Cousin's Challenge (9 page)

“Becky got sick, so Fern took her home.” Kyle shuffled his feet

a few times. “Jolene took over until Fern got back, but instead of teachin', she asked us to show our pets.”

“So didn't you get to show yours?”

“Huh-uh. Sat in the corner the whole time.”

“That doesn't seem right to me. You took your pony to school to show it to the scholars, and you should have had the right to do so. Think I'll go over to the schoolhouse right now and have a talk with her about this.” Jake moved toward the back of the barn where his truck was parked. He'd get there quicker if he didn't take the time to hitch his horse to a buggy.

Kyle grabbed the sleeve of Jake's jacket. “She ain't there. Left as soon as school was out.”

“Then I'll head over to her house and talk to her.”

“She ain't there, neither. Heard her tell Fern that she was goin' over to see Lonnie Hershberger after school.”

Jake was tempted to head over to Lonnie's and have a talk with Jolene but figured it'd be best if he spoke to her privately. He'd wait an hour and then go over to Jolene's house. He needed to get to the bottom of this before the day was out.

Jolene eased herself onto the sofa and closed her eyes. She'd been fighting a headache most of the day, and by the time she'd left Lonnie's, the headache had gotten worse. She hadn't argued when Mom suggested that she rest awhile before it was time to start supper. Maybe a short nap would soothe her jangled nerves and relieve the headache. She'd been planning to stop by the Beechys' place and talk to Jake about his brother's antics with the pony but had decided it could wait until after supper. Maybe by then, she'd have a better idea of what to say.

Jolene was on the verge of drifting off when Mom entered the room.

“Sorry if I startled you.” Mom's lips moved slowly. “Jake Beechy is on the porch. He says he needs to speak to you right away.”

“That's good, because I need to speak with him, too. Please tell him to come in.” Jolene swung her legs over the side of the sofa and sat up. A few seconds later, Jake entered the room. The frown on his face made Jolene wonder if Kyle had already told him about the pony episode.

“My brother Kyle came home from school pretty upset today,” Jake said before Jolene could open her mouth. “I'd like to know why you assumed he'd intentionally let Elmer's parrot out of its cage.”

Jolene squinted as she rubbed her forehead. “I didn't assume that at all.”

Jake's brows drew together. “Then why'd you punish him for it?”

“I didn't. I—”

“I don't think it was fair that you made him sit in the corner while the others showed their pets.”

Jolene shook her head. “Letting the parrot out of its cage is not why I punished Kyle. I made him sit in the corner after he rode his pony into the schoolhouse.”

Jake's eyes widened. “What?”

“It's true. Kyle went outside, and when he came back in, he was riding his pony.”

A muscle in Jake's face quivered as he lowered himself into the nearest chair. “Kyle never said a word about riding his pony into the schoolhouse. No wonder you made him sit in the corner. Now that I know the truth, I'll make sure he's punished.”

Jolene thought a minute as she formulated her words. “I wonder if Kyle might be taking his frustrations out at school because he's not getting enough attention at home.”

“What makes you think that?”

“The boy seems so angry all the time, and it's gotten worse since your daed's accident.”

Jake thumped the dimple in his chin a few times. “Guess you could be right. Now that Dad can't do any of his chores, Kyle's expected to do more than he normally did. He doesn't have much time for play these days, and whenever anyone says something to Kyle, they're usually asking him to do another chore.”

Jolene was about to comment when Ella stepped into the room. She took one look at Jake and halted. Then she quickly looked at Jolene. “Sorry, I didn't realize you had company.”

“Didn't you see my buggy outside?” Jake asked.

“I did see a buggy, but I didn't know it was yours.” Ella said something else to Jake, but since her head was turned, Jolene couldn't make out what it was. Jake said something then, but his head was turned now, too. Even without hearing what Jake and Ella were saying, Jolene knew by their body language that something unpleasant was going on.

Jake rose from his seat and stood in front of Jolene. “I'll be heading for home now, but you can rest easy—my brother won't be riding his pony into the schoolhouse ever again.” He glanced at Ella and hurried from the room.

“What was going on between you and Jake?” Jolene asked Ella after the door had closed behind Jake.

Ella's face flamed. “That man makes me so mad!”

“Did he say something to upset you?”

Ella flopped onto the sofa beside Jolene and said something, but her head was turned toward the window.

