A Merry Little Christmas (Songs of the Season) Page 21

  “I do too. It has a happy ending, and your story will also. Keep on staying in the faith and resting in His arms. It’s a good place to be. Like I’ve heard you say, ‘God is up to something wonderful.’ ”

  Franny reached up and gave her hand a squeeze. “I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “Well, that is something I do need to talk to you about.” Noma looked away toward the window.

  “What is it?” Oh no. Surely Noma hadn’t seen the sheriff’s car. Wasn’t she out the whole time?

  “I saw who all was here,” Noma said. “I know you didn’t want to tell me, ’cause you knew it would be upsettin’.” She pressed her hand along her dress, smoothing it. “Those men, they was here because of me. I don’t know the whole story, but I don’t need to.”

  The joy drained right out of Franny. “Oh, Noma. Please know—”

  “Shh. It’s all right now.” She gave Franny’s shoulder a pat. “But I came to tell you…and it’s not easy to say it. Not easy at all. But I’m leaving.” Noma clasped her hands together and put them to her lips. “I love this place, so full of peace. And being here with you and helping out and all—the little bit of work I’ve done has been more joy than I’ve known in a year. But when I went into town, well, I could tell people was staring. I didn’t see hate in their eyes, but I did see fear. And if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that it don’t take long for fear to snake itself into hate.”

  Noma took out the hankie from her belt and dabbed at her eyes. “You’ve been kind to me, coming to my rescue this time. You welcomed me as a friend, and so did the folks at that sweet little church you took me to. I will never forget the way the pastor’s wife hugged me and welcomed me into the fold and even gave me some of her homemade Christmas candy. But I don’t want be the one who brings trouble down on this farm, on this land. From what little bits of whisperings I heard in town, you’ve had more than your share of it over the years.”

  Franny stood then and embraced Noma. “Please don’t go. I beg you. I can’t bear to see you go. And I know Charlie has said he’s glad for you to stay as long as you want. Consider this farm as your home too.” She pulled back to look at Noma. “If you go, it will mean they’ve won, and God doesn’t want them to win. He’s on our side. I’m not as brave as I want to be, but together, you and me, we can overcome this. We can make a difference.”

  The clouds outside the window loosened their hold on the sun, letting the light spill through the thin gray curtains—letting it mingle with every color in the room. Franny stood there with Noma, in that silver haze, in that numinous covering, watching all the colors become one.

  “So, what do you think?” Franny breathed a prayer. “Can you stay?”

  “Yes.” Noma smiled. “Home…it’s a mighty good place to be.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  Charlie glanced over at Willie, who was gathering eggs and placing them ever-so-gingerly into his wire basket. Trying to keep the conversation light, Charlie said to his brother, “Who would have guessed it a few years ago—us, gathering eggs together.”

  “This might be an amusing pastime if you didn’t have to do it every day.” Willie reached underneath one of the chickens to retrieve an egg, but the chicken squawked and pecked at his fingers. He yanked his hand back. “Well, maybe I’d rather paint a still life of eggs than gather them.” Willie set his basket down. “I guess there’s one thing about this work we’re used to.”

  “What’s that?”

  “We’re used to getting pecked at.”

  Charlie looked at him and sighed. “True.”

  “Hey, why do you have music playing for the chickens?”

  “Oh. Well, Franny seems to think it keeps the chickens happier, and so they produce more eggs.”

  “Does it work?”

  Charlie shrugged. “Haven’t been a farmer long enough to find out for myself. But the music keeps me happy.”

  Willie smiled and then kicked at a pan of oyster shells that Franny kept around for the chickens to eat.

  When he didn’t pick up his egg basket again, Charlie asked, “Something on your mind?”

  “There is, actually.”

  Charlie stopped his work and waited for his brother to continue.

  “Your Franny is an amazing woman.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “You wouldn’t want to lose her.”

