Merry Christmas, My Love

t was an accident. It happened Saturday with all the crowds Christmas shopping. I have no idea who the man was.” She bit back furiously.

“Saturday? You mean the day you ran around town dressed as a man?”

Two women in front of them turned and frowned. Ellie mumbled, “Sorry,” and sat back, chewing her lip, her face flushed. After a couple minutes, she leaned over Dennis again and whispered furiously. “I’m sure Christmas is not one of your favorite holidays anyway, since you like to play Scrooge.”

“What do you mean, play Scrooge?” he whispered back.

“You shut down my Christmas project. We’re helping the poor have a nice Christmas.”

Dennis glanced around the room, his gaze settling on the exit. He tugged at his collar.

“And I was correct to shut it down. You ended up soaking wet in the center of town wearing trousers! I hope you realize I know that bag you carried were items donated from the stores, even though I ordered you not to do it.”

“Ordered! How dare you!”

“Ellie?” The woman at the podium looked in her direction, while everyone else had turned in their seats. Ellie sat back in her seat again and faced the woman. “Yes, Dorothy?”

“I said, are you ready to give us the financial report?” She eyed Max and Ellie curiously.

Ellie stood, smoothing her skirts. A flurry of papers slid from her lap. “I am. I’m sorry. I have it right here.” She grabbed the papers from the floor and edged past Dennis. She glowered at Max and stiffened her back. “Excuse me, sir.”

Max stood to let her pass and whispered in her ear. “You should be aware this is not over.”

“I have no idea what you mean by this, but whatever you’re talking about is definitely over,” she shot back. The papers slipped from her fingers to the floor.

They both squatted to retrieve them. “I expect to meet with you tomorrow morning first thing for a report on your foray into town Saturday, and how one of my teachers, a woman of good family, a woman who…”

“I don’t see what right you have to demand that I account to you for time spent away from school. And furthermore. . .”

“Ellie?” The woman at the podium frowned and stretched to see them. “Is everything all right down there?”

“Yes. Fine.” Ellie rose, patted her hair, pushed past Max, the papers in disarray, and stalked to the head of the room. She smiled at the crowd and shuffled papers for a few minutes. Finally, she tugged on her sleeves, cleared her throat, and began the report.

Dennis leaned over. “Do you think we should leave? Your teacher doesn’t seem too happy to see us.”

“Nonsense. She’s really a lovely woman. When the meeting’s over, we’ll talk to her a bit, and you’ll see.” He really had to rein in his temper. How she got her black eye, and how she dressed when not in school, shouldn’t concern him. But seeing the purple and yellow bruise on her beautiful face felt like a shot to his gut. If she were his responsibility, there would be hell to pay for whoever injured her.

The financial report droned on, and then when finished, Ellie took a seat behind the podium. Several other women got up and gave reports and the meeting ended with a speaker on the movement to gain the vote for women.

When the presenter finally wound up her remarks to enthusiastic applause, Max stood and stretched. He’d watched Ellie the whole time, her face glowing with fervor. As he and Dennis moved forward to the door, he kept his eye on her and maneuvered Dennis in that direction. She glanced at the two of them. He smiled at her; she frowned back. He needed to put her in a pleasant mood so Dennis would begin to think of her in a friendlier manner.

“Miss Henderson. Mr. Hoover and I are stopping at the coffee shop for a piece of pie. Would you care to join us?” Dennis turned toward him, eyebrows raised.

“I don’t think so, Mr. Colbert. I have a curfew at the boardinghouse. Mrs. Beamer locks the door precisely at ten o’clock.”

“No matter. I have my Oldsmobile with me. Mr. Hoover and I will be happy to see you home afterwards. It’s barely nine o’clock. We have plenty of time.” He avoided looking at her eye to keep his temper in check.

“I don’t think so, but thank you anyway.” She turned.

Max took a deep breath. Stubborn woman. “Then I insist on driving you home.” At least Miss Henderson and Dennis could sit in the back and converse on the way.

Ellie sighed. “All right. Let me get my coat.”

Max glanced at Dennis, who smiled brightly. In fact, he smiled quite a bit and watched her hips sway as she walked across the room. An uncomfortable feeling settled in his stomach. He didn’t really know Dennis that well, now that he thought about it. He’d played tennis with him a few times, shared a meal and drinks at their club. He’d always seemed a little hesitant with the women. Why was he all of a sudden eyeing Miss Henderson’s alluring bottom? Was he a lecher? Did he pick the wrong man to marry her?

As they entered the automobile, he mentally crossed Dennis off the list. Since he no longer considered him suitable, he put him in the back seat and gave Miss Henderson the seat next to him in the front.

“How did you enjoy the meeting, Mr. Colbert?” She adjusted her skirt, giving him a glimpse of well-turned ankles. He tugged at his collar, rotated his neck.