Undaunted Hope (8 page)

With careful strokes she wrote several words on the board. As she did, their whispering tapered to silence, and she could feel their stares burning into her back. She had the distinct impression they were looking directly at her and not at what she was writing on the board.

This new teaching experience wasn't going quite as she'd expected. She needed to pull herself together and start treating Alex and Michael with the same attitude she did all her other scholars.

She turned only to find that she'd been right. Two pairs of eyes were watching her with keen interest. She was sure neither had noticed anything she'd written on the board.

“Children,” she said, “are we done with all the squabbling?”

The two men sat next to each other, their large frames completely out of place on the narrow bench meant for much smaller bodies. Michael was thinner and less stocky than Alex, but no less muscular, and he had a serious look on his face. However, Alex's lips were cocked into one of his lazy half grins, and his eyes danced with playfulness, obviously finding humor in her rebuke.

She tried to put on her sternest expression, which she knew wasn't all that stern. Nevertheless, she had to do something to hide the strange feeling of standing at the front of the classroom with two full-grown single men as her students.

They were lightkeepers, she reminded herself. Even if they were both handsome men, she would never interest herself in them if she were in a position to do so, which she wasn't. She'd rather strap her body to a large boulder and drop into the middle of Lake Superior before she let herself become enamored with a lightkeeper.

“If you're done with your discussion,” she said again, “then perhaps you'll allow me to get started.”

Michael nodded, his eyes offering her an apology. But Alex's expression contained nothing but mirth. How was she going to focus on teaching with him staring at her, watching her every move?

The schoolroom door squeaked on its hinges, and she breathed a sigh of relief when several more miners entered, a father and his two boys. When Henry Benney stepped inside a few seconds later with his father in tow, she all but forgot about Alex sitting in the front row watching her.

The line of grime at the edges of the miners' faces told her the men had made an effort to clean themselves before arriving, even if they were still attired in their mining clothes, their thick flannel pants and coats made of bagging and stained the color of copper.

The hour of lessons went all too quickly, and as the men stood to leave, she regretted that she hadn't extended the time to an hour and a half. Yet she hadn't wanted to discourage them from coming after a long day of work, and already several were stifling yawns.

“Henry's a quick learner,” she said to Henry's father, a quiet, tall man who looked down at his son with pride. “I have a feeling he will make a good schoolteacher someday.”

At her words of praise, Mr. Benney smiled and patted his son on the shoulder. “I would never have thought it possible for me kin to do anything but burrowing. But if anyone can pass, it's me Henry here.”

As the last of the men exited the schoolhouse, Tessa was surprised to see Michael and Alex lingering at the back, arguing with each other in harsh whispers.

“Class is over, children,” she called to them. “Why don't you take your disagreement to the playground and fight there?”

Michael took a quick step away from Alex, chagrin flashing over his features. Alex, on the other hand, opened the door and waved her through with a flourish. “We were just waiting for you.”

“There's no need—”

“We can't let you walk home alone in the dark,” Alex said.

“Only one of us needs to go with her,” Michael said in an irritated tone.

“Okay, that's fine with me. You head on back to the light.”

“But it's your shift. And you're being irresponsible with it. You know as well as I do that anything could happen on a night like this.”

Alex took off his hat and raked his fingers through his hair. He stared hard at Michael. Then he replaced his hat, his features growing somber with resignation. “You're right. I'll head back.”

Michael nodded.

Alex tossed Tessa a last smile. “Thank you for sacrificing your time to teach a bunch of smelly men.”

“It was my pleasure.” And she meant it.

He ducked his head, hunched his shoulders against the wind, and disappeared into the dark evening.

She had to fight off a wave of dismay, because somehow she sensed that this was the first and last class Alex would attend.

I
'll give you two dollars for the gloves,” Tessa said, “and not a dollar more.”

Samuel Updegraff's childlike eyes darted to the door of Cole Mine Company Store as if he hoped Jesus would return at that moment and rescue him. “The price is five dollars,” he said again, just as he had a dozen times already, although his voice had grown softer, less insistent.

She was wearing him down. She'd learned that bargaining with Samuel was almost as difficult as eating Nadine's giblets. However, with persistence, she could eventually get him to lower the price of whatever she was buying.

She felt only slightly guilty that now every time she stepped into the store, Samuel would cower away from her. He busied himself with sweeping the spotless floor or polishing the pristine glass countertop, ignoring her for as long as possible.

But the guilt evaporated as soon as she took a look at the
prices. Even if Samuel wasn't to blame for the exorbitant cost of the goods, she still couldn't stand by and pay such high prices.

“Very well,” she said, pretending to heave an exasperated sigh. “You win, Samuel. I'll give you three dollars.”

His round eyes widened with confusion.

Behind her, Nadine bounced the fussing baby. Tessa could feel the woman's scrutiny of her every move. She'd told Nadine to watch how she bargained so that she could learn to do it herself.
No one
ought to pay the outrageous prices charged by the Cole store, she'd insisted to Nadine.

Through the large glass that graced the storefront, she saw several of her students race past, along with the young Rawlings boys. The street was crowded with everyone who'd come out for the day's festivities. Through the throng she spotted Josie standing next to a tall youth with a pimply complexion, Robbie.

