Garnet's Gift

by Kimberly Grist

  “That sounds wonderful.” Garnet glanced at the list of rules. “But the school board is rather restrictive about my comings and goings.” It’s rule number three and underlined twice.

  The deputy followed her gaze. “You sure have a lot of rules to follow. Is there one about not letting yourself starve to death?”

  “Perhaps there should be.” Garnet’s mouth twitched. “It’s a double-edged sword. This job allows me to help support my mother and to pay for room and board.”

  He shook his head. “From the sound of things, your stomach’s coming out at a disadvantage.”

  Garnet swallowed. Surely the school board would understand. “I wouldn’t want to be any trouble.”

  Deputy Scott’s eyebrows drew together. “No trouble. She’s already made everything.”

  ~

  “I’m happy you were able to join us, Miss Adams.” The blue eyes of the sheriff’s wife, Madeline Scott, sparkled while she passed a large platter of biscuits toward Garnet. “I’ve been meaning to have you for dinner since you started teaching here last fall. I don’t know where the time gets away to.”

  Sheriff Scott’s eyebrows shot up, and he met his nephew’s grin. “My wife stays busy not only serving up fine meals, but she is also the town’s self-appointed detective.”

  Deputy Scott chuckled and leaned toward Garnet. “Aunt Madeline studies the wanted posters and afterward positions herself at the train station in the afternoon to see if she spots anyone suspicious.”

  Mrs. Scott huffed. “It’s a good thing I keep an eye out. Need I remind you who identified the bank robbers who came through last year?”

  The sheriff squeezed his wife’s hand. “They weren’t bank robbers exactly, but you did a fine job.” He winked at Garnet. “She’s made me admit it every day since.”

  “And sometimes twice a day.” The sheriff’s wife waved her hand. “But now that my children are on their own, what else am I to do?” She beamed at her nephew. “I do enjoy cooking and was so happy when Noah agreed to come and live with us. We hope he’ll put roots down here.”

  “I didn’t realize you weren’t from Carrie Town, Deputy.” Garnet studied the man’s face. Somehow the name Noah suited him. Perhaps it was the beard. What would he look like underneath his facial hair? “Where are you from originally?”

  “My father was a military scout in Indian Territory until my ma died. Afterward, we moved around a lot while he worked all sorts of jobs from cattle driver to Texas Ranger and finally the railroad. He recently remarried and bought some property west of here. Wants to raise horses.” He stared at his plate. “I’ve lived here for more than six months, which is the longest time I can recall being in the same place since I was a kid.”

  “What about you, Miss Adams? Where are you from originally?” Mrs. Scott passed a serving bowl of creamy potatoes.

  “I grew up in Georgia. When I was fifteen, my father passed away and my mother and I moved to Dallas to live with her widowed aunt.” Garnet dropped a hefty portion of vegetables on her plate.

  “You must miss your family. Any chance your mother and aunt might relocate here?” Mrs. Scott asked.

  “Our aunt’s health has been declining for quite some time. For now, we think it’s best for her to stay in her own home. She has friends nearby and enjoys the church she’s been a member of these past twenty years.” Garnet refolded the napkin on her lap.

  Deputy Scott huffed. “Can’t imagine living in the same place for that long.”

  Garnet passed the bowl of potatoes to the sheriff. “How do you like our town, Miss Adams?” Sheriff Scott’s weathered face was pleasant and his eyes a deep hazel under thick eyebrows.

  “It’s a wonderful place to live. The children are sweet and attentive, and overall the town has been very welcoming. I was grateful for the outpouring of help this afternoon.” Garnet sliced open a flaky biscuit and layered it with creamy butter.

  “It was a blessing the storm passed over without too much fuss. It could have been a lot worse.” Mrs. Scott scooted her chair closer to the table.

  “Sure could have. Seems the only residual will be the mud.” The sheriff chuckled. “Speaking of which, I hear there was an unruly student in class this afternoon with mucky boots.”

  “Sweeping and mopping is my least favorite thing to do, but your nephew’s presence made all the difference in the children’s demeanor.” Garnet cast a sideways glance toward the handsome deputy. “He made an excellent pilgrim.”