Jolene tapped Ella's arm. “I can't understand what you're saying unless you look at me.”

Ella turned toward Jolene. “Sorry. You speak so well that I keep forgetting you can't hear what I'm saying.”

Jolene smiled, appreciating the compliment. “Since I can't hear, I never know if I'm speaking clear enough or at the correct volume. Sometimes I find it hard to concentrate on reading lips, too.”

“I imagine it would be hard.”

“It's really a lot easier for me if someone signs.”

“I suppose it would be, but signing seems difficult to me.”

“It's not that hard to learn. There are four of us in this community now who can't hear, so for the benefit of us all, I'm hoping more people will learn how to sign.”

“I'd like to learn.” Ella smiled. “Can I be one of your first adult students?”

“Actually, I've already begun teaching Mom, Dad, and Andrew. And starting tomorrow, I'll be giving Lonnie lessons after school's out for the day. If you'd like to come to the schoolhouse, you can have your first lesson with him.”

“Won't that make it harder, having two of us to teach at the same time?”

“Not really. Lonnie seemed a little nervous about learning to sign, so maybe having someone else in the room who wants to learn will help put his mind at ease.”

“I guess we could give it a try. If Lonnie seems uneasy with me being there, maybe we can figure out some other time for you to teach me.”

“That'll be fine.” Jolene touched Ella's arm. “Getting back to Jake—did he say something to upset you?”

Ella frowned. “Said he was surprised I wasn't married and raising a family by now.”

“Why would that upset you?”

“I think he was trying to rub it in that I'm still an old maid.”

“You're not an old maid.”

“Jah, I am. I'm twenty-four years old and don't even have a boyfriend.”

“I don't have one either, and I'm more of an old maid than you are because I'll probably never get married.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Think about it, Ella. What man would want to marry a woman who can't hear what he says to her?” Jolene massaged her forehead. “Even if I were to marry, I'm afraid of becoming a
mudder.
”

“How come?”

“What if one of my kinner were to hurt himself and cry for help? Unless I was in the same room and saw it happen, I'd never know that he'd been injured.”

“Lots of deaf people marry and have kinner,” Ella said. “I'm sure they have ways of learning to cope.”

“Maybe so, but it wouldn't be the same as if I could hear.” The throbbing in Jolene's head increased. “It doesn't really matter, because I'm happy teaching my students. I don't need to get married and have kinner of my own.”

“Me neither. I've learned to accept the fact that I'm destined to be an old maid.”

“Wouldn't you like to meet a man and fall in love?”

Ella shrugged. “Maybe, but I don't know who it'd be.”

“What about Lonnie or Jake? They're both single and nice looking.”

“In case you've forgotten what I told you the other day, Lonnie has a girlfriend in Illinois.” Ella wrinkled her nose. “And I'd never consider Jake as a boyfriend.”

“Why not?”

“Besides the fact that Jake will no doubt head back to Montana as soon as his daed's on his feet, he can't be trusted to keep his word about anything!”

“Are you referring to something in particular?”

“Sure am. When he and Loraine were going out, he made all kinds of promises about them having a future together, but then he ran off to Montana and didn't bother to keep in touch.”

“That's in the past, Ella. Loraine's been over Jake for a long time, and she's happily married to Wayne.”

“But Jake lied to Loraine. He let her believe that he loved her and was coming back.”

“Jake wasn't much more than a teenager when he went to Montana the first time, and what he did then doesn't mean he can't be trusted now.”

“It's not the only time Jake has lied. He lied to—” Ella's cheeks turned pink and she abruptly stopped talking.

“What were you going to say?” Jolene asked. “Who'd Jake lie to?”

Ella shrugged. “It doesn't matter. The point is, Jake's not the right man for me.”

“I'm sure the right man will come along when the time is right.” Jolene yawned, struggling to keep her eyes open.

“I'd better go and let you rest. When I first arrived, your mamm said you had a headache and had come in here to lie down.” Ella patted Jolene's arm in a motherly fashion.

Jolene smiled with gratitude. She really did need to rest, as the throbbing in her head had gotten worse. “I'll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

Ella nodded and hurried out the door.

By the time Jake got home from Jolene's, he'd worked himself up pretty good. He had half a notion to find Kyle, haul him out to the woodshed, and give him a spanking for saying that Jolene had punished him for letting the parrot out. “He should have told me the truth about riding the pony into the schoolhouse,” Jake mumbled as he led his horse to the barn.

