A Time to Bloom (Leah's Garden #2)(94)
“How many children should I bring drawing supplies for?” Lilac held a stack of precious paper and a basket of pencils. Lilac and the children were planning to draw pictures to decorate the walls of the new school, and when they grew restless, there would be games or she would read to them.
“Well, some of the older boys will be helping with the building, and the girls with the food. We’ve got over twenty students all together now, though, so I’d say enough for twelve to fifteen.”
“I think I’ve got enough, then.”
“I’d love you to do more art with the children this next term.” As Del hoped to do with music and botany in the spring. The new goals seemed endless. But exciting.
True to Lark’s prediction, the scattered snow flurries had mostly stopped by the time their wagon pulled up at the school site a short ways off Main Street but not far from the church and center of town.
RJ was already there, checking the placement of the stones, which his workmen had found and laid last week to be ready to hold the joists today. Straightening, he waved at them with a grin. He wore his felt hat pulled down low over his ears and the collar of his overcoat turned up against the November chill.
Del climbed down from the wagon and hurried toward him, gladness warming her at the sight of him. “You’re here even before the schoolmarm. How is your arm?” She couldn’t see the bandage bulge under the thickness of his coat sleeve.
“Healing well, the doctor says.” RJ flexed it and winced. “I just have to be a bit careful using it. But I think everything is in order.” He nodded at the lumber stacked off to the side. “I’ve made note of how many we have of the different pieces and what goes where, so we can divide into teams and get it done faster.”
“You really are an engineer, aren’t you?” Del pressed her mittened hands together. “I can hardly believe this is really happening.”
“You deserve this.” He stepped nearer, his breath warming the air between them.
Del gazed up at him, memorizing the lines of his face, the breadth of his shoulders under the woolen coat. She’d only seen him twice since that dreadful night at the boardinghouse. The memory of the choking fear when Clive Johnson raised his knife shook her again, and she clenched her fingers to keep from reaching for him. That wouldn’t be proper.
RJ stepped back, nodding over her shoulder. “Looks like our workers are arriving.”
Del hurried off to greet the wagons of parents and children, willing her pulse to calm. She really must sift through all these feelings, and soon.
Mothers left towel-wrapped dishes nestled in quilts in wagon beds. They would be set upon plank tables that the boys would put together later. Isaac McTavish cleared a spot bare of grass and started a fire to heat the coffeepots, not to mention serve as a place to warm hands. Children dashed about, the excitement of the day bursting forth in whoops of laughter and the occasional tumble from the little ones.
Del scanned the gathering. With all the rushing about, it was hard to keep track, but she saw no sign of the Kinsleys anywhere. Not that she should be surprised. But how were they faring? Climie was still going out every day for a while to help Margaret, the two women doubtless finding much in common. Hopefully healing as well as heartache.
“Perhaps I should take the children over to the church?” Lilac asked.
“After the blessing.” Del drew a breath, her lungs cramped from the cold air and so much happening so fast. She nodded to Mr. Caldwell.
The attorney raised his voice and hands to get everyone’s attention. “Let’s get gathered together.”
The men turned from joking and exchanging reports on their harvests, and mothers shushed babies and grabbed stray children.
“This is a special day for Salton.” Mr. Caldwell smiled out over the gathering. “Our teacher, Miss Delphinium Nielsen, has tirelessly persevered in teaching our students since the destruction of our schoolhouse over a year ago. And she has just as tirelessly campaigned for a replacement to that building, even if at first we didn’t listen to her as well as we ought.”
Chuckles of acknowledgment ran through the crowd. Del’s cheeks warmed, but she kept her gaze on her students, gathered near and listening now. They had made it all worth it.
“But dedication and perseverance can accomplish much. Especially when we come together, as our womenfolk have shown us. So today it is my great joy to commence the raising of the Salton school. Reverend Pritchard, would you open us in prayer?”
The slender young preacher stepped forward. “Let us pray. Father in heaven, we thank you for the gift of education, for providing a place for that education for the children of this town, both in our church and now here in our new schoolhouse. Bless us as we raise it today, give skill to our hands and protection as we build. Bless each child who comes to learn under this roof. Let them gain not only knowledge and skill but also understanding of your love. And bless Miss Nielsen for her dedication and service. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.”
Amens, then scattered applause and a cheer or two.
Rev. Pritchard met Del’s eyes for a moment, and his mouth tipped in an understanding smile. She smiled back, believing he now read friendship and respect in her gaze. Then he moved back to join the gathering, and at Mr. Caldwell’s nod, RJ stepped forward to stand before the laid foundation.
“We’ll begin with one team framing and laying the plank floor while two teams of three build the framework of the walls on the ground. We plan to raise the walls before dinner, then some workers will start on the siding while others frame the roof. Getting it shingled . . .” He shook his head. “The finishing work may have to be done next Saturday, but we’ll do the best we can today.”