Right after breakfast the next morning, Hank walked through town, escorting both children to the schoolhouse. For once, when he’d insisted on holding Chloe’s hand, she hadn’t argued with him. He could feel the nervous tension radiating from her and knew she was terrified but was trying to hide it. Not even the sight of the festive windows in the various shops could draw a smile from her.
Was this too soon to push her out among other children? Should he keep her home today, even if he had to stay home with her himself?
He took a deep breath. Janell thought Chloe was ready, and he trusted her instincts. She was the schoolteacher, after all.
He glanced at Alex. Yesterday, when he’d walked the boy to school, Alex had run off to play with the others as soon as they reached the school yard, just like any other boy.
But not today. Today Alex seemed determined to accompany Chloe into the schoolhouse, as if sensing she needed him.
As soon as they entered the classroom, Janell looked up and greeted them with a smile. He was growing to look forward to that smile.
“Good morning.” At the same time she spoke, she signed the words to Chloe.
The only other person in the schoolroom was a young girl about Chloe’s age—one of the Tucker children, if he wasn’t mistaken. She was stoking the stove that served as a heater to the classroom, but she looked up and smiled a welcome to the new arrivals.
Janell met them halfway and took Chloe’s hand, then moved to the front row of desks. She patted the third one from the left. “Chloe, you’ll sit here. That way you’ll have a clear view of the blackboard.”
Had the girl caught all of that?
Whatever the case, his niece seemed to have understood and she slid into the seat indicated.
Hank stood there a moment, knowing he should leave, yet feeling as if he would be abandoning his niece.
Then the Tucker girl stepped forward and approached Chloe. “I sit next to you,” she explained. “I’m Lily.”
To Hank’s surprise, the little girl laboriously spelled out her name in sign.
Janell turned to him, a look of “it’s all going to work out” on her face. “Don’t worry. She’ll be fine. Now, it’s about time to call the rest of the students in, so you should probably go on to the mill.”
“Of course.” She was right—his hovering here wouldn’t do anyone any good. Besides, he needed to check in on Aunt Rowena. She’d be leaving as soon as her friend arrived with the wagon this morning, so he wanted to thank her one more time and make sure she didn’t need help with anything. Given the circumstances, she’d stayed longer than could have been expected. And if it hadn’t been for the knowledge that Miss Whitman was so determined to lend a hand, he might have panicked.
Which reminded him. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small bundle. “I almost forgot,” he said, holding it out to Janell. “Aunt Rowena asked me to give this to you.”
Janell accepted the package, but looked at him with a puzzled expression. “What is it?”
“Open it.”
She did as he said, then sucked in a breath. It was his aunt’s cameo necklace.
“I can’t—”
He touched her arm briefly. “She wanted you to have it.”
He knew how much that cameo meant to his aunt. He’d never seen her without it. It seemed Janell had made quite an impression on Aunt Rowena.
* * *
While the children played outside at recess, Janell stood watching them from a window. Chloe’s first day was going about as well as could be expected. The girl was on the playground, but she hadn’t really joined in any of the games. She wasn’t alone, though. Lily sat with her. Whether she wanted one or not, it appeared Chloe had a new best friend.
She absently fingered the cameo that now rested against her throat. Why had Mrs. Collins given it to her? Had it been a message of some sort? Regardless, it was a lovely piece of jewelry that had been given to her by a dear lady. She would treasure it for always.
Then she saw Mr. Chandler heading toward the school yard. What was he doing here? Not that she minded. Quite the opposite, in fact.
It warmed her heart to see him here in the middle of the day. No matter how gruff he pretended to be, Hank really did have a soft spot for his niece and nephew.
She stepped out on the schoolhouse porch and he strode forward until he reached the lower step.
After they exchanged greetings, she smiled. “To what do we owe the honor of this visit?”
“I had lunch at Daisy’s restaurant and thought I’d swing by on my way back to the mill to see how everything is going.”
The school was most definitely not on the way to the mill, but Janell let that pass. “You’ll be glad to hear that Lily Tucker has taken Chloe under her wing.”
