by Lisa Day
To Want the School Teacher
by
Lisa Day
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2014 Lisa Day
This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Art work
http://www.istockphoto.com/photo/old-time-classroom-teacher-s-desk-13915118?st=7430bd5
Acknowledgments:
This acknowledgment is for The Manning Family who gracious allowed me to name their business and add their product to my story. This of course make the creative juices flow.
Table of contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Notes from the author
An Invitation
More tid-bits
Chapter One
Town of Edenville Charter
Education:.page five paragraph seven
Provision four : Education of the young shall be provided by a woman.
Line two: She shall be married to a long time resident of good standing impeccable reputation from the town of Edenville.
Line three: If the need arises for unforeseen or an immediate filling of the position arises the unattached males of the community will step up and perform their civic duty for the good of the town.
One by one the men trudged into the room as if they marched to their own execution or hanging. Four of them would see a reprieve before this meeting of the minds ended. From the chosen group one man's life as he knew it would be over.
It was one of the first buildings constructed when the town of Edenville began to take shape. Outside fair weather with gentle breezes and sunshine created smiles on everyone not in the room.
Inside, however, five men squirmed. They each had their own reasons, some good, some not so good.
A semi-circle of chairs occupied by seven men. The councilmen of Edenville had business to see to. They faced the uncomfortable five men sitting in front of them. The desks of varying sizes had been pushed together into the rear of the room allowing the space needed for the meeting. Frederick Calhoun chairman began to speak.
Thomas cleared his throat and glanced at his brother Keith Kincaid. Sam Weston watched the dust dance in the sunlight as it filtered through the first of four window frames on the south side of the room. Justice Foster sat tracing the threads in his jeans. Calvin Horton picked at his fingernails. Confirmed bachelors all.
All to soon it was time. Each man picked a folded paper from the hat. No one could say the whole affair wasn't above board.
Three of the five men sighed aloud with relief. Sam and Thomas still hadn't found the courage to open theirs slips of paper. One of them would soon be married and that for most of the five men was worse than death.
Thomas mumbled, “For the good of the town.”
He began to unfold the small paper.
He didn't need to finish Sam jumped from his seat yelling. “Thank goodness, thank goodness it's not me.”
A school marm? He'd knew someday he'd find the right person and put his single days behind him. Maybe when he was forty or even fifty, but never ever did he think he'd be pressed into marrying a school teacher.
He repeated it was for the betterment of the town.
“You all right brother.”
“Yea, Keith, I'm just jolly.” Thomas watched his brother struggle to comfort him as the room emptied. The relief on his brother's face that it wasn't him who had to comply to the committee reminded Thomas of the situation he was in, and his stomach knotted.
***
It wasn't until the next day Thomas came to appreciate he at least had the opportunity to find his own match. The only requirement was the future bride had to be qualified for the position. The children of Edenville were considered valuable assets as they were the town's future.
“So, that's your plan?” Keith asked.
“Yes, for the moment. I'm off tomorrow to St Louis and will place an advertisement in two of that city's finest newspapers.”
Keith's smirk required a comment as well as his question.
“Yes, I plan to visit Miss Sally's place while there. You'd expect me to not to. I'm searching for...” He groaned, “a bride. I ain't married and certainly not dead. Yet.”
The first day in St Louis he placed the ads, checked into a hotel, ate dinner, and headed for Sue Ellen's brothel a home away from home for men. No matter which girl entertained him, he usually had a good time and stayed well into the early hours before leaving.
Tonight didn't follow the usual routine. Thomas Kincaid did something he never did before as soon as he finished with Sue Ellen he dressed and left without a word.
Why all of the sudden he found himself full of discontent confused him.
***
Miss Southerly had a way about her a snooty way, and he crossed her off the list. What list? The list held only contented three names. He laughed silently. This wasn't suppose to be hard. Where were the single women who had no choice but to become the homely and respectable teachers of the growing country? Surly one woman with qualifications to teach and a likeable enough personality to marry existed in a city the size of St. Louis.
The next victim, er, potential candidate, sashayed into the room. He didn't remove her from the list when her cologne entered the room far too many seconds before she did. He coughed. She fell from grace when she opened her mouth. Her voice twanged setting his nerves on edge. If they hadn't been 'his' hotel lobby, he would had stood and left the area, he used to interview the women, leaving the woman to fend for herself.
Pieces of the torn list found it way to the red wicker trash bucket sitting beside one of the lobby's writing desks. The last name on it sent a note explaining she had accepted another position just two hours ago.