  “No, I sure wouldn’t.” Curious conversation. What was Willie trying to say?

  Willie crossed his arms. “I noticed that Franny likes to keep a couple of the windows open a bit.”

  “Yes, she does, when it’s not too cold.”

  “Well, today,” Willie said, “it wasn’t all that cold.”

  An uneasy feeling needled Charlie, prickling his flesh. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, voices carry on the breeze.” Willie rubbed his forehead. “I’m sorry, Chuck, but I was in the front room looking at Franny’s family photographs, and I heard enough of your conversation to know what our father intends to do. I know about the threats. I know what you’re hiding from me.”

  Charlie’s fingers lost their grip on the handle and the basket fell, spilling eggs all over the floor.

  The chickens wasted no time in scuttling over and gobbling up the gooey debris.

  Willie looked at the mess. “Sorry. Guess I startled you.”

  “They’re just eggs. But this is your life we’re talking about.”

  Willie picked up the two eggs that hadn’t broken and set them on the windowsill. “I know I’m your little brother, but you’re going to do this one thing for me.”

  “I would do anything for you. You know that.”

  “Good.” Willie dusted off his coat and hands. “Then this shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “What is it?”

  “Truth?”

  “Yeah, truth.”

  “I want you to marry Franny,” Willie said. “She’s going to make a great sister. I’ve always wanted a sister. Oh, and she’ll make you a good wife too. And then you’re going to buy that music store so I can take piano lessons.”

  Charlie frowned. “Let’s get out of here. These low ceilings are suffocating and all this dusty air makes my head ache.” He headed outside, buttoned his coat, and breathed in the coolness of the evening.

  Willie followed him outside. “So, are you going to do this for me?”

  “I will not let Father follow through with his plan. You know how he is when he wants something.” Charlie shook his hands in the air in utter frustration. “He will go to any length. Any expense. All these years he could have used his money to help the poor, but instead he spends a fortune on attorney fees just to get what he wants when he wants it. Just to prove a point that means nothing! Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout.”

  “Well, Father has a way of doing that to us.”

  “It’s just…well, I remember the look in your eyes when you first came home from the institution. You were so full of fear, as if you believed no one was watching out for you. Don’t you see? If Father can prove you’re a danger to yourself, I’m afraid you might not ever come home again. I will not allow—”

  “But you no longer have any say in the matter.”

  Charlie looked back at him. “What do you mean? What do you intend to do?”

  “I’m going to confront Father about this tomorrow, and you’re not going to stop me. I’m older now. And I’m healthier than I’ve ever been.” He smiled. “I am determined, Chuck. And no amount of debate or argument or negotiation is going to turn me back.”

  “No turning you back, eh?”

  “Nope.”

  “You absolutely sure?”

  “Yes.”

  Charlie paused to give it some thought. “All right. But you’re not going it alone. If we have to do this, we’ll do it together. And if we have to, if Father won’t be reasonable, I’ll hire our own attorney. But don’t go sneaking off in the night on me, like you did when
we were kids. We’ll do this as brothers, together, or not at all. Agreed?”

  Willie put his hands up. “All right. All right. Man, you really do take this big brother thing seriously. But it’s all right. You’re the only family I’ve got. Well, that is until you marry Franny.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

  Charlie shook his head, but he let those words, those hope-filled words, sweep over him. Marrying Franny had seemed impossible, and yet with God…

  Willie climbed up to the top of the fence and sat down. “You know, when you and Franny faced that sheriff and Dunlap character head-on, well, it was like being inside the clouds of an electrical storm. There were so many sparks in the room, I thought the kitchen would catch on fire. I’ve not recovered. I never will. Such boldness and bravery and integrity. God was with you two, and He will be with us tomorrow.”

  Charlie smiled. “You have grown up.”

  “It always helps when there’s a girl.” Willie jumped down from the fence.

  “So, you’re dating someone? Who is she?”

