His Errant Educator (Willamette Wives Book 3) (19 page)

"Tessa, if we don't get out of this room, we might be marrying quicker than we planned."

"Why?" His glance to the bed and back to her, had her blushing. "Oh… um… then I—we… we'd better go."

They did leave the bedroom but it was another few minutes before they left the house, first sharing another kiss though both held back, both afraid of where it might lead.

***

As they walked towards the corral, he said, "I thought we'd plant a garden over there," gesturing with his hand. "We'll have to fence it in to keep the deer out."

"There's deer?"

"Yes, and they really enjoy nibbling on any fresh shoot they can find."

"Are… are there bears?" she asked, looking towards the trees.

"Yes, but we haven't seen any this far down off the mountain. Do you know how to shoot a gun?"

"A gun? No, it's not something I've ever needed to know."

"Well, you'll need to know now," he said. "I can teach you and you can practice with the other ladies. Wyatt taught them all how to shoot and it was a very good thing. Agatha shot a mountain lion…"

"A lion!"

"Honey, I'm not trying to scare you but you won't be living in the middle of town. Remember, this land wasn't settled until a few months ago. Animals have roamed here for years."

"I know but I don't think I could shoot anything…"

"And I hope you won't have to, but it's important to know that you have a way of protecting yourself when I'm not around. Don't worry, I'm sure Agatha, Anna and Charity will give you some pointers."

"All right," she said hesitantly.

"I promise, it will be fine. Speaking of Agatha, I promised Wyatt we'd stop by. Then we need to get you home."

"I wish I could just stay here with you," she said softly. "I don't want to go back and have people looking at me funny."

"They won't, Tessa," he said. "If anything, they'll be offering their support. You did nothing wrong, and not being offered the position was not your fault."

"I know but still, I feel like I let them down. How can I explain it to little Jane? She was so excited, and I told Jack he could keep the wood box filled."

Roger took her into his arms. "I know, but life isn't always fair. While you might not be able to explain, you can help by telling them how wonderful going to school is, encourage them to learn."

"I suppose," she said.

After saddling the horses, Teresa giving them the last two apples, she stood next to Whinny. "Are you sure we can't just walk?"

"Honey, don't be frightened. You rode just fine from the bridge all the way here."

"Um, I'm not frightened, it's just that…"

Suddenly understanding, he shook his head. "Nope. You'll be fine." At her scowl, he grinned and added, "Even if your bottom is still a little tender."

"More than a little," she mumbled, but put her foot into the stirrup and allowed him to help her mount.

After he led the horses out of the corral and mounted, he said, "Your knees are going to ache if you ride like that. Just sit and let the discomfort remind you to behave." She slowly settled into the saddle instead of bracing her weight with her feet. Once he was sure she was safely seated, he turned Buster and they headed from their meadow, down the mountain towards the Wilcox cabin.

***

"I thought he was joking," Teresa said as she stood outside the chicken coop.

"No, Mr. Rooster really is one of a kind," Agatha said. "Would you like to help me feed the chickens?"

"He won't bite me, will he?"

"Not if he wishes to continue to live," Agatha said with a smile. "And they don't bite, they peck."

"Oh, I've got so much to learn," Teresa said, accepting a handful of feed from Agatha.

"Don't fret, we all had to learn. Besides, as a teacher, I'm sure you'll be teaching us quite a lot as well."

"You don't know," Teresa said.

"Know what?" Agatha asked, pausing with her hand on the latch to the coop.

"They didn't pick me," Teresa said. "They picked Mr. Bonner."

"Who's that?"

"No one seems to know. Well, no one but Miss Jenkins." She gave a quick explanation of what had occurred earlier.

"I'm so sorry. I know how excited you were. I can't understand why they'd pick a stranger over you. I know I would have loved having you as my teacher when I was young. You make things sound exciting. What did your pa and my ma have to say about it?"

"Um, I don't know. I sort of, um… well, ran away before anyone could say anything." Teresa glanced back at the house before returning her gaze to her new friend. "Roger definitely didn't appreciate that I raced out of town on Whinny without waiting for him or even changing my shoes or clothes."

