Frontier Engagement

by Regina Scott

  James took a step back. “Good. I’ll just go see to the horses.” With an encouraging nod to Rina, he left.

  The room seemed somehow darker once the door closed behind him. She shook herself. She was here to teach, not to hang on every word from a certain gentleman’s mouth. Particularly when the words coming out of that gentleman’s mouth were nonsense more often than not.

  “Thank you for inviting me to dine with you,” she said to Catherine.

  Catherine’s smile returned. “Of course! You’ll find this table is always open. Let me introduce you to everyone. My husband and most of his brothers are expected any moment, but the others are here. You’ve already met Beth.”

  Rina nodded to the girl, who was now setting pink-and-white patterned dishes on the table. “Yes, and I understand I shall have the pleasure of instructing her.” She could imagine the older girl helping beside her, teaching the little ones their letters.

  “Indeed.” Catherine led her over to the other woman, a tall lady, her eyes were a vibrant shade of green in a face shaped like Beth’s.

  “This is Mrs. Wallin, Beth’s mother,” Catherine explained.

  “So glad you could join us, Miss Fosgrave,” the elder Mrs. Wallin said with a ready smile. “If there’s anything you need, just let me know.”

  Something pounded on the boardwalk then, and the door opened to admit the rest of the Wallin men. They were all dressed in rough trousers and cotton shirts open at the neck and rolled up at the sleeves to reveal flannel beneath. Rina recognized the largest as Drew, Catherine’s husband, and he confirmed the fact by crossing to their sides and kissing Catherine on the cheek.

  The more slender brother, who was as tall as him with hair the color of James’s, was introduced as Simon, and the younger one with red-gold hair and green eyes as John. The youngest yet, who must have been Levi, poked his curly-haired head from the back room and ordered John to help him serve. The rest started moving toward the table.

  She knew she should join them, but she suddenly felt alone, uncertain. They were so eager, so helpful. Would they still want her to teach if they knew about how she’d been raised, by whom she’d been raised?

  James was the last through the door. His brothers hailed him, and his mother called his name in greeting. He offered them a smile before crossing to her side and holding out his arm.

  “May I have the honor of escorting you to the table, Miss Fosgrave?”

  This time it was easy to place her hand on his arm, to lean on that strength. “The honor is all mine, Mr. Wallin.”

  He led her to the table, then pulled out one of the benches to allow her to sit. She didn’t realize until he moved away that everyone in his family was staring at him, Beth with mouth open wide.

  James went to hold out the chair at the foot of the table for his mother. “Manners?” he suggested to his brothers with an arched look.

  “Well, la-di-da, as Miss Maddie would say,” Levi retorted, carrying a steaming cast-iron tureen to the table. “What are we, the queen of France?”

  Rina’s face felt hot, but Mrs. Wallin pointed a finger at her youngest son. “There is nothing wrong with treating others with respect, Levi Aloysius Wallin.”

  Catherine turned to her brother-in-law. “Aloysius?”

  Now Levi was coloring. “Pa said it was from the old country.”

  Rina could not bear to see the boy teased. “It’s a fine name,” she said. “Far better than being called Alexandrina Eugenia. I have had to live with that most of my life.”

  He shook his head. “You surely have me beat, ma’am.”

  “Welcome to Wallin Landing, Alexandrina Eugenia Fosgrave,” Mrs. Wallin said.

  “Rina, please, Mrs. Wallin,” Rina said. “A recent change.” She couldn’t help glancing at James, who was, of course, grinning.

  The rest of them sat then, and Drew said the blessing from the head of the table. Head bowed, Rina listened to his deep voice thank God for what they were about to receive. She was thankful, as well. They’d arrived safely, and the family seemed kind and considerate. But she had yet to see if the school was as James had described it. She could only pray she had been right to trust him.

