Frontier Engagement

by Regina Scott

  Simon eyed him as they reached the cabin. “It really doesn’t matter how I feel about your horses. You lost them, James, and the fact is that none of us can afford to replace them, even if we could find two of their quality near Seattle. You better get used to boring oxen, brother, because that’s all we’ll have for quite some time.”

  He climbed up on the boardwalk and went through the door into the house, but his words brought James to a halt. He’d been so busy trying to survive, he really hadn’t considered the finality of it until now.

  He’d lost Lance and Percy.

  Emotions flared inside him—guilt and remorse and anger. He wanted to shout at the sky, slam his fist into a wall. What had he been thinking to take that route? He’d cost his family a wagon and himself his horses, and for what? Rina still wasn’t willing to commit to teaching at Wallin Landing. He’d failed again.

  The door popped open, and his mother marched out onto the boardwalk. She stopped a few feet from James, hands grasping the apron covering her green wool gown. “What are you doing moping out here?” she demanded. “There’s work to be done!”

  James saluted. “Yes, sir, General Wallin. What are your orders, sir?”

  She dropped the apron to shake a finger at him. “Enough of your nonsense, young man. What I want is a son who understands his duty.”

  Would she light into him about Pa’s death at last? He’d been expecting it for ten years now. Every other time he’d disappointed her, he’d been able to turn aside her wrath with a quip before she could go too far. By the fire in her green eyes now, he’d have to do some fast talking this time.

  “Oh, but it’s always a pleasure to do my duty toward you, Ma,” he said, dropping his gaze. “I think I saw some wild roses by the road as we came in. Let me pick you a bushel.”

  She caught his arm before he could escape. “Don’t you set one foot off this porch, James Thaddeus Wallin.”

  All three names? Oh, but he was in trouble. “Whatever you want,” he assured her. “But staying on the porch will make eating dinner a little hard.”

  She gave his arm a shake. “As if you deserve dinner after what you’ve done.”

  Here it came. He might as well meet it head on. James straightened, gaze rising to hers.

  “I’m sorry, Ma. I know it was wrong. I didn’t intend for it to happen. I looked away for a moment, and the deed was done.”

  “That’s the worst excuse I ever heard,” she informed him, foot tapping below her skirts.

  He cringed. “I know. There is no excuse for what I’ve done.”

  She nodded. “That’s more like it. Humility never hurt anyone. The question is, what do you intend to do about it?”

  James threw up his hands. “What can I do? He’s dead!”

  His mother blanched, taking a step back from him. “Dead? Who’s dead? Oh, what have you done?”

  James blinked, hands falling. “Nothing. I... What are we talking about?”

  “Our dear Rina,” his mother said, face scrunching in obvious confusion. “What else?”

  James drew in a breath, determined not to open the wound any further. “Of course you would be concerned about Rina. But she’s back at Wallin Landing where she belongs. I for one think that’s cause for celebration.”

  His mother frowned. “I’m not prepared to celebrate just yet. I’m still trying to figure out what just happened. You thought I was talking about something else. What?”

  James shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

  Once more his mother put a hand to his arm, but this time it was kind. Her gaze softened as she met his gaze. “It matters to you. Therefore, it matters to me.”

  James swallowed. Why not confess? At least he’d know it was over. Or just beginning.

  “I never told you how sorry I was that Pa died,” he said, holding himself still. “I should have seen that branch, should have warned him, but I didn’t. I hope you can forgive me.”

  His mother’s face melted, and he felt his heart breaking with her sorrow. She reached up and touched his cheek.

  “Dear boy, there’s nothing to forgive. Living out here, accidents happen. I’m just so thankful the Lord has seen fit to allow all my boys to grow into fine men.”

  His usual grin felt a little shaky. “You didn’t sound like you thought I was such a fine fellow a few moments ago.”

  “I’ve always thought you were a fine fellow,” she insisted. “Who else can make me laugh when I’m ready to cry?”

