Garnet's Gift

by Kimberly Grist

  Garnet’s Gift

  By

  Kimberly Grist

  Copyright © 2019 Kimberly Grist

  Published by Forget Me Not Romances (a division of Winged Publications)

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the permission of author or Forget Me Not Romances.

  All of the characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental.

  ISBN-13: 9781697804539

  Dedication

  To teachers everywhere. Thank you.

  He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

  Chapter 1

  1890 – Rules for Teachers

  You must be home before dark

  unless attending church on Sunday or a school function.

  Twenty-two-year-old Garnet Adams loosened the violin bow hair, deposited it in the wooden case with her instrument, and snapped it closed. She ran her finger along the engraved letters. The violin once belonged to her father—the last gift he gave her on her fifteenth birthday six months before his death.

  Garnet’s eyes drifted along the white clapboard walls she’d grown to love over the last year and landed on the darkening landscape outside the church’s window. She opened the pendant pinned to her jacket to check the time and blew out a breath.

  Garnet’s boots tapped across the wooden floors of the sanctuary toward the front entrance. Where was Victoria? She’d agreed to stay after choir practice to give them additional time to rehearse for an upcoming service. Knowing the time restraint, Victoria promised to give her a ride home.

  A burst of wind greeted her when she stepped out of the double doors of the church, causing a dark lock of hair to escape her pins. Garnet forced the unruly curl behind her ear.

  The sound of voices made her turn toward Pastor Nelson, who stood nearby with a group of children. “Thank you, Miss Adams, for agreeing to lend us your talent with the children’s nativity drama, and we also look forward to hearing you play on Sunday.”

  “I’m excited about the opportunity. My teaching job keeps me busy with the children. But it’s wonderful to communicate with adults even if it’s only for an hour.” The train whistle drew her attention toward the railroad station. The light shining from the hotel and diner reminded her darkness would soon descend on the boardwalk.

  “I’m looking for Miss Wilson. She was going to give me a ride home.”

  Pastor Nelson gazed in the direction of a retreating buggy. “I’m afraid you just missed her.” He motioned to the children. “Once their father returns from the livery, I’ll be happy to walk you over.”

  Garnet took a deep breath and gathered her skirts. “I’m afraid I can’t wait. The school board requires me to be in my room before dark.” Rule number one, in bold handwriting and underlined, lest I forget. She frowned and cast a glimpse toward the small town. From her stance she could make out the hotel, diner and dress shop. The boardinghouse was about a ten-minute walk. ”It’s only a few blocks. I’ll be fine.”

  Pastor Nelson’s face brightened. He waved his long arms toward a figure approaching them. “Deputy Scott, we require your assistance, please.”

  The elongated silhouette of a tall man wearing a cowboy hat ate up the distance. A tin star hung on his vest, reflecting light from the lantern which hung from the church’s porch. With broad shoulders and a narrow waist, he sauntered toward her, his Peacemaker resting in a double-loop holster over his right hip. “What seems to be the problem?” The man’s voice was a rough bass.

  “Would you be so kind as to ensure Miss Adams gets to the boardinghouse? There was a misunderstanding and her escort left without her.” The pastor glanced toward the lilac afterglow above the fading light from the setting sun. “She needs to be inside the boardinghouse before dark to avoid reprimand from the school board.”

  The deputy nodded. “We’d best get a move on then.” He extended his arm and inclined his head toward the boardwalk.

  Garnet felt more pulled than guided and struggled to keep up with the long strides of the deputy. She gasped for breath. “Could we please slow down a little?”

  “Not if you want to make it to the boardinghouse before dark.” A shadow partially concealed his face, but Garnet could make out the set in his square jaw.

  “Either way, I would like to arrive alive,” Garnet huffed.

  The deputy stopped and pushed his hat to the back of his head. It was difficult to see his expression under his full beard. Did his mouth just twitch?

  He reached for her violin case. “Ready?”

