to help her sister with anything writing related.

  She was ashamed to remember that she’d even done them for her many times. She’d suffered a lot of guilt over the cheating, crying and repenting to God, while it never occurred to Abby that it was dishonest. It was just Addy keeping her out of trouble.

  It had been a vast relief to Addy when they were in eighth grade and Abby decided to write her own essay. She wrote about canoeing down the river with Rafe. Of course, the seven fish they’d caught somehow grew to twenty in the essay, but at least she wrote it herself and did a good job.

  Perhaps if Addy hadn’t done so many of her assignments for her, she’d have been fine a lot sooner. The thought shot through Addy’s mind seemingly out of nowhere.

  The children came back inside and took their seats with a shuffling of feet beneath the desks.

  Addy focused on the next essay in her hand. Ah, her pride and joy. “Johnny Carroll.”

  “Huh?” His red mop shot up, and his mouth flew open. “Me?” He frowned at the tittering of giggles and a couple of guffaws.

  “Yes, Johnny.” Addy smiled at the boy. “Please come up front.”

  He took his paper and stared down at the A-written across the top. A look of amazement crossed his face. “Wow, I must’ve done real good on this paper.”

  “Yes, you did very well, but if you don’t rephrase that sentence right now, I might be tempted to reduce your grade, young man.”

  “Oh, oh. I meant to say, ‘I must have done very well on this here essay.’ ”

  Addy pressed her lips against the grin that threatened to ruin her discipline. “That’s better, Johnny. Please face the class and read your essay.”

  “Okay, first of all everyone, you need to know this ain’t, I mean, isn’t a real happening. I made it up. But I wish it really happened.” Johnny then proceeded to read his story of a boy who went bear hunting with his father and ten brothers. He ended up saving them all. The essay was written in perfect English.

  The crowning moment was when Annie Bolton came forward and read her story of a young girl growing up in England. Where she got her information, Addy couldn’t imagine, but she planned to ask her after class. It was almost as if the girl had been in London herself, and Addy knew for a fact that wasn’t so.

  She really must contact Mr. Wright.

  Chapter 20

  Jim rode Finch down the lane to Rafe’s farmhouse. They’d planned to go hunting today, but sleet had begun to fall before he was halfway there. He supposed he should have turned back, but the idea of being alone with his thoughts today didn’t appeal to him. He knew Rafe wouldn’t mind him barging in on them. Abby either. She’d seem like a sister to him if she didn’t look so much like Addy.

  Rafe came out of the barn and motioned for him.

  He rode Finch inside the large building and got off.

  “No sense in the animal standing in the sleet when we’ve got this nice dry barn, now is there?”

  “Thanks.” He grinned. “I’m sure Finch thanks you, too.”

  “Might as well get that saddle and harness off him, too.” Rafe shoved his hat back and grinned. “Tuck told me not to let you leave. She’s making chili, and since we can’t go hunting, we may as well play checkers or something, and you can eat dinner with us. Supper, too, if you’ve a mind.
It’ll probably be more of the chili.”

  “Can’t ever get too much of Abby’s chili. Guess I’ll take you up on that.” After taking care of Finch, Jim helped Rafe toss hay down to the horses and mules.

  By the time they left the barn, the sleet was coming down harder. “Maybe I shouldn’t stay. It looks like it might get bad.”

  “Naw, it’s just a passing storm. Won’t last long.” Rafe sounded pretty sure of himself, and he’d lived around here for a long time.

  “Okay, if you say so.” Jim chuckled and turned the brim down on his hat as he followed his friend inside.

  “Jim!” Abby stood in the kitchen doorway, wiping her hands on her apron. “I’m glad you came. You may be holed up with us for a while from the looks of the sky.”

  “Naw. It’ll blow over,” Rafe said.

  She placed her hands on her hips, and her apron pulled tight across her rounded stomach. “Don’t be so sure. You never can tell, Rafe Collins.”

  “Now Tuck, don’t be picking a fight with me in front of Jim.”

  She grinned and placed her hand on Rafe’s cheek. “Sorry. You’re more than likely right anyway.”

