As he watched her walk away, Anthony prayed a silent prayer of peace for Tarah.
“Are we leaving now?” Jo’s impatient voice drew him back to face a reproving stare.
Anger flashed through Anthony. “Yes. Right now. You and I have some talking to do, young lady.”
“I’ll say. Me and Luke saw you cozying up to Miss Thomas over by the mercantile.” She waved both hands in the air to emphasize her words. “I bet the whole town saw you. And now me and Luke catch you hugging Miss St. John.” She gave him a disapproving frown. “Just how many girls are you courting, Uncle Anthony?”
Chapter 4
Tarah waited just inside her bedroom door until she heard Jack, Luke, and Emily head off to school, then she made her way into the front room.
“Tawah!” Hope ran to greet her. Grabbing Tarah around the legs, she hugged tightly.
Tarah snatched the little girl up in her arms and kissed her plump face. Drawing the child close, she pressed her cheek against her little sister’s silky head and breathed in her sweet baby smell. A niggling of guilt inched through her stomach. She hadn’t spent much time with the twins lately and hadn’t even realized until this moment how much she’d missed them.
Not to be outdone, Will clutched at Tarah’s skirts. “Me, too.”
Laughter bubbled within Tarah. “You two are getting too big for me to hold you both.” She knelt on the wooden floor and gathered them into her lap. “What are you playing with?”
Will wiggled free and held up a wooden train engine. “Twain.”
“Why, where did you get that?”
“Sam.”
“Oh, how nice. What sound does a train make?”
Will’s “woo-woos” brought a giggle to Tarah’s lips.
Hope scrambled from Tarah’s lap and jerked the toy from Will’s hand.
“Mine!” the little boy hollered.
“Hope, sweetie,” Tarah said, “the train belongs to Will. Give it back.”
A scowl darkened the otherwise angelic face. “No!” She snatched the toy back as Will made a grab for it. Clutching the engine tightly to her chest, she ran toward the kitchen, Will close on her heels.
Releasing a sigh, Tarah stood and followed.
The kitchen door opened and Cassidy appeared, holding a mug in her hands. Hope flung herself against Cassidy’s skirts. “Ma!”
Relieved to have the situation out of her hands, Tarah plopped into a wooden chair and watched the drama unfold.
“What on earth is going on?” With Hope pressed firmly against her legs, Cassidy inched her way to the table and deposited the steaming cup she held.
“My twain!” Will shouted.
“Was Hope playing with it first?” She looked to Tarah for the answer.
Shaking her head, Tarah gave her a wry grin.
Cassidy bent at the waist until she met Hope eye to eye. “Honey, you can’t take away a toy your brother is playing with. That’s not nice. Give it back and tell him you’re sorry.”
With quivering lips, Hope shoved the engine into Will’s outstretched hands.
“And tell him you’re sorry,” Cassidy prodded.
“Sowwy.” Eyeing the train as though she would like very much to snatch it back, the toddler didn’t look a bit sorry. Tarah ducked her head to hide her grin.
“There’s a good girl.” Cassidy pressed a kiss to each dark, curly head. “Now go play nicely together for a little while.” She dropped into her chair and grinned at Tarah. “Good morning,” she said, reaching for her cup.
Tarah knew her stepmother took a few moments for herself each morning. After the uproar and confusion associated with getting everyone out of the house for the day, she needed to relax before cleaning up the breakfast mess.
Cassidy didn’t look a bit frazzled by the twins’ antics. Her jade-colored eyes twinkled as she glanced at Tarah over the rim of her cup. “I figured you were hiding out until the kids left for school. With those two acting up this morning, you probably wish you’d stayed in bed.” She smiled again. “Are you ready for breakfast?”
“I’ll get it,” Tarah replied, smiling back at her stepmother. “Enjoy your coffee. As a matter of fact, I’ll do the cleanup for you, too.”
“Why, thank you. I remember a time when I had to practically force you to lift a finger.”
Tarah groaned. “I was something else in those days, wasn’t I? I don’t know why you put up with me.”