"No, I imagine he didn't. I know that Wyatt wouldn't hesitate to remind me that doing something so dangerous was not a good choice," Agatha said, unlatching the gate and stepping through. "Just scatter it about. Don't be afraid of the chickens. They really are only interested in the feed and not your feet."

Teresa followed Agatha's example, allowing a few grains of feed to fall from her fingers as she moved in a small circle. The chickens immediately began to flock towards the women, their heads bobbing up and down as they pecked the ground.

"You are being such a gentleman today, Mr. Rooster," Agatha said, causing Teresa to look up to see the rooster perched on the edge of the water trough. "He knows that it is his job to protect his girls. He keeps watch, letting them eat before taking his share," Agatha explained.

"Agatha, may I ask you a question?" Teresa asked, scattering the last of her feed and dusting her hands on her skirts.

"You can ask me anything," Agatha said, laying a line of corn in front of the trough. "Go ahead, Mr. Rooster, eat your dinner." Once the rooster gave a single crow and hopped down, she turned to Teresa. "What do you want to know?"

Teresa suddenly flushed, not sure why she'd even considered asking the woman a rather personal question. Agatha suddenly smiled. "From the way you are rubbing your bottom, I'm guessing the question is about how our men protect us… like Mr. Rooster protects his harem?"

Not having even realized what she had been doing, Teresa thought about protesting and then shook her head. "While I do think that Mr. Rooster is quite unique, I just can't picture him spanking one of these chickens."

Agatha giggled and Teresa joined her. "I know, but I assure you that our husbands have no problem using their hands to both love their wives and spank their bottoms."

"All… all of you get… get spanked?"

"Yup, and now that you are going to be a member of our family, you'll also become a member of our Tick-Tock club."

"What's that?"

Agatha explained that the club had been invented in order for the women to join together and talk about their feelings about anything. "We are supposed to follow the quarters of the clock but, well, we really just discuss whatever we like. Believe me, knowing that Anna and Charity knew what I was experiencing and with no one judging another, it made me feel not only welcome into their circle but… well, loved. Besides, though we might grumble and complain, especially when our bottoms are sore, we always laugh a lot and know that our husbands truly care about us." The women left the coop and when Agatha reached out her hand, Teresa accepted it. "Another good thing is that we all have nice, big, very soft pillows for each other when we visit. One day, ask Anna about Miss Mabel. She might not be a chicken, but she was one very special lady."

The men came out of the barn to find their women laughing.

"Roger, I fed the chickens and they didn't even peck me once," Teresa said, running to him.

"That's wonderful, and you met Mr. Rooster?"

"Yes, and he was quite the gentleman. May we get some chickens? Please?"

"We can get whatever you want," he said, "but I'm not promising to coddle them like Agatha does. She made Wyatt build an extra coop in the barn in case the silly things got too cold."

"Oh, that sounds like a good idea," Teresa said. "I wouldn't want my babies to freeze."

Wyatt slapped Roger on the back. "Don't even bother. Just build two coops and save your breath for more important battles."

They all laughed, and after sharing a cup of coffee, Teresa smiling and giving Agatha a nod of thanks as she sank down onto a thick pillow that appeared on her chair, it was time to go.

"I can't wait until you are here to stay," Agatha said, watching as Roger helped Teresa onto her horse. "It is always more fun to work together."

"I'd like that," Teresa assured her. "Thanks for the boots. I'll send them back with Roger."

"You're welcome. As I said, we're family now, and you're welcome to anything I have."

"See you soon," Teresa said. Giving a final wave, she rode beside Roger, waiting until they had a long stretch of flat land before looking over. "Wanna race?"

He grinned. "I'll give you a head start."

"You don't need to…"

"I know, but darlin', I admit I quite like watching your pretty little bottom bouncing, whether in the saddle or beneath my hand."

