A Texas Legacy Christmas (13 page)

Zack hitched up the wagon feeling as excited as a kid on Christmas Eve. While Curly and Charlie were in school, he planned a surprise that his children would least expect. A bit of a chill had settled in since Thanksgiving, and he loved every minute of it. Not that he missed the snow and cold from New York, but cooler temperatures gave him a lift in his walk. Mama had found jackets for the twins among Stuart’s and Lydia Anne’s old things, which would do fine until Christmas when Zack produced outer clothing as part of the twins’ gifts. Oh, he had to watch himself, or he’d be guilty of spoiling those two by responding to every whim that crossed their minds.

He inhaled the scent of burning wood and noted smoke rising from the chimney tops of the local homes and businesses. The Christmas season had arrived, and he may have found the best gift yet in a dark-haired, dark-eyed woman.

Four miles outside of town, on the way to Morgan and Casey’s ranch, a house and fifty acres stood empty and for sale. In truth, Hank’s mother had lived there until she passed on a few months ago. He’d offered Zack a good deal—if he liked the house and surrounding acreage.

“Here’s the key. Spend all the time you need. Everything is in place as Mother left it. Nothing’s changed, but the missus and I cleared out the food and cleaned up a bit. You’ll find dishes in the cupboard and fresh sheets on the beds. There are two wells on the place and a creek that flows across the back. Underground springs have always greened up the fields and pasture. A pretty place if I do say so myself. But me and the missus have enough to take care of with our own farm.”

“How’s the acreage currently used?”

“Pecan trees in one corner and apple trees in another. Also a farmer has been leasing some of the land for the past few years to grow cotton. It’s a good little income.”

Zack well remembered the white, two-story farmhouse and the trees positioned on both sides of it. He remembered the in-season flowers that made the property look inviting. Already he could envision a rope swing for the twins. With his insides fluttering like a lovesick schoolboy’s, he anticipated that the inside of the home would be as welcoming as the outside. If his and Chloe’s relationship continued to grow, he’d propose in the proper time, and they’d have a home together with Curly and Charlie.

Here I am making plans without setting foot inside the front door. Slow down, Zack. The last time you rushed into things, you ended up in the middle of an adoption.

But that wasn’t such a bad decision either.

A house for Christmas. Couldn’t put it in a stocking, but he and the twins could fill it with love. The boardinghouse had quickly grown old, especially with two high-spirited six-year-olds who needed room to run and play. They were becoming more difficult to manage and control. Many of the guests complained about the noise, and Zack did all he could to keep their voices down. The poor kids had moved from the streets where they had to shout to be heard to a cramped room where everyone expected them to be quiet. His children were as frustrated as he was.

Miss Scott encouraged Curly and Charlie to run around the school-yard after tutoring and before she escorted them to the boardinghouse. At least for a little while, their energy had a chance to spread its wings and fly. Simeon always had little chores for them, and he rewarded the two with cookies, corn bread, or biscuits and always with milk.

Zack chuckled. Love was in the air between Miss Scott and Simeon, and all because of Curly and Charlie. Come to think of it, they were in the middle of him and Chloe.

Zack reined in the horse and hitched it to a post in front of the house. Jumping down from the wagon, he took in a panoramic view, wanting to experience every inch of the farmhouse and the picture-perfect land. The trees, two of them statuesque oaks and one a red maple offered a crisp cool breeze. Ah, to the left of the house was an oak with the perfect branch for a rope swing. Summer heat would be tolerable with these ancient shade trees. He’d need a dog, too. Not a real big one, but one whose care would teach the twins responsibility. A small, red-roofed barn sat behind the house. Hank had said the loft had a few bails of hay in case the twins found themselves with a pony. Not yet, but maybe next spring. To the right of the property lay an apple orchard, and to the left stood a pecan grove. Knowing Hank, the trees were healthy and big producers.

