Love Inspired Historical November 2014 (11 page)

Mr. Parker then extended his hand to Simon. “Hello. I'm Mitch Parker. I believe you've already met my wife, Ivy. And this is Miss Janell Whitman.”

Simon acknowledged the introductions and then Mr. Parker spoke again. “Miss Whitman and I are the schoolteachers here in Turnabout. We wanted to let you know the children are welcome to attend school while you're here in town.”

Simon immediately liked the idea. It would be good for the children to be around others their age on a regular basis, and it would also give them something besides their uncertain futures to focus on. Not to mention that it would give Mrs. Pierce a break from having them underfoot.

“Thank you. If it turns out we have to make an extended stay here, I might take you up on that offer.”

“Just let us know when you're ready,” Miss Whitman added. “Do you know what sort of education they've had up to this point?”

“I believe Miss Fredrick taught them herself.”

“Well, we can certainly work with them to see how far she's gotten with them. Are any of them eleven or older?”

“Fern is thirteen and Russell is eleven.”

“Then they'll go into my class,” Mitch said. “The rest, at least those six years old and older, will join Miss Whitman's class.”

That would leave just Molly and Joey at home during the day. Surely that would make things easier on Mrs. Pierce. And, he had to admit, himself, as well.

Before the trio excused themselves, Mrs. Parker turned to Mrs. Pierce. “I know you have a full house, but I hope you don't mind if we make our usual visit with Nana Dovie this afternoon. I promise we'll stay out of the way.”

Mrs. Pierce's demeanor thawed the tiniest bit. “Of course. Dovie will be expecting you.”

“Thank you. Then we'll be by at the regular time.”

As they moved away, Eileen spoke up. “Ivy is Dovie's foster daughter. She and her husband normally visit with her on Sunday afternoons.”

Glad of the explanation, Simon nodded. Then he spotted Mrs. Leggett and Mrs. Pratt and excused himself to speak to them. “Is there any news?”

“My husband is sitting with her now,” Mrs. Pratt said. “But I'm afraid there's been very little change.” She glanced toward the children across the way. “Poor little dears—they're having a hard time of it, I imagine.”

He thanked her for her concern, then smiled at the two women. “Whatever happens, I want you to know that I absolutely believe the doctor is doing everything he can. And that I appreciate all the care the three of you are giving her.”

Mrs. Pratt patted his arm. “You're a good man, Mr. Tucker. The children are lucky to have you looking out for them.”

Simon wished he felt as confident of that as she seemed to be.

He turned to find Mrs. Pierce standing apart from the others, a remote expression on her face, an expression that seemed aimed at no one in particular and everyone here at the same time.

It was eerie to witness, and more than anything else it made him wonder why she found it necessary to shield herself that way. Who or what in her past had done that to her?

Chapter Thirteen

W
hen they returned to the house, Dovie had the table set and the food warmed up.

As they ate their meal, Eileen again did her best to keep a pleasant conversation going. But it was difficult when she felt herself being scrutinized by Mr. Tucker. It had started in the churchyard, his studying her as if he was trying to discover her secrets. And that was something she absolutely would not allow.

Mr. Tucker cleared his throat, and for a moment she thought he was going to address her. But instead he looked around at the children.

“I met Turnabout's schoolteachers today,” he announced.

The children all paused and stared at him questioningly.

“They were kind enough to invite you all to attend school while you're here.”

“What did you tell them?” Harry asked. “Are we really going to school here?”

“I told him I'd consider it. If we end up staying for any length of time, though, I think it would be a good idea.”

“Then there's no point in sending us there,” Fern said firmly. “Gee-Gee is going to get better soon and we'll be on our way to Hatcherville again.”

Eileen saw the small tic of emotion in Simon's face and decided to speak up and shift the focus off him. “I'm certain Miss Fredrick would agree that it's important for you to keep up with your studies.”

“You don't know her,” Fern said, “so you don't really know how she'd feel about it.”

Simon gave her a lowered-brow look. “Mind your manners, young lady.”

Fern leaned back sullenly and stared down at her plate.

“There are a lot of good reasons to enroll you,” he said to the group at large. “As Mrs. Pierce pointed out, you need to keep up with your studies. It will also give you an opportunity to meet new friends.”

“But we're just going to leave Turnabout eventually,” Russell said. “So what good is it to make friends here?”

“Making friends is never a waste of time,” Dovie said quietly.

“But—”

Simon raised a hand. “As I said, I haven't made a decision yet, but when the time comes, the decision will be mine to make and I expect you to abide by it. Is that understood?”

There was a chorus of “yes sirs” from the children, some less enthusiastic than others.

All in all, Eileen was impressed with the way Mr. Tucker had handled the situation. He'd certainly shown that he was able to use a firm hand with them when it was called for.

