Merry Christmas, My Love Page 3

  Tomorrow at church he would select one of his friends to meet Miss Henderson. According to the notes he made from her appointment book, she had a Women’s Rights meeting Tuesday evening. There would probably be some man at church who could be convinced to embrace the women’s crazy ideas long enough to get Miss Henderson off his hands.

  Chapter 3

  Ellie peered in the small mirror in her bedroom and her shoulders slumped. Monday morning, and she still had a black eye. The man who’d elbowed her in town Saturday had hit her harder than she’d realized. What would Mr. Colbert say when she arrived at school looking like a barroom brawler?

  She would just have to avoid him as best she could. The watch pinned to her shirtwaist confirmed she would be late once again. After gathering up books and papers, she ran down the stairs and burst out the front door. Her stomach growled. No breakfast again.

  The five block walk to the school went quickly, but not fast enough. Damn. Seven minutes late. She pulled on the heavy door and then glanced through the glass into the office where Mr. Colbert wrote at his desk. Ducking down, she scurried past his door and hurried to her classroom.

  Her students were indifferent all morning. After she’d explained away the black eye to their satisfaction, they moved reluctantly on to the day’s work. Every time the classroom door opened, she jerked, expecting to see Mr. Colbert glaring at her from the doorway.

  Finally, the lunch bell clanged at the front office and the students grabbed lunch pails and raced out of the room. Ellie followed on their heels, her stomach still growling. She snuck a look in the teachers’ lunchroom. Mr. Colbert was not there.

  The empty classroom that served as a teachers’ room stood at the very end of the building. Since storage space in the school was at a premium, excess furniture had been piled in one corner. Shelves with pencils, chalk, and textbooks took up an entire wall, although the shelves were scantily stocked. Someone had donated the long wooden table and two benches that sat in the middle of the floor. Yellow shades covered the large windows, and no one had bothered with curtains.

  Once Ellie got her pail unpacked, the door opened and she held her breath until Rose peeked around the corner. She stared at Ellie, open-mouthed, as she took a seat on the bench alongside her. “What happened to your eye?”

  “My eye ran into some man’s elbow.” She took a swig of cold, sweet tea out of the jar from her lunch pail, washing down the bite of chicken sandwich Mrs. Beamer had made for her.

  “Goodness, it looks painful.” Rose grimaced as she took out a sandwich and an apple. “When did this happen?”

  “Saturday. Right before I saw you, but it didn’t blacken until later that night.” Ellie continued to eat.

  “What did Mr. Colbert say?”

  Ellie swallowed. “Luckily, I haven’t seen him yet. Marion told me he went to a meeting in Oklahoma City this morning, but I thought he may be back by now. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.”

  Before Ellie could relate the story to Rose about falling into the water trough, two other teachers joined them. Once again she shared the story of her black eye, saving the water trough episode for Rose’s ears only.

  Thankfully Mr. Colbert didn’t join the teachers for lunch, which he rarely did anyway, but there was always the chance. If she could only dodge him for a couple more days, there would be no need to have to view the censure in his eyes again.

  Her thoughts turned to him as the other teachers chattered around her. She had never in her life found a man who interested her in a way that made her question her vow to never marry. Until now. Why in heaven’s name would Max Colbert, arrogant, self-righteous, and narrow-minded, make her heart beat faster? When she looked into those deep blue eyes, above a well-shaped nose, and sensuous lips, her stomach did funny little things. Things that made her squirm.

  She’d been very aware of his strength when he gripped her shoulders and pulled her out of the water. And she may be a spinster, but at twenty-eight years, she’d known his thoughts when he glared at her soaking wet clothes. The only way to describe his eyes was smoldering. She was surprised her clothes hadn’t dried on the spot under the heat of his glare. But Max Colbert stood for all the things she and her fellow suffragettes were fighting against. Male arrogance and superiority. It would behoove her to remember that and stay as far away from him as possible.

  Max braked in front of Dennis Hoover’s home. Hoover lived in a small apartment building on the corner of Fifth and Lexington, several miles from the Guthrie Library where the Women’s Rights members met. He checked his watch. The meeting wouldn’t start for another ten minutes.

