AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Max stood at the door and watched as the last students left the building. The dry spell had broken, and clouds dumped buckets of much needed water on Guthrie. It doused houses and people, and ran in the streets in rivulets, creating red mud everywhere. Two boys pushed each other until they were both rolling around in the muck, laughing.
Max winced. “Get up out of that mud and go on home. Your mothers will take a switch to you.” He closed the door and headed down the hallway to Ellie’s classroom.
Her lovely bottom rose in the air as she crawled under her desk. An unintended grin crossed his face. “Miss Henderson?”
“Oh.” She banged her head on the desk as she jumped. She backed out, rubbing her head, wreaking havoc with her hair. Face flushed, she climbed to her feet and smoothed her blouse, leaving a trail of blue ink across one breast. “I was looking for my good pen that rolled under the desk.” She held up a black fountain pen, chewed around the edge. Dark blue ink dripped from it onto papers on her desk.
“Ellie.” He nodded in the direction of the pen.
She placed the pen on the desk, and he watched the ink slowly run to the edge and drip onto the floor.
He shook his head in disbelief. “I’ve come to invite you to a Christmas Concert.” He held up two tickets. “It’s tomorrow night at the Guthrie Music Hall.”
“You want to go with me?” Her eyes were wide with surprise.
“Yes. It starts at seven-thirty. I will pick you up at seven o’clock at your boardinghouse.”
“Wait a minute. I may be busy tomorrow night.”
He raised one eyebrow. “Another Women’s Rights meeting?”
“Well no, it’s tonight.”
“Then are you busy tomorrow night?”
“Not exactly. I mean, I had some work to finish on my Christmas baskets.”
“Good. Then it’s settled. I’ll see you then.” He turned on his heel and left the room, the scent of rose water teasing his nostrils.
Ellie left her bedroom and walked down the hallway after Mrs. Beamer had tapped on her door and announced that “her” Mr. Colbert had arrived and waited in the parlor.
He stood next to a gentleman of undetermined age. He was pudgy and soft, and reminded her of a stuffed bunny rabbit. His skin was stark white, his nose pink, and his eyes a pale color she couldn’t name. It may have been her imagination, but his unusually long ears seemed to move by themselves. He had a few lengthy whiskers growing on his upper lip. Not enough to be called a moustache, but nevertheless, there they were.
“Ellie, I would like you to meet Homer Snodgrass.” He turned to the man. “This is Miss Ellie Henderson, one of the teachers in Logan County High School.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Henderson. Mr. Colbert has certainly spoken highly of you.” He smiled. His teeth protruded in the front. Definitely a rabbit.
“Very nice to meet you, too, Mr. Snodgrass.” She glanced at Max with one eyebrow raised.
“Well, shall we go?” he said, avoiding her eyes and handing Ellie her coat.
“Have a good time.” Mrs. Beamer waved at them from the door.
Max escorted her and Mr. Snodgrass into the back seat of his motorcar. “Here’s a blanket to stay warm on the ride to the concert hall.” Then he slid behind the steering wheel, fastened his goggles, and cranked the engine.
Max always seemed to have a friend with him—but never the same one. His circle of acquaintances must be huge. She never would have guessed Max Colbert didn’t like to attend public events by himself, but there didn’t seem to be any other explanation. He must need the confidence of another man. Strange.
She relaxed as she settled against the soft leather seat. Even though Max had bullied her into going tonight, she was glad she’d accepted. Several of her friends had already attended the concert and spoke highly of it.
“Miss Henderson, may I say you remind me so much of my dear departed Agnes.” Mr. Snodgrass’s nose twitched.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Your wife?”
“No. My basset hound. A true beauty.” He patted her hand.
“Dear God,” Max mumbled from the front seat.
“Yes, a beauty and very affectionate. Spent every night in my bed with me.”
