A Wife by Christmas by Callie Hutton Read Free Book Online

She backed toward the door and escaped.
    Max blew out a breath. What in heaven’s name had he done? He closed his eyes, and his shoulders slumped. He rubbed his temples with a thumb and forefinger, and chastised himself. This plan to get Miss Henderson—Ellie—married, was backfiring. He would not be attracted to her. She was trouble, and his life did not allow for a woman. His needs were well taken care of, by someone who didn’t interfere with his well-ordered existence.
    Life with Ellie Henderson would be disastrous. The unfortunate man who tied himself to her would be forever rescuing her from one catastrophe or another. Unless the poor soul starved to death first.
    Obviously, Clay Forest was totally unacceptable. The man had no manners, and didn’t appreciate Miss Henderson at all. When he got home this afternoon, he would cross him off the list and go to the next name.

Chapter 5
    Two days later, Ellie eyed the classroom door at the sound of a soft knock. John Ridley poked his head in. “Can I talk to you, Miss Henderson?” One of her younger students, John was a quiet boy, who Ellie suspected came from an abusive home. He’d often showed results of whippings, and she’d heard in town Mrs. Ridley had sported black eyes on occasion and one time a broken arm. The boy stood in front of her, twisting his worn brown woolen cap.
    “Sure, John, have a seat.” She nodded at the student desk in front of her.
    The boy slid onto the seat, and continued to fumble with his cap.
    Ellie rested her elbows on the desk and smiled. “Why are you here so late?”
    “I just came from Mr. Colbert’s office.” He took a deep breath, and his young voice trembled. “I’m in big trouble, Miss Henderson.”
    The poor boy looked terrified. “What happened?”
    He licked his lips. “You remember the envelope you keep in your desk with money in it?”
    “Yes.” Ellie had been collecting money from the students to buy food items to add to the Christmas baskets. At last count she had five dollars and forty-two cents.
    John slumped. “I did a bad thing.”
    “What is it? What did you do that got you into trouble?”
    He peeked at her from under the hair that fell on his forehead. “I took the envelope with the money in it.”
    Ellie frowned, opened her desk drawer, and pushed papers aside. “You’re right. It’s gone.” She studied him for a moment. “Well, just give it back to me, and there won’t be any problem.”
    “I can’t.” He winced and lowered his head.
    She lifted his chin. “Did you already spend it?”
    John shook his head. “Mr. Colbert has it.”
    Ellie’s stomach dropped. “How did he get it?”
    “I hurried past his office and it fell out of my pocket. He asked me where I got it, and I told him.”
    “Go on.”
    “He said he would speak to my pa, and maybe even go to the police,” he finished in a rush, his face bright red.
    Ellie sat back and blew out a breath. “Why did you take the money, John? It doesn’t seem like something you would do.”
    He began twisting his hat again. “My ma’s in a bad way, Miss Henderson. Pa finally let her go to the doc last week, and he said she has some kinda cancer thing and she ain’t gonna live a whole lot longer.”
    She touched the boy’s hand. “I’m so sorry, John. Is there anything I can do?”
    He shook his head. “The reason I took the money was so I could buy her a Christmas present. Just so she’d have something nice for once, before she, you know...” His voice grew thick with tears he attempted to hold back. “And if my pa finds out, he’ll take it out on ma, and she can’t take no more beatins’.” A tear slid down the boy’s face.
    He swiped at his face and continued. “I would’ve paid it back. I got me a job at the livery, and Mr. Hennessey’s payin’ me enough. I wanted to git the present right away, just in case…” His voice drifted off.
    What a conundrum. Stealing could not be condoned, but with all the child’s