Heart of Gold (A Gold Rush Romance) (16 page)

Thomas took the last missive, and glanced at it. Then he read it again, more slowly, and dropped into a chair, his legs giving out beneath him. A simple message, only a few sentences, but one in particular reverberated in his head like a call from heaven. We regret to inform you that your husband has died of tuberculosis.

Cliff suddenly seemed like an angel come to right all the wrongs of the world, or a Pinkerton agent who had secretly been set on this case years before, and had shown up with all the right information just when it was needed. After Thomas found his bearings, he stood up and shook hands with the man once more. “Cliff, if you ever need anything, and I mean absolutely anything, you come to me, you hear?”

Cliff grinned. “I’m sure I’ll be just fine, sir, but thankee kindly. Just so’s the girl’s happy and the students’re happy.”

Thomas bounded out of the tiny business, his heart thumping so hard it made his chest hurt. He needed to speak to Alice immediately. They could be married now, and he would break down her door to propose to her this instant, if that was what it took. He hopped onto Hamlet and turned toward the Leach residence.

His elation sobered as he rode, though. Being a widow, she might be able to continue teaching without hindrances. If he married her, however, she would be just as ineligible to teach as before. It was a simple, crushing calculation.

He knew that he couldn’t get in the way of her beloved profession, no matter what it cost him. Hamlet slowed, then stopped, but Thomas took no notice. The euphoria from a few minutes before was gone and he had gotten lost in these new unsettling thoughts.

After a long while, Thomas realized that the horse beneath him was no longer moving, and he looked around to find he was in front of the Leach house. He dismounted slowly, taking his time to tie Hamlet’s reins around the post. As unprepared for this encounter as he felt, it came as no surprise that his feelings about entering her home had changed. He wanted to extend his time outside as much as possible, suddenly anxious to be anywhere but in front of Alice. Finally, he had nothing left to do but go to the door and knock.

He tapped on the door, his knuckles hardly hitting the wood; the sound of it was loud to his ears, like a death knell. The house looked empty, uninviting for the first time. Mrs. Leach opened the door and ushered him inside. He followed her into the sitting room and sat down, looking up into Mrs. Leach’s concerned face. “I need to speak to Alice, ma’am.”

“It’s as bad as all that, is it?”

He shook his head and tried to smile, doubting it would convince the clever woman. “Good news, actually. I have some information that could secure her position once more.”

Mrs. Leach put her hand on her hip, unconvinced. “If this is how you look when giving good news, I cannot imagine getting bad news from you.”

He put his hand to his face. This was not making the situation any easier. “Please may I see her, Mrs. Leach?”

Her tone softened. “She’s getting some rest so she can be ready for the board meeting tomorrow, but I will wake her for you.”

“No, don’t do that. Can I have some paper and ink, please? I will just leave her a message, if I may.”

This was better, he decided. If he saw her beautiful face, those sparkling green eyes, he might not be able to do what needed to be done.

In too short a time, he found himself sitting at the dining table with the procured items. He dipped the pen into the inkwell, constructing his message as best he could.

Miss Crenshaw,

Here are three wires that will help you when you meet the school board. You should be able to stop Wilson’s quest against you and his control of the board with the first two. The last one came for you months ago, but was kept from you by Mr. Wilson. Your husband’s death should erase all further impediments to your reinstatement as the teacher here. You mustn’t worry about convincing me that you are unable to marry me. I understand.

I will be at the meeting tomorrow if you need me to explain how I procured this information or answer any questions the board might have. Joe and I will leave this area soon to avoid making things difficult for you.

All my love,

Thomas

After a brief pause, he continued.

Postscript: Wilson’s daughter Clara seems like she could be a good, if unexpected, ally. I don’t know if that information is useful, but I thought you should know.

He folded the three messages into the letter and handed the papers to Mrs. Leach, then shuffled out of the house, retrieved Hamlet, and began the long ride home.

***

Twenty-four dismal hours later, Thomas stood in front of his mirror. The hour for the board meeting was drawing near, and Thomas had dressed in his finest, most respectable clothes. He attempted a smile, but failed miserably. If Alice asked him to say something, charm might somehow help him convince the board to give her back her position, but it was clear he had no reserves left to draw from.

He had gotten little sleep and spent most of the day driving himself mad with worry. He was confident Alice would handle the situation well—she was a clever woman—but his mind continued to feel unsettled about the situation. He just wanted it to be over and done.

He saddled Hamlet and rode to the meeting hall, the rhythmic clopping and sway of the horse soothing his tattered nerves a little. He was surprised to see the area crowded with adults and children waiting for the meeting to begin. He spotted Alice immediately; she was turned away from him, surrounded by a crowd of people, and one woman he did not recognize was shaking her hand. All the faces were sympathetic and kind. She didn’t see his approach, so he hung back and watched her, not wanting to spoil her moment.

Alice looked more beautiful than he could have imagined. Her hair was down beneath her bonnet, and her dress was less formal than usual, but those were not the only changes. She exuded confidence and strength, and there was even something else that Thomas could not quite put his finger on at first. As he watched her speak with the crowd that surrounded her, it dawned on him: her mask was gone.

It was a small change, but it was striking once he noticed. She was being her genuine self with these people, unguarded. His heart soared even as it twisted and broke. She would be happy, really and truly happy, when all this was over.

Finally, the crowd entered the hall and found seats as the meeting commenced. Thomas entered and found a seat on the bench furthest from the front and as near to the door as he could manage. He was hoping he would be able to leave quickly once it was done to spare them both the pain of an awkward encounter.

