A Wife by Christmas (9 page)

Ellie grinned. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

He stiffened. “Of course. I want a well-planned, well laid-out life.”

“And so far you’ve followed your plan?”

“Definitely. I don’t like surprises.”

Ellie shook her head. “Poor Max.”

He frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

She leaned back and studied him. “Did you go to St. Louis for the Word’s Fair two years ago by any chance?”

“Of course. The whole theme of the Fair centered on Education.”

She shot him a look. “Did you see anything else besides the Palace of Education and Social Economy?”

“Don’t be absurd, Ellie. Naturally I visited all the excellent Palaces. There was a lot of educational information there.”

She flashed a smile. “And how much time did you spend at The Pike?”

“Where?”

Ellie raised her finger. “Aha! Just as I suspected. You didn’t even go there, did you?”

“No. Only amusements, rides, things I had no interest in.”

She shook her head. “Poor Max.”

“This is a ridiculous conversation.” He cranked the engine and they continued on.

Her whole family had gone to the Fair. They’d spent over ten days there and didn’t see everything. It was an amazing display of culture, inventions, and what the future would hold. As educators, she and Tori loved the Educational Palace, but everyone in her group had a terrific time at The Pike. Belly dancing, a roller coaster, a Parisian Fashion show, displays of wild animals. Acrobats and clowns walked the midway. And the best treat for them all had been an ice cream cone, something none of them had ever had before.

And Max had avoided that part of the Fair. He pulled up a half block from her house. “Why are we stopping here?”

“Do you think I made a good enough impression on your uncle?”

Even in the dark she could see the flush on his face. Max unsure of himself? If he didn’t look so pathetic, she would’ve laughed. “Yes. I think you did fine. I’m sure when the time comes Uncle Jesse will give you serious consideration.”

“By the way, thank you for putting in a good word for me.”

She looked directly into those blue eyes. The butterflies started up again. “I spoke the truth. Although we have our differences, I think you’re doing a great job as principal, and I think you’d make an excellent Superintendent of Schools.”

His shoulders slumped with relief. He tucked a curl behind her ear. “There are times I wish I didn’t have a life plan.”

“Really?” She raised her eyebrows. “When?” she whispered as he moved closer.

“Now.” He bent his head, his kiss slow and thoughtful. All the air left her body. When she slumped, he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. Lights exploded behind her eyelids, and tingles shot from her stomach to her woman’s core.

He cupped her face in his hands, and ran his tongue over her lips, nudging them apart. He explored her mouth, touching, tasting. She moaned at the sensations rippling through her. Almost of their own accord, her hands slid up his chest to wrap around his neck. If this went on much longer, she would surely faint.

She inhaled his bay rum scent, the mint on his breath. When he shifted, his muscles rippled under her hands. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “You’re not in my plan. But God help me, I want you.” She closed her eyes as he kissed her ear, running his tongue around the shell, moving down, kissing the skin on her chin, her neck.

“So soft, so desirable, you’re making me crazy,” he mumbled. His fingers slid into her hair as he massaged her scalp and hairpins went flying in all directions. Once more he assaulted her mouth, his kiss sending new spirals of ecstasy through her. Her clothes felt restricting, her nipples sensitive where they pressed against his shirt.

Finally, he pulled away. They were both panting. He slid back to his place, gripped the steering wheel, and laid his forehead against it. Ellie slumped against the seat, attempting to fill her lungs. Once he brought his breathing under control, he looked at her. “I should apologize, but I can’t. I also can’t let this go any further.” He shook his head and cranked the engine.

Ellie closed her eyes. That was it? He couldn’t let it go further? She inhaled a deep breath. Taking this further appealed quite a bit to her right now. Her vote should count, too.

When they reached her house, she didn’t wait for him to come to a complete stop. Her hand flipped the door handle and she exited. Not looking back, she ran up the steps to the porch. Quickly, she tucked her hair in the collar of her coat and entered the house.

The parlor stood empty. Everyone had retired early. She hung her coat on the hook by the door and walked slowly down the hallway to her room. Ellie Henderson didn’t fit into Max Colbert ‘plans.’ Fine, because he didn’t fit into hers either. It would be good to remember that.

