“Oh, that’s embarrassing, because I wouldn’t let you explain.” Grady had been right and she was glad she’d relented and come today.
“I know you were upset, but please, you must learn to trust me.”
“I do trust you, Elias. Even when I thought the women were harlots, I trusted you. I just can’t condone their behavior or way of dress.”
“Guess I’d never really looked at them the way someone like you would see them but now I understand what you meant. No more waitresses. From now on, we have two bartenders and one man to serve the drinks.”
She scooted closer to him. “Oh, Elias. Thank you. I know you must have made that change because of me. I try not to be judgmental, but I guess I am. I don’t want to be as bad as my pa, but getting away from my life’s training is hard.”
“I know that. I’ve spoken to Bill. He’s willing to take over evenings after we’re married so I can be home with you.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “You’re a wonderful man, Elias Kendrick. I’m so lucky you asked me to marry you.”
He kissed her. “I’m the lucky one.”
From behind them, Sophie announced, “And I’m the chaperone, you two.”
Laughing, they broke their embrace.
Elias glanced back. “I thought you were dozing.”
“I never slept a wink. Just resting my eyes from the sun’s glare is all.”
Ophelia wiggled on the seat. “How much longer, Elias? I’ll soon need a rest stop.”
“I’ll stop here and you can refresh yourself behind those bushes. Just watch for critters.” He helped her down. He held his hand toward her friend. “Sophie?”
“I suppose I’d better. Too much will be happening later to go to the privy.” Sophie joined Ophelia and they walked behind bushes beside the road.
Feeling more comfortable after stretching her legs and relieving herself, Ophelia let Elias help her back into the buggy. She suspected he had made a quick trip behind different bushes. Men had the advantage over women in this situation.
A few miles further, Elias gestured. “When we turn this corner, you’ll see our destination.”
She peered ahead and a large white building came into view. When they turned up the drive, she saw Golden Heart Children’s Home on a signpost.
“Oh, I had no idea there was a children’s home in this area.” The sign’s meaning hit her. “Golden Heart, Golden Eagle, Golden Crescent. Elias, you started this home, didn’t you?”
When he met her gaze, his eyes held a haunted depth. “Yes. I grew up on my own and wished I’d had a safe place. We don’t call it an orphanage, because we focus on the fact it’s a home and the residents are a family.”
From the back seat, Sophie leaned forward. “Each of these children was abused, neglected, or thrown away. Elias rescued them, sometimes at his own peril.”
Elias recovered his cheerful, outgoing demeanor. “Sophie’s son Riley drives over a couple of times a month to check on the children, more often if there’s sickness. Several people in Tarnation donate to help with the upkeep.” He stopped at the front porch.
A towering middle-aged man stepped around the corner and grabbed the horse’s harnesses. He appeared strong enough to lift a horse if he chose. “Mornin’, Mr. Elias. I’ll take these lads to the barn and give them some grain.”
“Thank you, Mr. Allsup. We’ll be here a couple of hours.”
The door opened and a tall woman with graying hair stepped onto the porch. What may have once been a stiffly starched white apron covered her gray dress. Spots dotting the limp garment set Ophelia wondering about the home’s cleanliness.
“Welcome, Mr. Kendrick. We’re about to sit down to dinner. Won’t you and your guests join us?”
He stood between Sophie and her. “We’d be delighted. Mrs. Parr, may I present Miss Ophelia Shipp. I’m sure you remember Mrs. Gaston.”
“Of course, so nice to see you again, Mrs. Gaston. Miss Shipp, welcome. The children will be excited to meet a newcomer. Shall we go to the dining hall?”
Ophelia wanted to hold Elias’ or Sophie’s hand but restrained herself. She didn’t know what to expect. Contradictory to her earlier opinion, the hall was spotless. Through open double doors she spotted tables and children gathering.
One girl about five or six ran up to Mrs. Parr. “Mama Parr, I fell and hurt my arm.” She buried her face in the woman’s apron, making plain how the wrinkles and spots got there.
