Tarah's Lessons

by Tracey V. Bateman

  Anthony heaved the crate into his wagon and paused to rest for a moment. When he turned, he came face to face with Louisa.

  Startled, he reached out and grasped her arms to keep from knocking her over.

  “Why, Anthony,” she said breathlessly, leaning in closer. Her lips pursed as though she expected him to kiss her right there in the street. Abruptly, he let her go and retreated a step.

  Disappointment clouded her green eyes, but she recovered quickly as the sound of children’s laughter diverted her attention to the schoolyard across the road.

  Anthony glanced over Louisa’s shoulder and watched the children calling good-bye to one another and heading off in different directions.

  “That’s strange,” he mused. “School shouldn’t be out for a couple of hours yet. I wonder if something’s wrong.”

  “Oh, who knows?” Louisa said with a wave of her hand. “Tarah probably decided to give them the rest of the day off.”

  “I wonder why, though. It isn’t like Tarah to be irresponsible.”

  Sidling up next to him, Louisa once again curled her fingers around his arm. “Well, she did run off with that awful Johnny Cooper a couple of years ago.”

  Now that was an uncalled-for recollection. Anthony felt himself tense. Downright catty, if he had to give it a name.

  For some reason, he felt the need to defend Tarah’s honor, and he resented being put in the position to do so. Still, he couldn’t let the unkind statement go unchallenged.

  “If memory serves correctly, Tarah didn’t exactly run off with her pa’s foreman, he kidnapped her and her stepmother.” He wanted to be perfectly clear he didn’t believe Tarah had been defiled in any way—if that’s what Louisa was insinuating. And he had an uncomfortable feeling she might be suggesting that very thing.

  A tinge of pink colored Louisa’s cheeks, then she lifted her chin. “Well, she was going to run off with him until she found out he only wanted to get his hands on her pa’s money. At least that’s what she told Myra Rhoades.”

  Louisa snorted in a not-so-flattering manner. “And you know Myra couldn’t keep a secret to save her life.”

  Feeling the need to put an end to the conversation, which bordered dangerously on gossip, Anthony gave her a cheery grin. “Well, praise God, Dell and Doc Simpson caught up with them in time to keep them all safe.”

  A smile curved Louisa’s lips. “Oh, I agree completely. I just shudder to think of Cassidy’s babies being born out in the snow and cold. God surely was with them that night.”

  Anthony searched her wide, innocent eyes, looking for evidence of guile. He found nothing. Perhaps he had misjudged her. Most folks had a penchant for gossip more than they should. But that didn’t mean Louisa intended anything unkind in her remarks.

  “But you must think I’m awful,” she said, mist forming in her eyes. “I should never have mentioned poor Tarah’s unfortunate incident.”

  Patting her hand, Anthony gave her a reassuring smile. “Of course I don’t think you’re awful. But perhaps we should leave those things in the past, as I’m sure Tarah would like to do.”

  She beamed up at him. “Of course she would like to put it all behind her, poor girl. And I certainly don’t blame her. I know I’d just die if anyone knew such horrid things about me.”

  Unease crept through Anthony’s gut. Was she being catty again? At her look of complete innocence, he felt a niggling of guilt. If he was going to be a preacher, he’d have to learn not to judge people so quickly.

  Two boys strolled past, heading for the mercantile. Anthony frowned as he overheard their conversation.

  “Boy, she gave it to Luke good, didn’t she?”

  “Well, I don’t like her. She’s too bossy. Besides, Luke didn’t even do anything this time.”

  “Oh, dear,” Louisa said, shaking her head, a troubled frown furrowing her brow. “It would appear Tarah’s having difficulty with her students.”

  “I’m going over there to see if there’s a problem.”

  She made no move to let go of his arm.

  Frustrated, Anthony searched for a way to get her to let go without being rude. “Louisa, will you tell Mr. Tucker I’m leaving my team in front of the mercantile while I check on Tarah? I’ll be back to get it in a few minutes.”

  Her eyes narrowed, but brightened again in an instant. “Of course I will, Anthony. You’re so sweet to be concerned. But then, I guess that’s why you’re the preacher.” She squeezed his arm before letting go. “I’ll tell Mr. Tucker. Now, don’t you forget about our picnic on Sunday. I’ll have everything ready so we can leave directly after your wonderful preaching.”