She didn't like the way Robbie looked at Josie. For a boy with only a few scraggly chin hairs, he was too young to be so enamored with Josie, always staring down into her eyes, putting his arm around her or holding her hand.

Tessa had tried to caution Josie not to take her relationship with Robbie so seriously. As usual, Josie had brushed off her gentle rebukes, and Tessa tried to remind herself that it would just take more time to wield her influence over the girl.

The sun had broken through the gloomy weather of the past week and brought a measure of warmth, a welcome change and just in time for the annual fall wrestling competition. Even so, after watching several wrestling matches, Tessa's fingers had grown stiff from the cold, and she'd decided to purchase a warmer pair of gloves.

“Three dollars,” she said again. “Add it to my tab.” Even though her salary was twenty dollars a month—higher than
what she could make in Detroit—the high cost of living in the north had consumed her income far too quickly.

Samuel finally opened the ledger where he kept track of purchases. “Percival won't like this,” he muttered. “Not at all. Not at all.”

“You're not to blame, Samuel,” she said, tugging the thick flannel-lined gloves on over her thin pair. “I know you're not the one setting such prices.”

She had the feeling the Coles were to blame. She'd learned that the wealthy family made their home in New York City and had purchased the mine the previous year. Apparently, many of the mines in the area were struggling with production and had resorted to laying off miners. The Coles' financial backing had helped to increase production again in Eagle Harbor. Although there were rumors that Mr. Cole personally visited his holdings from time to time, he hadn't come that summer or fall. Tessa supposed that like many of the Eastern millionaires who'd invested in the lumber camps and copper mines of the Midwest, the Coles only cared about turning a profit, not about the many people who depended upon them for their livelihood.

Samuel
tsk
ed at the back of his throat, but he wrote 3
DOLLARS
in the ledger in his sticklike handwriting.

When he finished, she bestowed a smile upon him. Before he could move beyond her reach, she squeezed his fleshy hand. “Thank you, Samuel. You're a good man.”

Deep red splotches formed on his cheeks. “You're all right too, Miss Taylor. For a woman teacher.”

She patted his hand again and then started toward the door with Nadine trailing behind her. “Too bad there isn't another store in town to offer the Coles some competition,” Tessa re
marked as they stepped outside into the sunshine of the autumn afternoon.

“We had some men arrive in town and set up shop,” Nadine said, “but they didn't last long. Mr. Updegraff won't let anyone step foot inside any place but his.”

“Did I hear my name?” The tall, distinguished form of Percival Updegraff broke away from the group of miners he'd been talking with and strode toward them. In his dark pinstripe suit, bow tie, and round top derby, he cut a dashing figure. His face was freshly shaven, his salt-and-pepper mustache neatly trimmed.

Tessa wasn't sure why, but she had the urge to keep walking and pretend she didn't hear him. When Nadine froze, Tessa decided her ploy probably wouldn't work.

“Mr. Updegraff,” Tessa said and forced a smile. “I didn't know that you'd returned.”

“I arrived on the
Iron City
just this morning.”

She followed his glance to the dock, where a steamer had anchored. Deckhands were unloading barrel after barrel into the warehouse, apparently more supplies to see them through the long winter. “I hope your visit with your family was pleasant. I'm sure it must be difficult to leave them behind.”

“I console myself that my work here provides a good and happy life for them.” He smiled wistfully and cocked his head toward the store. “Besides, I don't like to leave Samuel on his own for too long.”

“He seems to manage well.”

“Apparently not so well in resisting your badgering him to lower prices.” Percival's voice took on an edge, and before she could sling back a retort about how she wouldn't need to badger if the store had fair prices, he turned to Nadine. “How is your husband, Mrs. Rawlings? I heard he had to get a tooth pulled.”

Nadine's haggard features were frozen, and she stared at the bonnet covering her baby's head. “He's been in some pain, but doing better now.”

“He was beset with an infection, then?”

She nodded but didn't make eye contact with Percival.

“And I hear you've started an evening school?” he asked, turning back to Tessa.

Henry Benney's warning about Percival rushed back to her mind.
“A man can't
relieve himself in the woods without Mr. Updegraff hearing about
it.”

“Yes, I've had anywhere from six to ten coming every evening,” Tessa replied. But not Alex. He hadn't come again after the first night. Michael, however, had continued to arrive early. In fact, he'd started coming early enough to chop wood so that she'd have fuel for not only the evening class, but also for the next day of school. Even if he was one of her quietest scholars, he'd been one of her most helpful, including walking her home once the class was over.

“I'm not sure I approve of the evening classes,” Percival said, narrowing his eyes.

“What's there to approve or disapprove of?” she asked.

His attention flickered to her bosom. “You're a young woman alone with a roomful of men. That's hardly proper for an innocent woman like yourself.”

“I'm teaching the men.” She didn't like the direction of the conversation or his eyes, and she had the urge to pull her cloak tighter. “They've been nothing but kind and respectful to me.”

