A Texas Legacy Christmas

by DiAnn Mills

  She giggled. The last time Miss Scott had walked the children back to the boardinghouse after their tutoring session, Simeon had arranged for all of them, including Chloe, to have cookies and milk in the kitchen. Curly had wrapped his little arm around Miss Scott’s ample waist and leaned his head against her.

  “Miss Scott,” he said, “you are looking more beautiful than Miss Chloe’s Christmas tree.”

  “You don’t say.” Miss Scott beamed. “That deserves a hug.”

  “Watch it, little man.” Simeon shook his finger at Curly in feigned annoyance. “You’re makin’ me jealous.”

  “You just have to say nice things to court a fine woman,” Curly said. “After Miss Scott goes home, I’ll give you some pointers.”

  Miss Scott gasped and her face reddened.

  “And how would you know about courtin’?” Simeon appeared to swallow his amusement. Goodness knows, nothing seemed to embarrass him.

  “By listening to Poppy talk to Miss Chloe. I think he practices.”

  Chloe held her breath. Mercy. She sensed the color flooding her cheeks while Simeon enjoyed a good laugh. Soon laughter rang through the entire downstairs. Chloe hastily excused herself and made her way through the kitchen, the dining room, and on to the front desk. She straightened the newspapers from Saturday and brushed away an invisible speck of dust.

  Now as she reflected on the moment, Curly’s innocence and frankness had been amusing. Did Zack have conversations with the twins about her? She’d sure like to be a fly on the wall if he did. The bell jingled above the door.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Weaver.”

  She recognized Mr. Barton’s voice and offered a smile. The tender way he looked at her always made her uncomfortable. “Good afternoon.”

  “The scent of pine is nearly intoxicating, don’t you think?”

  “I rather enjoy it.”

  “Oh, so do I. Fills me with the holiday spirit.” He walked through the dining room and stood at the entrance of the parlor. “You’ve created a breathtaking Christmas.”

  “Thank you, but I believe you helped.”

  “Can we have a word?”

  “Certainly.” She followed him into the parlor.

  “Christmas will be here in less than two weeks, and I was wondering if you had plans.”

  She’d feared this awkward situation. “Yes, sir. I do.”

  “With our boarder, Zack Kahler?”

  Her heart thumped against her chest like the tale of a scared rabbit. “Yes, sir, with him and his family.”

  Lines plowed across his forehead. “You’re spending quite a bit of time with our guest.”

  She moistened her lips. “I help him with his children when my duties here are completed. I have not shirked my responsibilities.”

  “I never doubted that you had or would. It’s Kahler who has no respect for working hours. He even speaks to you in the dining room, pulling you away from the other guests.”

  “I—I apologize.” Heat assaulted her face and neck. “I’ll speak to him about that matter.”

  “I do not blame you for his indiscretion. But it looks to me like there is something more going on than helping him with those two rambunctious children. Aren’t you concerned with what people will say? A lady’s reputation can never be righted once it has been tainted.”

  Chloe’s temper quickly rose. Yet she swallowed a retort that would have placed Mr. Barton’s words where they belonged—in the outhouse—and gotten her fired. “I don’t feel I am behaving inappropriately. Mr. Kahler and I attend church and family functions together.”

  “I’ve seen you a time or two together when it wasn’t Sunday or with his family.”

  Was he spying on them? If she had not made plans for Christmas with Zack, the conversation with Mr. Barton would not be happening. He’d be thrilled about making plans with her. Another handful of remarks crossed her mind. Still, she held her tongue.

  “Mr. Barton, can you fault my work or say that I am not dedicated to my position here at your boardinghouse?”

  “Your work is flawless. You and Simeon keep this place running smoothly.” He sighed and moistened his lips as though preparing to give a speech. “I worry about gossip among the boarders and the townspeople. Meddlesome gossips can destroy you.”

  Chloe took a deep breath. “I assure you that my words and actions are above reproach.”

  Mr. Barton studied her for several long moments. “For your own good and for the excellent reputation of this establishment, I forbid you to spend any time with Mr. Kahler or his ill-behaved children.”

  “And does this include the hours I am not in your employ?”

  “Yes, it does.” His eyes narrowed as though she were an ill-behaved child.

  “And if I refuse?”

  “I will have no choice but to dismiss you.”

  Chloe’s heart plummeted to her stomach. Was this the same man who had flirted with her? Did he think she’d ever want to spend time with him after his unreasonable demands? “I see you give me no choice since this position is my livelihood.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad you see things my way. I’ll let you know about Christmas plans.”

  She gasped. How dare he bully her into spending one more minute in his company? Had he been taking lessons from Eli Scott?

  By the time she saw Zack in the dining room for dinner, her anger had shifted to despair. She must tell Zack about the ultimatum. But if he lost his temper and argued with Mr. Barton, she might lose her job. Without her current position, she’d be on the streets and at the mercy of those who had preyed upon her before. Every time she considered walking across the room to Zack’s table, tears pooled in her eyes, and her love for him crowded out good sense.