“Let me see if you need a bandage, Amy.” She bent to look at the child’s arm then hugged the little girl. “I’m sure the injury is painful, dear, but you’ll be fine. Take your place at the table.”
Elias raised his deep baritone to be heard. “Children, I’ve brought a newcomer to visit. Miss Shipp is new to Texas. I hope you’ll make her welcome. And you remember what a kind lady Mrs. Gaston is. Please make her welcome, too.”
“Welcome,” said most of the children in unison.
Ophelia noticed a girl of about nine or ten hung back. She took her seat but didn’t speak to anyone. Something about her reminded Ophelia of herself at that age and she determined to talk to her before they left today.
Fortunately, the seats reserved for guests were by the girl. Ophelia chose the one next to her and sat down. Elias was next to her and Sophie across the table.
After a blessing, the children ate between chattering with friends. Ophelia took a bite of the chicken and dumplings.
Elias whispered, “How’s your food?”
“Very good. I used to cook these, but I can’t imagine making so much at one time.” She turned to the girl. “Do you like chicken and dumplings?”
She nodded but didn’t speak.
Mrs. Parr looked at the child. “Celia, please answer vocally.”
Celia looked at her plate. “Yes, but we often have chicken.”
Ophelia smiled at her. “When I lived at home, I prepared chicken most of the time.”
Curiosity aroused, the girl met her gaze. “Where do you live now?”
“In Tarnation, with Mrs. Harrison. Several other young women are there as well.”
Celia blinked then frowned. “Why?”
“Mrs. Harrison thought the town needed more young women so the men in town had a chance to get married. She brought seven of us from Virginia—well, one was from Missouri—to live with her until we met the man we wished to marry.”
Celia looked at Elias. “You gonna marry Mr. Elias?”
Ophelia knew she was blushing. “I’ve just recently agreed to do so.” She leaned near Celia’s ear. “Maybe we should change the subject.”
Eyes wide, Sophie looked at one of the boys. “How is your wrist now, Reggie?”
A tawny-headed boy held up his arm. “I can throw the ball again. Dr. Riley fixed me good.”
Sophie smiled at Reggie. “Wonderful.” No doubt she enjoyed hearing her son praised.
After the meal, each child carried his or her dishes to the kitchen pass-through window and deposited them. Ophelia followed suit as did Elias and Sophie.
Mrs. Parr gestured to the children leaving. “They have recess for an hour so they have a chance to burn up some of their energy before afternoon classes.” She gestured for the adults to follow her out the door.
Ophelia asked, “I counted twenty-four children. How many teachers are there?”
“I take the eight older children and Mrs. Allsup teaches a younger group of ten. Mrs. Williams looks after the six who are aged three and under. That’s a loose distinction depending on the child. For some, abuse and neglect have set them behind their actual age. Then we have the cook and her three helpers, who also do cleaning. You saw Mr. Allsup when you arrived.”
Elias confided, “We thought there needed to be a man on the premises. Mr. Allsup was in the Army and is even stronger than he appears.”
A child of four or five ran up to Mrs. Parr. “Mama Parr, Bobby said I’m a baby.”
Hugging the little girl, the woman asked, “Hel
en, what do I call you?”
The girl grinned. “A precious baby girl. But I’m not really a baby, am I?”
Mrs. Parr brushed the girl’s hair away from her face. “No, you’re not. But Bobby’s two years older than you, so to him you are. Why were you trying to play with him?”
Amy put her hands on her hips. “I just wanted to watch him play marbles. He said I can’t ‘cause I’m a baby.”
“You have friends your age you should play with, dear. Now run along before recess is over.” She turned the child and gave her bottom a pat to send her on her way.
Ophelia leaned on Elias’ arm. “Mrs. Parr, you’re wonderful. I love that they call you Mama.”
The kindly woman smiled. “I love it too. When he started this establishment, Elias insisted he wanted it to be a real home, not an orphanage. Our job here is to make the children believe we are a big family who love one another.”
Mrs. Parr rolled her eyes. “Obviously, siblings have disagreements but I must admit the staff members get along very well. We’re all committed to helping the children.”
