by Diane Darcy
He’d had a bad moment when the school handyman, Pete Newby, had shown up. But he’d told the man he would take her out to the school if Pete would just run out to the new hotel Boone was building and check on the indoor pool.
The man was always looking for extra work around town and had jumped at the chance.
So, now here he was, escorting the prettiest girl he’d ever seen to the school, and she had no idea who he was. She was a bossy little charmer, telling him where and how to load her trunk.
He’d been out to the mine this morning and was a little bit dirty, a little bit sweaty, and he supposed he did look the part of a handyman.
And, if he wasn’t mistaken, the girl was flirting with him. Just a little bit.
It was something of a rush to realize that for the first time in several years, he didn’t have to wonder if a girl might like him for himself or for his money.
She was a schoolteacher, he was a handyman. This ruse probably would not last throughout the day, and that was too bad, but he was going to have fun with it.
The chance to court a girl who wasn’t after his money?
Priceless to him.
And with such a pretty girl, too.
If he could just have one good day with her where she didn’t know that he was rich.
School handyman? He could definitely work with that.
Anyway, in a town like this, he needed to move fast, before she got snatched up.
He couldn’t help but wonder if his sudden fascination came from the fact that his mother was pressuring him to marry.
No matter, he wouldn’t take that into consideration, and he wouldn’t let that deter him.
One good day. That was all he asked. Just one day with a pretty girl who didn’t know he was rich.
Lucy was aware of the man sitting next to her to an uncomfortable degree.
She wasn’t naïve. She was experienced enough to realize what she was feeling was attraction. She probably shouldn’t be sitting so close to the man, but the bench wasn’t very wide, and as the man needed room to hold the reins, they were forced to sit closer than would have been normal.
Asking him to move over would probably cause even more awkwardness, so she stayed silent, and instead, took in the sights of the new town.
“There’s the bank. Mr. O’Brian is the manager. He looks like an easy-going gentleman, but don’t let that fool you, the man is a shark.”
“A shark?”
“You know, a slippery animal one finds in the water with lots of teeth that would probably tear you to bits given the opportunity.”
“I know what a shark is, Mr. Newby. I’ve just never heard that expression before.”
He chuckled. “Well, now you have.” He pointed to a building off to his left. “This here is the Mercantile. The Andersons run this store. They’re a nice couple, and a fine family. Of course, there is Mr. Anderson’s little problem.”
She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling and after a momentary debate with herself, asked the question. “What little problem?”
Boone lifted his hand and tilted it back a couple of times.
“What does that mean?”
He made the motion again. “I’m tilting my head back to indicate the man has a drinking problem.”
She grinned at him. “I actually did know that. I just wanted to see you do it again.”
He laughed out loud.
She was teasing him, and she liked it.
He was fully grinning now. “All right, Miss Smart Mouth, if you will look off to your right, you will see the Jenkin’s place. They’re a good family as well, and you’ll most likely have some of their kids in your class.” His tone was dubious.
“But?”
“I’m glad you asked.” His grin was contagious. “Mrs. Jenkins was once a schoolteacher herself. Rumor has it she’s run off several teachers with her sharp tongue. But I’m sure you’ll be the best of friends.”
She laughed. “Well, as a first-time schoolteacher, perhaps I’ll get some pointers from her.”
He barked out a laugh. “With an attitude like that, you’re sure to.”
Lucy found herself enjoying the town, and looking forward to her adventure more than she had before.
What a difference a friendly face made.
She found Mr. Newby’s flirtatious attitude welcome. In fact, he was making things better.
As they pulled up in front of a pretty white house with a white picket fence she glanced at Mr. Newby and they both started to laugh.
“I’m sure you’ll be very happy here.”
“With a fence like that, how could I not be?”
“That’s what I thought.”
He set the brake on the wagon and jumped down to help her disembark.
Rather than taking her hand and helping her down, he gripped her by the waist and easily lifted her, swung her around and set her on the ground.
She pressed a hand to her thumping chest.
The move had been so unexpected, so effortless, and so intimate! With the feelings he’d aroused within her, she almost felt as if she ought to slap his face or something, but he was casually going about his business, and she felt foolish to be the only one affected by the movement.
She’d never been treated so casually in the past.
She found herself turning away to survey the boardinghouse she was to stay in, the white clapboard house, the pretty rosebushes in front, the two trees growing on either side, not even nearing full maturity. All in all, a pretty little place to come home to.
It was working. Her heart slowed in her chest, and she could feel the heat in her cheeks receding. Thank goodness!
Mr. Newby carried her trunk to the door, and she followed behind. He set the trunk down. “Well, this is goodbye then.”
“I’m sure I’ll see you at the school.”
“I hope so. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“I do have an appointment with the mayor this afternoon at two o’clock.”
“I’ll be here.”
“That’s awfully kind. Thank you.”
And with a quick glance at the front door he was down the step, jumping in the wagon, and heading down the road.
She blinked at the abruptness of it all, and then shook her head and knocked.
