I see. Well, the school has 15 students ranging from 6 to 16 years of age. The salary is $40 per month with lodging included in the small cabin behind the schoolhouse. Faith's heart leaped. There's housing provided indeed.
Nothing fancy. Two rooms and a lean to kitchen, but it's weatherproof and has its own well. Previous teachers have found it satisfactory. That would be wonderful, Mayor Wilson. When might I see the schoolhouse?
The mayor stood, reaching for his hat. No time like the present. It's just three blocks from here. The schoolhouse was a simple rectangular building with a small bell tower at top the pitched roof. Six windows along each side provided ample light to the single large room filled with wooden desks arranged in rows.
A pot-belled stove stood in one corner and a large chalkboard dominated the front wall. Though dusty from disuse, Faith could immediately see its potential. The teachers quarters are out back, Mayor Wilson explained, leading them through a rear door and across a small yard to a cabin nestled beneath two cottonwood trees. The cabin was basic but sound. A main room with a fireplace would serve as their living area, while a smaller room off to the side would be their bedroom.
The lean to kitchen had a cast iron stove, a dry sink, and shelves for provisions. It's perfect, Faith breathed, already envisioning curtains at the windows and Emma playing beneath the trees. School begins the first Monday of September, the mayor informed her, clearly pleased with her reaction. That gives you two weeks to prepare. The school board will provide chalk, primers, and other basic supplies.
As they walked back toward town, Emma tugged at Faith's hand. Mama, I'm thirsty. We'll stop at the general store for a cool drink before heading back to the boarding house, Faith promised. Caldwell's general store was busy with ranchers, miners, and towns people gathering supplies. Faith guided Emma carefully through the crowd to the counter where Mr.
Caldwell, a lean man with spectacles perched on his nose, was measuring fabric for a customer. Be with you in a moment, madam," he called, noticing Faith. While they waited, Emma wandered toward a barrel of candy sticks near the front window. Faith kept a watchful eye on her daughter while mentally calculating how much of their meager savings they could afford to spend on small comforts for their new home. The bell above the door jingled as a tall man entered, momentarily blocking the sunlight streaming through the window.
Faith recognized him as the solitary rider she'd noticed yesterday, the one who hadn't followed his companions to the saloon. He removed his hat as he entered, revealing thick dark hair and a face weathered by sun and wind. His eyes were a startling shade of green that contrasted with his tan skin. Emma, still examining the candy barrel, accidentally bumped into the man's long legs. "Excuse me, mister," she said, looking up at him with wide eyes.
He smiled down at her, crouching to her level. "No harm done, little lady. Are you picking out a treat?" Emma nodded solemnly. Mama said, "Maybe one candy stick if it doesn't cost too much." The man's smile deepened, creating crinkles around his eyes. "Well, that sounds like a mighty important decision.