by Regina Scott
“Were most likely not made by wolves,” James concluded. “At least, not the four-footed variety.” His gaze returned to the youths. “Anything you’d like to say to Miss Fosgrave, gents?”
Scout wiped his nose with the back of one hand. “Too bad you came all this way fer nothing.”
Levi nodded. “Maybe you could teach Beth how to talk all fancy-like so she can attract a rich husband, but I don’t reckon you got anything to teach us.”
Something pricked at her. Like her so-called father, Levi Wallin was so certain he knew more than anyone else that he was somehow above the petty rules that others obeyed. She might not be able to reach such a closed mind. But then again...
“Tell me, Mr. Wallin,” she said, raising her chin. “What do you hope to do with your life now that you’re a man?”
James shook his head as if afraid she’d given his brother too much credit. Levi straightened with a sneer to James. “I’m moving into town first chance I get.”
James’s gaze drifted to the ceiling as if trying to look anywhere else but at his brother.
“And what will you do there?” she pressed.
Levi grinned at Scout. “Anything I want.”
Scout grinned back.
“What a delightful life,” Rina said. “How do you intend to pay for your frivolity?”
Levi’s grin faded. “Frivol-what?”
“All the fun you’ll be having,” James explained with a smile to Rina.
“I assume you want to have fun, Mr. Wallin,” Rina confirmed.
His grin returned. “Yes, ma’am!”
Rina took a step closer, gaze drilling into his. “How will you pay for it? Fine clothes and food must be purchased, sir. Money doesn’t grow on trees, even here in Seattle. So what will you do? Labor for Mr. Yesler at the mill? Work in a shop?”
Levi’s chest swelled. “I don’t need another person telling me what to do all day. I’ll open my own shop.”
James chuckled and turned the noise into a cough when Levi glared at him.
“And how will you do that?” Rina asked. “Do you understand the language of a warranty deed? Can you calculate the interest on a loan? Do you know how to amortize payments? How much will you need to earn from your goods to turn a profit? How much profit will you need to invest so that you can continue to expand your business?”
With each question, Levi’s color fled a little more. Before he could answer her, she turned to Scout. “And what of you, Mr. Rankin? Do you intend to move to town and have fun like Levi?”
“No, ma’am,” he said, gaze dropping to where his bare toes were pressed into the floor. “Makes no sense, as most folks in town wouldn’t give me the time of day. I’d like to homestead. Don’t reckon you know how to do that.”
His voice held more despair than defiance. There was a story behind this boy. She wondered if it was anything like her own—abandoned, lied to, left to fend for herself. Still, she had clean clothes, food, the hope of a future. She wasn’t so sure Scout Rankin had any of those things.
“I know nothing about homesteading, Mr. Rankin,” she admitted. “But I know about the Farmer’s Almanac. I can teach you to understand it, and from there you can learn how to calculate crop yields, determine the best times to plant and harvest and even predict the weather.”
His head came up, and his eyes widened. Like his hair, they were a muddy brown, but she could see the light of intelligence in them, the flicker of hope. “That would be right helpful, ma’am.”
Levi narrowed his eyes as if he thought his friend was giving in too easily.
Rina refused to be daunted. “Good,” she said. “Then I expect to see you both tomorrow morning at eight when I ring the bell.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Scout said, though Levi merely snapped a nod.
“And I expect,” James added, “that Miss Fosgrave will hear no more wolves outside her window or find threats on the blackboard.”
“Yes, sir,” they chorused. James pointed to the door, and they shuffled out.
Rina shook her head. “You knew all along it wasn’t a wolf pack, didn’t you?”
“I suspected,” James said with a shrug. “But I thought it best to make sure. I’m sorry they frightened you, Rina.”
She sighed. “They terrified me. Nothing in my life prepared me to fight off vicious predators.”
He wrinkled his nose. “I don’t imagine too many people have that preparation. Beth, Ma and Catherine can handle a rifle if needed. I suppose we better teach you how to shoot, just in case.”
She raised her brows. “Just in case of what? Do you expect more wild beasts, real ones, to come calling?”
He laughed. “No. Once in a rare while, something wanders a little too close to the barn, but normally the wild animals give us a wide berth. They’ve learned humans can be dangerous.”
So had she. “Then I doubt I must carry a gun.”
“Maybe just a whip and chair for your wild students,” he joked.
Rina shook her head. Levi and Scout were going to be a handful, but she supposed she couldn’t blame them for resenting the school. They were both at an age where sitting around learning had to sound tedious and tiresome. She’d have to find ways to make the lessons relevant for them.
But for all her fine arguments, what did she know about opening a shop or understanding the Farmer’s Almanac?
Her concerns must have been written on her face, for James put a hand to her elbow as if to steady her. “You dealt with them brilliantly. You’re going to be a great teacher.”
She drew in a breath, feeling as if she drew in strength as well. “It will be a challenge. Thank you, for the encouragement and for routing my wolves.”
He dropped his hold and saluted her. “Any time, ma’am. James Wallin, wilderness scout, at your service.”