A moment later the door swung open to reveal a woman who looked as cheerful as the house. Slender, with thick brown hair pulled up into a bun, and a frilly white apron covering her gingham skirt.
She smiled widely at Lucy. “You must be Miss Rickman. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long? I was in the kitchen and didn’t hear you arrive.”
“Not at all.”
“Come in, come in. I am Mrs. Collier. Welcome to my house.”
“Thank you.”
“No doubt your tired and hungry. Let me show you to your room and you can freshen up.”
“Thank you. Mr. Newby dropped me off, but had to leave abruptly. Do you know of someone that could carry my trunk inside for me?”
Mrs. Collier glanced at the case. “Oh, don’t you worry about that. I’ll have my boys carry it upstairs later.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course. Supper will be on the table at noon.”
“That sounds wonderful. You have a lovely place here, Mrs. Collier.”
The other woman smiled. “Thank you.” She started up the stairs. “If you will follow me, we’ll just get you settled in.”
Lucy followed.
“I’m surprised Mr. Newby took off so abruptly.”
“Do you know him?”
“Of course, I know him. He usually stops in for a bite to eat when he’s over this way.”
Lucy probably shouldn’t ask, but, why not? This was a new life for her, wasn’t it? She didn’t have to adhere strictly to the proprieties like she did in New York City any longer, and so she might as well start as she meant to go on.
“Do you happen to know if Mr. Newby is unmarried?”
Mrs.
Collier looked startled at the question. “Why, yes. He is a bachelor.” The lady turned at the top stair to study Lucy’s face. She looked baffled. “I hope you’re not interested in him. Perhaps I might warn you that the man is a drinker.”
“Of course, I’m not interested. I was just curious. He has a weakness for alcoholic beverages?”
“Sadly, he does. Occasionally, when he is supposed to be working for someone, he won’t show up, because he’s sleeping it off.”
Lucy was very surprised by that fact. “The man didn’t seem like a drinker.”
“Didn’t he? I would have said the opposite. Though, I understand he is doing much better since the school district hired him.”
Lucy thought back on his handsome face, that her mind had shown zero signs of dissipation. But, she supposed she was new to town, so what did she know?
What a shame. The spark of attraction she’d felt for the man now seemed unfortunate.
What was she thinking, anyway? The man had driven her to her boardinghouse. She wasn’t planning to marry him.
Still, she was sad for him. She’d liked him very much, and wouldn’t have minded getting to know him better.
She followed Mrs. Collier to her new room, knowing she should simply feel grateful that she’d been warned.
So why, instead, did she feel disappointed?
Chapter 3
Boone grinned. He’d thought when he’d dropped her off at Mrs. Collier’s house, his deception would be discovered for sure.
But it hadn’t. At least, as far as he knew, it hadn’t been.
A few minutes later he found himself chuckling again as he pulled his watch out of his pocket to glance at it. A regular occurrence with a business as big as his to run, but this time he found himself glancing at his watch to see how long he’d have to wait to see Lucy again.
Was it the girl? Or was it the situation?
He supposed only time would tell.
By the time he picked her up to take her to the mayor’s office, she might know all there was to know about him from Mrs. Collier, including the amount in his bank account.
He thought of Lucy’s pretty face once again, of the starch in her spine, and of her unexpected smile.
Even if his ruse was discovered, he was going to court the girl anyway.
Before someone else did.
For as long as she held his interest, Miss Lucy Rickman was his.
He had, after all, seen her first.
As two o’clock approached, Lucy glanced around her small bedroom, with its comfortable bed and pretty bedspread, desk, frilly curtains at the window, and wardrobe.
She’d already hung everything neatly inside, and was looking for something to do.
Her stationary was precisely lined on her desk, with her pen set out and ready for use.
All of her dresses hung neatly inside the wardrobe.
Clothing was folded painstakingly inside the set of drawers.
Her books were on the bookshelf.
She found herself pulling aside the frilly curtains to glance outside once again. There was nothing new. The tall houses across from her, the view between them of Main Street down below.
Darn it, she was looking for that man again, wasn’t she?
She might have expressed disinterest to Mrs. Collier, but she had far more trouble lying to herself. Mr. Newby had caught her interest, darn him anyway.
She grinned, having to laugh at herself. She remembered the conversation she’d had with Ada on the train ride out expressing disinterest in any man. Then telling Mrs. Collier the same.
That surety hadn’t lasted longer than a wagon ride into town, had it?
Even as she watched out the window, Mr. Newby and his horse-drawn wagon appeared once more.
She let out a breath and dropped the curtain. She walked over to the round mirror set in the corner and checked her appearance before making a scoffing noise and straightening. Oh, for goodness sakes! What was she doing?
She had just barely broken things off with her fiancé. Barely! Where was her broken heart now? And while her erstwhile suitor might not have had feelings for her, surely, she’d had them for him? Surely, she could not transfer her affections as easily as he had?
