I change in to a light green dress that goes down to my ankles and smile, feeling satisfied that I look presentable.
Climbing back down the ladder, I hear the girls yelling out in excitement. "He's here!"
Now on the floor, I peer out the window. Sure enough, I see August's wagon bumping over the hill.
"We packed food already." Lydia takes the basket in her hands and I smile, wrapping one arm around her.
"Thank you. I appreciate that.” I let go of her and grab the large box with the supplies in it. I give a small smile, realizing the girls must’ve packed it back up after I ran out last night.
I slowly walk to where August has parked his wagon. I let out a breath, struggling to carry the large box.
August leaps out, flashing a grin in our direction. "Good morning Carter sisters." He must notice me struggling as he rushes to take the box from me.
“Thank you.” I say, watching as he puts it in the wagon.
I climb into the wagon, finding my sisters already sat in their seats. August closes the back, latching it shut with a bang.
"All right. Are we all ready?" He asks jumping into his seat.
"Yes. Let's go!" Hazel laughs.
Sure enough, he lifts the reins and the wagon slowly moves forward and picks up pace.
I smile. It's so relaxing somehow, even with the jolting of the wheels hitting rocks. I find it strange, how it's just so nice to be able to sit and be at peace with my thoughts, without feeling like I need to be doing something productive.
I find myself pondering what I'll teach the students on the first day and how I'll do my lessons. I wonder how I'll deal with misbehaving children, upset children, happy children and scared. I believe the hard part will be getting to know each child, and understanding what they're each dealing with, if anything.
Soon, I can hear the sound of children laughing and horses whinnying and I instantly know we're in Riverbend.
I take August's hand and jump out of the wagon, landing as gracefully as I can manage.
August smiles, handing our basket to Lydia and then takes the box of supplies in his arms. “I’ll help you with this. Come on. Let’s go.”
We walk silently to the schoolhouse. At the door, I slide the key in the lock and twist it. The door sticks a little, but with another shove in opens.
"Ah, this will be a fun day." I smile entering the schoolhouse.
August comes in after me and sets the box on the desk at the front of the room. “There you go. I better be heading out to help the men. I’ll find you four when I’m done.”
“All right.” I smile. “Thank you.”
August leaves, shutting the door behind him.
"It's so bright in here, and cozy." Genevieve smiles, walking to the window on the far side of the room.
I move to open the box. "Indeed."
To start, I take out all of the books, some about history, laws of the world, how-to's, and some I'm not even too sure of. Located to the left of my desk is a large bookshelf. Genevieve offers to help me, which is no surprise.
We arrange the books alphabetically by authors name. I take a few steps back and smile when the last book is placed. "Perfect."
Next, I decide to take a piece of chalk and write in big letters on the chalkboard.
‘Welcome children!’
I take a dry cloth and wipe the desks off, clearing away the dust. Lydia puts the extra slates and pieces of chalk in my desk.
"This is wonderful. Don't you think?"
The girls nod, smiling.
I sigh. "Let's go outside now and we can find somewhere nice to eat our lunch. Maybe we could talk to some people?"
We leave the schoolhouse and I smile briefly before closing the door, locking it with a click.
The girls and I have found a shady spot underneath a large tree, with the river flowing past us. The grass is a vibrant shade of green beneath our blanket.
Lydia takes out the sandwiches they made this morning and I smile as she passes me mine. "Thank you."
We eat quietly until our sandwiches are no longer in sight. Lydia digs through the basket pulling out the canteen of water. "Water?"
"Yes, please." I take the canteen and take a sip of its contents, smiling as I pass it to Hazel. I look out at the river and watch it bubble over the large rocks.
Hazel disrupts my thoughts when she wraps her arms around me. "Adeline, I don't believe what pa said last night. Don't listen to him, all right?"
I smile, reaching over to hug her. "I know. You girls are always there for me and I couldn't imagine better sisters than you three.”
She smiles and looks down, her face turning red. Laughing, I stand and brush off my dress. "Come on. Let's go meet some people. Shall we?"
Chapter 14
Hazel folds up the blanket while I pack everything into the basket. We stop at August's wagon and put our stuff back inside, before walking into the main part of the town. A young woman is walking in the opposite direction towards us, her black hair bouncing with each step.
* * *
She smiles and holds out her hand. "Oh what a pleasure! Ms. Carter—the new teacher. I don't believe I've had the chance to introduce myself. I'm Mrs. Brewer."