After washing and changing into her nightgown, she braided her hair and climbed into bed. Were she a truly modern woman, she would suggest to Max they keep their life plans and move onto the next step in intimacy anyway. There were ways to prevent pregnancy. She didn’t have to fit into his life’s plans.

She tucked her hands behind her head and stared at the dark ceiling. Her body felt restless, incomplete. No longer did she wonder about the sensations of lovemaking. Would any man make her feel like this with his kisses? Or did Max possess something special?

The next step intrigued her. She could do this, being a modern woman. Then the image of the dinner table tonight flashed before her, with Jesse encouraging Tori to have her pie, loving her with the extra pounds. The way he looked at his children as they ate dinner.

Maybe her life plans could change.

Too bad the man she would change those plans for had plans of his own.

Max sat in his automobile after he’d turned the engine off. He leaned back on the leather seat and tapped his fingertips on the steering wheel. The Superintendent’s job remained in his grasp. He could feel it. Jesse had discussed the job itself at length when they’d met in his office before dinner.

Admittedly, he faltered a bit when Jesse questioned him at the dinner table, and then asked Ellie for her opinion right there in front of him. He’d heard the Senator liked to rattle his candidates. His reputation as a tough lawyer and politician was well-deserved.

Max closed his eyes. Ellie. Never had a woman affected him like that. He seemed to have no control around her. She epitomized everything he would never want in a wife. Not that he had any plans for one, but if he did—Ellie Henderson would be at the bottom of his list. Maybe.

If only he didn’t find her so desirable. When he’d kissed her, their lips fit exactly together, like they were made to connect. Her smell, taste, and feel seemed so right, so perfect. But she was a disaster waiting to happen. He needed to remember that.

Chapter 8

Ellie used her fingernails to scrape away frost on the parlor window so she could watch the street. She expected Max any minute to drive her to the homes on the long list of people getting Christmas Baskets. The air had turned colder overnight. She could see the breath of those who hurried by, collars pulled up, necks tucked in against the cold.

She shivered, running her palms over her upper arms against the chill. Mrs. Beamer kept the front parlor fireplace cold during the day to conserve wood. She only lit the fire right before supper so the women could sit there in the evening. Ellie hurried back to her room and pulled a wool sweater over her dress. The doorbell rang.

“Are you sure you want to do this today? It’s freezing out there.” Max entered the house, rubbing his gloved hands together.

“Yes, I can’t wait any longer. It’s only three days until Christmas.” She reached for her coat, and Max took it from her and helped her into it. Ellie pulled on a hat and wrapped a scarf around her neck. “The baskets are stacked in my bedroom.” She pointed down the hall as she adjusted her gloves.

“How many do we have?” he asked as he grabbed a couple baskets and headed toward the door.

“Seventeen.”

After three trips, the back seat of the Oldsmobile overflowed with holiday cheer. No longer cold after all the work, Ellie unwrapped her scarf and settled into the seat.

“Let me see your list.” Max held his hand out, and studied the paper. “All right, I think we can drive in a complete circle and get them all delivered in a few hours.” He motioned Ellie closer and handed her a pencil.

With their heads together, Max had her place a number alongside each address based on its location. Ellie’s heart sped up again at their nearness. The last few days in school, he’d avoided her, which she’d told herself was for the best. She had her life plan, and he had his. So, okay, maybe she’d re-thought her life plan a little bit. But it didn’t have to include him. Although time spent with Max had been the motivation to take another look at her direction to begin with.

Soon he pulled back, and with everything in order, they started off. They first stopped at Mrs. Olsen, a widow with no children. Her neighbors and church helped out with food and clothing. Mrs. Olsen made doilies and lace tablecloths she sold in the general store for a small amount of money. Ellie had made sure her basket held some treats, which she knew the woman rarely had, and would certainly enjoy.

“I sense you’re enjoying this, but we can’t have tea and cookies at every house we stop at, or we’ll be doing this until midnight.” Max cranked the engine after their second stop at the McNeil’s house.

“Some of the older people need the company as much as the basket.”

