Chapter 2

Nick quickly learned how to order things the ranch needed, although he was still learning how to keep track of what they needed. Tom let him do the ordering with the mercantile when they went into town the next day. Mr. Lewis, who owned the shop, gave Nick a smile when he presented his order.

"You're catching on right well, Nick," he said. "It doesn't look like being in the army held you back much."

"Well, I was only gone a year," Nick said as he signed for the supplies. "And I was a general's aide. I did a lot of this sort of stuff in the army."

"It beat being shot at, huh?"

"I got shot at too, but lucky I knew how to duck."

Tom had been over to the telegraph office rather than look over Nick's shoulder, but as Nick finished getting the order placed, he came in. "All done?" he asked.

"All done," Nick confirmed.

"Got a wire from your brother. He's heading home today."

"Maybe he'll get here in a couple weeks," Nick said. "That's a long trip."

"If they ever complete the railroad through the mountains, it'll cut the trip in half," Mr. Lewis said.

"Half the fun was that long trip across the country," Nick said. "Come to think of it, that was the ONLY fun."

"Like I tell your mother, he'll be here when he gets here," Tom said. "Let's go get that brother and sister of yours from school."

The Barkley men left and headed toward the schoolhouse, just in time to hear the bell start to ring. School was over for the day.

"Your mother is inviting the new schoolteacher to dinner Saturday night," Tom said. "I hear she's a good looker. Young, too. Only 20."

"Are you hinting at something, Father?" Nick asked.

"No, no," Tom said. "I warned your mother about playing matchmaker. I'm just saying."

"Uh-huh," Nick said with a sly grin.

They stopped the wagon just as Miss Collins was opening the door and the children were pouring out of the school house. Audra and Gene were in the middle of the pack. Tom called for them and they came running.

But Nick's gaze was on Miss Collins. Strawberry blonde, about five foot six, trim and smiling as she waved to the children. She was a good looker.

"Get in the back of the wagon, children," Tom said to his youngest, and as they did scramble up into it, he climbed out of the front seat and said to Nick, "I have an invitation to take to the lady. Keep an eye on things for a minute."

Nick heard him, and saw him approach Miss Collins who was still at the school house door. He saw his father hand her the written invitation, bowing slightly. He saw Miss Collins beam and nod as she read the note. He saw his father tip his hat and come back toward the wagon.

But now Nick's eyes didn't leave the school teacher. Tom noticed that, even as he climbed back into the seat beside him.

In the back, Audra and Eugene were laughing and talking. Tom said to Nick, somewhat quietly, "I'm not gonna ask you about things that might have happened while you were in the army but I am gonna remind you about a talk you and I had before you went away. About the fairer sex. About the differences between women."

Nick kept smiling and looking at the teacher, and he nodded. "You told me to be very careful, because there was a difference between a woman and a lady. You didn't just teach me about how to be careful about some women. You told me all about how to recognize a lady and how to treat a lady and how you're a different sort of careful with a lady than you are with – women of the trade, as you called them. Don't worry, Father. I remember the lesson, and I know that that school teacher right there – that's a lady."

"I agree with you," Tom said. "And she will be coming to dinner Saturday night." Tom smiled. "I told her the kids' older brother Nick would be coming to pick her up."

Nick finally looked at his father. "I thought you weren't going to play matchmaker."

Tom winked. "I'm not."

XXXXXX

Miss Collins lived in a ladies' boarding house, one that Nick knew about but had never been to. There were other women living there. Nick recognized them all as several years older than he was, at least the four who were in the parlor when Nick arrived to take Miss Collins to the ranch for dinner. Nick politely removed his hat when he came in, bowed slightly to all the women and to Mrs. Pender who ran the boarding house. He waited a little nervously while Mrs. Pender went to get Miss Collins.

But he didn't have to wait long. Miss Collins appeared, and again Nick was struck with how pretty she was. She smiled and said, "Good evening, Mr. Barkley."

"Good evening, Miss Collins," Nick said with a slight bow. "My family's anxious to meet you. Are you ready to go?"

"I am," she said.

She had a shawl over her light blue dress, because it was a little chilly and would be more so once the sun went down. Nick offered his arm, and she took it.

Nick could have sworn he heard a giggle or two coming from the parlor after he and Miss Collins left.

Nick helped the school teacher into the buggy, then climbed in next to her and took the reins. "Audra and Eugene are especially excited, but they're a little nervous, too. We've never had the school teacher join us for dinner before."

"Well, this is my first job," Miss Collins said, "and I'm grateful your family has invited me. It'll help getting to know the children outside the classroom."

"Your first job?" Nick asked. "You're not from Stockton."

"No, I'm from Fresno," she said.

"Your family is there?"

"What's left of them – one brother, married with a family. My parents died in an influenza epidemic a few years ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

"My brother helped me along with my schooling, but he had twin sons six months ago, on top of two children he already had, so I've had to make my own way now. He's far too busy now to help me out much."

"Well, I hope you like it here in Stockton," Nick told her. "A lady like you should be settled and comfortable."

She smiled. "You flatter me, Mr. Barkley."

"It's Nick," he said.

"Hello, Nick," she said. "I'm Amanda."

Nick smiled, looking at her. "Hello, Amanda."

XXXXXXX

"And THEN," Eugene completed his story as they all finished up dessert, "all the puppies got out of the shed and started running everywhere, and me and Audra – "

"Audra and I," Victoria corrected him for the n'th time.

"Audra and I had to catch them and get them back in before the men came in from work and the horses ran over them!" Eugene finished.

"I'm awfully glad you did," Amanda said. "The horses wouldn't have even seen those puppies, I'll bet. Did you give them away when they were big enough?"

"Yes," Eugene said, somewhat sadly, "all but one. He's all grown up now and he likes Mr. McColl the best so he's always with him."

"Mr. McColl?"

"Our foreman," Tom Barkley said.

"Well, that was a lovely story, Eugene," Victoria said. "But I think it's getting late, and you and your sister had best get ready for bed."

"Aw – " Eugene protested.

"But we have company," Audra protested too.

"I have to be thinking of heading home too," Amanda said. "But I'm sure I'll see you in church tomorrow. It's been wonderful having dinner with you."

"Thank you, Miss Collins," Audra said, and nudged Eugene.

Eugene also said, "Thank you, Miss Collins."

The children headed upstairs, and after a few more minutes of socializing, Amanda said, "Well, I do need to be getting home."

Nick got up and pulled her chair out. "I'll be happy to do the honors."

Tom stood up as Amanda got up, and Victoria was right behind him. "Thank you so much for coming," Victoria said. "We've really enjoyed the evening and getting to know you better."

"Your children are a joy in school, Mrs. Barkley," Amanda said. "Very bright and well behaved. You should be very proud of them."

"Right now we're just pretty proud they didn't spill anything at dinner," Victoria said.

The adults all went to the front door, Nick fetching Amanda's shawl in the foyer and placing it over her shoulders. They all bid each other good night, and Nick escorted Amanda out.

"She's a charming young woman," Victoria said. "And I think Nick is noticing that."

"There you go again," Tom said.

"Oh, I'm not going to be pushing anything," Victoria said. "But I think he does like her. His dimples were showing a lot this evening."

Tom laughed. "Yes, they were, weren't they?"