  She caught Zack’s gaze, and he smiled. From across the room, his eyes radiated what his lips had not spoken. Surely, she was not mistaken. He did care. Didn’t he? Had he seen the same love in her eyes? Mr. Barton stood in the hallway separating the dining room from the parlor. Without a glance in his direction, she knew he watched her every move.

  She skirted around the tables to where Zack and the twins sat and pasted on a smile. “Good evening. How is everyone?”

  “Very well, thank you,” the twins chorused.

  “Your manners are getting better and better,” she said.

  “Poppy makes us practice.” Charlie’s red curls bounced.

  The little girl’s charm broke through Chloe’s resolve, and she blinked back the tears.

  “What’s wrong?” Zack said. “Don’t tell me ‘nothing,’ because I see it in your face.”

  She pressed her lips together. If alone, she’d have wept. “Can we talk later, after the twins are asleep?”

  “Of course. I see Barton is staring at us. Does he have something to do with this?”

  “Yes.”

  Zack frowned, but she didn’t acknowledge it. Maybe he would have a solution when they talked.

  She turned her attention to Curly and Charlie. “I’ll bring your dinner right out. Simeon has made gingerbread for desert.” She breathed in so deeply that her chest hurt. Would love always feel this way?

  “Goodie,” Curly said. “I’ll eat all my vegetables.”

  Usually the time spent after dinner sped by until she had a few hours to spend with Zack or read in her room, but tonight she heard every beat of the clock. Its incessant click seemed to rattle through her brain. Not even Simeon or the excitement of Christmas eased the heartache threatening to destroy all she held dear.

  Finally, the boardinghouse hushed, and her work was completed for the day.

  “I trust you will have a pleasant evening,” Mr. Barton said with his hat in hand. “I assume you will need to tell Mr. Kahler tonight of your new terms of employment.”

  “Yes, sir.” She forced herself to sound as cordial as possible when she wanted to tell him what she thought of his “terms of employment.” His mandate rose from selfishness. For that matter, her response rose from the same thing. Pray
ing for a man when she wanted to tell him what she thought of his manner of garnering her affections was close to impossible.

  “Good evening, Miss Weaver. I will see you tomorrow.”

  How did his conscience allow him to make such demands? With a rise of fury, she fought asking him how he hoped to sleep tonight.

  Once he left the boardinghouse, she swallowed the emotions tugging at her body. How easy it would be to crumble, but that would solve nothing. Instead, she prayed for guidance and asked for forgiveness for all the ugly thoughts firing across her mind.

  Waiting for Zack proved more difficult than rehearsing the right words for telling him that she could no longer enjoy his company. Brother Whitworth had told her trials made one stronger in their faith, and her strength lay in holding on to God’s hand.

  She heard the stairs creak, and without looking up, she knew it was Zack. She needed a clear mind to talk through this insurmountable problem, and maybe between Zack, herself, and God, they’d have a resolution.

  “Tell me what’s wrong, Chloe,” he whispered.

  She glanced up and nearly wept. How handsome and in control. How many years had she loved this man? How many years had he solved the problems in her life, but this time she needed to offer some answers.

  “You look miserable.” Concern lines etched his brow. “What has Barton done to upset you?”

  The sound of his voice settled on her like the warmth of a gently crackling fire on a chilly night. But this night she feared nothing would chase away the cold and emptiness inside.

  “He’s forbidden me to see you or the twins. Not only here at the boardinghouse, but also during the times I’m not working.”

  Zack banged his fist on the registration desk. She started and sensed the color draining from her face.

  “He has no right to make such demands. Is he still here?”

  “He left a few minutes ago.” She touched his arm. “Anger won’t solve this. Aren’t you the one who insists on having God direct our lives?”

  He paused and glanced away. Finally, he swung his attention her way. “I’m sorry for that explosion. What’s Barton’s reason?”

  She attempted to settle her nerves. “He said that it looks inappropriate—gossip could result from us being seen together. Since you live here, he fears for my reputation and that of the boardinghouse.”

  Zack stared at her long and hard. “I don’t believe one word of it. He’s not giving up on you, is he?”

  “I—I don’t think so.” She shook her head. “I know he’s not.”

  “Jealousy.”

  She shrugged.

  “I’m not the least surprised. When I paid a call on him about advertising in the paper, he made clear his interest in you.” Zack sighed. “Guess I didn’t want to believe it or that he’d make it nearly impossible to see you.”

  She swallowed twice to get rid of the lump in her throat. Neither time worked. “I cannot lose my position here.”

  “I understand.” His voice softened. “I will not let him do this to you—to us.” He reached for her hand. “Don’t you know how much I care for you? I couldn’t any more stop seeing you than stop breathing.”

  Her eyes brimmed with the tears she’d sworn not to show. How she’d longed to hear his words of tenderness, but not like this. Forced. As though he had no other choice. “What can we say or do to change his mind?”

  “To begin with, I wanted this to be a surprise, but I found a house. The twins and I can move in sooner than planned.”

  “I don’t think that will make a difference.”

  “I want to talk to him.” He paused. “Unless you prefer his company, then—”

  “No.” Was she too forward?

