Second Chance Hero (10 page)

“Beans?” Hazel raised a brow in question.

“It's Mr. Cooper's dog,” Joy volunteered. “I taught him a new trick when Mama and me visited them in the schoolyard yesterday.”

“You did?” She turned to Verity. “And why didn't you tell me about this little expedition? I want details.”

Verity shrugged. “There's nothing to tell—Mr. Cooper just allowed Joy to play with his dog yesterday. Now, if you'll excuse us, it's time for us to go.”

Verity breezed out the door with head held high, perfectly aware that Hazel was not at all satisfied with that explanation.

But thoughts of her friend faded quickly, replaced by a mood-lifting touch of anticipation at the thought of seeing Mr. Cooper again. However, when she and Joy stepped through the doorway of his shop, she came to an abrupt stop. Standing there, talking to Mr. Cooper with a bright smile and sparkling eyes, was Belva Ortolon.

Chapter Ten

J
oy immediately rushed forward to greet Beans, drawing Mr. Cooper's and Belva's attention. Verity pasted her smile back on and stepped forward. There was no reason for her to give in to that stab of jealousy. She and Mr. Cooper were merely friends, nothing more. If he and Belva were forming some sort of attachment, well, she was happy for them. Of course.

With that not-quite-true thought firmly in mind, she waved a hand. “Hello. Don't let me interrupt you. We just stopped in for a minute so Joy could say a quick hello to Beans.”

Belva shook her head, her cheerful demeanor never faltering. “Oh, you weren't interrupting anything—I was ordering a saddle from Mr. Cooper, but we were done.”

Ordering a saddle? As far as Verity knew, Belva didn't own a horse. But again, that was none of her business.

“Besides,” Belva continued, “you're just the person I need to see.”

Verity took a heartbeat to absorb this unexpected statement. “Is there something I can do for you?”

“I was just congratulating Mr. Cooper here on his piano playing Sunday—wasn't it lovely?” She barely waited for Verity's bemused nod before continuing on. “Anyway, I mentioned that I had been thinking about joining the choir and he told me to stop thinking about it and just do it. So, since you're the choir director, I figure you would be the one to talk to.”

Why the sudden interest in joining the choir? Belva had been in town for four months and this was the first time she'd mentioned it. Could it have anything to do with Mr. Cooper's involvement?

Not that that was either here or there. “Anyone with an interest is welcome to join,” she answered with a smile she hoped was welcoming. “We practice every Saturday at four o'clock.”

She hesitated a moment before issuing the second invitation, then chided herself for such churlishness. “And several us get together an hour earlier at the Blue Bottle for tea and conversation. You'd be most welcome to join us there as well, if you like. It's strictly optional.” And since Constance had left this morning for her new adventure back east, there was an empty spot at the table.

“Oh, how lovely. Thank you.”

“Hey,” Mr. Cooper interjected. “How come no one invited me to this get-together? Aren't I a member of the choir now?”

Verity gave him a mock frown. “Technically you're the pianist, not a choir member.”

Belva, who appeared confused by Verity's response, looked from her to Mr. Cooper and then back again. “But surely, if he truly wants to join you, I mean, I can sit out—”

Verity laughed, though it wasn't lost on her how quickly Belva came to Mr. Cooper's defense. “I was just teasing. Of course, if he was serious about wanting to join our little tea party on Saturdays, Mr. Cooper is welcome to join us. I meant it when I said everyone was welcome.”

“Oh.” Belva gave a sheepish grin. “I should have known you were just having a bit of fun.” Then she turned to Mr. Cooper. “What about it? Are you going to join us?”

He rubbed his chin, as if giving it serious consideration. “It's tempting, but it sounds as if this is a ladies-only affair.” Then he raised a brow. “Then again, I do like a good cup of tea.”

Did the look he shot her have a glint of challenge in it? Verity lifted her chin. “Eve's teas are special—she adds syrups and spices to give them unique flavors. She has something new just about every time we go in. Most of the menfolk around here, though, consider it too froufrou for their tastes.”

He raised a brow at that. “I'm not most men and I'm not from around here.” His lips twitched into a half smile before he schooled his expression again. “And I prefer to make up my mind for myself when it comes to what I like and don't like.”

The look he gave her as he said that made her heart do a little flip-flop in her chest.

