She sat and folded her hands on her lap, giving the appearance of a well-bred lady from the dark curls piled on her head to the deep amethyst gown she wore. Arlan wondered how she could sit so stiff and proper with such a serene expression on her face.
“Gentleman, I must apologize for this meeting that has forced you from your homes this evening. I admit I lost my temper with a student this afternoon and caused him undue embarrassment.”
“But Miss Alex, all you did was…” Percy started to speak on her behalf but his father silenced him with a stern look.
Luke grinned at the boy then turned his attention to the teacher once again. “Mrs. Decker wrote a statement along with a formal complaint. Due to that, it became necessary to summon the school board so they could hear what you have to say about the matter. I requested Percy join us so he could provide a student’s perspective on what transpired today. First, the board would like you to show us what you did that, as you said, caused a student undue embarrassment. Then we’ll listen to Percy’s report.”
Alex nodded and rose to her feet. Picking up her trunk from where Arlan left it near the door, she set it on the table and took out the glass and piece of pasteboard. She passed the glass around to all the board members to examine before filling it half-full of water.
With her foot, she scooted a bucket close to the table. As she stood in front of the school board, she placed the pasteboard over the mouth of the glass then turned it upside down. Quickly pulling her hand away, the men watched as the water stayed in the glass instead of flowing to the floor.
“Told you it was a good trick,” Percy whispered to his father. Mr. Bruner grinned at his son and turned his attention back to Alex.
“Percy, why don’t you tell us what you recall happening at school while Miss Alex did this trick?” Luke offered the boy an encouraging wink.
“Well, she did the trick, just like that, and then walked around the classroom so we all could see. Fred kept making nasty comments, saying only a dummy would fall for Miss Alex’s trickery.” Percy glanced at his teacher and she smiled at him before he continued. “Anyway, Miss Alex asked if we thought the water could come out of the glass and we said it could. Fred kept blustering, like he does all the time, and Miss Alex walked over to his desk and stood next to him. She asked if he was sure the water couldn’t come out and he said it couldn’t. Miss Alex waved her hand over the glass.”
Alex repeated the gesture above the glass and Percy jumped up from where he sat on the floor next to his father.
“Just like that, see! And then she said…”
“Alakazam!” Alex and Percy spoke at the same time. The pasteboard fell away and the contents of the water glass splashed into the bucket.
The men erupted into applause before they remembered they were there to discipline the teacher.
Alex set the glass on the table and returned to her chair.
“Then what happened, Percy?” Luke asked the boy as he flopped down on the floor by his father.
“Fred jumped up, madder than a nest of riled hornets. He called Miss Alex a witch and I think he would’ve hit her but Tom, Ralph, and John stopped him. Tom told him to leave. Before he did, Fred said Miss Alex would regret what she did. It probably didn’t help none that we all laughed.”
“No, that probably didn’t help.” Luke hid his smirk. He wished he could have been there to see the water splash on the foul-tempered boy. He’d been nothing but a nuisance to every teacher they had the past few years.
“You say he called her a witch and threatened her, Percy?” Leroy Jenkins leaned forward so he could see the boy.
“Yes, sir. He calls her names all the time when he thinks she isn’t listening and sometimes when she is.”
“My boy, Tom, told me the same story. He also expressed concern over what Fred will do in retaliation. He said Fred has made several inappropriate comments about Miss Alex.”
“Do you have anything to add, Miss Alex?” Luke gazed at the teacher sitting primly in her chair. She didn’t look a thing like the vivacious, mysterious woman he’d met the day he helped get her wagon back to town.
It was no wonder his assistant leaned against the sink, making calf-eyes at her. Arlan was falling in love with the girl whether he cared to admit it or not.
The free-spirited magician made a good contrast to his friend’s methodical, sometimes overly cautious personality.
“No, sir, other than I am sorry for embarrassing Fred. It was unkind and uncalled for. I’ll do my best to make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Alex appeared repentant although a part of her enjoyed bringing Fred down a notch.