* * *

Simon pushed his chair back from the table. He'd eaten a bigger slice of pie than he should have but that apple and pecan filling under the golden crust had been too good to pass up.

Before he could stand, though, the door chimes sounded.

Mrs. Pierce looked up with a frown. “Now whoever could that be? It's too early for Ivy and Mitch to arrive.” She stood and moved to the front hall.

While she was gone, the rest of them began clearing the table. When she returned a few moments later her gaze went right to him. Something in her expression alerted him that something wasn't quite right.

“Mr. Tucker, may I speak to you for a moment?”

“Of course.”

He saw a look pass between her and Dovie, and immediately Dovie got the children busy with kitchen duty.

With a slight nod of her head, the widow indicated he should follow her into the hall.

“What is it?” he asked as soon as they were out of earshot of the children.

“Dr. Pratt is here to speak to you. He is waiting in the parlor.”

There was only one reason the doctor would have come to him this afternoon. Simon steeled himself for the worst. Mrs. Pierce watched him, her expression impassive, but he thought he detected a note of sympathy lurking in her eyes. She either knew the reason for the doctor's visit or suspected the same thing he did.

Impulsively he touched her arm. “Would you mind joining us for this conversation?” He wasn't really sure why he'd asked her that, and from the momentary flicker of surprise in her eyes, she wasn't either, so he added quickly, “Whatever the news, it will likely affect our stay here, so you may want to hear what he has to say firsthand.”

She nodded, her expression impassive once more. “Of course.” Then she turned and led the way to the parlor.

When Simon entered the room, Dr. Pratt was standing, his coat over one arm and his hat on a chair beside him, as if he wasn't planning to stay long.

The physician stepped forward and shook Simon's hand, then wasted no further time in getting to the point. “Mr. Tucker, I'm afraid it's my sad duty to inform you that Miss Fredrick passed away a short time ago.”

Simon raked his hand through his hair. He thought he'd prepared himself for this news but it hit hard just the same. While he hadn't known her long, Miss Fredrick had been a truly good woman whom he'd come to admire and respect. Even more so now that he'd had charge of the children for just a few days.

As for the children themselves, not only had they known her longer, but the woman had been a mother to them. How was he going to tell them they'd lost her? And what sort of reassurances could he offer them about their future?

They still had the house in Hatcherville, of course, and he could escort them the remainder of the way as planned. But then what?

“What sort of arrangements do you want to make for her remains?”

Simon hadn't even thought that far. “I'll contact her brother right away to see what his wishes are.” Would Wilbur Fredrick regret that he hadn't tried to get here sooner?

Dr. Pratt nodded. “In the meantime I'll contact Mr. Drummond, the undertaker, on your behalf.”

Mrs. Pierce turned to him and cleared her throat delicately. “If you like, I can go through her bags to find a suitable garment to send to Mr. Drummond for her to be laid out in.”

He was both surprised and touched by her offer. It was something he wouldn't have even thought about doing. “Yes, thank you.” He turned back to Dr. Pratt. “If you'll excuse me, I need to figure out how to break the news to the children.”

“Of course, I'll leave you to it. Again, you have my deepest sympathies. And know that Mrs. Pratt and I will keep you and the children in our prayers through the coming days.” He slipped his arms into his jacket and picked up his hat. “Don't worry about showing me out. I know the way.” And with that, he left the room.

When they were alone, Mrs. Pierce eyed him with obvious concern. “Are you all right?”

He was touched by her concern. Having her here made him feel less alone, more able to deal with what was to come. “I'm still trying to get my bearings,” he admitted. Then he tried for a bit of levity. “Are you going to say ‘I told you so'?”

She gave a faint smile. “I wouldn't do that. Especially at a time like this.”

He turned serious again, rubbing the back of his neck. “Do you have any suggestions for how to break the news to the children?”

“There's nothing that will soften this news, so I believe the straightforward approach would be best. The important thing is to be ready to answer their questions—both those they ask and those they don't.”

She gave him a sympathetic look. “And there will undoubtedly be tears.”

He cringed. He'd much prefer dealing with outbursts than with tears.

“Remember, other than Molly and Joey, they've all been through this once before.”

“I know.” And for his niece and nephew it had been barely three months.

He straightened his shoulders. “I'd best go ahead and get this over with.”

She gave him a look he could almost believe was approval. “Would you like to do this alone?”

“No,” he said without hesitation. “In fact I'd very much like for you to be there.”

* * *

Eileen stood in the doorway of the parlor, watching as the children filed in and arranged themselves on the available seating. Dovie was there, as well. Mr. Tucker, who'd called them together, remained standing, his expression solemn. She didn't envy him his upcoming task.