  Mrs. Scott laughed. “He told us about joining the crew of the Mayflower. Which was a creative way to keep the children’s mind off the storm.”

  “Beat all I’d ever seen.” The deputy reached for another biscuit. “Never thought of school as a place to have fun.”

  “Did you not like school?” Garnet studied the deputy. His eyebrows furrowed and his lips spread into a thin line.

  “We never stayed in one place long enough for me to attend school for too many months strung together, but my memories aren’t good ones. I had a hard time sitting still.”

  The sheriff nodded. “Your pa and I struggled with sitting still in school too. But we only went to the morning session. When school dismissed for lunch, we went home to help on the farm. Our mother took time in the evening to help us stay on task, so we both passed our final exams and graduated early.”

  “So far, all of my students remain with me the entire day. Things could change of course with the seasons and as more children move into the area.” Garnet offered a half-smile. “When and if it does happen, I hope their parents are as committed to the importance of an education as yours were.”

  “Hated being cooped up in a classroom. Was grateful when my pa took me on the trail with him and taught me himself.” Deputy Scott reached for the platter of chicken.

  “It must have been quite an adventure to travel around with your father.” Garnet’s cheeks flamed when his fingers brushed hers after he passed the tray. Why does the man rattle me so?

  “It was interesting. Even though we bounced around like a couple of tumbleweeds, my pa made me stick to my lessons. We practiced multiplication tables when riding and then arithmetic by adding and subtracting cattle.”

  “See? Learning can be fun,” Garnet said.

  He smiled, then inclined his head toward the sheriff. “I half expected the schoolroom to be in turmoil when I arrived. Was surprised to see the children out of their seats and erecting a make-believe ship.” The deputy rubbed his chin. “The funny thing was the activity kept their minds off things, and the children were learning by participating instead of just sitting and listening.”

  “Young boys aren’t the only ones who learn by doing. I think that’s why I enjoy music so much because it gave me something to do with my hands when I was a young girl.”

  “Miss Adams is a talented violinist. I love to hear her accompany the piano when we sing our hymns. When she and Daniel Lawrence play “Amazing Grace,” it sends chills up my spine.”

  “Daniel Lawrence?’ Deputy Scott straightened his back. “Isn’t he the one you sent with Brian to head off the railroad bandits?”

  “The one and the same.” Sheriff Scott’s eyes traveled from his nephew to Garnet.

  Deputy Scott huffed. “Sure wouldn’t have imagined him playing the violin.”

  “You're in for a treat then.” Madeline Scott smiled displaying two dimples. “If you join us this Sunday, you’ll experience it yourself.”

  “Aunt Madeline, unless you want the roof of your church to collapse when I walk in, you’d best kiss that idea goodbye.”

  Chapter 4

  1890 – Rules for Teachers

  Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes,

  or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.

  The rich aroma of coffee lured Noah into his aunt’s kitchen. He moved the calico curtain encasing the small window to the side, casting additional light onto his uncle’s newspaper.

  “You’re
up early. I thought you might sleep in since you were on duty last night. Or have you been to bed yet?” Sheriff Scott folded the newspaper and set it aside.

  “I caught a quick nap.” Noah rubbed the back of his neck. “Since the temperature dropped after the storm, things were quiet last night. Most stayed buttoned up where they were to stay warm.”

  He stepped to the stove and poured a cup of coffee. “I thought I might do some hunting today. Maybe bring in a turkey for Thanksgiving.”

  The sheriff retrieved the breadbasket covered in a checkered napkin and pushed it toward his nephew. “There will be a large crowd in attendance for the community dinner. Although everyone shares their resources, there will be plenty of mouths to feed. An extra bird or two will come in handy.”

  Noah pulled up a chair and reached for a biscuit. “I noticed something yesterday at the schoolhouse.”

  “I was wondering if you were going to mention Miss Adams. She’s a pretty little thing.” Sheriff Scott’s eyes crinkled. “Smart too.”

  “She’s attractive, I guess, especially when you consider what she does for a living. But a mite too straitlaced for me.” Noah adopted a scowl.

