Merry Christmas, My Love Read online

  He hadn’t been this happy since he’d been given the Principal of the High School job. To think of his days being Miss Henderson-free. No blood pressure skittering up and down all day. No stomach churning every time she entered his office. No watching her race into the building, late for her class, hair falling down, arms wrapped around books with papers sticking out. No projects that involved unladylike, un-teacher like behavior.

  Tomorrow, first thing, he would make a list and begin his campaign. He would need to get a copy of Miss Henderson’s appointment book. As much as he hated the idea, he’d have to sneak into her classroom, shuffle through the mess on her desk, hope nothing bit him, and copy her activities for the next few weeks. Then he would know where to show up and introduce her to his victims—er, his friends. Things were looking up.

  Relaxed for the first time in months, he punched his pillow again, and drifted off to sleep in minutes.

  Chapter 2

  Ellie shoved her loose brown curls under the man’s cap she’d borrowed from her brother Michael, along with trousers and a shirt. A bit too large, but a belt held the trousers up, and a short jacket covered the rest of the outfit quite well. Luckily, he’d believed her story about needing the clothes for a Christmas pageant. It didn’t seem likely he’d approve of her venture into town either. Men! What a pain in the neck they were. Always telling you what to do, what constituted proper behavior. Once women got the right to vote, things would change.

  She studied herself in the mirror and moved her head side to side. Not bad. If she ran into Mr. Colbert, she doubted he would know her, unless he looked right into her face. She was safe. The list of businesses she planned to visit tucked securely in her pants pocket, she picked up a woolen coat, a pillow slip to put her treasures in, and left her room.

  Mrs. Beamer kept herself busy in the back of the house, so Ellie managed to get out without having to explain to her landlady why she dressed as a man. She loved the independence of living away from her family in her own place. Even though she had a small room and a curfew, it still represented home. She’d decorated it to her liking, paid for it with her own earnings. No need for her to depend on some man to provide a roof over her head. Ellie Henderson took care of herself.

  She took the short walk to town, breathing in the cold crisp air. Now that Thanksgiving had passed, stores were ready for Christmas sales. The drugstore had Christmas lights in the window, the first she’d seen this year. She stopped in, said hello to Mr. Jackson, and accepted the box of chocolates he offered for the Christmas baskets.

  “Why are you dressed like that?” The chemist peered at her over his spectacles as he filled a small clear bottle with liquid from a large brown one.

  “Easier to get around. I can get to more places without the restrictions of a skirt.”

  Jackson shook his head. “I don’t understand women nowadays. In my day a woman stayed in her home and took care of her family. She didn’t go traipsing around town dressed like her brother.”

  Grateful for the box of chocolate, but annoyed with the lecture, Ellie said her thanks and hurried to the next stop on the list.

  A small bell attached to the door tinkled as Ellie entered Millie’s Fine Dress Shop. Several women flipped through pattern books; others fingered dresses hanging from hooks around the room. A large window let in the bright sunlight across the wooden floor, highlighting dust motes in the air.

  A few women glanced in her direction, their faces pinched with disapproval at her attire.

  “Ellie Henderson, look at you.” Millie Ramsey smiled as she took in Ellie’s outfit. “Why are you dressed like that?”

  “It’s a disguise.”

  Millie walked around her, tapping her mouth with her index finger, her eyes bright with laughter. “Who are you hiding from?”

  Ellie leaned in and looked around. “Mr. Colbert.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Mr. Colbert, the principal?”

  “The very one.” She threw her bag full of treasures over her shoulder. “He shut down my Christmas project, but I have no intention of giving it up. In case he’s wandering around town today, I decided to wear this outfit.” She waved her hand toward her clothes.

  “You do like to cause trouble.” Millie walked to the counter and took out a package. “Here’s the ribbons and lace I promised for your baskets.”

  “Thanks so much. I’m sure the lucky ladies who get these will be thrilled.” She stuffed the package in her bag. “Will you be at the Women’s Rights meeting Tuesday night?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Millie turned as a customer called to her from across the room. “Gotta go. See you Tuesday.”

