[Canadian West 01] - When Calls the Heart (7 page)

The man was rather young-about thirty-five, I guessed.
He was not carefully groomed, nor was he dignified or austere.
His appearance and his conversation indicated to me that he
was sloppy, loud, arrogant and bold. I didn't like any of those
things in a man.

I felt an inner check, quickly reminding myself that one
must never make snap judgments based on first impressions.
Even so, it was difficult for me to smile politely and extend my
hand, but I did. Higgins nearly broke my fingers as he pumped
a generous, manly handshake. He boomed out, "How d'ya do?
How d'ya do?"

He didn't say that he was pleased to meet me, but I got the
feeling that he was, for his eyes carelessly passed over my face
and form. He seemed to approve, for he kept right on staring
at me. I felt the color creeping into my face. Brother Jon came
to my rescue.

"Let's be seated," he said. "I'm sure that miss Thatcher is
anxious to find out all about our school district."

Mentally I thanked Jon for using my formal name. Perhaps that would keep the forward Mr. Higgins at bay.

I voiced agreement with Jon. "Yes, I'm most interested in
everything concerning the schools of this area, in particular
the one that I will be serving."

"Later!" thundered Higgins. "I never spoil a good dinner
by discussing mundane things like work before I eat."

He laughed loudly at what he considered his wit and
turned to ask my impression of the West. I could tell by his
voice that he felt there was nothing, anywhere, that could in
any way come near to equalling his West. I replied that I had
been in the West such a very short time that I really hadn't
had a proper chance for evaluation. I wasn't sure that he accepted my statement. I sensed that he felt one shouldn't need
time to clearly see the West's superiority. But instead of contradicting me, he said something about "showing me around."
Jonathan again rescued me by steering the conversation to
other subjects, and it wasn't long until Mary announced that
dinner was served.

The roast beef was delicious. I would have loved the opportunity to enjoy it, but Mr. Higgins spoiled it for me. His open
stare followed my every move, and I felt so nervous that I
could scarcely direct my fork properly. I had never met such a
man before, and I mentally conceded that I had finally met
my first bore. So puffed up was he with importance and his
own opinions that he monopolized and manipulated the entire
conversation. My first impression had been correct: I did not
care for Mr. Higgins, School Superintendent. Hopefully, all of
the men in the West were not like this man.

We never did discuss the school system, though it seemed
like hours and hours before he finally had sense enough to excuse himself and go home. As he prepared to leave, he asked if
he could call again.

"Well," I said, hoping that he would catch my meaning in
the tone of my voice, "we do need to talk about the school that
I am to teach, and I need to find out what I will require. We
haven't found time for that yet."

He guffawed as if I was delightful and squeezed my hand
as he shook it. I pulled away.

"I'll see you Wednesday," he said, and he winked. I was
shocked at his brazen manner and a little gasp of surprise escaped me. He didn't notice it, and bawled a merry "goodnight" that I was afraid might awaken the sleeping children,
then went whistling down the walk.

"Someone should marry that man and polish him up a
bit," Mary said softly.

I shook my head and said, "It will take more than polish. I
would not impose such a task on any woman."

On Tuesday Jon decided that I should be introduced to
Calgary's shops, so he drove me downtown and left me while
he went to his office. Mary had planned to accompany us, but
William had an earache so she staved with him.

The shops were certainly different from what I had been
used to. I didn't see any that would compare with Madame
Tanier's, but I did find them all most interesting. How I
wished that Julie were with me. What fun we could have had!

Jon had promised to meet me for lunch at a nearby hotel, and as twelve o'clock approached I felt hungry. I decided to
make my way to the dining room he had pointed out earlier.
As I moved down the sidewalk, I was aware of many stares
that followed me. I felt a small nervous twisting in my stomach. Perhaps it was unacceptable for a lady to walk alone in
Calgary. I would have to ask Jonathan. I hurried my steps.

