Sparks in Spearfish

by Kari Trumbo

  Barton smiled, took the tie and wrapped it twice around her wrist, tying it gently in place. “I love you, Lula Arnsby, and I never want another day of my life to pass without you in it.”

  Lula nodded back, staring at her wrist. “It won’t be easy. It may be the hardest thing we’ll ever do … except for the last few months.”

  Now Barton laughed. He traced the line of her wrist up to her palm, then pulled her close. “I know, but the reward will be a bit of heaven.”

  Chapter 20

  He loved her. Barton loved her. Lula hadn’t been able to concentrate since. She’d burned the baked potatoes, scalded the coffee, and taken her nephew out for a walk in the snow … barefooted. All she could think of was Barton.

  In just a week, they’d both have to return to the day-in and day-out of teaching school. She’d have to resume studying and completing her work, hamstrung by the constant thoughts of what life would be like when it was done. And those thoughts consumed her. He’d done nothing but talk with her, hold her hand, brush his lips over her knuckles, and tell her he loved her. But it was enough.

  Every day was full of what they shared before parting for the evening. He didn’t kiss her, though he clearly wanted to. She’d caught his glances at her lips in the evening as they sat on the couch by the fireplace. Her family was up at the ranch house for the Christmas celebration. Lula and Barton had joined for the meal, then begged to leave. Beau had given her a stern look but trusted her.

  She prayed her trust was not misplaced. Knowing her relatives could show up any moment kept them on opposite ends of the couch for now. Now that their wedding appeared imminent, it seemed more important that they not touch, lest it led down a path they shouldn’t take.

  She’d asked Hattie about the feelings that seemed to drown out all sense when Barton kissed her, swearing her sister to secrecy. Hattie had told her that it was normal and good to feel that way, that it would grow with the sanctification of marriage. She’d explained how she’d worried over her own reaction to Hugh. She’d never felt about any other man like she did with Hugh – it was so powerful, she’d worried that he thought her brazen for wanting him.

  Hattie’s talk put her mind at ease, but also made her want to wed Barton all the faster. Hattie had explained that feelings like that didn’t go away but got stronger, and only intensified with time apart. Marriage was the quickest way to get it under control. Hattie would know – she’d wed Hugh two days after bringing him home.

  Barton got up to tend the fire, while she stayed on the couch and waited for him. The rose glow of the fire poured soft light over the room. He turned from his task and his soft eyes absorbed every inch of her.

  When he returned to the couch, she couldn’t resist wrapping her arms around him and letting him draw her close. He no longer looked like a teacher in brown trousers much like her brothers-in-law’s, a worn white shirt and brown vest. He’d been riding with Hugh and Beau, helping them with ranch chores while Aiden stayed close to the house. Aiden’s wife Jennie was nearing her time, and everyone understood he wouldn’t want to be out on the range when she went into labor with their second child.

  “Merry Christmas, Lula,” he whispered as he cradled her close.

  How she loved it when he just held her. No one had ever done such a thing for her. “Merry Christmas, Barton,” she sighed.

  “Our next Christmas might be quite different from this one. I wonder where we’ll be?”

  In her resolve to end her time at school, she’d forgotten all about the school Izzy had told her about. If she planned to finish, there was always a chance … “You never know – we could both be teaching. There’s a school back east that is taking married teachers.”

  He drew away and looked her in the eye. “I thought you’d given up on teaching. Have I been replaced again so quickly?”

  She rested her hand on his arm to calm him. “I was merely saying that it’s a possibility. We might find a school where we could teach together. Can you imagine it, Barton – working together?” The more she thought of it, the more perfect it sounded. She’d never have to spend another day alone. She could work with her dear husband to teach children until she was great with her own. Then she’d stay at home and teach them.

  Barton pulled her back into his arms. “Even if it’s only a dream, it sounds wonderful. I’ve never heard of a school doing that. But I was wondering what you thought about … well, my pa owns a very large spread in Belle Fourche, even bigger than this one. I have brothers who will inherit first, but I’ll get a portion. It would be enough to provide well for you your whole life.”