Blake stood and addressed the other men. “It seems to me Miss Alex has offered an apology and promised to refrain from further actions of the like in the future. I move that this matter is settled and no need of further questioning is necessary.”
“I second the motion.” Mr. Jenkins stood and nudged George Bruner to get to his feet.
“All in favor?” Luke asked. The unanimous agreement made Alex smile.
“May I offer you gentlemen some refreshment?” Alex filled a plate with cookies and slid the teakettle forward on the stove.
“I need to get home, but thank you for the offer.” Luke smiled at Alex and winked at Arlan before leaving. George Bruner urged Percy out the door.
Leroy Jenkins and James Grove stood at the door, twisting their hats in their hands.
“We want to thank you, Miss Alex, for teaching our kids. They’ve never been so excited about school before and the progress in their educations is notable.” Mr. Jenkins tipped his head politely and gave her a friendly grin. “Anna can’t stop talking about how much fun she has in your class.”
Embarrassed by the praise, Alex felt heat fill her cheeks. “Thank you, sir. It’s a pleasure to teach your children. Anna and her brothers are all such sweet and eager students.”
Mr. Grove smiled at Alex as he stood at the door. “Tom has never been interested in school, but his mother insists he go. I’m impressed by how much he’s learned since you took over as his teacher and I’m grateful he’s no longer rubbing elbows with that Decker boy. Fred is nothing but trouble. You let me know if he gives you any more problems and don’t be afraid to let Tom and the other boys know when you need some help. They’re old enough and big enough to step in and do what’s right.”
Gratified by the man’s kind words, Alex nodded her head. “Thank you, Mr. Grove. I very much appreciate it. Tom is a bright boy with a successful future ahead of him.”
The man beamed as he turned and hurried down the steps to his waiting horse.
Blake sat at the table with Arlan eating cookies and drinking a cup of tea.
“These are delicious, Alex. Thank you for sharing your cookies.”
“You’re welcome, Blake. Would you like to take a few to Ginny?” Alex retrieved a small tin and put a handful of cookies inside.
Blake offered her an appreciative smile when she placed it next to him. “Thank you. She’ll enjoy these, if I don’t eat them on the ride home.”
Alex laughed and poured herself another cup of tea. Arlan picked up the glass she’d used for the trick and carefully studied it. She knew the moment he figured out how she did the trick by the light that sparkled in his eyes.
When he glanced at her, she winked, hoping he wouldn’t give away her secrets.
After he finished two more cookies, Blake brushed his hands on his denim-clad legs and stood. “Luke and I are both concerned about that Decker boy. If he says or does anything else upsetting, let us know. From what I understand, he’s been disrespectful to you and often disturbs the rest of the class.”
“He is something of a problem, but he has as much right as any of the other students to be there.” Alex walked with Arlan and Blake to the door.
“Regardless, we won’t tolerate much more of his nonsense or his mother’s.” Blake pointed to the glass on the table. “Makes me wish I could be back in school if I had a pretty teacher
who ended the day with magic tricks.”
Alex blushed. “It gives the students an incentive to stay out of trouble and get their work done. I only do a trick if they’ve all behaved and finished their assignments.”
Blake stepped outside and settled his hat on his head, stuffing the tin of treats into his coat pocket. “Oh, before I forget. My wife said to invite you to our house this Saturday for lunch. She wanted to talk to you about some idea she had for Christmas.” Blake glanced at Arlan as he lingered at the door. “You might as well come, too, Arlan. I have a new design for a table I’m working on and your quick calculations would be a help. I think Ginny is making a casserole that almost never fails, so your stomachs will be safe.”
Alex laughed. “How could I refuse with an invitation like that? Please tell Ginny I’ll be there.”
Arlan grinned at Blake. “I’d be happy to come. I’ll see you then.”
When Blake left, Arlan turned his attention back to Alex.
