A Time to Bloom (Leah's Garden #2)(14)

A promise that was now only a dream after all.

Mr. Young glanced at someone behind her. “Ah, just in time. Reverend Pritchard, you don’t mind us using the church as a school building again this term, do you?”

“Us?” Del clamped her teeth together. Interesting word choice.

“Not in the least. I’m just grateful we can use God’s house more.” The pastor nodded to Del with his customary beam. “Do let me know if you need help setting up Monday mornings. I thought we might use some of the Thanksgiving benefit proceeds to order more school supplies and books for you. Perhaps even build bookshelves to fit under the windows.”

But those proceeds had been meant for the new building. Still, with new students, she should be grateful for new books.

Del forced a smile and a nod. “Thank you, I appreciate all your efforts. I see my sisters are waiting for me. We will make do—for now. Good day, gentlemen.”

She turned and strode to their wagon. Though as hot as her head was pounding, walking might help more than riding.

“You go on.” She motioned to Lark. “I think I’d do more good walking today.”

Lark gave a gentle head shake. “Come on, get in and tell us about it. You can’t let this get under your skin.”

Easy to say, hard to do. Del settled next to Lark, with Lilac on her other side. Usually they would have Robbie and Sofie along, but today Forsythia said she wanted them to remain at home.

“I gather it didn’t go well.” Lark could always tell.

“You might say that.” Del rubbed her forehead, fighting a sudden urge to cry. “I’m stuck with the church, at least for now.”

“When are you thinking of starting school?” Lilac asked. “You know we’ll all help set up.”

Del blew out a sigh. “Usually mid-August, and I think we will stay with that. Someone suggested we wait until September when it is cooler. Harvest won’t affect too many of the children this time.”

“Whoever thought you’d be needed as a schoolteacher like this? I mean, I figured hopefully in a couple of years. You were wise in going ahead and getting your certificate when you did.” Lilac squeezed her hand.

Del had done it because their family needed income. Little had she known how much she’d love teaching. Yet for all the townsfolk claimed to value education, they had little notion what it truly demanded of her.

“After dinner, let’s write another letter home and let Anders know what’s going on,” Lilac suggested. “It might help him decide if he’s coming out for a visit.”

“Fine idea. Have you noticed more grasshoppers lately?” Lark turned to her sisters.

“That’s mostly what the chickens are eating. Those two young roosters are going to taste mighty fine all fried up in a pan.”

“True, but not today. We have leftovers from last night.”

Del looked up and smiled as they drove past their Leah’s Garden sign, her spirits lifting at the sight as always. “I hope Mama likes our sign.”

“Of course she likes it.” Lilac grinned at Del. “I dream of her nodding the way she did and saying how proud she is of us and then shaking her head and adding, ‘But we must not get puffed up now. After all, everything we have is a gift from our heavenly Father.’” She stepped down out of the wagon and walked around it to stroke their mare’s nose. “I’ll unhitch her and leave her at the barn for a bit. Riding over to the creek to go fishing again sounds like a good way to spend the afternoon after we write the letter.”

They ate a cold dinner so as not to have to start up the stove and sat around the table in the roof shade to pitch ideas to Lilac, who was doing the writing.

“Remind him to bring more starts of forsythia when he comes.” Del leaned her chin on her hand. “And to let us know if he does want to invest in the boardinghouse.”

“When we finish the letter, I’m taking Starbright and going fishing.” Lilac sketched a forsythia branch in the margin. “Didn’t we also talk about putting up a tent to cook and serve meals to the workers?”

“We did?”

“Didn’t someone mention that?”

The sisters looked at one another and shook their heads.

“Hmm, I thought for sure I heard meals,” Lilac said.

“That amazing creative mind of yours just took flight.” Lark nodded. “But that is a real possibility.”

Always another project. The pressure in Del’s chest rose again. “Oh, come on, Lark. Pretty soon you’ll think we should open up the church to take care of the transients from the railroad. Or shall it be tents for them too?”

“Del . . . what’s come over you?” Lark stared at her. Lilac kept her head low and doodled a pair of fists.

“Well, maybe I could teach school in a tent or—” Del slapped her hands on the table. “In case you haven’t noticed, we need the money I bring in. But no one seems to care.” She started to stand up, but Lark grabbed her arm and forced her back into her seat.

“I don’t know what’s really bothering you, Delphinium Joy Nielsen, but we need to talk about it.” Lark’s voice was soft. “Like Mama always said, bring these things to the Lord.”

Del tipped her head back, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I just feel like I’m standing at the bottom of a big hole, and nobody is listening to me.” And, Lord, this is not like me. What is going on?