She smiled. “I hope this is as close to the wilderness as I ever come.”
He cocked his head. “It’s not so bad, you know. Come on. I’ll show you.”
He held out his hand, but Rina couldn’t make herself accept it. “Where do you intend to take me, Mr. Wallin?”
He grinned. “Into the wild.”
* * *
James thought she would refuse. Those clear eyes were crinkling at the corners from doubt. When her fingers slipped into his hand, he felt as if she’d entrusted him with her life.
He led her out onto the porch. Between the trees and the usual cloud cover, it wasn’t always easy to see the sky in Seattle. Now thousands of stars set the darkness to shimmering, bathing the clearing with silver. The light from the main house and Drew’s and Simon’s cabins offered a golden counterpoint.
She sighed as if she saw the beauty too. Down by the lake, frogs chirped a chorus and something splashed in the water. The breeze touched their cheeks with gentle fingers.
“There now,” James said. “Not so very scary.”
“Only because I have an escort,” she said. “And the cabins remind me that there are others just across the way. It was another matter when I was alone in my room.”
“And a strange room at that,” James commiserated. “Though, mind you, I think my sister’s designs are always a little strange. Those wide skirts and puffy sleeves.” He shivered as if the very idea was unthinkable.
She didn’t laugh. “Your sister is a dear. I just feel a trifle unsettled.”
“I know what you need,” James said. “Horses.”
He’d been trying for a smile or at least one of her scoldings that he was talking nonsense again. Instead, she straightened, squeezing his hand. “Oh, yes. That would be wonderful!”
Bemused, James escorted her to the barn.
The cool of the night had yet to penetrate the log structure. Earthy smells and familiar calls greeted them as James pulled open
the door. He lit a lamp and led Rina toward the back of the barn, where Lance and Percy had their stalls.
The pair were standing, heads down and backs toward the aisle, their dark coats gleaming in the lamplight. Both turned to greet him, hanging their heads over the door of the stalls and nickering. James stroked each velvety nose in turn. Lance’s dark eyes were stern.
“Yes, I know it’s after bedtime,” he told the horse. “But you’d never been properly introduced to the lady. Rina Fosgrave, meet Sir Lancelot and Sir Percival.”
Rina spread her skirts and curtsied like a grand lady greeting the president. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my fine sirs.”
Lance raised his head as if he were above such things. Percy craned his neck to demand her attention.
Rina reached out and touched his cheek. “Such a bold fellow. I bet you are your master’s favorite.”
James pressed his hands to Lance’s ears. “Shh! Not so loud. He’ll hear you.”
Lance shook away from his touch and turned in the stall to put his back to James.
“There,” James declared. “Now you’re done it. I’m going to have to bring apples for a month to make it up to him.”
Rina giggled. It was a soft, silvery sound, brightening the barn, lifting his heart. A man would do almost anything to hear that laugh again and know he’d been the cause of such joy.
“Why don’t we go for a drive?” he asked, reaching for the stall door.
She dropped her hand from Percy, and the horse nudged her shoulder to urge her to continue. Instead, she stepped away with a frown. “I would never take them out after dark for fear they would fall into a hole and break a leg.”
There was that. He never had been all that good about thinking through consequences. “Of course,” he said. “You just looked so happy with them.”
Her frown eased. “They are impressive fellows. And if we have an opportunity after school some time, I would be glad to go for a ride.” She raised her voice. “Especially with you, proud Sir Lancelot.”
Lance snorted as if he couldn’t care less, but James saw his ears tip back to listen.
They stayed a while longer, then James walked Rina back to the school. The farther the barn lay behind, the more he felt her stiffen. Was she still worried about teaching?
“You’ll be fine tomorrow,” he assured her as he opened the door for her and the light from the teacher’s quarters spilled across the boards of the porch.
Her stiff smile told him she didn’t believe him.
“I imagine every teacher is nervous her first day of school,” he tried again. He nudged her with his elbow. “Just think how nervous your students must be. They’ve never been in school before. At least you’ve been a student.”
She blinked, golden lashes fluttering. “I never thought about it that way. I suppose I do have more experience in a schoolroom than your sister or brother.” This time her smile warmed him.
“Sleep well, Rina,” James said, backing off the porch. With another smile, she closed the door behind him.
James knew he ought to turn in as well, but he had one more task to ensure Rina had a good first day at the school. Surely if things went well tomorrow, she’d feel more comfortable staying on. That’s why he returned to the main house and cornered Levi.
The boy had holed up in half of the upper room, where he normally slept. He and Scout, who was staying the night, were lounging on the straw ticks that had once held all the Wallin brothers, Ma’s quilts piled around them. Both sat up as James paused in the archway that led into the space.
“That was a sorry show,” he said, “trying to scare a lady.”
Scout scratched under his arm. “It was just a prank.”
James shook his head. “She might have left.”
“Good,” Levi said. “Best thing that could happen if you ask me.”
James had hoped Rina’s talk might have opened his brother’s eyes to the possibilities of a good education, but that didn’t seem to be the case. “No one asked you.”
