Paradise Falls (8 page)

“I can’t see anything left to do.”

She gave a soft laugh. “Except maybe to find a more qualified teacher.”

“You’re going to be a fine teacher.”

“How do you know?”

He shrugged. “I just do. You care so much.”

“Maybe too much.” She stared down at the desktop. “What if I let the children down, Gray?”

He folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the door. “You’d never do that.”

“You can’t be certain.”

“I just have to look at you, listen to you, to know.” Suddenly uncomfortable with the direction of their conversation, he straightened. “Come on. Ma’ll have supper, and we still have to drop Will at his uncle’s.”

She hurried across the room and brushed past him, wondering at the little rush of heat when their bodies touched. She stood waiting on the porch as he secured the front door. Will was already sitting in the back of Gray’s wagon, with his bundle of tools, whistling to Chester, who was hunting squirrels in the nearby woods. The hound looked up and started toward them at a full run, jumping smoothly into the boy’s arms.

Gray helped Fiona up to the high, wooden seat, before climbing up beside her. With a flick of the reins, the horses started across the schoolyard and headed onto the dirt path leading to town.

Gray shot a glance over his shoulder at the boy, who sat with an arm around a panting Chester. “It looks like school will be ready to start right on time.”

Will nodded. “All I have left to do tomorrow is clean up some wood shavings and wash the window.”

Fiona shook her head. “I can do that.”

“No sense you climbing a ladder, Miss Downey.” The boy kept his arm around the hound’s neck as they made a sharp. turn into his uncle’s yard. “After I see to the cleanup, I’ll check the roof one last time, to make sure I didn’t miss any holes. Don’t want rain or snow to spoil your shiny new schoolroom.”

As the wagon came to a lurching stop, the boy tossed down his tools and climbed out. At once the dog clambered across to the seat .of the wagon, where he rested his head on Fiona’s lap.

Gray pressed a coin into Will’s hand before picking up the reins. “Tomorrow morning then, Will.”

The boy nodded. “I’ll be ready.” He smiled at Fiona. “Goodbye, Miss Downey. I—”

At the sound of the door opening he turned.

His uncle stepped onto the porch, squinting against the late afternoon sun. “I won’t be able to spare Will tomorrow. He’s needed here.”

Gray nodded. “I understand, Dolph.”

“I’ll miss you, Will.” Seeing the way the boy ducked his head to hide his sadness Fiona added, “Thank you for all your help.” As an afterthought she called, “Will I see you Monday for the first day of school?”

Before Will could respond his uncle shook his head. “No time for such things. I’ve a farm to run. The boy’s old enough to earn his keep now.”

Seeing the man’s scowl, Fiona held her silence, though it was on the tip of her tongue to plead the boy’s case. As the horse and cart turned away, she gave a last glance over her shoulder. Will was already inside, the door slamming shut behind him.

“Does Will’s uncle really need his help so badly there’s no time at all for school?”

Gray shrugged. “Dolph VanderSleet has a hard life for a farmer. He had only one daughter, and, she’s living in Ohio now. His wife died four, five years ago. He wasn’t expecting to raise his brother’s boy.”

“Wouldn’t you think he’d be thrilled to have someone to keep him company and chase away the loneliness?”

Gray kept a steady hand on the reins as they rolled across the freshly cut field. “Some might. And some, like Dolph, see only the work involved. To them, everything in life is a burden instead of a joy.”

A burden.

The thought of it had Fiona clasping her hands together as she pictured in her mind the boy who had worked so willingly alongside her these past days. It had been his skill that had made the start of school possible, and now he wouldn’t be allowed to share in the joy of it. That knowledge dulled the keen edge of excitement that had been building inside her.

As if sensing her sadness the hound began licking her hand until she reached over to scratch behind his ears.

Gray shot her a sideways glance. “You’re spoiling Chester, you know.”

That brought the smile back to her lips. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all. But you might, when he starts shadowing you every time you walk out the door.”

“That might not be so bad.” She laughed and took the dog’s big head, between her hands, while rubbing her cheek over his soft muzzle.

Seeing it, Gray went very still, wondering what that soft cheek would feel like against his mouth. That had him frowning and wiping a damp hand across his shirt. He turned the team toward the barn. Once inside he climbed down, then reached a hand to assist Fiona, before turning away abruptly to begin unhitching the horses.

