"Pa, Pa, you tell me what happened!"
Mark surprised his father when he finally returned to the farm, leaving North Fork settled to it's routine once more.
"Mark! Where's Eirik?"
"He said he'd finish the fence, so you didn't have to worry about the stock."
Lucas frowned, but simultaneously intuition told him why the young man was evading explanations or stories. Taking care of the horse, he told Mark in short sentences what had happened in town, his mind dwelling on Eirik's story of this morning.
Eirik had been in a fire, had watched his family burn. Of course he was upset, and what obviously was the young man's way to deal, he escaped to solitude.
"Let's give Eirik some space, Mark. He proved a cool head today."
"Why would he need space?"
"That's just a saying, Mark. He needs some time alone, I think. Remember when he told you he has no family any more?"
"Aye?"
"Well, I think they died in a fire, not dissimilar to the situation of the schoolchildren today. Say, when you and Freddy climbed out of the window, why didn't the other children follow?"
"We'd been in the other room fetching more chalk for Miss Schuler. We heard them come in, they were not quiet. I got so scared from what I heard…"
"You acted very smart, Mark. And taking care of Freddy, too. Well done, son. I'm just glad Eirik and I were on the lower field… imagine if we'd been on the farm, or even further… It'd have taken you much longer to find us."
The tall rifleman grimaced, pushing his hand gently through his son's hair. "Right, back to…"
"Pa?"
"Yes, son?"
"What about the trip to the sulphur springs? Do you think we'll still do that?"
He had completely forgotten about the trip. "Mark… I'm not certain all the parents will be happy after this scare we had today. And I think Miss Schuler is mighty shaken up…"
"But Pa, it was scheduled exactly so that everything would work out! Cade and Freddy's mum and Pa are coming, you're in Santa Fe, Eirik can watch the farm…"
"Mark, I'm not saying no. But don't get your hopes up."
"But you were set to leave tomorrow!"
"I know. Patience, my boy!"
…
"Why do you always ride off, Eirik?"
"What do you mean, Mark?"
"Because you do! Pa says you need space… but I don't get it, I think."
Lucas, watching the two from where he was saddling Razor once more, smiled. The lanky young man turned to the boy, his face open – amused even.
"Well, don't you too go for a walk to cool off? Or find something for your hands to work off a temper? I'm not good with words, Mark."
"You're good with words. You're always careful with what you say… Not as much so with Pa, though." The boy let himself be side-tracked momentarily.
Eirik's head came up with a start, surprise and embarrassment coming off him in waves. Then he shrugged slightly, bent his head so Mark would not see the slight darkening of his cheeks.
"I rather let other people tell stories."
"Is that why you ride out? Because on the plains there is nobody to talk to?"
"Something like that, my dear boy. Out there… there is no obligation to speak…"
"Obligation… but… you can't owe nobody words, can you?"
"Ah, but sometimes you make yourself feel obligated, no?"
"Maybe… you mean when it would be impolite not to answer a question? Or when the silence gets so heavy you feel the need to say something?" Mark tilted his head thoughtfully. "Or when a person at the table is so uncomfortable you have to rescue him?"
"Exactly." Eirik ruffled the boy's sandy hair. "So sometimes I like to sort my thoughts first before I speak to people."
"And if the question is answered by somebody else in the mean time…"
Eirik laughed, carefree and melodic. "All the better."
Mark chuckled, too. "That sounds like something Tom Sawyer would say. Do you…"
"Yes, I know the books."
"Which did you like best?"
"Huckleberry Finn."
"Really? I like Tom better. He's so cheeky and… why do you like Huck better?"
"Ah, I guess they are adult reasons, Mark. He meets more diverse people, has to contend with nature. The subject of slavery has been of interest to me…"
"I`d like to travel the Mississippi once… Pa!"
Lucas had slowly walked up to them. He grinned at the mirror images of embarrassment on the features of both young men.
"Talking books, are you? You make most erudite company." Predictably, Mark's expression changed to complete incomprehension. Lucas was quite proud of his barb, and noted with a stab of surprise that the farmhand could not hide the curling of his lip. Right, university trained farmhand. He frowned. Too bad time was pressing.
"Eirik, I'll leave Mark in your care and ride into town once more."
"It's getting late, Lucas."
"I got to talk to Micah Torrence. How'd it go with the fence?"
The young man sobered visibly. "Well enough. I'll finish it at first light tomorrow."
"Good man. Though I'll come and help once I'm done in the barn here and Mark's at school. Carry on, you two, just don't let me find you building rafts when I get home."
He extricated a lopsided grin from his farmhand and turned away, pulling his horse along.
"What's e-ru-dite, Eirik?"
….
Not that he expected the young man to wait for him, but it was gratifying all the same to find him asleep at the table, the lamp in safe distance. Lucas had entered soundlessly, and now put a gentle hand to the farmhand's shoulder.
"Eirik."
Startling awake, one hand reached for the knife in his belt, the other for the scarf on his head.