  Jim averted his eyes from the casual but intimate moment. A pang shot through him. If only things could have worked out between him and Addy.

  “Okay, you rascals go on in the parlor. I’ll bring you some coffee in a minute.” She turned to go into the kitchen.

  “Hey, Tuck,” Rafe said, “the coffee would sure taste good with a piece of that apple bread you made yesterday.”

  “Oh, all right.” She tossed a laugh over her shoulder.

  Jim frowned as he and Rafe went into the parlor. “Should she be waiting on us in her condition?”

  Rafe grinned. “Don’t let her hear you ask that. And don’t worry. She knows what she can do and when to take it easy.”

  “I hope you know how lucky you are.”

  Rafe threw him a quick glance. “I do. But it’s not luck. It was God who brought us together. Although, at the time, I probably thought it was my irresistible charm.”

  Jim laughed. “I seem to remember you had some tough times for a while, wondering if Tuck would ever see you as anything but her best pal.”

  Rafe quickly sobered. “Yes, that’s why I know it was God. He straightened it all out for us.” He grinned. “And now we’re an old, settled-down married couple.”

  Jim nodded. “Yes, you have a great life.”

  “Okay, Jim. What’s wrong?” He frowned. “It’s that sister-in-law of mine, isn’t it? She still giving you the cold shoulder?”

  “I can’t really blame her, Rafe. She loves her family, especially Abby. I’ve always heard twins have a special connection.” He shook his head. “She won’t leave. That’s for sure. And I’ve about given up on finding a suitable job around here.”

  “Around here? You mean you’d consider giving up your business for Addy?” Rafe stared and then started setting up the checkerboard on a square table.

  “Yes. I’ve scoured the job market in Springfield, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Anything I’m qualified for that would offer a decent income requires more education than I’ve had.” He frowned. “I even thought of buying a farm somewhere near but realized that was stupid. I’d be broke the first six months. What do I know about farming?”

  Rafe shook his head. “You’d also be miserable doing something you’re not cut out for. I knew you were crazy about Addy, but I didn’t know it was that bad. I don’t know if I’d have even gone that far for Tuck.” He paused. “Yes, I would’ve done anything for Tuck.”

  “I’m thinking about pulling out earlier than I’d planned. I don’t know if I can handle seeing her at the dance in someone else’s arms.”

  Abby came through the door. She carried a tray laden with coffee mugs and a plate of apple bread.

  Her face looked frozen. Had she heard what he’d said? She put the tray on a small table and turned to look at Jim. “Does Addy know you’ve been trying to find work so you won’t have to leave?”

  “Tuck, were you listening at the door?” Rafe threw a frown in her direction.

  “Not till I heard my sister’s name,” Abby shot back then turned to Jim again. “Well, does she?”

  “I don’t know how she would. I’ve never mentioned it to her. But I spoke to her a few days ago. Somehow, she had gotten the idea I worked at the hunting lodge.”

  “Oh.” She frowned again then planted her hands on her hips. “You and Addy are pathetic. You love each other. There is a way to work this out. Don’t you dare leave until after the ball. Give God a chance here.”

  Rafe frowned. “God or Tuck?”

  “God, of course. Often on this earth He uses people, though.” She turned and left the room.

  Jim stared after her, dumfounded. What just happened here? She seemed pretty sure Addy loved him. He looked at Rafe in confusion.

  Rafe laughed. “That’s my girl. I’d listen to her if I were you, my friend. She knows her sister pretty well. And you never know what can happen when my Tuck gets on the trail.”

  Mrs. Bright passed out decorated sugar cookies, homemade coconut bonbons, and cinnamon apple cider then clapped her hands together. “Eugene,” she scolded, “put that cookie down. We haven’t thanked the good Lord for it yet.”

  Addy grinned as the boy dropped his cookie like a hot poker and folded his hands.

  A tree stood in the corner of the room, nearly touching the ceiling. She and the children had made ornaments earlier in the week, and yesterday they’d decorated. Mr. Carroll had put the homemade angel on the tree’s top for them when he’d come to pick Johnny up after school. The floor beneath the tree was covered with brightly wrapped gifts.