  A rancher’s wife? That had never been a possibility before. He’d told her he hadn’t wanted to be a teacher, had only come to be with her. But he was so good at it. “I would follow you anywhere. But you are a good teacher, you should know that.”

  He drew his finger slowly up her arm, leaving goosebumps on her skin under her sleeve. As his finger trailed up her neck, she tipped her head, allowing him better access. It was without thought, as natural as a sunrise. She loved how he made her heart race. His lips came down gently on hers, just as she’d waited all week for. Her arms tightened around him, holding him close. His lips played gently over hers but didn’t spark the heat as before. It was more of a sweet caress.

  Barton pulled away again and tugged one of her curls, gently as a baby bird. “You are my dear one. If I’ve been given the gift to teach, then I’ll teach you how to love me and teach our children how to be good and right. If I am a good teacher, then I can lead my family. I don’t need a classroom for that.”

  Lula smiled. If he didn’t, neither did she.

  Barton cradled Lula’s head, trying to hold back from kissing her once again. She was a temptation to him. The whisper in his ear that it didn’t matter, they would be married soon, warred with the quiet voice of his father reminding him that it did. Until he stood before the Lord and made that covenant, Lula didn’t belong to him and he couldn’t act like she did. That decision was the most difficult he’d made in his life.

  The front door swung open and Hattie growled, “No! You can’t do that!” She peeled Lula from his arms. He wasn’t angry, but relieved the decision was out of his hands again. Would he ever do right by this woman? Lord, help me – it’s not her fault I’m so tempted!

  Hattie sat Lula on the other end of the couch again and put herself between them. “Come on, you two – you know better.” She pinned Barton with a glare. “Did you kiss her?”

  He knew better than to lie. “I did.”

  Hattie frowned. “Mr. Oleson, I and all of my married sisters found out what a good kiss could do before we were wed. Luckily, every single one of us knew just when to stop. If you both can’t, you need to make sure you don’t find yourselves alone. If that isn’t possible, find a preacher. St. Paul says that it’s better to marry than to burn, and it’s true.”

  Barton nodded. What else could he do?

  Hattie hung her blonde head and clasped her hands in front of her. “I come from the unique position of being the only Arnsby sister who wasn’t a pure bride. I was forgiven, but even so, I’ll never forget what I lived through. I cherish each moment with Hugh because he could’ve easily turned away. I was neither sweet nor chaste. I was a drunken prostitute, about the least appealing creature God could find, and yet he rescued me.”

  In shock, Barton glanced at Lula and leaned forward. “Hattie, I’m not trying to make a prostitute out of Lula …”

  “In a way, you are. Every time your kiss tempts her away from the bride you want her to be, you push her closer to the act. Don’t expect her to stop if you can’t. Fornication takes two, but you, Barton, are the man. You’re supposed to lead, and you have to be careful where you lead. We expect better of you. This is your chance to prove you can lead your future wife and family.”

  That was what he wanted more than anything, and he’d convinced himself he was in the right because she was almost his. But almost wasn’t enough
. He reached for Lula’s hand. “Can you forgive me? Can you walk beside me in this?” He’d always considered himself strong, but this was more than he could handle on his own.

  Lula reached over, her wrist still holding the tie he’d put on her days before. “The Lord will help both of us.”

  “Good,” Hattie said. “Now what will you two do about this? Your break will be over soon. If you’re getting married, we need to plan quickly.”

  Barton wanted to marry her, would’ve tossed her on his horse and rode into town that instant if Lula had wanted it.

  But Lula herself slowly shook her head. “I can’t do that. My heart knows Barton will provide for me, but Ruby is right. I should finish my classes just in case something happens. If it’s all right with you, Barton, we can get married right after graduation. I won’t apply to be a student teacher. Barton will have his certificate and I will have my training done.” She pursed her lips as she waited for his response.

