BEING A FAMILY
Chapter 2
Davy was settling in well in school and Abigail was pleased she didn't have to start from scratch with him, because Davy already knew his letters and numbers and could spell his name. She was thinking how good Grace had been for Davy which started her thinking about how Grace could be a great help to her.
Lunch break arrived and Davy was sat with Alice and Cathy, who were getting annoyed at his being with them.
"Why don't you go and play with the other new kids?" She asked.
"I don't know them." Davy replied.
"And you never will if you don't talk to them."
"What'll I say?"
"Just go up and say who you are and see what happens after that."
"Okay." Davy reluctantly stood up and made his way over to a group of boys.
"Thank goodness for that. I thought we'd have to put up with him the whole time."
"Well, now we don't. So tell me the latest." Alice eagerly requested.
"We're having a baby." Cathy unhappily announced.
"You don't seem happy. Why's that?"
"I think Ma and Pa will love it more than Davy and me."
"No they won't. Think of the Tucker family. They have eight kids. Alright, some are a lot older now, but do you think they love the little ones any less." Alice was trying her best to raise Cathy's spirits.
"I suppose you're right, but they are all their own kids, like this new baby will be. Davy and me are someone elses."
"It don't make no nevermind. Adam Cartwright chose you and Davy to become his children and to me that means he must have loved you two very much. I don't think that will change."
"Well, I hope not." Cathy said, not totally convinced. …..
Davy, meanwhile, was doing real good. He'd made friends with Andrew Brookes (Andy) and Joseph Freeman (Joey), both new starters.
"Where do you live?" Davy asked, beginning to chatter, as was his bent.
"I live on a ranch not far from town." Joey answered.
"Oh, so do I, but it's a long way from town. It's called the Ponderosa," Davy proudly said. "So do you have a horse?" He asked.
"Yeah, I do."
"Me too." Said Andy.
"I don't, but I'm learning to ride. My Uncle Hoss is teaching me, and my Pa."
"We're not allowed to ride on our own, though." Joey informed them.
"P'raps we can go riding together some time. If we're together, none of us will be on our own, right?" Andy suggested, smiling at Joey.
"But that would be wrong and I'd get into trouble." Davy grumbled.
"So what. I dare you to come with us one day."
"Why not tomorrow?" Joey eagerly suggested.
"How can we," Davy cried, "we have school tomorrow."
"We mitch."
"What's that?"
"We skip school. We can skip at lunch time and head out to my ranch." Joey stated.
"His Pa is off on a cattle drive and his Ma won't notice when we take the horses out. She's hard of hearing." Andy added. "Come on, you don't want to be known as a coward."
"No." Davy said, not quite knowing what a coward was. But it didn't sound nice the way Andy said it.
"Okay." Davy reluctantly agreed.
They made their plans and returned for their afternoon classes. ….
Dinner that evening was full of talk of the new house, and first day of school.
"Everything is coming together," Adam informed the gathering, "the house is really looking good."
"Yes, it is. We put a lot of ourselves into it today." Grace added, with a knowing smile, then continued. "We're hoping the furniture is arriving Friday."
"And we'll move in on Monday and have a celebratory barn dance the next Saturday." Cathy joined in. "Oh, I forgot." She jumped up from the table and rushed to her coat and came back with an envelope. "This is for you, Ma. Sorry I should have given it to you before." She sat back down and continued with her dinner.
Grace loved hearing Cathy call her Ma, and that everything seemed to be working out well. How she loved them all. And now with a new member arriving in the Springtime, how wonderful a family unit they will be. "Thank you Cathy. I'll read it later but you should not have left the table as you did." Grace admonished. "You should have just told me about it and fetched the letter after dinner."
"Sorry, Ma."
Adam smiled at Grace. She was so good with the children.
"Ah, Hop Sing, what delight have you brought us for dessert," Ben asked as Hop Sing walked in.
"Cake, as a plesent for the children after their first day of school."
"Oh, I love your chocolate cake, Hop Sing," Davy said, trying to sound normal, but his insides were amess with worry and wondered if he would be able to keep it down. The next day was playing on his mind. "And thank you."
Later, as the adults were in front of the fireplace drinking their coffee and the children upstairs finishing their school work, Grace opened the envelope and read the letter from Abigail Myers.
"Oh, how nice," she mumbled.
"What's nice, sweetheart."
"This is from Abigail Myers. She's asking if I would be interested in starting a pre-school group. She says seeing as how Davy had a good start with me before he came to school, it has saved her valuable time, time which she can now give to other students."
"Sounds like you did a good job with Davy." Hoss said.
"It also sounds like a lot of work to me." Adam stated.
"Oh, I don't know. But I'd like to speak with Abigail about it."
"Are you sure about this Grace?" Ben asked.
"Oh yes, I'd enjoy it. After all, it's what I was. A teacher."
"But in your condition. Is it wise?"
"I'm not an invalid, and besides I wouldn't plan to be at it all day."
Smiling at her determination, Adam asked, "What have you got in mind?"
"Well, if Abigail agrees, I would like to go in with the children, three mornings a week, have a class, say for three hours with a half hour for play, although most of what I'd do would involve play, then return home at about midday."
"Wouldn't want the children to be at it all day." Joe joined in.
"No, a few hours for little ones, just to help them get used to schooling. Longer hours will come soon enough once they enter main school."
"So, are you going to ask for my permission to do that?" Adam asked with amusement in his eyes, but with a stern tone.
"My lord and master had better approve or I'll be forced to disobey."
"I see." The others were all smiling at this badinage.
"I think it's time for us to be thinking about going to bed." Ben said, changing the subject.
"Yes, I should see to the children before I retire." Grace said, rising from her seat.
"I'll come with you." Adam said, as he too stood and took Grace's elbow and escorted her to the stairs.
"Goodnight, everyone." Grace called. Goodnights were returned from the three still sitting around the fire. ….
They found Cathy and Davy already in bed and fast asleep.
"I hope they finished their school work." Adam said.
"I'm sure they did. Davy especially, wouldn't have had much, not on his first day."
Adam pulled the blankets up and over Davy as he had shucked them off. Didn't want him catching cold.
After they had kissed both children, they left them undisturbed and made their way to their own room.
Then, having undressed and resting in bed, Grace with her head resting on Adam's chest and he with his arms around her, he said, "I think what Abigail is suggesting is a great idea and I know only too well how much you love teaching."
"Thank you, Adam. I knew you would understand."
"Of course I do, but at the first sign of tiredness I want you to promise you will stop."
"I promise. I think finding a substitute should be considered for those times I might not be available."
Adam concurred. "Yes, good idea. And one other stipulation should be considered."
"Oh, and what's that?"
"An extra classroom should be added for you to use. It wouldn't take long to build."
"We'll need a heater too. And all that's going to cost and it's something I didn't want to happen."
"That's not for you to worry about."
"I could donate my wages towards it. I assume, that is, I'm going to be paid."
"I should think so. But listen to me now. This is something for me to organise and not you. You have me now to support and love you. I know how stubborn you can be about money. Understand?" That last sentence was said with his authoritative voice.
"Yes, my love, I understand."
"Good, now let's get some rest. I'm so looking forward to living in our own home."
"It won't be long now, Adam." Then giving him a heartfelt kiss, she relaxed and laid down. They both slept well that night.