  * * *

  James munched on one of his brother’s famous biscuits slathered in honey butter and watched Rina pick at her food from across the table. At first, each laugh had made her flinch, and she’d glanced around as if waiting for someone to order them to cease their nonsense.

  Of course his older brother Simon had been nearly as bad. He kept narrowing his light green eyes at her as if something about her simply didn’t add up. That was Simon—analyzing every situation and spotting the problems just as James spotted the potential. James would never admit it to his strong-willed brother, but he admired Simon’s ability to get things done, to stay on track. Still he wasn’t about to let Simon pick on Rina.

  He couldn’t help remembering what Maddie had said, that someone had hurt her. Part of him wanted to hold her close, shelter her from whatever had sapped her joy. The other part wanted to tease her unmercifully until she smiled again.

  He must have restrained himself sufficiently, for his family noticed.

  “Are you feeling sick?” Beth asked as he helped her clear the table. Catherine and Ma had taken Rina aside, most likely to talk about their hopes for the school.

  “Never felt better,” James said, carrying the empty tureen to the washtub in the back room. He peered over his shoulder through the opening by the hearth in time to see Rina frown. Didn’t she like what they were saying? Was she even now thinking about leaving? He’d worked too hard to coax her into coming!

  “No, there’s something wrong,” John said, following them with a stack of cups. “Otherwise he would have answered your question with a joke.”

  James shook his head. “Not everything has to be a joke.”

  Beth clutched her chest. “What! Where is the James Wallin we know and love?”

  “He perished under the weight of Miss Fosgrave’s trunk,” James answered, and his sister and brother laughed.

  He was smiling as he returned to the front room. He liked making people laugh. Something about the light in their eyes raised his own spirits. For a moment, he felt worthwhile, like he could do something his more talented brothers couldn’t.

  Why couldn’t he make Rina laugh?

  He’d seen hints of it, a twitch of those pink lips that suggested she wasn’t immune to his charm. But he wanted to hear her laugh. He wanted to see her eyes brighten, her smile broaden. That, he thought, would be a glorious sight.

  He’d simply have to think of another strategy.

  As he began gathering up the remaining dishes, Catherine moved to his side.

  “I must ask, James,” she murmured. “Why did you choose Miss Fosgrave?”

  James glanced to where his mother was showing Rina one of her colorful quilts. “Look at her, Catherine. Nothing rattles her. That’s what we need in our schoolteacher. You know how some of those women would react when they discovered they’ll have three students for the moment, two of which should have graduated the schoolroom years ago.”

  Catherine shook her head, pale hair gleaming in the lamplight. “I know our school is unique, and I can see Miss Fosgrave has a presence, James. But she’s quite pretty.”

  James eyed her. “It doesn’t require a hatchet-faced spinster to teach a fellow, ma’am.”

  “It doesn’t take a beauty, either,” she retorted. “At the moment, however, I’m more concerned with her skills. I want you to join us on this interview. There’s a great deal we must know about Miss Fosgrave before we grant her this position.”

  Was she determined to make it difficult? Or was it that she could not trust his decision? “We never asked to see your credentials when you came to take care of Ma,” he pointed out
. “You said you were a nurse, and that was good enough for us.”

  She blinked. “James Wallin, there are moments when you are positively brilliant.”

  James raised a brow. “Mere moments, ma’am?”

  She laughed. “Take the victory I’m giving you, sir. I’ll ask her some questions, but I’ll see whether her actions confirm her abilities. It may be that she has a great deal to teach her students.” She eyed James. “And you.”

  “Me?” Only the dishes in his arms kept him from raising his hands. “I don’t need schooling.”

  “About some things,” Catherine insisted. She turned to motion Rina over, but James felt as if the plates had tripled in his grip. Although he appreciated the light in a woman’s eyes, the gleam in Catherine’s just then had been positively terrifying. Her smile to Rina was even more so.

  He was very much afraid his sister-in-law intended to follow through on the threat she’d made at her wedding to match them all up with brides. And she meant Rina for him.