  Ellie pulled her collar closer and headed back into the cold. Getting from shop to shop took more time since the Saturday Christmas shoppers had arrived. Her bag filled as she stopped at the grocer’s, mercantile, and milliner. Around noon, even with the sunlight warming the air, Ellie still felt chilled enough to stop for a bowl of soup at the coffee shop.

  Mr. and Mrs. Bonner had built The Café years ago when Ellie was a young girl living next door to them. No longer running the business, they’d sold it to Richard Devlin, a middle-aged, pudgy man who had trained with one of the top chefs in New York City. He’d remodeled The Café and changed the menu to dishes no one recognized. After three weeks of no customers, he brought back Mrs. Bonner’s menu of plain cooking and had been busy ever since.

  Ellie took a seat and glanced at the menu. The Café did a very good business with all the extra shoppers. Most of the tables were occupied, and the recently added long counter with stools completely full.

  The special of the day was chicken noodle soup. She ordered a bowl, along with a cup of tea, and then blew into her hands to warm them. Several people stopped by and said hello, leaving her wondering about the effectiveness of her disguise.

  “Ellie, you did it, after all.” Rose stood next to her, several bags in her hand. She dropped the packages and took the seat across from her. After sliding her foot from her ankle boot, she rubbed the soreness. “I’ve been shopping for two hours, and I’m exhausted.”

  Ellie grimaced. “I don’t know how effective of a disguise this is. I’ve been waved at by any number of people today.”

  Rose leaned back in her seat and studied Ellie. “Face to face, yes, you’re recognizable, but I would think from a distance, or from the back, you could fool most people. But then, you’re only interested in fooling one person, and he may not even be in town today.” She took her other shoe off and began rubbing. “Aren’t you concerned the businesses you’re soliciting will tell Mr. Colbert?”

  Ellie nodded her thanks at the waitress who brought her soup and tea. “I hope not. I sort of mentioned it was a surprise, so they shouldn’t tell anyone about my visit. There’s only three more places left on my list, and then I can go home. My feet are pretty worn out, too.”

  The waitress placed a glass of water in front of Rose and pulled out her pad and pencil.

  “I’ll have an egg salad sandwich, please. And a cup of tea.” Rose shrugged out of her coat and took a sip of water.

  “What great plan do you have in that interesting brain of yours to continue with this project right under Colbert’s nose?”

  Ellie sighed. “Right now there is no great plan. I’m hoping by our meeting next Thursday I’ll be inspired.” She finished her lunch and pushed back her chair. “Well, I’m off again. I have to get to the barbershop before he closes at one o’clock.”

  Rose’s eyebrows shot up. “What are you getting from the barbershop?”

  “A shaving cup and brush.” She smiled as she shoved the loose hair back under her cap. “I’ll take everything and anything.”

  “Good luck. I’ll see you Monday.”

  After securing the bundle under her arm, Ellie headed to the door.

  The Christmas spirit hovered in the air. Most stores had added strings of holly and other seasonal decorations to their window displays. Colorful signs ad
vertised gift items and toys. Salvation Army bell ringers stood in front of the livery, playing Christmas carols. Ellie dropped a coin in the red kettle. The group had done so much for the survivors of the San Francisco earthquake earlier in the year.

  Ellie dodged between and around shoppers as she headed in the direction of the barbershop. A tall man, loaded down with packages, followed a stout woman who shouted orders over her shoulder. Ellie moved to go around him at the same moment he shifted his packages, smacking her in the eye with his elbow.

  “Ouch!” Ellie’s hand flew to her face.

  “Sorry.” He puffed and kept going.

  Tears filled her eye and dripped down her cheek. She moved to the side and set her bag against the meat market building. She unbuttoned her coat and pulled a handkerchief from the front pocket of her pants. With gentle fingertips, she pushed on her cheekbone. It hurt. As soon as she picked up the brush and cup from the barber, she’d go home. If she could put some ice on it right away, she might avoid a black eye. Wouldn’t that go over well with Mr. Colbert!

  A black flash caught her attention. A scraggly dog flew by, a chunk of meat clenched tightly in his jaw. His coat matted and filthy with red dirt, he dodged shoppers in his way.

