Stealing Jake (13 page)

“Of course.” Miss MacKinnion looked down her nose, her hawkish expression and somber manner giving her the appearance of a vulture.

Mrs. Johansen moved forward, her tall, sparse form a slightly older version of her sister’s. “I’ll tell you what happened. Those two little hoodlums attacked my Billy today. They aren’t fit to associate with decent children.”

Livy went on the defensive, hackles rising. “Georgie and Seth are not hoodlums, ma’am, and I’m sure they didn’t attack anyone.”

The color in Mrs. Benson’s plump cheeks rose. “Now, Martha, don’t you think
attacked
is too harsh a word to use?”

Mrs. Johansen shot her friend a sharp glance. “No, I don’t. That’s exactly what happened.”

Hogwash.

Five or six years older than Seth, Billy could pound the smaller boy into the ground if he wanted to. He’d make two of Seth any day. Mrs. Johansen had an ax to grind, but for the life of her, Livy couldn’t figure out what the woman was after. “I can’t imagine a five-year-old and an eight-year-old getting the best of Billy.”

“That’s neither here nor there, Miss O’Brien. The fact remains that they bloodied his nose and that littlest one, what’s his name? George? He bit Billy!”

Georgie wouldn’t have latched his teeth onto the older boy without a good reason. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Johansen, I’ll see what I can do to keep Georgie from biting Billy in the future.”

Mrs. Johansen crossed her arms at her waist. “Well, it shouldn’t be too hard seeing as he won’t be attending school in the foreseeable future.”

Livy stiffened, her gaze riveted on Miss MacKinnion. “I beg your pardon?”

Miss MacKinnion plucked a piece of paper from her desk and held it out. “Under the circumstances, Miss O’Brien, I’ve taken the liberty of suspending both Georgie and Seth from school for the rest of the term.”

“You can’t do that.”

“I can and I will.” The teacher’s tone brooked no argument.

Livy glared at the teacher, who gave her a tight smile that smacked of triumph. Mrs. Johansen gloated while Mrs. Benson looked on, eyes as big as a lump of coal.

Miss MacKinnion edged closer. “We don’t want you and your kind here, Miss O’Brien.”

Livy’s gut twisted. So that’s what this was all about. They felt threatened by the orphanage, as if those defenseless children could do them any harm. Livy tried to think what would be best for the children, for Mrs. Brooks. Bewildered, she stood there. She’d never faced an adversary like this. If the woman hit or threatened her, she could show her a thing or two that would make Billy’s bloody nose seem like a scratch. But this verbal assault out of nowhere took her completely off guard.

“Those orphans aren’t fit to associate with our children. And that Mary, batting her eyes at the boys. Why, it’s a crying shame the way she carries on!” Miss MacKinnion exchanged a glance with her sister, then slid her gaze back to rake over Livy. “I do wonder where she gets it from.”

Livy clenched her fists in the folds of her skirt and stepped forward, crowding the teacher. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but Mary’s one of the sweetest, most pure girls I know, and I won’t have you casting slurs on her.”

She lowered her voice to a harsh whisper, contrasting the pounding of her heart. “And if I hear one word about her character from anyone else in this town, I’ll know
exactly
where it started.”

Miss MacKinnion’s eyes widened before she regained her haughty composure. “Are you threatening me, Miss O’Brien?”

Livy plucked the suspension slip from the teacher’s fingers. “Only so far as you’ve threatened me, Miss MacKinnion.”

* * *

Livy stomped into the kitchen, resisting the urge to slam the door behind her.

Mrs. Brooks and Mary stood in the center of the room, the older woman’s arms wrapped around the girl. As soon as Mary saw Livy, fresh tears tracked the girl’s cheeks. “It’s all my fault, Livy. I’m sorry.”

Livy’s heart sank. Surely Miss MacKinnion hadn’t been right about Mary. Not dear, sweet Mary. Livy smoothed the girl’s hair back from her forehead. “Mary, I want you to tell me what happened.”

“Billy asked me to walk with him, but I told him no, and he got mad.” Mary sniffed, a tinge of red creeping into her cheeks. “He called me some names, and Seth and Georgie heard him.” Her tear-filled eyes met Livy’s. “I tried to stop them, but they wouldn’t listen. Before I knew it, Billy, Seth, and Georgie were fighting. Billy’s a big old bully!”