  “Her name is Veronica. Such a peach. She’s compassionate and unique. And of course, she loves art and worships me.”

  Charlie chuckled. “Comes in handy.”

  “Father would hate her.”

  “Most likely. But you’ll have my blessing.”

  “And that’s the one that counts.” Willie slapped Charlie on the back. “Funny how women have this way of turning boys into dragon slayers.”

  Charlie thought about it for a moment. “No truer statement has ever been uttered.” He wiped his hands on his overalls.

  “What’s all over your hands?”

  “Around here, you never know.” Charlie chuckled.

  “And what’s that smell in the air?”

  “The smell of money. Actually, it’s the ripe and aromatic scent of manure. Everything has an odor here. You get used to it. Listen, I need to check on the cattle. Want to go with me?”

  “Sure.” Willie straddled an old bicycle that had been leaning against an elm tree and rode it in circles around him like he had when they were kids. “One last thing.”

  “Yeah?”

  “As you know, these threats from our father…they’re not new. They’ve just never been this dramatic. Remember when we were kids, when he told us one day he would give that infernal spyglass to the son who pleased him the most?” Willie stopped riding. “I mean, what kind of a father would do that? Pit us against each other to compete for his love. Thank God we were both smart enough to love each other more than a trinket or play his heartless game. In the end he never did give either one of us the stupid thing, which is the only blessing in all this. The spyglass is still sitting on his desk, covered in dust. Just where it belongs.”

  Charlie looked at his brother. “Yeah, I remember. I tried to forget about it but never did, totally. And he wanted it that way. Always haunting us. He must have thought that if he could drive a wedge between us, then he would gain even more control. Thank God that part of his plan didn’t work.”

  “We should have talked more over the years. Too much was left unsaid. Things I should have said. It was my responsibility as the oldest to protect you. To make sure Father didn’t get the upper—”

  “No reason for any guilt, man. Father gave us enough to last a lifetime. Hey, why don’t we go inside and eat? Is Franny going to offer us some of those biscuits I saw on the counter? They’d be pretty groovy with some homemade jam. Right?”

  Charlie laughed. “Maybe. If you wipe your feet. But we still have to check on the cattle.”

  “Man, this farm thing is relentless, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, pretty relentless.”

  “Surely you’ll get Christmas day off, right?” Willie asked.

  “Not the whole day. Unfortunately, animals aren’t like a product you can store on a shelf…they like to eat every day, just like we do.”

  Willie grinned, but his attention seemed to be pulled elsewhere.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Look over there.” Willie pointed to one of the hog pens. “My guess is that those pigs over there aren’t supposed to be having a party outside the fence.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  The next morning, after a strenuous evening of convincing a herd of pigs that they would be happier inside the pen, Franny felt bleary-eyed and spent. She put the last of the breakfast dishes away while Noma hung the clothes out on the line.

  Franny knew the real reason she felt drained—it was knowing that Charlie and Willie were minutes away from leaving the farm to meet with their father, a meeting that could end in great joy or great sorrow. She’d given Charlie her full support when he told her about the decision they’d made to confront Mr. Landau, and yet there was an equal amount of fear for what might happen to Charlie’s brother after such a verbal skirmish. The whole affair might end badly. The two young men might sever their ties with their father. To lose one’s family was always a distressing thing, even if the family member wasn’t acting like family.

  Franny closed the cabinets and hung the tea towel over the sink. Amid the doubts of the day, though, was the prospect that Charlie might finally be free from his father’s tyrannical controls, which also meant he would be free to marry.

  Charlie stepped into the kitchen all dressed up and ready to drive to the city. “It’s time, Franny. We’re leaving now. Willie is already in the car waiting. He’s anxious to see this through. By the way, if it doesn’t go well, Willie might need to stay here for a while. He can continue to sleep in the extra rollaway in the apartment, but I wanted to ask you first.”

  “Willie is always welcome here. It’s your farm.”

