His Errant Educator (Willamette Wives Book 3) (17 page)

***

They reached the school just in time to see a few people mounting the steps to stand on the landing. "Look, they've installed the bell," Teresa said with a smile down at the children. "When you hear it, you'll know school is about to start."

"Please, may I have your attention?"

The crowd quieted as Mr. Anderson, the head of the school board, spoke from the landing. "Thank you. I know everyone is excited, and we are as well. It is my pleasure to introduce you to the board." Roger grinned as the kids groaned and began to fidget as introductions began. He recognized the speaker as one of the people who had been sipping coffee the day he'd found Teresa and Barbara having their spat, and when the man introduced the woman next to him, he recognized her as the other. After the half dozen people had been introduced and the crowd had clapped politely, Mr. Anderson gave up his place to the woman he had introduced as Miss Jenkins.

"Thank you," she said and then clapped her own hands. "If the children could come forward, they'll be able to meet their new teacher and be allowed to go inside the building for a quick tour."

People shuffled around, Teresa moving to stand next to Roger as the children were encouraged by their parents to move to the front. "Who's that man?" Teresa asked, nodding towards a rather squat gentleman who had moved to the bottom of the steps.

"You know far more people than I do," Roger said. "If you don't recognize him, then I have no idea. Perhaps he's another school board member?"

"No, I don't think so, but I do know I've never seen him before. Pa?"

"I haven't either but I suppose we're about to find out," Benjamin answered as the woman clapped her hands again.

"This fine building was able to be erected due to contributions—mine being the most generous."

Roger was a bit shocked at her statement, and the fact that she actually paused as if waiting to be showered with thanks. Instead he saw several men exchanging looks that had him wondering about the validity of her words. The woman didn't even seem to notice and after a moment, continued.

"Though I taught for several years and considered taking the teacher's position, I was quite pleased when I found someone who I believe will be perfect to guide your children in their education." She paused, frowning a bit as the children again began to shuffle. "I'm sure you'll agree that education is very important to allow the next generation to become not only good citizens but ones who contribute to society and our town's growth. With regular attendance and plenty of hard work, both on the children's part as well as you, as parents, assisting in their education, I'm sure that our town will be able to take great pride in their accomplishments."

"Can we go play now?" a young boy called out.

"Yeah, I want to see the school!" another child said.

"Children, do not interrupt. It's very rude," Miss Jenkins said. "If you don't behave, you will not be allowed inside."

"Miss Goldman said we'd be planting flowers and having lots of fun," Jane called out, "can we do that? It's outside."

"Oh, my," Teresa whispered, her eyes wide. Roger saw the older woman shooting a glance that showed her obvious disapproval towards his fiancée. Suddenly he had a very bad feeling, which only increased when the woman's lips curved into a facsimile of a smile—one that was without an ounce of warmth.

"School is not for fun, young lady. It is for education. Perhaps it's time for me to introduce your new teacher. I'm sure you'll soon learn that children are to be seen and not heard unless asked a question."

"Roger, she's scaring the children…"

"I know," Roger said, reaching for Teresa when she began to step forward while never taking his eyes off the woman as she gestured with her hand. "Wait, honey…"

"Daryl… I mean, Mr. Bonner, would you please join me?" The man striding up the steps was the same man who was evidently a stranger to almost everyone.

"No…" Teresa said, her face paling. "They… couldn't…"

Evidently they could, as the man immediately began to express his thanks for being offered the position. It didn't seem to bother him in the least when heads began to turn to find Teresa, confusion written across their faces.

"Why?" Teresa whispered, and when she heard Jane asking her ma who that mean looking man was, Roger watched tears fill his love's eyes.

"It has to be a mistake," Barbara said, reaching for her sister's hand. "Everyone knows you are the teacher."

"No… I'm not." Before Roger could react, she wrenched away from his hold, turned and fled back the way they'd come, pushing through the people, not stopping when they began to question what had happened.