“You just never know what these men are capable of,” Percival said with a glance toward the wrestling ring and the rowdy crowd. “We certainly don't want anything to happen to blemish your reputation, do we?”

There was something calculating in his eyes that made her wonder what he'd learned about her past. Had he made inquiries about her while he'd been in Detroit?

She had to stifle a shudder at the thought. “Why don't you stop by one of the evening classes next week and see for yourself all that the men are learning?” She was tempted to blurt out that then he'd see she wasn't standing on top of her desk and dancing like a common barroom girl.

Thankfully, at that moment, before she said something she'd regret, she heard a young voice calling her name. “Miss Taylor! Miss Taylor!”

Ingrid Bjorklund hobbled across the rutted road with her cane, her father and brother not far behind. The little girl's eyes were alight with the pleasure of seeing her.

“If you'll excuse me, Mr. Updegraff,” she said, then started away from him, relieved for the interruption.

“You won't be paid extra for the evening class.” His hard tone stopped her.

Nadine stood unmoving next to Percival, still staring at her baby's head.

“I don't require any payment,” Tessa said. “Except that my scholars reward me with enthusiasm for learning.”

“How noble of you.”

“Yes, it is. Now good day to you, Mr. Updegraff.”

She didn't wait for his dismissal, but instead knelt and held her arms open to Ingrid, who practically hopped the last distance to fall into her embrace with a cry of delight.

“I've been looking for you,” Ingrid said.

“Have you?” Tessa hugged Ingrid tightly and smiled at Gunnar over the girl's head. The boy smiled shyly in return.

“She hasn't spoken of anyone but you since we arrived,” Mi
chael said, his hands tucked into his coat pockets. He glanced warily at Percival and gave the man a brief nod.

“How are things at the lighthouse, Michael?” Percival asked.

“We're managing fine, thanks.”

“I hear you've joined Miss Taylor's evening school.”

“That's true.”

“I hope you're not shirking your duties as a result.”

“I wouldn't dream of it.” Michael's tone remained unruffled in spite of the obvious tension between the two men.

Tessa wanted to ask what kind of control Percival had over the lighthouse. She couldn't imagine it was much since all the lighthouses in Michigan were government owned and operated. But it was as clear now as it was the first day she'd met Percival that he thought he was king of the town.

As much as she wanted to ignore Percival and go on doing things as she had while he'd been gone, she had the feeling she wouldn't be able to—not if she wanted to keep her job.

Thankfully, before she had to say anything else in defense of her evening class, Samuel appeared in the store's doorway and called to Percival. With a frown, Percival disappeared into the store. After Percival was gone, Nadine finally moved, but only to scurry away as fast as possible, calling to Tessa that she was going home.

“Uncle Alex is
wrasslin'
next,” Ingrid said, using the Cornish term for the event. “We hoped you'd come watch him with us.”

“Alex is wrestling?” Tessa asked. “I thought only the Cornish were allowed into the matches.” At least that's what Nadine had told her.

“They like to try to beat Uncle Alex,” Ingrid explained.

“They've made an exception for him since he's a good wrestler,” Michael added.

Tessa tried to peer past the crowd who'd gathered around a fenced-off area to watch the wrestling. Her pulse quickened at the thought of seeing Alex in the arena.

With Ingrid's hand in hers, they made their way toward the fence, past several barrels of ale and the men already swearing and fighting as a result of too much drink. She wasn't sure if such an environment was appropriate for children, but no one else seemed to think anything of the children mingling among the revelers.

She'd been warned to cancel school on payday, and so she had. Her assistant had told her it was the one day a month, besides Sundays, when the men were excused from work. The mine operations were shut down except for the work of measuring the number of feet each miner had cut or drifted. Once the tabulations were recorded, the miners could go to the office and receive their pay—after deducting expenses. The rest of the day was spent tapering off.

Michael pushed them forward through the crowd until they reached the front. They arrived just as Alex was taking off his shirt and donning a loose jacket made of bagging that was tied closed with cording in the front. He was barefooted, like his opponent.

“Uncle Alex,” Ingrid called.

He turned and glanced in their direction. Ingrid waved. At the sight of his niece, Alex grinned and waved back. The sun turned his hair to light gold. Underneath the loose-fitting jacket, his powerfully built chest radiated strength.

Tessa lifted her hand in a small wave and was rewarded with one in return.

“Make sure you win,” she called.

“I'll do my best,” he replied above the laughter and chatter of the crowd.

The referees took their places. As soon as the wrestlers were given permission to start, Alex and his opponent shook hands as was customary to start the bout. Then both went through the ritual of rolling up their jackets and tucking them under their left arms. Nadine had told her this was to prevent an opponent from gaining an early advantage by getting a quick free hold and an unexpected throw.

The bout started the same way as all the others Tessa had seen with both wrestlers getting into a hitch by taking a firm hold of the other's jacket at the left shoulder and right underarm.

From the previous wrestling matches, Tessa had already learned some of the rules. The wrestlers couldn't grab wrists, fingers, or any body part below the waist. But they could hold on to their opponent's jacket, arms, shoulders, and trunk, so long as they managed to throw their opponent onto his back. The goal was to make the landing flat so that all areas of the back touched the ground.