  He smiled. “All right. I’ll find a way to persuade him. In the meantime, I’ll move my children this weekend to their new home.” He lightly squeezed her hand. “Would you trust me to work out this problem? Will you trust God to guide me in a solution?”

  Before she had talked to Brother Whitworth and rededicated her life to God, she wouldn’t have been able to respond properly.

  “Trust God,” Zack whispered.

  Chloe took a deep breath. “I am . . . completely.” Suddenly, she was conscious of his hand still holding on to hers.

  “I can’t imagine you not in my life.” He opened his mouth, then quickly closed it. “There’s so much more I’d like to say, but it’s too soon.”

  She heard all she needed to believe her dreams were coming true.

  Chapter 22

  The next morning while walking to the feed store, Zack did his best to think admirable things about Jacob Barton. But the faster his pace, the more ungodly thoughts tossed about in his head.

  Consider his good points.

  Jacob planned to feed the poor on Christmas Eve, and he’d provided regular plates of food for whoever was hungry in town. But that had nothing to do with how he’d treated Chloe. Last night, Zack had prayerfully considered how to handle the man, but this morning, he’d wakened as angry as a nest of agitated hornets.

  He stopped abruptly on the boardwalk and took a deep breath to calm his soaring temper. Bursting through the door of the feed store like a charging bull said little about his faith or his ability to handle confrontation successfully. He wanted Chloe to trust that he would follow God’s leading. And God would not be happy if he broke Jacob’s nose.

  “Don’t ruin all the good things you’ve accomplished in town,” Hank had said earlier. “You asked me to tell you when you were about to make a big mistake. This is it. Jacob Barton is not a man to have on your bad side. A lot of folks like him—he’s fair and helps others.”

  “I agree with all you’re saying. He does have a right to state how his employees deal with the boarders, and I don’t want Chloe neglecting her job.” Zack paused. “But forbidding her to see me at all is unreasonable. Some prayers would help.”

  “You got ’em. And I think moving into my mother’s house before Christmas is a good idea.”

  Lord, I need some help here. There’s a reason this has happened, and I don’t have to know why. But if you’d control my fists and put the right words in my mouth, I’d be greatly obliged.

  When Zack entered the feed store, Jacob was alone. If the place had been crowded with customers, he might have had a few more minutes to calm down.

  “Morning,” Jacob called from the rear of the store. His back was turned while he stacked bags of grain. He faced Zack and started.

  “Morning, Jacob. I’d like a word with you.”

  The man strolled toward him, his face tinted red. “I figured you’d be by to see me. If this will be short, I can give you a few minutes.”

  Do not jump into this. “How is the ad working out for you?”

  “Customers have made good comments about it. Not sure if it has brought in any money yet. I’ll keep you informed.”

  Zack nodded, carefully choosing his words. “I wanted to notify you that I’ll be moving out on Saturday. I bought a house.”

  “I’m sure a home will be easier for you and your children.”

  “Originally I planned to move a few days after Christmas, but circumstances have caused me to consider otherwise.”

  “As in my business decision regarding Miss Weaver?”

  “Precisely. I understand you have a problem with Chloe and me keeping company.”

  Barton narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like gossip. Not good for business—either about my boardinghouse or my employees.”

  “And what have you heard?”

  The knot in the man’s throat bobbled. “Nothing yet. I’m trying to prevent any. Prudence is the word here.”

  “Am I correct in assuming that Chloe accompanying me to church and family functions is against your policy?”

  “Correct.”

  “Then I’ll move as soon as possible. My absence should relieve the minds of any folks who are concerned about propriety. I wouldn’t want my relationship with Chloe to cause any problems for her o
r for your establishment. And I apologize for occupying her time during working hours.”

  Jacob released a sigh that the whole town could have heard. “Are you saying you intend to continue escorting Miss Weaver to various functions and activities?”

  “I do.”

  “She has many duties and responsibilities at the boardinghouse. I must be able to contact her at a moment’s notice.”

  Zack bit his tongue to keep it from getting him into trouble. “I believe she is relieved of duties on Sundays.”

  “I’ve invested in teaching her about the boardinghouse and keeping books. With so many boarders, I may need her seven days a week.”

  “You’ve just lost three of those boarders.”

  “Miss Weaver has better things to do than spend time with a man and his children.”

  “I don’t understand.” Zack knew exactly what Jacob was inferring, but the man had to state the real reason for his displeasure. “Why do you object to my seeing her?”

  Jacob frowned. “You already know the answer to that question. When I want something, I do not give up easily.”

  “In regards to a young woman’s affections, she should make her own choice. Don’t you agree?”

  Silence stood as a wall between the two, and Zack chose to keep it that way until Jacob decided to end the silence.

  “Very well. These are my terms for Miss Weaver to be seen in your company. You cannot visit her at the boardinghouse during working hours.”

  “Am I and my children barred from the dining room, as well?” Would the man prefer to lose money than allow Chloe to speak to Zack and the twins?

  “Not barred, Mr. Kahler, only limited to enjoying a meal at my establishment and promptly leaving. I am assuming you would want your children partaking of their meals in their own home.”

  Perhaps Zack should propose to Chloe this evening and avoid all of this nonsense. “I would never interfere with the parameters of her position.”