His Errant Educator (Willamette Wives Book 3) (16 page)

"Agatha, may I talk to you for a moment?"

Turning, Agatha saw her mother. Before she could answer, Wyatt said, "You have time. We still need to load the wagon. We'll come back and get you."

"I thought Richard wanted to leave soon. It is already growing late."

Wyatt shook his head. "It will be a while before we are in town again. He won't begrudge you a last chat with your ma. Catherine, it was a pleasure to see you again. Please come visit whenever you can."

"Thank you, Wyatt, I'll do that." He tipped his hat and strode down the street to catch up with the others. "Come, let's have a cup of coffee."

Agatha nodded and followed her mother back into the building, turning into the dining room and then through the door into the kitchen. After her mother poured two cups of coffee from the pot on the stove, she moved to the table, placing one before her daughter.

"Why are you angry at me?" Catherine asked.

Surprised, Agatha looked up. "I'm not mad at you, Ma."

"Fine, but you are definitely mad at somebody. Is it Wyatt?"

"No, of course not."

Sighing, Catherine sat back in her chair. "Are you really going to make me list every person you know? This would go a lot faster if you'd just tell me who has taken the smile off my girl's pretty face."

"Ma? I… are you happy?"

"Happy? Yes, I'm very happy, sweetheart."

"You aren't just saying that? I mean, I knew that Wallace wasn't a nice man but… but you never said a word about how horrid he really was."

"Oh, honey, there was no reason to—"

"Yes, Ma, there was. It would have been better to know… know the truth of why you really married him instead of wondering how you could allow someone like him into your—our lives."

Catherine sat forward, reaching out to place her hands over Agatha's. "I didn't want to worry you. It's not a child's job to worry about her parents. I realize now that you had to do so long before Wallace came into town. When your pa died, a part of me died with him. It took seeing you and your Wyatt for me to remember that life was meant to be enjoyed. Yes, there will always be times of grief, of loss, but there is never a time to simply give up." She paused for a moment before continuing. "I should have realized that, together, you and I could overcome whatever happened, but I didn't. I made a mistake but even then, a part of me is glad I did."

"What? How can you say that?"

"Agatha, if I hadn't wed… or thought I had wed Wallace, then we never would have joined the wagon train. If we hadn't, if we'd stayed in Pinefork, you wouldn't have found your Wyatt. You wouldn't have found such friends as you have in Anna and Charity. You wouldn't have built a cabin, a home to share with a wonderful man and my future grandchildren. Do you see? Out of that hell came heaven. So, please, don't fret about me. I am very happy now."

"With… with Mr. Goldman?"

"Ah, is that what this is about?" With Agatha's rather reluctantly given nod, she smiled. "Yes, with Ben. He is a good man. He loved his wife as much as I loved your pa. But we can also love each other, can't we?" When Agatha didn't answer, she sighed. "I made your life miserable by being with Wallace. I won't do that again. If you are so against Ben, then I will tell him that we can be nothing more than employer and employee."

"You could come live with us…" Agatha began but stopped as she really looked at her ma's face. "You really are happy, aren't you? You really like him."

"I do. Very much," Catherine admitted.

"Oh, Ma, I'm so sorry. I don't have the right to dictate what you should do or who you should… should love," Agatha said, removing her hands from beneath her mother's in order to move from her chair and sink down on her knees, burying her head in her ma's lap. "I'm just being selfish. Please, forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive," Catherine said, stroking her hair. "How could there be when you were only protecting me?"

"Like you were protecting me," Agatha said, lifting her face. "Thank you. I'm happy for you and Ben. You deserve to be happy. I love you, Ma. I love you so much."

"Good because I love you more than anything… or anyone." Smiling, she drew her daughter up and the two embraced. It was a few minutes before they separated and each wiped a tear off their cheek as they turned towards the door, both having heard a sound.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude," Teresa said.

Agatha couldn't stop the grin as she realized their situations had flipped. "You're not. Ma and I were just saying our goodbyes."

"I'm going to miss you, Agatha," Teresa said.

"I'll be looking for you to visit," Agatha said, walking to the young woman and giving her a hug. "And, when you do, I'll expect to hear all about how my ma and your pa are behaving themselves… or not."