  Garnet laid her hand over her stomach and took a deep breath. “Yes.”

  Deputy Scott offered his arm. “You’re going to have to make more of an effort if you want to keep your job.”

  Garnet gritted her teeth but accepted his assistance. The nerve of the man. How fast could he run wearing a layer of petticoats and a corset? “I don’t believe the school board would be happy to see me running across town either. But I do appreciate the escort.”

  Deputy Scott nodded and guided her across the dusty street, which ran behind the mercantile and the diner. She would have preferred remaining on the boardwalk but understood the strategy of the shortcut. The dust kicked up from the deputy’s heavy work boots caused her to sneeze, loudly and consecutively.

  Deputy Scott pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. “Wouldn’t have expected a sound like that to come from a schoolteacher. Not exactly prim and proper.”

  Garnet felt her cheeks burn and sneezed again, this time burying her face in the neckerchief. If she weren’t already struggling to breathe, she would love to give the man a lesson on etiquette.

  “But then again, I expect most teachers would have been more conscious of the hour.” He opened his pocket watch and gave her a curt nod. “Next time you might want to leave earlier.”

  Clinching her skirts, Garnet hurried up the stairs to the boardinghouse. “Thank you for your help, Deputy.” Their fingers brushed as she reached for her instrument.

  “Ma’am.” He tipped his hat.

  Garnet stared into the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. She opened and closed her fists. “The reason for the delay was to help a friend. But I’ve learned my lesson and won’t let her talk me into staying late again.” Why do I feel the need to explain myself?

  “Since autumn has arrived, it gets dark early.” Deputy Scott opened the door to the boardinghouse and nodded toward the train station. “There are a lot of people coming and going. But even if you didn’t have a curfew, it’s best not to be out by yourself.” He pivoted and disappeared into the darkness.

  Garnet blinked, her nose twitched and she sneezed loudly into the deputy’s handkerchief. At the sound of a deep chuckle, heat rose from her neck to the roots of her hair.

  Chapter 2

  1890 – Rules for Teachers.

  Floors must be swept and, if necessary, mopped daily.

  The midafternoon’s sun muffled behind dark clouds peeped briefly through the four small windows, casting light and warmth into the one-room schoolhouse. Garnet’s stomach growl reminded her of the approaching lunch hour. To save money, she’d elected to exclude breakfast and lunch at the boardinghouse and always looked forward to a warm meal at dinner. However due to choir practice, she’d missed her daily allotment and was thankful for the chicken biscuit her landlady offered her this morning.

  “Children, before we break for lunch, I’d like to form groups to review what we’ve l
earned about the pilgrims this month. If your first name begins with A through M, please move to the right side of the room with Mary Ellen. The name of your group will be the Mayflower.” One of the younger students, five-year-old Annie, clapped her hands when she realized her friend, Betsy, would be in her group.

  “The rest of you, please join Ruth on the left side of the room. Your team will be known as Speedwell.”

  Henry, a precocious child with red hair and freckles, raised his hand.

  “Yes, Henry. Do you have a question?”

  “Miss Adams, my uncle told me something funny to help me remember the names of the ships. Can I tell you what he said?” The door to the schoolroom opened slowly. Deputy Scott’s heavy work boots tracked dirt across the floor. “Ma’am, I just need a quick word when you dismiss the students for lunch.”

  “All right, Deputy. We were about to adjourn.” She nodded at Henry. “Can you quickly tell us what your uncle said?”

  Henry beamed. “If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?” Garnet’s mouth twitched while the students turned their attention to the young boy.

  “What do May flowers bring?” she asked.

  “Pilgrims.” Henry beamed. “You get it?”

  The deputy coughed. Garnet smiled. “What a wonderful way to remember at least one of the names of the ships. We’ll break now for lunch. Girls, please line up and allow the younger children to go first. Boys, when the girls are seated, you do the same.”