* * *
"It's great to meet you, Mrs. Brewer. These are my sisters, who will be attending school here. Genevieve, Lydia and Hazel." I motion toward my sisters who all give shy smiles.
* * *
"Oh, how lovely. I'm sure my daughter Delia will be delighted to have other girls her age to talk to. She gets rather lonely."
Smiling, I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'm sure my sisters will enjoy meeting new people too. Coming from the middle of nowhere leaves us with not many people to talk to other than each other."
* * *
"Yes, I'm fortunate enough that Delia can handle not having anyone to play with, her not having any siblings after all."
I give a small smile to my sisters before meeting Mrs. Brewer's eyes again. "Well, it was a pleasure meeting you. I'm looking forward to teaching your daughter and all of the lovely children of Riverbend. I do hope I see you around."
* * *
Mrs. Brewer readjusts her hat and takes a step in the direction she'd been going before. "Yes, you seem like a well composed girl. I believe you'll teach my daughter great things."
* * *
I'm lost for words as Mrs. Brewer walks away past the mercantile with the same bounce in her step.
* * *
"Well she was nice, wasn't she?" Genevieve smiles, elbowing me in the arm.
* * *
"Yes." I jump, startled. "She is, but what if I can’t be a great teacher like everyone keeps saying? I don't even know what I'm doing yet."
* * *
Hazel laughs and starts walking. "Because they don't know you yet. Soon, they'll see you've got nothing to offer and then they'll not think so highly of you."
* * *
"Hazel!" Genevieve giggles, lightly swatting her arm.
I laugh as I pull Hazel into a hug. "You take that back, missy."
* * *
She looks up at me and grins. "Never."
* * *
Still laughing, we walk toward where August had told us he'd be working. Sure enough, as we near the half-built church, I can see August cutting a piece of wood.
* * *
August looks up and smiles, wiping his forehead with his hand. "Oh, hello girls."
* * *
Smiling, I make my way to stand across from him. "Hello. How's it going?"
* * *
"Fine, I suppose. It's quite hot today and it's slowed us down a bit. How's your day been? Have you finished cleaning?"
* * *
"Yes, we've got everything ready for tomorrow. We also met a lovely lady named Mrs. Brewer on our way here."
* * *
August smiles, handing the piece of cut wood to an older man. "Yes, Mrs. Brewer. Her husband works with me a lot. Sweet family."
; Nodding I lean on the tree behind me. Hazel picks a pink flower and tucks it behind her ear.
* * *
August pulls his hand through his hair. "I suppose you'd like to leave?"
* * *
I shake my head smiling. "No, it's fine. You keep working. It's lovely here anyway. I'd rather be here than-" I stop myself. I don’t need the girls hearing that. I don’t really mean it anyway, but August nods and pulls another long piece of wood in front of him. He begins cutting it in half and I let myself sit down, still leaning on the tree.
* * *
The girls sit down beside me and we remain quiet for a while, each of us lost in our own thoughts once again.
I’m now sat next to August, on our way back home.
* * *
“So, you’ve got everything ready for tomorrow?”
* * *
I let out a breath, wiping my hands on my dress. “I sure hope so.”
* * *
“You’ll be fine.”
* * *
I laugh before going quiet and looking down at my hands.
* * *
“What’s wrong, Adeline?”
* * *
I sigh, looking up at him. “Just tired is all.”
* * *
“Are you sure?”
* * *
I nod, looking away. I let out a long breath. “Last night pa and I got into a huge fight. He got mad and said he expected more from me, and said that eventually I’ll have no one left—because they’ll all give up on me. I went to Darlene’s and she told me she never will, but I still can’t get the words from replaying in my mind.”
* * *
August readjusts the reins in his hands. “That’s a little harsh of him.”
* * *
“Yah, but I think I deserved it.”
* * *
“No you didn’t. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
* * *
I smile. Maybe pa was wrong. Just maybe.
"Goodbye, August. Thank you for taking us to town again today. It's much appreciated." I smile, looking up at the house where my sisters have already disappeared inside.
* * *
August slams the back of his wagon shut and puts his hands in his pockets, walking over to me. "It's no problem really. I’ll be here tomorrow a little earlier, that way you're not late for your first day."
* * *
I give a small laugh. "Yes, that would be quite unfortunate."
* * *
It's quiet for a bit before I smile. "Well, I best be getting to the house with my sisters."
* * *
"Yes, goodnight Adeline."
* * *
"Goodnight." I turn and begin walking up to the house.