So Livy had been right to assume there was more to the story. Billy didn’t look like the type to let two little kids get the best of him. “Shh, it’s all right, Mary. You didn’t do anything wrong. And the boys were just trying to defend your honor. That was mighty sweet of them, don’t you think?”

Mary sniffed one last time and smiled. “For a little squirt, Georgie fights like a wildcat.”

“I imagine he’s been forced to. Now, go get cleaned up. Supper’ll be ready in no time.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Mrs. Brooks turned to stir the brown gravy on the stove. “Well, I’m glad that’s all cleared up. The poor girl has been beside herself with worry.”

Livy fingered the note in her pocket from Miss MacKinnion. “I’m afraid it’s not that easily cleared up.”

* * *

Jake ducked into the back of the jail the moment he saw Lavinia’s sparse frame sweeping toward the door, a basket under one arm. “Tell her I’m not here.”

“Tell her yourself.” Sheriff Carter leaned back in his chair, a grin on his face.

“Good morning, Sheriff. Is Jake here?”

“He sure is.” Sheriff Carter laughed, and Jake wanted to strangle the man. “Jake, get out here. Miss Lavinia’s here to see you.”

With no way out of the situation, Jake sauntered into the office, feeling foolish for trying to avoid her in the first place. “Morning, Lavinia.”

Lavinia pulled a cake out of her basket. “Jake, I brought you a brown sugar cake since you missed Sunday dinner.”

“You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble, but we appreciate it, don’t we, Sheriff Carter?” Lavinia was a passable cook, but he didn’t want to encourage her. Including the sheriff just might get him off the hook.

“We sure do, Miss Lavinia.” Sheriff Carter bent down and sniffed the cake. “Hmm-mmm. That sure does smell good. Thank you kindly, ma’am.”

“You’re welcome.” Her gaze swung between the two of them, then settled on Jake like a hawk eyeing its prey. “I’d better run. I’ll drop by later and pick up the plate.”

She left, closing the door with a firm click.

“That woman’s sweet on you.”

Jake cringed and tossed an out-of-date wanted poster into the potbellied stove.

“That’s why she turned those orphans out of school. And the fact that Billy’s her nephew and her sister ain’t got the sense God gave a goat is beside the point.”

If Sheriff Carter didn’t shut his trap, he’d have the whole town convinced Lavinia MacKinnion wanted to marry Jake. Jake shuddered. He’d gone to school with her, and no way on God’s green earth would he be saddled with that woman. Half the time she looked like a mule eating persimmons. She wasn’t plain-out unattractive, but the way she acted made her seem that way.

“I’m telling you, she wants to get her hooks into you like nobody’s business. She’s got her eye on your farm, especially since Johansen’s land butts up against yours. That would make her and Martha neighbors, and nothing would suit her better.”

Jake groaned. Bad enough he knew Lavinia’s intentions, but for Sheriff Carter to put into words what Jake had only suspected turned his stomach, souring the coffee he’d been choking down all morning.

“What I can’t figure out is why she became a schoolteacher.” Sheriff Carter grabbed a mop and a bucket and headed to the jail cells. “She don’t even like young’uns, near’s I can tell.”

Jake wadded another poster and tossed it into the stove. “I’m sure she enjoys teaching a lot better than you realize, Sheriff. She’s been at it three years now.”

“Well, it’s still a mystery to me.”

The door opened, and a blast of cold air swept into the room. Mrs. Brooks, bundled head to foot in scarves and a woolen cloak, hurried in. Snow flurries followed in her wake.

“Morning, ma’am.”

“Good morning, Deputy.”

“Call me Jake.” He pulled up a chair for her. “Would you like a seat?”

“Thank you.”

Sheriff Carter bumbled out of the back, a once-white apron tied around his waist. His eyes widened. “Mrs. Brooks. I didn’t know you were here.”

“I just arrived.”

The sheriff turned red as a beet, then made an about-face, retreating. Jake frowned in the man’s direction, hoping he didn’t have another weak spell coming on. He glanced at Mrs. Brooks. “Uh, ma’am, would you like some coffee?”

“No thank you. I’m here to see Sheriff Carter. I’ll wait.” She sat ramrod straight, her gloves clasped in her ample lap, looking like she didn’t have a care in the world.

Sheriff Carter returned, minus the apron and looking more composed than moments before. “Mrs. Brooks. What can I do for you?”

