A Texas Legacy Christmas (4 page)

Zack settled onto a seat on the train across from Curly and Charlie, or rather Carlin and Caitlain. His children. They did look cute in their new clothes, especially Charlie in a bright blue dress with a matching hair ribbon in her curls. She looked very much a little girl. He’d splurged a little and bought shoes, socks, and undergarments for both of them. Then he remembered they would need day clothes once they arrived in Kahlerville. More purchases. More money.

He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. If he took the time to sort out the past few days, he might become ill. All of this happened because two little thieves had picked his pocket. Now he was—

Zack startled. He was a father? What did he know about children? Where would they live until he found a house? And did he continue to call them Curly and Charlie or their given names?

He glanced at the twins. Both of them had their fingers up their noses. Definitely Curly and Charlie. “Hey, stop that.”

They knew exactly what he meant, for their hands now lay in their laps. Zack reached inside his coat for a clean handkerchief and handed it first to Charlie. The twins fought, used language that only a bar of soap would cure, and ate like little animals. Where would he begin?

His mother would be appalled. Zack’s original thought of living with his parents until he found a place of his own he now deemed impossible. Never would he subject his family to these two until he worked on civilizing them.

“You don’t like us. I can tell,” Curly said. “I know you’re mad ’cause the sisters made you take us from the orphanage.”

How did he reassure them that he did care? “I do like you, and no one made me do anything. I’m just tired and thinking about the future.”

“What do you mean?”

“Where we’re going to live, your schooling, my newspaper. Those kind of things.”

“We used to have only a mama. Then we had nobody. But now we have you.” Those were the first words Charlie had spoken without being prompted. “But you hate us.”

Curly put his arm around Charlie’s shoulder. Big tears rolled over her too-thin cheeks.

What had he done wrong? Zack slipped from his seat and leaned over his little charges. Mischievous as they were, they were now his. “I don’t hate you at all. If I didn’t care about you, I wouldn’t have started the adoption process.”

“What does that mean?” Curly said.

Zack proceeded to wipe the tears from Charlie’s cheek with his finger. “It means we are going to be a family.” He paused. “We are a family. I just need to figure out how to take care of you.”

The twins quickly exchanged glances. “We thought you’d lied to us and we were going to work at your newspaper,” Curly said.

Zack shook his head. “Not at all. Oh, you might help me if I need something special, or you might ride along with me to deliver newspapers. But your job is to be a child and go to school.”

Charlie sniffed. “Do I have to give back my clothes?”

“Of course not. And I’ll get you more when I start making money.”

“I heard you tell Sister Catherine that you had family in Texas.”

“I do. And you will have a grandma and grandpa, aunts, uncles, and cousins.”

Their smiles were the sweetest this side of heaven. Maybe the two wouldn’t be so much trouble after all. He bent and kissed each one on the forehead. Perhaps now was the time to start thinking about these two as blessings instead of a burden.

*****

Saturday mid morning Chloe carried a load of dirty linens down the back stairs. She expected the day to be quite busy. Earlier Simeon had whipped up the lightest pancakes she’d ever tasted, while she fried the bacon and set the table. The boarders were friendly, which made her work easier and almost enjoyable. Lugging the chamber pots up and down the stairs and then cleaning them, however, was at the bottom of the list of her favorite duties. Nasty. Smelly. She heard Mr. Barton say that in the next six months he intended to add a couple of water closets. He hadn’t stopped by yet this morning, and that was fine with her. Last night’s test had pushed her patience nearly to its limits.

She heard the bell above the front door and made her way to the registration desk to see if she was needed. Mr. Barton had a bag of flour and a fragrant bag of coffee beans in his hand. This time he wore overalls. That man sure had lots clothes. He made his way toward her.

“Morning, Miss Weaver. I trust you slept well.” He grinned broadly.

She clenched her fists. “Very well, thank you. Once I got to bed.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “I guess I deserved that.” He reached into his pocket and drew out a peppermint stick. “Will this sweeten your day?”

She couldn’t help but laugh and reached for the peppermint. “I think it’s a grand start.”

“Wonderful. Do we have a two-bedroom room available?”

“Yes, we do.”

“I just received a telegram from Zack Kahler. Not sure if you ever knew him. He’s due in on Monday afternoon’s train. Says he’ll have two children with him.”