Even after Jake had put the horse in its stall and brushed him down thoroughly, he was still fuming. He didn't want to deal with Kyle but knew someone had to. Dad wasn't up to it, and Mom had enough on her plate, trying to keep up with household chores and caring for Dad and the children.

Jake fed his horse some oats, left the barn, and walked slowly to the house, knowing he needed to calm down before he spoke to Kyle. He found Mom in the kitchen, peeling potatoes in front of the sink.

“Where's Kyle?” he asked. “I need to speak to that boy!”

“He's in the living room, doing his homework.”

Jake started in that direction but halted when Mom called, “What's going on? You look
umgerennt.
Has Kyle done something wrong?”

Jake turned to face his mother. “I
am
upset, and I'll tell you why as soon as I've spoken to Kyle.” He hurried from the room.

Jake discovered Kyle sprawled out on the sofa, reading a book. “I thought you were supposed to be doing your homework. At least That's what Mom thinks you're doing.”

Kyle rolled over on his side and glared at Jake. “For your information, I'm finished with it.”

“Then you ought to be outside doing your chores.”

“I'll do'em after supper.”

Jake marched across the room and halted in front of the sofa. “Sit up. I want to talk to you.”

Kyle made no move to get up.

Jake nudged Kyle's leg. “Sit up and move over so I can sit down.”

Kyle grunted and pulled himself to a sitting position.

Jake took a seat beside him and cleared his throat.

“What's wrong? Have ya got somethin' stuck in your throat?”

Jake squinted at Kyle. “I just talked to Jolene, and I want to know why you lied to me about the reason you were punished at school today.”

Kyle's cheeks flamed, and he dropped his gaze to the floor.

“Answer me, Kyle. Why didn't you tell me that you'd ridden your pony into the schoolhouse?”

Kyle shrugged. “Figured you'd blab it to Mom, and then I'd be in trouble with her.”

“I can't speak for our mamm, but you're in big trouble with me! Not only for pulling such a crazy stunt with the pony, but for lying about the reason you were punished.” Jake grimaced. “Not to mention making me look like a fool for accusing Jolene of wrongly punishing you.” He rose to his feet. “Come with me to the barn. I've got some extra chores for you to do.”

“I don't have to do what you say!” Kyle's face darkened. “You ain't my daed!”

“That's true, but Dad's not in any shape to be doling out punishment right now, so I'm filling in for him until he's back on his feet.” Jake motioned to the door. “Now get on out to the barn and be quick about it!”

Kyle sat with his arms folded.

Jake was out of patience. If this was what it was like to be a father, then he was in no hurry to settle down and get married. “You'd better do as I say, little brother!”

“You ain't my boss.”

“I am until Dad's better, so get off that sofa and get out to the barn!” Jake's hand shook as he pointed to the door. No wonder Jolene had put Kyle in the corner. She should have kept him after school and given him a bunch of chores to do at the schoolhouse.

Just then, Dad rolled into the room in his wheelchair. The top of his nearly gray hair stood on end, and his clothes were wrinkled, like he'd just woken up. “What's all the yelling about?” Dad's eyes narrowed as he stared at Jake.

Jake debated whether he should tell Dad about Kyle's antics at school. He didn't want to upset him, but he guessed Dad had the right to know what had gone on. He quickly related the whole thing and ended it by saying, “I think Kyle needs to be punished, so I'm sending him out to the barn to do some extra chores.”

“It's your mamm's and my place to punish our kinner, not yours,” Dad said gruffly. “You need to stay out of things that are none of your business.”

Jake's fingers curled into the palms of his hands until his nails dug into his flesh. “Everything around here's my business these days.”

Dad leveled him with a look that have could have stopped a runaway horse. “What's that supposed to mean?”

Jake sighed deeply. “As soon as I heard that you'd been hurt, I left my job in Montana to come back here and take over shoeing horses for you, not to mention doing all the chores you used to do around here.” He pointed to Kyle, who still sat slumped on the sofa. “I think that gives me the right to dole out punishment to my contrary little brother whenever it's needed, don't you?”

“No, I don't! And as far as you leavin' Montana to come here, I'm sure that you're only here out of obligation.” Dad glanced down at the casts on his legs. “If I was a bettin' man, I'd bet that as soon as I'm able to work again, you'll trot right on back to Montana to play cowboy with a bunch of wild horses!”