She found it edifying, however, that he'd wanted her there, both when facing Dr. Pratt and now. Was it just for moral support? Or had he wanted her beside him for another reason?

But she would ponder that another time. Right now the important thing was helping the children deal with the news they were about to hear.

Fern pulled Molly up on her lap and had Joey sit close beside her. From the expression on the older girl's face, Eileen could see she had a good idea what was coming. The rest of the children sat willy-nilly on the sofa and chairs. Some even sat cross-legged on the floor.

When they were finally all settled, Mr. Tucker took a deep breath, and she could almost feel him gather his strength to speak. She had to anchor her feet to the floor to keep from crossing the room and lending him the support of her presence. She would have to settle for helping him deal with the aftermath.

“The visitor who came by a little while ago was Dr. Pratt,” he began without preamble. “He had some sad news to deliver. I'm afraid Miss Fredrick has passed away.”

Emotions zinged around the room like beads from a broken strand. Confusion, denial, grief, anger, fear—she felt the plunk of them all against her skin.

“Does this mean we won't see Gee-Gee anymore?” Joey asked.

“I'm afraid so.”

Audrey ran up and latched onto him, her lip quivering. “But, Uncle Simon, we've all been praying so hard.”

He placed a hand on her head, his expression twisting a moment before he spoke. “I know you have, sweet pea, but it was time for her to go home to heaven.”

As if they'd been waiting for a signal, several of the other children swarmed around him. It was as if they were drawing on his strength to give them comfort.

But whose strength could he draw on?

Seeming to read her thoughts, he cast a quick glance her way. Then, with an inhaled breath and crooked smile, he turned back to the children.

Eileen noticed that Fern hadn't moved from the sofa, but there was a new tautness about her, as if she were trying to hold every bit of emotion tightly inside herself.

“You should have let us visit her.” Fern's voice was tight with accusation. “We could have at least said goodbye.”

“I'm sorry, Fern. But she never woke up. She wouldn't have known you were there.”

“But
I
would have known.”

The words were low—almost whispered—and for just a moment Eileen could see the hurting child inside her.

Then Fern straightened, and the hard shell was back in place. “What happens to us now?”

Mr. Tucker faced her over the heads of the other children. Did Fern see his sympathy as clearly as she did?

“The house in Hatcherville is still there waiting for you all,” he said. “And don't worry, no one is going to split you kids up—I won't let them. We'll find someone very nice and loving to take care of you.”

“There isn't anyone else as nice as Miss Fredrick.” This comment came from Lily.

“Perhaps not, but we'll do our best.”

“But what if you can't find anyone?” asked Joey.

“I will,” he said firmly. “I promise you—” he glanced around the room “—
all
of you, that I will find someone who will not only love you but whom you can learn to love, as well.”

Eileen was surprised by the promise. She had no doubt he meant it. But did he know what he'd just committed himself to?

“For now,” he continued, “a very nice lady named Mrs. Leggett has agreed to travel with us to Hatcherville and stay in the house with you until we find that special someone to care for you permanently.”

The children didn't seem entirely reassured by that news. Eileen could understand that, given all they'd been through. In fact, she would like to know more about this Mrs. Leggett herself. Would the woman understand these children and care for them as—

“Can't we just stay
here?
” Molly asked.

Eileen froze, unsure how to respond to that. For a fleeting moment she wondered how it would be to—

“No, Molly, this isn't our home.” Simon's words and firm tone brought Eileen back to her senses.

Of course they couldn't stay here permanently. What had she been thinking?

“But there's plenty of room,” Molly insisted. “And Nana Dovie and Mrs. Pierce like us.” She turned to face them, her expression reflecting a sudden doubt. “Don't you?”

Dovie gave her a broad, reassuring smile. “Of course we do.”

Eileen chose her words carefully. “I do indeed like you, Molly. But there is another house waiting for you, the house your Gee-Gee purchased especially for you. And of course you must do as your uncle Simon says, because he only wants what is best for you.”

And staying here under her roof was obviously not what anyone would consider best for them.

Including her.

* * *

As the children headed upstairs for their afternoon quiet time, Simon reflected that for once he was glad Mrs. Pierce had set up routines for them to follow. In fact, he could use some quiet time of his own right now.

Unfortunately there was still a lot to be done.

He stepped out onto the front porch, feeling the need for fresh air and open spaces.

“So what will you do now?”

He looked over his shoulder, surprised to see Mrs. Pierce standing in the doorway. He hadn't even heard the door open. Was that sympathy in her expression?

He turned back around to study the live oak that shaded one side of her front lawn. “After the funeral I'll go on to Hatcherville with the children.” The enormity of that was still sinking in. “Hopefully Mrs. Leggett is still willing to accompany me to help with the children while I look for a permanent housekeeper and caretaker for the children.”

She joined him at the rail without saying anything.