  While the students padded across the plank floor to the back of the room for their lunch pails, Garnet made her way toward the deputy who was waiting hat in hand next to the front entrance. She remembered their last meeting and her cheeks burned. “Deputy, is there a problem?”

  “It looks like it might storm, so the sheriff’s organized several volunteers to deliver the children home.” His voice dropped. “We’ll need to break it into two shifts. It’s best to keep those who live outside of town here until it passes. If things worsen, I’ll let you know if you need to move to the cellar.”

  Garnet blew out a breath and scanned the room. “Everyone lives fairly close except for the Millers and the Johnsons, which will leave four here with me.”

  “The livery-stable owners are coming with a couple of wagons. They should be here in about ten minutes.” Deputy Scott positioned his hat back on his head and opened the door. “I’ll return shortly.”

  Garnet pivoted and hurried to the children. Everyone except the Johnson brothers were munching happily on their lunches. She glanced from their bare feet to the younger boy’s trembling hands. She wondered not for the first time if skipping meals was routine for them.

  “Attention, children.” Garnet forced a smile. “The deputy tells me we’re probably going to experience some heavy rain, but he’s arranging for you to have a ride home. Those of you who live in town will leave first. Stephen, Bobby, Annie and Thomas will remain here with me until the storm passes.”

  Henry raised his hand. “Is it another tornado like we had this summer? That one smashed a barn.”

  Five-year-old Annie gasped. Her blue eyes widened. “Will it smash my house?”

  “In the morning we’ll discuss the difference between a tornado and a rainstorm. But I don’t want any of you to worry. The sheriff is simply being cautious and wants to make sure you get home safe and dry.”

  The rattling of wagons sounded. Mike Montgomery, the livery-stable owner, entered and flashed a wide smile displaying two dimples. “We’re ready to take the first group home.” He motioned with his thumb toward the sky. “We’ll get them delivered in plenty of time and be back later this afternoon for the rest.”

  Garnet nodded toward the two older girls. “Those of you who live in town form a line behind Mary Ellen and Ruth.” Garnet reached for a forgotten lunch pail. “Be sure and thank Mr. Montgomery for his kindness.”

  Out on the front porch, Garnet waved at the departing students. “I’ll see you all in the morning.”

  She glimpsed at the darkening sky, squared her shoulders and returned to her remaining students. The three boys shuffled their feet while Betsy whimpered, “I’m scared.”

  Garnet extended her arms to the young girl. “There now, I’m sure everything will be just fine. I’m happy the four of you are here to keep me company.” She patted Betsy’s back, then positioned her hands on her hips. “While we’re waiting, why don’t we pretend to be pilgrims?”

  “How do we do that?” Thomas straightened.

  “Let’s get to our ships.” Bobby waved his arms.

  “An excellent idea.” Garnet tapped her forefinger on her cheek. “Why not make believe we’ve already returned the Speedwell to port and have combined into one group on the Mayflower?”

  The boys nodded happily while Garnet instructed them on positioning benches to serve as their ship. “But we don’t have a sail.” Thomas’s mouth turned down. “If we were at my house, my ma would let us borrow one of her sheets.”

  Betsy’s lips quivered. Garnet untied her long apron. “Boys, do you think you could make use of this?” She rested her hand on Betsy’s head. “Why don’t you and I serve lunch to our passengers?”

  The children’s eyes widened at the peals of thunder and the rapid beat of heavy rain hammering the tin roof. Deputy Scott returned, and Garnet was relieved at the distraction. His rain slicker and muddy boots made a puddle on the plank floor. He ran his hands across his wet sleeves and hung his Stetson on a hook. “Hope you don’t mind if I join you until the storm passes.”

  “We’re making a ship.” Bobby smiled displaying several missing teeth. “Miss Adams is letting us use her apron to make a sail. You want to help?”

  Deputy Scott smoothed his beard. “Well sure. I’ve never set sail before, but I’ve pitched plenty of tents.”