He leaned against the doorjamb and shook his head. “All my illusions of you possessing magical powers have been completely dashed, Alex the Amazing. That is quite the drinking glass you have in there. It’s a simple matter of moving your hand from the…”
Alex placed a finger on Arlan’s mouth to silence him. A fiery burst of sensation rocked through her at the innocent touch, making her take a step back. “Shh. You can’t give away any of my secrets. I must be losing my touch if you figured out one.”
“Give me time and I’ll know all your secrets, dear lady.” The heated look Arlan gave her as he bowed and rushed out the door made her wish he’d return and take her in his arms, ravish her with kisses.
Instead, she’d have to be satisfied with dreaming of Arlan’s affection since she knew she’d never be able to claim it as her own.
Chapter Seven
Saturday morning, a sharp rap on her door caused Alex to jerk up her head as she finished pulling on her knee-high boots.
She dropped her foot to the floor and brushed a nervous hand down the front of her black trousers then stepped across the room to open the door.
Arlan stood on her step holding the reins of both Orion and Bill in his hands. “Would you mind my company riding out to Blake and Ginny’s place?”
Even if she hadn’t secretly hoped he’d accompany her, the charming grin on his face would have easily changed her mind.
“If I must, I can suffer your presence for a while.” The impish smile she gave him softened the words as she tugged on gloves and closed the door behind her.
Arlan took a step back and almost tripped over his own feet as he watched Alex bound down the steps of her little home. Her lustrous dark hair bounced around her shoulders while the anticipation of an adventure twinkled in her vivid hazel eyes.
She wore a black woolen coat with a scarf wrapped around her neck, since the day was cool. The deep red of the scarf made her lips an even more vibrant shade of ruby.
In response to the inviting color, he licked his lips, wishing he could taste hers. Just a sample, a tiny drink, was all he needed to satisfy his growing curiosity.
“Ready to go?” Alex noticed the distracted look on his face. A quick glance down confirmed she’d buttoned her coat properly. Uncertain what had drawn Arlan’s attention, she took Bill’s reins from his hands and mounted the horse in a smooth motion.
Visibly rousing himself from his musings, Arlan mounted Orion and grinned at Alex. “Douglas assured me not to bother coming to your door with a sidesaddle. He said you quite eloquently informed him of your thoughts on using one.”
Alex laughed and clucked to Bill to head out on the road leading east from town. “He nearly insisted I use one the first time I started to saddle Bill. I know society thinks it is completely unacceptable for a woman to ride astride, but it’s safer and easier. My father always said the rules of a society were made by people who never exercised more than their jaws.”
Chuckling, Arlan shook his head. “I would like to meet your father.”
“That would be impossible, but perhaps my father and yours are sitting somewhere watching us go for a ride this morning.” Alex’s gaze drifted heavenward as she rode in silence for a few moments. When she spoke, her voice held a husky, glum tone. “I miss my papa.”
The sorrow in her heart echoed in his, causing Arlan to gaze at her in sympathy. “Has your father been gone long?”
“Almost a year. I buried him in Seattle.”
“Seattle? I thought you said you came from New York.”
Alex glanced over her shoulder at Arlan as she rode ahead of him. “I was born and raised in New York, but Papa and I traveled across the country and performed in any number of places, from the South to Texas, to towns across the prairie. In the past three years, I’ve been all over the Washington and Oregon territories and even went to Canada two summers ago.”
Impressed by all the places Alex had visited, Arlan wondered what it would be like to travel without roots or plans, following a whim and the wind. “What’s your favorite city, of all the places you’ve seen?”
“I haven’t found my favorite, yet.”
The minuscule part of Arlan given to fanciful notions desperately wished Hardman would become her favorite and she’d stay permanently.
An image of Edna returning and finding him enamored with Alex quelled his enthusiasm and left him silent as they rode the rest of the way out to Blake and Ginny’s place.
Although Ginny grew up spoiled and pampered with the best of everything, she moved to Blake’s humble home without a word of complaint. In the spring, Arlan had joined Luke and Chauncy Dodd in helping Blake add on a bathroom and large bedroom to the modest abode.