She held up a slip of paper. “Miss MacKinnion has suspended Georgie and Seth for fighting and suspended the rest of the children ‘by association.’ My boys didn’t do anything but defend Mary’s good name, and I demand they
all
be allowed back in school.”

Sheriff Carter rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Brooks. I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do.”

“You are on the school board, aren’t you?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Jake lifted his coffee cup to hide the grin spreading across his face. The woman had the sheriff dancing faster than a drunk outlaw with a six-shooter full of bullets.

“Then I suggest the school board have a meeting and resolve this immediately, or I’ll be forced to take drastic measures.”

“Drastic measures, ma’am?”

“If the board doesn’t reinstate the children’s rights to attend school, I’ll bring them here to the jail for instruction every day. If they’re unfit for public school, maybe tutelage at the hand of the law will teach them some manners.”

The color drained from Sheriff Carter’s face. “Ma’am, you can’t do that.”

“I can and I will.” Mrs. Brooks stood and looked him right in the eye. “I’ll expect a verdict from the school board by the end of the week.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Brooks, but that’s impossible. Two of the five board members live out of town, and with the snow and all, there’s no way we can set up a meeting that quickly. As soon as the snow melts . . .”

“Very well, then. I’m willing to wait a few more days under the circumstances.” She nodded at Jake. “Good day, gentlemen.”

Mrs. Brooks swept out of the office as fast as her girth would allow.

Sheriff Carter sank into the chair behind his desk, his gaze glued to the door.

Jake picked up his whittling knife. “Do you think she means it?”

“Oh, she means it all right.”

Chapter Ten

“Of course I didn’t mean it.”

Livy breathed a sigh. She’d worried over nothing.

Mrs. Brooks bustled about the kitchen, her movements quick and efficient. Livy finished cutting the potatoes, scooped them up, and dumped them in the soup pot. Next she gathered the fixings for two pans of corn bread. The aroma of vegetable soup filled the kitchen, making her mouth water.

“Unless he doesn’t get the children admitted back in school.”

Livy gasped. The older woman’s eyes twinkled, and she shrugged her shoulders. “Well, the threat worked. Let’s hope the board can get something done. That woman doesn’t have the right to turn our children out of school. Her nephew should be punished if anyone should.”

“You and I know that, but since we’re new in town, I imagine folks won’t believe us over Mrs. Johansen.” She reached for the empty coal bucket. “Be right back.”

Mrs. Brooks eyed the pail. “The coal bin was almost empty last night. We’ll have to see Mr. McIver about buying some on credit.”

Livy’s gaze met the older woman’s. “Unless our guardian angel fills it up again.”

“I wish I knew who’s been providing us with coal. I’ve been so grateful, but I don’t like not being able to thank someone for their kindness.”

“Maybe they have a good reason for not wanting us to know.”

“Maybe so.”

Livy trudged outside to the small porch and grabbed the shovel. When she opened the lid, a full load of coal lay nestled inside.
Thank You, Lord, and bless the generous person who sees to our needs.

Shivering in the bitter cold, Livy hurried to fill the container. Before she could head back inside, a sound came from around the corner of the house.

Then whispers. And giggles.

Livy frowned. Seth and Georgie were up to something. Again. She set the bucket down and hurried to the edge of the porch. Leaning over the railing, she caught a glimpse of the two boys huddled against the side of the house. “Seth, what are you doing?”

Seth’s wide-eyed stare met hers. Georgie’s eyes grew round. Seth cradled something inside his coat. Livy crossed her arms. “Seth? What have you got there?”

“Please, Miss Livy, can we keep her? Please? She’s cold and hungry.”

“Please,” Georgie echoed.

“Keep who?”

Seth tugged the flap of his coat back, and out popped the bewhiskered face of a scrawny cat.

“Seth—”

“She won’t eat much, Miss Livy. I’ll share my biscuit with her. Pleeeaaasse.”

“Pleeeaaasse.”

Livy sighed. “I don’t know, boys. You’ll have to ask Mrs. Brooks. But come on, let’s go in. It’s too cold to stand out here talking about it.”

She moved aside, and the boys filed past her. She picked up the bucket and hustled them inside, smiling as they immediately begged Mrs. Brooks to let them keep the cat. Livy didn’t doubt the outcome as soon as she saw the woman’s face.

“Boys, boys. Hush now. I can’t hear a word you’re saying.”

“Can we keep her? Miss Livy said we could.”

“Seth, I never said any such thing. I said you’d have to ask Mrs. Brooks.”