Had Zack married? She remembered him as the handsome boy who was one of the few who hadn’t teased her about her Indian heritage. Truthfully, she remembered a lot about him.

“From what I hear, he purchased the newspaper. Must have married someone from New York. Odd, the town hasn’t heard about it.” He tipped his hat and headed for the kitchen.

Zack with a wife and children? She heard he’d gotten into some trouble when he was younger, when his mother was a widow. Then Brother Whitworth came to town and married Zack’s mother. Oh, he had his moments like all boys, but they were playful—not cruel like some of the other boys. When she was a girl, she fancied herself one day wed to him. Ridiculous when she considered he’d viewed her as a charity case. Chloe shrugged and decided to check on the empty rooms for Mr. and Mrs. Zack Kahler and children.

*****

Zack carried a sleeping Charlie off the train in Kahlerville. Curly trailed beside him in a similar state of exhaustion. With an air of apprehension whipping about him, Zack glanced about for his parents. The town had grown. New buildings had sprung up, and there were changes in the old. Later he’d study the town and learn about the new businesses. Where were his parents?

When he had made arrangements at the boardinghouse, he should have also wired his parents about the twins, but he didn’t quite know how to word the news about them. Odd, he could write a newspaper column, but he couldn’t convey to his parents that they now had two grandchildren.

His gaze swept across the depot. His family made their way toward him. There they were: his petite blond mother who looked more beautiful as the years passed, his far-too-lovely sixteen-year-old sister, his eight-year-old brother, and his stepfather, whom Zack loved as fiercely as his own deceased father. He wished his brother, Michael Paul, was there too, but he was in seminary. Surprise registered on all of their faces. He chuckled and leaned over to Curly.

“Your grandparents, Aunt Lydia Anne, and your uncle Stuart, who is only two years older than you, are straight ahead.”

“I’m scared.” Curly latched on to Zack’s coattail.

“No need to be.” But Zack sensed his own stomach doing a few flips. Should he wake Charlie? How was he supposed to make introductions?

His stepfather reached him first and leaned over the sleeping Charlie to hug him. “Good to see you, and we’re all so glad you’re home.” He swung a glance first at Charlie, then at Curly. “Are you helping someone with their children?”

“Not exactly.” He gulped. “The twins are mine. Well, they will be. I’m in the process of adopting them.”

Mama offered a shaky smile. She stepped closer, and Zack bent to let her kiss his cheek. “Welcome home, son. My, you are more handsome every day.” She took in a deep breath. “The children are quite a surprise, but a good one. I’m—I’m anxious to hear the story.”

Lydia Anne covered her mouth, but a giggle managed to escape. “You look funny carrying a little girl.”

Stuart laughed aloud, his dark hair spilling over his forehead. “Big brother, I never thought I’d see you comin’ off the train with children.”

Concern swept over Mama’s face, and she stroked the sleeping Charlie’s cheek. “Oh, my dear boy. Are you ready for this responsibility?” Without waiting for a reply, she stooped down to Curly. “I’m your grandma. What is your name?”

Curly appeared to be speechless. Definitely a first.

“You’re shy,” Mama continued. “I understand meeting all of us must be a shock.”

“Their names are Curly and Charlie, and they are six.” Suddenly Charlie had gotten very heavy. “Actually their names are Carlin and Caitlain.”

His dad chuckled. “Perfect names. A bit of Irish stew. I like nicknames myself. Let’s get your trunk into the wagon and head home.”

Zack cleared his throat. He could count on Dad to make the most awkward of situations a little easier. “I’ve arranged for us to stay at the boardinghouse. The twins and I have adjustments to make.”

“I won’t hear of it.” Mama frowned. Her severe look used to work when he was a kid, but not at the age of twenty-four.

“Mama, these two have lived on the s–t–r–e–e–t. They can be an h–a–n–d–f–u–l.”

She continued to frown. “But the boardinghouse is no place for children to play.”

“I’ll find us something suitable soon.”

Curly sneezed, and the contents dripped to his chin. Zack scrambled for his handkerchief while balancing Charlie. The handkerchief was not exactly clean, but he attempted to wipe the boy’s face anyway.

