Authors: Leah Atwood
“Lucas, Lucas, Lucas,” Cicely Evans said as she picked up the slate one of her eldest students had left behind.
Instead of the sums he was to figure, he’d drawn a picture of a horse. And since he didn’t take home his slate, she knew not to expect his sentence diagrams to be completed Monday. Lucas Holden had the most potential of all her students, but his mind never ventured far from his family’s ranch. He’d made it clear he had no desire to be in school, but his ma and two oldest brothers, Sam and Patrick, insisted he finish before being allowed to fully join the family business.
She continued finished walking through the rows of desks, collecting forgotten objects. A ribbon. An orange. An entire lunch pail. Another slate. The items would sit on her desk until Monday when they could be claimed by their owners once school resumed after the weekend. She grabbed the broom from the closet and swished it over the floor. Mondays through Thursdays, she assigned the task to a student, but on Fridays she performed the chore herself, allowing the kids to hurry home for a two day break.
Reaching for her stack of books to take home, she heard the creaky door open, which reminded her to speak with someone about fixing the hinges.
“You’ll never guess who is back in town.” The voice of her good friend, Liza Holden, echoed in the schoolhouse.
Cicely spun around empty-handed. “Who?”
Pieces of mischief and humor sparkled in Liza’s eyes. “Joseph Scott.”
Her mouth gaped open for several seconds before she lifted her jaw. “What? When? Why?”
Liza laughed. “Why do I suspect you still hold a torch for him?”
“It was a childhood infatuation, that’s all.” Even as she made the claim her heart raced.
He’d broken her heart when he left Weatherton, but as everyone had told her, she’d moved on and gotten over him. For the most part. No one but Joseph knew her secret, and he probably didn’t even remember. Seven years was a long time to remember something that surely had been trivial to him, yet changed her world forever.
“Then why is your face red as a tomato.” Liza crossed her arms and smirked.
“You’ve made me regret ever telling you about him.” Narrowing her eyes, she gave her good friend her best scowl. “Is he back for good? Tallie mentioned at the quilting several months ago that he was having a difficult time after his wife’s death.”
She’d mourned for Joseph’s loss, though she’d never met his wife. By the time she’d found out he’d married, enough time had passed that she’d been able to curtail her feelings toward him, recognizing that they weren’t ever meant to be a couple. Still, she cared deeply for him and felt his pain. No one deserved to lose a child, and a wife so young.
Liza sobered and sat at a desk. “Not to gossip, but I heard he lost his job in Chicago. After that, he sold the family home and moved in with Jeremiah.”
A low whoosh came out when Cicely exhaled. She took a seat adjacent to Liza. “So tragic.”
“Perhaps God will give him a second chance at love.” Liza stared at her with one eyebrow arched.
“I know what you’re hinting, but forget about it. The man clearly is still devastated by his losses.” Why wouldn’t her heart stop its rapid drumming? She’d laid bare her heart once before to him, and he’d crushed it. Even if he hadn’t returned a grieving widow, she’d not pursue him. She’d long ago accepted that Joseph Scott was not the man God had chosen for her.
“All the more reason he could use friends.” Liza clasped her hands atop the desk. “Once upon a time, you shared a friendship with him. After everything he’s gone through, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind having familiar faces around him.”
Cicely rose a skeptical brow. “Or he might just want to be left alone.”
“Nonetheless, you should stop by the Double J and say hello. He has a daughter—you could invite her to school.”
Her ears perked. “That’s an idea of which I approve. I’d love to see more students.”
“There you go.” Liza smirked as though she’d won an argument. “I should go now. Sam and Maeve will soon be done at Doc Foster’s.”
“Are they okay? Little Jack’s not sick, is he?”
“Can you keep a secret?” Rising from her seat, Liza grinned.
“Of course.”
“Maeve is with child again, and Sam insisted Doc check her out.”