The Calgary streets were alive with variety. Besides the
dark-suited businessmen, there were ranchers, farmers, Indians, and just plain loafers. I caught my breath and hurried
past a rough-cut foursome who slouched against a hardware
store. I could hear remarks and laughs, but I did not try to untangle any of the comments. I had no desire to know if they
concerned me.

When I reached the hotel dining room, Jon was already
there, ten minutes ahead of the appointed time.

"I didn't want you to arrive before me and have to stand
around alone and wait," he said. I deeply appreciated his
thoughtfulness.

We were led to a table, and as we moved through the room
Jon greeted many acquaintances. For some parties he stopped
and introduced me, to others he only nodded his greeting and
called them by name. I began to see the pattern. When Jon
stopped and made an introduction, it was always to a couple
or to a married man. Jon would then make reference to
Mr. -, who with his wife and family lived on such-and-such
a street, or operated such-and-such a business. The gentlemen
that he by-passed were obviously single. Jon was keeping his
word and making no effort to pair me off. I smiled to myself at
his obvious attempt to comply with my wishes.

As I sat down I could see and feel stares following me. I laid
aside my gloves and purse and smiled at my brother. I hoped
that pretending to be at ease would make me feel less edgy. It
worked at least in part. Jon took over and soon I felt quite relaxed, even in my new surroundings. I was becoming quite attached to my brother. It was no wonder Mother idolized him. I
wished that she could see him here, in this town with his lovely wife and well-behaved children, with his prestigious position in the community. She would be so proud. I also felt proud as I sat opposite him, and momentarily I was able to
forget the stares.

"By the way," he said cautiously, "your clothes are lovely.
Mary thinks so too. But Mary-well--even though she envies
you, she-well-she has suggested that I hint, tactfully, that
you should maybe have a few things a bit more practical for
school teaching. Our classrooms are not all that fancy, and,
well-, I'm not good at hinting so ..."

I laughed. Jon looked relieved.

"Whew," he said, "I'm glad that you took it that way. I
wasn't sure whether you'd be annoyed or hurt. I'm just no
good at beating round-the-bush. But Mary is right; your highfashion clothing looks marvelous, but it's not too practical for
our way of living."

Jon's sincerity and sweetness took all sting out of his
words. I realized that he and Mary were right; it was love that
prompted them to suggest the change in wardrobe.

"I'll see what I can find," I promised, as our food arrived.

"By the way," I ventured, "is it improper for a lady to venture out without an escort on Calgary streets?"

"Why? Didn't you meet any ladies this morning?"

"Yes-yes, I did, come to think of it. Several. But-"

Jon frowned.

"Well, I just felt out-of-place. Wherever I went, people
stared."

Jon grinned.

"People-or men?"

I flushed. There was no need to continue the conversation.

Jonathan suggested some shops where I might find the
type of clothing suitable for a western schoolmarm, and promised that he would meet me at three o'clock to drive me home.
At first I thought there would be no pleasure in shopping for
things that I considered drab and unstylish, but the more I
looked the more I liked what I found, and the more fun it became. Again I wished for Julie's company. She would have
turned the shopping trip into a hilarious occasion.

I found some simple cotton gowns that would be easy to
wash and iron, and some undergarments without much lace. I even purchased heavier stockings; though, I must admit, I
didn't care much for the looks of them. I had the clerk bundle
up my purchases and checked the time. It was already past
three o'clock. I hurried from the store, concerned that Jon
might be waiting.

He was there, just a few steps down the street, his broad
back turned to me. I hurried toward him and then noticed that
he was in conversation with another man. I hesitated. Should I
make my presence known in case Jon was in a hurry to get
home, or should I wait until he had finished his conversation?

They shifted their position somewhat. I now could see the
gentleman to whom Jon was talking. He was a bit taller than
Jon, which made him tall indeed. A broad-brimmed hat shaded his eyes, but I noticed a strong, though not stubborn, jaw,
and a well-shaped nose. He had a clear, clean-cut look, though
one would certainly never consider him a "parlor-gentleman."
There was a certain masculine ruggedness about him that suggested confidence and capability. He smiled good-naturedly
as he spoke with Jon, and I imagined an easy friendliness and
an appreciation for a good joke.