Roger was torn between going after her, and staying to demand an explanation. How could they do this to a woman who had dreamed of teaching, of giving of herself… her time and her heart, to guide their children? Hell, he'd learn what happened later. For now, he needed to find Teresa, to comfort her, to make sure she knew the entire school board were nothing but fools… to simply hold her and help her try to put back the pieces that he was sure the people on the steps had just shattered.

"Tessa, wait!" he yelled, beginning to run when he realized that Teresa hadn't run home. Well, not exactly. Instead, she was already streaking down the street on Whinny's back. His heart stuttered in his chest at seeing her pull on the reins, barely avoiding colliding with a wagon in front of the mercantile, slipping sideways in the saddle before managing to pull herself up again. Damn, he hadn't even adjusted the stirrups. Remembering that she hadn't even changed into riding clothes, much less proper boots, he knew that there was a chance her foot could slip through the stirrup, dragging her from the saddle and possibly to her death. "Tessa, Stop!"

She didn't, only leaned forward, obviously urging Whinny to go faster. By the time he reached his own horse and leapt into the saddle, she had disappeared. They'd had many lessons and he could only pray that they'd become instinctive as he kicked Buster's side, racing after her.

Teresa could barely see for the tears streaming down her face. How could they do this to her? She had spent countless hours writing dozens of lesson plans. Had imagined watching the children's pride grow as they stood at the board and completed problems she'd chalked onto its surface. She'd be sure to praise every child and make sure they felt loved and encouraged. She'd pictured their faces lighting with smiles as they watched the flowers they'd planted grow, making each child feel they'd played a part in making their school a pretty place. Now she'd never have the chance… some stranger, some man who didn't know a single child, would be ringing the bell and writing on the board.

She was so involved in her thoughts that she didn't even realize that Whinny had strayed from the road onto the field until the mare stumbled, almost tossing her rider from the saddle. Yanking back on the reins did no good, the horse attempting to regain her balance even as she continued to run flat out.

Teresa screamed when she saw the swollen creek ahead. The bridge was to the left and yet sawing on the reins was not turning her mount. She felt her foot slipping again and knew that she was about to be thrown. "Stop!" she yelled again. "God, please stop!" She clung to the pommel, attempting to pull her foot free, to place it in the stirrup instead of through it. Suddenly she heard another sound.

"Tessa!" Turning her head, she saw Roger riding hard. It was only another second before he was beside her, leaning over and grabbing the reins that she had allowed to go loose in her grip. Despite her terror, she could see the muscles beneath his shirt strain and those in his thighs bunch as he used them to guide Buster to turn, pulling Whinny with him. Time seemed to stand still, and she was sure her heart didn't beat until finally the horses began to slow. They came within ten feet of the creek, which was raging with snow melt that continued to come down off the mountain. She closed her eyes, afraid they'd be in the water in just a moment.

"Whoa, easy," Roger said, repeating the words over and over until he managed to bring the horses to a stop. Buster stood solid as a rock as Roger slid from the saddle, keeping hold of Whinny's rein until he could grip her bridle. The mare's sides were heaving, her head tossing and her eyes wide. "Easy, girl, easy," Roger said softly, using one hand to stroke along her neck. "Teresa, I'm going to get you down but just sit still."

"No, I want off…"

"Tessa, no. I don't want Whinny to rear or break away. I promise, I'll have you down in just a minute."

She didn't speak but also didn't move except to pull her foot back, planting it in the stirrup.

"Good girl, what a good girl," Roger said. After a few minutes passed, he gave the horse a final pat. "That's better. No need to be scared, everything's all right." It took a moment for Teresa to realize he was addressing the horse and not her.

"Can I get down now?" she asked, wanting nothing more.

"In a moment," Roger said, "I'm just going to walk her over to the bridge."

"No, I want off now! You said she wasn't skittish!"

"Tessa, please don't yell. I know you are scared but so is Whinny. She's not skittish but you haven't been showing her the least bit of control. I need to get her secured before I help you off."

"I don't need help…" She began to lift her leg over the pommel when he spoke again.

"Move again and the spanking you've got coming will be a doozie," Roger said, never pausing in his slow walk towards the bridge.

"What?"