  “If I have helped in any way,” James told her, “I’m honored.”

  “You are a great blessing to this family, James,” she said, pulling back her hand. “But you must see the problem with Rina now. Given what happened out in the woods, her reputation is ruined.”

  James made a face. “The only things that are ruined are her dresses. Anyone with any sense would know I wouldn’t take advantage of a woman stranded in the wilderness. And I was too busy trying to stay alive and find our way home to succumb to her charms.”

  “I would expect nothing less of you,” his mother assured him. “But others may think differently. From where I sit, you were the cause of her troubles. You must fix them.”

  He was afraid he knew where this was going. Catherine had been determined to match him and Rina. It would be just like his mother to want to play along.

  “I did fix the matter,” James said, moving around her for the door. “I brought Rina here and gave her back her position as schoolteacher. That should be sufficient.”

  “James Wallin.”

  His mother’s tone pulled him up short, and he turned to look at her. This time, her face was sad, her bow of a mouth drooping.

  “I raised you better than this,” she said.

  The familiar guilt reached out for him, but this time he knew it was false. He was fully prepared to protect Rina from every predator, any slander. But marriage? That was an entirely different matter.

  “She doesn’t want to marry me, Ma,” he said. “I asked.”

  She frowned as if she couldn’t have heard him properly. “You proposed marriage?”

  “On bended knee, with hands outstretched,” James promised.

  She narrowed her eyes. “In all sincerity?”

  Well, he had been aiming more for Rina’s smile than her acceptance. He wasn’t sure what he’d have done if she had agreed to marry him. He didn’t know if he could talk himself out of that.

  “Leave be, woman,” he told his mother. “She has more sense than to tie herself to the likes of me.”

  His mother drew herself up, eyes flashing fire once more. “And what’s wrong with you? If you ask me, she should count herself lucky to marry any of my sons!”

  “Then trot out Simon or John,” James said, turning for the door once more. “Because the last person Rina Fosgrave should marry is me.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Rina had never felt so fussed over in her life, even when she’d thought she was a princess. Under her parents’ watchful gazes, she’d been feted by financiers and courted by congressmen. But she’d never had an entire family prepared to drop everything just to make sure she was comfortable.

  She had barely come downstairs in her borrowed gown before Simon ushered her to his mother’s bentwood rocker by the hearth, insisting that she needed to rest. John brought her a book to read. Levi dragged over a bench so she could prop up her feet. Catherine, who had returned from her nursing duties, checked Rina’s pulse and temperature, as if certain she must have overexerted herself.

  James, watching from near the table, seemed to find it all amusing. He kept tilting his head to see around whoever was hovering over her at the moment, offering winks or rolling his eyes at each petition. She had to fight to keep from laughing with him, fearing she might offend his family.
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br />   He didn’t come near her, until Drew offered to carry her across the clearing to the schoolroom.

  “If there’s any carrying to be done,” James said, pushing off the wall and intercepting his brother, “I’ll be doing it. Miss Fosgrave and I have an understanding, if you recall.”

  He had to stop saying that! He and Rina had agreed to honor their engagement until she reached her new school. Surely they had no need to further it now. Before she could explain, the men exchanged glances and Catherine straightened. Mrs. Wallin’s frown said she feared he was telling tales again.

  Beth had no such concerns. “Oh, how wonderful!” she cried with a happy skip. “Let me plan the wedding! I have lots of ideas left from Catherine’s.”

  Oh, no. “It is not that kind of understanding,” Rina hurried to explain as James closed the distance between them. “And I have no need for anyone to carry me anywhere.”

  Beth’s face puckered, and the others looked deflated.

  “Still,” Catherine said, rising from beside Rina as if to give James her spot, “it wouldn’t hurt to take things easy for a day or two. I suggest we serve you supper in bed.”

  Arms outstretched, James paused.

