The Hand-Me-Down Family (8 page)

“Ready to see the rest of the rooms up here?” Jack seemed impatient to move on.

Callie nodded, glad for the distraction.

Keeping a tight hold on her doll, Annabeth skipped ahead of them to the room across the hall.

“This used to be my daddy's room when he was a little
boy,” she said as Jack opened the door. “And you, too, Uncle Jack, wasn't it?”

“That's right, Little Bit.”

Callie tried to picture Jack as young boy, spending time in here with his older brother. Perhaps this was what had taught Leland that deep patience Julia always spoke of.

Annabeth bounced onto the closest bed. “Daddy was getting it ready for you, Aunt Callie. See the pretty vase and lamp he set here?” She fiddled with her doll's dress, very carefully not looking up. “That's when he thought you were going to be my mommy instead of my aunt.”

“He did a very nice job.” Callie tried to ignore the heat creeping into her cheeks. Jack had no doubt suspected that the marriage between her and Leland was supposed to be a platonic one. But having this stark evidence blatantly revealed was mortifying. And somehow, having it revealed to Jack himself made it more so.

To his credit, Jack gave no clue that he noticed anything out of the ordinary. And he didn't linger in this room, either. With only a cursory look around, he herded them down the hall.

“This was Mommy's workroom,” Annabeth explained before Jack had so much as opened the door.

As soon as Callie stepped inside and saw the nearly finished baby quilt, she stopped in her tracks. It was such a painful, unexpected reminder of her friend's death. Julia had slipped and fallen just one month before the baby was to be born. The ensuing early labor had killed both her and the baby.

“Momma was making this for my new baby brother or sister.” Annabeth was standing beside her.

Callie rested a hand on the child's shoulder. “Yes, I know.” She stepped forward and fingered the lovely bit of piecework.
“I tell you what, sweetheart. Why don't we take this beautiful quilt and put it somewhere safe? One day, when you're old enough, perhaps you can finish it yourself. Would you like that?”

Annabeth nodded vigorously.

Callie decided the girls—not to mention she herself—needed something more cheerful to focus on. She looked around the room seeking inspiration and found it hanging among the rafters.

 

Jack drifted toward the window, listening to Callie and the girls chatter. They seemed to be making a game out of identifying all the varieties of flowers and herbs hanging from the ceiling.

Callie was probably trying to lighten the mood a bit. He'd sensed the tension in her earlier. Was it because she was picturing the life she would have had here had Lanny not died? A life that was lost to her now?

Unbidden, the memory of that moment when he'd taken hold of her hands returned. He had felt the pulse jump in her wrist, had suddenly become aware of her as feminine, small and vulnerable, yet full of warmth and a woman's strength. It had taken a full measure of resolve to push that unwelcome awareness aside and move forward with the point he'd wanted to make.

A pair of girlish giggles from across the room broke into his thoughts. Callie's doing, no doubt. Jack rubbed his chin as he stared unseeing out the window.

How was it she always knew the right thing to say and do with the kids? Maybe Lanny hadn't been so crazy after all in choosing her to be Annabeth's stepmother. The woman sure seemed to have a knack for the job.

And apparently that's all Lanny had been looking for—
more of a glorified nanny than a wife. Had sticking her down the hall in the guestroom been her idea or his?

Not that it was any of his business. Or that it even mattered.

Still, he'd give a pretty penny to know whether her embarrassment back there had been due to his finding out about the arrangement or from being faced with the proof of Lanny's expectations.

The muffled sound of Simon's voice caught his attention.

He opened the window, but before he could call out he saw what had caught the boy's notice—a wagon leading a cloud of dust down the road was headed their way.

“Somebody's coming,” Jack said.

He heard Callie step up behind him. “Do you think they're coming here?”

“Only one way to find out.” He turned to the girls. “Looks like we might have visitors. What say we head outside to see who it is?”

T
he girls clattered down the stairs while he and Callie followed at a more sedate pace. As they stepped onto the porch, Jack sensed her nervousness. For the second time in as many minutes she tugged that ever-present bonnet forward. That telling betrayal of self-consciousness always surprised him. She certainly didn't seem to lack gumption when it came to anything else.

“Who is it?” she asked, interrupting his train of thought.

He shaded his eyes, following her gaze to the approaching wagon. “It looks like Virgil and Ida Lee with their kids. You met Virgil yesterday when the stage arrived. He's been taking care of this place since Lanny died.” Jack gave her a meaningful look. “These folks aren't just good friends, they're also the closest neighbors to this place.”

“I know.”

Now how would she know something like that?

She must have read the question in his expression. “I told you, Julia's letters were like chapters in a book, and the people of Sweetgum were the main characters.”

That comment set Jack back on his heels. If Julia had been
so all-fired gabby, what had she written about
him
in those letters over the years? More to the point, did Callie know about that botched proposal?

He pushed that uncomfortable thought aside as the wagon pulled to a stop. “Hi, Virgil, Ida Lee.”