“And how has Chloe responded?”
“She was standoffish at first, but I think she’s beginning to thaw a bit.”
“Good. Chloe could use a friend.”
Janell nodded. “Lily is a bright girl with a very big heart. She’ll be good for Chloe.”
“Did you prod her to befriend my niece?”
“Not at all. It happened naturally.”
Hank set one booted foot on the next step up. “Alex mentioned that Mrs. Cooper comes by to give music lessons after recess.”
“She does. Verity should be here soon if you wish to speak to her.”
“No. I was just wondering... I mean, Chloe won’t be able to participate in that.”
“No, but she won’t be the only one. Some of the students spend that time studying. And for the next several weeks some of the students will be working on a nativity play.”
He raised a brow at that. “Do you truly think Chloe can take part in a play?”
“Yes. But only if she wants to. It’s not something that can be forced on her.”
“I sleep easier at night knowing Chloe has you looking out for her.”
The quiet sincerity in his voice brought an unexpected lump to her throat. Before she could collect herself enough to respond, he tipped his hat and turned to go.
Why did he have to make keeping things businesslike between them so difficult?
* * *
Later that evening, when it came time for Janell to return to the boardinghouse, Hank realized she no longer protested the courtesy. He took that as a sign she was becoming more comfortable with him.
As soon as they were out of earshot of the house, she turned to him with a serious expression. “Now that your aunt has gone, I think it’s time Alex moved into his own room and left Chloe to hers.”
“They’re not going to like it,” he said. “And aren’t you the one who suggested I turn a blind eye to their room sharing?”
“I am. But that was just during their settling-in period.” She nodded. “And you’re right—they probably won’t like it. But children don’t always know what’s best for them. That’s a parent’s job.”
But he wasn’t their parent; he was their uncle. There was a difference. “And if Alex tries to sneak back into Chloe’s room?”
“Then you send him back to his own bed, firmly but with a minimum of fuss.” She gave him a sympathetic smile. “I do have a suggestion for something that might make the transition easier for them.”
He hid a smile—of course she did. “I’m listening.”
“Try making their rooms more personal and welcoming. Right now they have all the charm and warmth of a hotel room. These aren’t temporary accommodations, after all. These are rooms they will occupy for many years to come.”
She didn’t actually expect him to try decorating their rooms, did she? “I can help,” she continued. “I’ll take them to the mercantile and let them each pick out fabric for new curtains. Perhaps find some toys or keepsakes to set out—did they bring anything of that nature with them?”
“Most of their possessions were lost when their home collapsed.” He rubbed his chin. “But the house we’re living in is the one their mother and I grew up in. There may be a few of our things still stored up in the attic.”
“Then perhaps you could tell them some stories of that time, something that will give the rooms, and the house itself, history and meaning to them.”
“I’m not much for telling stories.”
“Oh, come now, Mr. Chandler. Everyone can tell stories.”
He wasn’t so sure he believed that, but he was willing to give it a try. With a nod, he changed the subject. “I can’t believe you convinced Chloe to take part in your Christmas play.”
“Actually, it’s Lily who gets the credit for that. She’s one of the angels and she convinced Chloe that she would feel better if she had another angel standing with her. That, and the fact that she wouldn’t have any lines, was all it took.”
Then it was Janell’s turn to change the subject. “You haven’t asked about my matchmaking activities lately.”
Was she so eager to see him matched with another woman? He’d thought he was making progress with her. “I figure you’ll let me know when you have something to tell me.”
“You certainly don’t seem to be in as big a hurry as you were a few days ago. Are you no longer looking to have a wife by Christmas?”
“That’s still the goal.” Though he would prefer it be with one particular woman. “Or at least to have set a wedding date by then. Do you have some news for me?”
“We need to scratch Maddy Jean off the list. She is not interested in marriage right now.” She pulled the list from her pocket. “I’d like to have a quick discussion about whether you have a preference as to what order I approach the rest of them.”
It seemed the schoolteacher had absolutely no trouble remaining unemotional when discussing his future wife.
Hank figured he had to step up his courting efforts.