  “Thanks for coming, Dennis. I appreciate the company.”

  The pudgy man with spectacles and thinning hair tugged at his collar. “I don’t mind, Max. Like I said, it isn’t as though I had anything better to do tonight. I just don’t understand why you want to go to this here meeting. You don’t seem like the women’s rights type.”

  “One of my teachers is involved with the group. I want to see if it’s an activity befitting a lady.” And possibly handing her off to you.

  They stood at the door to the meeting room. Much to Max’s surprise, there were a few other men sprinkled throughout the audience. He grunted. Probably dragged there by their wives. He scanned the room until he spotted Miss Henderson. She spoke to another woman, her back facing him, but he’d recognize that messy bun of brown curls anywhere. Also, the slender shoulders and back. And the way her waist dipped in, and her bottom charmingly outlined by her slim skirt. Sweat beaded his forehead, and he mentally shook himself.

  “This way.” He stepped in front of Dennis and led the way to two empty seats next to Miss Henderson. He motioned for Dennis to sit next to her, and he took the seat after. Max cleared his throat. “Miss Henderson.”

  She turned, her smile faltering. Her eyes widened. Her mouth opened as if to say something, closed abruptly, then opened again. “Mr. Colbert?”

  “What the devil happened to your eye?” He leaned across Dennis to examine the yellow and purple skin.

  “An accident.” She touched her eye briefly. “What are you doing here?”

  He glared at her. “What sort of accident could a lady have that would involve a black eye?”

  “A man hit me in the eye with his elbow.”

  Max jumped from his seat. “Who? Who hit you? I demand to know who struck you, Miss Henderson.”

  Dennis and Miss Henderson stared at him, eyes wide, mouths open. She turned and looked at the audience they had attracted. “Mr. Colbert, please, sit down, you’re causing a scene.”

  He sat and adjusted his tie and coat. She might put him off, but he would get to the bottom of this. After a few deep breaths, he turned to her again. “Miss Henderson?”

  “Yes, Mr. Colbert.”

  “I would like to introduce you to Mr. Dennis Hoover, an acquaintance of mine. Dennis,” he nodded in the man’s direction, “this is Miss Ellie Henderson, one of the teachers at Logan County High School.”

  Dennis blushed a bright red and put out his hand. “How do you do, Miss Henderson?”

  She ignored his hand. “I’m fine, thank you, Mr. Hoover.” She leaned across him and looked Max in the eye. “Why are you here, Mr. Colbert?”

  “Is this not an open meeting?”

  She bristled. “Of course it’s open, but we prefer supporters.”

  Dennis eased his chair back as Max and Ellie shot remarks at each other, his head moving back and forth. Within minutes, the woman at the podium smacked the gavel and announced the beginning of the meeting.

  Max sat back and continued to fume. A black eye! Whoever gave her that injury would answer to him. Since Miss Henderson’s uncle had been derelict in his duty toward his niece, he would have to take up the slack. An accident! He turned toward her again, and leaned over Dennis. “I expect a full report on that accident on my desk first thing tomorrow morning. Names, Miss Henderson, I expect names.”

  “Are you crazy? I told you i
t was an accident. It happened Saturday with all the crowds Christmas shopping. I have no idea who the man was.” She bit back furiously.

  “Saturday? You mean the day you ran around town dressed as a man?”

  Two women in front of them turned and frowned. Ellie mumbled, “Sorry,” and sat back, chewing her lip, her face flushed. After a couple minutes, she leaned over Dennis again and whispered furiously. “I’m sure Christmas is not one of your favorite holidays anyway, since you like to play Scrooge.”

  “What do you mean, play Scrooge?” he whispered back.

  “You shut down my Christmas project. We’re helping the poor have a nice Christmas.”

  Dennis glanced around the room, his gaze settling on the exit. He tugged at his collar.

  “And I was correct to shut it down. You ended up soaking wet in the center of town wearing trousers! I hope you realize I know that bag you carried were items donated from the stores, even though I ordered you not to do it.”

  “Ordered! How dare you!”