  That plan had to be chopped down faster than an ailing cedar. His father’s death had taught him that life was uncertain, unpredictable. The more you clutched close, the more could be taken from you. He had no intention of marrying, leaving behind a wife in sorrow or living with the pain of watching her die. He shoved the dishes at John and tugged down on his waistcoat, preparing for a fight.

  Catherine was all encouragement as she invited Rina and Ma to the table, then sat and placed her hands on the worn wood surface. The light from the lamp highlighted the planes of her face. James was glad Simon had excused himself after dinner to tend to chores at his cabin or this interview could have turned into an inquisition. James positioned himself now where he could see Rina. Her color was high, but at his presence or the upcoming questioning, he couldn’t be sure.

  “Now, then, Miss Fosgrave,” Catherine said, “you were going to tell us why you wished to become a teacher.”

  James leaned closer, eager for the answer. He could almost see Rina’s confidence slide over her like a royal robe. She sat taller, raised her chin and met their gazes in turn. Her gaze only wavered when it touched his.

  “I consider it an honor to help children prepare for a better future,” she said.

  James nodded, smile hitching up. That’s what they wanted for the school, as well. He glanced at Catherine, who offered Rina a smile.

  “And how did you prepare for this honor?” she asked. “Where did you attend school?”

  “I received the finest education from personal tutors,” Rina told her. “I am well versed in mathematics, geography, history, literature and science, and I am fluent in French and Italian.”

  How could anyone not be impressed with her? He looked to his mother this time.

  “A good education,” Ma agreed with a smile, “though I’m not sure what call my children will ever have to speak French.”

  “Please don’t teach Beth,” James couldn’t help teasing Rina. “We barely understand her as it is.”

  His mother swatted his hand. A smile lifted at one corner of Rina’s pretty pink lips.

  Catherine remained relentlessly on topic. “What about references?”

  Rina inclined her head. “I have a character reference in my trunk. I can show it to you once I unpack.”

  “But no references from previous positions?” Catherine asked with a frown.

  Now his mother looked concerned as well. “Have you ever taught school?”

  Rina took a deep breath, the satin at her shoulders bunching with the movement. “No, Mrs. Wallin. But I believe I have the skills and determination necessary to make a good teacher. You will find no one more dedicated to her profession.”

  James could believe that. Her fervor shone from her eyes. But she couldn’t know how important this school was to his family and to him. This was his chance to make up for what had happened to his father. He still thought Rina had the backbone for the job, but for the first time, he began to doubt he’d made the right choice.

  Rina had all but accused him of picking her for her looks, and Catherine seemed to fear as much. Could it be that Rina wasn’t the right teacher for them after all?

  Had he made as grave an error in judgment as the day he’d looked away from the tree and missed the branch that had killed his father?

  Chapter Four

  They were going to send her packing. Rina refused to shiver at the thought. She’d already given Catherine and Mrs. Wallin doubts about her abilities. She could see it in their frowns, the way they leaned back from her, Catherine’s cotton gown crinkling. She didn’t want them to think she also had no confidence in her skills.

  Even if she did doubt herself on occasion.

  “Dedication is all well and good,” Catherine said. “But ours is a somewhat unusual school, Miss Fosgrave. I wonder that someone without experience will know how to deal with the problems.”

  “Problems?” Rina couldn’t help glancing at James. He seemed to be examining the lowest button on his waistcoat. Did he doubt her now, as well? Somehow, that made her feel all the more shaky.

  Mrs. Wallin rose. “Perhaps it would be best if we showed her the school, Catherine. We can explain better there.”

  Catherine stood, too. “Very well. James, if you’d be so good as to light the way.”

  He shuddered as if it were a difficult task, and Rina waited for some joke to pop out of his mouth. But he merely lifted the brass-based lamp from the table and went to open the door for the ladies.