Then he turned to Belva. “How soon will you be needing that saddle?”

Was she dismissed? She stood there awkwardly fiddling with the collar of her dress, wondering if she should stay or go.

“Not for about three weeks,” Belva answered. “Will that be a problem?”

“Not at all. It'll be ready when you need it.”

“Well, if you'll excuse me, I have a few errands to run for Aunt Eunice.” She turned to Verity. “It was nice running into you. And I'll see you on Saturday at the sweet shop.”

When Belva had gone, Mr. Cooper leaned back and studied her curiously. “So, is there something I can do for you, or did you really come in so Joy could play with Beans?”

“It was mostly for Joy. But I did want to invite you to join me at the school this afternoon to meet the children who'll be part of our choir. If you'd like to, that is.”

He seemed to ponder that for a moment. Then nodded. “Of course. What time should I be there?”

“I told Janell I'd be there at two-thirty.”

“Then two-thirty it is.”

“Well, then, I'll let you get back to your work.” She turned toward her daughter, who was seated on the floor with Beans in her lap. “Time to go, pumpkin.”

“But Mama, Beans and I aren't through playing.”

“I'm sorry, but we need to go. I have a few more errands to run and I promised Aunt Betty I'd be back in time to help her hang out the laundry.”

Mr. Cooper leaned forward. “It's all right, Joy. You're welcome to come back and visit anytime.”

“You mean it?” Her precocious daughter's tone was quite solemn.

“Absolutely.”

“Can I bring Mama, too?”

He glanced her way, his blue eyes seeming to darken slightly. “You may. In fact, I insist.”

“Okay.” Joy turned back to Beans. “Did you hear that? I can come back to play with you whenever I want.”

Verity mentally sighed at her daughter's convenient misinterpretation of what had been said.

She foresaw a few battles between the two of them in the coming days.

* * *

Once Mrs. Leggett and her daughter had made their exit, Nate went back to work. He probably should have come up with an excuse to turn down her invitation. After all, she really didn't need him to go with her this afternoon. But for some reason, he hadn't been able to say no. His one consolation was that they would be in a room full of schoolchildren, not relatively alone in an empty schoolyard.

Nate forced his thoughts back to the order Belva had placed with him. A new saddle. It was his first major commission since he'd opened his shop and he was determined to do a good job.

Adam had loaned him the seed money he'd needed to set up and stock this place. And while he had no doubt his friend would extend the loan if he needed it, Nate was determined to make the payments on schedule. Because if he couldn't make a go of this place, then he might as well pack up and move on. He refused to be a drag on the man to whom he owed so much.

Then his thoughts circled back around to Mrs. Leggett. Was it wrong that he was so eagerly looking forward to seeing her again this afternoon?

* * *

When Nate stepped out of his shop just before two thirty that afternoon, he saw Mrs. Leggett approaching. Of course, she'd have to pass this way to get from her uncle's home to the schoolhouse. He shut the door behind him, then turned to wait for her.

As they exchanged greetings, they fell into step together.

“Where's Joy?” he asked. “Isn't she going to be part of this choir, too?”

“I left her with Aunt Betty. She'll get her introduction to the choir at the same time as the other young ones.”

“How many?” he asked. Anything to keep the conversation light and impersonal.

“In addition to the children we meet at school today, there will be at least four others who are not yet school-age.”

He sensed a quiet kind of anticipation about her, an eagerness, as if they were approaching a fun outing. She really
was
looking forward to this children's choir.

“So how well do you know the children who go to school here?”

“Most of them I at least know by sight. And I know some better than others, of course.”

“So you're about to be assigned a group of children to teach that you have no idea whether they can carry a tune or not and how well they'll work together.”

She tapped his arm lightly. “Don't be such a pessimist. They're children. And they're going to join the choir because they
want
to be in it.”

“Or because they don't want to be in the play. There is a difference, you know.”

“My, my, you
are
in a contrary mood today, aren't you?”

“I'd prefer to think I'm being realistic.”

“Then you must think of this as a challenge. It will be up to us to make them love the choir, whether they are going into it for the right reasons or not. Do you think you are up to the job?”

He executed a half bow. “I will strive to follow your lead.”

She laughed outright at that. It was a sound that brought a smile to his own lips.

