Tarah's Lessons

by Tracey V. Bateman

  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 napkin 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 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.

  There were so many questions 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 either been 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 a
lone. 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 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 a while, 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 conversation 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.

  “No, he ain’t, and if you knew ’im, you wouldn’t even claim such a fool thing.”

  Stung, Tarah drew a breath. “Well, no matter what sort of man he is, the Bible instructs children to honor their parents.”

  “I don’t hold to no religion, Tarah. So I don’t much care what the Bible has to say about the subject.”

  Stifling a gasp at the irreverence, Tarah searched for a way to reach Laney, but the girl jumped to her feet. “Look, Lady, I don’t need no lectures. I’m near twelve years old, and soon as I can, I’m gettin’ away from that old drunk.”

  So the man was not only slovenly, he indulged in liquor. That explained a lot. The girl’s age surprised Tarah. She was no taller than seven-year-old Jack and quite a bit skinnier. Surveying Laney critically, Tarah decided the child was half-starved.

  “Wait, Laney. Don’t go yet. It’s a bit early for lunch, but I’m getting a little hungry. Do you want to share with me?”

  Laney’s eyes grew stormy, her lips twisting into a sneer. “I don’t need yer charity.”

  “Oh, honestly.” Tarah stood and made her way to Abby. “I packed more food than I can possibly eat.” Knowing she’d be away from the house most of the day, Cassidy had insisted Tarah pack enough food for an army. Tarah had thought it silly at the time, but now she was glad for Cassidy’s forethought. “If someone doesn’t help me eat it, most of this will go to waste.” Tarah pulled a blanket from the saddlebag and spread it on the ground.

  “Well. . .” Laney eyed the leftover chicken and thick slices of bread Tarah set on the blanket.

  “You might want to go to the river and wash your hands,” Tarah suggested.

  “What fer?”

  “Because they’re dirty. You shouldn’t eat with dirty hands.”

  “That so?” She shrugged. “Don’t guess it’d hurt nothin’ to swish ’em around a little.”

  “I’m sure it wouldn’t,” Tarah drawled.

  Laney returned a moment later, wiping her wet hands on the filthy trousers. Tarah cringed. It hardly did any good for her to wash. The dirt was apparently ground in so deep, a good scrubbing would be necessary to get her hands clean. Laney didn’t seem to notice and ate with abandon, barely swallowing one bite before taking another.

  Nibbling on a slice of bread, Tarah watched the girl down three pieces of chicken and two slices of bread. At Tarah’s insistence, she accepted the only piece of apple pie left over from supper the night before.

  Rubbing her stomach, Laney emitted a loud belch, then groaned. “Don’t think I’ve ever had such good food. You folks eat like that all the time?”

  “My ma is a wonderful cook.”

  “Thought ya said yer ma was dead,” Laney challenged.

  “She is. I told you my pa remarried.”

  “Oh.” Laney stood. “I best get back to the house ’fore Pa wakes up and starts hollerin’.”

  Tarah stood and faced the girl. “Laney, I teach in town. Will you consider coming to school?”

  “Yer the teacher?” Her brown eyes narrowed suspiciously.

  “That’s right.”

  “Then why ain’t ya at school?”

  Heat rushed to Tarah’s face. “I took the day off.”

  “Never heard of a teacher playing hooky b’fore.”

  Tarah laughed. “Someone is looking after my class for me. I didn’t leave them to their own devices. So how about it? Think you might like to come?”

  “And yer the teacher, huh?”

  “That’s right. I’d love to have you there.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, she shrugged. “Well, seein’ as how ya shared yer food with
me. . .” She inclined her head. “Guess it wouldn’t hurt nothin’ to try it out. But if I don’t like it, ya cain’t make me stay.”

  Tarah’s heart soared. A giddy feeling enveloped her, and she grinned. “Thank you, Laney. I hope you’ll like school.”

  Hungrily, Laney eyed the two remaining pieces of chicken and the bread still left on the blanket.

  Tarah cleared her throat and stooped to wrap the leftovers in a napkin. “Would you mind taking this home with you? I’m heading into town and would rather not have it in my saddlebag. The smell will attract every dog in Harper.”

  Light flickered in the girl’s eyes. “Guess I could. Ben’ll probably like it.” Her lips turned down bitterly. “If Pa don’t grab it away from him.”

  “Is Ben your brother?”

  “Yep. He don’t walk so good.”

  “Why not?”

  “Horse stepped on him a couple years back.”

  The story grew more heartbreaking with each new chapter, and pity clutched at Tarah’s heart for the unknown boy. “Maybe you could slip him the food when your pa’s not looking.”

  Laney grinned. “Think I’ll do that, Teacher. You goin’ to school tomorra?”

  Suddenly Tarah wanted nothing more than to return to her classroom and teach. Luke or no Luke, she was determined to be a success. If she made a difference in only one child’s life, it would be worth the effort. “Yes, I am. I really am, Laney.”

  Giving her a curious glance, the girl clutched the bundle of food to her chest and inclined her head once more. “Reckon I’ll prob’ly see ya, then.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.”

  Wordlessly, Laney turned and wandered away as suddenly as she had appeared.

  With renewed resolve, Tarah turned back to the blanket. She shook it out, then stuffed it back into the saddlebag. Casting one last glance across the wide, open prairie, she watched as Laney’s retreating form grew smaller.

  If she only made a difference in one child’s life. . .

  Five

  Releasing a self-satisfied breath, Anthony leaned back in his chair. The day was going pretty well so far. No disruptions. The children attended their studies diligently with only an occasional whisper here and there. Apparently, after all the kerfuffle of the day before, they didn’t want to push their substitute teacher. Anthony was grateful, but he hoped the compliance would last should Tarah decide to return to her classroom.