  Barton smiled. “I will marry you whenever you’re ready. I hope you don’t make me wait too long – I’m not half as strong as I thought. But we got through the first half of the school year, – I think the Lord will help us through the second half.” Boy, he hoped he was correct.

  Chapter 21

  Lula fiddled with the black tie around her wrist, hidden just under the cuff of her blouse, as she waited for Izzy to return from Christmas holiday. The women’s dormitory was steadily filling with girls and their chatter. Izzy had told Lula she’d be back the day before classes resumed, but it was getting close to sundown and she hadn’t shown.

  Lula was lighting the lamp when Izzy finally arrived, but she didn’t have any luggage and wasn’t wearing a muff or anything else that would suggest a long carriage ride, just a coat. Her eyes were glassy, and she leaned against the door as if she someone was chasing her. “Lula, I have … news.” She held out her hand.

  Lula spotted the small gold band glistening at her. “Wh … what happened?” She suddenly remembered Izzy’s hastily spoken if she returned from two weeks before.

  “Harland surprised me by coming home with me – he’d already arranged it with my parents. For Christmas. He stopped on the way back to school and gave me the ring, and we were married by a judge on our way here. He just couldn’t wait. Harland is wiring my parents now and trying to secure an apartment for us in Spearfish so he can finish his year.” Izzy didn’t sound half as excited as she would expect a woman who had just said her vows to be.

  “Izzy?” Lula wrapped her arms around her friend and led her over to the bed. “What’s the matter?”

  Izzy didn’t look her in the eye and her lip trembled. “My parents adore him…”

  Lula searched her heart for the happiness she should feel but couldn’t come up with anything.

  Izzy’s face fell. “He’s…a wonderful man.” She bit her lip.

  Lula searched for the right words. Forgiveness was her first thought, but Izzy had done nothing that needed forgiving. She was married, though something seemed so…off. “I’m just so surprised.”

  Izzy sighed heavily and played with her sleeve. “Of course, you are. I am, so I’m not surprised that you are.” She hunched forward on the bed and turned her face away. “How was your break? What did you do?”

  Practically gave myself to the teacher … Lula swept the thought from her head. She had to wait four more months to have a lovely ring on her own finger. She had to settle for Barton’s tie for now. “Barton came out to the ranch in Deadwood and spoke to Beau. If all works out, I think we’ll be married in summer.”

  Izzy frowned. “Why wait? You can be just like me. It isn’t as if you’ll teach if you’re married. As a wife, you can help him and support him – grade papers, talk with him about assignments, read the lectures and still learn. But there’s no reason for you to sit there when your true love is waiting. Don’t make him wait…men say terrible things when you make them wait.”

  Lula’s heart clenched and she reached for Izzy’s arm, turning her face to face. “What do you mean?”

  “Nothing.” Izzy scooted over on the bed and took a deep breath. “We are so happy.”

  She closed her eyes to avoid seeing the pain on Izzy’s face. Were the rumors about Harland true? “I’m glad that you found Harland, and happiness –”

  “No, you’re not. I’m sorry I was so harsh with you before break. I shouldn’t have been. I should have listened.”

  “Izzy, you were being my friend, the one I needed when I didn’t understand, now I want to be there and understand for you.”

  Izzy clutched her hands in front of her. “I know. I hope we can someday go back to being as we were. I hope someday I can explain.”

  Izzy was being so confusing. Lula wrapped her friend in an embrace and held her close. “I hope so too. Whatever it is, you know I’ll always be there for you. Just as you were always there for me. Will I still see you, or will you spend all your time in town?”

  “After I clean out my side of the room, I really will have no reason to be here. I already let the dean know I’d be dropping my classes. They returned the money for the days I have yet to take, which surprised me. I did leave my payment for this room. I didn’t want you to have to pay for your own room when you weren’t prepared to.”

  “Thank you – I appreciate that.”

