Lightning and Lace

chapter 3

The longer Bonnie waited, the more she pondered all the times Zack had insisted he told the truth while others insisted otherwise. Miss Scott had declared that if he pulled one more prank, he’d not be welcome to return to school.

Today marked the first time Zack had ever accused an adult of lying. As she contemplated the many times she’d believed him over his brother, sister, and other children, incidents plodded across her mind. Michael Paul seemed to be clumsy—or was Zack hitting him? And Lydia Anne just last week had gotten an ugly bruise on her arm. She’d said Zack did it, but he declared she’d fallen from the rope swing. Why would her precious son, the only one of her dear children who looked like their father, lie and hurt others?

Bonnie thought she’d be ill. Deep in her spirit, she now knew the times that Zack had been in trouble were his fault. She’d made excuses for him in the belief he was innocent and good. And now this horrible realization of how wrong she’d been made her furious—mostly at herself.

At the ranch, Thomas had made it clear that Zack could not ride with the ranch hands, and she had thought it was because he might get hurt. Now she wondered differently. Her son didn’t have friends, and Mama refused to keep him with the other children for any length of time. She said he caused trouble.

This morning when Bonnie had resolved to live as a godly woman, she knew it also meant listening to the truth no matter how it hurt. And it did hurt—badly.

Today at school, Zack’s teacher said he rarely completed his homework and constantly disrupted the class. When the woman cried, Bonnie was determined to have her replaced. Obviously the teacher had not been trained in controlling her students’ behavior. Now Bonnie felt so foolish—and angry. Tomorrow morning she’d apologize and insist Zack do the same.

What about Mr. Whitworth? She cringed at what she’d said to him. The man must have spoken the truth. He had no reason to accuse Zack of wrongdoing. To think she’d been ready to ask the reverend’s assistance to discredit the man.

Ben, this is your fault. You left me to raise these children, and I don’t know how. I can’t even take care of myself.

Running and hiding from everyone in town had made sense in the past, but the days of allowing someone else to manage her life were gone. Blinking back the tears, she resolved to handle the matter without another drop of embarrassment to the reverend and Mama. Once she and the children were home, she and Zack would have a long talk. Her son knew the difference between right and wrong. No matter how much he hurt from losing his father, she wouldn’t permit his behavior to continue.

Standing from the pew, she whisked the dampness from beneath her eyes. Mr. Whitworth and the reverend deserved an apology. She swallowed hard and stood on trembling legs. Heaven forbid, but she wanted a drink to settle her nerves. Shaking her head, she made her way from the church and down the steps.

Her gaze rested on Mr. Whitworth, who walked her way at a fast clip. Such a peculiar-looking fellow, as though he’d forgotten a trip to the barber. His suit flapped much too wide in the fall breeze, as though he might take wing and fly. Perhaps he’d gone through hard times or an illness and hadn’t been able to purchase properly fitting clothes.

The closer Mr. Whitworth came, the more timid she grew. With all of that hair covering his face like an unplowed field, how could she discern his temperament? Could Zack have caused more problems, or was this all her own doing? Perhaps he’d thought through her earlier remarks and returned to discuss the matter, or could Zack have insulted him one more time?

“Mr. Whitworth.” Her voice lacked the bravery she envisioned. “May I have a word with you?”

“And I with you,” he said. “I must apologize for my rudeness.”

A twist of guilt assaulted her. He did have a kind voice. “No, sir, I am the one who accused you unfairly. At least I believe so.”

He took a rather ragged breath. Obviously she had upset him earlier, and the ordeal would plague her for many days.

“I believe,” she said before losing her courage, “that my son has deceived me on too many occasions. To say I am humiliated does not convey how very sorry I am.”

“Don’t concern yourself a moment longer, Mrs. Kahler. I could have handled the situation with the boys and you much better than I did.”

“Thank you. As a widow, I sometimes overlook things about my children that others see.” She noticed the reverend leave the parsonage and walk toward them. She waved and waited. Both apologies could be done at the same time.

With a shiver, she glanced back at Mr. Whitworth. His right hand was covered with what looked like baking soda.

“Wasp stings,” he said, as if reading her mind.

“I’m sorry. Usually the reverend keeps their nests knocked down. I hope it feels better soon.”

“And it does.” He smiled. “It happened before I got here.”

The reverend made his way to them. “I’m ready to speak with you now,” he said.

“It’s not important.” Bonnie’s heart beat faster than a train at full speed. “What is more important is that I apologize to you as I have to Mr. Whitworth. I am now convinced that Zack has deceived me many times. I intend to take care of it promptly.”

“Good,” the reverend said barely above a whisper. “I’m here if you need me. And I know your brothers are too.”

“I may need to call on all of you.” She forced a smile. However, contacting Morgan or Grant to help her with Zack would never happen. They had perfect children.

“How are things at the ranch?” the reverend said.

Relaxing slightly, she welcomed the change of conversation. “I do need roof repairs completed to the house. Can you recommend someone? The ranch hands are very busy.”

“I’d be glad to do the repairs,” Mr. Whitworth said. “I’m handy with wood and carpentry.”

She startled. “But sir, don’t you have work at the church to do?”

“Yes, indeed, but I can spare a few hours.”

She took a deep breath. “I appreciate this very much. The job can wait until next week.” She laughed. “Unless it rains.” Good. Giving the poor man a few extra dollars will ease my conscience and possibly pay his way to the barber and a good tailor. “Excuse me, I’m going to say hello to Mama and find my children.”

