The Hand-Me-Down Family (22 page)

Simon's response was too muffled for Jack to make out. He straightened and resumed his walk to the barn.

Interesting. Maybe seeing Callie through Gil's eyes would help Simon see her virtues. It sure had Jack mulling over a few of her qualities he hadn't given much thought to before.

 

As Callie walked along the lane that lead from Mrs. Mayweather's to Main Street Friday morning, her thoughts were on Simon. The boy was helping Jack and his team work on the building today. He'd actually volunteered, offering to help in exchange for some coins to buy a few things he'd had his eye on for the tree house.

They'd all put in a lot of work on that tree house these past three days, but Simon most of all.

Callie had taken this as a hopeful sign. He seemed to be slowly moving toward acceptance of his new lot in life. In fact, he hadn't mentioned moving back to town even once in his prayers last night.

That he'd been willing to forgo visiting with his friends in town so he could earn money of his own was a major shift in attitude for the boy.

In fact, when they'd arrived this morning, Bobby and Abe had tried to talk Simon into joining them in some escapade or other. She'd been quietly impressed with the way he'd stuck by the commitment he'd made to Jack.

Simon might not ever truly feel close to her the way she hoped, but maybe in time he would come to accept that she wasn't his enemy, and that she had a place in his life.

Callie turned the corner onto Main Street and halted in her tracks. There was some kind of commotion going on over at Dobson's Mercantile.

Mr. Dobson himself stood at the mouth of the alley that ran alongside his store, holding a squirming youngster by the collar of his shirt. Passersby were stopping to gawk and others were starting to drift over, too.

Well, she'd just as soon avoid the crowded scene, thank you very much.

She lifted her skirts to cross the street, then halted again as the scene registered more fully.

Wait a minute.

Releasing her skirt, she quickly marched forward, elbowing her way past the other townsfolk who were trying to get a better look at what was happening.

A moment later she stood face-to-face with the shopkeeper and his captive.

“Mr. Dobson, please release Simon this instant.”

A
t the sound of Callie's voice, Simon went perfectly still. He slowly looked up and met her gaze with the expression of a doomed prisoner.

The look sent a needle-sharp stab to her heart. Did he think she'd be so quick to judge him?

A hush fell over the crowd as they waited to hear what would happen next. Callie forced herself to ignore everyone but Simon and his accuser.

“Mrs. Tyler, I'm glad you're here.” Mr. Dobson pushed his spectacles higher up on his nose with his free hand. “This young vandal has been up to some very destructive mischief.”

“I'll thank you, sir, not to be calling Simon names. Now, please release him as I requested and explain to me what all this fuss is about.”

If anything, Mr. Dobson tightened his hold on Simon's collar. “This boy of yours has made a mess of my store and terrorized my customers.”

Simon turned pleading eyes her way. “I didn't, Aunt Callie. I swear it wasn't—”

“Hush, Simon,” she said sternly. “You shouldn't be
swearing.” Then she gave him a slight nod of encouragement before she turned back to the shopkeeper. “Mr. Dobson, if Simon says he didn't do it, then I believe him.”

From the corner of her eye she saw Simon's eyes widen.

Mr. Dobson had a similar reaction, but his expression was accompanied by a stern frown. “That's a fine thing for you to say, madam, but just because you have an affection for the boy, that don't change things. He did it, all right.”

“I'm certain you're mistaken. Now, I will ask you one more time to please release my son. Then we can discuss this civilly.”

When the man still hesitated, she jutted her chin forward. “I assure you, Simon is an honorable young man and he'll stay right here without coercion until this is straightened out.” She stared the man down until he finally released Simon's shirt and adjusted his own cuff with a sharp “Humph!”

Callie placed a hand lightly on Simon's shoulder as she continued to face Mr. Dobson.

“Now, tell me exactly what happened and why you think Simon might be involved so we can settle the matter.”

“Perhaps we should get Jack.”

His condescending tone set Callie's teeth on edge. While it would be more comfortable to have Jack handle the matter so she could fade into the background, Jack would be heading back to California soon. She had to learn how to handle such situations on her own. “That won't be necessary. Please proceed.”

