The Hand-Me-Down Family (5 page)

Simon, however, seemed to be the designated spokesman for the trio. He completely ignored Callie as he gave Jack an assessing look. “So you're our Uncle Jack.”

Jack strode to the middle of the room. “That's right. And I've come to take care of you.” He smiled at the two girls. “All of you.”

None of the three returned Jack's smile.

“Momma talked about you some.” Simon's tone hadn't softened. “And she read your letters to us when they came.” His eyes narrowed. “It made her sad that you never came around.”

To Callie's surprise, Jack didn't attempt to make excuses.

Instead he nodded and walked right up to his nephew. “I'm sorry about that—more sorry than you can rightly know. I should have been a better brother to both her and your Uncle Lanny.” He laid a hand on Simon's shoulder. “But I'm here now.”

Simon didn't seem appeased. “She said you had to move around a lot 'cause you work for the railroad.” The boy put a protective arm around his sister's shoulder. “Does that mean we have to travel around the country with you?”

Callie found herself as interested as Simon was to hear Jack's answer.

Jack took a minute, stepping back and crossing his arms again. “Well, now, I plan to stay right here in Sweetgum for the time being. We're going to stick together, just like families are supposed to.”

Emma sidled closer to her brother's side, drawing Annabeth with her. “But where are we going to live? Our house is all gone now.” Her voice was so soft Callie had to lean forward to hear her.

Jack nodded solemnly. “I know, and I've been giving that some thought. Your house may be gone but Annabeth's house
is still sound. And I'll just bet she'd be glad to let us all live there with her.”

Annabeth, who hadn't yet taken her eyes off Callie, turned to Emma. “Oh, yes,” she said, nodding her head emphatically. “There's lots and lots of room there. You could even bring Cookie and nobody would care how much he barked out there.”

“There now.” Jack gave Emma an encouraging smile. “You've been to Annabeth's house before, haven't you? It's the same house your momma lived in when she was your age.”

Emma nodded, tentatively responding to Jack's smile.

But Simon was far from won over. “Annabeth's house is on a farm way out in the country. All of our friends live here in town.”

Annabeth's face crumpled into a hurt expression. “But Simon, it's a very nice house. Don't you want to come live with me?”

Emma gave her young cousin's hand a squeeze. “Simon didn't mean anything by that. Of course he likes your house.” She gave her brother a little nudge. “Don't you?”

Simon gave a grudging nod.

Appeased, Annabeth turned her attention back to Callie. She let go of Emma's hand and took a tentative step forward, her head cocked at a questioning angle. “Are you going to come live with us, too?”

Callie clasped her hands together tightly, fighting the urge to reach out for the child. She didn't want to frighten her. “Would you like for me to?”

Annabeth crossed the room and stopped directly in front of her. With pudgy fingers that weren't quite clean, she reached up and started to push aside Callie's bonnet.

Callie's first instinct was to pull back, to stop the child from
revealing the hidden ugliness. But something about the hope in the little girl's expression changed her mind.

Forcing herself to sit completely still, Callie held her breath and waited for Annabeth's reaction.

A
s soon as the bonnet fell back, Callie heard a startled gasp from Emma and peripherally noted the way Simon's eyes widened.

But Annabeth's response was entirely unexpected.

A large smile blossomed on her face and she touched the discolored skin almost reverently. “It's you,” she said, her voice tinged with delight. “You finally came.”

Callie's heart hitched painfully as she expelled the breath she'd been holding. “Annabeth, do you know who I am?”

The child nodded emphatically. “Oh, yes. You're the lady Daddy said was going to come live with us, to be my new mommy.” Her face took on a more somber expression. “I was so scared you wouldn't come since Daddy wasn't here anymore.”

“Oh, sweetheart, there wasn't any reason to worry.” Callie smoothed the child's hair. “I came here as much to be with you as with your daddy.”

Callie's heart lightened at this further evidence that Leland had never wavered in his commitment to keep his promise. “So, your daddy told you about me?”

“Yes, ma'am.” Annabeth smiled. “He said we were lucky you were coming to stay with us, that you were a friend of Momma's ever since she was my age. But it was supposed to be a secret so he could tell Aunt Nell and Uncle Jed first.” She gave Callie an anxious look. “I didn't tell anyone, I promise.”

Callie touched the child's cheek. “I know you didn't, sweetie. Your daddy would be very proud of you. But how did you know I was the one?”

“Because of what daddy said about you. He told me you were very special because you have angel kisses on the side of your face.”

A lump formed in Callie's throat. That's what Julia used to say when they were little girls. It had always made her feel so special.