“I noticed.” Levi lay back and put his arms behind his head. “So I thought I’d put in my own say, my way.”
“By writing all over the blackboard like a coward,” James accused him.
Levi sat bolt upright. “I’m no coward.”
But he didn’t deny writing the words. “Are you going to behave, then?” James challenged him.
“Maybe,” Levi said, eyeing him. “But don’t think it’s on account of you. I’m not afraid of you.”
“Neither am I,” Scout agreed, but his voice cracked on the last word.
James leaned against the stone fireplace that separated the room from the one his mother and sister shared and crossed his arms over his chest. “Never asked you to fear me. But I know a higher power who might have something to say about your attitude.”
Scout glanced at Levi, who shrugged again. “I can handle Ma.”
He could indeed. Their mother had always had a soft spot for her youngest son. James straightened. “I wasn’t talking about Ma.”
Levi rose, blanching. “Don’t tell Catherine.”
Scout shuddered. “She’ll dose us with something awful, just like she did Pa when he misbehaved last month.”
Though Scout’s father refused to admit it, James and his brothers were fairly certain he’d been behind a string of fires and other harassment in the neighborhood recently. He had a harsh way of dealing with anyone who owed him money, and even Levi had fallen in debt to him for a short while before his brothers had bailed him out. Only Catherine’s medical care had won them a grudging peace with the man.
“Catherine might do more than dose you,” James told them, keeping his face stern. “You know that look of hers can peel the skin right off your back.”
Levi nodded as if he knew the look all too well.
Scout scrambled to his feet. “We’ll be good. Promise.”
“You’ll be respectful of Miss Fosgrave,” James told them.
Scout nodded. Levi shrugged again.
“You’ll attend to your lessons,” he continued.
“Yes, sir,” Scout said, as if he’d already learned something from Rina.
“If they’re interesting,” Levi allowed.
“And no more threats on that board,” James insisted, watching them.
“I told you, I didn’t do it,” Levi protested.
“Neither did I,” Scout said.
James frowned. With their eyes open and skin neither red nor pale, they both seemed sincere. But if they hadn’t ridiculed the school and threatened Rina, who had?
The concern remained on his mind as he retired for the night in his own cabin beyond the woods. When his mother and father had first staked their claims fifteen years ago, they had laid out narrow strips running from the lake over the hill toward the Sound. Since then, every Wallin son who had reached his majority had lined up his claim along theirs.
Simon’s lands lay to the north; Drew’s was to the south. James’s claim abutted Drew’s, and he’d finished the cabin two years ago. It wasn’t anything fancy—a single room with a sleeping loft overhead accessed by a wooden ladder. He’d constructed the hearth of stones from the field he’d help Drew clear on his brother’s property. A spring on the hillside bubbled water past his door. He’d never gotten around to clearing his own fields, adding furniture other than a workbench below and the straw tick above or putting glass in his windows. Why work harder than he had to?
But as he lay on his bed, curled up under the quilt his mother had made for him when he’d turned eighteen, he couldn’t help thinking about Rina. The idea that wolves might be at her door had frightened her. Didn’t she know every Wallin would come running if she called? He’d brought her all the way from Seattle. He wasn’t about to abandon her now.
>
And then there’d been the way she’d fussed over his safety, as if he was someone important. That alone made him want to prove himself to her. But why? He needed her to appreciate the school, not him. He needed her to stay.
Which she wouldn’t do if someone was intent on scaring her away.
No one in his family but Levi would have written those words on the blackboard. He didn’t know anyone else in the area who bore them a grudge with the possible exception of Scout’s father. Rina certainly didn’t owe Benjamin Rankin money, and James couldn’t see him caring otherwise.
So who else had been in the school? And why lash out against it or Rina? Had he brought his family a teacher only to lose her to some unknown threat?
Chapter Six
Rina stepped out of the schoolhouse at a quarter to eight, according to Mr. Fosgrave’s pocket watch. A light rain was falling, a mist shrouding the clearing so that the top of the barn looked translucent. She drew in a deep breath of the cool air. Time to see what she could do.
She’d slept better than she’d expected after praying for strength and wisdom to be the teacher the Wallin siblings and Scout needed. This morning, she’d risen at dawn to set out the materials for the day, sweep the room and fetch water from the spring. Her first challenge had been to revive the fire in the hearth with the wood James had brought the previous night. She’d piled logs around it and backed away from the resulting smoke, but it seemed to settle down and start burning. She supposed she’d need to learn the best way to manage it.
Everything else seemed to be exactly as James had promised. She had a good schoolhouse and fine quarters. She’d been the one to set her expectations on little children rather than the youths she’d be instructing.
She took another deep breath. She could to this. Please, Lord, help me do this! She set her hand on the rope and pulled.
The iron bell rocked on its stand, the clang echoing against the hillside and rolling down the clearing. Once, twice, three times she pulled. Then she stood and waited.
Beth appeared first, running across the muddy ground so fast her feet didn’t seem to graze the puddles. She was dressed in a blue gingham gown with an apron tied over the front. Shaking raindrops off her head, she hopped up on the porch beside Rina.