Taking the stage coach back to Edenville at the stations Thomas switched coaches several times hoping to meet someone suitable. This strategy added two days to his journey but added not one candidate for his consideration.
Chapter Two
“Drats.” Thomas turned abruptly and sped up his steps. Frederick Calhoun headed straight for him.
“I say, Thomas, wait up, Thomas.”
“Frederick, how are you?”
“I hear the search isn't going well.” There was genuine concern in his voice. Which surprised Thomas for they hadn't been the best of friends in the past.
Thomas nodded in answer to the man's question.
“Well, don't give up. Not every qualified person will have a teaching degree or experience. We just need someone educated who can put the desire to learn in the small ones. Eh?”
He shook the councilman’s hand when he'd rather had punched the man in the face. Why didn't the man inform him of this before his went to St. Louis it might have added more names to his list.
***
The shade on the Cattleman’s Association door slowly covered the window announcing the office was closed.
He needed to get out of town. A smile crossed his face thinking of the widow Murphy filled his thoughts. He wondered if she'd be open to a visit. Of the three widows, he saw from time to time Anita was his favorite. He considered a few years ago to offer marriage, however, before he could the woman let him know under no certain circumstance would she ever marry again.
She had no need for widowhood left her financially secure. Of the four children, only one remained in Edenville, and he lived in a cabin on the back of her property. It was then Thomas learned she had other callers, and she explained all her earthly needs were taken care. Thank you very much.
Anita always welcomed him with a hot meal and an equally hot time in her bed. Her administrations to Thomas' baser needs were what kept him from pursuing a marriage partner sooner.
“Thanks, Anita your meals are always something special.” Thomas crooned while thinking of the pleasure they'd be sharing in a little while.
Thomas was a man who liked his sexual encounters. The idea of having a warm and willing partner every night hid deep within his brain as soon as it appeared.
It surprised him when he left early again breaking his normal routine. In the wee early morning hours he returned home. Thomas sat behind his desk looking out of the window as the first light touched the sky. The drink he poured an hour ago still remained in his hand. The discontent, he felt earlier in the week again covered him like an itchy wool blanket.
Finding out the thoughts of waking everyday with someone caring about him was unsettling enough. The rub was he seemed to like the idea and that scared him to the point of breaking out in a cold sweat.
The mantle clock chimed the seventh hour of the day. The drink forgotten sat on the desk's blotter. Thomas moved to the doorway, reached for his coat that hung on the hook and walked his way into the town searching out breakfast.
***
The eatery was another one of those buildings from the beginning of time. It felt more like home than a business. Everyone new everyone else except when the stage line stopped allowing its passengers a reprieve from the jostling ride and offered them a chance for a hot meal.
Justice Foster sat across from Thomas. He didn't even try to hid the happy fact that he wasn't the one to be sacrificed on the alter of matrimony for the good of the town.
“I wonder where the forefather brains were when they wrote the town charter,” Thomas said.
“Times were different back then. When the town had men four to one ratio over the women. Just how much teaching do you think got done with a single woman being courted night and day?” Justice smiled showing the empty space where his two front teeth used to be. “And when the woman a looker or homely as a cow picked one. They'd pack up and move out of town.”
“Guess they got tried of finding new teachers time and again, but...” Thomas' words were left hanging in the air. Justice turned to see what caught his friend’s undivided attention.
Thomas stood, “Excuse me.”
What ever Justice said after that wasn't heard by the man who now moved toward the back of the room.
Thomas cleared his throat. The woman sitting at the rear table didn't respond.
“Excuse me.”
Slowly as if the interruption was definitely an interruption the woman raised her head and stared.
“Excuse me. But, are you reading a book actually written in French?” Smooth Thomas smooth. He berated himself. He was about to forgive himself for sounding like an idiot when he now was stunned speechless by her eyes. He closed his dangling open month so fast he teeth snapped shut with a clack.
He tried to recoup. “Thomas Kincaid, I er, forgive me I never knew anyone who could read anything but English. Comment allez-vous profiter de la livre jusqu'à présent? (How are you enjoying the book so far?)
She relaxed. "Pardonnez mon impolitesse. Une femme voyageant seule ne peut pas être trop prudent." ( Forgive my rudeness. A woman traveling alone can not be too careful.)
“May I” Thomas hand reached for the book before she could answer. Her response was automatic as his fingers tightened around the spine of the book. He chuckle. She blushed.
“The Country Waif by Madame George Sand.” An eyebrow raised before he asked, “I hear she has, let's say a rather unconventional view about passion and the innocent.”
