A Texas Legacy Christmas (18 page)

At the sheriff’s office, Eli paled. “What if he wants to take me to my pa? Lock me up?”

“You’re seventeen, Eli. If your father wanted you around, he wouldn’t have kicked you out. Did he put that scar on your face?”

Eli trembled. His hand touched the door knob, then slid back to his side.

“This is the beginning of a new man.” Zack would have touched Eli’s shoulder, but he remembered when he didn’t want anyone touching him.

Eli opened the door and stepped inside. “Afternoon, Sheriff. I need to talk to you for a few minutes.” He swung his attention to Zack. “You comin’ with me?”

“I can.” Zack tipped his hat. “Sheriff Jackson, this is Eli Scott. He has a few things to tell you.”

“Sit down.” Sheriff Jackson gestured to a couple of chairs. “What can I do for you?”

The smell coming from the cells behind the sheriff assaulted Zack’s nostrils like an outhouse in August. That should cause Eli to think about where his current path was taking him.

Eli paled, and the scar on his face deepened. How could this young man ever trust anyone unless God touched his heart?

“I–I’m the one who took the food from the boardinghouse and the blankets and coffee from the wagon. And I stole this coat from the livery.”

The sheriff pressed his lips together. “I suspect you need to apologize to those folks and see what you can do for them.”

“Yes sir.”

“Where’ve you been living?”

“At Mr. Kahler’s place mostly. In his barn.”

“What are you going to do now?”

Eli shot a look at Zack.

“We haven’t gotten that far, Sheriff,” Zack said. “But I have some ideas.”

The sheriff nodded as though contemplating Eli’s situation. “I’d like to know what you decide, because, son, you can’t live like this anymore. The people here in Kahlerville are forgivin’ now, but that will change after the first of the year when the holidays are over. You need to find a place to live and finish your education. I heard your father kicked you out after some trouble at school.”

“Yes sir. He did.”

“Then show him he’s wrong and make something of yourself.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don’t keep yes-sirring me. Get on out of here and do what’s right before I’m forced to lock you up.”

Eli wasted no time in making his way to the door and grasping the knob with a trembling hand.

A few minutes later, the two made their way back down the street toward the newspaper. “You’re a free man,” Zack said. “No more hiding. I’ll not print your name in tomorrow’s article. No point in it. The only folks who’ll know your name will be the ones who’ll get an apology. Tonight we’re going to visit my parents and see if we can find a place for you to live. Even a way to finish your education. Right now—”

“I need to confess to the man at your newspaper office and to the owner of the boardinghouse.”

They passed the feed store, and Jacob stepped out. “Afternoon, Zack. Who’s your friend?”

Zack glanced at the young man beside him. “Jacob, this is Eli Scott.”

“Does he work at the paper?”

The thought had come and gone all morning. Hank wanted to retire, and Gil was capable of replacing him, but that left a hole in Gil’s slot, and the paper couldn’t afford to lose a typesetter. “If he wants it.”

Eli started. “Yes sir. I’d be proud to work at the newspaper.” He stared into Jacob’s face. “Sir, I’m the one who took your food. I’m sorry, and it won’t happen again.”

“What else?” Zack said.

Eli dragged his tongue over his lips. “If you need for me to work off what I took, I’m willing.”

Jacob eyed Eli for several moments. “The newspaper article said the debt was forgiven if you came forth. So we’re even, but that means you don’t steal any more of my food.”

“Yes sir. Thank you.”

Jacob tipped his hat and headed down the street toward the boardinghouse. Zack doubted if Eli had said so many “yes sirs” in his entire life. Jacob had been generous, and Zack hoped Eli understood that. Things could have been real hard for the young man.

Zack shook away the green demon that attacked him every time he saw or spoke with Jacob. He trusted the look in Chloe’s eyes. She cared for him. But a knot twisted in his stomach. How would she feel about Zack befriending Eli after what he’d done to her?

Chloe yawned and massaged her back muscles. If Christmas didn’t come soon, she’d be too tired to enjoy it.

Mr. Barton walked through the dining room into the registration area—laughing. “Miss Scott and Simeon are doing some heavy courting.”

