Free A Wife by Christmas by Callie Hutton Page B

never understand I like having enough woman to hold onto.”
    Tori pulled one of the pies closer, and cut a small piece. “Maybe just a little.” She sighed. “It’s just not fair. Jesse eats like a horse, and never gains a pound.”
    Jesse finished his pie and pushed back his chair, stretching his long legs under the table. “Tell me, Max, what makes you think you’d be a good Superintendent of Schools?”
    Max straightened in his seat, put down his fork, and wiped his mouth with the napkin on his lap. “Well, Senator...” He stopped when Jesse held up a hand.
    “Let’s stop this ‘Senator’ stuff, we’re already passed that.”
    “Right.” Max attempted to adjust a tie not there. “I have a lot of good ideas on educating our children for the new century. Our students have to be ready to take over a world that changes constantly. It’s not the same work place of twenty or thirty years ago.”
    Jesse inclined his head. “What about higher education?”
    Max nodded. “That is something I feel we definitely have to encourage our boys to think about. They’ll need all the education they can get.”
    Ellie met Jesse’s gaze across the table.
    “What about the girls?” Jesse crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes sharp and assessing.

    “Girls?”
    “Yes, girls. Like my Priscilla, who’s at the top of her class? Or for that matter, my wife who graduated from the Teachers College, as did Ellie.” He nodded in their direction.
    Max paused. Then leaned forward. “I’ll be honest with you, sir. I never thought much about girls going to college before now. And I’ll admit my plans to encourage promising students to think about college was focused on the boys.”
    Jesse shook his head at Ellie, who chomped at the bit to jump into the conversation. “Let him finish, Ellie. He’s being honest, and I like that.”
    Max ran his fingers through his hair. “You’re right. Any plan to encourage bright students should encompass the girls as well. I will certainly have to re-think my whole plan.”
    “The fact that you’re willing to reconsider makes a big difference.” Jesse turned to Ellie. “What’s your opinion on how Max runs the school and relates to the teachers.”
    Ellie glanced quickly at Max across the table. Only a couple weeks ago she would have given Uncle Jesse a mouthful, even with Max present. He’d been stuffy, overbearing, narrow-minded, and pompous. He had rules and regulations for everything, and wanted to control the lives of his teachers—especially the women—outside of school. Although that hadn’t really changed, he didn’t seem quite so overbearing lately. He’d agreed to let her continue with the Christmas Baskets project and even offered to drive her on the deliveries. He’d changed his mind about speaking with Mr. Ridley, and comforted her at the church Christmas party.
    “There are some things I think could be changed to make life a little easier at school. But for the most part we have a well-run, efficient school. The students seem to like him, and while he may not always make popular decisions, the teachers respect him.” As she spoke, she realized how true her words were. She respected Max Colbert. Didn’t always agree with him, but he was fair and even on occasion compassionate. What had he done to her?
    Jesse turned his gaze on Max. “Whoever is selected as Superintendent of Schools will have very little personal time, especially in the beginning. He would need to travel all over the Territory, and be involved in the petition for statehood, which we expect to be granted next year. That, again, will require travel and extensive hours.”
    “That isn’t a problem, sir.”
    “What about a wife, a family? Don’t you have plans for that? Most young men look forward to having a family one day.”
    “No, not me. I prefer to stay single.”
    Jesse glanced between Max and Ellie. Then he pushed his chair back. “The Board will have my decision before the end of