“You will be joining the rest of the congregation for our Annual Christmas Party, will you not, Miss Henderson?” Max looked down at her from his impressive height.
“Of course,” she snapped, still annoyed with herself for her reaction to his presence.
Max stepped out of the pew and moved back to allow her and Helen to exit. The four strolled along with the rest of the crowd, greeting the pastor as they left the church.
“If you will excuse me, Mr. Colbert, I need to go to the church kitchen and help set up for the luncheon.” She clamped on Helen’s arm and tugged her forward.
“Wait, Miss Henderson. I would like you to meet Mr. Clay Forest.” He turned to the man standing alongside him. The rotund man wiped sweat from his forehead and reeked of cigar smoke. His face held the flush of a regular user of hard spirits. “This is Miss Ellie Henderson, a teacher at Logan County High School.”
“How do you do, Miss Henderson?” The man stuck his hand out.
Ellie took it and gave it a brief shake. She nodded in Helen’s direction. “This is Miss Helen Spencer.” She took a deep breath. “Helen, I’m sure you already know Mr. Colbert.”
“Indeed I do. How are you, Mr. Colbert?”
“Just fine, thank you, Miss Spencer.”
Mr. Forest stepped forward and took Helen’s hand. “I am delighted to meet you, Helen.”
Helen stiffened at the use of her first name.
“And you must call me Clay,” he added, extending his arm to Helen to escort her.
Ellie had a moment of panic when it appeared Mr. Colbert planned to escort her. She tugged again at Helen’s arm. “Sorry, we’re needed in the kitchen. You gentlemen can go on in to the hall.” Without a backward glance, she hurried Helen away.
Once they reached the kitchen, Helen turned to Ellie. “What is going on?”
Ellie sighed and grabbed an apron from one of the hooks in the kitchen. “I have no idea. Would you believe Mr. Colbert showed up at the Women’s Rights meeting last week?”
“Mr. Colbert? At the Women’s Rights meeting? Surely you’re joking.” Helen had her head stuck in the icebox, pulling out bowls and dishes.
Ellie took them from her hands and placed them on a tray. “I am not kidding. And the funny thing is, he showed up there with some other man I’d never met before.”
Several other women arrived, chatting noisily, putting an end to their conversation. Mr. Colbert certainly acted strange lately. Not that coming to church made him odd, but sitting right next to her certainly did. She’d never seen him with another person at church before. All of a sudden there he was, smiling at her and dragging along a friend.
She stopped loading trays. Her jaw dropped and she stiffened. Mr. Colbert was spying on her! That could be the only explanation. The snake thought to get something on her so he could go to the Board and demand she be let go. Of all the vile, mean, underhanded things. She would show him. If he looked for Ellie Henderson to make mistakes, he would be sorely disappointed.
He’s already found you in a water trough with trousers on. All right, so he caught her with one mistake. From now on, she would be on her guard. She tightened her lips. Oh, that man!
Max and Clay entered the gaily decorated hall and snagged two seats. The Sunday school children had drawn Christmas pictures that were tacked to the walls. A small pine tree stood at the foot of the stage with ornaments and candles. Below it, a life-sized crèche rested on a bed of hay. The tables were adorned with red and green tablecloths. Obviously the women of the church had gone to a lot of trouble to make the church Christmas Party a success.
Max leaned toward Clay. “We’ll want to keep the two seats across from us open for Miss Henderson and Miss Spencer. It would be nice if they joined us.”
“That Helen is a looker.” Clay smacked his lips.
Max shot him a look. How the devil could Clay think Miss Spencer a looker when she stood next to Miss Henderson? Why Miss Henderson was a beauty. Shining brown curls, beautiful large hazel eyes, and a slender, delicate frame. A quite nicely filled out frame. “Personally I think Miss Henderson is a fine-looking woman.”
Clay glanced briefly at him. “She’s okay, too, but that Helen, wow.”
Max shifted in his seat. This was not going the way he’d hoped. He’d expected Clay to be enamored with Miss Henderson. He would have to work harder.