“Isn’t Rose supposed to be chaperoning them?”

“Oh, she is. Mostly she’s laughing and encouraging both of them. I believe if I asked Simeon’s Miss Scott to wash dishes and mop floors, she’d do it.” He smiled, and Chloe shivered. She could only imagine his thoughts.

If only he’d find someone else.

“I saw Zack Kahler today. He had a young man with him that he’d just hired.” Mr. Barton paused. “Come to find out he’s the one who’s been helping himself to my food here. The kid confessed to the sheriff and apologized to me. Seemed scared, and there’s a scar on his face and the telltale signs of a bruise. Anyway, while we were speaking, Zack offered him a job.”

That’s my Zack. He cares for other folks. “Who was the young man?”

“Eli Scott. Any kin to Miss Scott?”

Her insides twisted. Zack is helping Eli? Why? Look what he did to the twins and me. “He’s her nephew. She thought he had joined the army.”

“A shame for such a good woman to have an unruly nephew. Then I heard a while back that his father had a bad temper. Maybe a steady job will keep him from stealing. Good day. I will be by after dinner.”

Chloe took a deep breath to steady herself. Zack had a reason for what he was doing, and later she’d ask him why. Yet why would he go to the trouble of helping Eli? She paused in her thinking. Zack had been in trouble as a boy until Brother Whitworth took the time to lead him down a better road.

Rose walked into the hallway between the dining room and parlor and on to the registration desk. She wore a lovely beaded blouse with a dark gored skirt.

“May I have a word with you if you’re not busy?” she said.

Chloe smiled. She welcomed a diversion from her puzzling and confusing thoughts. “Certainly. How can I help you?”

“First of all, I’m so pleased that my aunt has found happiness.”

“So am I. She is such a dear lady, and I want to see her happy. Simeon is one of the kindest and wisest men I’ve ever met.”

Rose nodded. “I’m a little concerned about her idea of adopting a couple of children, but I’m sure God will work that out.”

“Indeed He will.” Chloe sensed Rose wanted to talk about something other than her aunt and Simeon. “Is something bothering you? I mean you sound troubled. If it is none of my business, I understand. But I am a good listener.”

Rose tilted her head, and a cascade of curls spilled to the side of her face. The young woman was a beauty. “I do have a few things on my mind, and I really would like your opinion. My aunt thinks of you as family, or I wouldn’t be troubling you with this.”

“I’m honored. And there’s not a soul about.”

“Well, I graduate next May with my teaching certificate, and I see that my aunt could use another teacher. Has she said anything about needing help? The last thing I’d want to do is insinuate that she can’t handle her students. I’d love to move to Kahlerville and begin teaching here.”

Chloe leaned over the counter. “I think she’d be thrilled. The school is growing, and if she adopts children, she’ll need help.”

“Wonderful. I’ve been praying about it for the past few months, but sometimes it’s hard to distinguish what God is directing from what I want to do. I’ll ask Aunt Annabelle what she thinks about the idea.”

“My guess is she has secretly wished for the same thing.”

Rose strolled closer to the desk. “I have another question, a rather personal one. Is Mr. Barton spoken for?”

Chloe’s heart quickened. “No. Not at all. His parents passed away a few years ago, and he’s been working hard to build his investments.”

“He’s very handsome and a good conversationalist. I could listen to him talk all day long.” She blushed. “Like a girl, I’m quite smitten with him.”

And you are an answer to prayer.

“I mentioned this to my aunt,” Rose continued, “and she suggested I speak with you about him. I’m sure that it’s because you work for him and see his good points as well as his lesser qualities. However, I have yet to see anything but admirable traits.”

Chloe blinked then coughed. “He is a good man, quite successful, a hard worker, and honestly, I think he’s lonely. He cares very much for the community. I believe if he found the right woman, he’d be clearly devoted to her.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to take advantage of him. I mean, forwardness is most unbecoming to a lady, don’t you think?”

“I agree. Friendship is always a good beginning. For without it, there is no basis for mutual affection. I heard Mr. Barton say that he is stopping by tonight after dinner.”

Rose’s large eyes fairly glistened. “We were planning to eat dinner here this evening. Perhaps I could engage him in a discussion—a friendly one of course.”

