An Apple For Christmas by Franklin Darlene

Author:Franklin, Darlene [Franklin, Darlene]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications
Published: 2015-07-21T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

THE APPLE DOESN’T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE

Mac had chosen the office not only because of the privacy, but to put himself in a different light. He was not only a widower, father, and farm worker. He was also a successful businessman—something he forgot whenever he was in the presence of the pretty teacher.

Ruby turned from side to side in her seat, surveying the books and equipment on display. Bound books held his financial accounts and records of his graft experiments. Files included clippings of articles about new developments in the apple industry. She might find his choice of books revealing. Pippin had read their single volume of poetry several times. Adventures he had enjoyed as a child he had shared with his girls. One shelf held Jenny’s books. Most of them he had never read, but the girls had. Her Bible sat there, as well as the journal where she’d recorded sermon notes and thoughts.

A few minutes passed, and she seemed content to do nothing more than observe his study. He needed to hurry the process along. “I appreciate the visit, Ruby.”

Her eyes flashed at his use of her given name, but he didn’t care. “But I am the middle of the busiest day of my busiest season, and you demanded a conference with me. Why don’t you get to the point of your visit?”

She straightened her shoulders and folded her hands in her lap. “It’s Pippin.”

She had said that much in her note. “What about her?” He kept his tone neutral.

“She is highly intelligent. You must realize that.”

Nodding, Mac breathed a sigh of relief. Not everyone considered Pippin intelligent, but he had known since her infancy. “She absorbs information like a sponge when she’s interested in a subject. In fact, she could help other students who are struggling.”

Ruby lifted a finger, and he stopped speaking. “That’s the problem. She only applies herself when she is interested.”

Ah, the same complaint he had heard so often. Your daughter is lazy. They might not have used those words, but their meaning was clear. It made him feel on edge, like he was failing, and he lashed back. “Isn’t it your job, as her teacher, to keep her interested?”

Ruby shifted in her chair, and Mac could tell he’d hit a sore mark. She persisted. “Has she ever attended a single schoolroom? With all grades in one class?”

“For the first six years. Yes. Pippin did reasonably well. Spruce Hill has a separate school for older students, but both girls were miserable.” Mac hung his hands, hoping she had a solution for him. “I had hoped the girls’ academy would make a difference.”

Her delicate features flinched. “I consider her my special challenge. In some subjects, such as science and literature, her knowledge exceeds that of her peers. From the tests I have given, she has already mastered the entire year’s curriculum in those subjects. In other areas, she is woefully behind. Not only so, she refuses to apply herself. History, math, geography.”

Mac thought about it.

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