Courting Miss Adelaide (13 page)

Hope she hadn’t realized she held tumbled from its lofty perch. “Well, if you change your mind—”

“I won’t. Good night, Addie.” He turned and walked away in the direction of his house.

Charles had used his sister-in-law as an excuse. Why did he avoid church? Perhaps, God had placed her in his life so she could help him find his way back. If so, how?

Chapter Nine

T
he morning of Decoration Day, most of the shopkeepers in town had locked their doors. Nobleville’s citizens headed first to Riverside Cemetery and then on to Crownland Cemetery to listen to the speeches and honor the country’s fallen heroes. A cool breeze fluttered the flags.

Charles waved at James across the way as he scribbled notes for the paper, and then slipped in beside Addie and Emma. Addie’s welcoming smile dazzled him. On this beautiful, celebratory Monday, he wanted to throw caution to the wind, to pretend he’d have tomorrow with Addie and every day after that. He tucked her gloved hand into the crook of his arm and watched the Union soldiers honor their dead.

Emma tugged at his sleeve. “Who are they?”

“Those men fought in the Civil War,” he said, bending down to speak into her ear. “See their uniforms? They…”

But, Emma’s attention had latched on to a dog that joined the parade. Charles returned his gaze to Addie. In the misty depths of her eyes, he saw an understanding of the sacrifices these men had made for their country, along with the countless thousands on both sides who’d died during that hideous war.

The more he knew Addie, the more he perceived the depth of their connection. As much as he knew Addie deserved a better man, she’d taken residence in his mind. And, could it be, even in his heart? No. He’d only bring her trouble. In the end, he’d draw the joy from her life.

After the last speech, men in faded overalls, women wearing sun-bleached bonnets and children itching to shuck high-top shoes flowed across the street or stopped to chat with friends.

As they strolled toward Addie’s shop, Charles pulled a lollipop from his coat pocket and handed it to Emma. She rewarded him with a huge smile.

Addie whispered in Emma’s ear and the little girl pulled the treat out of her mouth. “Thank you, Mr. Graves,” Emma said, then popped the sucker back in.

Charles smiled. “You’re welcome. Are you enjoying your day out of school?”

“Yes!” The little girl twirled in front of them. “I don’t have to do math or read or
anything.
” Emma said between licks. “And Miss Adelaide’s shop is closed all day.”

“Aren’t you the lucky ladies?”

Emma’s eyes sparkled. “And guess what? Miss Adelaide is going to buy me a doll that gots a china head!”

Addie smiled. “Mr. Hudson offered to open the store.”

“With all the farmers in town, Mr. Nickels decided to keep the feed store open, too. Not sure our veterans would approve.”

“Well, Emma’s glad.” Adelaide smiled down at her. “Every girl needs a special doll.”

“And you want to make sure she has one.”

Addie laid a gentle hand on Emma’s shoulder. “Yes.”

Charles dropped them at the door of the shop “I best get back to the paper,” he said, sorry to see the morning end.

Addie cocked her head at him. He assumed a few well-placed hatpins kept the wide-brimmed straw hat from swaying on her head. “I’m sorry you have to be inside on such a pretty day,” she said.

Wish I could spend it with you.
Instead he said, “Me, too.”

He walked to his office and while Teddy set type, he tackled his editorial, glad to focus on work instead of the lady across the street. As he finished, the door opened.

Charles greeted Roscoe Sullivan, the previous editor of
The Ledger.
Roscoe pulled at the suspenders that held up his pants. “Too bad you’re cooped up on such an afternoon, Mr. Editor.”

Charles grinned and stretched his muscles, glad for the company. “I managed to take in the parade this morning.”

Roscoe removed his straw hat, the band stained with sweat, and dropped into the chair across from him. “I’ve been keeping tabs on the paper.” He tapped a nearby issue. “I like how you’ve used the editorial page to instigate reform, like cleaning up our streets and getting support for building the new school.”

“I appreciate that,” Charles said. “Say, how’s retirement?”

“Not sure I like it much, though I hear the fishing is good up on White River.” Roscoe flipped a wrist, throwing out an imaginary line. “The main reason I came by is to say thanks for seeing that my nephew got those orphans.”

“I didn’t do anything special. The decision was unanimous.”