“Sounds perfect to me. You are quite lovely, Rose. Mr. Barton must surely see that. Give him a little time.”

“I don’t have too much of that, but if I come here to teach, we could develop our relationship.”

Chloe smiled for more reasons than she cared to verbalize. “If your name is mentioned in any of my dealings with Mr. Barton, I shall surely mention your good qualities.”

Rose’s blush deepened. “Thank you, Chloe. I never asked about you and Mr. Kahler. My aunt says things between you two are moving along nicely.”

“Yes, they are.” Then she remembered Zack befriending Eli.

*****

The late afternoon had turned cold by the time Zack and the twins, along with Eli, left the newspaper office. The young man had worked during the day, sweeping up, observing the typesetters, and doing whatever Zack asked of him, but the two had not talked about where Eli would live or much else about his future other than a job at the newspaper. The young man was clearly troubled.

“I’m hungry and cold, Poppy,” Curly said once he climbed into the back of the wagon.

Zack wrapped a blanket around the twins. His children were not going to be sick in the cold weather. He remembered their dire circumstances in New York and pulled the blanket tighter around their chins.

“Well, you don’t have to eat my cooking tonight. We’re going straight to Grandma and Grandpa’s for dinner. I saw them both this afternoon.”

Eli stiffened. “Is this about me?”

“Possibly.” Zack tossed him an extra blanket. “You’re going to need this on the ride out there.”

“Would you explain what you’re thinking?” Eli wasted no time with the blanket. He’d spoken to the livery owner earlier in the afternoon with plans to return the coat tomorrow.

“I want you to ask them if you can live there for a while—probably in the bunkhouse since Lydia Anne and you are close in age.”

“You can’t mean Brother Whitworth—the preacher.”

“He did the same for me before he and my mother were married. And I was younger than you.”

“He’ll be preachin’ to me all the time.”

Zack shook his head. “That’s not his way. He lives his faith. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt for you to listen.”

“I don’t imagine he’ll want to take in the likes of me. Lydia Anne and Stuart know all about what I’ve done.”

“Maybe so. But you’re going to ask. They head into town every morning taking the kids to school, so you could come to the newspaper office then. Finishing your school work will have to be worked out.”

“Got it all figured out?”

Zack sensed his patience slipping. “On the way out there, you need to decide what you want from your life. If it’s not to finish your education, be responsible, and live a decent life, then you’d better jump from the wagon and go on about your business. It’s your decision.”

Eli stared off down the road. “I should have kept runnin’.”

“Running doesn’t solve a thing. It just causes you to end up running all your life.”

Eli said nothing the rest of the way to Mama and Dad’s. Hopefully, he was pondering what he’d say to Dad. And Chloe . . . she didn’t know about any of this. With Jacob’s ultimatum, the only way Zack would be able to explain things was to take the twins with him to the boardinghouse for breakfast in the morning.

Dad must have heard the wagon pull toward the house, because he was waiting for them.

“Sure glad all of you are here for dinner. What a good way to end the day.” Dad stepped toward Eli and reached out his hand. “Pleasure to have you here, son.”

Eli mumbled something. Rather than let the kid feel any more awkwardness, Zack introduced him. He could have split the air around Eli with an ax.

Mama’s roast beef dinner tasted much better than anything Zack could have done. He could cook, but nothing like his mother. The twins chatted on about school, their new home, and Christmas. As the food disappeared, Eli became increasingly nervous. Dad suggested the men talk in the parlor—and that meant Eli. Mama winked at Zack as though she knew what was about to unfold.

The parlor sparkled with Christmas cheer. A pine bough lay across the fireplace mantel, its fresh scent filling the air. He’d be sneezing before long, but he did enjoy the aroma. Christmas ornaments tied together with red and green ribbon were gathered in a basket beside a chair. He laughed. Mama, despite the protests from her children, had arranged all the homemade decorations that her children had lovingly crafted throughout the years. She knew which of her children had made each item and when. The pinecone ones had chipped edges, and the paper bells and stars had yellowed, but that didn’t stop Mama. Each year they seemed more endearing to her.