Her mouth dropped open but when he wagged his eyebrows, she leaned forward and patted Whinny's neck. "Shall we, my lady?" When the horse neighed, Teresa pressed her heels against her sides and laughed with joy as Whinny leapt forward. Though Roger's words had shocked her, she had felt her tummy stir and her womanly parts tingle. Perhaps she should gather the courage to ask her friends if that was normal. Hearing a loud whistle, she turned her head back to see Roger quickly approaching. Giggling, she urged her horse on, her hair flying out behind her, her bottom bouncing on the saddle, the jarring reminding her not that she'd been spanked for being naughty… but that she was loved.

That night, Teresa was preparing for bed when Barbara slipped into her room. "Are you really all right? I know you told Pa that you were but, oh, Tessie, I know you have to be so disappointed."

"I am," Teresa confessed, pulling on her nightgown and moving to sit before her vanity. Without conscious thought, she lifted her brush and handed it to her sister, who began to stroke it through her hair. "I was very disappointed and really angry. But… well, Roger reminded me that though things don't always seem fair, we have to face them and get on with our lives."

"That might be true, but I'm not sure everyone agrees. It was all people could talk about when they came in for breakfast and lunch. Poor Jane was crying, and Kenny… he only ate one flapjack."

"Oh, I wish I could have talked to them," Teresa said. "I don't want them to be unhappy."

"I think they were more worried about you. Jane was afraid you'd run away for good."

Teresa sighed. "I'll make sure to talk to her and let her know that I didn't. She's such a sweet little girl."

The sisters were silent, lost in their own thoughts for several minutes. Only the soft sound of bristles running through chestnut locks disturbed the quiet. When the brush finally stilled, Barbara looked into the mirror, meeting her sister's eyes. "I know it was your dream, but I'm happy you have Roger. That's an even better dream."

"It is," Teresa agreed, turning to take her sister's hand. "He's such a good man and I'm very lucky he's chosen me for his wife. I told him that he can be my teacher because I've got so much to learn. I'm even going to learn how to shoot a gun."

"A gun?"

"Yes," Teresa said, standing and moving to climb up on her bed, patting the mattress beside her. Barbara smiled and joined her, the two sitting with their backs against the headboard as Teresa told her about her day.

"Your cabin sounds wonderful," Barbara said. "I can't wait to see it. It sounds like Roger worked really hard to get it ready so fast." She hesitated and then said, "I'm just glad he wasn't mad."

"He wasn't happy," Teresa said. "But one thing I've already learned is that even when I've disappointed him, he still loves me."

"So he didn't spank you?" Barbara asked. When Teresa's cheeks flushed, the younger girl giggled. "I thought so. You were squirming a bit at supper."

"Did you ever consider that it might be because I was bouncing in a saddle for miles?"

"I considered it but, nope, it was most definitely a 'my bottom is sore from a spanking' squirming."

Teresa thought about denying it but then giggled and turned onto her side, reaching back to rub her posterior. "Like I said, even with a sore heinie, I know that I've been forgiven and have a clean slate. Now, tell me about Timmy Franklin. I saw him giving you looks all through supper."

"Oh, he prefers to go by Timothy now," Barbara said, moving to lie on her side, facing her sister. "He is nice, don't you think?"

"Yes, he seems very nice."

"Do you… do you think he spanks?" Barbara asked, her eyes growing a bit wide.

"Barb, how would I know that?" Teresa asked, but after a pause continued, "but, if he's a man who really wants to protect his girl… well, I wouldn't be surprised if he did."

"Hmmm, well, after that strapping from Pa, I'm never ever going to get into trouble again."

Teresa laughed, reaching over to hug her. "Good luck with that."

***

"Teresa, don't forget, you have an appointment with Mrs. O'Malley today for the final fitting of your wedding dress," Catherine said.

"I'm sure it will be fine," Teresa said.

"You can't know that until you put it on," Catherine said, carefully drizzling some melted chocolate over the cake she'd made.

"Why can't she come over here like the last time?"

"I don't know but I do know that she is expecting you…"

"Can't Barbara run get the dress and bring it back?"