Her heart was a little lighter with apologies out of the way and a means to repair the roof. Then she remembered Zack. This couldn’t be as difficult as she feared. The children sat on the porch steps with Mama, eating cookies the size of the moon. A platter piled high with more teetered precariously on the porch swing, while the aroma of ginger swirled through the air.

“We need to head home,” she said with a smile. How she loved her beautiful children. “I see Mama is feeding you molasses ginger cookies.”

“And they’re still warm. Would you like one?” When Mama turned her head, the afternoon sun picked up the white in her hair. It hadn’t grayed but slowly transformed from pale yellow to a shimmering white.

“I could never resist your cookies.”

“It wouldn’t hurt if you’d eat a dozen. Put a little meat on your bones.”

Mama’s teasing held a good bit of truth, but Bonnie intended for everything about her life to change.

“I’ll get you one.” Lydia Anne popped up to fetch one from the platter and handed it to her mother.

“I want to go fishing when I get home.” Zack picked up a stone and threw it.

His request nearly soured Bonnie’s stomach. “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“Excuse me, but I believe you need to mind your manners, young man.”

“I need to get away by myself after this horrible day.”

Why was her heart pounding so hard? “I said no. You and I have a few things to discuss.”

“Like what?”

“Zachary Hayden Kahler, the conversation is finished. Now you may go sit in the wagon while I talk to Mama.”

His eyes flashed rebellion unlike she’d seen since he was a toddler, but she wasn’t in the habit of refusing his requests, either. Zack stomped off to the wagon, and she started to call him back for his insolence, but she already trembled from the confrontation.

Mama’s eyes met hers, and the smile there calmed her a little.

“Please let Zack go fishing,” Michael Paul whispered. “He’ll be mad if you don’t.”

Bonnie took Zack’s place on the step beside her middle son. “He will not go fishing.” She tilted her head. “Why do you care if he’s angry with me?”

“’Cause he hits.” Lydia Anne brushed the cookie crumbs from her dress.

Bonnie clasped her hands in her lap. She’d cry, but tears were useless with no answers to the problems. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m going to be a better mother. I promise. Zack will not bully you or Michael Paul from this day on.”

All the way back to the ranch, Zack’s surly mood pushed her to the brink of exhaustion. He drove the wagon while complaining about his miserable day. By the time they arrived home, she decided her dealings with him could wait until tomorrow.

“Why did Grandpa have that beggar inside the parsonage?” Zack said. “I started to tell him how the man had threatened me, but I thought you would.”

“Mr. Whitworth is the new reverend,” she said. “But no matter if he is a poor man in need, he deserves your respect. And I don’t believe he threatened you today.”

“You’d take a stranger’s word over your son’s?”

Determination gave Bonnie fresh courage. She nodded at Michael Paul and Lydia Anne. “Run along and let one of the ranch hands know we’ve returned so they can unhitch the wagon. Your brother and I are going to have a talk.”

“About what?” Zack said.

She peered into the face of her son, and her heart plummeted. So much like Ben on the outside but so angry on the inside. “Walk with me to the back porch.” She seized the opportunity before losing nerve. “We are going to settle a few matters right now. The fight at school today and your behavior of late . . . has to stop. Miss Scott will not tolerate any more interruptions in her class.”

“I told you what happened.”

His voice rose, and she inwardly admitted the husky sound frightened her. When had his voice begun to change?

“I believed you in the past when it was your word against that of another child, but today proved to me that you’ve been lying.”

He started to protest, but she raised her hand to silence him.

“No more fighting, no matter what the reason. You will mind your manners in the presence of adults and obey your teacher. And if I find one more bruise or mark on Lydia Anne or Michael Paul, I swear I will take a switch to you.”

“Why should you care what I do?” he said with a toss of his head that sent his dark hair spilling across his forehead. “You don’t care about any of us anyway. When Papa died, you crawled into his grave with him.”

“Inside the house. To your room.” Emotion burned her throat.

“No, I won’t.” He planted both feet firmly in front of her. His gaze met hers squarely. “I’m going fishing.”

Quivering uncontrollably, she clenched her fists. “You will be punished.”

“You never whipped me before, and Mama, if you haven’t looked lately, I’m the same size as you are.”

He whirled around and raced toward the barn. And she was powerless to stop him.

*****

Travis heard the grandfather clock from downstairs chime, and he prepared himself for dinner at six thirty, his first night in Kahlerville, Texas. He’d offered to help Mrs. Rainer, but she’d refused. The older woman staunchly stated the only male she permitted in her kitchen was her husband.

Travis removed his spectacles and set them on his well-worn, black leather Bible resting on the dresser. He didn’t need the eyeglasses to see but rather to give the impression that he couldn’t. While waiting to board the Northern Pacific in Fort Smith, Arkansas, he’d found them in a general store. They were perfect for what he needed to complete his new look.

He hesitated before descending the stairs. An image of Bonnie Kahler flashed across his mind. What a beautiful woman, but the pain in her eyes told of her unhappiness. He’d do his best to help her, but her son Zack already had the upper hand. Travis could see the rebellion with his eyes closed. She’d have to get strong before the boy took over the household. Not a good situation for any of them.

He sighed. Maybe he was sensing things in the Kahler family that weren’t there, but he’d watched a lot of widows get overrun by strong-willed sons. The situation reminded him of wildflowers in a briar patch.

A man wanted a pretty wife with good children. Made him feel fulfilled and happy. And children needed a father. But unless Mrs. Kahler found a way to settle down her oldest son, she’d have nothing to look forward to but heartache.

He’d pray for Mrs. Kahler and her little family. He’d also shepherd Piney Woods Church and do a little carpentry work. Nothing else. Praise God, he had enough sense not to step into her life with two left feet.