Virgil acknowledged the greeting with a nod. “Sorry if we're intruding. As soon as Ida Lee saw your carriage go by she insisted we head out here to welcome you home, proper-like.” He gave Jack a just-between-us-men grin. “Not to mention she's been dying to meet our visitor ever since I mentioned her arrival.”

Ida Lee didn't seem at all put out by her husband's words. “Just wanted to extend a neighborly welcome,” she said calmly.

Four kids scrambled down from the back of the wagon. Ida Lee made shooing motions. “You all go along and play with the other kids. Just stay out of the house.”

Jack offered his hand to help Ida Lee down.

“Hi-dee, Jack.” Her expression softened. “I'm right sorry about Lanny and Nell. They were good people.”

She patted his hand then smiled that broad, toothy smile he remembered from their childhood. “It's been much too long since we saw you. Now that you're back, I hope you plan to stick around for a while.”

He accepted her quick hug. “I'm not figuring to go anywhere for the time being.”

“Good.” She smoothed her skirts and turned to Callie. “And you must be Julia's Callie. It's good to finally meet you. Julia used to go on about what a sweet friend you were. I'm sorry you got such a sorrowful introduction to Sweetgum.”

Ida Lee reached for Callie's hand and Jack was hit again with the memory of how Callie's touch had made him feel.

Callie was trying to reconcile the mental image she'd
formed of Ida Lee from Julia's letters with the reality standing here in front of her. She'd never realized before that Julia's descriptions had actually focused more on people's character and manner than their physical attributes.

Which was probably why folks around here didn't know anything about her birthmark.

And which was also why she hadn't realized Ida Lee was such a big-boned, sturdy-looking woman. The kind you could picture handling farm chores with ease.

But Ida Lee's smile, as big and hearty as the woman herself, was infectious.

“Thank you.” Callie found it easy to respond to her warmth. “I apologize for not having any refreshments to offer you.”

Ida Lee waved a hand, flopping it from the wrist. “Oh, land's sake, girl, we didn't come here to put you to any trouble.” She reached under the buggy seat and lifted out a covered basket. “In fact, I brought you one of my maple pecan pies.”

“How very kind.”

There was nothing dainty about Ida Lee's laugh. “Truth be told, it's a way to repay you for all the prying I'm about to do.” She turned to her husband. “You menfolk go off now and take care of the horse and wagon while Callie and I have us a nice little chat.”

Jack and Virgil didn't need to be told twice.

Callie nodded toward the house. “Why don't we get out of the sun?”

“Now that sounds like a mighty fine idea.” Ida Lee chattered on about the heat until they reached the porch. Then she plopped down on the rocking chair.

Callie took a seat on the swing.

“Imagine that, Julia's friend Callie right here in Sweet
gum. And you're Lanny's widow to boot. If that don't beat all.” She shook her head in wonder. “The Lord does work in mysterious ways.”

“That he does.” Callie glanced over to where the children were engaged in a boisterous game of tag.

“Now don't you go worrying about the kids. The big ones'll keep an eye on the little ones. They'll be just fine.” She loosened the strings of her bonnet, letting it hang loose against her nape. Then she picked up a leaf-shaped fan and waved it in front of her face. “Goodness, but it's a scorcher today.” She gave Callie a friendly smile. “We don't hold much to suffering for the sake of appearances hereabouts. No point sweltering underneath that bonnet of yours now that we're out of the sun.”

Callie weighed what she knew about Ida Lee, both from Julia's letters and from her few minutes of personal acquaintance. “How much did Julia tell you about me?” she asked carefully.

Ida Lee paused in her fanning. “Not a whole lot. I mean, we all knew she had a friend she left behind when she moved out this way. ‘The sister of my heart,' she used to call you. But she never did go into any specifics.”

“So she never mentioned my birthmark?”

“Birthmark?”

Callie loosened her bonnet and let it fall back just as Ida Lee had done. Out of habit she had sat on the woman's left side, so she had to turn her face for Ida Lee to get the full effect.

The woman winced. “Oh, my.”

“I'm sorry.” Callie reached for her bonnet. “I'll cover it.”

Ida Lee resumed her fanning. “Don't be a ninny. It's too hot for that and you sure don't have to hide your face on my account. Just takes some getting used to, is all.”

Callie smiled as some of the tension eased from her spine. The woman's words might be less than genteel, but there was no doubting her sincerity. “Thank you.”

“Oh, fiddlesticks, girl. No need to thank me for something like that.”

In spite of Ida Lee's assurances, Callie tucked her hair back under the bonnet but let the ribbons hang loose. She didn't want to do anything to make the children feel awkward or nervous if they should join them.

To her relief, Ida Lee let the subject drop. Instead, she leaned forward conspiratorially. “So, let's get down to talking. Having you show up in Sweetgum is the most interesting happening since goodness-knows-when. What do you plan to do now?”

Callie wished she had the answer to that question. “I married Mr. Tyler, Mr.
Leland
Tyler, that is—” why did she feel the need to clarify this? Callie hurried on “—because he wanted me to help raise Annabeth. If anything, she needs me even more now.”