My slight movement must have caught his eye, for his
head lifted. This caused Jon to look around.

"Be right with you, Beth," he said, and they shook hands
heartily. "Greet Phillip for us," Jon said as he placed a hand
on the man's shoulder. In return Jon received a friendly slap
on the back; then the man turned to me. He nodded slightly,
raising his hat as he did so, allowing me a full look into his
eyes. They were deep blue-and determined; but they gave a
glint of humor now, even though his lips did not move. I found
myself wishing to see him smile, truly smile, but before I could
offer one to encourage him, he turned and strode away.

I could not understand the strange stirring within me. I
suddenly wished that Jon had broken his rule and introduced
us. Never before had I seen a man who interested me so much.
I stood staring after him like a schoolgirl.

"A-a friend?" I stammered, and then blushed at my foolishness. Surely Jon would think me silly; it would have been
apparent to anyone that they were friends.

"Yes.

That was all my brother said. No offering of the man's
name or where he was from-nothing. I determined not to
pursue the matter.

The next day Mr. Higgins showed up a bit after two
o'clock. I was hoping that he was ready to get down to business, but he wanted to take me for a drive instead. I went, reluctantly. The whole thing was annoying, and I was very glad
that I had a dinner engagement that evening and could insist
that I must be home in plenty of time to prepare for it.

I pressed him about the school where I would be teaching,
but he said that he was still undecided. I reminded him that I
should know soon so that I could make adequate preparations.
He continued to be evasive. I noted that there was only a week
until classes would commence. He replied heartily that a lot
could happen in a week, then exploded an uproarious laugh. I
dropped the subject.

He left me at the door and remarked how quickly the afternoon had passed. He asked if he could see me on Friday. Helplessly, I replied that since it was imperative that I know my
future plans, he could. He boldly put a hand on my arm as he
shook my hand. "Oh, I do have plans, my dear," he said. "I do
have plans for you."

The nerve of him, I thought. as I climbed the stairs to my
room. Never had I met such an obnoxious man. And to think
that I was in a position where he would he my employer! I did
hope that our respective duties would rarely bring us into contact with one another.

Suddenly the face of Jon's friend came to mind. What a
shame that he didn't turn out to be Mr. Higgins, I thought,
but immediately scolded myself'. How foolish to even think
such ridiculous thoughts' But I was amazed at the intensity of
my feelings. I had seen the man only once for just a moment.
Why should he affect me so? I didn't know, but those blue
smiling eyes stayed with me, to haunt me as I opened the door
to my room. With a great deal of determination I pushed the
image of the face from my mind and concentrated on choosing
a gown for the evening ahead.

Mr. Higgins arrived at eleven o'clock on Friday. I was
reading to Sarah and Kathleen and was totally unprepared for
such an early call. He rudely barged his way through the house
and declared that we were going on a picnic. He carried a picnic basket as evidence that everything was prepared. I tried to
stammer a refusal, but he cut me short with a laugh.

"You needn't bother your pretty little head about a thing. I
know that I've surprised you-but folks will tell you that I'm
full of surprises."

He seemed to consider people's comments regarding his
surprises as great compliments.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet, not even
letting me finish the final half of the last page.

"Come-come," he said. "Picnics don't like to be kept
waiting."

"I like picnics," Kathleen announced hopefully.

"And someday your aunt and I will take you with us-but
not today. Today is a picnic for just tuwo." He turned to me
with a wink. "Now run along, my dear, and put on something
more suitable for a picnic." He glanced at my stylish slippers.
"Especially on your feet," he added. "Those flimsy little
things are hardly suitable for a walk in the country, and we
must have peace and quiet to discuss your future."

I hurried upstairs and changed. muttering threats the
whole time. I chose the plainest of the dresses that I had purchased in Calgary; but I wished with all of my heart that I had something made out of floursacking to wear instead. I
searched through the closet for the walking shoes I had used
for the classroom and put them on. They're awfully plainalmost ugly, I thought, but I was glad of it as I descended the
stairs.