“When you’re part of a family, you don’t have a choice. Why don’t you go get your breakfast, and we’ll have a nice little chat. It seems like ages since we’ve spent any time together.”
“Good idea.” Tarah hurried into the kitchen and grabbed her plate from beneath a towel at the back of the stove. She made her way back to the table and settled, once more, into her chair across from Cassidy.
“But you did things so well,” she said, picking up the conversation where they’d left off. “Luke and Sam and I, and even Granny, were so horrid to you in the beginning, but you still managed to take care of us and love us in spite of it. I don’t know how you did it.”
“I certainly made my share of mistakes, though, didn’t I?” Cassidy said wryly. “For instance, I should have told your pa about your relationship with Johnny Cooper from the moment I knew about it. It might have saved you a lot of heartache, not to mention the danger my silence put you in.”
Tarah shuddered. She didn’t want to think about that awful night with Johnny. Still, Cassidy didn’t deserve the blame. “That wasn’t your fault. I promised you I wouldn’t see him anymore. If I had kept my word, he never would have kidnapped us.”
“Anyway, those days are behind us, praise the Lord.” Cassidy sipped her coffee, then set the cup down. “And look at you now, all grown up and teaching school. I’m so proud of you.”
Tarah gave a short laugh and jerked a thumb toward the twins, at last playing peacefully in front of the fireplace. “I can’t even get those two to obey me. You should see the mayhem in my classroom.” With a gasp, she realized her admission and glanced up from her plate to meet Cassidy’s sympathetic gaze.
“Want to talk about it?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m just not a very good teacher. The children won’t obey me. It’s a wonder they learn anything at all with all the disruptions from Luke and Jo.”
“Luke, eh? Is he still causing trouble in school?” Cassidy shook her head.
“More than ever.” Now that she had begun, the words poured from Tarah like a fast-running stream. “I put him in the corner, and all he does is make faces behind my back. The other children think he’s just hilarious.” Tarah pushed the food around on her plate. With her stomach clenched, she knew she couldn’t eat a bite.
“Miss Nelson once told me that standing Luke in the corner was just another way for him to cause trouble,” Cassidy said. “Sounds like he hasn’t changed much.”
Placing a hand to her forehead, Tarah groaned. “I’m so tired of staying thirty minutes after school just so he can write sentences for his punishment. He writes them as slowly as he can just to get under my skin. I’ve been trying to think of another method of punishment for him, so yesterday—”
Tarah stopped, not sure she wanted to admit to her error.
“What happened that was so bad you had to take a day off?”
Tears stung Tarah’s eyes as the memory of the sound of the ruler on Luke’s hand came back as vividly as though he were standing before her. She poured out the entire story, omitting nothing, including Anthony’s visit afterward. By the time she had blurted the whole wretched tale, tears streamed down Tarah’s face.
Cassidy reached out and covered one of Tarah’s hands. The comfort of the warm touch made her cry all the more.
“I just can’t do it anymore,” she sobbed. “I had such high hopes of being a wonderful teacher. I never thought the children would hate me.”
“Oh Tarah, don’t be so hard on yourself. Luke is a special case.” Cassidy handed her a na
pkin to dry her tears. “He might act up a little worse for his sister than he would for another teacher, but he definitely caused trouble for Miss Nelson, too. I know it’s difficult, but he has to understand that your relationship at school isn’t the same as here at home.”
Grateful for the support, Tarah voiced the question she had been contemplating since the day before. “Do you think I should talk to Pa about it?”
Cassidy gave a reflective frown. “You could. Your pa would certainly take care of it, I suppose. And I doubt Luke would cause more trouble in school.”
“That would be a relief.”
“I’m sure.” Cassidy nodded. “But he would probably make up for the trouble he can’t cause you at school by taking it out on you here at home.”
“Oh Ma,” Tarah groaned, hating her whiny tone of voice. “I just don’t know what to do.”
“Tarah,” Cassidy said, “Luke needs to know who’s boss. And at school, that just happens to be his sister. I don’t argue the fact that you should have gotten the full explanation before you unjustly punished Luke, but don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“I can’t help it. I’m at my wit’s end in dealing with him and Josie Raney.”
