LITMIR.BIZ

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“Yes, ma’am!”

      Rina took a step closer, gaze drilling into his. “How will you pay for it? Fine clothes and food must be purchased, sir. Money doesn’t grow on trees, even here in Seattle. So what will you do? Labor for Mr. Yesler at the mill? Work in a shop?”

      Levi’s chest swelled. “I don’t need another person telling me what to do all day. I’ll open my own shop.”

      James chuckled and turned the noise into a cough when Levi glared at him.

      “And how will you do that?” Rina asked. “Do you understand the language of a warranty deed? Can you calculate the interest on a loan? Do you know how to amortize payments? How much will you need to earn from your goods to turn a profit? How much profit will you need to invest so that you can continue to expand your business?”

      With each question, Levi’s color fled a little more. Before he could answer her, she turned to Scout. “And what of you, Mr. Rankin? Do you intend to move to town and have fun like Levi?”

      “No, ma’am,” he said, gaze dropping to where his bare toes were pressed into the floor. “Makes no sense, as most folks in town wouldn’t give me the time of day. I’d like to homestead. Don’t reckon you know how to do that.”

      His voice held more despair than defiance. There was a story behind this boy. She wondered if it was anything like her own—abandoned, lied to, left to fend for herself. Still, she had clean clothes, food, the hope of a future. She wasn’t so sure Scout Rankin had any of those things.

      “I know nothing about homesteading, Mr. Rankin,” she admitted. “But I know about the Farmer’s Almanac. I can teach you to understand it, and from there you can learn how to calculate crop yields, determine the best times to plant and harvest and even predict the weather.”

      His head came up, and his eyes widened. Like his hair, they were a muddy brown, but she could see the light of intelligence in them, the flicker of hope. “That would be right helpful, ma’am.”

      Levi narrowed his eyes as if he thought his friend was giving in too easily.

      Rina refused to be daunted. “Good,” she said. “Then I expect to see you both tomorrow morning at eight when I ring the bell.”

      “Yes, ma’am,” Scout said, though Levi merely snapped a nod.

      “And I expect,” James added, “that Miss Fosgrave will hear no more wolves outside her window or find threats on the blackboard.”

      “Yes, sir,” they chorused. James pointed to the door, and they shuffled out.

      Rina shook her head. “You knew all along it wasn’t a wolf pack, didn’t you?”

      “I suspected,” James said with a shrug. “But I thought it best to make sure. I’m sorry they frightened you, Rina.”

      She sighed. “They terrified me. Nothing in my life prepared me to fight off vicious predators.”

      He wrinkled his nose. “I don’t imagine too many people have that preparation. Beth, Ma and Catherine can handle a rifle if needed. I suppose we better teach you how to shoot, just in case.”

      She raised her brows. “Just in case of what? Do you expect more wild beasts, real ones, to come calling?”

      He laughed. “No. Once in a rare while, something wanders a little too close to the barn, but normally the wild animals give us a wide berth. They’ve learned humans can be dangerous.”

      So had she. “Then I doubt I must carry a gun.”

      “Maybe just a whip and chair for your wild students,” he joked.

      Rina shook her head. Levi and Scout were going to be a handful, but she supposed she couldn’t blame them for resenting the school. They were both at an age where sitting around learning had to sound tedious and tiresome. She’d have to find ways to make the lessons relevant for them.

      But for all her fine arguments, what did she know about opening a shop or understanding the Farmer’s Almanac?

      Her concerns must have been written on her face, for James put a hand to her elbow as if to steady her. “You dealt with them brilliantly. You’re going to be a great teacher.”

      She drew in a breath, feeling as if she drew in strength as well. “It will be a challenge. Thank you, for the encouragement and for routing my wolves.”

      He dropped his hold and saluted her. “Any time, ma’am. James Wallin, wilderness scout, at your service.”

      She smiled. “I hope this is as close to the wilderness as I ever come.”

      He cocked his head. “It’s not so bad, you know. Come on. I’ll show you.”

      He held out his hand, but Rina couldn’t make herself accept it. “Where do you intend to take me, Mr. Wallin?”

      He grinned. “Into the wild.”

      * * *

      James thought she would refuse. Those clear eyes were crinkling at the corners from doubt. When her fingers slipped into his hand, he felt as if she’d entrusted him with her life.

      He led her out onto the porch. Between the trees and the usual cloud cover, it wasn’t always easy to see the sky in Seattle. Now thousands of stars set the darkness to shimmering, bathing the clearing with silver. The light from the main house and Drew’s and Simon’s cabins offered a golden counterpoint.

      She sighed as if she saw the beauty too. Down by the lake, frogs chirped a chorus and something splashed in the water. The breeze touched their cheeks with gentle fingers.

      “There now,” James said. “Not so very scary.”

      “Only because I have an escort,” she said. “And the cabins remind me that there are others just across the way. It was another matter when I was alone in my room.”

      “And a strange room at that,” James commiserated. “Though, mind you, I think my sister’s designs are always a little strange. Those wide skirts and puffy sleeves.” He shivered as if the very idea was unthinkable.

      She didn’t laugh. “Your sister is a dear. I just feel a trifle unsettled.”

      “I know what you need,” James said. “Horses.”

      He’d been trying for a smile or at least one of her scoldings that he was talking nonsense again. Instead, she straightened, squeezing his hand. “Oh, yes. That would be wonderful!”

      Bemused, James escorted her to the barn.

      The cool of the night had yet to penetrate the log structure. Earthy smells and familiar calls greeted them as James pulled open the door. He lit a lamp and led Rina toward the back of the barn, where Lance and Percy had their stalls.

      The pair were standing, heads down and backs toward the aisle, their dark coats gleaming in the lamplight. Both turned to greet him, hanging their heads over the door of the stalls and nickering. James stroked each velvety nose in turn. Lance’s dark eyes were stern.

      “Yes, I know it’s after bedtime,” he told the horse. “But you’d never been properly introduced to the lady. Rina Fosgrave, meet Sir Lancelot and Sir Percival.”

      Rina spread her skirts and curtsied like a grand lady greeting the president. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my fine sirs.”

      Lance raised his head as if he were above such things. Percy craned his neck to demand her attention.

      Rina reached out and touched his cheek. “Such a bold fellow. I bet you are your master’s favorite.”

      James pressed his hands to Lance’s ears. “Shh! Not so loud. He’ll hear you.”

      Lance shook away from his touch and turned in the stall to put his back to James.

      “There,” James declared. “Now you’re done

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