* * *
"Oh, Adeline?" August says from behind me. I turn and he scratches his head. “About what you’re pa said…about people giving up on you. I want you to know, I’ll never give up on you, even if the whole world is against you, I’ll be there to be your friend.”
* * *
I feel my heart quicken and I smile, at a loss for words. Before I can say anything August jumps back into his seat and smiles. “Goodbye.”
* * *
I watch as the wagon pulls away. For some reason, I stay there, watching it go over the hill and out of sight.
Chapter 15
I wake up feeling a smile immediately spread across my face. Today is the day—my first day of teaching at Riverbend. I swing my legs over the side of the bed and feel the cool wooden floor under my bare feet.
* * *
My sisters are all still soundly asleep, and I want to let them sleep a little longer. In the corner, I see my dark blue dress folded neatly on the chair where I set it out last night.
* * *
I put the dress on and smile to myself. This dress was one of my favorites. Perfect for my first day. As I make my way across to the table, I see Pa sitting in his rocking chair. This is the first time since our argument that we're alone with each other.
* * *
I remain quiet as I begin packing everything for today. I put my sister's slates and chalk in, as well as a blanket just in case. I begin spreading out enough bread for each of our sandwiches before being startled by pa's voice.
* * *
"Good luck. With your first day, I mean."
* * *
I don't look up, but continue buttering the bread.
Pa lets out a long, loud sigh. "Listen, Adeline. I know you're mad and you have every right to be. I know you probably won't believe what I'm saying but…I'm trying. I've made some horrible mistakes, ones I will forever regret. I believe there is something other than the fact I locked myself in my bedroom for a month that's got you mad. Am I right?"
* * *
I don't say anything. What do I have to say?
* * *
Pa stands and crosses over by the stove. "And I know, what I said to you a few days ago was uncalled for. I don't know what got in to me. I guess I'm just getting frustrated, you know? But, it's not because of you. It’s because of me. I'm so angry with myself right now. I so badly wish I could make it up to you somehow, but I know that I can't."
* * *
It's quiet while I put the girls sandwiches in to their buckets and place mine in the basket.
* * *
"Adeline? What's bothering you about me right now?" Pa scratches his chin.
* * *
I sigh and look up at him. "You keep saying that you're trying, when it seems like you're not. You haven't even been home long enough lately for me to be able to see if you're trying."
* * *
He doesn't reply and I walk past him and up the ladder to the loft, until I'm standing over my sister's beds. If I wake them up, he hopefully won't continue to upset me. I'm not going to let him ruin my day. I appreciate the fact he says he's trying. Step two is for him to actually try.
* * *
"Girls." I say softly. "It's time to get up."
* * *
Genevieve groans pulling the blanket over her head. Lydia sits up yawning and rubbing her eyes. She gives a little nudge to Hazel who is still sleeping. Soon, my eyes are met by three pairs of groggy eyes staring back at me.
* * *
"Come on." I take the dresses they laid out and set them on their beds. "You get ready and I'll make us some breakfast."
* * *
I make my way back to the kitchen, looking back once to make sure they are up and moving. Sure enough they're up and getting ready slowly.
* * *
To my relief, pa is sitting back down in his rocking chair by the fireplace as I begin breakfast. I crack some eggs and begin cooking them, along with some bacon. A simple, but delicious breakfast. The bacon is sizzling as I flip the pieces.
* * *
Hazel walks over to me, and smiles. "How do I look?"
* * *
"You look lovely, Hazel." I reply. She's wearing a pale pink dress, and her blonde hair is neatly laid over her shoulders. For a brief moment, I see ma in her.
* * *
Soon, we're all sat at the table and are finishing up our breakfast.
* * *
"Oh, I'm so excited for today!" Genevieve lets out a long, happy sigh resting her head on her head.
* * *
I laugh, standing with my plate and dishes in my hands. "So am I. You girls are going to be able to make some new friends!"
* * *
I quickly wash the dishes, handing them to Genevieve who dries them. When I finish, I move to make sure we've got everything. With little time to spare, Genevieve places the last plate in to the cupboard.
* * *
"He's here!" Hazel exclaims bouncing up and down by the door.
* * *
"All right." I laugh lifting the basket off of the table. "Calm down. Oh, and don't forget your lunch pails."
* * *
I somehow eventually manage to get the three of them out the door with their lunc
h pails, and as I step outside, pa follows behind me.
* * *
He hugs each of my sisters smiling at them. "Have a great day girls! Tell August I appreciate him taking you to Riverbend."
* * *
I walk down the grass and make my way toward August's wagon. "Hello August!"
* * *
The Barn Page 6