“Congratulations.” A deep longing for her own child swept over her, but she shoved it off, lest she allow envy to enter her heart. After rising to her feet, she went to her own desk and retrieved Lucas’s slate. “Your brother left this here today. Would you mind seeing that it’s returned to him?”
“Not at all.” Liza took the board and glanced down at the picture. “His mind is never far from the ranch and horses.”
“No, it isn’t, but I still need him to complete his work. Perhaps you could remind him to complete his assignments over the weekend.”
Rolling her eyes, Liza laughed. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate the reminder.”
Cicely chuckled. “Have a good afternoon. I’ll see you at church on Sunday.”
After Liza left, Cicely sat behind her desk, absorbing the news that Joseph Scott had returned to Weatherton. She’d prepared herself for it when his brother returned two Christmases ago, thinking that Joseph would join Jeremiah. Then she’d been told that Joseph’s wife loved the city, so there was no possibility of him returning.
In a way, she’d been glad. Though she was glad that he was happy, it would have been extremely difficult to see him with his wife. In that case, his absence was a small blessing.
She didn’t even know exactly she felt about Joseph Scott. At fifteen, she’d loved him with every fiber of her being. As time passed, she adjusted to life without him, and in time, her thoughts were no longer consumed by a non-existent future between them. Yet, the mere mention of his name sent flutters through her body, rendering her knees weak.
What was a girl to do? Should she attempt to renew the friendship they’d once shared? Enough time should have passed that there was no reason it should be awkward to pay him a short visit. As Liza suggested, she could invite his daughter to school.
Yes, that’s what she would do. It was a plausible and unassuming method to discover what her next step should be. If there even would be a next step. She would merely act like an old acquaintance welcoming him back to town. It wasn’t as though she was in the market for a husband. Her students were her children and gave her a fulfilling life.
Do they?
“Yes, they do,” she answered emphatically.
Then why does your heart yearn for more?
She rubbed her temples. “I’m so confused.”
Fifteen minutes ago, she was content with her life until Liza broke the news that Joseph came home. Being honest with herself, she knew she had to see him, offer friendship. If he was as desolate as Tallie and others had described, then he needed people to surround him who cared. Whether he accepted that friendship or not was up to him.
Plagued with doubts and a basket looped over her arm with several books inside for planning next week’s lessons, she left the schoolhouse and walked to the mercantile. She wanted to purchase a couple tins of canned peaches to make Pa his favorite cobbler. Ever since Ma left for Nebraska last month to help care for her ailing sister, he’d been working longer hours than normal and Cicely wanted to do something nice for him.
No other customers were inside Simpson’s Mercantile when Cicely arrived. She set her basket to the front counter while she shopped and made her way to the shelves of food then grabbed two cans of peaches. On second thought, she grabbed two extra cans as an ingenious thought crossed her mind.
She’d found the perfect excuse to visit the Double J without the pretext of seeing Joseph. Since Tallie hadn’t been in church this past Sunday, Cicely would bake a peach pie and check on her friend. For all anyone except Liza knew, she didn’t even know Joseph had returned.
Yes, that’s what she would do. If Pa didn’t need her tomorrow, she’d take a trip to the Double J and visit Tallie. After all, it was her Christian duty to ensure her friend was okay and not suffering from any ailments.
Tsk, tsk.
Cicely sighed. It was never a good sign when her own conscience chided her. The fact she was so conflicted and conniving over a mere visit proved she still had unresolved feelings toward Joseph. The question remained, what would she do about them?
Glen Simpson appeared in the aisle. “Good afternoon, Sissy.”
She gave him a smile while inwardly cringing at the moniker. When she’d had her eighteenth birthday, she’d requested that people call her by her given name, but most still called her Sissy, the name by which she’d always been known. “Good afternoon. Where’s Mrs. Simpson today?”
“Rosie went to Pine Prairie with Myrtle Foster to visit Myrtle’s daughter.” Glen took the four cans from her arms. “She’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Would you let her know I finished my square for the quilt?”
