“You left without eating. I thought you might be hungry.”
His face took on a pinched expression for a moment before he reached out and took the plate from her. “Thank you.”
It seemed as if he wanted to say something else, so Rebecca waited a moment, wrapping her arms around herself for warmth.
But he remained silent. Rebecca tried to ignore the awkwardness that had settled around them, but it was as heavy as the wet snow outside. Just as she’d thought they were growing closer and getting to know each other, it felt as if the incident with Roger and the desk had driven a wedge between them.
She drew in a deep breath as he examined his work on the table.School. She needed to address that, for the sake of the children’s education. “Levi? I wanted to speak with you about schooling for the older children.”
“Schooling?” he repeated, as if he’d never heard of such a thing.
“Yes. Gwynnie, Sarah, and Roger. They had regular schooling with a teacher back in West Fork, but now they’ve been out of a classroom for a while. They need to return before they forget all they’ve learned.”
He nodded thoughtfully, his hand resting on the wood. “The schoolhouse is too far away for daily attendance.”
“I agree. I thought that perhaps I could teach them. And Gwynnie was always good at helping Sarah and Roger practice their sums and reading.” She drew her lip in between her teeth, hoping that he might also think it a good idea.
“You can do that?” He looked at her with his eyebrows raised.
“Of course. I attended school.”
“I suppose I never considered it because I failed to pay attention most days in school. The days I actually attended, anyway.” A small mischievous smile lifted the corner of his mouth.
Rebecca’s heart lightened as the awkwardness fell away. “I would never have guessed such a thing of you,” she said in a teasing manner.
“My brother was the studious one. I was the troublemaker.”
Rebecca tried to imagine him as a little boy, running away from the schoolhouse and making his mother fret. “You make me think of Roger and Johnnie. They couldn’t be more different, and I fear Johnnie might not take to sitting still long enough to learn lessons.”
That made Levi grin. “I’ll do my best to help you corral him when the time comes. Do you have everything you need for teaching?”
So very grateful that he brought up the subject, Rebecca shook her head. “No, but we shouldn’t need much. The teacher in town might be able to lend us some books.”
“Why don’t we go into town tomorrow? I need to send a telegram and place an order for seed. You can visit the schoolhouse, and then look in on your sister.”
Rebecca clapped her hands together, unable to contain her glee. “That would be wonderful! I worry over Eleanor.” Her sister’s baby would be arriving that spring, and she hated the thought of not being there for Eleanor as Eleanor had been for all of Rebecca’s babies. Especially since this little one was sucha surprise. Eleanor hadn’t discovered she was expecting until they were on the train, headed to Colorado to meet their new husbands.
“Then it’s settled.” Levi reached for the covered plate she’d brought. “I suppose I’ll eat and get back to work.”
“I’ll tell the children the news. Thank you!” Impulsively, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her husband. He stiffened beneath her grasp, and she froze. Had she misread his kindness?
But then his chest relaxed some, and his hand rested against her back. “You’re welcome,” he said a bit gruffly.
She let go, gave him a smile, and slipped out of the barn as fast as she could. Outside, she leaned against the barn wall, her cheeks so hot she thought they’d melt the tiny flakes of snow that drifted down to land on them.
It had been so easy with John. They’d fallen in love at a young age, he’d courted her, and then they married. It had all been as it should be. But this time . . .
She shook her head, trying to clear it. Everything felt so mixed up. They’d done all the steps out of order. Sometimes it felt as if she’d known Levi for years, but other times she felt so uncertain with every move and every word. And he was so much harder to read than John had been. More guarded. Slower to share things about himself. It was almost as if he was still trying to decide if he could trust her.
Oh, John, she thought as she peeled herself away from the wall and began to walk back toward the house.I hope I’ve made the right decision.
He wouldn’t answer her, of course. He was with God now. And she was here, left to figure out this new life and a husband who was entirely different from the only other one she’d ever known.