Zack made his way back to the front porch and climbed the steps. The porch reminded him of the old parsonage where his grandparents had lived until their deaths a few years ago. Even a rose trellis climbed one side of the porch. A twinge of bittersweet memories crept through him as he remembered his white-haired grandfather, who preached the love of God and the justice of His ways. And his grandmother, who was the strongest woman he’d ever met. They had died within weeks of each other, as though one couldn’t bear the joy of heaven without the other.

A door slammed, alerting him to the fact he was not alone. Had someone broken into the home? He’d learn soon enough. He hurried down the front steps and around to the side of the house to the back porch in time to see a man race across the barnyard toward the pecan trees.

“Hey, you. Hold up there. What are you doing on private property?”

The man kept right on running. Hopefully Hank’s house hadn’t been ransacked. The thought angered Zack. Too many people in this world would rather take from others instead of working and earning a decent living. He watched the man disappear into the trees and hoped he didn’t return.

Before entering the house, Zack realized it was destined to be his no matter if a vandal’s mischief required some repair. The window on the back porch wasn’t broken. How had the man gotten inside without a key? The knob to the back door opened with a click. Holding his breath, he stepped inside. Lord, let this home not be vandalized. And Lord, let this be the home for my family.

Zack blinked in the shadows. The curtains had been tightly drawn, keeping out the light of day. He used both hands to pull back the curtains first from one window by a small table and then from another window over a sink and pump. Light streamed in and illuminated a large kitchen. Plenty big enough for a growing family. For a moment, he allowed himself to daydream about Curly and Charlie doing homework at the table while Chloe prepared a meal.

Standing in the middle of the room, he glanced in all directions. His nose detected the scent of burning wood. The wooden cookstove felt warm, and when he inserted the lifter to pull out the lid, a log smoldered inside. Someone had been cold for sure. The fellow he’d seen running from the house must not have had anything to cook. Zack replaced the iron lid. Nothing was broken. The man had been staying here with no thought of doing damage. Zack’s heart softened a bit. How sad. His thoughts about the fellow began to carry more compassion. Chloe’s confession of living by the riverbank after her father’s death played across his mind. Sometimes folks didn’t have a choice. Maybe he’d learn who that homeless man was and could offer assistance. Once he returned to the paper, he’d discuss his findings with Hank.

To the right of the kitchen was a bedroom where a bed covered with a quilt stitched in the wedding ring pattern seized his attention. He’d recognize that pattern anywhere since his mother presented every newly married family member with one of those. How odd that Hank’s mother chose that quilt for her bed. But if Chloe married him, it would be perfect for their room. He laughed aloud at his thoughts. So far, everything was perfect.

He walked back into the kitchen and stepped under a wooden arch leading to the dining room, where a round, claw-footed table and sideboard stood ready for folks to share a meal. After drawing back the heavy drapes, he viewed a wall of windows in an L-shape that displayed the pastures of the adjoining farm. Peaceful. No sounds from noisy boarders or goings-on in the streets. But if he closed his eyes, he could hear the sound of bubbly laughter from his children. His children. Curly and Charlie Kahler. No, Carlin and Caitlain Kahler. He didn’t mind Curly’s nickname, but oh how he wanted to call his little daughter Caitlain.

From the dining room doorway, he took in the parlor. Blankets and sheets covered a sofa and two chairs. A piano evened out a corner. Zack sat on the piano bench and stroked the keys to an old childhood tune. The mere sound reminded him of how much he missed his brother Michael Paul. They’d have some fine visiting at Christmas. His brother could out-sing the birds while playing the piano like a concert pianist. He’d make a fine preacher. Zack’s gaze focused on a brick fireplace where wood was piled high on the hearth. He remembered all the love that centered around the fireplace when he was young. Now he could create that same atmosphere for his children.

From the foyer, Zack climbed a wide, winding staircase upstairs. Two bedrooms on one side and two on the other. Plenty of room for the eight children he wanted one day. One of the beds had a wrinkled quilt. Had the man slept there?