  Releasing a breath, he strode toward the school. Concern crept over him. Josie and Luke sat on the steps. At the sober expressions marring each face, Anthony started to worry.

  “But we have to do something. It wasn’t fair!” he heard Jo declare, indignation thick in her voice. “We’re not going to let her get away with—”

  “What’s going on?” Anthony asked.

  Josie’s head shot up, worry flickering in her blue eyes. “Miss St. John isn’t feeling well, so she dismissed us early,” she said. Her gaze darted to her boots.

  “Josie, look at me,” he said sternly.

  Reluctantly, she inched her chin upward until he caught her guilty gaze.

  “Now, what happened? Is Miss St. John really sick?”

  Her slim shoulders lifted. “That’s what she said.”

  “Luke?”

  “I guess so.”

  Something wasn’t right.

  “You stay here and wait for me,” he instructed his niece. “I’ll drive you home as soon as I’m sure your teacher’s all right. I mean it, Jo. Stay put. Do you hear me?”

  “Yes, Uncle Anthony.”

  Anthony opened the door. Alarm clenched his heart at the sight of Tarah, head on her desk, sobbing like a child. He closed the distance between them in a few long strides and crouched beside her.

  She didn’t look up as he reached forward and drew her close. Slumping against him, she rested her head on his shoulder and cried all the more.

  Anthony searched for words of comfort, but finding none, remained silent. Stroking her hair while she cried, he couldn’t help but think how right this felt. As though she belonged in his arms. Lord, are You trying to tell me something?

  He drew in a breath, the lavender scent of her hair filling his senses.

  “D–do you have a handkerchief?” Tarah pulled away and looked at him, her eyes luminous from the tears.

  “Huh?”

  “Something I can wipe my nose with?”

  Rats! He didn’t. He gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry.”

  She scowled.

  Should he offer her his sleeve?

  Just as he was about to suggest it, he had a better idea. He pulled his arm from around her shoulders and stood. He took out his pocketknife, then untucked a corner of his shirt. While Tarah watched with a furrowed brow, he swiped at the cloth until a piece came off in his hand.

  Once again, tears pooled in her eyes as she accepted the makeshift handkerchief and blew her nose. “Thank you. That was sweet.”

  Anthony’s heart soared as he stared into her red, splotchy face. “What’s all this about?”

  “I’m a bad teacher, Anthony.” She hiccupped.

  “I’m sure that’s not true, Tarah. Toby’s learning to read so well. He loves school.”

  “But the discipline,” Tarah countered. Her shoulders shook as she began to sob again.

  “Come on, now,” Anthony said gently, crouching beside her once more. “It can’t be that bad.” He reached for her, then pulled back as she shot from her chair.

  “It can’t, huh?” Her eyes flashed as she glared down at him. “Do you know what I just did?”

  Anthony gaped at the quick switch from sorrow to anger.

  “I just took my ruler and smacked Luke on the hand for something Josie did.” She gave him a satisfied nod. “
You see, I can tell by the look on your face how shocked you are.”

  Rising from his crouched position, Anthony hesitated a moment, not sure he wanted to ask the question begging to be voiced. He drew a breath. “What exactly did Jo do?”

  She spun around. “Just look at the back of my dress!”

  Anthony groaned. So that’s why the girl was so eager to gather the eggs this morning. “But, why did you punish Luke if Jo put the egg in your chair?”

  All the steam seemed to leave the slender young woman, and she dropped back into her chair. “I–I just assumed it was Luke. He’s been so horrid ever since I paid him to be good.”

  “You paid?”

  She nodded, and her eyes filled up again. “He didn’t have the money to pay for Josie’s ribbons—you remember the ones he inked that first day of school—so I offered to give it to him if he would just stop instigating trouble. I–I thought it sounded like a good solution.”

  Several questions circled in Anthony’s head as he tried to make sense of what he was hearing.

  “And he didn’t keep his end of the bargain?”