“Very well.” His mouth tightened as he tugged at his cuff once more. “A little while ago, this boy and some of his friends set a whole passel of squirrels loose in my store. Those critters took off like Beelzebub himself was after them, scrabbling all over my shelves like furry dust devils, knocking over jars and boxes, and scaring my customers half out of their
wits. Why, poor Mrs. Collins had to be revived with smelling salts.”

“That's terrible.” Callie stifled a grin, chiding herself for the comic image his words conjured in her mind. “But you haven't explained yet why you think Simon had anything to do with this. Did you actually see him release the squirrels?”

“I didn't see any of the culprits' faces, but he was one of them, all right.” The man's red face and sharp hand movements highlighted his agitation. “I was busy with customers when I heard the side door open. At first I just figured it was supplies from Erlington. Then I heard whispers and snickering. That's when I went to check things out. Next thing I knew there were squirrels everywhere.”

“If you didn't see any of their faces—”

“I'm coming to that.” He gave her an officious look. “By the time I made it to the door, the others had run off but Simon was still there.” He pointed dramatically to an old burlap sack lying on the sidewalk at their feet. “And he was holding that sack in his hands with a squirrel still trapped inside.”

The rumblings from the crowd seemed to support the shopkeeper's story.

Callie ignored them. “Simon, I'm certain you can explain to Mr. Dobson how this came to be.”

Simon nodded emphatically, swallowing hard. “Yes, ma'am. I was on my way to Mr. Lawrence's shop to get the sheepskin I wanted. But when I passed by this alley I heard A—” he cleared his throat “—I heard someone running and then I saw this sack on the ground with something moving inside.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I just wanted to see what it was.”

There were more murmurings of disbelief. Callie ignored those as well.

But Simon's expression took on a desperate edge. “I give you my word, that's all it was. I didn't let those squirrels loose in Mr. Dobson's store, honest.”

“I believe you, Simon.” She turned back to Mr. Dobson. “You see, it was all a misunderstanding. I told you Simon is not the sort of person to do such a thing and then lie about it.”

The man hooked his thumbs in the armholes of his vest and rocked back on his heels. “Mrs. Tyler, surely you don't believe such a preposterous story.”

She drew herself up. “I sincerely hope you are not calling my son a liar.”

The man's expression took on a self-righteous edge. “Look, I know the boy has had some hard things to deal with, what with the death of his folks and all, but that's no excuse for—”

Callie felt Simon stiffen, and gave his shoulder a squeeze. “No one is making excuses here, Mr. Dobson. We are simply saying that you are mistaken.”

“Mrs. Tyler is correct.” Reverend Hollingsford stepped forward from the edge of the crowd. “The boy's telling the truth.”

“Reverend?” Mr. Dobson pushed his glasses up again, and shifted his weight. “With all due respect, sir, how can you know that?”

The minister made a slight bow in Callie and Simon's direction. “My apologies for not speaking up sooner. But everything happened so fast, I'm just now sorting things out in my head.”

He turned back to the shopkeeper. “To answer your question, I walked into the mercantile right after the hubbub started. But I remember now that just before I stepped inside—and this was after I heard Mrs. Collins's shriek—I saw Simon walk toward the alley, and he was empty-handed.”

Callie felt a swell of vindication fill her chest. “If you
won't believe me or Simon, surely you will take the word of the good reverend here. Now, I believe you have something to say to my son.”

Mr. Dobson cleared his throat. “Well, I suppose, given what the reverend just said, maybe I was mistaken after all.”

He paused, and Callie raised a brow.

The man's face reddened slightly, but he nodded. “Sorry, Simon.”

When the boy just stood there with a mutinous expression on his face, Callie gave him a little nudge. “Simon?”

He shot her a quick glance, then swallowed his glower and returned Mr. Dobson's nod. “I accept your apology, sir.”

Now that the confrontation was over, Callie was suddenly acutely aware of the crowd gathered around them. The urge to move away from the eye of the storm pressed in on her. “If you will excuse us—”

But Mr. Dobson wasn't quite done. “Just a minute.”

She tilted her head. What now?

He frowned down at Simon. “You said you saw someone running out of the alley. Did you see who it was?”

Simon ducked his head and rubbed his palm on the leg of his pants, but not before she saw the quick glance he cut toward the edge of the crowd. Following his gaze, she saw his friends Abe and Bobby watching him carefully.

Simon looked up again. “I never did see their faces.”

