Loving Liza Jane (12 page)

“What’s the questions, preacher?” asked a small voice from the third row. Folks tittered with amusement at the child’s barefaced
curiosity. Liza hoped the young fellow was a future student.

“Well now, I’m getting to that, son,” Reverend Miller said with a ready grin. “The first thing God will want to ask is, did you believe in His Son Jesus Christ.” He looked out over his parishioners, as if to size each member up. “He won’t ask you about your background, your degree of wealth, or your job. He won’t ask you how many times you darkened the church door, and He won’t even ask you how much money you put into that offering plate. No sir. The only thing that will matter to God is, did you accept the gift that His Son Jesus offered you, and did you learn to love Him and trust Him with all of your heart?

“According to John 14:6, ‘Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’”

The entire room grew so silent you could have heard two flies in conversation. “And that is the first question God will ask.”

“What’s the second question?” the same little child asked.

“Ah, yes, the second question.” Reverend Miller tugged at his plump, round chin. “I suspect He will ask you what you did with your life—your gifts, your talents, your relationships. Did you spend all of your energy on yourself, trying to please just you? Or did you pour out your life on others? Did you strive to be generous and thoughtful, putting others before yourself? Or did you live only for your own pleasures?

“Tough assignment?” he asked, invoking deep thought. “It’s up to you to make good choices, my friends. God wants you to spend eternity with Him. Be sure you are ready with the right answers when He asks you the questions.”

The Reverend’s words stayed with Liza, even as folks circled around her after the service to introduce themselves. Later, she would take the time to ponder his words more carefully. Yes, and she would make a point to study her Bible more diligently. God knew she needed every ounce of wisdom available before beginning the school year.

Lili stayed close by as folks, too many to count, gathered around to meet the new teacher. There were the Haywards, an elderly couple; the James family, with twin toddlers and, from the looks of it, another on the way; the Bentleys, newly married; and several others whose names she hadn’t caught.

Just when Liza thought she’d met most everyone, a slender woman approached from across the aisle. “Miss Merriwether, I’m Bess Barrington. You’ll be teachin’ my youngins, Erlene and Thomas. My girl’s six and my Thom is eleven.” The woman quickly pulled her children out in front of her. Erlene offered up a shy, tiny-toothed grin, while Thomas merely tipped his chin with practiced politeness.

“Hello. I shall look forward to getting to know both of you better,” Liza said.

“If you have any problems at all, you be sure to let me know, you hear?” Mrs. Barrington said. “The husband and me believe in a good education, and we expect our kids to behave themselves.”

“Well, I appreciate that. I’m sure we’ll do just fine.” Since Thom looked especially embarrassed, Liza gave him a reassuring smile, after which he dipped his head to study his worn-out shoes.

“And this here is Sarah Jenkins. She’s thirteen,” Lili announced when a freckle-faced girl broke through the circle. Brown hair parted in the middle fell in two long braids, and a bright smile revealing crooked teeth seemed only to add to the girl’s charm.

“I’m happy to meet you, Sarah.”

“I been itchin’ to meet ya, but my ma and pa told me I best be patient. They said school would start soon enough and then I’d be swimmin’ in homework instead o’ the creek.”

“Well, I should hope there’ll still be time for swimming when school starts, Sarah. I’d hate to think we’ll let all that lovely autumn sunshine go to waste.”

Everyone shared a light laugh. “Well now, it’s nice to see that the new teacher is getting plenty of attention.” Reverend Miller’s friendly voice cut through the laughter as he inched his way to the center of the affable crowd.

“Reverend Miller!” shouted Lili. The man smiled knowingly and then reached deep into his pockets. Moments later, he pulled out a handful of candy sticks, and several eager little hands opened wide for the generous offering.

Warmed by the gesture, Liza smiled widely. “I enjoyed your sermon, sir.”

“I thank you for that, ma’am. I hope it was taken in the manner in which it was intended.” His bright eyes scanned the circle of worshippers as several nodded and mumbled their assent.

“It sure was, Reverend,” replied a tall man on the outside of the circle. All eyes and ears turned toward the mellow-sounding voice, including those of Liza. She couldn’t remember having met the rather lanky yet sturdy-looking fellow with sandy hair and sun-browned skin. “We all needed to hear those fine words of challenge and insight.”