Teresa seemed a bit surprised. "I'll watch them like a hawk, I promise."

"Well, maybe you can look away sometimes," Agatha said, and the two girls giggled.

Catherine just shook her head but the smile now shining on her face said that she didn't mind. When Wyatt walked into the kitchen a few moments later, he found the three around the table, chattering about wedding plans. Agatha stood and gave him a hug.

"Better?" he asked, lifting her chin with two fingers.

"Much," she said, her heart lighter than it had been since they'd arrived in town. It hadn't been the news of Roger's engagement, or the first steps made by Teresa towards a lasting friendship, or even a barn dance. No, it had been seeing her ma's face, looking into her eyes and discovering that she wasn't just surviving… she was happier than she'd been in as long as Agatha could remember.

Three Months Later…

"You're up awful early," Matthew said, yawning as he sat up on his bunk, stretching his arms above his head.

"Yup, gotta get into town," Roger said, pulling on his boots. "Today's a special day."

"Why, I didn't forget your wedding day, did I?" Matthew teased. "I thought that wasn't for a couple of weeks still."

"It isn't," Roger said, standing and reaching for his hat. "Nope. They finished the school and today is the day that Teresa is going to be introduced as the teacher. She's excited and I wanna be there for her. And, of course, I can't wait to give her her present."

Matthew grinned. "Think she'll like it?"

"Not as much as being surrounded by all her students, but yeah, I'm hoping she likes it. After the announcement, I'm going to take her up to the cabin and have a picnic. Catherine said she'd provide the food. I'll be back before too long…"

"Naw, take your time. We can handle moving the cattle now that we've got that section's fence complete. You just enjoy your day with your gal."

"Thanks, Matt," Roger said. "I know I haven't exactly pulled my weight around here lately, but with building the cabin and the furniture—"

"You do plenty. Now, go on. It's still early and I wanna catch some more winks." Before Roger was even out the bunkhouse door, Matthew was already stretched out on his bunk, his eyes closed.

Mounting his horse, Roger began the ride into town. The snows had finally melted and after a few weeks of traversing muddy trails, it had been nice seeing green shoots sprouting from the previously frozen earth. The herd had not only survived their first winter, they'd thrived. Besides Kratos, the first bull born, they'd had an additional dozen cows drop calves. The birthing shed they'd built had kept the young animals safe from predators and their mothers warm and secure. With the arrival of spring, he'd enjoyed watching the calves kick up their heels a bit as they discovered more open range to explore.

He couldn't help but hope that Teresa would not only like the gift he was bringing her but would be happy with the progress on the cabin. It had gone up faster than he had hoped, but only because every man on the ranch pitched in after doing their chores. The women had as well, making sure they remembered to include plenty of shelving, windows and, of course, the porch he'd promised his bride-to-be. He couldn't wait to sit on it with his wife, holding her in his arms as they watched the sun set over the mountains. Thinking of Teresa had his cock twitching and he was honest enough to admit he couldn't wait to have her in his arms in the bed he'd just finished building. It had been the final piece of furniture to finish, as he wanted it to be special. He'd carved the headboard with vines and flowers, ignoring Matthew's constant teasing, because he knew his girl loved plants and all things that grew.

Hearing laughter and squawking, he slowed Buster, his horse, as he approached the Wilcox cabin. Agatha was the source of the laughter, and what appeared to be at least a dozen chickens were doing the squawking. "Get him, Wyatt!" Agatha called, holding her arms out and dancing back and forth.

Roger watched as Wyatt carefully approached from behind what Roger suddenly recognized as the infamous Mr. Rooster. Evidently the couple were attempting to move their chickens from the coop inside the barn back to the one outside.

"Need any help?" he called out, stopping completely to watch the show.

Wyatt stood straighter and shook his head and walked towards him. "Not unless you speak chicken. You'd think these chickens would be grateful to get some fresh air, but it seems every dang one of them thinks they're about to be put into the stew pot. And that cock isn't helping!" Pointing to Mr. Rooster, he said, "If I had any sense, I'd just shoot him…"

"Wyatt! You can't say things like that. He's just protecting his flock," Agatha said. Roger couldn't believe it when she squatted down and began to talk to the rooster who was busy running back and forth, flapping his wings, causing the other hens to cluck, squawk and generally cause a ruckus.

