Consider it a community welcome." His green eyes held her steadily. We take care of our own in Redemption Creek. Faith wasn't sure when she and Emma had become part of our own, but the sentiment warmed her nonetheless. Thank you. Perhaps some assistance with firewood for the winter would be appreciated.
Consider it done. I'll have some men deliver a cord next week. He placed his hat back on his head, touching the brim in farewell. Ladies, it's been a pleasure. I look forward to seeing you both around town.
As he stroed out of the store, Faith realized she was staring after him. Something about Yates Turner intrigued her, his quiet confidence, his kindness to Emma, the way he carried himself with dignity, but without arrogance. It had been a long time since she'd noticed such things about a man. "I like him, Mama," Emma declared, happily clutching her candy stick. Faith smoothed her daughter's hair.
He seems very nice, sweetheart. Is he really going to be like my papa now? Faith's heart constricted. Oh, Emma, he was just being kind. He meant he'd be a friend to us.
Emma considered this. Her young mind working through the nuances adults took for granted. But friends can become family, right? Like Aunt Martha isn't really our aunt. It's not quite the same, darling.
Faith knelt down, meeting her daughter's earnest gaze. Mr. Turner is just a man we met today. We shouldn't expect too much from him. But as they walked back to the boarding house, Faith couldn't help wondering about Yates Turner and his unexpected offer of friendship.
In the harsh reality of the frontier, where survival often depended on community bonds, perhaps his gesture wasn't so unusual after all. Still, something about the intensity in his green eyes when he'd looked at Emma, and then at Faith suggested there might be more to the rancher than simple neighborly goodwill. For the next two weeks, Faith threw herself into preparing for the school term. She spent her days cleaning the schoolhouse, organizing books and supplies, and making the small cabin habitable for herself and Emma. Martha Jenkins provided invaluable help, introducing faith to key members of the community and offering practical advice about frontier living.
"Winters get mighty cold here," the older woman warned as they hung thick curtains in the cabin. You'll want to bank that fire properly each night and keep extra blankets ready. Faith nodded, mentally adding wool blankets to her growing list of necessities. Her teaching salary would cover their basic needs, but little else. She would need to be frugal and resourceful.
True to his word, Yates Turner sent three of his ranch hands to deliver a generous cord of split firewood, neatly stacked against the cabin's exterior wall. Faith was out when they arrived, but Martha supervised the delivery. "That Yates Turner sent more than double what he promised," Martha reported, her eyes twinkling. "Enough to last you most of the winter," I'd say. Faith flushed.