Mark turned beet red and continued to stare at his feet.
“Mark, answer the sheriff.” Nate’s voice was calm, his gaze steady. Angel gripped Julia-Rose so hard, the child whimpered. She released her hold and kissed the top of the baby’s head. Her gaze rested on Mark, her heart thudding at his obvious distress. She glanced in Nate’s direction, but his expression remained closed. No sympathy there.
“Mark?” Nate said again.
Mark bit his lip and shrugged his shoulders. She had this fierce desire to rush over and wrap her arms around the child, and protect him from these two bullies. Couldn’t they see he was upset? He was only a little boy.
Before she could say anything, the Sheriff leaned his forearms on his knees, and looked directly at Mark. “Why weren’t you in school, son?”
Mark jumped up, tears standing in his eyes, his face still red. Hands fisted at his sides, he yelled at Nate. “I told you I hate school. I’m the dumbest one in the class. I can’t read, and when the teacher makes me, everybody laughs. Even the six-year-olds read better. I’m not going back. Not ever.”
“Settle down, son.” Nate rose and put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Did you break that window?”
Ducking his head, Mark shrugged his shoulders.
“Is that a yes or no?”
The boy gave one sharp nod, and continued to stare at his shoe.
“If you broke the window, you owe Mr. Conway for fixing it. You present yourself there after school and work something out with him. You’ll have to sweep up, or anything else he needs done until it’s paid for. You understan
d me?”
Mark nodded his head again, and wiped his nose with his sleeve.
Angel’s heart sank. Mark couldn’t read? Why hadn’t she noticed it? The poor child must be mortified in school each day.
“Anything else, Sheriff?” Nate stood.
“No, that covers it.” He picked up his hat, and nodded at Angel. “Ma’am.” He patted Julia-Rose on the head and walked to the front door. The door closed, and they all stood like statutes in a museum.
Angel opened her mouth to speak, but Nate held up his hand, and turned to Mark.
“Son, I owe you an apology.”
Mark jerked his head up, eyes wide. “Why?”
“Because it was a while ago when you told me you were having trouble in school, and I promised to talk to your teacher, and never did. You go on to school now, and Angel and I will visit with your teacher this afternoon.”
“Why does she have to go?” Mark mumbled, taking side glances at Angel.
“Because she’s your stepmother, and it’s up to both of us to decide how to help you. Now get your books and go.”
“Don’t forget your lunch on the table,” Angel added as he headed for the door.
They sat in silence for a while after the door slammed. Sighing, Nate stood up. “I’ll be off now. Can you be ready around three o’clock to go to school?”
Angel nodded. “How long has he had this problem?”
“Longer than he should have. With Amy sick, and then trying to keep everything together by myself, I shoved it to the back of my mind.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Mark shouldn’t have skipped school, or broken the window, but I can’t help but think it was his way of bringing the problem out in the open.”
He bent and kissed her and the baby, and grabbing his hat, headed for the door, then turned. “I’ll be back at three. See if Alice can take care of Julia-Rose and the twins.”
“I’ll be ready.” Angel sank to the settee, her chin resting on Julia-Rose’s head. She might be a failure at housekeeping, but she knew all about school. After she’d left Miss Pennington’s Finishing School for Young Ladies, she had tutored local school children, and had thoroughly enjoyed herself. In fact, she looked forward to this afternoon’s meeting. Anger flashed through her.
That teacher better have a good explanation as to why my stepson can’t read.
Angel eyed her wardrobe, needing something special for the meeting. She pulled out an olive green light wool dress, with a matching tan and green print silk shawl. Taking extra care, she’d brushed her hair and pulled it back into a neat bun. She checked her stockings and swiped her shoes, and perched a brown suede hat on her head. Confident in her New York clothes, she walked Julia-Rose and the twins to Alice’s house and waited for Nate.