  “Wait for us!” Beth cried, grabbing Levi’s hand and tugging him with her from where they’d been playing chess near the fire. Simon and John had already retired for the evening, but Drew also pushed off from the wall to join them.

  They made quite a procession in the moonlight, James at the head with the lantern, Catherine on one side of Rina and Mrs. Wallin on the other with Beth and Levi tailing behind and Drew bringing up the rear. The light pushed back the darkness and cocooned them in warmth. Yet still Rina felt chilled.

  “It’s a wonderful school,” Beth was bubbling. “I know you’ll approve of it, Miss Fosgrave. Everyone worked so hard to make it perfect.”

  Her excitement should have been contagious, but it only served to make Rina all the more aware of the tension in James. He strode along, one hand fisted at his side as if trying to hold something in. She realized she’d only known him a few hours, but his attitude seemed off-kilter. Was it only her lack of experience that troubled him, or something more?

  Her concerns gnawed at the edges of her confidence. Was she about to discover the dark side of these seemingly bright and happy people?

  James stopped in front of the door, where someone had painted “Lake Union School” in white letters. Below, a blank space had been left for the teacher’s name. A tingle shot through her. Her name could go right there, if only she could prove herself to the Wallins. She clasped her hands tightly together in front of her gown, one up, one down, as James threw open the door.

  She followed him inside, gazing about. The single room was long, with a window on either side to let in light and air and a hearth at the back for warmth. A fire glowed in it now. Next to the hearth stood a door that must lead to the teacher’s quarters.

  Beth’s claim that they’d all worked hard was evident everywhere Rina looked. The logs making up the walls had been squared off, smoothed and chinked, the floor planked tightly together to keep things snug in cold weather. Benches made from shaved logs, carefully sanded and dotted by several small slates that lay waiting for their students, ran in rows down the center. A proper desk with ink well and tilted surface sat near the front with a hard-backed chair covered in a quilted cushion for the teacher.

  But not everyone apparently was as pleased with the school as Beth. Written on the broad blackboard on the front wall in large, crooked chalk
letters were the words, “We don’t need no stoopit school. Go away now else you might get hurt.”

  Rina gasped.

  Catherine’s reaction was more visible. “Levi Wallin!” she cried, whirling to face her youngest brother-in-law. “Shame on you!”

  “You know better than to behave like this,” his mother scolded him, rounding on the boy.

  Levi stepped back from their fury and raised his hands, face red. “I didn’t do it!”

  Rina didn’t know what to believe. His protests seemed genuine, but then so had every word from the Fosgraves’ mouths. The letters made it plain that someone didn’t want her here. But whether she taught at Wallin Landing was Catherine and Mrs. Wallin’s choice.

  And hers.

  Rina lifted her skirts and swept to the board. “I certainly hope a student in my school would realize the impropriety of using a double negative. And stupid—” she picked up the chalk and marked through the word “—will never be applied to this school or any of its students.”

  A sharp sound startled her. Turning, she found James applauding, his grin growing with each movement. He looked as if his marvelous horses had just birthed a prize foal. The cold she’d been feeling evaporated to be replaced with a warmth that went straight to her heart.

  “Well said, Miss Fosgrave,” Mrs. Wallin declared with a nod of satisfaction. “I do believe we’ve found our teacher.”

  “So it would seem,” Catherine replied with a smile to Rina and a look to her husband. “Let me show you the teacher’s quarters, Miss Fosgrave. Beth took special care to make them welcoming.” She glanced over her shoulder at James and Levi as if daring them to misbehave.

  “Why don’t you go check on the horses?” James said to Levi. “You know I can’t mix Lance’s grain to his liking.”

  Levi rolled his eyes. “You get it wrong on purpose so I’ll do the work for you.”

  James put a hand to his heart. “Never!”

  Drew chuckled, then lay a large hand that could not be denied on Levi’s shoulder. Eyes narrowed, the youth left the school with his oldest brother. Rina felt some of the tension leave with him.