  “Be careful, Lula. I didn’t know before, but I know now how tempting love can be. If you need me, I’ll be just down the hill. When I come back tomorrow to pack up my things, I’ll tell you where so you can visit me.” Izzy pulled her into another quick embrace. “Maybe I’ll even let you invite your scoundrel so you two can talk for a minute over tea and give me some pleasant company.” She laughed mirthlessly.

  Lula couldn’t help but join her – picturing young, rugged Barton with a delicate teacup was absurd. “I’ll plan for coffee.”

  Izzy made a sound that could have been a laugh but sounded more like a sob as she swished out the door.

  Lula sat there, her head still spinning. The holiday had been so full of people, with her large family and Barton. Now she was back at school, surrounded by people again but more alone than ever.

  Barton scoured the classroom for Lula. After spending hours with her every day for weeks, he missed even the sight of her. Professor Cook had met with him yesterday when they’d returned from the holiday and was well enough to take his job back, but assured Barton that he was now fully qualified to teach any class. Barton had been tempted to ask for his certificate right then. He could have swept Lula right from the campus and they could start their lives together immediately.

  A faint hint of roses caught on the breeze. Many women wore the fragrance, but none quite like Lula. She sat right behind him. “Good morning, Mr. Oleson.” She kept her voice down.

  Barton turned to look at her. Her face was impassive, but she could never tame those eyes. “Good morning, Miss Arnsby.” Then he glanced around in confusion. “Where is Miss Harmon? It’s rare to see you two apart.”

  Heat crept up Lula’s face at the mention of her closest friend. “Um …”

  Harland walked in, talking loudly about his holiday exploits to the other men. Barton’s eyebrows rose as he listened. “Oh. That would explain it, I suppose.”

  Lula nodded. “I just found out yesterday.”

  “That must have been a shock.” Barton frowned as Harland continued. His topics of conversation had no business in a teaching classroom – or frankly, in mixed company. Izzy was no longer qualified to be a teacher, perhaps, but her new husband had to watch his manners still. Barton cleared his throat. “Mr. Lawson, would you stay for a moment after class, please?”

  Tension flared between the two. “Yes … sir.” But Harland smiled smugly as he took his seat, his friends perching nearby to continue their conversation more quietly.

  Lula hung her head. “Izzy would be mortified. She acted so strangely yesterday, and now perhaps I see why. What would make a man do that?”

  Barton w
ould’ve loved in that moment to throttle Harland. Instead, he drew his kerchief from his pocket and handed it to Lula. As she reached for it, he saw his tie still bound to her wrist. It fortified him. She was waiting for him, ready to be with him and him alone. And he would never degrade her in such a way.

  Professor Cook entered the classroom with only a slight limp to tell of his time away. “Good morning, class.” His strident voice was far from welcoming. “You’ve been doing quite well in my absence, but let’s finish this year strong. Your futures aren’t far away. I have, in fact, three letters in my desk requesting teaching assistants for next year and I will only give those to the most outstanding in my class.” His gaze swept the room and landed on Lula, then Barton. “I know we are one short from where we started, but that guarantees nothing to anyone.”

  The challenge was ominous. Would the professor try to reduce the size of the class to motivate the survivors? What if he targeted Lula? Would she want to go, or stay with him? His heart should trust her. But until he put a real ring on her finger, doubt remained.

  Professor Cook’s convalescence had done nothing to improve his lecturing skills, so the day – and the lesson – dragged on. The evening shadows finally forced him to accept that class needed to end. Barton turned in his seat to bid Lula stay, but by that point she was almost out the door. He glanced at Harland and nodded toward the professor. Harland squinted at him for a moment, then slowly smiled. Dread rose like bile in the back of Barton’s throat.

  Professor Cook waited at his desk as Barton came to the front. This was the part of teaching he hated. Confrontation on a ranch was settled much differently than in a classroom and the only time he’d ever been forced to deal with anything like it was in class when another boy had started picking on Lula. He’d done it once and never again. Pa had never encouraged fighting, but with three older brothers he’d learned quickly how to defend himself. Defending Lula was second nature.