Free Loving Liza Jane by Sharlene MacLaren Page B

swimmin’ in his ale. Couldn’t have made it back to his own place if he’d had a rope tied around him and someone pulling him there.”
    It amazed Ben how she referred to her drunken father as if he were just another lout off the street. He’d heard tales of her upbringing, even remembered as a kid the cuts and bruises she’d endured at her father’s cruel hand. But the truth was she’d come through it tough as nails and with a seemingly good-natured outlook.
    Of course, she was standoffish with men, and with good right. To his knowledge, she’d never courted a single soul, although she certainly was pretty enough to win most any man’s notice. Most had come to accept her for who she was—engaging from a distance but downright lethal if you got too close.
    Ben, however, rated differently. He’d never approached her on any level but friendly. Thus, she’d let down her defenses with him, allowing for a sort of affable alliance between them.
    “Would you like to come in?”
    “Is Miss Merriwether here?” Lili shot out before Ben even had the chance to explain their sudden appearance on Emma’s doorstep.
    “Lili, I was getting to that,” he said, laying a hand on Lili’s head and willing her to keep quiet. Then, giving Emma an apologetic look, he said, “Lili’s been very excited about meeting the new schoolteacher.”
    Emma smiled and bent down so her face came within inches of Lili’s. “Why, look at how you’ve grown. I hardly even recognized you, honey.”
    Lili smiled and stood tall. “Thank you, Miss Browning. Is she?”
    “What? Oh, Miss Merriwether?” She stood back up and lent her index finger to Molly, who hadn’t stopped working on her candy stick for one second. Molly spared a sticky hand for Emma’s finger and passed her a quick smile that revealed two front teeth the color of her orange stick. Emma smiled at Molly, then turned a serious eye on Ben.
    “Miss Merriwether hasn’t been here since mornin’,” she whispered. “I’m gettin’ nervous, Ben. I would’ve thought she’d at least come back for supper, particularly since she didn’t take any lunch along, even though I offered to send her off with somethin’.”
    “Where’d she go?” he asked, mildly concerned.
    “As far as I know she was plannin’ on workin’ at the school. But that was hours ago.”
    “I’m sure she’s off visiting someone.”
    “Don’t think she’s made any friends to speak of yet,” Emma replied.
    “Maybe she decided to walk the streets, get to know folks.”
    Emma looked doubtful. “She was a woman on a mission, if you know what I mean. She intended to put some hours in at that classroom of hers, but I didn’t think she’d be gone all day.”
    “I’ll go have a look around.”
    “Oh, would you? That’d be mighty nice of you. Why don’t you leave the girls here? I’ll keep them occupied.”
    “Thanks.” He transferred his sticky younger daughter into Emma’s arms. As long as no one threatened to steal her candy stick away, Molly was happy to go with most anyone. Lili, on the other hand, had a mind to stick with him. Her hand went immediately into his.
    “I’ll go with Papa,” she voiced.
    “Lili, I’d rather you stayed here with Miss Browning,” he said.
    “But what if you can’t find Miss Merriwether? What if something’s happened to her? What if she needs me?”
    Ben smiled. “I’m sure she is perfectly fine. As soon as I locate her, I’ll bring her back here to meet you.”
    “I have some toys stored away in that box over there just for those special occasions when youngin’s come around. Help yourself,” Emma said, pointing to a large trunk across the parlor.
    That was the only invitation Lili needed. Investigating a box full of toys she’d never seen before was a hard offer to turn down. Ben winked at Emma. “Thanks,” he whispered. “Now stop worrying. I’m sure Miss Merriwether is fine. I’ll check the school first. She just might still be working in