Allie Pleiter - Family Lessons

Chapter Five

“I hardly think these urchins are a gift from God.” Beatrice Ward’s scowl had started with Miss Sanders’s first word and hadn’t let up for the entire meeting. “They’re a burden.” The old woman mopped her brow with a handkerchief as if the eight children made her physically ill. “Evans Grove has borne enough burdens already; why on earth would we add more?”

“God calls us to bear each other’s burdens, Miss Ward,” said Reverend Turner. Mason had wondered how long it would take before the pastor regretted including Beatrice. Still, Mason recognized what the Reverend already surrendered to; The only thing worse than Beatrice Ward in a meeting was her vengeance for being left out of one.

“I must say I agree with Holly.” Pauline Evans steepled her hands as they sat around the reverend’s dining table. “I can’t ignore how this town looked and acted last night. We pulled together.”

“We’ve been pulling together for weeks. Some of us don’t even have a roof over our head.” Beatrice mopped her brow again. That bitter old biddy never, ever missed a chance to point out that her home had been damaged beyond occupancy. It wouldn’t surprise Mason if Beatrice didn’t think her loss was as bad or worse than Pauline’s, who had lost the love of her life to the flood’s raging waters.

He’d had enough of her raining all over Miss Sanders’s optimism and couldn’t keep quiet any longer. “Mayor Evans is right. Things felt like the old Evans Grove last night. Considering the day we’d just had, that ought to count for something.”

“What I’m counting,” Beatrice said as she tucked her handkerchief back into her pocket and narrowed her eyes at Mason, “is how many criminals we have housed in our jail at the moment.”

Oh, no you don’t. Mason went right on as if he hadn’t heard her, addressing his point to the Reverend and mayor, instead. “If Miss Sterling is agreeable to it—”

“And she is,” cut in Holly. “She most definitely is. She said all we need is a selection committee to place the orphans with families, and I’m sure I can get folks to serve on that.”

A committee. He knew enough to steer clear of committees. He’d see Miss Sanders’s idea safely launched and keep out of the way. She needed something to do, to heal, and this seemed like a good fit that thankfully wouldn’t include him. “Then I can’t see what harm would come of asking the good people of Evans Grove if they’ve a mind to take these youngsters in. Miss Sterling and I are wiring New York about the late Mr. Arlington as soon as I’m done here.”

“Oh, that’s just so sad,” Pauline Evans said quietly. “I’ll say a prayer for his poor wife.”

“In that same wire, Miss Sterling can inform her organization that they won’t be going on to Greenville for the moment, and hopefully won’t go to Greenville at all. It might take a day or two to get a response, so we’ve got time to see what people think.”

“I know what they’ll think,” Holly declared.

“I know what I think,” Beatrice snapped.

Mason refused to swallow his sour grin. “Never been any question of that.”

“I believe we are in agreement.” Pauline stood, hoping to cut off Beatrice’s reply. “I don’t see why we can’t hold the Selection Committee meeting at two-thirty and announce a town placement meeting tomorrow at noon.” Mason made a mental list of places he needed to be this afternoon in case anyone had the fool notion of asking him to be on any committee.

“I don’t see the point in rushing this,” Beatrice grumbled as she stood.

The mayor met Miss Ward’s scowl. “I see every reason for urgency. It’s a kindness. These poor children have been through enough. The sooner they’re surrounded by caring families, the better.” Pauline ignored Beatrice’s derisive sniff and turned directly to Mason. “I trust all here will serve on the committee?”

He immediately put up his hand. “I don’t think I’m your man.”

“I couldn’t disagree more,” Mayor Evans said.

“Nor I,” added Miss Sanders with an enthusiasm that burrowed under his skin.

Even Miss Ward joined the campaign. “I have to insist you serve, Sheriff. We have no idea what kind of element we may be bringing into this town with these children.”

Did she think he could spot a future bank robber in a ten-year-old boy? Glory, he hated how she was itching to see the worst in everyone. “I highly doubt there’s any danger.”

Miss Sanders gave him a look that told him she’d need an ally to hold off Beatrice, and she was dearly hoping it was him. Hang her, she somehow yanked the words out of him before he could stop the mistake. “All right.”

“Thank you.” Her smile made him regret it already.

“I do appreciate it, Sheriff,” Mayor Evans said with an equal smile before turning toward Miss Sanders. “Before you go, Holly, could you stop by town hall with me a moment?”

As Miss Sanders and Mayor Evans headed toward the door, Mason turned toward the Reverend. “Have you got a minute to talk with me about Arlington before I take Miss Sterling over to the wire office?” In truth, he had no reason to discuss the agent with Turner at all, but he surely didn’t want to have one more word of discussion with Beatrice Ward. Ill-acquainted with God as Mason was, even the Reverend was better company than a Beatrice who hadn’t gotten her way.

Or had she?

* * *

As she walked out with Pauline into the bright noonday sun, Holly saw the town in a new light. Yes, buildings were still stained and damaged from the flood. Everything still had the gray-brown tinge of mud crusted in its corners, but it felt as if April had finally poked its head through the trials of March. Evans Grove had turned a corner; she could feel it. The funds were here to help pay for repairs and now eight children would call Evans Grove their new home. Funds. Here it was noon and she hadn’t even thought to ask a vital question: “Pauline, were Sheriff Wright and Mr. Brooks able to get the safe open this morning?”

“It took a bit of doing, but Charlie Miller came over with some tools and they were able to pry the safe door off its hinges. According to Mr. Brooks, everything is bumped up a bit, but intact. We transferred all the gold coins to the town hall safe so all is in its proper place.” Pauline adjusted her wrap. “Which brings me to my point. How does Mr. Brooks strike you?”

At first Holly was going to retort that she hardly knew the man, but they had been through a great deal together, so it was a sensible question for Pauline to ask. She thought for a moment before replying, “He seems genuinely interested in helping the town. Of course, he’s very refined, but not in a bad way. How he kept so calm with those bandits threatening him is beyond me.” She paused when she noticed Pauline’s troubled expression. “And of course, he sent the money more quickly than any of us hoped. Why do you ask?”

Pauline crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s exactly that. He sent the funds so quickly and came here personally.” She gestured around the square. “I have trouble seeing why we merit such interest from a big Newfield bank. Naturally, I’m glad...but a tad suspicious. I was hoping you’d have a solid impression of him one way or another.”

“Mr. Brooks hasn’t done anything that would make me doubt him or his motives.” She thought of his fine brocade vest that had torn during the robbery, and the monogrammed handkerchief he’d handed little Lizzie without hesitation when she’d gotten a bloody nose. “I’d argue Evans Grove is a bit...rustic for his tastes, but if you’re asking my opinion, I find him trustworthy.”

Pauline stopped and turned to face Holly directly. “Do you think he trusts us? I can’t help but think he insisted on coming with you because he’s concerned the money won’t be handled well.”