He turned his head away from the bridge and looked up. "You heard me, and you need to stop yelling." She opened her mouth and he shook his head. "Not another word." He waited until she nodded before he turned his attention to the mare.

Once they reached the bridge, he moved to stand in front of the mare, slowly lifting the reins over her head. "Good girl," he said again, looping them over the railing and tying them off. Only then did he step to the side and lift his arms. Teresa momentarily considered stating that she would remain in the saddle but wasn't even given the chance as his hands closed around her waist, lifting her from the horse. She couldn't squelch the soft groan when her feet reached the ground and her ankle throbbed.

Roger immediately dropped to one knee, running his hand under her skirts, wrapping strong fingers around her ankle, palpating it gently. "Does that hurt?" he asked when she winced.

"A little," she said, "I couldn't get my foot free."

"You're very lucky you didn't break it or worse," Roger said. "It's just tender and will most likely be bruised. Can you walk on it?"

"I think so," Teresa said, taking his hand when he straightened and walking a few steps. "Yes, it doesn't hurt that badly."

"Good, then you'll be able to ride."

"Oh, no, I'm not gonna ride," Teresa said.

"Yes, Tessa, you are. If you don't get back in the saddle, you never will…"

"But that horse hates me!"

"No, that horse expected you to be able to guide her and pay attention to what you were doing. Instead, the moment you mounted her, she could sense your anger and you kept kicking her to go faster instead of stopping when I called for you to do so. Did you even see that wagon?"

"I did but she wouldn't stop."

"Not when you continued to kick her," Roger said. "You had no business getting in the saddle when you were so upset."

"I'm upset because my whole life is ruined!" She yelped again after stomping her foot, forgetting that it was already aching.

"Tessa, I understand you are disappointed, but your entire life isn't ruined."

"All I ever wanted was to teach and now that… that bitch…"

"Don't cuss…"

"How can you not care? You saw the children! She and that… that stranger were scaring them!"

"I do care but—"

"No you don't! I bet you are happy…"

"Teresa Goldman, I guarantee you that I am most definitely not happy. I just watched the woman I love have her dream broken and before I could even comfort her, she just ran. Not only that, you got on a horse, wearing the wrong shoes, and galloped out of town. You almost hit a wagon and, God forbid, what if some child had wandered into the street? You had absolutely no control over either yourself or Whinny."

"It's not my fault!"

"It is your fault," he corrected. Hearing Buster neigh, he looked up to see a wagon approaching. "We are going to finish this discussion at the cabin…"

"I don't want to go…"

"Do you want me to turn you over my knee, lift your skirts and spank your bottom right here in the middle of the road?"

"Roger! You can't spank me…"

"I most certainly can, and will. The question is simply the location."

"Damn it, that's not fair…"

"Utter one more curse word and you'll be getting a spanking here, right now, and another at the cabin after I wash your mouth out."

She snapped her mouth shut, glaring at him as he whistled for Buster who instantly trotted to them. It was only when he led her to Whinny that she softened. "Please, I-I don't think I can ride."

"Yes, you can," he assured her. "We'll go slow because you aren't wearing the proper boots and I know you are frightened, but I was serious. If you don't get back on, you'll be too scared the next time. I'll stay right beside you."

"Promise?"

"Yes, honey, I promise."

She nodded and allowed him to help her mount. As she spread her legs to straddle the horse, she also realized she wasn't wearing her split riding skirt. Her bloomers were showing and yet there wasn't anything she could do but sit still as Roger adjusted the stirrups. "Oh, that feels better," she said as he stepped back.

"They are the right height now," he said. "Remember, press down a bit and keep your heel back. That's why it's important to have boots. The heel keeps your foot from sliding forward. Ready?"

"I-I guess," she said, but he waited until the wagon had crossed the bridge. After giving them a wave, he again petted Whinny who had calmed down, not even flinching when the wagon had passed by her on its way into town. He untied the reins and handed them to Teresa.

"Don't yank on them. Let her have some slack. Remember, I'm right here."

"All right," she said, her voice trembling a bit. As Roger mounted, she looked over. "Go slow…"

"I will," he said, clucking his tongue in order to get Buster moving. Whinny instantly took a step and soon the two were walking side by side down the road.