The three board members, sitting on the platform at the front of the hall, looked harried and frazzled. Thomas smirked; it was obvious their day in the classroom had been a difficult one. Joe must have executed his plan with aplomb. He was proud of the boy.

Alice stood in front of them, her head held high, a sheaf of papers in her hand. Thomas wanted to stand beside her, protect her, but he kept his seat. She was able to protect herself if anybody was, and it was not his place to do so. In fact, he would not be standing beside her at any time, and that thought cut him to the quick.

As soon as the room quieted and the meeting was begun, Alice began speaking to the board members, as well as to the room at large. Her voice was firm but kind. “I would like the board to consider my reinstatement as the teacher for the town of Shasta.”

Mr. Wilson stood, his hair in disarray, expression sheepish. He seemed broken. When he spoke, his words sounded memorized. “I agree with Miss Crenshaw. I have reconsidered my position on the matter, and I realize that a married schoolteacher is not a danger to the students, regardless of her relationship with her husband. It is evident that Miss Crenshaw has been a wonderful teacher to the children of the town, and should be allowed to continue as such.”

The crowd, erupted into cheers, led in large part by the younger audience members. Thomas felt more confused than anything—it was unfolding in no way as he had expected. He had thought she would just show the three missives to the school board, denounce Mr. Wilson, and explain how her widowhood made her once again eligible as a teacher. He was unable to comprehend why she had yet to bring up a single one of the messages at all.

The two women sitting beside Mr. Wilson nodded wearily; the one on the left said, “The board allows that marriage should not bar a successful teacher from keeping her station. Miss Crenshaw will be reinstated immediately. Meeting dismissed.”

The horde of people moved as a giant unit toward the door, but Thomas stayed in his seat. The meeting had lasted fewer than five minutes. What on Earth had happened?

As the room cleared, he kept his eyes on Alice. She turned and looked around for a moment, then grinned as her gaze lighted on him. He walked up to her. “Did I miss something? Why did you not explain about your husband’s death?” he asked.

Her eyes sparkled as she rested her hand on his chest. “Well, it seemed silly to use that as the reason I should be allowed to teach if I’m just going to get married again.”

Realization broke over him. She was going to get remarried. He let out a long breath as the weight that had held him down lifted from his chest. He leaned over and brushed his lips against hers, then looked into her glittering eyes once more. “Who were you planning on marrying?”

She smirked at him. “Oh, I’m sure I can find someone.”

He caught her face in his hands and soaked in her hair, her eyes, her smell. “I love you, Alice. Will you marry me?”

“I told Joe I wouldn’t marry you. I would hate to confuse such a young boy.”

“He’ll get over it. I’ll discuss it with him right now, if you like,” he said, turning toward the door, as if on a mission.

Her laughter rolled through the nearly-empty room as she laid a hand on his arm, stopping him in his tracks. “Of course I will, Thomas. I love you more than I can ever explain.”

He caught her lips with his again, this time kissing her deeply, allowing his heart to believe that she might actually be his.

As they walked out of the hall, her hand grasped securely in his, he had one more question to ask. “Why didn’t you mention the messages about Mr. Wilson?”

Alice laughed again, sending his spine tingling with happiness. He hoped she would laugh much more in the coming years. She explained, “I went to see Mr. Wilson yesterday after I received your letter. We had a little chat, and I made him very aware that if he continued this quest against me, or if he did anything like that to another woman, I would make the town aware of his transgressions. If I told the town, they might kick him out of town, but he would be free to do the same thing again someplace else. At least this way, I can keep an eye on him.”

“Did you speak to his daughter?”

“Yes. Clara was quite willing to watch her father and let me know if he stepped out of line. Seemed to have her own vendetta against the man. I plan to help her find her own happiness if I can.”

“And the girl hidden away up in Weed? She deserves something.”

Alice’s smile grew even wider. “She got it. Mr. Wilson and I went down to see Cliff and he sent her a wire apologizing for his behavior, as well as a telegram to her local bank. She should be getting a very hefty sum with which to raise her son. It might not be perfect, but it was the best I could do for her.”

Thomas shook his head, bewildered. She had fixed everything much better than he could have imagined.

Alice pulled a slip of paper out of the stack she held and handed it to Thomas. “And Cliff gave me this. Apparently the Bridgers would be happy to purchase your farm and stay there permanently. They also send you their kindest regards and are happy that you have found love at last.”

She smiled at him, her eyes mischievous. He chuckled and stopped her, brushing a few stray strands of hair away from her face. “When should we be married, then?”

Alice shrugged. “It seems I will be teaching tomorrow morning, but perhaps we can ask the pastor to perform the ceremony tomorrow afternoon. The fewer nights between now and then, the better.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged her body close to his, sending a rush of sensation along his spine so powerful it made his head spin. He had never thought he would get everything he wanted, but here she was.

He hugged her close, never wanting to let her go.

Epilogue

Alice grinned at the small group of students at the front of the room and applauded along with the children still seated at their desks. Joe, who had played the lead part in his group’s performance, blushed and beamed at the reaction of the small audience.

Alice felt tears of happiness sting her eyes as she watched the boy she thought of as her son sit back down with his grade level, receiving more praise from those around him. He had done very well indeed, and Alice knew exactly how important the performance was to him.

Alice stood slowly, heaving her weight out of the chair and glancing at her pocketwatch. “The next group will perform tomorrow, so be prepared. Once you have tidied the room, you are dismissed.”

The classroom became a quick flurry of activity, and in less than two minutes everything was perfectly organized and the children were disappearing through the door. All except for Joe, who stayed behind and waited for her. Alice shuffled to the board and erased the day’s notes. “You did a wonderful job, Joe. I was quite proud of you,” she said over her shoulder.