  Garnet didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the trail of muddy boot prints left behind by the deputy. Her gaze moved to the posted sign above her desk. Hopefully, no one from the school board would visit before she could tend to the floors.

  Betsy wiped her tears. “We’re preparing lunch for the pilgrims.”

  Deputy Scott positioned an upside-down bench on top of another one and tied her apron strings to its leg. “What did pilgrims eat while they were traveling?”

  Stephen raised one finger in the air. “Dried meat and biscuits.”

  “I reckon you’re right. I know when I camped on the trail with my pa, we ate a lot of beef jerky.” Deputy Scott patted the boy’s blond head with his large hand.

  Betsy’s face puckered. “We don’t have any jerky, but Miss Adams is going to share her chicken biscuit and apple.” She wagged her finger. “You boys had better get below deck. It’s storming something fierce.”

  Garnet laughed softly. She returned to her desk and retrieved her lunch. Betsy appeared at her side. “Miss Adams, you can give my share to Bobby and Stephen. They forgot to bring their lunch today.” She whispered, “They always forget.”

  Garnet blinked hard at the young girl’s thin face, then she watched her brother, who appeared equally as lean, slide under their newly created ship. “I’ll cut everything into four pieces if you’re sure?”

  The little girl nodded. “Yes ma’am, I’m sure.”

  Garnet laid the biscuit and four apple slices on brown paper and put them on a slate to use as a tray. “All right now, go and serve our fellow pilgrims, young lady.”

  Betsy giggled and carefully knelt where the boys were crouching in the makeshift Mayflower. Garnet met the deputy’s gaze. Her face flushed as he gave her a two-fingered salute.

  Another round of thunder clapped. The rain picked up a beat on the metal roof. Garnet stepped toward her students, captivated by the deputy who managed to tuck his long legs underneath his body and join them in what Betsy referred to as “Below deck.” The pitter-patter of the rain was soothing. Her annoyance with the deputy’s brusque manner and muddy boots dissipated.

  Garnet took a few steps toward the back
to retrieve the mop and pail and paused at the sound of laughter. Turning, she caught sight of the children’s animated faces. Her eyes fell to the dripping rain slicker now hanging to mimic the hull of a ship. Chunks of mud clung on the edge the deputy’s work boots. Even though the sight was amusing, she drew in a breath and shook her head. I may as well wait until Deputy Scott leaves or I’ll be mopping twice.

  Chapter 3

  1890 – Rules for Teachers

  You will not keep company with men.

  Garnet was relieved when the storm passed and the livery-stable owners arrived to take the students home. The children were all smiles and waved to her from the back of the wagon. She retrieved her broom and mop and soon restored the floors to an unsullied condition. The door opened as her stomach rumbled, a loud protest of the meals she missed during the last twenty-four hours.

  Deputy Scott chuckled. “If it weren’t for the fact I observed how good you were with the children, you’d never convince me you’re a schoolteacher. Your stomach growls with almost as much gumption as your sneezes.”

  Garnet met the deputy’s gaze. “I’ve sneezed loudly and consecutively since I was small. It’s embarrassing, but no matter what I try, nothing seems to make a difference. My growling stomach is a new phenomenon.”

  “Some things just can’t be helped. I feel the same way about my big feet.” Deputy Scott lifted his boot still covered in mud.

  Garnet grimaced. “Did you forget something?”

  “No, ma’am, but I noticed earlier you gave your lunch away and figured you might be hungry.” He positioned one hand on his hip. “No sense denying it either.”

  Garnet felt her face flush. “My stomach betrays me. Consequently, I couldn’t if I wanted to.” A giggle slipped out, and she quickly covered her lips. “Fortunately, I’ll be able to eat dinner at the boardinghouse.”

  “My aunt wanted me to invite you to share a meal with us this afternoon. She’s a mighty fine cook and made fried chicken, mashed potatoes, pole beans, biscuits and pecan pie.”