The Holiday Courtship. Winnie Griggs

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СКАЧАТЬ perceptible nod of approval, then lifted the slate and chalk and started out of the room. Then she paused, turned back and, with a quick, graceful movement, reached down and scooped up the cat with one arm. “I’ll get Smudge out of your way,” she said by way of explanation. “And Chloe will probably be glad of his company right now.”

      Now, more than ever, Hank was convinced the pretty, warmhearted schoolteacher would make the perfect mother for the children.

      If only he could convince her of that.

      * * *

      Janell pushed Chloe’s door open and stepped inside to find the girl crying into her pillow. She sat down on the edge of the bed, setting Smudge beside her.

      Chloe immediately sat up. When she saw who it was, she swiped the tears from her face and her expression tensed, taking on a prickly, resentful tightness, even as she cuddled the cat.

      Janell placed a hand on the girl’s knee, giving her what she hoped was a reassuring smile. Then she picked up the slate and wrote Not your fault.

      Chloe read it, but rather than easing her distress, it seemed to increase it.

      Janell quickly erased the slate and tried again. I should have paid closer attention.

      Chloe rested her chin on her pet’s soft fur. “It wouldn’t have happened if I could still hear.”

      Again Janell erased the slate and started writing. Mishaps happen to everyone. Didn’t you bump and spill things before your accident?

      Chloe’s expression shifted as a touch of doubt and thoughtfulness crept in.

      Feeling she’d done all she could for now, Janell gave Chloe’s leg another pat, then stood. It was going to take time, but she was determined to get through to the girl.

      When she returned to the kitchen, Janell was surprised to see the worst of the mess had been cleaned up. She gave both of the menfolk a smile. “You’ve done a fine job, gentlemen. Why don’t you let me finish up while you see how that bit of cobbler we salvaged tastes?”

      Alex looked up, his worry plain. “Is Chloe okay?”

      “She’s embarrassed, but otherwise all right.”

      Alex seemed to accept her words at face value and his mood lightened as he took his seat again. Janell met Mr. Chandler’s gaze over the boy’s head and saw the relief in his expression as well.

      She spooned some of the remaining cobbler into Alex’s dish, then turned to do the same for his uncle.

      But Mr. Chandler stopped her. “It wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me to eat while you finish cleaning the mess.” And he went back to work wiping down a table leg.

      Well, well, the man wasn’t afraid of housework, nor did he seem to consider it strictly woman’s work. A nice surprise.

      By the time the two of them had the mess cleaned up, Alex had finished his cobbler.

      “May I be excused?” the boy asked. The question seemed to be directed at her, but Janell waved a hand Mr. Chandler’s way, letting Alex know she thought it his uncle’s place to answer.

      Mr. Chandler nodded. “Yes, of course. But carry your dishes to the counter first.”

      His attempt to instill some discipline surprised Janell yet again. The more she was around this man, the more persuaded she became that he actually had the makings of a good father.

      Once the boy left the kitchen, no doubt headed to check in on Chloe, Janell waved a hand toward the table. “Ready for your cobbler?” There was just enough for one serving left.

      “Only if you share it with me.”

      “Oh, but—”

      “I insist.”

      “Perhaps I’ll have just a bite.” But before she could serve it up, he performed the task for her and made sure the remaining cobbler was divided equally.

      Yet more proof that despite his sometimes gruff manner, Mr. Chandler was a gentleman at heart.

      Why was this man still a bachelor? Didn’t the single women of Turnabout see what a catch he was?

      * * *

      As they dug into the dessert, Hank wondered how he would have handled all of this afternoon’s little upsets without Miss Whitman’s assistance.

      As if reading his mind, the schoolteacher gave him an apologetic smile. “I hope you won’t let this worry you overmuch. Such things happen, even with hearing children, and a girl of Chloe’s age is easily embarrassed.”

      Was this what he had to look forward to? “Surely there’s a way to minimize these incidents.”

      “No need to look so horrified. I assure you you’ll get through this. Once the children settle in, and get used to having you as their guardian, things will settle down. But first we need to help Chloe realize her life isn’t over.”

      She stood to clear the table, but he tried to wave her back down.

      “Don’t worry about the dishes—I can take care of that later. You’ll want to head home before dark and I’d like for us to have that talk while we can.”

      She nodded but didn’t pause. “Of course. But I can talk while I work.”

      Stubborn woman. He grabbed their plates and marched to the sink.

      She raised a brow. “Do you prefer to wash or dry?”

      “Dry.” If he was the one to put the dishes away, it might keep her from rearranging any more of his cupboards.

      She nodded and began filling the basin. “First of all, is there someone you have in mind who’ll keep an eye on the children while you’re at work?”

      “Not yet, but I’m hoping Aunt Rowena will arrive by Monday or Tuesday at the latest. I figure, until she gets here or I can make other arrangements, I’ll only go to the sawmill while they’re at school.”

      She turned to face him, her eyes wide with disbelief. “You can’t possibly be contemplating sending these children to school on Monday.”

      From the way she asked the question, it was obvious the correct answer was no. But her tone got his back up. “Why not? Attending school is something they’ll be familiar with. I would think the sooner I set routines for them, the sooner they’ll adjust to their new life.”

      “School might be familiar to them, but not this school and not under these circumstances.” She looked him straight in the eyes. “Have you forgotten that Chloe will have no idea how to communicate with either the other students or with her teacher?”

      “Of course not. But you’re her teacher and you said you’ve dealt with this before. And that slate you brought seemed to work pretty well.”

      She waved a hand dismissively, not seeming to notice the droplets of water she dispensed in the СКАЧАТЬ