Annabeth stared deep into her eyes. “Do you think my daddy is up in heaven getting angel kisses, too?”

Callie pulled the child onto her lap. “Of course I do. And your mommy is right there with him. I imagine both of them are watching you and smiling at how brave you are.”

Annabeth gave a satisfied nod and then threw her arms around Callie in a tight embrace.

Callie buried her face in the child's curls, feeling an immediate bond with her. The fierceness of her desire to cherish and protect Julia's child was almost frightening.

Dear God, please don't put this sweet child into my life just to separate us again. If it be Your will, help me make Lanny's brother understand that I need to be here.

She glanced up to find Jack staring at her, frowning uncertainly. Surely he could see how right it was that she have some hand in the child's upbringing, couldn't he?

But Annabeth wasn't the only child who needed reassurances here. Callie gave Julia's daughter one last squeeze. Then she put her down and stood, looking at the other two children.
“You must be Simon and Emma Carson. I'm a very good friend of your Aunt Julia, and I came here to live with Annabeth.”

Neither child said anything, but their gazes remained locked on the red splotch that marred Callie's face.

Callie drifted closer, casually pulling her bonnet back in place and tying the ribbons as she did so. “Your Aunt Julia and I used to write to each other. Her letters were quite long and wonderful. She shared all kinds of things about this town and her favorite people here. And that included you two, of course.”

“It did?” Emma seemed more at ease now that Callie's bonnet was back in place.

“What kind of things did she say about us?” Simon's voice held a note of challenge.

“Well, I know you're eleven years old, that you're a good student, and that you're also good at building things.”

Simon seemed surprised by her words, but she noticed his chest puffed out with pride a bit.

Callie turned to Emma. “And as for you, young lady, you are eight years old and your Aunt Julia thought you were a very fine artist. She said you were always drawing her the prettiest pictures. Her favorites were the ones with flowers and rainbows.”

“I like to draw,” Emma acknowledged. She finally met Callie's gaze. “Why do you call it angel kisses?”

Callie was relieved the girl was comfortable enough to talk about it. As Mrs. Mayweather had said earlier, children were usually much more forthright in confronting the subject than adults.

“I was born with this mark,” she explained. “Sometimes, when your Aunt Julia and I were little girls, she would tell me that she thought it was there because just before God sent
me down to be with my parents, one of his angels bent over and kissed me on the cheek.”

Emma studied Callie's face, as if trying to see past the bonnet. “Does it hurt?”

“Not at all. It's always been just a part of who I am.” Callie gently touched a spot near the corner of Emma's mouth. “Just like this little mole right here is a part of you.”

“Oh.” Emma's hand reached for the spot Callie had touched. “And like my friend Molly's freckles?”

“That's right. But I tell you what. I know it's a little scary right at first. So why don't I just keep this bonnet on for the time being, at least until we get to know each other better.”

Emma nodded. Then her brow furrowed. “What are we supposed to call you?”

Caught off guard, Callie glanced up at Jack. She had no real claim on Simon and Emma. But, then again, she
had
been married to their uncle. She turned back to Emma. “Why don't you just call me Aunt Callie?”

“Aunt Callie.” Emma tried out the name, then nodded approval. “That's nice.”

“That's settled then.”

“So you
will
be living at the farm with us.” Annabeth made the pronouncement with all the confidence of a self-assured four-year-old.

Jack cleared his throat and Simon started to voice another protest.

But Mrs. Mayweather stepped in before either of them got very far. “Children.” With that one word, she claimed everyone's attention. “Why don't the three of you go outside and check on Cookie. Simon, there is a bone left over from yesterday's supper on the kitchen counter that you may take to him.”

Once the children left the room, Jack turned to Mrs. May-
weather. “I want to thank you again for taking them in until I could get here.” He rubbed the back of his neck again. “I suppose I should ask them to pack up their things so we can head on over to the farm.”

Callie sat up straighter. No! He was
not
going to sidestep her claim that easily. Those children needed her. “I don't believe that is your decision to make, Mr. Tyler.”

He frowned. “We've already—”

She cut off his attempt to play the kin card again. “As your brother's widow, I believe I should have some say as to who will be staying at the farm.”

“Are you saying you want to go out there yourself?”

“I don't—”

Mrs. Mayweather held up a hand to halt their discussion. “It appears to me that the two of you have some things to work out in respect to the children's future. After all, you only learned the full extent of the situation a few hours ago.”

“It seems pretty cut and dried to me,” Jack groused.

Mrs. Mayweather drew herself up. “Jackson Garret Tyler, I will thank you to mind your tone when you are in my home.”

