Love Finds a Home (Anthologies) (16 page)

“Good morning, Ernie. Good morning, children,” she said with a smile.

“Mornin’,” they responded in unison.

The children scampered into the classroom, but their father lingered a few moments on the porch. “Is there something you want to say, Ernie?” Judith asked.

He jammed his hands into his jacket pocket and rocked back and forth on the heels of his boots. “Well, I … uh … was wonderin’ if—”

Carl and Eric raced past just then, bumping into Ernie and knocking him against Judith.

“Oh!” she exclaimed, trying to regain her balance.

Ernie grabbed her around the waist. “Are … are you okay?”

The man’s face was red like an apple, and Judith figured hers was, too. “I–I’m fine,” she said breathlessly.

Ernie released his hold on her, and she took a step back. “Guess I’d best be goin’,” he mumbled.

“But I thought you wanted to ask me something.”

“It weren’t nothin’ important.” He shook his head and hurried away.

Judith shivered, realizing how cold she’d become standing on the porch with no wrap. “I wish I knew what Ernie had planned to say,” she murmured. “He certainly is a man of few words.”

CHAPTER 6

W
hile the children were outside during afternoon recess, Judith sat at her desk, reading the letters she had found in the letter box earlier. Two were unsigned, both asking questions about whom the teacher thought was her best student.

“Strange,” Judith murmured. “Either the same person wrote both letters, or two students are competing for my attention.”

She figured it was probably Melody and Melissa. The twins were competitive, and Judith had noticed several times at home the girls often argued and tried to get one of their parents to take a side.

Judith turned the notes over and wrote the same response on each one:

Dear Student:

I care about all the children in my class, and it wouldn’t be right to have one favorite. Keep doing your best, and you will learn much
.

Miss King

Loud voices in the schoolyard captured Judith’s attention, and she set her pencil and paper aside. Opening the front door, she stepped onto the porch. Several of the boys raced around the yard shaking their fists and hollering at one another.

“He did it!”

“No, it was your fault.”

“He started it.”

“No way—it was you!”

A few of the girls leaned over the porch and pointed, like there might be someone or something beneath them.

“What happened?” Judith asked, easing her body between Melody and Karen.

“It’s Andy Snyder,” Melody replied. “Roger shoved him off the porch, and now the bully’s bein’ chased by some of the other boys who know what he did to Andy was wrong.”

Judith’s heart lurched when she saw Andy lying on the ground, whimpering and holding his right arm. She hurried down the steps and knelt to examine the boy. His arm was red and starting to swell, but it didn’t look like it was out of place. “Andy, is it true that Roger pushed you?”

The child nodded, as tears rolled down his cheeks.

“Why did he do that?”

“Roger was shoutin’ names at Andy and some of the other boys from the canal,” Karen spoke up. “He said they were a bunch of dirty canalers who don’t have no more brains than a dumb mule.”

“That’s right,” Melody agreed. “I think Andy got sick of it, ’cause he told Roger what he thought. That’s when the mean fellow pushed him off the porch.”

Judith clenched her fingers. She hated name-calling and thought she had made it clear that it would not be tolerated. Glancing at Andy’s arm again, she knew the first order of business was to take him to the doctor in case it was broken. She would deal with the troublemakers tomorrow morning.

“Clem, please get my horse hitched to the buggy,” she called to one of the older boys. “When that’s done, could you find Andy’s father and let him know what’s happened? Be sure to tell him that I’m taking his son to see the doctor.”

“Sure, Miss King. I know right where Ernie’s cuttin’ ice today, ’cause my pa’s workin’ there, too.” Clem sprinted toward the corral where Judith kept her horse during school hours.

“Beth, would you please take over for me until school is out?” Judith asked the older girl.

Beth’s dark eyes became huge. “You—you want me to teach the students?”

Judith shook her head. “Just have them finish their reading assignment and then dismiss the class.”

Beth nodded and called to the other children, while Judith helped Andy to his feet and over to her waiting buggy.

“Can I go along?” Grace asked, running beside them.

“Of course. Hurry and climb into the back of the buggy.”

A short time later, Judith and Grace sat in the waiting area at the doctor’s office, while Andy was being examined in the next room.

“What if my brother’s arm is broken?” Grace questioned. “How’s he gonna do his schoolwork?”

Judith patted Grace’s hand, and in so doing, she noticed a tear in the sleeve of the child’s faded green dress. “Would you like me to fix this for you?”

Grace nodded. “Jeb and Papa don’t know how to sew. Mama used to fix the rips in my clothes, but now she’s in heaven with Jesus. Papa said so.” The child stared at her hands, clasped tightly in her lap.

Judith reached into her satchel and retrieved a needle and thread. As she stitched the tear, she told Grace about losing her own mother when she was ten years old.

“Guess maybe our mamas are visitin’ each other up there with God.” Grace’s tone was so sincere—and her expression of such conviction—it caused tears to spring into Judith’s eyes.

She sniffed and tried to keep her focus on the needle going back and forth through the hole in Grace’s dress. “I’m wondering why you don’t join the other girls at school whenever they play on the swings during recess,” she asked, feeling the need to change the subject.

The child stared up at Judith with huge brown eyes and shrugged her slim shoulders.

“Don’t they make you feel welcome?”

“They say mean things to me, ’cause Papa’s a dirty old canaler. Some even sing that awful song we don’t like.”

“What song is that?”