  “Come back here, you mutt.” Mr. Eichelberger charged past from his store’s entrance, a white apron smeared with blood wrapped around his middle, his fist raised.

  Ellie watched as the animal ran in confused circles, the butcher on his heels. Ellie raced forward, got down on one knee, and called to the animal. He turned back to her, his eyes darting from side to side. After hesitating for a second, he headed for the street. A horse stepped back as he ran under him, barely missing the dog’s head. Buggy drivers and automobiles wove in and out as the dog continued to run in circles, clearly terrified. Ellie ran faster. The poor little thing would be killed under a horse’s hoof or a motorcar wheel. A man came out of the barbershop. She shouted at him. “Catch the dog.”

  Startled, he turned, his jaw hanging down, but didn’t move, so Ellie sprinted past him. She reached for the dog, which skittered away and sped around a building, then off into the fields. Unable to stop her momentum, she slipped in a mud puddle and landed face first into the water trough in front of the saloon.

  Ice-cold smelly water surrounded her. Her mouth opened in surprise, and she swallowed a large gulp of water. She came up sputtering when two strong hands pulled her up by her shoulders. Her feet still in the water, she closed her eyes, bent over, and coughed, trying to drag air into her lungs. A strong hand slapped her on the back as she wheezed. Finally her lungs were able to fill with air.

  Ellie glanced down at herself. “Damn, I’m soaked.” She laughed and shook her hands. Her hat had fallen off, and sopping curls tumbled into her eyes and around her shoulders. She turned to thank her rescuer and peeked between strands of wet hair directly into the surprised, dark blue eyes of Max Colbert. Oh dear.

  “Miss Henderson!” Max choked out. The woman stood before him, dripping wet, in trousers—trousers! Her unbuttoned coat displayed the man’s shirt she wore, plastered to her chest, the peaks of her cold, wet nipples prominent against the wet fabric. Soaked pants outlined her legs, as if she were naked.

  She continued to laugh and pushed the hair out of her eyes. The movement of her arms caused her breasts to shift, the rosy nipples pointing directly at him. Max yanked her jacket closed and buttoned it up.

  His jaw tightened as he took her hand and helped her out of the trough. She covered her mouth with her other hand, trying to stifle her laughter.

  “Miss Henderson, I don’t see any humor in this whatsoever. You are an upstanding citizen of this town, a member of a prominent family, and a teacher. A teacher!” He took her by the elbow and moved her forward. “I can’t believe you would appear in public dressed in trousers.”

  Ellie pulled away from him. “I have to go back to the meat store and get my bag.”

  Max took her elbow again and walked her in the direction of the bag, resting against the large glass store window where she’d left it. Her shoes squished with every step she took, and she continued to shake herself like a dog. A trail of water followed them. She retrieved her package and turned, her lips blue, her body shaking with the cold. “Thank you v-v-very much, Mr. C-C-Colbert. I guess I will s-s-see you Monday.”

  He continued to stare at her wide-eyed. “Miss Henderson, I have no intention of allowing you to continue wandering around town dressed in soaking wet trousers. You’ll catch your death of cold and miss school. I will escort you home.” He stopped and stared at her. “Where is it you live?”

  She pulled her hair to the side and squeezed. Max jumped back when the water hit his highly polished boots. “The b-b-boardinghouse on Elm and S-s-seventh.”

  “Very well. My house is closer. I’ll drive you home in my automobile.” He grabbed her elbow again, and Ellie stumbled along, taking two steps to his every one.

  “M-m-r. Colb-b-bert, you’re dr-r-ragging me.” She yanked her arm.

  He slowed his steps and glanced sideways at her while they walked. “A boardinghouse? I thought your family lived right outside of town?”

  She nodded her head furiously. “Y-y-es they do, b-b-but I prefer to live on my own-n-n.”

  He took her elbow again and hurried her along. At this rate, she’d be frozen before they got to his house. “And your family allows this?”

  Ellie pulled her arm from his grasp again. “They d-d-don’t have to allow anything, Mr. C-c-colbert. I am a woman g-gr-grown, with my own j-j-job. There’s no need for m-m-me to live with my f-f-family.”

  His gaze raked her up and down. “Indeed. It appears to me you need supervision.” They continued to walk. “Why is it you’re not married, anyway?” He bristled.