  Charlie walked over to her and took her hands in his. “It is for now, but I’m hoping everything will change today.”

  “I hope your father will see the error of his ways, but I also hope God will somehow keep your family from breaking into pieces.”

  He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you? I could be your silent cheerleader.”

  Charlie grinned.

  “You’re right.” Franny nodded and smiled. “There’s no way I can be a silent cheerleader.”

  “I don’t want you to change a thing about yourself, Franny, but this is one battle I have to fight alone. Or at least by my brother’s side. I’m sure you understand.”

  “I do.”

  “But I’m glad you’ll be waiting for me when I get back tonight.” Charlie gave her a lingering kiss.

  When they came up for air, she smiled, wishing they were already married. “I’ll walk you to the car.” She took off her apron, slipped on a jacket, and followed him outside.

  They said their good-byes, which included a brief but promising kiss.

  Willie was hunkered down in the passenger seat of Charlie’s Rolls, looking more serious than she’d seen him since he arrived. Franny’s heart went out to him, to them both. How could a father do this, force such a dreadful day on his own flesh and blood?

  Noma came over from the clothesline and waved. “You two be careful. We’ll be praying.”

  “Thanks, Noma.”

  Just as Charlie eased into the driver’s seat, Franny’s attention got redirected. A car motored up the road, and the vehicle looked a lot like Mr. Landau’s Bentley.

  Franny’s stomach took a dive as if she were on one of the roller-coaster rides at the state fair. “Charlie, I think your father’s coming up the road.” Oh dear. She would get tangled in the conflict after all, but perhaps he still wanted to fight this one alone. She stood there in a fit of indecision, not knowing whether to stay or to go.

  Charlie got out of the car. “It is Father. I wonder why he came back. Must have noticed that Willie was gone.”

  “Surely he’s not here.” Willie stumbled out of the car and then looked toward the lane. His hands twisted as if he were in physical pain. “Guess he came to check up on me. What do you bet he’s not in a
good mood?” He tried to laugh, but it came out as a cough.

  Franny joined Noma and circled her arm through hers. When Charlie glanced back at her, he nodded, which seemed to welcome their presence. They would both stay, then. Franny just wished she’d worn better clothes, instead of a faded housedress.

  The Bentley pulled up in front of them and stopped. Mr. Landau seemed surprised as he stared at the crowd, who must have looked as though they’d gathered to welcome him. Little did he know.

  Charlie opened the car door. “Father?”

  “Charles.” Mr. Landau got out, made a frowning nod toward Franny and Noma, and then turned his attention to his other son. “William, what are you doing here?”

  “I’m a guest here…a welcomed one.” Willie shifted back and forth on his feet. “How did you know I was here?”

  “The maid told me.”

  “Matilda never could keep a secret,” Willie murmured.

  “Never mind about Matilda. She was just helping me since I got worried about you.”

  “Worried, Father?”

  “Yes, of course I was worried.”

  “It’s good that you’ve come, actually,” Charlie said. “We were about to drive into the city to talk to you. We have something important we need to discuss.”

  “Perhaps we should talk in private.” Mr. Landau pointed to the house.

  “No.” Charlie crossed his arms. “Right here. Now.” He glanced around him. “Everybody, please stay.”

  Franny could feel her heartbeat wanting to pound itself right out of her chest. Noma bowed her head.

  “Let’s get right to it,” Charlie said. “Willie knows about your ultimatum.”

  “What? You told him?” Mr. Landau asked.

  “No,” Charlie said. “He accidentally overheard me talking to Franny.”

  “You fool.” His father shook his head as if in disgust.

  “How can that be, Father? I’m not the one who’s making coldhearted threats against one of his own sons. Dogs treat their offspring better than you do.”

  Willie coughed and held his stomach as if he might be ill.

  Even from a distance Franny could see the red mark on Mr. Landau’s face deepen into bright scarlet.