Apparently it didn't matter how old Jack was—he would always be a recalcitrant schoolboy to Mrs. Mayweather. Callie carefully swallowed a grin.

 

Jack mumbled an apology, chafing under Mrs. Mayweather's obvious censure.

He wasn't sure what was wrong with him today. One minute he was breaking out in a cold sweat at the thought of taking sole responsibility for the three kids, and the next he was ready to fight to the death against anyone who'd dare try to take that privilege from him.

Mrs. Mayweather smoothed her skirts and gave them both equally stern looks. “Now, you've had a long day, both phys
ically and emotionally. This is probably not the best time for you to make any major decisions.”

Callie nodded. “I agree. It would be best if we spent a little more time seeking guidance in this matter.”

Jack bit back a retort. There she went with that “seeking guidance” talk again. Didn't the woman know how to make a decision on her own? Or did she think her delaying tactics would give her some sort of advantage in their tug-of-war?

Mrs. Mayweather, however, didn't give him an opportunity to voice his objections. “Quite sensible. I insist the children stay here with me another night or two, while you two get everything worked out. It would be criminal to uproot them again before there is some certainty as to where they will live and with whom.” She looked from Callie to Jack. “Are we agreed?”

“Yes, ma'am.” Callie's response was quick and confident.

No surprise there. It was exactly what she wanted—time to build her case. But he couldn't come up with an argument that didn't sound petty, so, under Mrs. Mayweather's stern gaze, he had no choice but to follow suit. “Yes, ma'am.”

“Very well. Jackson, you are welcome to stay for supper. The more time you and Callista spend in the children's company, the better for everyone. Afterward, I suggest you spend the night at the farm. It will relieve Virgil of the responsibility of taking care of the chores in the morning. You may use my horse and buggy to get there.”

She rose as if the matter were settled. Which he supposed it was.

His brother's widow stood uncertainly. “I suppose I should get a room at the hotel.”

Mrs. Mayweather frowned. “Nonsense. You'll stay here with me and the children.”

She held up a hand, halting any protest Callie might make.
“This is no time to stand on ceremony. Your presence has already made such a difference to Annabeth. She's spoken more in these past few minutes than she has the last four days.”

Jack frowned at this point in Callie's favor in their battle for guardianship of the children.

“Besides,” Mrs. Mayweather continued, “you can help me with some of the extra chores that have resulted from the presence of the children.”

That seemed to seal the deal for Callie. “Of course. Thank you.”

There was a feeling of feminine conspiracy to this. Not that the arrangement didn't make sense from a strictly logistical standpoint. The only problem was, it let his sister-in-law have free rein with the kids while he was exiled to the farm. Which gave her a leg up in winning the children's favor.

He'd have to find a way to level the field.

 

Callie had mixed emotions that evening as she watched Jack walk out Mrs. Mayweather's kitchen door.

Just as when he'd started to walk away from her beside the stagecoach this afternoon, she felt as if a lifeline was slipping away from her, leaving her stranded in unfamiliar territory.

Strange. As stubborn as the man was, she felt they'd formed a connection of sorts. After all, when he wasn't being so pig-headedly combative over the matter of the children, he was actually nice. And even in that matter, one had to admire a man who was willing to take his perceived responsibilities so much to heart.

Callie turned away from the door with a tired sigh.

So much had happened today. It had begun with her looking forward to starting life as a wife and a mother, and ended with the discovery that she was a widow who would
have to fight to maintain her claim on her stepchild. What a welcome to Texas. Her father would—

Oh, no! She raised a hand to her mouth and spun around to face her hostess.

“My goodness, dear, you look as if you just burned Sunday dinner and the preacher's at the door. Whatever is it?”

“I promised my family I'd send a telegraph when I arrived so they would know I was safe. It slipped my mind until just now.” She grimaced. “I hate to impose, but would you have a piece of paper and a pen I could use?” Silly of her to feel this sense of urgency since she wouldn't be able to send the telegram until tomorrow. But doing this would provide a small bit of normalcy to a day that had spun out of control.

A few minutes later, Callie sat at a small desk tucked in the parlor. She dipped the pen in the inkwell, then paused.

What would she say? How much
should
she say?

Her family worried about her so. No good would be served by adding to their concerns. After all, she had confidence that God would see her through this.

But she couldn't lie to them.

Best to keep it short and non-committal for the moment. Nodding to herself, she quickly jotted down three sentences.

Have arrived safely in Sweetgum. Already made new friends who have welcomed me warmly. Will send a letter with further news soon
.

As she set the pen down, Callie's thoughts turned to resuming her battle of wits with Jackson Garret Tyler in the morning.