A Time to Bloom (Leah's Garden #2)(33)

At the end of the chapter, she closed the book and smiled at her students. “Remember to bring your dinner pails, and I will see you in the morning. You are now dismissed for the day.”

When the room was empty, she blew out a long breath. Then she straightened her desk and closed all the windows in case it rained during the night.

“So how was your day?” Forsythia asked as she walked in the classroom door. “I brought back Josie’s things.”

“It went well, and thank you. I have two new students who did not register. They didn’t bring dinner pails, and when I gave them my sandwich and cookies, they ate like they’d not had breakfast either. I think I’ll go home and get Starbright and . . .”

“Do you know where they live?”

“Not really, but north of town. I thought I’d ask at the store. That’s usually the first place people go.”

“How about if I fix something tomorrow, in case they don’t bring their dinner, and you go home with them after school to meet their folks?”

Del nodded. “I’d appreciate that. Their mother has taught them to read and write and do sums. Are Robbie and Sofie with Climie or out at the farm?”

“The farm. I’m taking the buggy out to get them and can give you a ride home.”

“Thank you.” Del blew out a breath. “The two younger children of the O’Rourkes didn’t come either. If they’re not here tomorrow, I’ll need to call on them too.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t be alone for driving out to call on these families. It’s not like we know them well—or at all, really.”

Del stared at her younger sister.

Forsythia shrugged. “I think you need a man along, just in case.”





10


RJ stared at the bottle of pills on the dresser. To take or not to take?

He hadn’t succumbed to the opium again since arriving in Salton, but they were about to leave for dinner with the Nielsen sisters, and the pain in his scar was acting up something fierce—burning, shooting knives until he wondered if there were some sort of infection in there despite the Linksburg doctor’s words.

“Hey, RJ! You comin’?” Anders hollered up the stairs.

RJ grabbed the bottle and tapped a pill into his hand. “Just a moment.” He filled a glass from the water pitcher on the washstand and downed the pill with a quick swig.

He sat on the bed and blew out a breath. He didn’t like taking the medicine, but if he wanted to have any chance at redeeming himself with Anders’s family after his surliness the night they arrived, then he needed to be in less pain. That was the simple fact.

RJ leaned his forehead in his hand, willing the throbbing to subside. Evening sunlight streamed through the window, and a blessed breeze eased the day’s heat. This room was barely finished, along with the rest of the upstairs bedrooms, and it still smelled of sawdust and fresh wood. But it had a homey feel, with quilts spread over the two cots and curtains at the windows. Forsythia’s doing, he knew. He shut out any thoughts of how, by this point, he might have had a good start on his and Francine’s house if things had been different. If he hadn’t been laid up in the army hospital all those months. If she hadn’t found someone else.

A gentle fuzz crept over the ragged edges of his brain, dulling the pain. RJ drew a long breath and pushed himself to his feet. He couldn’t keep the others waiting any longer, however he might dread a social gathering.

RJ rode Captain alongside the Brownsvilles’ wagon to the Nielsens’ homestead. There wasn’t room in the wagon anyway, and his horse needed the exercise. Barker loped along at his heels, tongue lolling out in delight. His dog would be glad to see young Scamp again. They’d bonded during the long train ride. The familiar feel of the saddle beneath him and Captain’s gentle gait soothed peace into RJ’s heart as they crossed the expanse of prairie. A flock of birds swooped and dove over the waving grasses, snatching an evening meal of insects.

Dr. Brownsville turned the wagon down a narrow lane, passing by a wooden sign hung between two posts.

“See, that’s my sisters’ business.” Anders pointed. “Leah’s Garden, named for our ma. It took a hit this year, but they’ll weather the storm, I’ve no doubt of that.”

The roughness of the soddy struck RJ as they pulled up beside the barn, which was also made of dry, stacked sod. He dismounted and scanned the farm. He knew most Nebraska homesteads had sod buildings due to cost and practicality, but seeing one . . . it was a bit of a shock to his engineer’s eye.

“Welcome.” Lark stepped out from the soddy, arms outstretched. Del and Lilac followed, the puppy darting between their skirts to nose and circle around Barker.

“Scamp will be glad to have a playmate.” Del stood back a bit, arms folded across her apron, but she smiled at the group. “Good to see you, Climie, RJ.” She met his gaze with apparent effort. No doubt thanks to his rudeness when they first met.

Guilt smote RJ, and he dipped his head politely. “And you, Miss Nielsen. Thank you for having us.”

With a slight arch of her brow, Del bent to hug Sofie as the little girl threw her arms around her aunt’s skirts. “We thought we’d eat at the table we set up outside. More room.”

“Good idea.” Forsythia set Mikael down to toddle toward the puppy. “Easier to watch the children as they play too.”