As they rode up to the house, Ginny stepped outside and waved, smiling as they dismounted.
“I’m so glad you both could come today!” Ginny gave Alex a warm hug. Arlan bent down so she could peck his cheek.
“Blake’s out behind the barn working with one of the colts. Why don’t we go watch him?” Ginny strode ahead while Alex and Arlan followed, leading their horses. After looping the reins over a fence rail, they stood and watched Blake work with a sleek black colt. The man seemed as talented with horses as he did at crafting hand-made furniture.
No one would know it by looking at him, but Blake’s parents lived on a sprawling estate in England as the Earl and Countess of Roxbury. He himself held the title of viscount.
Alex learned that tidbit of information from Filly one day when they were discussing Ginny and Luke’s parents.
Dora and Greg Granger recently completed construction of a grand home in Hardman. They waited until after the arrival of Maura to return to their home in New York to pack their belongings there and put the house up for sale. From the information Filly shared, the older Granger couple planned to return just before Christmas along with Blake’s parents, who would sail over from England to spend the holiday with their only child.
When Blake noticed his audience, he walked over and shook Arlan’s hand. “Nice to see you both today.”
“Thank you for the invitation,” Alex said, reaching out stroke the colt’s neck. He turned a wary eye her direction but didn’t shy away. “What a beautiful animal, Blake.”
“He’s coming along.” Blake rubbed a hand along the horse’s jaw. “Once he learns his manners, he’ll be a dandy one to ride.”
“May I see the rest of your horses?” Alex loved horses and didn’t often have the opportunity to admire the quality of horseflesh Blake raised.
“Absolutely!”
Blake led the colt to a small corral and left him there then joined Ginny, Alex, and Arlan inside the barn. He walked down the row of stalls talking about each occupant.
Envy and admiration settled over Alex as she stared at a huge beast Blake called Romeo. The stallion’s shiny black coat caught the light of the sun sliding through the open barn doors into his stall. He tossed a thick mane and blew warm breath at her.
“Easy, old son.” Blake patted
the horse on the neck and Romeo whickered at him. Slowly opening the stall gate, Blake led the horse out and Alex stared openly at the equine.
Stately and proud, the stallion combined strength and nobility in his bearing.
“He’s magnificent, Blake. Truly magnificent.” Unhurried, Alex removed her glove and ran a hand along Romeo’s neck. He tossed his head and glanced at her.
“Thank you. He thinks he’s quite impressive and most of the time I agree.” Blake grinned as the horse rubbed a big head against his chest. “His son, the one I worked with outside, should also shape up to be a good horse.”
Blake watched Alex study Romeo from the tips of his ears to the end of his tail. Most people seemed frightened by his size, but she didn’t appear flustered at all. Rather, she gazed at the horse with interest.
“Would you like to ride him?”
“Blake…” Ginny took a step forward then shrank back when Romeo eyed her. She’d never been overly fond of horses and the stallion terrified her most of the time. “I don’t know if…”
Alex smiled at Ginny then nodded to Blake. “I’d love to, if you wouldn’t mind.”
Arlan agreed with Ginny. Alex’s horse Bill was as gentle as they came. The woman had no idea what she was getting herself into agreeing to ride Blake’s horse.
He envisioned her flying off the stallion or trampled beneath the animal’s powerful feet. “Miss Alex, I’m not so sure…”
Slowly turning her head, she raised an eyebrow and pinned him with her gaze. “I do believe the choice to ride is mine and mine alone, Mr. Guthry.”
“Fine, but if you break your neck, just know that the first thing I’m going to do is figure out how all your magic tricks work.”
Alex grinned and motioned for Arlan to boost her up onto the stallion’s back. He meshed his fingers and formed a step for her foot then hoisted her up as she settled onto the animal.
Blake had bridled the horse, but Alex sat on him bareback.
“Don’t you want a saddle?” Blake asked, handing her the reins.
“No, this is fine.” She slowly rode the horse out into the open and walked him around the barnyard. “Do you mind if a take him for a short run?”
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