“Ed’s all the family I’ve got. When little Eddie died, it about killed Carrie and me.” Roscoe shook his head. “Then Frances’s mother commits suicide. Life’s given Frances one too many kicks in the stomach, but she’ll get back on her feet.”

“I think you’re right.” He wished Mrs. Drummond well, but when she recovered, she’d want Emma. The thought cooled his mood faster than a winter dip in the Ohio River.

Roscoe slapped his hat on his head. “Best get a move on.”

The two men walked to the door. As if he’d conjured her up, Adelaide left her shop with Emma chattering alongside, probably on their way to buy Emma’s doll. They saw him in the open doorway and waved. Charles waved back.

“Ed told me Emma’s staying with Miss Crum for now,” Roscoe said. “It appears she’s doing a right good job.”

“Yes, she is.”

“Heard tell you were spending time with the lady. Keeping an eye on Emma, huh?” Roscoe thumped him playfully in the arm. “Unless there’s another reason for your attention?”

Charles opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it. There wasn’t much he could say to stop the talk; protesting only increased the gossip.

“She’s a fine woman,” Roscoe continued. “Always wondered why some swain hadn’t snapped her up. Maybe you’re the one.”

Charles put up his hands. “Not me. I’m too set in my ways.”

“A woman has a way of changing that.” Roscoe chuckled. “Marriage can bring a lot into your life—good cooking, companionship. Not a day goes by I don’t miss my Carrie.” Roscoe’s eyes misted and he made a production out of adjusting his hat, then shoved away from the door. “I’m off.”

Charles cleared the sudden lump in his throat and returned to his desk and the pile of work awaiting him. By the look of things, he’d be here for hours. And at the end of the day, all that would greet him would be some poor excuse for a supper.

For a moment, he tried to imagine what it would be like to have a wife to come home to, welcoming him with a smile, and a home-cooked meal on the table—a table surrounded by the freshly scrubbed faces of their children.

His life had left him cynical about marriage. Apparently, a few—Teddy and Roscoe, if he could believe what they said—had enjoyed domesticity. But without a framework for such a life, Charles could barely imagine it.

At the memory of his boyhood home, tension crept into his shoulders and up his neck muscles. No, having a wife and children gathered around a table didn’t ensure a happy home.

Until he had an idea what did, he had no business picturing a future with Addie. She deserved a better man, a man who could give her happily ever after.

Adelaide detected a tug on her hand, but deep in thought about Charles, she ignored it.

“Look! It’s William.” Emma dropped Adelaide’s hand and ran toward her brother. “William!”

Toting a sack of feed big enough to topple him, the boy’s face broke into a lopsided grin.

Emma huddled close to her brother. “Is Mrs. Drummond better?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

William juggled the sack of feed and shrugged. “I dunno.”

“Oh.” Emma tucked her hands behind her back. “I miss you.”

With the toe of his boot, William rubbed a line in the dirt. “Me, too. Is living in town fun?”

Emma’s head bobbed. “Miss Adelaide’s gonna buy me a doll. See my new hat!” Emma pivoted in front of her brother, sending the ribbons flying, almost losing the bonnet. “Isn’t it pretty?”

“Yep.” William’s gaze drifted from Emma’s hat to Adelaide and the longing in his eyes turned to envy.

Adelaide smiled. “Hello, William.”

He gave a slow smile. She wanted to scoop him up and take him home, but William wasn’t hers and neither was Emma, really.

Ed Drummond, wearing a scowl, came stomping up behind the boy. Adelaide’s heart leapt in her chest.

William didn’t see him. “Thanks for taking care of—”

A rough hand shoved William, almost causing him to drop the feed sack. “I told you to stow that in the wagon. Obey me, boy!”

“Yes, sir.” Head down, William scampered for the wagon.

Adelaide bit her tongue to keep from giving Ed the good lashing he deserved. She didn’t dare antagonize the man who held Emma’s fate in his hands.

Ed climbed onto the seat, never turning around, leaving William to wrestle with the heavy sack alone. Adelaide hurried to the boy’s side and helped him heft the feed onto the back of the wagon. William scrambled up beside it and dragged the sack toward the front when Ed slapped the reins across the horses’ backs. The team jerked forward. Losing his balance, William tumbled to the rear of the open wagon.

Emma shrieked.

“Stop!” Adelaide shouted. William grabbed a wooden slat and managed to keep from falling out. As the horses gathered speed, he pulled himself to a sitting position, and held on.