“Goodbye, Chester.” She gave the hound one last pat on the head before heading toward the house.

Gray stood beside his dog, watching the way the breeze flattened her skirts against her backside. Then, embarrassed by the direction of his thoughts, he returned his attention to the chore at hand, cursing softly under his breath.

* * *

Fiona awoke and lay in the darkness, listening to the stillness of the night. A fresh breeze was stirring the curtains, and she was grateful for the fresh air that cooled the room.

The pork sausage they’d enjoyed for supper had given her a thirst. Sitting up in bed she reached for the pitcher on her nightstand, only to find it empty. With a sigh she got to her feet and picked up the pitcher before crossing to the door.

Following a trail of moonlight across the parlor, she let herself into the kitchen and moved toward the pump that stood at the sink.

“What’s this?”

A deep voice caused her to freeze in midstride. “Flem?” She whirled, and the pitcher slipped from her fingers.

He caught it before it could shatter on the floor, and in one quick motion set it aside. When he straightened, his gaze slid over her, taking in the spill of tangles falling over the neck of her prim cotton nightgown and her bare toes peeking out from beneath the hem of her skirt.

Seeing the way her face flamed, a teasing light came into his eyes. “If I’d known my teacher could look like this, I’d have paid more attention to learning my sums.”

“What are you doing up at such an hour, Flem?” She took a step back. “And fully dressed?”

“Such keen powers of observation, Miss Downey.” He deliberately stepped closer, causing her to back up again.

“How can I think about staying home and sleeping when there’s fun to be had in town?”

“What sort of fun?”

He jammed his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Some of the farmers from over the hill in Little Bavaria like to get together and play cards. I’m always happy to relieve them of some of their seed money.”

“You play cards for money?”

“You bet.” He drew a hand from his pocket and held up a wad of bills. “I’m good at it. See?”

She shook her head. “So much money. Your papa will be so happy to see that.”

“Who says I’ll show him?”

“You aren’t going to share it with your family’?”

He gave a low rumble of laughter. “Why should I? What did they do to earn it? Besides, I’d have to admit where it came from, and my poor dear mother would be shocked to learn that her son has engaged in the devil’s own work.”

“But they could use that money, Flem.”

“And you think I can’t?”

“What will you do with it?”

“Spend it on things that give me pleasure. That’s all money’s good for. Didn’t you know? Someday I’ll use it to take me far away from this miserable hellhole.”

Stunned at his choice of words, she merely looked at him.

“Of course, my old hometown is looking a lot better these days. Now that I see how good you look without all those layers of clothing...” His hand snaked out, snagging her wrist. “Maybe I could be persuaded to stay at home more often and take my pleasure right here.”

She gasped at the stench of his breath and drew back as though slapped. “You’ve been drinking.”

“How very astute, teacher. I’m shocked that you even know what whiskey smells like.”

“I’ve smelled it a time or two, when some of Da’s friends paid a call.”

His voice lowered with sarcasm. “I suppose your saintly parents would never think to take a sip of spirits. Nor would their perfect daughter.”

She stared down at his hand holding firmly to her wrist. “Let me go, Flem.”

“What’s the matter, Miss Downey? Don’t tell me you don’t like being touched by a man.”

“I don’t.”

“Liar.” He leaned close, his hot breath stinging her cheek. “All women like it, though most of them think they have to pretend not to. It’s a game they play.”

“It’s not a game I’d play. Let me go, Flem, or I’ll shout down the entire household.”

His smile grew. A smile that had once been charming now caused a tiny thread of alarm to begin twisting along her spine. “No you won’t, teacher. And do you know why? Because you’re smart enough to know it would cause a scandal, and after Ma was through with all her bluster, you’d be the one to lose your precious job.”

He could see at once that he’d hit a nerve. Pressing his advantage, he caught her roughly by the shoulders. Before he could draw her close she kicked him as hard as she could in the ankle.

He swore. But instead of releasing her as she’d hoped, his two hands closed around her throat, and he shoved her against the wall before lowering his face to hers. Against her mouth he muttered, “You’ll pay for that.”

With a little cry Fiona fought back. Her fingernails raked his cheek, causing him to swear again.