Ida Lee frowned. “You're not thinking of taking that child back to Ohio with you, now are you?”

“Oh, no. This is her home.” Callie raised her chin. “And I plan to make it my home, too. In fact, I'd also like to play a part in Simon and Emma's lives if I can.”

Ida Lee nodded. “All children need a mother's touch. Lanny knew that. And I think Nell and Jed would be grateful to you as well.”

Callie waved a hand. “Yes, but it's more than just mothering. These children also need someone to look after their spiritual upbringing.”

The rocker halted. Ida Lee opened her mouth as if to speak, but said nothing. Finally she set the rocker in motion again. “What does Jack have to say about that?”

Callie shifted in her seat, searching for a diplomatic response. “Mr. Tyler and I are still trying to work out how to deal with the situation.”

“He's wanting to take charge of it all, isn't he?”

“His concern is understandable.” Callie felt oddly defensive of Jack's stand. “I mean, not only am I a stranger, but I have no knowledge of the workings of a farm.” She fiddled with the edge of her bonnet. “Even if I do have a claim to the place.”

“Why, that's right,” Ida Lee gave a bark of laughter. “I guess this place is rightly yours now. Don't that beat all. I reckon Jack is fit to be tied. He never could abide having to share what he thought was rightfully his.” She gave Callie a probing look. “He's fighting you over who gets those three young'uns, isn't he?”

“He is their uncle, after all. It's only natural that he'd want to be a part of their lives.”

“No need to mince words around me. Jack Tyler no more knows how to care for three kids on his own than you can run this farm. He's just too ornery and prideful to admit it.”

“I think perhaps you're being a bit harsh.”

Ida Lee shrugged. “Maybe you're right. Lanny and Nell's deaths must have hit him hard.” She leaned forward and patted Callie's knee. “I know he stayed away all this time, but deep down he's a family man. Always has been, even if he won't admit it, even to himself. And right now, those young'uns are the only real family he has left.”

The words struck a chord with Callie. She couldn't deny the man his right to be close to his family. But she couldn't abandon those children if God had truly sent her here to minister to them.

There had to be a way to make this work.
Lord, please help me find the path You want me to follow in this matter.

She looked up to find Ida Lee staring at her. “I wish I knew the answer.” She tucked a few more stray hairs under her bonnet. “I've been praying about it ever since I found out about Leland.”

Ida Lee nodded approval. “Then you're on the right track. I'll add my own prayers. The right answer will come.”

 

“So, how are you and the widow getting along?”

Jack grimaced. “She's one stubborn woman. I can't believe this is the same gal Julia spoke of with such admiration. The two are nothing alike.”

“It's not being alike that makes people friends. Look at me and you.”

Jack plucked a stem of grass and slid it between a thumb and forefinger. “She's trying to stake a claim on the farm. Not even willing to let me buy her out.”

Virgil gave Jack a puzzled look. “I'm surprised you let that bother you so much. Lanny was always the one with farming in his blood, not you.”

One more thing he'd never be as good at as his brother.

Virgil rubbed his chin. “I figured you'd be heading back off to your work with the railroad as soon as you settled matters here.”

Not a far cry from the truth. At least that had been the plan when he first headed back to Sweetgum.

“I'll admit the idea of staying put and working a farm isn't something I'm looking forward to. But I'm the last of the Tylers, except for them kids. Taking care of this place and those three young'uns is my responsibility, and it ain't one I intend to shirk.”

“You aiming to handle the farm and the kids all on your own?”

Jack heard the doubt in his friend's voice, but refused to
admit he shared it. “Don't see why not. Other men have done it. And Simon's old enough to help.”

“Sure, it's been done.” Virgil gave him a hard look. “But it ain't easy, even if you've had some practice. Why, even Lanny figured he needed help raising that little girl of his.”

Virgil raised a hand before Jack could do more than stiffen. “I know you don't like being compared to Lanny, but I'm just saying it ain't as easy a job as you seem to think.”

Jack flicked the blade of grass away. “I didn't say I thought it would be easy. But that's my worry. And I'm sure I'll get the widow to come around. So that'll be one less person for me to look out for.”

He rested his arms on the paddock fence and stared off toward the far tree line.

“So, tell me about the fire.”

Virgil hesitated, then joined Jack at the fence rail. “Nell hurt her ankle two days before,” he said quietly. “Jed naturally insisted she stay in bed and let him run the café on his own. But you know Nell. She wasn't going to stand that for too long.”

Jack knew Nell, all right. She'd been the sweetest person he ever knew. But when she'd set her mind to something, there'd been no stopping her.

“Anyway,” Virgil continued, “on that Tuesday, she insisted on hobbling downstairs to help Jed cook for their lunch crowd. Lanny showed up after most of the customers had cleared out, and he helped Jed convince Nell that they ought to close up for the afternoon. Mr. Dobson from over at the mercantile stopped in about then to buy one of Nell's pies. According to him, Lanny told Nell he had some big news to share but he wasn't going to tell them anything until she was settled upstairs in her rocking chair.”