  “Hmm, I see.” Sheriff Scott passed a platter of sliced ham toward Noah. “What was it you noticed at the schoolhouse if it wasn’t the teacher?”

  “It wasn’t that I didn’t notice her.” Noah’s face flushed in response to his uncle’s chuckle. He cleared his throat. “There were a couple of boys there I didn’t recognize. Miss Adams called them Bobby and Stephen. Their last name is Johnson.”

  Noah cracked a biscuit open and spread it with honey. “They’re awful thin and didn’t have shoes on. I thought you might know what their circumstances were?”

  “It’s not unusual for children to go barefoot to school, especially when the weather’s warm.” Noah’s uncle took a long sip of coffee. “Now if they were to arrive today in the same way, that would mean something.”

  “The teacher gave them her apple and biscuit. My guess is it wasn’t the first time.” Noah stared at his plate. “The way they stared at a slice of an apple and a piece of biscuit made my gut wrench.”

  “I hate she had to give up her lunch, but I’m not surprised. I haven’t heard anything but good things about our young teacher since she came to town. Wonderful young lady.” The sheriff leaned back in his chair. “A man could count himself fortunate to settle down with a woman like that.”

  “Uncle Micah, there’s no sense you trying to turn this conversation around to me. I told you I’m not interested in settling down. But if I were, it wouldn’t be with a schoolmarm.” Noah shook his head. “She’d probably have me recite the names of all twenty-three presidents and the capitals of all forty-four states before I could sit down to dinner.”

  “I doubt it.” The sheriff rubbed his chin. “But I believe she’d be worth the effort even if it meant having to take a peek at a history book to brush up. Back in my courting days, I had to sit in your aunt’s front parlor and help her wrap yarn into a ball.”

  Noah straightened. “It seems to me I’ve seen you doing the same thing recently.” He chuckled at the flush in his uncle’s cheeks.

  “I would enjoy just sitting and resting in her company. But Maddie is always busy and doing something for someone else. If I can assist her in small ways, it lets her know how much I love her.” He winked. “I’ll leave you alone about Miss Adams. At least for now.”

  The sheriff rose from his chair. “It’s time for me to get over to the office. I’ll do some asking around about the children you mentioned.”

  “I’d like to help them some way if I can.” Noah finished the rest of his biscuit.

  “Even though the town has grown since the railroad came through, we still don’t have a lot of children in the area. Prior to your comments this morning, the only family I have concerns about is the Millers. But their mama’s real proud and doesn’t take charity.” Sheriff Scott reached for his hat.

  “As much as I enjoy hunting, maybe I can put it to use and provide both families with some game?” Noah studied his uncle as he situated his Stetson on his salt and pepper-colored hair. His brown eyes and square jaw reminded him of his father.

  “Your aunt will know how to handle Widow Miller. I’ll do a bit of investigating on Bobby and Stephen.”

  ~

  “Children, since the weather has turned so cold, we’ll need to eat inside today. I want you girls to line up and walk quietly to retrieve your lunches, and boys, you’ll follow. Once you’ve returned to your seats, you may converse quietly with one another.” Garnet smoothed a stray curl behind her ear.

  A thud followed by a quick knock sounded. Garnet’s boots made quick taps as she made her way to the front of the schoolroom and opened the door to a smiling Madeline Scott. Her skirts clapped in protest to a gust of wind and her cheeks were pink under the hood of her dark wool cape. “What a difference a day makes. It’s frigid out there.” The sheriff’s wife handed Garnet a basket and hung up her coat.

  Garnet pushed the door closed. “Good afternoon, ma’am. The students and I are just finishing our morning lesson and taking a break. Please come in.”

  “My son and daughter-in-law usually join me for lunch on Friday. Unfortunately, they won’t be coming to town today. I was hoping there would be someone here who could help me eat the food I prepared so it won’t go to waste.” Mrs. Scott scanned the room and followed the girls and boys to their seats.

  Garnet deposited the basket on her desk. She inclined her head toward the Johnson brothers who sat on the front row next to the potbellied stove. “How wonderful. I feel certain we could help you with your task. Thank you for thinking of us.”