  Her back stiffened. “I don’t n-n-need a husband, nor do I w-w-want one.”

  They crossed the street and continued down Evergreen, Ellie still running to keep up with his long strides. “Nonsense. Every woman wants a husband.”

  She sniffed her answer.

  “Here we are.” He stopped in front of his house. “If you wait here, I’ll bring my automobile around.” He ran up the steps and entered the boardinghouse. Mrs. Davis turned from where she’d watched them out the window and looked at him expectantly. “Who’s your lady friend?”

  “She’s not my lady friend. God help me if she were.” He ripped out the words impatiently.

  “The poor woman is all wet. You shouldn’t leave her outside, Mr. Colbert, she’s shivering, poor dear. Bring her inside and I’ll give her some tea.”

  “Thank you very much, Mrs. Davis, but I’ll be driving her home as soon as I get my driving gloves. She can warm herself and drink tea in her own house.” He stalked past her, got his leather driving gloves from his room, and went out the back door where his Oldsmobile stood.

  Ellie’s body shook uncontrollably with shivers when he pulled the automobile in front of the house. Guilt settled in his stomach. Should he have brought her into the house for Mrs. Davis to mother? No, better to get her away from him. The thought of her soft body inside her wet clothes, probably covered with goose bumps that he could run his hands over, warming her, drove him crazy. The outline of her long trim legs was still emblazoned in his memory. The woman had no shame. Parading herself around town dressed in those clothes. Her uncle should be horsewhipped for allowing that.

  Before he could help her in, Ellie jumped into the automobile and settled herself. She glanced at him and grinned, her arms wrapped tightly around her. “I hope I don’t get your motorcar all w-w-wet and muddy.”

  Max reached into the back seat and took two wool blankets from a small pile and dropped them in her lap. “Take off your wet jacket and wrap yourself up.” He pulled a pair of goggles from the glove box and snapped them around his head. “Try not to move around.”

  A three-mile ride brought them to Ellie’s boardinghouse. She stayed huddled in the blankets, curling herself into a ball in an attempt to cre
ate warmth. Neither one spoke as they traveled the distance.

  As they pulled up to Ellie’s house, a middle-aged woman stood in the open front door. “Ellie, dear, what happened? Are you all right?” She started down the steps. Ellie groaned and opened the door of the automobile.

  “Miss Henderson, please wait for me to assist you from the motorcar. Hopping in and out like that is most unladylike.” Max turned the engine off and hurried to her side. He tapped her gently on the shoulder. “Your bag, Miss Henderson?”

  Ellie sighed and took it out of his hands as he gripped her elbow and started up the stairs with her.

  “You d-d-don’t have to do th-th-this,” she muttered.

  “Behave yourself.” He shot back.

  She yanked her elbow from his grasp. “Don’t t-t-tell me what to d-d-do.”

  “Someone has to.” He turned and smiled, tipping his hat at the woman. “Good afternoon, ma’am.”

  “Good afternoon. Are you a friend of Miss Henderson’s?”

  Max winced. “No. I am Miss Henderson’s supervisor. Max Colbert, principal of Logan County High School.”

  She held her hand out. “It’s lovely to meet you, Mr. Colbert. I’m Mrs. Beamer. Miss Henderson is one of my boarders.”

  “Lucky you.”

  Ellie rolled her eyes and nodded at Max. “Th-th-thank you for the ride home, Mr. Colbert.”

  Mrs. Beamer tsked as she reached for Ellie. “Oh dear, look at you. You’re wet and cold. Come into the house and sit by the fire.”

  “You’re welcome.” Max nodded stiffly and barreled down the stairs.

  He entered the Oldsmobile and shook his head. It appeared he needed to get Miss Henderson married and fast. Running around town in trousers, chasing after vermin-infested animals, falling into water troughs.

  And looking like a lady of easy virtue in that soaking wet outfit. Then laughing! Yes, the sooner he put his plan into action and got Miss Henderson off the streets of Guthrie, and in some sap’s kitchen...and bed. He swallowed. He must not think of her that way. She represented trouble, a disaster waiting to happen.