“Someone either naïve or brave.” Her mouth twitched into a ghost of a smile.
“I suppose I could be both. Maybe one naturally goes with the other?”
“I’ll just say straight out, Miss Cooper. My children look like me, not their father. This means they’re not welcome here in town. When Alexander came to talk to me after Samuel died, I sent him away. I couldn’t bear the thought of them coming here and being hurt. They’re all I have.” Her voice caught. She dropped her gaze to her hands. “Alexander spoke highly of you. He seems to think you’ll treat my babies like you do the others.”
“You have my word.” I stared back at this formidable woman, trying not to let my intimidation show. She was exceptionally pretty. Tall in stature, and eyes that seemed to peer right into my mind. I felt a fraud under her scrutiny. And even shorter and scrawni
er than usual.
“Will you teach them the same as you do the others or will you make them learn on the porch?”
I crossed my arms over my chest and answered with the confidence I didn’t feel. “This is my school. I make the rules. All children will have a desk in this classroom. All children will be treated with respect.”
She tugged off her gloves without taking her eyes from me. “What makes you different?”
I fingered the edges of my necktie. “I’m a teacher, Mrs. Cole. Anyone who wants to learn is welcome in my school.”
“There’s another family like us,” she said.
“Pardon me?”
“The Chinese family who live down at the old mill by the river.”
I stared at her. “Alexander hasn’t mentioned them.”
“They’re kin of the original miners who came here in the sixties. I don’t know much about them, other than they’re a woman and two children. They’ve been ostracized from the rest of the community. Samuel told me they stay away from town.”
Why hadn’t Alexander told me of them?
“My husband used to take them wild game he trapped or killed. Without him, I don’t know what they’ll eat this winter.” She looked toward the window, as if she were expecting someone. “I’ve been preoccupied with my grief and forgot about them. I woke in the middle of the night and remembered they’re all alone out there.”
I nodded as my mind whirled with this new information. “Does Lord Barnes know about them?”
“I’m not sure. If he did, Samuel never mentioned it.”
Harley was outside the door stomping snow from his boots. He stepped inside and flashed a smile at Mrs. Cole. “Good evening, Mrs. Cole.”
“Harley.” She nodded at him. I couldn’t be certain, but I thought she softened slightly. “Thank you for your help with the animals.”
“My pleasure,” he said. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Wilber’s here now. We’ll be fine,” she said. “I’ve decided to send my children to school.”
“Between Lord Barnes and me, we keep close watch on Miss Cooper and the students,” Harley said. “We’ll be sure to keep watch for yours.”
“Thank you, Harley.” She turned back to me. “Will there be a desk for them? There are three. Two sons and a daughter.” She went on to tell me their names and ages: Noah, age eight; Roman, age seven; and Willa, age six.
I gestured toward the desks. “There is room for all, Mrs. Cole. I assure you.”
“Very well.” She nodded and turned to leave, her long skirts swishing around her legs. As the door opened and closed, I caught a glimpse of a gentleman in a tall hat sitting at the helm of a small sled. He must be the brother who had come from Chicago to look after them. He leapt from the driver’s side to help Mrs. Cole onto the seat, then joined her. I watched as they drove away, bells on their sleigh ringing in the cold night air.
I turned to Harley and Merry, who were huddled near the stove. “Will we have trouble over this, do you think?”
Harley rubbed the palm of his hand against his chin. “I’m not sure.”
“But you’ll still let them come, won’t you?” Merry asked. “Even if you’re scared?”
The trust on her face was such that even if I’d wanted to, I could not disappoint her. She believed me to be honorable, and I would be, even if it caused difficulty. My father had said no one ever made a difference in the world unless they were willing to face controversy. “I’m terrified, but I’ll risk my life for their right to come to school.” I walked over to the window and stared out into the blackness. Was there danger lurking out there?