  “Oh, yes. For as long as it took to pay for the ribbons. Then he was worse than any child I’ve ever seen, except maybe—” She stopped midsentence.

  “Josie,” Anthony supplied.

  “Yes.” Her voice was barely audible as she averted her gaze.

  “Do you mind my asking why you didn’t just tell your folks? Seems like your pa could deal with Luke with one trip to the woodshed.”

  “I didn’t want them to think I couldn’t handle it,” she said. “Besides, I don’t want Pa and Ma to worry. They have enough to think about with the new baby coming.”

  “Are there problems with Cassidy’s, er, condition?”

  “No. But my ma died having Jack, so Pa worries.”

  Now, that was exactly the kind of thing Dell should have come to Anthony about. As preacher, he could have prayed with him and quoted the Scriptures about God not wanting His people to be anxious. When would these people take him seriously? He blew out a frustrated breath.

  Tarah glanced up, questions written on her face.

  Anthony shook his head, inwardly berating himself for thinking about his own problems at a time like this. “I’ll take care of Jo,” he said firmly, “so you won’t have to worry about her causing any more problems.”

  A shrug lifted Tarah’s shoulders. “It doesn’t matter because I’m quitting. Louisa Thomas wanted the position when they gave it to me. Well, she can have it.” Tarah stood. “Thank you for being so kind. I’m sorry about your shirt.”

  “The shirt doesn’t matter, Tarah.” He placed a hand on her arm. “Things will straighten out. Don’t quit just yet.”

  “I can’t face the students after what I did today.”

  Compassion filled Anthony at her self-loathing. “Listen, how about if I teach your students for a couple of days while you pull yourself together?”

  Tarah’s full lips parted as she drew in a breath. “I can’t ask you to do that! Your ma needs you at home. Besides, won’t the town council object?”

  “I’ve been planning to pass on more responsibility to my brothers anyway. Blane’s old enough to take care of things now. And I’ll be there to help out at night. As for the town council, I’ll talk to Mr. Tucker and Mr. Gordon before I leave town. And you can talk to your pa since he’s head of the council.”

  Once again, her eyes filled. “I–I just don’t know, Anthony. The look on Luke’s face. . .” Tears rolled down her cheeks, and suddenly she was in his arms again.

  “Shh. . .” He held her to him, stroked her hair, and felt as though he would never breathe again.

  The door swung open, and Anthony caught Josie’s stormy gaze. Behind her, Luke still sat on the step. Jo placed her hands on her small hips and stomped her foot. “Are we ever going home?”

  Tarah disengaged herself from his arms and gathered her books from her desk. “I–I have to go. Ma will worry when the children get home early.”

  “Do you want me to come tomorrow?”

  After a moment’s hesitation, Tarah nodded. “Thank you, Anthony.”

  Her lovely gaze captured his for a moment. She gave him a tremulous smile and pressed her fingers lightly to his arm. Before he could recover from the shock of her touch, she walked past Josie and left the little school without a backward glance. Luke stood and followed.

  As he watched her walk away, Anthony prayed a silent prayer of peace for Tarah.

  “Are we leaving now?” Jo’s impatient voice drew him back to face a reproving stare.

  Anger flashed through Anthony. “Yes. Right now. You and I have some talking to do, young lady.”

  “I’ll say. Me and Luke saw you cozying up to Miss Thomas over by the mercantile.” She waved both hands in the air to emphasize her words. “I bet the whole town saw you. And now me and Luke catch you hugging Miss St. John.” She gave him a disapproving frown. “Just how many girls are you courting, Uncle Anthony?”

  Four

  Tarah waited just inside her bedroom door until she heard Jack, Luke, and Emily head off to school, then she made her way into the front room.

  “Tawah!” Hope ran to greet her. Grabbing Tarah around the legs, she hugged tightly.

  Tarah snatched the little girl up in her arms and kissed her plump face. Drawing the child close, she pressed her cheek against her little sister’s silky head and breathed in her sweet baby smell. A niggling of guilt inched through her stomach. She hadn’t spent much time with the twins lately and hadn’t even realized until this moment how much she’d missed them.

  Not to be outdone, Will clutched at Tarah’s skirts. “Me, too.”