The doors from the kitchen opened and several women carried trays to the tables set up in the front and placed bowls and platters, napkins and silverware on the table.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we will now form a line to the left of the serving table. The ladies behind the table will be happy to assist you.” A stout older woman, still wearing her purple and pink church hat, made the announcement in a booming voice. The other women moved to various places behind the table, directing the crowd, and piling food onto plates.
Max and Clay moved down the line, plates in hand. They approached Miss Henderson, who smiled at the person in front of them as she placed a spoonful of something on her plate. “Which dish did you contribute, Miss Henderson?”
Ellie jerked her head in his direction, and her smile faltered. “This one, Mr. Colbert. It’s a ham and potato casserole my aunt makes all the time.” She pointed her spoon at the dish in front of her.
Max nudged Clay. “Doesn’t this look great, Clay? I’ll bet Miss Henderson is a wonderful cook.”
“Where’s Helen’s dish?” Clay looked up and down the row, ignoring Max’s comment.
Ellie rolled her eyes. “Miss Spencer and her tuna fish casserole are further down.” She motioned her head as she placed a serving of her casserole on the two men’s plates.
“I don’t see her.” Clay stretched his neck. “Oh, there she is. She’s just coming out from the kitchen.”
Max’s jaw tightened, and he elbowed Clay. “Move along, Clay. People are waiting.” He turned to Miss Henderson. “Mr. Forest and I would be pleased if you would join us for dinner at our table. We’ve saved a space for you.”
Miss Henderson narrowed her eyes as if she suspected him of something evil. He shrugged. Women were difficult to understand, but especially this one.
“And Helen, too,” Clay emphasized, as Max nudged him along.
Everyone finally seated, the pastor offered a blessing. Soon the clink of silverware, noisy conversation, and laughter filled the air. Max took a bite of Miss Henderson’s casserole and lost his breath. The woman must have put a barrel of salt in the dish.
“Ugh. This is awful.” Clay spit a mouthful of the potato and ham casserole into his napkin.
“Clay!” Max said, wide-eyed, and took a large gulp of water.
“Well, it is awful. Did you have any yet? Whoever made this should be arrested for imitating a cook.” Several people turned at his comments.
Max glanced at Miss Henderson, who sat with her fork halfway to her mouth, her face flushed.
“Actually, Mr. Forest, I made it. Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all, Miss Henderson.” Max took another bite and whimpered.
Miss Henderson placed a small forkful of it on her tongue and grimaced. “I think I added too much salt.”
“I’ll say.” Clay snorted. “You better stay far away from stoves.” He threw his head back and laughed.
Miss Henderson put her fork down. Max’s gut tightened. Her face leeched of color, her cute little chin trembled, and her eyes filled with tears. Damnation.
“Excuse me.” She pushed her chair back and fled through the kitchen door.
“What’s the matter with you?” Max turned to Clay.
“What? The woman’s a lousy cook. She probably already knows it.” He continued to shovel food in his mouth. “I’ll tell you, though, Helen’s tuna fish casserole is wonderful.” Clay patted Miss Spencer’s hand. Tight-lipped, she pulled it back.
Max threw his napkin down and strode to the kitchen. Miss Henderson stood at the sink, her back to him, dabbing her eye with the corner of her apron.
“Miss Henderson?” He walked slowly toward her.
She turned and took a deep breath. “Yes, Mr. Colbert.” Her eyes and nose were red. Curls were loosened from her bun and hung around her face.
“Are you all right?” His stomach twisted as he stood in front of her.
She cleared her throat. “Yes, I’m fine. I thought I’d refill the water pitchers.”
“They are full.”
“Well, we probably need more tea.”
“No, there’s plenty of tea out there.” He tucked a curl behind her ear. “I’m sorry for what Mr. Forest said.”
“Why? It’s true. The casserole tasted horrible. I’m no cook, probably never will be.” She crossed her arms and tapped her foot. “I tried. I don’t understand what I did wrong. Tori makes it all the time, and I followed her recipe.” Her chin trembled, her eyes begged to understand. “What happened?” She burst into tears and covered her face with her hands.