“Why you little—”

Before he could retaliate, he was abruptly yanked away. While Fiona watched in stunned surprise, Gray hurled his brother to the floor. Flem tried to scramble out of his reach but Gray caught him by the front of his shirt and hauled him to his feet, landing a punch in his gut that had him falling to the floor and grunting in pain. With a hiss of fury Gray hauled him upright again.

Seeing Gray’s fist raised, Flem held up both hands to protect his face. “No. Don’t. I guess I got a little drunk. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Gray’s voice trembled with a black, blinding rage. “You’ll apologize to Miss Downey.”

Flem lifted his head and even managed a shaky smile. “I’m sorry, Miss Downey. Truly I am. It wasn’t me. It was the whiskey.”

Gray gave him a rough shove backwards, where he bumped into the wall and dropped to one knee. Fiona could do nothing more than gape at Flem as he touched a hand to his cheek. Seeing blood on his fingers, he muttered an oath and got to his feet, eager to escape.

Gray thought about going after his brother and pummeling him. It was what Flem deserved. But at the moment, Fiona’s welfare was uppermost in his mind.

He turned to her. “Are you all right?”

She nodded, afraid to trust her voice.

“He didn’t... hurt you?”

She was too close to tears to speak. Instead she merely shook her head.

“I’m glad I got here in time.” Seeing her distress, he walked to the pump and filled a tumbler with water.

Fiona was aware that he’d dressed hurriedly, pulling the suspenders of his overalls over his bare chest. His feet, too, were bare, and his hair was mussed, falling over his forehead in a dark spill that gave him a decidedly dangerous look. It was a side of Gray she’d never imagined. For those few moments this gentle farmer had been like a man possessed. Now, though she sensed he was still in a state of high agitation, there was a cautious gentleness to him, as well.

“Drink this.” He pressed the glass to her bands and she obediently emptied it.

He set the glass aside and took her hands in his. Despite the heat of the evening they were cold as ice, “You should get to bed now.”

“I should. Yes. Thank you, Gray. That’s little enough to say. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t—”

They both looked up as the door to the kitchen was thrust open and Rose halted in the doorway, her eyes as dark with fury as Gray’s had been just moments earlier. In silence she took in the sight of the two of them, standing so close together, Fiona’s hands firmly nestled in Gray’s.

“So this is how you thank me for my hospitality.” She looked Fiona up and down with a hiss of disgust. “I am shocked at your lack of proper demeanor. No decent young lady would allow herself to be seen by a man in this state of undress.”

“Mrs. Haydn, it isn’t what you think—”

“Not a word. I’m too offended by the sight of you to listen to anything you have to say. Go to your room. I’ll decide later whether or not you can be trusted to remain in my home.”

“You have to permit me to explain. It wasn’t Gray. He was the one who came to my rescue when...” Fiona turned to Gray, who was staring at his mother with a look so dark, it frightened her.

Instead of adding to Fiona’s explanation he merely nodded toward the door. “Go now.” When she looked as though she might argue he said more firmly, “Go.”

Reluctantly Fiona turned away. As she hurried toward her room she could hear Rose’s clipped words, uttered with venom. “I am not surprised, Grayson. This is exactly the behavior I would expect from you.”

Fiona closed the door, shutting off whatever Gray might have said in reply. For a moment she was forced to slump against her bed, fearing her legs might fail her. Her breath was coming in short, painful gasps as she replayed that ugly scene in the kitchen.

Had she overreacted? After all, Flem always seemed harmless enough, with that quick wit and boyish charm. Hadn’t he said he was drunk? Why then had she felt as though she’d been fighting for her very life?

Da had often called her his dramatic little actress. Perhaps, in the light of day, this would all seem like a harmless prank.

Still, her heart ached for Gray. Why did Rose constantly berate him, while glossing over Flem’s glaring faults? Why was she so quick to believe the worst about one son, while refusing to see any flaws whatever in the other?

Hearing silence settle once more over the house, Fiona got unsteadily to her feet and crossed to the door. Whether Flem’s little scene had been harmless or not, she intended to take no chances. She placed a small table holding a basin and pitcher against the door, reasoning that if the door should be forced open in the night, it would cause the pitcher to topple, waking her and everyone else in the household.