He’d take the house. He had no reservations. It would be a stretch for a man who believed all purchases should be made in cash, but he could do this and have it paid and mortgage-free in five years. What a Christmas surprise for the twins. That meant only a few more weeks at the boardinghouse, but he’d make sure the twins’ extra time was spent in doing more constructive things than sliding down the staircase on their behinds and pretending to be birds in the dining room.

Again, he laughed aloud, and the sound reverberated around the house. God had a sense of humor. Nothing about Zack’s life of late followed any traditional rules. Watching the events of the next few months would be an adventure for sure. He pulled the key from his pocket and was careful to lock both doors.

I can’t wait to show Chloe. I hope she loves the house as much as I do.

Chloe waved at Miss Scott as the older woman entered the boardinghouse with the twins in tow. From the looks of the two children, tutoring must have been hard today. Miss Scott carried a bundle wrapped in brown paper. Most likely the clothes she’d promised.

“Good afternoon,” Chloe said. “How was school this beautiful Wednesday?”

“Hard.” Curly frowned. “But Miss Scott is helping us learn stuff.”

Chloe muffled a laugh.

“She’s helping us learn a lot so we’ll be smart like the other kids.” Charlie glared at her brother. “And we’re making a Christmas present for Poppy. Two of ’em.”

Chloe gasped, then smiled, “Two Christmas presents for Poppy? I can hardly wait to see them.”

“We can tell you.” Curly glanced at his sister. “Right?”

“’Course. Miss Chloe won’t tell Poppy.” Charlie peered all around. “We don’t want anyone to give away our secret.”

“I agree.” Chloe stepped from behind the registration desk and bent down toward the children. “No one will hear down here. We’ll whisper. And I promise not to tell anyone.”

“I’m making a book about when he found us in New York and what happened.” Charlie tilted her head. “We don’t want him to ever forget.”

“Uh, Charlie, I want him to forget that we took his wallet.” Curly pointed a finger at his sister’s face, much like she often did to him.

Charlie touched her finger to her lip. “Yeah, but good things happened after that. Remember how Grandma says God takes bad things and makes them good for all the people who love Him?”

“All right. Can I tell my present now?”

Charlie nodded.

“She forgot to say that we’re making Christmas ornaments out of paper. They’re stars, and we’ve colored them.”

“Oh, that sounds beautiful.” Chloe watched the light dance in his eyes and ruffled his red curls.

“And I’m making him a little bird feeder,” Curly said. “I put peanut butter on a pinecone and then put seeds on top so the birds won’t get hungry.”

“Magnificent. He will be so happy with your gifts. Your poppy is a very lucky man.”

“We love him very much. Do you love our poppy, too?” Charlie said.

How did Chloe answer that question?

“I do.” Miss Scott said. “Everyone who meets your poppy loves him. I loved him when he was a little boy the same age as you and Curly.”

Chloe smiled up at the woman with all the gratitude she could muster.

“Poppy says he’s not perfeck—”

“Perfect,” Charlie said. “The word is perfect. You have to work harder on sayin’ words right.”

Curly narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists. “I was tellin’ Miss Scott and Miss Chloe that Poppy says we should always try our best.”

“Very good,” Miss Scott said. “These two have had a long day.” She smiled at Chloe. “I think I will give them a little game to play at the table so you and I can chat—if you have a few moments.”

“I am all caught up right now.” She hugged the twins then stood to face the dear woman. “I believe Simeon has corn bread and milk left from lunch. Would you like for me to get the twins a piece with a little butter and honey?”

“Yes, please,” they said.

“A splendid idea,” Miss Scott said. “But I’ll take care of getting the corn bread for Curly and Charlie. You finish up what you need to, and then I have exciting news to share.”

I think you’d rather see Simeon, and he’d rather see you than me. Chloe went about her duties, knowing Miss Scott’s retrieval of corn bread and milk would take a little time. She closed the ledger and placed it in its proper spot. How she longed for Miss Scott and Simeon to find real love together.