***

Roger divided his attention between the road and Teresa, pleased when he saw her relax a bit in the saddle. "Good girl, you are doing very well," he said.

"Are you talking to me or Whinny?" she asked, glancing over.

He chuckled. "You are both doing well but I was speaking about you. How are you feeling now?"

"I'm not as terrified as I thought I'd be," she admitted.

"I'm glad." They rode in silence until he nodded towards a branch in the road. "We'll be going left. Feel like you can go a little faster?"

"Not really, unless you weren't serious about spanking me."

"I am serious," he said.

"That's what I was afraid of." He managed to grin when she gave a deep sigh. "I still don't think that you should. I was upset."

"I know, but we've talked about this before. You need to learn to think before you act. I almost had an apoplexy when I saw you racing out of town. You are the most important thing on this earth to me and yet you could have been killed… again. I love you with all my heart and soul, but Tessa, I can't have you ignoring your own safety." He kept his eyes on hers, trusting Buster to know where he was going. "If that takes tanning your behind, then so be it."

"But I don't like it." When he simply nodded, she sighed and didn't speak again as they passed Richard and Anna's cabin and then, a few minutes later, Wyatt and Agatha's. Roger was glad the couple wasn't in view, knowing that Wyatt would able to tell in an instant that something was wrong.

As they turned west and began to climb a bit, he watched for her reaction, hoping that knowing she had a spanking coming didn't keep her from being pleased to see the cabin. He was rewarded when she looked up and then at him. "It's finished?"

"Yes, just a few days ago."

"Oh, it looks so pretty," she said, bending forward and patting Whinny's neck. "Look, girl, this is your home."

"Our home," Roger corrected, smiling for the first time in quite a while. "I still need to get the horse stalls finished, but the horses will be fine in the corral for a bit."

He pulled on the reins, stopping Buster, hearing her softly instruct Whinny to stop as well. "Just think, in a couple of weeks, I will be carrying my bride across the threshold."

"I-I can't wait," she said, giving him a smile. "I'm so glad we chose this spot. It's just beautiful. It's like the trees are protecting the cabin and the river providing a lullaby."

"That's a very nice way to put it," Roger said, once again guiding the horses. At the corral he and Matthew had finished only a few days earlier, he dismounted and opened the gate. Giving Buster's flank a swat, the horse went through the gate and straight to the water trough. This time when he lifted Teresa down, she thanked him and then thanked her horse.

"I'm sorry I scared you, Whinny," she said, leading her into the corral. "May I give her one of the apples?"

"Sure," Roger said, reaching into the saddlebag and handing her two. "You can give them both one while I unsaddle them." He watched as she put the first apple on the flat of her hand before offering it to the mare, who instantly lowered her head and gently plucked the fruit from her palm. After he draped his saddle over the railing, she gave the other to Buster. Once both horses had been freed of their saddles, he led her back through the gate, making sure it was securely latched. Tossing the saddlebags over his shoulder, he handed her the quilt. When she began to walk away from the cabin, he asked, "Tessa, where are you going?"

"I thought we'd eat over here," she said. "There's plenty of grass to spread the quilt out and we can look at the river."

"That's a nice spot but we need to take care of your punishment before we have our picnic." When she flushed, he held out his hand. "Come on, honey. Once it's over, you'll feel better and we can enjoy our picnic then."

"I'm not going to feel better," she said, giving another glance to her chosen picnic spot before sighing and turning back. "Not if you spank me as hard as you did the last time."

"I believe you will," he countered. "Regardless, it's time." He was glad when she took his hand, allowing him to guide her to the house.

"You made a rocker," she said as they climbed the steps.

"Yes, and after your spanking, I'll hold you and rock you until you calm."

"You're going to spa… spank me outside? Someone might hear!"

"No, we'll go inside but, honey, the cabins are far apart. No one would hear even if I did."

"It doesn't seem fair," she said. "I mean, first that bi… woman destroyed my dream and now, the first time we are in the cabin, you're gonna spank me."