Max had the urge to race from the kitchen, leave the building, and never return. Women’s tears brought him to his knees. He could handle anything but that. He clumsily patted her shoulder, and before he knew how or why, she was in his arms, grasping his jacket lapels, sobbing all over his starched shirt. He wrapped his arms around her back and rested his chin on her head. “Ah, don’t cry, Miss Henderson...Ellie. Mr. Forest is a rude man and doesn’t deserve your tears.”
She pulled back and fixed her gaze on him, and his heart sped up. The scent of rose water and sugar surrounded her. Her lips, puffy from biting them, drew his gaze. Her breasts were warm and soft against his chest as they rose and fell with her breathing. Ellie Henderson was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
“Mr. Colbert?” Ellie said as he bent toward her.
“Max,” he answered as his mouth descended on hers.
He moved his hands to the back of her head to take the kiss deeper. At first Ellie stiffened, then her body relaxed into him as he continued his assault on her luscious mouth. He slid his tongue along her lips, and she opened. Max lowered one hand to her waist and tugged her closer. Her palms skimmed his chest to his shoulders, where she clung to him.
This felt so right. Ellie Henderson fit his body as if made for it. Soft, warm, curved in all the right places. Too bad he would be marrying her off to someone else. Someone who would kiss her like this, remove her clothes, lay her down, make love to her. He groaned.
“Ellie?”
Max and Ellie sprang apart like two youths caught behind the woodshed at the sound of Helen’s voice. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes,” Ellie said breathlessly, as she fussed with her bun and straightened her dress. “Fine. I was just, ah, just, ah, looking for some more napkins.” She raced to the cabinet against the far wall and opened it. She took out a stack of cake plates and marched from the kitchen.
Max stood slack-jawed as he watched her leave with plates instead of napkins. He turned to Miss Spencer, straightening his tie. “Miss Henderson seemed a bit upset by Mr. Forest’s remarks, so I thought I would comfort her.”
Miss Spencer nodded, her face a bright red. “Then I’ll just go on out and help Ellie with the coffee and tea.” She backed toward the door and escaped.
Max blew out a breath. What in heaven’s name had he done? He closed his eyes, and his shoulders slumped. He rubbed his temples with a thumb and forefinger, and chastised himself. This plan to get Miss Henderson—Ellie—married, was backfiring. He would not be attracted to her. She was trouble, and his life did not allow for a woman. His needs were well taken care of, by someone who didn’t interfere with his well-ordered existence.
Life with Ellie Henderson would be disastrous. The unfortunate man who tied himself to her would be forever rescuing her from one catastrophe or another. Unless the poor soul starved to death first.
Obviously, Clay Forest was totally unacceptable. The man had no manners and didn’t appreciate Miss Henderson at all. When he got home this afternoon, he would cross him off the list and go to the next name.
Chapter 5
Two days later, Ellie eyed the classroom door at the sound of a soft knock. John Ridley poked his head in. “Can I talk to you, Miss Henderson?”
One of her younger students, John was a quiet boy, who Ellie suspected came from an abusive home. He’d often showed results of whippings, and she’d heard in town Mrs. Ridley had sported black eyes on occasion and, one time, a broken arm. The boy stood in front of her, twisting his worn brown woolen cap.
“Sure, John, have a seat.” She nodded at the student desk in front of her.
The boy slid onto the seat and continued to fumble with his cap.
Ellie rested her elbows on the desk and smiled. “Why are you here so late?”
“I just came from Mr. Colbert’s office.” He took a deep breath, and his young voice trembled. “I’m in big trouble, Miss Henderson.”
The poor boy looked terrified. “What happened?”
He licked his lips. “You remember the envelope you keep in your desk with money in it?”
“Yes.” Ellie had been collecting money from the students to buy food items to add to the Christmas baskets. At last count she had five dollars and forty-two cents.
John slumped. “I did a bad thing.”
“What is it? What did you do that got you into trouble?”