“I sure will.” He adjusted the cans in his hand for better balance. “Can I help you with anything else today?”
“The peaches are all. I’m walking home today, so can’t carry too much.” She followed Mr. Simpson to the counter and handed over several coins as payment. “Pa has a running list and will be in sometime this coming week.”
“Any word on your aunt?” After taking her money, Mr. Simpson set the cans neatly in her basket.
“A telegram came on Tuesday. Ma said Aunt Tabby isn’t doing so well.” Although she’d only met her aunt three times, Cicely had written her often over the years and prayed for her healing.
“I’m sorry to hear.” Mr. Simpson handed her the basket. “If you and your Pa need anything while your Ma’s gone, be sure to let us know.”
“I will. Thank you, Mr. Simpson.”
She left the store and took a left, walking to the edge of town. A worn path paved the way of those who traveled into town from the outskirts. Cicely followed the trail, alternating the basket on her arms. Between the books and tins, she was certain she had red indents on her arms under her sleeves.
As soon as she arrived home, she dropped the basket to the table and let loose a sigh of relief. She unpacked the basket and realized Mr. Simpson covertly had snuck in a can of peas and another of carrots. No wonder it was so heavy, but she was grateful for his consideration.
Last year’s garden hadn’t done so well, and with Ma gone and her teaching, the chances were slim for a productive garden to can this year, if there was even one at all. She’d have to ask Pa to till the plot soon and then she’d have to plant in the next few weeks or it would be too late for the early crops. Maybe they’d go without one this year. Pa didn’t need a heavier workload, and she was so busy with teaching, not to mention her side activities.
Two nights a week she met separately with two adults in town who didn’t know how to read. She’d been working with them individually to teach them while salvaging their pride. There were also evenings she met with various students when they struggled with certain topics.
Then there was the ladies auxiliary that met most weeks, and the monthly quilting meetings. She understood now why the school board requested their teachers remain single. With all her responsibilities, she’d never be able to devote the necessary time to a husband and children plus her students without one of them suffering. She’d heard of some teachers who maintained such a balance and she admired them greatly, though she couldn’t imagine how difficult it must be,
“Sissy, are you in here?” Pa’s footstep echoed through the house and he entered the kitchen. “Good, I thought I saw you come down the road.”
“I just got in.” She tilted her head and looked at him. “How come you’re at the house so early?”
Pa’s lips curved to a smile twisted. “I thought maybe you’d want an early supper, then challenge your old man to a game of checkers.”
“You’re in for the night? You’re not going back out?” Glee filled her. She loved spending time with Pa, but he’d kept so busy lately.
“Not tonight. The remaining chores can wait until tomorrow.” He gave her another smile.
“I’ll get dinner started now and make a special dessert.” In her happiness to have an evening with Pa, she almost forgot her plans for the next day. “Do you need my help tomorrow?”
“No, I can handle it with the other men.” He went to the basin and washed his hands. “What do you have planned?”
“I want to ride out and visit with Tallie. It’s been a while since I’ve been out there and she wasn’t in church on Sunday. I want to make sure she’s feeling okay.” Her words came out too forced and fast, even to her ears.
Pa’s scowl told her he saw right through her excuse. “I’m assuming you’ve heard Joseph is back.”
Cicely positioned herself behind a chair as though the furniture could hide the truth. She cast her eyes down to the table. “Yes.”
“And I presume your visit to the Double J reflects that knowledge and not purely a desire to see your friend?” A hint of wariness laced his voice.
She rubbed a hand over her neck. Unable to lie, she told her father the truth. “From what I’ve been told, he could use a friend.”
A loud sigh preceded Pa’s response. He walked to her and pulled out the chair she held. “Sit, please.” She obeyed, and he sat across from her. “You need to tread carefully. I don’t want to see your heart broken again.”