“Do you know who that was,” Caroline Pillsdale asked breathlessly. “The new schoolteacher,” she said before anyone could voice an opinion. “I must say he doesn’t look much like a teacher.” She fluttered her long lashes as a smile curved up the corners of her mouth.
“What are teachers suppose to look like,” Imogen asked irritably. She had not missed Caroline’s interest in the newcomer. Caroline thought every young man was her property. That is unless she chose to ignore him.
“The new schoolteacher,” Faith asked. She should have paid closer attention to the stranger. Turning her head, she looked at the man’s departing back. He was a head taller than Miss Ferguson with broad shoulders and long limbs. He walked with confidence an easy grace to his steps. “I can’t tell much from this angle,” she said. “What does he look like?”
Caroline gushed to reply, “Tall and handsome. Would you believe he has the most gorgeous green eyes! Not a limpet green like most green eyes. They were bright jewels in his suntanned face.” Caroline ended with a deep sigh.
If Caroline wanted the new schoolteacher she would get him. It really did not matter to Faith except she felt sorry for any man in Caroline’s sights. She flirted outrageously until a man showed interest and then she would drop him as if he had the plague. “What is your opinion Valerie,” Faith asked. Of all her sisters Valerie was the most down to earth. Logical when logic was warranted.
“I don’t know,” Valerie replied thoughtfully.
“Oh, don’t be a ninny,” Caroline interrupted. “You were as taken with our new teacher as the rest of us. At least I have the honesty to admit it.”
Valerie gave Caroline a sweet smile. She was never one to argue. “Perhaps,” Valerie replied. “I want a little time to think over my reaction. I’ve never met a male teacher before. And somehow he seems more male than other men,” she ended mysteriously.
“I can’t stand around all day talking,” Faith said still irritated that she had bumped into Mr. Cook. The man was sure to ask her to the Fall Picnic. She would have to think up a plausible excuse. An excuse even a man as dense as Mr. Cook seemed to be would understand.
“Mother wants me to pick up some headache powder,” Valerie said.
“I will go with you,” Elizabeth declared. At fourteen she was interested in potions and tonics. Believing she might want to become a nurse. Of course that was this week. Last week she thought maybe she wanted to become a stage actress. But Reverend Gaines forbade his daughter to even consider acting as a profession.
“I’m going to Dru’s Café for lunch,” Caroline said pettily. None of the Gaines sisters ever ate at the café.
“Alone,” Imogen asked astonished. Hoping her voice did not sound as scandalized as she felt.
“Alone,” Caroline replied with a mischievous smile on her lips. Sure she would hear a sermon from Reverend Gaines on the sin of women being promiscuous. She did not care. A woman should be free to make choices not coddled like some old woman.
“I will go home with you,” Imogen told Faith. “I hope Caroline knows what she is doing,” she said a few minutes later. A worried frown creased her forehead. “Sometimes I think Mr. Pillsdale does not keep close enough eyes on her. She was bragging the other day about going riding with that scalawag John Layfield. I’m sure Mr. Ferguson was with them.”
“Miss Ferguson’s brother,” Faith asked a grim look darkening her face.
“One and the same,” Imogen replied shuddering from head to toe. “You ever see Mr. Ferguson work a day in his life. He visits with saloon women,” she added in a whisper. Young ladies did not talk about such matters. “I fear if Caroline is not careful she will be disgraced.” Everyone knew what that meant!
“Father says we mustn’t judge,” Faith replied. Feeling as Imogen did about Mr. Ferguson. Any woman foolish enough to be seen in his company was asking for trouble.
“We are to know right from wrong,” Imogen promptly replied. “There is nothing right about Mr. Ferguson. He gives me creeping flesh.”
“I know what you mean,” Faith answered rubbing one hand over the long sleeve of her shirtwaist. Just talking about the man made her flesh crawl.
Chapter Two
The Secondary School building was freshly built. The timbers still smelling of cedar resin. It stood adjacent to the Elementary School facing the school yard and playground with a side door towards the road. The structure was two stories tall.
Miss Ferguson unlocked the side door and went into the building. The teacher’s desk was at the front of the long narrow room. Twelve student desks were placed in four rows. Each desk was newly made. “Nice,” Miss Ferguson said with satisfaction. “Mr. Henderson had said the desks would be delivered and setup in time for Monday classes.” She gave Royce a pinched frown. “The living quarters are upstairs,” she continued indicating a door behind the teacher’s desk. “Mayor Pillsdale has high hopes for our little school. He believes someday in the future the room above will be used as another classroom. Until such a time it is living quarters.”
Royce placed his satchel on top of the teacher’s desk then deposited his bedroll and rifle alongside. His valise went on the floor.
“Do you want me to show you upstairs,” Miss Ferguson asked. She stood with her hands clasped together in front of her ample frame. Her tone of voice indicating it would be a breach of conduct to be in a man’s living quarters but felt she must ask.
“No need,” Royce replied and wondered why he should feel uncomfortable at the idea of Miss Ferguson in his room. She was hardly the seductress type. Perhaps it was the principal that he objected to. After all, Miss Ferguson was a single woman.
“Will you take supper this evening