He peeked at her from under the hair that fell on his forehead. “I took the envelope with the money in it.”
Ellie frowned, opened her desk drawer, and pushed papers aside. “You’re right. It’s gone.” She studied him for a moment. “Well, just give it back to me, and there won’t be any problem.”
“I can’t.” He winced and lowered his head.
She lifted his chin. “Did you already spend it?”
John shook his head. “Mr. Colbert has it.”
Ellie’s stomach dropped. “How did he get it?”
“I hurried past his office and it fell out of my pocket. He asked me where I got it, and I told him.”
“Go on.”
“He said he would speak to my pa and maybe even go to the police,” he finished in a rush, his face bright red.
Ellie sat back and blew out a breath. “Why did you take the money, John? It doesn’t seem like something you would do.”
He began twisting his hat again. “My ma’s in a bad way, Miss Henderson. Pa finally let her go to the doc last week, and he said she has some kinda cancer thing and she ain’t gonna live a whole lot longer.”
She touched the boy’s hand. “I’m so sorry, John. Is there anything I can do?”
He shook his head. “The reason I took the money was so I could buy her a Christmas present. Just so she’d have something nice for once, before she, you know...” His voice grew thick with tears he attempted to hold back. “And if my pa finds out, he’ll take it out on Ma, and she can’t take no more beatins’.” A tear slid down the boy’s face.
He swiped at his face and continued. “I would’ve paid it back. I got me a job at the livery, and Mr. Hennessey’s payin’ me enough. I wanted to git the present right away, just in case…” His voice drifted off.
What a conundrum. Stealing could not be condoned, but with all the child’s problems, he could use a little bit of understanding and sympathy. Ellie stood, crossed her arms, and looked down at the boy. “You do know what you did was wrong, even though for a good reason?”
John nodded. “I ain’t never gonna do nothin’ like that again, Miss Henderson. I promise.” His small dirty thumb drew a cross on his chest.
Her heart thumped. What he did could be considered a crime, but then again, it should be a crime for a man to beat his wife and children. While certainly frowned upon, there still wasn’t any law to prevent it, or to lock up Mr. Ridley when he did. Yet if he’d raised a hand to her, he’d been in jail. Wives were still considered the property of their husbands, and the unfairness of it rankled.
“I’ll speak with Mr. Colbert and see if I can get him to return th
e money to me, and skip speaking with the police, or your pa.”
He stood, a slight smile on his face, a look of relief in his eyes. “Thanks so much, I’d appreciate it.”
Ellie put her arm around his shoulders and tugged him close. “I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll try. Now run on home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He flashed a full smile and left the room.
She sat for a while after John left. Mr. Colbert was a rigid man. The trials of a young boy with a mean father would not touch him. Max saw everything in either black or white. Right and wrong. If she went to him with John’s story, he would subject her to a sermon on the Ten Commandments, and he probably would find a way to work in Women’s Rights. Despite that, she’d have to at least try to speak with him, and soon. He could decide at any time to visit Mr. Ridley.
After packing up her books and papers, she walked to the end of the hallway and entered Mr. Colbert’s office. His secretary, Rita, stood at the file cabinet leafing through papers.
“Is Mr. Colbert in?”
The secretary spun around, grasping her throat. “Oh, Miss Henderson, you gave me a start. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Sorry.”
“No, Mr. Colbert has gone home for the day.”
Ellie pressed her index finger to her lips. “What time will he be in tomorrow? Can I make an appointment to see him?”
Rita walked to her desk and flipped pages on a large black book. “He has a meeting in the morning outside of school.” She frowned. “This is new. It looks like he wrote in a visit to see Mr. Ridley at the blacksmith’s after the meeting.” She glanced at her. “I guess that’s where he works.” After closing the book, she smiled. “I’m not sure about that meeting since he made it himself, so I can’t really say what time he’ll be back here.”
Ellie’s stomach clenched. She had to get to him before he saw John’s father. “That’s all right, Rita, I’ll see him some other time. Thanks. Have a good evening.”
Merry Christmas, My Love Page 4