  Laughter bubbled within Tarah. “You two are getting too big for me to hold you both.” She knelt on the wooden floor and gathered them into her lap. “What are you playing with?”

  Will wiggled free and held up a wooden train engine. “Twain.”

  “Why, where did you get that?”

  “Sam.”

  “Oh, how nice. What sound does a train make?”

  Will’s “woo-woos” brought a giggle to Tarah’s lips.

  Hope scrambled from Tarah’s lap and jerked the toy from Will’s hand.

  “Mine!” the little boy hollered.

  “Hope, Sweetie,” Tarah said. “The train belongs to Will. Give it back.”

  A scowl darkened the otherwise angelic face. “No!” She snatched the toy back as Will made a grab for it. Clutching the engine tightly to her chest, she ran toward the kitchen, Will close on her heels.

  Releasing a sigh, Tarah stood and followed.

  The kitchen door opened and Cassidy appeared, holding a mug in her hands. Hope flung herself against Cassidy’s skirts. “Ma!”

  Relieved to have the situation out of her hands, Tarah plopped into a wooden chair and watched the drama unfold.

  “What on earth is going on?” With Hope pressed firmly against her legs, Cassidy inched her way to the table and deposited the steaming cup she held.

  “My twain!” Will shouted.

  “Was Hope playing with it first?” She looked to Tarah for the answer.

  Shaking her head, Tarah gave her a wry grin.

  Cassidy bent at the waist until she met Hope eye to eye. “Honey, you can’t take away a toy your brother is playing with. That’s not nice. Give it back and tell him you’re sorry.”

  With quivering lips, Hope shoved the engine into Will’s outstretched hands.

  “And tell him you’re sorry,” Cassidy prodded.

  “Sowwy.” Eyeing the train as though she would like very much to snatch it back, the toddler didn’t look a bit sorry. Tarah ducked her head to hide her grin.

  “There’s a good girl.” Cassidy pressed a kiss to each dark, curly head. “Now, go play nicely together for a little while.” She dropped into her chair and grinned at Tarah. “Good morning,” she said, reaching for her cup.

  Tarah knew her stepmother took a few moments for
herself each morning. After the uproar and confusion associated with getting everyone out of the house for the day, she needed to relax before cleaning up the breakfast mess.

  Cassidy didn’t look a bit frazzled by the twins’ antics. Her jade-colored eyes twinkled as she glanced at Tarah over the rim of her cup. “I figured you were hiding out until the kids left for school. With those two acting up this morning, you probably wish you’d stayed in bed.” She smiled again. “Are you ready for breakfast?”

  “I’ll get it,” Tarah replied, smiling back at her stepmother. “Enjoy your coffee. As a matter of fact, I’ll do the cleanup for you, too.”

  “Why, thank you. I remember a time when I had to practically force you to lift a finger.”

  Tarah groaned. “I was something else in those days, wasn’t I? I don’t know why you put up with me.”

  “When you’re part of a family, you don’t have a choice. Why don’t you go get your breakfast, and we’ll have a nice little chat. It seems like ages since we’ve spent any time together.”

  “Good idea.” Tarah hurried into the kitchen and grabbed her plate from beneath a towel at the back of the stove. She made her way back to the table and settled, once more, into her chair across from Cassidy.

  “But you did things so well,” she said, picking up the conversation where they’d left off. “Luke and Sam and I, and even Granny, were so horrid to you in the beginning, but you still managed to take care of us and love us in spite of it. I don’t know how you did it.”

  “I certainly made my share of mistakes, though, didn’t I?” Cassidy said wryly. “For instance, I should have told your pa about your relationship with Johnny Cooper from the moment I knew about it. It might have saved you a lot of heartache, not to mention the danger my silence put you in.”

  Tarah shuddered. She didn’t want to think about that awful night with Johnny. Still, Cassidy didn’t deserve the blame. “That wasn’t your fault. I promised you I wouldn’t see him anymore. If I had kept my word, he never would have kidnapped us.”

  “Anyway, those days are behind us, praise the Lord.” Cassidy sipped her coffee, then set the cup down. “And look at you now, all grown up and teaching school. I’m so proud of you.”