  “Ellie?” The woman at the podium looked in her direction, while everyone else had turned in their seats. Ellie sat back in her seat again and faced the woman. “Yes, Dorothy?”

  “I said, are you ready to give us the financial report?” She eyed Max and Ellie curiously.

  Ellie stood, smoothing her skirts. A flurry of papers slid from her lap. “I am. I’m sorry. I have it right here.” She grabbed the papers from the floor and edged past Dennis. She glowered at Max and stiffened her back. “Excuse me, sir.”

  Max stood to let her pass and whispered in her ear. “You should be aware this is not over.”

  “I have no idea what you mean by this, but whatever you’re talking about is definitely over,” she shot back. The papers slipped from her fingers to the floor.

  They both squatted to retrieve them. “I expect to meet with you tomorrow morning first thing for a report on your foray into town Saturday, and how one of my teachers, a woman of good family, a woman who…”

  “I don’t see what right you have to demand that I account to you for time spent away from school. And furthermore. . .”

  “Ellie?” The woman at the podium frowned and stretched to see them. “Is everything all right down there?”

  “Yes. Fine.” Ellie rose, patted her hair, pushed past Max, the papers in disarray, and stalked to the head of the room. She smiled at the crowd and shuffled papers for a few minutes. Finally, she tugged on her sleeves, cleared her throat, and began the report.

  Dennis leaned over. “Do you think we should leave? Your teacher doesn’t seem too happy to see us.”

  “Nonsense. She’s really a lovely woman. When the meeting’s over, we’ll talk to her a bit, and you’ll see.” He really had to rein in his temper. How she got her black eye, and how she dressed when not in school, shouldn’t concern him. But seeing the purple and yellow bruise on her beautiful face felt like a shot to his gut. If she were his responsibility, there would be hell to pay for whoever injured her.

  The financial report droned on, and then when finished, Ellie took a seat behind the podium. Several other women got up and gave reports and the meeting ended with a speaker on the movement to gain the vote for women.

  When the presenter finally wound up her remarks to enthusiastic applause, Max stood and stretched. He’d watched Ellie the whole time, her face glowing with fervor. As he and Dennis moved forward to the door, he kept his eye on her and maneuvered Dennis in that direction. She glanced at the two of them. He smiled at her; she frowned back. He needed to put her in a pleasant mood so Dennis would begin to think of her in a friendlier manner.

  “Miss Henderson. Mr. Hoover and I are stopping at the coffee shop for a piece of pie. Would you care to join us?” Dennis turned toward him, eyebrows raised.

  “I don’t think so, Mr. Colbert. I have a curfew at the boardinghouse. Mrs. Beamer locks the door precisely at ten o’clock.”

  “No matter. I have my Oldsmobile with me. Mr. Hoover and I will be happy to see you home afterwards. It’s barely nine o’clock. We have plenty of time.” He avoided looking at her eye to keep his temper in check.

  “I don’t think so, but thank you anyway.” She turned.

  Max took a deep breath. Stubborn woman. “Then I insist on driving you home.” At least Miss Henderson and Dennis could sit in the back and converse on the way.

  Ellie sighed. “All right. Let me get my coat.”

  Max glanced at Dennis, who smiled brightly. In fact, he smiled quite a bit and watched her hips sway as she walked across the room. An uncomfortable feeling settled in his stomach. He didn’t really know Dennis that well, now that he thought about it. He’d played tennis with him a few times, shared a meal and drinks at their club. He’d always seemed a little hesitant with the women. Why was he all of a sudden eyeing Miss Henderson’s alluring bottom? Was he a lecher? Did he pick the wrong man to marry her?

  As they entered the automobile, he mentally crossed Dennis off the list. Since he no longer considered him suitable, he put him in the back seat and gave Miss Henderson the seat next to him in the front.

  “How did you enjoy the meeting, Mr. Colbert?” She adjusted her skirt, giving him a glimpse of well-turned ankles. He tugged at his collar, rotated his neck.

  “Mostly nonsense.” He steered the automobile into the combined traffic of horses and buggies and other motorcars.

  Ellie raised her eyebrows. “Indeed. Why would you say that?”