"Teresa, stop whining and get moving," Benjamin said, standing from the table to place his cup in the sink. "Your sister has been running herself ragged helping you prepare for the wedding. She just got back from the mercantile—"

"She loves going there," Teresa interrupted. "Timmy… I mean, Timothy, helps run the store with his pa…"

"Regardless, this is your wedding. You haven't been out of the house for over a week…"

"Yes I have. I was just out at the ranch with Roger two days ago."

"Tessie, you know what I mean. You haven't left the house alone." Walking to his daughter, he gave her a hug. "It's time to stop hiding."

"I'm not."

"You are," he corrected. "In a few days, you'll be walking down the aisle and moving away from town. People want to give you their blessings."

"They can do that at the church."

"Young lady, I know that Roger is responsible for you now, but if you continue to make excuses, you can stop by the shed before you go to Mrs. O'Malley's. The choice is yours."

Teresa opened her mouth but his eyes showed that he wasn't going to give in. "All right, I'll go… to Mrs. O'Malley's."

"That's my girl." He kissed her forehead and turned her towards the door, giving her bottom a swat.

She jumped forward but left the room and then the building. He'd only spoken the truth. While she accepted people's condolences when they came into the restaurant, she hadn't stepped outside except when Roger took her to their cabin or when nature's call forced her to go to the outhouse. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders and began to walk down the sidewalk. The widow O'Malley lived just outside of town in a little house. Supporting herself with needle and thread, she was a kindly, elderly woman who always had a smile on her face and a funny quip or story to tell about her childhood in Ireland. Teresa realized it really wasn't nice of her to insist the woman walk to the restaurant… not when she was doing such a wonderful job on her wedding gown.

Her steps slowed as she approached the school, then stopped as she watched the children. Her brow crinkled when she realized that while they should be dashing about, running off excess energy, most were simply sitting in the grass or on the steps. Even the older boys, who were normally the rowdiest, were rather listlessly tossing a ball back and forth between them, none even attempting to make their toss difficult to catch. Classes had started only a little over a week earlier and yet, to her eyes, it appeared that every child in the yard was behaving more like they'd been cooped up for months. Feeling her heart clench in her chest, she averted her eyes, hurrying past the school when she saw Mr. Bonner step outside and reach for the bell's rope. As it began to peal, she slapped her hands over her ears. She knew it was a childish gesture but no matter how silly she appeared, she couldn't help but think it should have been her hand on the rope, her smile welcoming the children back inside for the remainder of their lessons.

***

Brigitte O'Malley, chin in hand, walked around Teresa, her eyes roving over every inch of the gown.

"Mrs. O'Malley, it's fine. You've done a beautiful job and I can't thank you enough."

"Nay, it's a mite too long," the seamstress said, shaking her head and reaching for her pin cushion. "We can't have the bride trippin' down the aisle now, can we?" She smiled and shook her finger. "Tell me ye aren't planning to fall into your young man's arms—at least not until the Reverend hears your vows, are ye?"

Teresa giggled at the suggestion. "Will you think less of me if I confess that I do so love being in them?"

"Nay, that's how ye should feel," the elderly woman said. "Love is a blessin' from the Lord, child, and he wants you to find pleasure in each other's arms. Now, step up and stand still. Dream of your special day while I adjust this hem."

Teresa spent an hour at the seamstress' house, standing as still as a statue until she heard the word "turn" repeated. Teresa didn't understand how it could be so clear as it was spoken around a mouthful of pins, but the woman seemed capable of chattering like a magpie as she worked.

"Aye, you'll be the bonniest bride this town has ever seen," Brigitte said, slowly standing, her hand on her lower back. Teresa took her arm, helping her straighten the rest of the way, wondering how the elderly woman could have crouched and bent for so long without complaint.

"I'll finish the hem by tomorrow and bring it to yer house."

"Oh no, you don't have to. I'll be glad to come get it. You've done so much already. These little pearls are so beautiful," Teresa said, her fingertip tracing the line of pearls that Mrs. O'Malley had used to decorate the neckline of her dress.