Adelaide released a shaky breath. Though William hadn’t been hurt, he could have been—and seriously. Ed had treated him more like a slave than a son and hadn’t acknowledged Emma.

Emma returned to Adelaide’s side. “He was mean to William.”

Adelaide laid a hand on her shoulder. “I know.”

Emma’s soft blue eyes glistened with tears. “Why?”

Adelaide watched the wagon disappear around the bend. “I don’t know.”
But I intend to find out.

“I’m glad he didn’t see me.” Emma peered up at Adelaide, her eyes luminous. “Do I have to go back there?”

Adelaide bent down and put her arms around Emma. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe.” She held her until Emma noticed a robin on the walk.

“Wait here a minute,” Adelaide said, then marched into the feed store and almost bumped into the proprietor standing in the shadows of the doorway. He had to have seen Ed’s treatment of the boy. “Excuse me, Mr. Nickels. The man who left here—”

The feed store owner spat a load of tobacco toward a spittoon, hitting the target with ease. “Name’s Ed Drummond.”

“Did you see how he treated the boy?”

“Nope. Been too busy.”

Adelaide only saw one customer inside. She suspected Mr. Nickels of lying and shot him a look she hoped made that clear.

“Mr. Drummond’s a good customer, pays promptly,” he said, his gaze pinning her. Then he picked up a broom and swept out the entrance, ignoring her.

Adelaide left the store, then reached for Emma’s hand and resumed their walk. The way Ed Drummond had talked to Frances that day in the courthouse corridor and his treatment of William now convinced her that the man shouldn’t have a child in his care, never mind two. She would see to it Emma and William were safe. But how?
Lord, send me an answer.

Suddenly she knew what to do. She would go to Charles.

Their shopping finished, Adelaide settled Emma on a bench outside the newspaper office. Her new doll with its open-and-close eyes—a wonder to Emma—would keep her occupied while Adelaide talked to Charles.

Inside the office, Charles’s face broke into a wide grin. He closed the distance between them in a rush, as if…
she
mattered.

When have I ever mattered to any man?

“Addie, this is a pleasant surprise.” He took her hands in his and gave them a squeeze.

Her concern about Ed Drummond fell away, melted into something warm and soft. She struggled to gather her wits about her, to stick with her reason for coming. Pulling her hands from his grasp, she walked to the window to check on Emma. The little girl’s lips moved in a make-believe conversation with her doll.

Adelaide trailed a finger down the glass, then turned to Charles. “I’m concerned about William Grounds’s safety.”

Charles’s brow furrowed. “Why?”

Adelaide took a deep breath, trying to keep anger out of her voice. “I’m alarmed by how Ed treated the boy at the feed store earlier. First, he shoved him, then, while William was stowing a sack in the wagon, Ed drove off, almost causing the boy to tumble out the back.”

Charles rubbed his chin. “Perhaps William is causing trouble and Ed is frustrated. Or isn’t it possible Ed didn’t realize he put the boy in jeopardy?” He smiled. “Not everyone is good with children like you are.”

Emma had rebelled a few times. Perhaps William had, too, but that didn’t warrant a shove. “There’s something else, Charles. Ed completely ignored Emma, like he didn’t even see her.”

“Maybe he didn’t.”

“I don’t see how he couldn’t. He didn’t greet me, either.”

“Bad manners aren’t against the law, Addie.”

Why couldn’t Charles understand something was amiss? “The boy’s afraid of him. I could see it in his eyes.”

“Did you see bruises?”

She sighed. “No.”

“Was William hobbling?”

“No.” She fisted her hands on her hips. “But in my heart, I know Ed Drummond is a cruel man.”

“All right, I’ll run the incident past the committee. See what they make of it.”

Adelaide frowned. “Couldn’t you check with someone else in town? Except for you, everyone on that committee is biased.”

“They merely followed the Children’s Aid Society rules.” He exhaled a burst of air. “I’ll look into it.”

“Thank you.” She laid a hand on his forearm, strong and firm, feeling oddly comforted. “Let me know what you find out.”

He gave her a reassuring smile. “Of course.”

Charles stepped to his desk and sat on the edge. A book clattered to the floor from the teetering pile. While he stooped to retrieve it, Adelaide gathered the pencils scattered on the desk, organizing them in the cup with points down. It wouldn’t do for Charles to get graphite embedded in his palm.