"Going into town?" Wyatt asked, having reached him.

"Yeah, I'll be bringing Teresa back to show her the cabin. I know she wanted to make up a list of things she needs before we move in."

"Bring her by," Wyatt said. "I know that Aggy will want to visit."

"I will… what is she doing?" Roger said, nodding behind Wyatt who turned to see what he meant. The men watched as Agatha, evidently having grown tired of attempting to convince the rooster that she meant no harm, had walked to the coop, opened the gate and was pointing at it.

"If you don't settle down and get inside right now, I'm gonna leave you out here to get eaten, and I'm not talking a nice, clean death. I'm talking some horrid, huge cat swallowing you whole. Now stop all that squawking and move it. I've got things to do today!"

"Well I'll be," Roger said, shaking his head as the rooster tilted his head, gave one final crow and then sauntered into the coop, his females following. "How on earth does she do that?"

"Beats me," Wyatt said with a grin. "All I know is that Mr. Rooster seems to know when she's reached the end of her rope."

Agatha followed the flock into the coop and began scattering feed, praising the rooster for his obedience.

"That's amazing," Roger said.

"Yup, she is," Wyatt agreed with a big smile. "I think I'll go do a bit of praising of my own."

Roger chuckled. "I'll leave you to it. We'll drop by in a few hours."

"That should give us enough time," Wyatt said as he began to walk towards the coop.

"Time enough for what?"

"You'll discover that answer once you are married," Wyatt said, wagging his eyebrows.

Understanding instantly, Roger shook his head as he kicked his heels into Buster's flanks to get him started again. What had seemed pretty close now seemed way too far into the future. He couldn't wait to discover what it was like to wake up beside the woman he loved every morning for the rest of his life.

***

"Almost there, don't open your eyes yet," Roger said, his arm about her waist as he led Teresa outside.

"But I can't see," she said, her had gripping his arm, her feet shuffling along the wooden sidewalk.

"That's the point, darlin'. I don't want to spoil the surprise." With a chuckle, he positioned her so that she was facing the street. "Ready?"

"Yes!"

"All right, open your eyes."

When she did, blinking rapidly against the bright sunlight, it took her a moment to discover what surprise he meant. "Oh, Roger, she's beautiful!" She bounced up and down, her smile wide. "Is she for me? May I ride her? What's her name?"

His chuckle was deep as he nodded. "Let's see… yes, she is for you, and yes you may ride her. As for her name, she is waiting for you to give her one."

The mare lifted her head and whinnied as if to agree. "Whinny. Her name is Whinny," Teresa said. "Isn't she just the sweetest thing you've ever seen?"

"I rather think Whinny's owner is the sweetest thing, but yes, she is a sweet little horse. I thought we'd ride out to the ranch and look at the progress of the cabin. Would you like that?"

"Yes! I've been waiting and waiting. But the announcement…"

"I wouldn't miss it," Roger assured her. "We'll go afterwards."

"I'm so excited, first a wonderful present and now I will have my dream come true! Oh, let's go get Pa. I want him to meet Whinny! Do we have time?"

"Yes, I made sure I got here a little early," Roger said, smiling as she gave her new horse a kiss on its velvet cheek before taking his hand. They walked into the kitchen together to see Ben sitting at the table with a cup of coffee and his newspaper, and Catherine at the large oak table, wrapping pieces of fried chicken in paper.

"Pa, you've got to come meet Whinny!" Teresa said, "you too, Catherine."

"I'm gathering she liked her surprise?" Ben asked.

"I'd say so, she's already named her and given her the kiss of approval," Roger said with a grin.

"I'm almost through getting the food ready," Catherine said. "Oh, I need to find a basket…"

"No, that's not necessary. I'll just tuck it in my saddlebag. Thank you very much for this, Catherine."

"It's no bother," she said with a smile. "It's a nice day for a picnic. I've added a jar of lemonade as well. Oh, and you'll need a little dessert." The two men watched as she sliced two huge pieces of cake and began wrapping them as well. Catherine turned towards them as they chuckled.