  “Good idea,” Mrs. Wallin said. “Beth, loan our Rina a nightgown, one of your flannels. We’ll settle her in now and bring the meal over when it’s ready.”

  James straightened with a shrug. But Rina could see the laughter in his eyes as his mother and sister-in-law led her out of the cabin.

  “I’m not an invalid,” she protested as they crossed the clearing for the schoolhouse.

  “And we’d like to ensure you don’t become one,” Catherine replied, looking determined.

  My, but she could be a force of nature. “I’ll be fine,” Rina tried again as they climbed up into the schoolhouse. “I just need a good night’s sleep. I’m fully prepared to start teaching tomorrow.”

  “Oh, good!” Beth said, hurrying to catch up with them, nightgown draping her arms. “I was wondering about past participles. Are they terribly difficult to conjugate?”

  “I insist that you rest tomorrow,” Catherine said with a look to Beth. The nurse opened the door to the teacher’s quarters and guided Rina inside. “We owe you that much at least.”

  In Rina’s mind, she was the one who owed the Wallins something, if only thanks for their continued kindness. Indeed, the room looked as if they’d fully expected her back at any time. The quilt still draped the bed, fresh paper and ink waited on the table, and Beth’s precious hope chest sat with its carved top open, ready to receive her clothing once more. A shame she had almost nothing to put into it except her hope.

  But the ladies set to work as if the room had been derelict for years. Catherine dusted off the table and chair; Mrs. Wallin started a fire.

  “I can do that,” Rina suggested.

  James’s mother merely smiled at her. “Of course you could. I just like doing for my family.”

  Something tugged at her heart. “Mrs. Wallin, I told you—James and I are no longer engaged.”

  Her eyes, though green, still held the same light Rina had seen so many times in James’s. “Perhaps not at the moment.”

  Rina blinked. Turning, she glanced around the room again. Catherine was closing the trunk. Beth had just finished arranging a selection of Godey’s magazines she must have brought over in the interim for Rina’s reading pleasure.

  “You knew I’d be back,” Rina realized.

  The others stilled, exchanged glances. Rina stepped forward, conviction growing. “You knew! Did you intend to see me stranded, forced to marry James to save my reputation?”

  Catherine held up her hands as if to appease. “No, Rina, of course not.”

  “We simply know James,” Beth added.

  “And we saw the spark between the two of you,” Mrs. Wallin concluded. “We were certain he could convince you to return to us.”

  Rina felt as if the air had thickened. “So that was his charter—to do all he could to make me return. And I thought he actually cared.”

  Mrs. Wallin’s face crumpled, but Beth was the first one to reach Rina’s side. “Of course he cares!” she cried, taking up one of Rina’s cold hands. “I know my brother, Miss Fosgrave. He’s a joker, he’s a tease. He’ll take any dark situation and show you there’s still light to be found in the world. I’ve seen him flirt at barn raisings, flatter ladies at church. I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.”

  She shouldn’t believe the tales. They were putting their own interests before hers, just like the Fosgraves. Yet, she’d thought she’d seen the same look in James’s eyes. Could it be true? Was she meant to stay here, at Wallin Landing, with him?

  Catherine stepped forward. “Please don’t fault us for our hopes, Rina. James is a fine man, and we’d all like to see him married to a fine woman.”

  “And I can think of no one finer than our new schoolteacher,” Mrs. Wallin said with a nod.

  Rina felt a laugh rising. “I don’t know what to believe.”

  “Just believe in the future,” Catherine said, laying out the nightgown Beth had brought from the house. “You are exactly what we need at the Lake Union school, Rina.” She fluttered her fingers, and Mrs. Wallin and Beth went out into the schoolroom so Catherine could help Rina change into the nightgown.

  The clean flannel warmed against her skin, but still she struggled to understand her feelings. Catherine must have sensed the tumult, for she said little until Mrs. Wallin and Beth returned.