“Luke’s ornery; there’s no denying that,” Cassidy said. “But he has a good heart, and he loves you. Maybe you should try reasoning with him.”
“My twain! Ma!” Will’s cry cut off Tarah’s retort.
Lips twitching in amusement, Cassidy stood. “I’d better find those two something to do before the ‘twain’ ends up broken.” She pushed in her chair, her gaze searching Tarah’s face. “It was kind of Anthony to offer to teach today.”
Feeling the heat rise to her cheeks, Tarah swallowed hard and nodded.
As if sensing Tarah’s reluctance to discuss Anthony, Cassidy gathered a breath and blew it out. “So what do you have planned for your day off?”
Grateful that Cassidy didn’t seem inclined to press the matter of Anthony further, Tarah found her voice.
“I thought I’d go for a ride. Down to the river maybe, then into town to see if Mr. Tucker has any mail for us. I was hoping to ride Abby since Lady is about to foal. Is that all right with you?”
“Of course. It’ll do her some good. Your pa won’t let me near the horse until the baby comes. Make sure you pack a lunch in case you decide to stay out for a while. And, Tarah,” she said, a look of hesitancy clouding her eyes.
“Go ahead,” Tarah urged.
“If you’ve prayed about this and it doesn’t seem as though God is answering, perhaps you should ask Him if there is a lesson He wants you to learn from your reaction to Luke’s behavior.”
“My reaction?” Tarah’s defenses rose. Her reaction was just as it should be. Luke was the one out of hand, and he was the one who needed to be taught a lesson!
“I don’t want to hurt you, and you know I’m not excusing Luke, but often the way we react to pressure teaches us more about our own hearts than we would ever learn if things always worked out smoothly for us.” Cassidy regarded Tarah with a sympathetic smile. “Just a thought.”
Striding into the living area, she clapped her hands together. “All right, you two, give me that train, and let’s go find some wildflowers to decorate the table.”
Anxious to go for her ride, Tarah grabbed her plate and Cassidy’s cup from the table and set about tackling the dishes.
A strong wind blew across the prairie as Tarah gave Abby her head and let the horse run through the tall grass. Breathing deeply of the cool October air, Tarah felt the heavy weight lift from her shoulders.
The confinement of the schoolhouse seemed far away, and she had almost definitely decided to turn in her resignation. Only the thought of Pa’s disappointment troubled her about her near decision. And he would surely be disappointed.
Feeling the weight descending upon her once more, Tarah urged Abby on, faster, toward the river. Only when the horse’s labored breathing matched Tarah’s did she slow down and allow the animal to walk the rest of the way. At the riverbank, she dismounted and led Abby to the water.
Tarah looked out over the river, wishing for the peace usually brought about by the gentle rush of waves lapping against the bank.
So many questions were plaguing her mind. Should she continue teaching? Did she even want to? And if she did, what should she do about Luke and Josie?
Cassidy’s words rushed back, bringing a troubling introspection she would rather do without. Lord, are You trying to teach me something? If so, what? How on earth can I learn anything from Luke and Jo’s meanness?
“Howdy.”
Tarah jumped and whirled around, nearly dropping Abby’s reins.
A child of no more than seven or eight years stood staring at Tarah, wide brown eyes sizing her up as though she were a cow at an auction. At second glance, Tarah realized the child was a girl, though she wore filthy trousers with holes in both knees and a threadbare button-down shirt that Tarah supposed had once been white. Long, matted hair, which could have been either brown or dark auburn, hung around the girl’s shoulders.
“Cain’t you talk?”
Tarah found her tongue. “Of course I can talk.”
“How come you didn’t say nothin’, then? When I said ‘howdy,’ that is.” She reached out a grubby hand and patted Abby’s rump.
Tarah’s cheeks flamed at her own rudeness. “I’m sorry. I was just surprised to see anyone out here today. I thought I’d have the place all to myself.”
The little girl glanced up wordlessly and shrugged. Turning, she sauntered away.