"Little?" Ben teased, "that's almost half the cake."

"But riding and hiking takes energy," Catherine said, grabbing some apples and plunking them down next to the growing pile. "And before you say anything, it would be nice to offer your horses a treat for carrying you safely to your cabin, don't you think?"

"That's a great idea," Teresa said, adding two more. "I'm sure Buster and Whinny will be quite appreciative."

Catherine nodded, her eyes still roving about the room. "Oh, and make sure you take a quilt to sit on. Maybe a jar of water…"

"Catherine, honey, saddlebags are only so large," Ben said, giving a chuckle.

"We'll be right by the stream so no need to pack another jar," Roger said. "But the quilt will be nice. I'd hate for Teresa's dress to get dirty."

"I'll get it for you," Barbara said, having entered the kitchen.

"Thank you," Roger said as he started gathering the items into his arms. "I'll get this packed and then we can all walk down to the school together."

"Wait, I want to get the seeds," Teresa said, dashing from the room.

"What seeds?" Roger asked, only to have the others shrug.

"Maybe she's planning on starting your garden," Catherine said. "She does love to plant things."

"It's a bit early for that," Benjamin said, "but Catherine's right. The garden out back has been Tessie's domain ever since she was big enough to handle a spade."

Roger nodded, adding another project to his list. There was a perfect spot to plant a garden on the land they'd chosen. He would enjoy watching his wife bring things to life and then cook them up for supper… not as much as he'd love seeing her stretched out on their bed, those carvings above her, but still.

While he packed the saddlebags, Benjamin and Catherine admired Whinny. "She's a beauty," Ben said, stroking the animal's flanks. "Doesn't seem too skittish."

"She's not," Roger said, taking the quilt Barbara handed him and tying it behind his saddle. "Matthew and I looked at a lot of horses to find the right one. The moment I saw Whinny, I just knew she was the one."

"She's perfect," Teresa said, joining them again.

Ben nodded and then moved to stroke the horse's face. "You'll be carrying precious cargo, Miss Whinny. You make sure you keep my Teresa safe, you hear?"

They all chuckled when the horse wagged her head up and down and whinnied as if promising that she'd do exactly that.

"Come on, we're gonna miss it," Barbara said, tugging on her sister's hand. "It wouldn't do for the teacher to be late."

They began walking towards the school, several townspeople joining them as they neared the building.

Roger watched as Teresa released his hand in order to bend down as a little girl with pigtails flying ran towards her.

"Hello, Jane. Don't you look pretty today?" Teresa said, giving the girl a hug.

"Ma made me a new dress for school!"

"That's very nice," Teresa said, and then turned to the two boys who approached far more sedately. "Jack, Kenny, you both look quite handsome as well."

"Yeah, Pa made us dress up," Jack said, obviously none too pleased.

"He said if we was good, he'd let us get flapjacks," Kenny said, giving her a huge smile. "The ones at the restaurant are better than Ma's!"

"Son, that isn't a nice thing to say," Ralph Hayford said.

"It's the truth," Maisy, his wife, countered. "Mine don't turn out anywhere near as fluffy as yours, Catherine."

"The secret is in preparing the batter," Catherine said. "You can't over mix it. I'll give you the recipe if you like."

"Can we eat at the restaurant every day?" Kenny asked.

"No, today is a special day," Ralph said. Turning to the others, he explained. "We wanted to make sure the children knew the route before school starts."

"I led them straight here," Jack said, his chest puffing a bit with pride, and flushing when his pa reached out to tousle his hair.

"You did a great job, son."

They continued towards the school, where several people had already gathered.

Roger walked slightly behind Teresa who was holding hands with Jane and Kenny, the children chattering excitedly about the seeds she'd told them she'd brought to plant around the school. "It will be so pretty," Jane said.

"Yes, and when all of us pitch in and help, it will make school more fun," Teresa said. Roger heard Jack volunteer to keep the wood box full when it got chilly again. He felt his own chest puff with pride knowing that he was the luckiest man alive to have found this woman who was already making sure her pupils were excited about going to school.