  The sheriff’s wife unpacked several sandwiches and passed them to the young boys. “Thank you, ma’am.” The boys' wide eyes dwarfed their thin faces as they took the food wrapped in brown paper. “Did you mean for us to each have a full sandwich?” The older child’s mouth opened in surprise.

  Mrs. Scott patted the child’s back. “Well you see my son is a great big man and he eats a lot. I would appreciate it if you would take his portion for me. I hope you like ham?” Both boys nodded eagerly. Garnet felt her heart melt. What a thoughtful thing to do.

  She leaned on the edge of her desk while Mrs. Scott reached into the basket for another sandwich. “I hope you don’t mind me dropping in on you like this.”

  “No, not at all. Thank you so much for bringing lunch.” Garnet’s eyes grew misty. “The children and I are very appreciative.”

  Mrs. Scott waved her hand. “Not at all. I was happy to do it.” She placed her finger over her mouth and stared at the list of rules. “I’m tired just reading those instructions.” Her eyebrows shot up. “Interesting, they gave guidelines on men courting but not women.”

  “Even if women teachers were allowed to court, which they’re not, I don’t know where I would find the time.” She took a bite of her sandwich. “I usually bring an apple or cheese and crackers.” The spicy blend of ham with mustard sauce was akin to ambrosia. Garnet closed her eyes. “This is a treat.”

  The sheriff's wife beamed, then sat in Garnet’s chair. “I’ve been wondering. You’re such a sweet young woman and pretty too. Has there never been someone special in your life? Someone you wanted to marry?” She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry my questions are intrusive. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

  “I don’t mind answering.” Garnet patted her mouth with a napkin. “There was someone special in Dallas. We had a lot in common, went to the same church and enjoyed the same type of literature and music. We talked about marriage, but he couldn’t come to terms with the fact I wanted to continue to help support my mother. She takes in sewing but can’t give the time and attention to it she once did, due to our aunt’s declining health.”

  “Surely he didn’t mean for you to abandon your family entirely?” Mrs. Scott raised one eyebrow.

  “Aunt Mae welcomed us with open arms after
my father died. She went through most of her savings, caring for us until my mother found employment.” Garnet blinked rapidly. “He understood my reasoning and why I wanted to help but felt it was asking too much of him to take on a wife, mother-in-law and an ailing relative.”

  Garnet glanced toward the children who were whispering and munching on their lunches. “My mother wrote to me recently and said he is courting the banker’s daughter.” Garnet returned her attention to her benefactor’s face, who reminded her of her mother. The faint sprinkling of gray in her light brown hair was the only hint she was old enough to have grown children.

  “That must have made you upset,” Mrs. Scott said.

  “When he broke things off at first, I was crushed. But I’ve since realized if Frank truly loved me, he wouldn’t have dismissed me so easily. My aunt never liked him.” Garnet squared her shoulders. “My mother said the ending of our courtship was a hidden blessing.”

  “I agree with your mama. Marriage is hard work. You need someone who will stand by you in the good times and the bad. A man of strong character.” Mrs. Scott elbowed Garnet lightly. “What do you think of my nephew, Noah?”

  “He’s a tad complicated, isn’t he? Blunt and direct but at the same time he’s kind and helpful.” Garnet felt her cheeks flame. “He’s different from any man of my acquaintance. Frank was a bit of a dandy. He took great pains with his appearance and certainly would have never muddied his shoes to comfort children he didn’t know.”

  “My nephew has a rough exterior but a kind heart.” Mrs. Scott gave Garnet a penetrating gaze. “He was only six when his mother died, and then he and his Pa drifted around for years. He needs a woman’s influence is all.”

  A giggle from one of the smaller girls drew their attention toward the students of various ages scattered across the schoolroom. Two of the older girls’ heads were nestled together sharing a secret. Annie, her youngest student at age five, carefully broke a cookie into three pieces to share with her friends, Betsy and Caroline. Stephen and Bobby were munching on the last portions of their sandwiches and swinging their bare feet back and forth as they listened to Henry explain about where to catch the biggest fish.