  He did not miss her flare of temper. “Women will never get the vote. And if they do, they’ll vote the way their husbands tell them to.” He settled himself in his seat, staring straight ahead.

  “Stop this automobile!” Ellie shouted.

  Max pushed hard on the brake and turned to her. “What?”

  “I refuse to ride in an automobile with a man who has such backward ideas. Let me out.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t let you out here. It’s dark; you’re a woman.” He started forward again.

  “A woman!” She sputtered. “Stop this vehicle at once and let me out!”

  Again he came to an abrupt stop. Someone behind him sounded a horn, and a buggy driver swore in his direction as he circled around.

  Ellie opened the door and hopped out. “My boardinghouse is only two blocks from here. I will walk. Good night, Mr. Colbert.” She slammed the door and started off, then returned and nodded in the direction of the back seat. “Mr. Hoover. It was a pleasure.”

  Max turned to Dennis in the back seat, pushing his goggles to his forehead. “What did I say? Isn’t she a woman?”

  Chapter 4

  The following Sunday, Ellie entered the First Methodist Church, Bible in hand. Usually Rose accompanied her, but this morning her friend remained home to nurse a cold and decided not to attend.

  A sense of peace descended on her as the heavy oak door swished closed. Familiar smells only a church held assailed her nostrils. Candles flickered in the sanctuary, casting a glow over the area. Women from the church had spent all day Saturday decorating the church and the hall, since today the congregation would enjoy their Christmas luncheon.

  Ellie strolled down the center aisle. She stopped to chat with friends and admire new babies. Helen Spencer, waving at her from the third row, caught her attention. Ellie signaled back and hurried toward her.

  “Did you drop off your potluck casserole?” Helen shifted to allow Ellie to slide in next to her.

  “Yes, it was nice of Mrs. Beamer to let me use her kitchen. She’s very fussy about it.”

  “What did you bring?” Helen asked.

  Ellie leaned over to whisper, “I’m not a great cook, but I remembered my Aunt Tori made this potato and ham thing. I got the recipe from her last week, and I’m pretty sure I got it right.”

  “I made a tuna fish casserole. Mother tried to make it for me, but I shooed her out of the kitchen. Honestly, I don’t know how I’ll ever learn to cook if she’s always standing over my shoulder.”

 
“I don’t care if I ever learn to cook.” Ellie chuckled.

  “Unless you had someone special to cook for.” Helen winked at her as they stood when the pastor entered the sanctuary. Ellie turned when nudged from the side as Mr. Colbert and another man moved into their pew. Her eyes narrowed as Mr. Colbert smiled at her and then nodded to Helen.

  Helen’s eyebrows rose, and she glanced at Ellie. They both faced forward and joined in the hymn the congregation had already begun. What is this man up to? Although she saw Mr. Colbert at church just about every Sunday, he usually sat near the back and mostly ignored her.

  After the disaster at the Women’s Rights meeting, he’d avoided her, and she him. She’d conducted her meeting with the Christmas Basket group of students on Thursday, and he’d ignored that as well. Now here he sat in her pew, singing from his hymnal, all relaxed, like he stood next to her every Sunday.

  She peeked at him from under her eyelashes. He was certainly easy on the eyes. Tall, broad shouldered, with long legs. His neatly combed pitch-black hair made her fingers itch to mess it up. Although early in the morning, she could already see he would need another shave before supper. She casually leaned over an inch and sniffed. Bay rum and something spicy.

  He glanced at her, his piercing blue eyes meeting hers. A slight smile edged his lips, and she almost swallowed her tongue. An arrogant, supercilious Max Colbert she could deal with. Not this Max Colbert who smiled and made her insides go all squishy. She cleared her throat and sat as the preacher began the service.

  Whatever sermon Pastor Graves delivered went completely over Ellie’s head. She fidgeted and squirmed in her seat so much Helen cast her a questioning look. Then she held herself stiffly to keep from leaning against Mr. Colbert’s jacket and rubbing her cheek against the soft wool. What in heaven’s name was wrong with her? This man was the bane of her existence. Her enemy. He stood for all the things she fought against. She heaved a sigh of relief when the service ended.