She blushed again. This time Thomas thought beautiful.
“Thomas Kincaid.” he repeated, “May I join you for a last cup of coffee before you go?”
She nodded and motioned with an open hand. “Please, Victoria Trent. I'm please to make your acquaintance.”
He pulled out the chair opposite from her. Placed the closed book next to her empty plate and signaled the waiter all at the same time.
“So, Tell me, Victoria Trent, how does someone know French so well that you can read it? Forgive my forwardness, but in a little bit you'll be on that stage, and sadly we'll never speak again.”
A tingle of pink remained on Victoria's cheeks and she answered.
“Your looking at a graduate of the Bradford Academy of Bradford, Massachusetts.” Her chin raised a tad higher.
He smiled and the expression in her eyes gave away she liked what she saw. Thomas liked what he heard as well as saw.
“A grand accomplishment for sure. I rarely get to enjoy meeting an educated woman.”
Victoria was about to bristle when she realize he wore no smirk on his face.
“I don't usually get that type of response. Usually, I am told I inspire to be above my station. What a waste of money and time to education a woman who will just aspire to be a wife and mother.”
“Nonsense and fore shame. Apparently, you haven't met the right kind on people or man. Whether male or female how would you carry on a conversation beyond hello if at least one of them wasn't learned. And with both what simulating words must they share in public and most intimately in private.” He pushed the envelope to see how she'd respond.
She blushed deeper this time. However, she refused to acknowledge being offended.
“Other than French what other things have you mastered while at your academy in Massachusetts?”
“I'm qualified to be an accountant. I'm able to assist a solicitor of the law and have a head for commerce. But of course, no one will consider hiring me. A mere female.” She grinned as if it didn't bother her, but it was very obvious it did.
Thomas made his decision. He wasn't proud of it. Perhaps had there been more time he might have found another option.
“I see the waiter is busy. I'm a regular customer here.” He stood, “ let me refill you cup.” Both cups were gone before Victoria had a chance to answer.
The two man talked too low for anyone to make out what they discussed.
“...for your tooth ache. You still have it here?”
Fenmore asked, “Are you sure?”
“It's the only way. That coach leaves in less than an hour. Just add it to her drink.” Thomas turned back in a moment of hesitation and smiled gallantly at her. He took the vial from Fenmore's shaking hand and poured its contents into Victoria's cup. The spoon clanged against the china cup as he stirred the two spoonfuls of sugar he added and whispered, “Send for Keith. Tell him to bring the buckboard.”
After placing the refilled cup in front of Victoria he took his own chair and sat.
“A toast. May you discover someone truly worthy of you and may your education be put to good use.”
Victoria laughed. The two cups of coffee raised and chimed with a an echoing ping when they connected.
“Very unusual toast, Mr. Kincaid.”
“I think, Miss Trent, you're a very usual woman.”
&
nbsp; “Thank you, and you make interesting company to be sure. I don't know when I had such odd fun.” Victoria turned to see the time on the wall clock. “However, I must be going. I don't want to miss the stage.”
Fenmore moved to the front door locked it and his body hid his hands as turned the open sign over so it now read closed.
“It seems George just posted the new departure time. The stage coach will be leaving at least a half hour late.”
“Oh dear.” She said.
“A reprieve Miss Trent. Do drink up. No telling when you'll have a chance enjoy real food or good coffee again.” Thomas nodded as the woman across from him drained her cup.
“I know this stage heads west. How far are you traveling? May I ask?”
“All the way I'm afraid to Sacramento, California. After I finished Bradford Academy my mother's sister in Philadelphia took sick. I stayed with her for three years. She passed six weeks ago. When her brother-in law heard about her passing he sent funds for me to travel to California. I thought maybe I'd be better accepted out there than back east.”
“So you on an adventure you may say?”
“Yes, I guess... you... could say... that.” She was struggling to form the words.
Thomas watched close when she forced her eyes back open. She seemed to have a difficult time holding her head up.
“Oh dear.” It was a plea.
“Is there something wrong Miss Trent?”
“No .. I mean, yes.”
Thomas quickly moved the cup and saucer as Victoria gave up the battle and her head eased its way onto the table.
He pushed the few strands of hair that came free and fell across her face.
“I'm afraid, Miss Trent, you just found a brand new adventure.”
She didn't respond.
Chapter Three
The pounding at the backdoor announced the arrival of Keith. Fenmore moved hastily through the dining room and into the kitchen area.