“Wait. Where are you going?”
“Thought ya wanted to be alone,” she called over her shoulder.
Oh, honestly. Tarah followed, catching up easily. “I didn’t say I wanted to be alone. I’m just surprised to find anyone else out here. I’m sorry I made you feel unwelcome.”
Stopping, the little girl eyed her. She gave a shrug and nodded. “It’s okay. I’m used to no one wantin’ me around. Don’t bother me. I just don’t stay where I ain’t wanted. That’s all.”
Tarah’s heart wrenched with the thought that any child could feel unwanted. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind some company. Want to come back to the river and talk to me for a while?”
“I reckon,” the little girl replied, heading back toward the river without waiting for Tarah. “Ain’t got nothin’ better to do.”
“What’s your name?” Tarah asked, falling into step beside her.
“Laney.”
“That’s pretty. I’ve never heard it before.”
“Short for Elaine.” Laney scowled. “But don’t call me Elaine. I hate it.”
“You have my word.” Tarah’s lips twitched with amusement.
“So what’s yer name?”
“Miss St. John.”
“You ain’t got a first name?”
“You can call me Tarah, I suppose.”
“Nice to meet ya, Tarah.” The girl extended her grimy right hand in greeting.
Swallowing hard, Tarah shook Laney’s hand, trying with difficulty to hide her distaste.
They settled onto the bank of the river. Downwind from the child, Tarah fought hard not to pinch her nose to keep the stench away. If this girl had ever had a bath, it certainly hadn’t been in the recent past.
“Laney, I haven’t seen you around before, and Harper’s a small township. Are your folks new to the area?”
“I dunno. We been here awhile, I guess.” Laney jerked her thumb behind them. “We live over thataway.”
“But that’s Al Garner’s land. He owns all the property between here and town.”
“That’s right. Pa’s a squatter,” she said matter-of-factly. “Mr. Garner knows about it though. Said we could live in the old soddy, long as we don’t wreck the place.”
“I see.” Feeling uncomfortable with her own prying, Tarah tried to think of something else to talk about.
“Usually,” Laney continued as though the topic of conversati
on didn’t bother her one bit, “we get thrown off a place ‘fore we can settle in real good. We been here longer than anyplace in as long as I can remember.”
“Why haven’t your ma and pa sent you to school?”
“What fer? I can read good enough, if the words are little. Ain’t got no books anyways, ‘cept Ma’s old Bible, and who wants to read that? And I can do sums up to the hundreds. I figure that’s all a body really needs to know. ‘Sides, ain’t got no ma, just a pa and Ben.”
“You don’t have a ma?” The words left Tarah before she could rein them in. That certainly explained Laney’s appearance. What kind of a pa left a child to fend for herself with no thought to education or cleanliness?
“Nope. She died when I was a young’un. Cholera or somethin’, I guess. Pa never talks about it. Ben remembers her, but I don’t.”
“I’m sorry, honey.” Tarah wanted to reach out to the child, to draw her close and give her a woman’s touch, but she couldn’t quite push through the revulsion. The way Laney scratched her head, she more than likely had lice in her hair. Tarah shuddered at the thought and inched away just a little, praying diligently the child wouldn’t notice.
“It don’t matter none anyways.” A shrug lifted Laney’s bony shoulders, and her chin jerked up. “A person cain’t miss someone they never knew.”
“I miss my mother every day,” Tarah said softly.
“Yer ma’s dead, too?” Laney regarded her through narrowed eyes.
“Yes. She died when I was a little older than you.”
“Too bad.” She tossed a twig into the water and watched the river claim it.
“I have a wonderful stepmother though” Tarah said.
“Yer pa must be a fine man. Ain’t a woman alive dumb enough to marry my pa.”
“Laney! What a thing to say!”
“It’s the truth. And I don’t care who hears me say it.” With a stubborn set of her jaw, she tossed another stick into the river.
“I’m sure your pa’s a fine man.” Tarah nearly choked on the words. She had already drawn her own conclusion of the unknown man, and apparently the child held the same opinion.
Brides of Kansas Page 21