Once Miss Scott had the twins nibbling on corn bread and working on a word game, she ventured into the parlor and admired the beginnings of the Christmas decorations.

“Once we have a tree up and decorated, we’ll have the parlor finished.”

“We, as in you and Mr. Barton?”

Chloe sighed.

“Is the situation any better?”

“Actually it’s worse. The sad part is I feel sorry for him. I can’t be what he wants. Neither do I want to be. Yet without a doubt, I’d like for him to find happiness.”

Miss Scott frowned. “I’m so sorry. Zack will simply have to propose so Mr. Barton can turn his affections elsewhere.”

Chloe nearly choked. “Miss Scott, I hardly think a proposal will happen in the near future. Maybe never.”

The woman clicked her tongue. “I am quite observant, and you two are deeper in love than anyone I’ve seen in a long time.” She handed Chloe the bundle. “These are the items I promised you. I think you’ll be pleased. I learned from a good source that the clothes came from another town. No need to worry about a contributor seeing you wear her dresses and embarrassing you.”

Chloe’s face warmed. “I am grateful. Thank you for thinking of me.”

“I’m thinking of you all the time. You are very dear to me, and your happiness gives me much pleasure.” Miss Scott folded her hands in front of her, and a smile lit her face. “I have exciting news. My niece from Dallas is coming to spend Christmas with me.”

“You mean Rose, the daughter of your oldest brother?”

“Yes, she’s a few years older than you and is almost finished with college. She’ll graduate in the spring.”

“I remember your telling me about her. Doesn’t she plan to be a teacher?”

Miss Scott laughed. “Just like me. I’m so proud of her, and to think she plans to spend a few weeks with me at Christmas. It’s a shame Eli has taken off. Rose might have been able to help him.” She wiggled her shoulders. “My obstinate brother, Eli’s father, claims his son is better off dead. Can you imagine? I told him he was wrong and cruel to say such things. Then he asked me to leave his home and not come back.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“Oh, one day the Lord will grab my brother by the collar and straighten him up.”

Her response startled Chloe. Normally the woman chose her words carefully before she spoke. “Everyone deserves a second chance.”

“With my brother, it will be his one hundredth. Never mind. I wanted you to know how excited I am about Rose’s visit.”

“When is she coming?”

“Sunday the seventeenth and she’ll stay until the twenty-ninth. I want all my friends to meet her. She is quite lovely and very intelligent.”

“That sounds delightful. I’m looking forward to putting a face and a smile with all the wonderful things you have said about her. And you will have someone to share Christmas with you.”

Miss Scott leaned closer. “Simeon and I wanted to spend part of Christmas Day together, but we were concerned about the lack of a chaperone.”

Cupid has definitely sent his arrows into Simeon’s and Miss Scott’s hearts. “Your problem is solved, and I’m glad your relationship is blossoming.”

Miss Scott’s cheeks flushed. “I’ve told Rose about Simeon, and she is anxious to meet him.”

Chloe blinked back the tears. “Of all the people in this town, you are the one who most deserves the contentment and joy of love.”

“I’m not sure what I deserve, but I am happy. Simeon thinks . . .” This time Miss Scott’s eyes welled up.

“What? You can tell me.”

“Well, he thinks my idea of adopting a street child or two from New York is grand. He says I look as young as a girl. And if our relationship continues to grow, we could raise the children together.”

Chloe put her arms around the older woman’s shoulder, and in the next moment, both of them were weeping.

“We need to stop this,” Miss Scott said. “I feel rather foolish.”

“I will if you will.”

“All right.” Miss Scott pulled away from Chloe’s embrace. “I’ll count to three, and then we stop this silly schoolgirl nonsense. I never thought a man would make me feel so giddy.” She took a breath. “One, two, three.”

Chloe reached inside her pocket for a handkerchief and dabbed her nose. “It didn’t work.”

Then they laughed until they cried again.