“‘You rusty ole canaler, you’ll never get rich.’” Grace’s eyebrows drew together. “That’s all the words I can say, ’cause Papa says some of ’em are bad.” Her chin came up and quivered slightly. “He said if he ever catches me or Andy sayin’ bad words, he’ll wash our mouths out with soap.”

Judith nodded and broke off the piece of thread then tied a knot. “There, it’s almost as good as new.”

“Thank you, Teacher.”

“You’re welcome.”

The front door opened then, and Ernie rushed into the room.

Grace jumped up and hurried to his side. “Papa!”

He patted the top of his daughter’s head, but Judith could tell he was barely aware of the young girl’s presence. “What happened? Where’s my boy? Is he gonna be okay?” Ernie’s eyes were wide, and his face was a mask of concern.

Judith stood and moved to stand beside him. She quickly explained how one of the boys had been calling names and then told what had followed.

Ernie’s eyes flashed angrily. “I knew it was a mistake to put my kids in school with a bunch of young-uns who think they’re better’n us.” He leveled Judith with a look that made her toes curl inside her high-top shoes. “I can’t believe you’d let somethin’ like this happen.”

She reached out and touched the man’s arm, hoping to calm him down, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. Ernie pulled away like he’d been stung by a hornet. Strangely enough, Judith felt as if some stinging insect had attacked her, too. Could it have been the contact of her fingers touching Ernie’s skin?

She took a step back. “All children tend to argue and fuss at times. But you can be sure the boy who pushed Andy will be punished.”

“Glad to hear it.” Ernie looked around the room. “Where is my boy? Is he gonna be okay?”

“He’s with Dr. Smith, and we should know something soon.” Judith nodded toward the wooden chairs. “In the meantime, why don’t we have a seat?”

With an exaggerated shrug, Ernie marched across the room and flopped into a chair. Grace took the seat beside him, and Judith sat on the other side.

“Teacher fixed the hole in my dress,” Grace said, lifting her elbow and leaning toward her father.

His face softened, and he gave Judith a half smile. “That was right nice.” Then he glanced back at his daughter. “Did ya tell your teacher thanks?”

“I did.”

Just then the adjoining door opened, and Dr. Smith stepped out. Andy followed, his right arm in a sling.

Ernie jumped to his feet, as did Judith. They both took a step forward and, in so doing, collided. Judith’s face heated with embarrassment, as Ernie’s hand went around her waist. This was the second time today he’d kept her from falling over. “You all right?” he croaked.

Not trusting her voice, she only nodded.

Ernie turned to face the doctor. “How’s my boy? Is his arm broke?”

Dr. Smith shook his head. “It’s just a bad sprain, but he’ll need to wear the sling until the swelling goes down.”

“Glad you’re not hurt real bad,” Ernie said, patting Andy’s shoulder.

Andy grimaced. “Me, too, but it still smarts somethin’ awful.”

“It’ll feel better in a day or so.” Ernie nodded toward the chairs where Grace sat. “Have a seat by your sister while I settle up with the doc.”

Judith joined Grace and Andy, while Ernie and Dr. Smith tended to business.

“I’m sorry about your accident,” she said to Andy. “You can be sure that Roger will be punished.”

Andy hung his head. “He thinks I’m dumb and dirty ’cause I lead my papa’s mules.”

“You’re not dumb, Andy. You’re a quick learner, and—”

“It’s time to go,” Ernie announced, sauntering toward them. “Should we stop at the café for somethin’ to eat before we go home?”

“Can Teacher come, too?” The question came from Grace as she grabbed hold of Judith’s hand.

“I should probably get home,” Judith was quick to say. She didn’t want Ernie to feel obligated to include her in their supper plans.

Ernie shuffled his feet. “Would ya … uh … like to join us at the café? You’re more’n welcome.”

Her heartbeat quickened, and she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “That would be very nice, thank you.”

CHAPTER 7

F
or the last ten minutes, Judith had been sitting inside Baker’s Café with Ernie and his children, and so far the only words Ernie had spoken were to the waitress when she took their order.

If he wasn’t going to talk to me, then why did he invite me to join them for supper? Of course, I’m not doing such a good job of making conversation, either
.

Judith hated to admit it, but she was attracted to Ernie. There was only one problem—she was sure Ernie didn’t feel the same way about her. For that matter, no man had ever shown an interest in her, and she knew why.

She lifted her glass and took a sip of water, hoping the action might help her think about something other than how handsome Ernie was and how homely she must seem to him.
He probably thinks I’m a lonely old maid schoolteacher and only included me in this meal because it was Grace’s idea
.

The tantalizing aroma of sizzling steaks caused Judith’s stomach to rumble, and she drank more water to tide her over until the food arrived.
Where is that waitress? I’m hungry and so nervous I feel like I might faint
.

Judith glanced over at Grace. The girl’s elbows were on the table, and her chin rested in the palm of her hands. Judith fought the urge to mention that it wasn’t polite to lean on the table.
She’s Ernie’s daughter, not mine. He probably wouldn’t appreciate me correcting the girl when he’s sitting right here
.

The child offered her a wide smile. “It’s sure nice havin’ ya eat with us, Teacher. Wish we could do this every night.”

Judith’s cheeks warmed. “It’s nice for me, too.” She looked at Ernie, wondering if he would say something, but he merely smiled then looked away.

She sighed.
I wish I’d had the good sense to go home after we left the doctor’s office
.