  Rina felt like a child again as they ushered her into bed, and she wasn’t altogether pleased by the memories. “I truly am fine,” she tried once more.

  Catherine pulled the covers up around her. “A little rest never hurt anyone. You have had an eventful few days.”

  “And likely to have more,” Mrs. Wallin said, gown lifted to protect her hands from a stone she must have heated in the fireplace.

  Rina forced herself to settle back against the pillow. “I suppose you’re right.”

  “Although you will only have Beth and Levi to teach for now,” Mrs. Wallin warned as she slipped the stone between the sheets and warmth radiated up Rina’s legs. “I doubt that detestable Mr. Rankin will allow Scout a moment’s freedom.”

  Rankin. She would have to face him sooner or later. Rina glanced at Catherine, who had perched on the bed next to her. “James said you might be able to convince Mr. Rankin to allow his son to attend school.”

  Catherine’s lips thinned. “I did what I could. He seems to think we’re trying to turn his son against him.”

  “He isn’t far off,” Mrs. Wallin said, straightening. “As if anyone would want to grow up to be like him. Young Scout could do so much more. Has he no ambitions for the boy?”

  “None beyond his own,” Catherine said with a shake of her head. “I find it very odd, but there it is. I’m sorry, Rina.”

  “It was nothing you did,” Rina said. “I should have realized a father might resent his son changing his name.”

  “I like the name Thomas,” Beth said, sitting on the other side of the bed. “It suited him more than Scout. That’s not a name—it’s a job.”

  The fact slammed into her, and Rina stiffened. “Yes it is, Beth. Why didn’t I see that before?”

  Catherine frowned. “What is it, Rina?”

  She was almost afraid to voice her theory lest she be proven wrong yet again. “From what I understand,” she said, glancing at the ladies around her, “Mr. Rankin’s work is rather, well, unsavory. I imagine he must be vigilant to keep the law from finding out too much.”

  “Very vigilant,” Catherine agreed with an arch look. “He absolutely detests Deputy McCormick.”

  “And you would know how silly that is if you had ever met Deputy McCormick,” Beth put in with
a shake of her head. “He’s wonderful.”

  Her mother frowned her into silence.

  “I doubt Mr. Rankin shares your views,” Rina told Beth. “In fact, I’m certain he doesn’t. Don’t you see? He isn’t concerned about Scout learning something. He’s concerned that if Scout is in school and not playing lookout, the law might learn something about Mr. Rankin!”

  Mrs. Wallin and Catherine nodded as if they quite agreed.

  “And that’s why he doesn’t want the school to grow,” Mrs. Wallin mused. “The more families come this way, the more likely some are to object to his business.”

  “So he’ll keep trying to close the school?” Beth asked, looking from one to the other, hands clasped before her.

  Rina’s smile grew with her confidence. “Oh, I think we can change his mind. You leave things to me. I suddenly find I have a great desire to discuss matters with Mr. Rankin.”

  Beth bit her lower lip as if she wasn’t so sure of the advisability of that approach, but Rina had no more doubts. Rankin might be a bully, but she thought he might back down if the tables were turned.

  They left her a short while later, promising to return with soup. As soon as Rina heard the schoolhouse door close, she climbed out of bed. Catherine seemed to think lying about was restful, but with so much on her mind, Rina felt as if she might explode if she didn’t do something.

  Throwing her cloak about her shoulders for extra warmth, she sat at the table and planned her lesson for the following day. It felt good to be purposeful, productive. She could do this. If she could survive the wild, she could do anything.

  You made me see that, Father. Thank You. I know I can rely on Your strength, but I’m grateful to know that You’ve given me strength as well.

  The wind must have been rising, for she thought she heard a branch scratch at the window. When the sound came again, she narrowed her eyes and rose. By the time the third scratch rasped out, she had her hand on the shutter.

  “Not this time, Levi Wallin,” she said, yanking open the wood. “You go home before I inform your mother!”