After about three hours, they’d made half the stops. Max pulled to the side of the road in front of a barbershop. “I think we could use some lunch. Let’s try that restaurant.” He pointed to a building across the street, advertising sandwiches and coffee on the large glass window.

Ellie peeked her nose out from the blanket she’d wrapped around herself. “That sounds good to me. I’m really cold. I hope they have a fire going.”

Max laughed. “Your nose is bright red.”

“So’s yours,” she countered.

The heat from the blazing pot-bellied stove warmed the entire room. Ellie pulled off her gloves and warmed her hands at the stove while Max secured a table. Soon they were seated close to the stove, enjoying a bowl of beef vegetable soup and fresh bread.

“How is it your aunt Tori is a wonderful cook, and you never picked up on it?” Max grinned at her between mouthfuls of soup.

Ellie grimaced. “I knew you would eventually bring that up. My sister Rachel was the one interested in cooking and baking. In fact, when we first came to Oklahoma, Tori made the baked goods for The Café, and Rachel helped her. I, on the other hand, found climbing trees and wading in the creek for frogs much more appealing.

“And now you climb ladders instead.” He chuckled.

They finished their meal, and Max took care of the check.

“I should pay my portion of the bill,” Ellie said, fumbling in her purse.

Max glared at her. “I would never allow a woman to pay for anything when she accompanies me.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I’m a working woman, and I pay my own way.”

“Not with me.”

They glared at each other for a few moments. “Shall we go?” Max extended his arm. Ellie sailed past him, ignoring his arm, and left the restaurant.

“Here it is, stop.” Ellie glanced from the paper she held, to the front door of a small house.

Max pulled his goggles off and stretched. “I’ve lost track. Whose house is this now?” It had been a long afternoon. He glanced in the back seat. Only one basket left. His stomach clamored for a hearty meal followed by relaxing in the parlor with his newspaper.

“This is the Ridley house.” Ellie chose a small, wrapped parcel from the back and opened the door.

“What about the basket?”

“I’m not leaving a basket here. Mr. Ridley would never accept charity. This is a small gift for Mrs. Ridley. A book I thought John could read to her.” Her chin trembled and her eyes filled as she said the last part.

Max’s insides shifted. For all her bluster, underneath Ellie Henderson remained as soft as a marshmallow. But then, he’d seen her softer side before. One minute she was determined as a donkey, bucking heads with him, and the next minute she made him soften inside. Just like his mother.

They climbed the stairs of the white and blue clapboard house. An overgrown, and dead garden, lay in waste, visible evidence of Mrs. Ridley’s illness. Ellie pressed the doorbell and they waited.

Mr. Ridley answered the door. A medium built man, with thinning hair and a wide middle. His features bore the look of a bully. He wore a pair of denim pants and a red checked flannel shirt. His pudgy fingers snapped his suspenders. “Yeah.”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Ridley. I’m Ellie Henderson, and this is Max Colbert from Logan County High School. We would like to visit with your wife for a moment, if we may.”

“Why?”

Ellie held up the package. “I have a small gift for her.”

“We don’t want none of your charity.” He slammed the door.

Ellie turned to Max, her eyes wide.

Anger shot through him at the man’s rudeness. Now he was doubly glad he’d hadn’t spoken to him about John’s indiscretion. He knocked on the door with this fist.

After a minute, Ridley opened it. “What?” he shouted.

“Mr. Ridley, Miss Henderson has something for your wife, and I would appreciate it very much if you would allow her to visit with Mrs. Ridley for a minute.”

“I said we don’t want your charity. Now git off my porch.” He leaned forward, his head thrust out, hands fisted at his sides.

Max paused for a moment. “This is not charity. This is a prize your son won at school.”

“I thought she said a gift for my wife.” He spit a stream of tobacco from the side of his mouth, and nodded toward Ellie.

“John won this for his excellent work at school, and Miss Henderson thought to wrap it up and present it to your wife.” When Ridley hesitated, Max pressed on. “I’m sure it would make her very happy to know how well John is doing in school.”

The man reached his hand out and snatched the package from Ellie. “I’ll see that she gits it. Now git goin’.” He slammed the door, rattling the doorjamb.