They'd reached the schoolyard by then and he allowed her to precede him up the steps, suppressing thoughts of that simple but altogether electrifying touch yesterday.

When she reached the top, Mrs. Leggett opened the door herself rather than waiting for him, and stuck her head inside the building. “Are you ready for us?”

“Come on in” was the response from inside, and she opened the door wider and threw a smile over her shoulder as she entered.

When Nate followed her inside he saw Miss Whitman along with about a dozen students of various ages.

“Welcome, Verity.” The schoolteacher waved them in. “And Mr. Cooper, it's an unexpected pleasure to have you join us, as well.”

He set his hat on a nearby school desk. “I've volunteered to help Mrs. Leggett with the music, at least until your regular pianist returns.”

“And we are all most grateful to have someone as talented as you fill in for Mrs. Ford.”

He was grateful that she didn't wait for a response but instead she swept a hand toward the students. “These are the talented group you two will be working with on the musical performance. The rest of the students are in Mr. Parker's classroom reading over the play.”

“And a fine-looking group it is,” Mrs. Leggett said enthusiastically. “I already know many of you and I'm sure I'll get to know the rest of you quickly. But for Mr. Cooper's benefit, why don't you each step forward, one at a time, and give us your name and age?”

There was something about her tone and demeanor that made one want to please her. Did the children feel it, too?

One by one they stepped forward and introduced themselves, just as she'd asked. He hoped no one actually expected him to remember all these names. He did spot one familiar face in the group—Jack Barr, Adam's son. The boy gave him a toothy grin as he introduced himself, indicating he recognized him, as well.

Mrs. Leggett had a kind word for each of them. When the last child had given her information, Mrs. Leggett took the floor again. “Very good. Now, we're not going to have any sort of practice session today—I just wanted to get to meet you and let you meet me and Mr. Cooper. But we
are
going to discuss expectations.”

One of the younger children raised her hand.

“Yes, Cora Ann?”

“What's expectations?”

“Expectations means I'm going to let you know what I expect you to do if you want to be part of this choir.” Then she smiled. “I promise none of this is very difficult. First, practice sessions will be for one hour every Tuesday and Thursday right after school, over at the church. We expect you to attend every practice unless you are ill. Second, you must promise to do your very best.”

Nate watched as she went down her list of far-from-onerous expectations. She had the children's full attention—they seemed to be listening closely and were nodding in the appropriate places. Would she be able to command their attention as easily when they got down to the practice sessions themselves?

When she was done, she turned to him. “Was there anything you wanted to add?”

He was caught off guard by the question, but rallied quickly. “Only that everyone be respectful of their fellow choir members. Remember, everyone learns things at a different pace.”

She gave him an approving nod, then turned back to the children. “Do you all agree to try to meet these expectations?”

Almost as one they said, “Yes, ma'am.”

“Very good.” She beamed approvingly at the group. “And I hope you'll be pleased to know that there are four children who aren't quite school-age yet who will be joining us. They are Joey and Molly Tucker, Jeffery Unger and my little girl, Joy.”

“But they're practically babies,” one of the older boys protested. “Will they even be able to keep up with us?”

Nate frowned. “They will if we help them.”

She shot him a surprised look that quickly changed to one of approval. Had she thought he had no opinion on such things?

Then she turned back to the children. “Mr. Cooper is right. The younger ones may require a little extra patience, but with some practice they should be fine, especially with the songs we've selected.”

“What songs are we gonna be singing?”

“We've selected three songs for the program, but I think we'll wait until tomorrow, when the rest of our choir will join us, to announce what they are.” She looked around the group. “Now, does anyone have any other questions for me or Mr. Cooper?”

When no one spoke up, Mrs. Leggett leaned back against the teacher's desk.

“Very well, then. I'm really looking forward to getting to know all of you better and to listen to the beautiful music we'll make together. Remember, our first practice is right after school tomorrow. Let your parents know and don't be late.”

The schoolteacher stepped forward. “All right, children, you are dismissed for the day.” As the children quickly filed out, Miss Whitman turned to the two of them. “Thank you both so much for taking this on. I know the children will do their best for you.” She scooped up a stack of papers from her desk. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I saw Abigail arrive a few minutes ago so I need to go next door and help her get the children's play organized.”