*****

In the privacy of her room, Chloe sorted through the bundle of clothes from Miss Scott. One green dress and a black skirt and white blouse seized her attention. They were nearly new. Quickly she shed her worn dress and slipped into the deep green one with its slightly gored skirt and full sleeves. It fit nicely. How wonderful to have something new and different to wear for Christmas. She removed it and folded it on her bed. Next she tried on the shirtwaist blouse and skirt. The two also fit. These could be worn to church beginning this Sunday. Included in the bundle were much-needed undergarments and a pair of shoes. Tears filled her eyes. Zack would never have said a thing about her lack of clothing, but she always wondered what he thought. No matter. With these additional garments, she no longer had to concern herself about embarrassing him. Slipping her feet into the button-up shoes, she noted they were a tiny bit too large. Better that the shoes were too big than too snug, causing her feet to ache. She could wear thick woolen stockings for a better fit.

Holding up the green dress, she thought how grand Christmas would be when she presented herself in something that befit Zack’s family. Not that they cared what she wore, but Chloe did. She wanted Zack to be proud of her. And now he would be.

*****

“The deed to the Carroll place is clear and ready for you to take over.” Morgan handed Zack the document. “I’ve had my eye on that piece of property for a long time. Glad to see you’re able to buy it.”

“The twins and I need to leave the boardinghouse before we’re thrown out. But it’s a surprise. I want to tell the family at Christmas.”

“Fine by me. Mind if I tell Casey?”

“I’d expect you to.” Zack tapped his finger on the desktop in Morgan’s office. “Uh, you and Aunt Casey have been married a lot of years.”

“We have, and every one gets better. Good times are a gift from God, and the hard ones move us closer to Him and to each other.”

Zack’s pulse quickened with the thoughts rolling through his mind. “You two always seem so happy.”

“And we are. The worst part of our relationship was before we were married. No secret my sweet wife was an outlaw, and I was a bloodthirsty fool. Once we realized what God had purposed for us, we put Him at the head of our lives.” Morgan tilted back in his chair. “All teasing aside, with you and Chloe, let your old uncle give you a little advice. Children will gray your hair and cause you to wonder what you were thinking when you had them—I suppose that has already happened with the twins. Difficult times with money and differences of opinion will cause you two to fuss. But remember, if God has put you together, then grab on to her hand and fight for your love.”

Zack smiled. “Thanks. I have no idea what the future holds for Chloe and me, but I’ve loved her since she was eight and I was fourteen.”

“Bonnie said she remembered your bringing an extra sandwich every day to school for a little girl and protecting her from school kids who teased her about being part Indian and poor.”

“That was Chloe.”

Morgan laughed. “I think you swallowed the hook way back then.”

“I believe so.”

“Zack, I could loan you the money for the mortgage, and—”

“No thanks. I appreciate the offer, but I want to go through the bank. The idea of owing a family member money sounds like the start of bad feelings.”

Morgan smiled. “You sound like your father. I’m sure he’s looking down from heaven and proud of you. Before I forget it, I expect to hear any day from the judge in New York. I’d think he’d want the matter settled with the twins before Christmas.”

“That would set my mind at ease.”

“All you’d need then is a weddin’ ring for Chloe.”

The teasing was heading his way, and he might as well be prepared for it. Zack fished for the right words. “Not yet. I want the twins good and secure first. They lost both parents and had no one to help them through the grieving. They were abandoned, cold, and hungry. As much as I love Chloe, I can’t risk frightening them with the prospect of losing my love. I know the Bible says my first priority is to be my wife, and I will honor that. But until I am married, I am devoted to my twins.”

Morgan reached out and grasped his hand. “God bless you, Zack.” Then he grinned. “I’m glad you’re not denying what you feel for Chloe.”

Zack laughed and pointed a finger at him. “I need to get back to the newspaper office and see what Hank and Gil are up to.”

“I thought after our heart-to-heart talk, you’d volunteer to help me decorate the outside of my office to look like Christmas or at least offer free advertising at the paper.”

“Right. Painless Lawyer?” He dipped his hands into his pockets and turned them inside out.