Dad laughed until his eyes filled with tears. Lydia Anne and Stuart joined him, but Mama pulled her own dainty handkerchief from her reticule and helped.

“Less than a month before Thanksgiving and Christmas to follow. What grand holidays we will have.” Dad lifted Charlie from Zack’s arms. “We do want you to live with us, but we respect your decision.”

“Thanks, Dad. This is best, and it shouldn’t take too long for me to find a proper house. How about dinner at the boardinghouse after we’ve checked in?”

Mama’s small shoulders lifted and fell. “I planned to have your favorite chicken and dumplings and apple-cinnamon pie.”

“That’s tempting, but then you’d have to bring us back into town, and the twins are really tired.”

“Will you come tomorrow and spend the day? We can have your favorite dinner then.”

“Sounds good. The twins have never seen a ranch, and I think they’ll love it. But I want to visit the newspaper first.”

“I’ll show you all the animals,” Stuart said to Curly. He puffed up, striking a pose that mirrored his dad at the pulpit.

“It’s a shame they weren’t here for church yesterday. I’d love to have shown them off.” Mama tilted her head.

Zack didn’t want to think about the twins’ behavior in church. “There will be other Sundays.”

After he retrieved his trunk and paid a lad to take it to the boardinghouse, the small band made their way down the street. By this time Charlie had awakened and begged Zack to hold her.

“I’m sure you will be a fine father,” Mama said. “You’ll have matters in hand in no time at all.”

Zack had his doubts.

His dad opened the door of the boardinghouse. The tantalizing aroma of roast beef and potatoes met Zack’s nose. Until this moment, he hadn’t realized how hungry he was, and the twins undoubtedly felt the same.

“This sure smells better than food at the orphanage,” Curly said.

“You poor baby.” Mama sniffed. “I will make sure you have plenty of good meals.”

Zack chuckled then took a fleeting glance at the young woman behind the registration desk. He started. Chloe Weaver? He hadn’t seen her in years, but he recognized those huge brown eyes and long thick lashes. Here she was all grown up and quite a beauty.

“Good evening.” Her voice rang sweet, reminding him of candy.

“Chloe Weaver, right?” Zack’s voice cracked like a twelve-year-old.

She nodded. “How good of you to remember me after all this time. We received your wire, and I have your room ready.” She smiled. “Your children are beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“How long have you been married?”

Here came the questions. “I’m not married.”

A glint of something that resembled curiosity and disapproval rested in her eyes. And because he didn’t understand her reaction, frustration settled in him. Zack had no intention of explaining why he was now responsible for a set of six-year-old twins. Had he set himself up to be judged and hung because he’d chosen a family without a wife?

“Would you like to see your room? Dinner is awaiting you too.”

“Thanks. We’re pretty hungry.” His glance moved from one child to the other. “How about we see our room and then eat?”

“Yes, sir,” the two chorused.

Ah, the lessons on manners were working.

The room was slightly larger than his New York apartment and definitely warmer. A raised window let in a soft breeze that gently blew back the curtains. Instantly, the twins were pointing out the sights of Kahlerville from the open window.

“How many newspapers in this town?” Curly said.

“Only one.” Zack had a good idea of what he was thinking. “Neither of you will be working as newsboys here.”

“How are we going to live?” Charlie said.

“Let me worry about that.” Zack saw his mother exchange a confused look with Dad. “The twins lived a hard life in New York.”

“I can see that.” Dad made his way to the window and placed a hand on each of the twins’ shoulders. “Do you two like to fish?”

“Don’t know,” Curly said. “Never done it.”

“Well, I’ll have to introduce you two to the art of fishing. Zack, Stuart, and I spent some fine days on the creek bank.”

“I can show you how.” Stuart stepped over beside them, and Lydia Anne joined them. Zack realized that Lydia Anne was a young lady—her blonde hair and blue eyes would turn heads. Stuart was sprouting up like a weed, and he had Dad’s dark eyes and hair. Would Curly and Charlie grow up this fast?

Zack realized Mama would have many questions. She probably thought he should have a wife before children. Most of the time since his trip to Saint Vincent de Paul Orphanage, he would agree. But a wife would only add another burden, as his relationship with Miss Elizabeth Hanington had already proven. “It will be all right, Mama.” He wrapped his arm around her waist.