“Well, Jonathan Atkins. Surely is good to see you again, son. Just look at you. How have you been? Are you finished with your schooling, then? Have you met the new teacher?” It was plain the Reverend was partial to him the way he endlessly crooned.

“I couldn’t be better; yes, I am; and no, I can’t say that I have,” he replied in one concise sentence, friendly as could be, poking his way through the parting crowd until he came face-to-face with Liza, his long-fingered hand outstretched to take hers. A keen smile revealed straight, white teeth. “But I should like to now.”

His grip was firm, his acutely blue eyes penetrating in much the same way as those of the preacher. Liza’s immediate instinct was to withdraw, but she let him hold her hand until he dropped it gently to her side. “I’m pleased to meet you, miss,” he said with a hint of a southern drawl that also contained a certain quality of refinement. A southern gentleman, she mused.

“Jonathan has been away at seminary,” the reverend announced. “And a fine Bible scholar he’s become,” he hastened to add.

“We sure are proud of him,” chimed in a scrawny fellow with tattered shirt and worn workpants. “He growed up in these here parts and come out lookin’ clean as a whistle. All edjekated and ever’thin’, ‘magine that.”

Jonathan laughed heartily. “These folks are slightly biased, as you may have noticed. Please don’t mind them. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope you’re adjusting to life in Little Hickman.”

His friendly demeanor and casual reaction to the rash of compliments was indeed refreshing. “Yes, thank you.”

“You hail from Boston, do you?” he asked. Apparently, someone had already enlightened him as to her background.

“I do.”

“Nice town. I’ve only been once, mind you. A dear friend of mine attends the University. I must say its beautiful waterfront and historic value impressed me a great deal. I should like to return some day.”

Awed by his genteel manner and speech, Liza found herself staring into his compelling eyes, drawn by the warmth of his smile. “Yes, it is a lovely place. I always enjoy talking to people who have visited so that I may hear their observations.”

“Perhaps we will talk more then,” he said with a smile.

“I should like nothing more.”

His eyes flashed with warmth. “Then it’s settled. I’ll call on you soon.”

“Jonathan.” The smooth voice from behind captured everyone’s attention.

“Benjamin!” Benjamin Broughton stood on the fringes of the crowd, a sleeping daughter in his arms. For reasons unbeknownst to Liza, her heart wobbled at the sight.

“Excuse me, miss,” Jonathan said, leaving her side to amble through the masses in the direction of Mr. Broughton.

“Ben, you old brute, you.”

The two went into a bear hug, mercilessly squeezing the child between them, but not disturbing her slumber in the least. Ben shifted her to one arm and took up talking with Jonathan. At that, the crowd dispersed, including Lili, who immediately went to her father’s side after bidding Liza good-bye. Liza saw the leave-taking as an opportunity to slip out the back door.

She might have escaped unnoticed, except for Mr. Broughton’s final words.

“Miss Merriwether, thank you for allowing my Lili to sit next to you in church. It came in mighty handy for me.”

She detected only a hint of a smile. “You’re entirely welcome, sir.”

“You might stop out at the cabin in the next few days. I believe you’ll be quite surprised at the progress.”

“Really?” She’d fully intended to check on the matter sooner but had found herself caught up in school preparations instead. “I appreciate that.”

Jonathan Atkins raised nicely shaped brows. “The old Broughton cabin, I presume?”

“That’s the one,” Ben said.

A gleam of interest sparked in Jonathan’s eyes. “Rather lonely out there, isn’t it, miss?”

“I shall enjoy my solitude,” she countered.

The hearty laugh that followed originated deep in his chest. “Solitude. You hear that, Broughton? Miss Merriwether wants her privacy. You’ll see that she gets it now, won’t you, Ben?”

Ben’s face colored for reasons Liza did not understand, and because his reaction flustered her, she lifted her skirts and made for the door.

Liza maneuvered the team of horses over the narrow bridge that spanned the width of Little Hickman Creek, breathing a sigh of relief when she reached the other side. She’d opted to go the additional half mile to see if the rickety bridge would handle the rig, and now that she’d accomplished the feat, traveling the extra distance seemed worth her while.