  Mrs. Carroll sat at the organ and played Christmas carols. Addy was thankful she had volunteers today. A mix of sleet and snow had been falling since noon. She hadn’t been sure they’d show up. But out of the six scheduled, Mrs. Bright and Mrs. Carroll had arrived with smiles on their faces and baskets of goodies to add to the ones Ma had sent.

  As the children bit into the sweet confections, Addy attempted to keep a smile on her face, even though the scene she’d witnessed in front of the mercantile a few days earlier played over and over in her mind. It had been, ever since she’d seen the intimate moment between Jim and Martha.

  She jerked her thoughts back to the classroom and her excited students. They would have the gift exchange in a few moments, and then Addy would pass out Ma’s little treat bags before the children were dismissed for the Christmas holidays.

  Ma had made brightly colored flannel bags and filled each with an apple, a handful of walnuts, ribbon candy, and a candy cane. The walnuts and apples were from their own cellar. Ma had purchased the ribbon candy from Mr. Hawkins’ store, which she still preferred over the new mercantile, but the candy canes she’d made herself.

  Johnny’s shrill voice rang out in the last note of “Jingle Bells.”

  Addy clapped her hands. “All right, boys and girls. We’re going to take a short break for whoever needs one. Please come back inside after you’ve been to the outhouse. The snow is getting harder. When we return, it will be time for the gift exchange.”

  They all scampered outside, several making a beeline for the outhouse, while a few began scooping up snow for a snowball fight.

  “They’re sure having fun, aren’t they?” Mrs. Bright said, her eyes shining as she watched through the window.

  “Yes, and I can’t bring myself to scold them,” Addy said. “This is the first real snow of the season.”

  Mrs. Carroll hurried to the window and peered out. “Oh, dear. Do you think we should go ahead and dismiss the children?”

  “No, some of the parents will be here at two to pick their children up. If it gets too bad, Mr. Travis at the livery stable will hitch up a wagon and take the rest of them home.” Addy was grateful for the kindly old man who’d volunteered his services a couple of years ago. So far, he’d only had to do it once, but Addy k
new she could count on him.

  When the children were back inside and their wraps drying near the stove, she smiled at them. “Who would like to help me give out the gifts?”

  Annie’s hand went up first. The girl took turns pulling out boys’ and girls’ gifts. She handed them to the ladies who passed them out.

  “Aww. The snow’s stopped.” Sam’s disappointment rang across the room.

  Addy glanced at the window. Sure enough, only a few flakes fell, and the sky seemed to be lighter than before.

  “Don’t worry, young man,” Mrs. Carroll said. “Before long you’ll be complaining because there’s so much snow you can’t go out and play.”

  A smile tipped Addy’s lips. That was so true. Early snow was fun, but around February, the winter could seem dark and long.

  The children tore into their gifts, and soon the sounds of pleasure and “thank yous” were heard. Then the paper and ribbons were wrapped up to take home or throw away, depending on their condition. The smaller children squealed with delight when Addy passed out the bright-colored treat bags. And even the older children had grins on their faces.

  The parents of the children who lived outside of town arrived promptly. Those students who lived in town yelled quick good-byes to their friends and took off toward their homes.

  Mr. Carroll came inside and banked the fire while Addy and her two volunteers straightened up the room.

  “Now, honey, will you be okay to drive home alone?” Mrs. Carroll stood in the doorway and darted a fearful look at the sky.

  “Please don’t worry about me, Mrs. Carroll,” Addy said. “I don’t have that far to drive, and there’s not too much snow on the ground.”

  “But what if it starts up again?” She wrung her hands.

  “Now, Polly. She’ll be all right. Even if the snow does start, she’d be home before things got dangerous.”

  “Well, if you’re sure.” She patted Addy on the shoulder. “But you hurry up and get home, now.”

  “I will, Mrs. Bright. I’ll be on my way in five minutes.”

  As Addy drove home, she forced her mind away from thoughts about Jim. After all, Abby was coming tomorrow to help Addy and Ma cut and sew the boys’ little suits and Betty’s Christmas dress. It would be a wonderful day.