"I hoped ye would like them. I added a few to the cuffs, as well. Your groom will think ye a jewel."

Once she'd been helped out of the wedding dress, changing back into her own clothing, Teresa gave the woman a hug. "I really can't tell you how much this means to me. I-I wasn't sure you'd be able to alter Ma's dress but I so wanted to wear it."

"Your ma would be so honored," Mrs. O'Malley said, giving her cheek a pat. "It was my pleasure."

Teresa thanked her again, glad she had come. The woman was always able to make her feel better with her smile and stories. She was smiling as she walked back towards home. Giving nods to people and exchanging greetings, her smile didn't slip until she heard her name being called.

"Miss Goldman… make him stop!" Jane cried, running towards her, tripping and falling but pushing back up to her knees. "He's hurting Jack! You gotta stop him!"

"Who?" Teresa said, running towards the little girl and helping her to her feet.

"Mr. Bonner—"

That was all Teresa needed to hear. "Stay here," she said.

"No! Don't leave me!" Jane cried.

Teresa picked Jane up and ran towards the school. Once she was through the door, what she saw had her freezing, her mind struggling to assimilate everything at once. The sound of a whir and then a loud crack had her jerking as she bent to put Jane down. The next whir had her running forward.

"Stop!" she yelled, but the crack immediately followed her cry. Furious at the sight of Mr. Bonner lifting a long rod while pinning a struggling Jack against his desk, she didn't think, she only reacted.

"I said stop!" Reaching for the young boy, she gave a cry as the rod connected with her forearm, shocked at the strength of the blow.

"Get out of the way," Bonner barked. "You have no business here…"

"No!" Teresa said, placing her body between him and Jack. Not taking her eyes off the man, she said, "Jack, are you all right?"

His mumbled, "Ye-yes," tore at her heart, an additional rip appearing when she saw Kenny curled into a ball, his cheeks wet as he cried. Realizing that he was cradling his left hand in his right, seeing that his palm was puffy and crimson, she saw red herself.

"Jack, I know you are hurting, but can you walk?"

"I-I think so."

"Take Kenny and Jane to my house."

"Now look here…"

Seeing a sea of faces, all pale, some with tears streaming down their cheeks, she said, "Take all the children."

"Sit down!" Bonner shouted as children began to rise.

"Go," Teresa said. "It's going to be all right."

"You will not!" Bonner shouted, lifting the rod again and turning towards the class.

Teresa grabbed his arm with both hands. "I swear to God, if you strike another one of these children, I will see you in jail!"

"You have no authority in my school!"

"I don't give a damn! I will not allow you to terrorize these children." She glared at him, not dropping her eyes as she felt Jack moving. "Go, honey, go now."

"Come with us," Jack said, bending slowly in order to help his little brother to his feet.

"I will," Teresa said, "but I'm counting on you to get the children to the restaurant. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes, ma'am." It didn't take long, as the children scurried from the building as if fleeing the very devil. Only when the room was empty but for the two of them did she release her hold on Bonner's arm.

"How dare you!" Bonner sputtered, slapping the rod down onto the desk, causing Teresa to jump.

"How dare I? How dare you! How can you, a grown man, think it is all right to beat a child! You aren't a teacher, you are a monster!"

"Children need to learn respect. They need to understand that there will be no tomfoolery in my class. It is my job to teach them…"

"It's their parents' job to teach them respect. You aren't teaching them anything but to hate school and fear their teacher!"

"Again, this is not your business and this is not your school. It is mine!"

"I'm making it my business," Teresa said. "And if I have to, I'll open my own school!"

His laugh was ugly. "The board will not allow it. They didn't choose you, they chose me. When they hear about how you barged in here, disrupting my class, frightening my students…"

"I can't wait to tell them," Teresa said, praying the children had had enough time to get safely away. "Until then, I will make sure that not a single child comes back until you are gone!" She forced herself to walk and not to run, as she so wanted to do, until she was outside. Once she had descended the steps, she ran as fast as she could.