Her lips tightened. Mr. Hargraves had no right to any of her affections any longer. His actions had completely killed any finer feelings she might have held for the man.
Which meant she was free to pursue other options.
It didn’t quite feel seemly, but who was here to see?
After smoothing her gown, she opened her bedroom door and hurried down the stairs. She opened the front door before he could knock, and before Mrs. Collier was alerted to his presence. It wasn’t like she was planning to marry the man. But a light flirtation with a handsome gentleman might be fun, and she didn’t want anyone naysaying her.
Once again Boone’s masculinity hit her with force, and the way he stared at her, the slow smile, left her feeling utterly feminine and breathless.
“Boone.”
He tipped his hat at her. “Lucy. You ready?”
With a smile, she joined him on the porch and shut the door behind her. She remembered her grandmother’s admonition to have an adventure, and find a real man.
There wasn’t one part of her that doubted that Boone Newby was just such a man.
And while she certainly wasn’t going to marry a drinking man, her ego could use a bit of a boost at the moment.
So far, Butte, Montana, was shaping up to be a wonderful place to live.
Montana was not working out at all.
Lucy, seated across from Mayor Harding, tried to hide her dismay. “But, Mr. Mayor, I don’t understand how you could possibly have mistaken my application for that of a man.”
The mayor’s assistant, Mr. Jordan, a sympathetic young man wearing spectacles, cleared his throat and stood from a chair by the wall. “I do believe I can clear that up.”
“Well, I wish you would,” the mayor said testily, the long whiskers around his mouth seeming to bristle as he spoke.
The younger man pulled a paper from the stack he held in his arms and slid it across the desk to the mayor. “It seems we originally intended to accept the application of a Mr. Herman Reese. But it appears the superintendent of the school is an acquaintance of Miss Rickman’s grandmother, and he sent the letter of acceptance to Miss Lucy Rickman instead.”
The mayor snatched the paper out of the younger man’s hands.
As he read it, the assistant gave Lucy a kindly smile before moving back to his original seat.
The mayor cleared his throat. “Well, it looks as if that’s exactly what happened.” He shot the younger man a glare, before focusing his gaze upon Lucy once more. “Seems we got the wrong schoolteacher out.”
Spine stiff, Lucy remained unmoving as she waited to hear the mayor’s conclusion.
The large man propped both elbows on his desk and rubbed one eyelid before taking a breath and whipping his head up to meet Lucy’s gaze once more. “Well, there’s nothing for it. You’re here, we need a teacher, and it’s only for the next two months, isn’t that correct?”
His assistant sat forward. “That is correct. The contract we signed was only for two months, a trial, if you will.”
“And you know why that is, Missy?”
“I do not, sir.” She tried not to sound offended at his tone or address.
“That is because the last school teacher ran off and got married. As did the one before her, and the one before her. We were hoping for a male teacher this time, figuring if he got married it wouldn’t make no nevermind to me, as he’d no doubt need his teaching salary to support a wife.”
“Are you planning to get married in the next two months, Missy?”
“No, Mr. Mayor, I am not.”
The man across the desk snorted, seeming less like a mayor than anyone Lucy had ever met. “We’ll just see about that, won’t we?”
“Mr. Mayor, if I might be frank?”
He gestured an open hand toward her. “Please, do. I always prefer it.”
“Am I to understand that if I remain unmarried that I might retain my job after the summer break?”
“That’s exactly what you can understand from this. Personally, I have my doubts that you can make it through the month without marrying.”
Lucy swallowed. “Sir, I just arrived in town, and I assure you that I did not bring a fiancé along.”
The mayor snorted again. “Ten dollars says you’re married before the end of the school year.”
Lucy found she could indeed straighten her spine further. “I’m not in the habit of betting, nor of agreeing to marry a man I’ve just met. I assure you, Mr. Mayor, I will remain unmarried at the end of the school year.”
“Ten bucks.”
Lucy stood. “I’m glad to know where we both stand with each other. Good day to you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Jordan.” She turned to leave.
She heard the mayor grumble to the younger man, “Did she take the bet, or didn’t she?”
“She did not.”
Lucy opened the door, hurried through it, and closed it behind her.
She shook her head in disbelief and headed off to find Boone. She walked through the courthouse, down the stairs, across the pink marble floor and went down the steps of the courthouse. Thank goodness, he was still waiting.
“So, how did it go? All squared away?”
“If you mean my job, then yes, it’s all squared away.”
Boone threw away the piece of grass he was chewing on and straightened from the wagon. He helped her up into the seat, and she was relieved he didn’t simply grab her and throw her up like a piece of luggage.
He settled beside her.
“What did I miss?”
“Well, I don’t know. Perhaps you would have wanted to get in on the bet that says I’ll be married by the end of the school year.”
Boone laughed as he started the horse down the road. “Ten bucks?”
She gave a brisk nod. “Indeed.”
He laughed out loud. “Did you take him up on the bet?”
“Indeed, I did not, sir.”
“Just as well.”
She turned to glare at him. “What do you mean by that?”