Sophie put an arm around Mrs. Parr. “Let’s sit down, shall we? You’re on your feet a lot.”
The two women left to sit on a shady bench where they could watch the children play. Ophelia and Elias drifted along the playground.
Ophelia raised her gaze to that of Elias. “How old is the oldest child here?”
He watched the children at play. “Right now, Celia at ten is the eldest, which is hard on her. We plan for children to live here until they turn eighteen or are adopted.”
Her gaze found Celia sitting alone on a bench. Ophelia wanted to hug the girl and take her home with her. Ridiculous since she didn’t even have a home.
She sighed and asked Elias, “Do you have many adoptions?”
He scrubbed a hand across his face before he answered. “Unfortunately, no. We have strict guidelines. Some would adopt to get a free servant or field hand—or worse. We want to be certain the children go to a couple who will make loving parents.”
Ophelia shuddered. “Thank goodness your rules for adoption are severe. Being orphaned or neglected in the first place is bad enough without them going to a new situation where they’d be mistreated.”
He placed his hand at her back waist. “Right. They’re safe here. Would you like to walk more out here or tour the home?”
“Perhaps we could wander out here while the children are playing. When recess is over, you could give me a tour.”
“Fine with me.” He grinned at her.
Ophelia nudged him. “I think that woman is trying to attract your notice.”
“Ah, that’s Mrs. Allsup who’s vying for my attention. Will you excuse me, please?”
Chapter Twelve
Ophelia took the opportunity of Elias’ absence to meander over and sit beside Celia. “Do you ever play with the others?”
She shook her head and looked at her lap. “They’re too young. I always win ’cause I’m older and taller, so it’s not fair. Sometimes I turn the rope when the girls want to skip the rope.”
“You’re acting very grown up. How long have you been here with Mrs. Parr?”
“Two years. My mama died and Pa was mean to me.” She looked up and Ophelia thought there was triumph in her expression. “Mr. Elias told Pa he didn’t deserve a nice daughter and brought me here. Pa was glad to be rid of me.”
“My pa is like that. I don’t understand why some people have to be so mean. At least we’re lucky there are still nice people around, too.”
Celia met her gaze, her eyes wide. “Your pa was like mine?”
Bitter memories attacked Ophelia. In her mind she saw the barn where Pa tied her hands, the whip he used, his face red with fury, and she blinked back tears of anger and humiliation.
“Worse. He used to beat me with a leather whip for the least little thing, sometimes until I passed out. I have bad scars on my back. I just couldn’t keep living there or I reckon one day soon he would have killed me. Now I’m in Tarnation staying with Mrs. Harrison.” She sighed. Never had she intended to reveal so much. Too late to worry now.
Celia tilted her head and appeared to assess Ophelia. “I thought you lived with Mr. Elias.”
“Oh, no. He brought me here as a surprise treat because he knew I’d enjoy meeting all of you. He was right. Mrs. Gaston is along as chaperone so my reputation is protected.”
“Why do you need her to do that sh—shiprone thing?”
Ophelia took Celia’s hand. “Chaperone. In most cases, all a woman has to offer a husband is her good name. She wants him to be proud of her and treasure her. So, she has to be very careful not only to be good, but always to appear to be good.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
Ophelia searched for a way to explain the concept of gossip and reputation. “Well, say Mr. Elias and I came here alone and we were perfectly correct in our behavior. But the trip lasts for two hours each way so someone in Tarnation might say something like, ‘Did you know how long they were alone together? No telling what went on.’ But with a respectable woman like Mrs. Gaston along, they can’t guess at what happened because they know she’s been with us.”
Celia frowned and kicked at a dirt clod. “Some people sure are mean, aren’t they?”
“Maybe some are. I don’t think most intend to be cruel. People like to gossip. What they don’t know for sure, they sometimes make up.”
“If they make up stories, that’s a lie.”
“Yes, but I don’t even think they mean to lie either. They just like to stick their noses in where they shouldn’t.”
Elias strode up to them. “You two look awfully serious.”
Ophelia smiled at Celia and hugged her shoulders. “We were just talking.”