The late-August sun cast unremitting heat onto her back and shoulders. Her wide-brimmed hat shaded her face nicely, but did nothing for the rest of her. Nevertheless, the sights and smells of late-blooming lilies and a menagerie of wildflowers lifted her spirits as she steered the team of two on their way, her body swaying and shifting precariously on the high seat with every tip and turn of the wagon’s axle.

Four days had passed since she’d spoken to Mr. Broughton about the progress he’d made on the cabin. It was high time she saw it for herself. With the groundwork set for the startup of school, she would take the next few days to relax and mentally prepare for the first day.

Upon first glance at the little cabin sitting atop Shannon’s Peak, she took in a quick gulp of air and reined in the team. Somehow, it seemed to stand a little straighter with its brand new door, fresh, shiny windows, and new roof. She caught herself smiling and holding a hand to her heart. Could it be? It hardly seemed like the same place she’d first spotted two weeks ago. Apparently, Benjamin Broughton had taken her seriously after all.

Several horses were hitched to a fence post outside the cabin, and the sounds of hammering, loud talk, and scuffling about inside the little house greeted her as she drew nearer in the rig. She called the horses to a halt at the same horizontal clearing where she’d stopped before, tied the reins around the brake stick, and then quickly grabbed her skirts and jumped down from her perch.

A lumbering man emerged from the cabin just as she made for the newly fixed porch steps. “Well, hullo there, miss. Might ya be the renowned Miss Merriwether?” Twinkling eyes showed under a low riding hat, while a smile peeked through his graying, rather shaggy beard.

Liza smiled in return and lifted her skirts to climb the stairs. “Yes, sir, I am,” she said. “I’ve come to check on the progress of my future home.”

“Well now, ain’t that somethin’?”

“Who’re ya talkin’ to, Andy?” asked a voice from inside.

The man turned toward the door of the cabin. “The new schoolteacher. She’s come to inspect our work.” Creases formed at the corners of both eyes, giving Liza the impression that he was teasing.

“Well, invite her in.”

The man named Andy stepped aside, tipped his hat, and issued a silent welcome with his outstretched hand.

Once inside, what she saw both amazed and pleased her beyond words. In fact, she had to fight the urge to pinch herself to see if she might be dreaming. Everything about the place was different from when she’d first laid eyes on it, from the sparkling windowpanes to the new wood floors, from the new kitchen cupboards to the recently scrubbed sink. Even the smells had changed from dingy and musky to fresh and clean.

“Speechless, are we?” said a husky voice.

She whirled around and came face-to-face with Mr. Broughton, his overpowering stance catching her off guard so that she took a step back. Large, booted feet positioned themselves several inches apart, fisted hands perched on either side of his tapered waist, and one thick eyebrow arched in question.

“I—I, well, yes, I suppose I am.”

“I suspect that’s a first for you.”

“Excuse me?”

Muffled snickers filled the room, forcing Liza to look about her. At least six pairs of eyes peeked around corners, gazed down from ladders, or peered at her from across the open space.

“Ben done recruited us to help him get the job finished so’s you could move in right quick. He said you were a might, ahem, determined.” This from a rather thin man dressed in dusty overalls. “Name’s Sully Thompson, ma’am. I believe you’ll be havin’ my youngsters in your classroom. Todd and Samuel. They’s seven and nine.” That said, he extended a grimy hand.

Liza put on a smile and took his hand, finding it sweaty and rough. “My pleasure, Mr. Thompson. I thank you kindly for volunteering your services.” Her eyes took in her surroundings.

“Oh, weren’t no volunteering about it, ma’am. Ben here practically dragged us all here by our ears. Said we was to show up if’n we had any kids attendin’ the school,” said yet another man. He started descending the ladder as he spoke. “Different fellas been out here most ever’ day. We all got plenty ta do on ar farms, but we figure this here’s a worthy cause, and the quicker we finish, the faster we can all git back to ar own jobs, includin’ Ben here.” Then he let loose a light chuckle. “’Sides, ain’t none of us wantin’ the schoolmarm ta get her dander up any more’n necessary.”

Liza felt her face color at the mere insinuation of her earlier annoyance with Mr. Broughton. Had he told them all about her initial anger at finding the cabin in total disrepair? Worse, had he enlightened them on the outhouse episode as well?