The nativity scene was centered on a table in front of the sofa. She’d received it as a gift from Zack’s father years ago. It was the only time of the year that Mama brought a little hay into the parlor. Each Christmas Zack remembered again how Papa had loved them all and fought a lung disease courageously until his death.

Zack remembered the reason they’d visited this evening. He observed Eli’s twitching eye and decided to break the silence.

“Dad, Eli here needs to talk to you.”

Dad turned his attention to the quaking young man. “I thought so. What can I do for you, Eli?”

Eli swung a glance at Zack, then back to Dad. “Well, sir. I have a problem.”

“Let’s hear it, and I’ll see what I can do to help.”

Zack cleared his throat. “I’ll go check on the twins.”

“You’re leaving?” Eli gasped.

Zack nodded. “If you’re serious about wanting to become a real man, then now is the time to begin.”

Out in the kitchen, the smells of Christmas baking caused more memories to swirl about in his head. Family had always meant a lot to him, and this year it meant even more. He’d missed two Christmases while in New York and had spent them volunteering at his church to feed the homeless. But this year, his life was blessed with Curly, Charlie, and Chloe.

The twins were so busy helping Mama with cookies that they didn’t realize he’d entered the room. He observed them taking turns heaping spoonfuls of dough onto a flat baking pan. His mother saw him standing in the doorway.

“Should we let Poppy have a cookie?” Mama said.

“Yes, Grandma. He can have two. These are close to his favorites.” Charlie gave Zack her best grin, melting him into a puddle of love for his children.

Mama laughed—a sweet, bell-like tinkle that made her sound like a girl again. No surprise she and Dad acted like newlyweds. Her age increased, but her beauty only deepened. Zack took a cookie from each child. The season’s sentiments had him as emotional as a woman. Best he keep that realization to himself.

“Look, Curly, Charlie. The kittens are on the back porch,” Mama said.

“Can we see them?” Charlie said. “Poppy, those aren’t skunks.”

Mama looked to Zack for permission, her face a picture of mirth.

“Button up your jackets first,” he said. “And I’ll see if I can persuade your grandma to make us all some hot chocolate. This cold weather may not last, and hot chocolate doesn’t taste as good on a warm day.”

They scurried outside, and Mama urged him to sit down.

“What is the problem with Eli?”

He chuckled. “Did you run the twins outside so you could ask me questions?”

She shrugged. “He looks very sad, and I don’t like the scar and bruise on his face. “I’m surprised he’s with you since he blackened Curly’s eye.”

“He’s been living out in the open since Miss Scott removed him from school. I’d like to see him make something of himself. If he doesn’t come around soon, I’m afraid he’ll end up in jail. He’s hardened, but I’ve seen Dad work miracles. Where would I be without him?”

“He has the touch when it comes to wayward young men.”

He took another cookie. “My second-favorite cookie, oatmeal. Any coffee to go with them?”

Mama wagged her finger at him. “Some of these are for Christmas.”

“This is my last one. I’ll make the hot chocolate for the twins. I shouldn’t have assumed you’d do it.”

“And take away the joy of seeing chocolate mustaches on my grandchildren’s faces?” She scooted into a chair and rested her chin in the palm of her hand. “I’ll make the hot chocolate, but first I have an observation to make.”

“And what that might be?”

“I think my Zack’s in love.”

He grinned. “Never could hide much from you.”

“That’s because I’m your mama. Have you told Chloe how you feel about her?”

“It’s too soon, don’t you think?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ve tried a few times, but the words won’t come.”

“I’m sure she loves you. I can see it in her eyes.”

“I want to believe so. Strange, I loved her as a little girl, and now I don’t want to think of life without her. She adores the twins.”

“Then tell her. What a perfect Christmas present for both of you.”

“Mama, I’d ask her to marry me tonight, but I’m afraid of the twins’ reaction.”

She gave him a sad smile. “Son, they love her.”

“I know they do. Yet I’m concerned how they might feel if Chloe and I were married. How would they feel about sharing me? We’ve been a family for only a short while, and they’ve gone through some tough changes. When we’re at home, they don’t let me out of their sight. I know they’re afraid I’ll leave them like their parents did, and I don’t want them to feel abandoned again.”