Was she the only one who noticed he hadn't actually answered the question?

But apparently Mr. Dobson was ready to move on. He turned to the rest of the crowd, quizzing those nearest him to find out what they might have seen.

“Come along, Simon.” Callie kept her hand protectively against his back. “Let's find your sisters. It'll be time to head back to the house soon.”

Simon didn't wait to be told twice. “Yes, ma'am.”

When she turned, Callie spotted Jack standing across the street, looking pleased.

Now why had he just stood there instead of jumping into the fray? Surely he could have handled the situation quicker and with more decisiveness than she had. She couldn't believe Jack had been reticent about facing down Mr. Dobson. So what reason did he have for leaving it in her hands?

Before Simon caught sight of him, Jack turned and headed back to the building site. Following his cue, Callie didn't give any sign she'd spotted him.

Simon was subdued as they moved away from the crowd. He was undoubtedly feeling self-conscious about what had just happened. Thank goodness Reverend Hollingsford had intervened or they might still be at an impasse.

And what hadn't Simon said back there when Mr. Dobson questioned him about who he'd seen? Had the boy actually witnessed his two friends running through the alley, or did he just suspect it had been them?

She felt a strong urge to discuss the whole situation with Jack, to get his take on what they should do next, if anything. But that would have to wait until they were alone.

 

“Aunt Callie?”

Callie pulled the coverlet up over Simon's chest, trying not to show her surprise. Simon usually rolled over as soon as he crawled into bed, completely ignoring her. “Yes?”

“Why did you stand up for me today?”

She didn't hesitate for a second. “Because I knew you didn't do what Mr. Dobson said you did.”

“But
how
did you know I didn't do it?”

“Because you said so.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.” She smiled at him as she smoothed the covers. “Simon, I'm not your mother, but I am a good judge of character. And while I know you might not be above pulling a misguided prank occasionally, I am absolutely certain you are above lying to avoid the consequences.”

“Oh.”

“Now, time to get some sleep. You've had a long day today.”

The boy searched her face a moment longer, then nodded. “Yes, ma'am.” With that he rolled over and shut his eyes.

Callie studied him a moment before shutting the door. For the first time she felt some hope that he might let her be the stepmother she longed to be.

She descended the stairs slowly, untying her bonnet as she went. She hadn't had any time alone with Jack since they left town today. Perhaps now she would get some answers.

 

Jack studied the block of wood, examining the grain and contours. There was a certain flow to it that was suggestive of a deer or maybe a horse. He absently began shaping the wood with his knife, waiting for Callie to join him.

She'd been magnificent today, a lioness protecting her cub. The fact that she was normally uncomfortable being the center of attention hadn't even seemed to come into play.

He'd have to admit, Lanny had chosen well after all. He should never have doubted his brother's instincts.

Except his brother had planned to relegate her to a spare bedroom. Lanny had wanted a nanny, not a wife.

For the first time in his life, Jack considered his brother a fool.

“You did a good thing today,” he said as she stepped outside.

She grimaced. “Actually, it was Reverend Hollingsford who saved the day, not me.”

“None of that false modesty now. The good reverend might have pushed the plunger, but you planted the charges and strung the fuse.”

She grinned. “An interesting way to put it.”

“Just don't go selling yourself short.” Jack refused to let her minimize the part she'd played. “You stood up for Simon when he needed a champion. That's something he won't soon forget. And neither will I.”

He saw the blush darken her cheeks. But then she tilted her head and gave him a puzzled look. “Speaking of which, how long were you standing there and why didn't you step in?”

“I arrived about the time you were telling Dobson to get his hands off Simon.” He shook his head. “That was a sight to behold. Just plain stopped me in my tracks.” He couldn't believe the transformation in her from shrinking violet to fierce protector.

“But if Reverend Hollingsford hadn't stepped in—”

“You would have found another way to convince the crowd Dobson was wrong.” He gave her a straight-on look. “Believe me, if I'd thought you needed help, I would have stepped in. But I never saw the need.”

In fact, if he'd had any concerns about her ability to look out for the family in his absence, they'd been erased today.

A not altogether comfortable thought. Because he'd just realized that it meant he wasn't as needed, wouldn't be as missed around here, as he'd imagined.

And that thought didn't sit well with him at all.