Celia tugged on Elias sleeve. “Mr. Elias, her pa was even meaner than mine. She has scars on her back where he beat her.”
Ophelia closed her eyes and wanted to disappear into the earth beneath her feet. When she raised her lids, she discovered Elias frowning at her. She feared he would no longer want to be around her. Fortunately, Mrs. Parr rang a bell calling the children to classes.
Celia jumped to her feet and said, “Bye.”
Elias took her hand. “Shall we tour the building before we get on our way?”
His touch reassured her he wasn’t so repulsed that he wouldn’t speak to her again. She kept step with him, wondering what he thought of Celia’s revelation.
Sophie came inside with them. “I’ll wait for you two over here in this big chair.”
Elias showed her through the house. He obviously knew every corner.
“Did you build this home?”
“No, I was fortunate to find it for sale. It had been a young women’s seminary. Obviously, this is not a good place for such a thing.”
“Makes a good children’s home, though. You really do have a golden heart, Elias. I’m sorry I misjudged you so badly. I still don’t approve of what I saw at the saloon, but I know you’re a good man.”
My stars, Elias blushed. “You give me too much credit, my dear Ophelia. I admit the home gives me a great deal of pleasure. The staff members are very good at disciplining with kindness. I’ve heard horror stories of places where the children are treated badly. Mrs. Parr and I have the same goals.”
“For the most part, the children seem happy and well-adjusted.”
“Except for Celia Dennis, John and Darius Herfurth. They’re having a hard time adjusting. John and Darius are the brothers I found wandering along the road. As I told you, I arranged so that their father can never reclaim the boys.”
Anger consumed her that another parent would be so callous and cruel. She was still annoyed with Mr. Herfurth. “I should hope not, but why would he?”
“When they’re old enough to earn money, he might. Also, he might want to use them for, um, never mind, dear.” He appeared embarrassed.
She knew she blushed for she felt the heat on her
face. Leaning near him, she whispered, “You mean s-e-x, don’t you?”
He hugged her shoulders. “I’m afraid so. My job is to protect the children here and insure they remain safe even from their kin.”
She sensed tears gathering in her eyes as she turned to him. “I’m privileged to know you, Elias. There’s no doubt you’re a good man.”
He guided her into an alcove. “Good enough to kiss?”
“Definitely.” She splayed her hands on his chest.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Her bones surely melted, for she couldn’t stand on her own. She wound her arms around his neck and he kissed her again. They might have continued, but clomping footsteps on the stairs alerted them and they pulled apart.
Darius stomped toward them. “Damn, damn, damn, damn.” The curse word punctuated each of his steps. He stopped and his eyes widened when he saw them.
Elias knelt in front of the boy. “Want to think about what you just said?”
“I meant it, Mr. Elias. Reggie pushed at me and when I pushed back, I’m the one who got in trouble. Mrs. Parr sent me to my room.”
“Do you hate your room?”
Darius shook his head. “Me and John like our room. It’s clean and the beds feel good. But I don’t like being told I have to go there.”
“Ah, I see. As a favor to me, could you consider being sent to your room as a kind punishment? Mrs. Parr could have spanked you or made you miss supper or made you scrub out the dishes.”
Darius shook his head and appeared puzzled. “She wouldn’t do any of those.”
Elias pretended to pinch the boy’s nose. “My point exactly. She sent you to your room because she loves you and doesn’t want to hurt you. At the same time, she wants you to learn self control and how to be a good man.” Elias stood. “Why don’t Miss Shipp and I walk with you to your room and you can show it to us?”
“Okay. I have to leave the door open, though.”
Once inside his room, Darius plopped onto the bed. “Mr. Elias, John and me been worried about something. Our papa can’t never make us leave here, can he?”
Elias pulled a chair near the bed for Ophelia then sat at the foot of Darius’ bed. “Nope. He signed over his rights as a parent and the judge filed the paper. Now your father can’t make you do anything. He’s not even supposed to visit you. You can relax and enjoy your room and your friends and school. I know you thought you were alone just now, but you need to learn to express yourself without cursing.”
Ophelia (Bride Brigade Book 4) Page 11