"It's me."
"Lucas. All well?"
The tall man smiled. "Aye. Why are you in here still?"
"Mark had a nightmare, I stayed."
"Too much Mark Twain?"
A chuckle. "I wonder. He has his head full of ideas…"
"I know. Thanks. Get to bed now. You look like an owl."
That earned him a sleepy smile. "Will do. Till tomorrow."
Lucas followed the boy with his gaze. They would have to come to some kind of resolution, and soon. He could not in good conscience keep Eirik working here, and know his background and potential. But Northfork did not offer much for an engineer, except he found work with the railroad company… He'd be loath to loose this friend.
…
Lucas rode into town again, with his son this time, the next morning. He was hoping to discuss this school trip with the other parents.
There was already a group of people gathered before the little schoolhouse, and emotions were somewhat high. The children, in the way young minds are resilient, were all set to take the trip, the sooner the better. The parents were divided. The smith and his wife had agreed to close shop for three days and accompany the group of schoolchildren and Miss Schuler. Cade Dorcas had offered his time and proficiency with guns, to act as a safe-guard… ostensibly, the other adults nodded and acquiesced, knowing full well that the young man was doggedly trying to convince Miss Schuler of his qualities. But Cade had a good hand with the boys, and his friendship with the McCain's counted toward him, too.
"Please, quiet, people, let us settle this." Miss Schuler had stepped up onto the top stair, trying to make herself heard. "Considering the amount of planning that has gone into this trip, Mr. and Mrs. Swenson offering their time, Cade Dorcas too, and the fathers who were set to time their trip to Santa Fe exactly so they would coincide with the boys and girls away… I think especially in light of the fright we all had yesterday, we should rather plunge on and try to cover the memories with something fun and adventurous."
"What if something goes wrong?"
"We have four adults to twelve children. Mr. Swenson can fix most anything that could happen to the wagon. We have food enough for twice the time. The weather promises to be stable for the next week. I think it would be a pity to try and find a similarly convenient time slot."
A half humorous voice rose from he back: "Any more Ned Turner's in your background?"
The blond teacher smiled graciously. "I promise you, Ned Turner was the only unsavoury individual I was unfortunate enough to be acquainted with. And he'll be safely behind bars until we return. The sheriff promised me."
In the end, Lucas put his word in on the teacher's and the children's side, offering: "I could send Eirik Donelly with your, Miss Schuler. A hand more would never be amiss."
"Yes, Pa! That'd be wonderful!"
Miss Hattie, whose nephew's son was with the expectant group, nodded at that. "If that young man joins, I'll rest more easily. If we can't have you yourself, Mr. McCain, Eirik will watch after the children."
"And he's more fun than Cade!" a wise-cracker threw in.
"Aha, I'll tell Cade you said that!"
Of course a few voices got raised about a more experienced man than Eirik Donelly, but they were quieted quickly with remainders of his level-headed reactions the day before, and also after Lucas' accident.
Finally Miss Schuler concluded: "If everybody is agreed on the addition, we'll leave the plans as they were. Packing done tonight, leaving early tomorrow morning."
…
The two McCains found the young man in question just after lunch time in the barn, unloading the little hand wagon the two men had used to get the gear out to the fence.
"Eirik, all done?" Lucas felt sudden guilt at having left the young man alone with the hard work. On the other hand, then the next days could even more easily be given off…
"'t wasn't hardly nothing left," the youngster drawled.
Lucas wasn't given time to explain his absence.
"Hah, I can tell when you're being modest, Eirik!" Mark could not stand still.
"What's got you all excited, Mark?"
By now, Lucas knew this strange, overeducated farmhand of his well enough to know the young man was trying to downplay an inner turmoil. The studied stance, the drawl, the tension in his voice and shoulders spoke volumes. Was he nervous about the subject of their conversations since last morning? That Lucas would take his words amiss? In all truth he was still hoping Eirik had not planned to leave in the wake of his revelation.
"Eirik, I'd like to ask you for something." Lucas began measuredly.
The young man's gaze met his with an expression of such confusion and consternation, Lucas almost laughed out loud. He allowed himself a smile.
"Guess you too forgot I'm due in Santa Fe tomorrow, and was planning to leave tonight for the train."
Eirik's mouth almost fell open. "Completely." He rubbed a hand over his neck. "That was today, true… and Mark…"
"Exactly. The school trip. In light of yesterday's fright, the parents have agreed to let the excursion take place if one more safe-guard goes along. I offered you. Would you agree?"
"Please, please, Eirik, you have to come!"
"Mark, let us discuss this calmly, please."
The boy was almost tugging on the two men's sleeves. "But…"
"For once, I concur, Mark. Give us a moment, if you would."
The boy glanced from one to the other with an impatient expression, but stepped back.
"I thought I would watch the farm."
"It seems your presence is better used with the group going to the sulphur springs."
Lucas found the green eyes searching his face with a quizzical expression. "Is this… Are you… certain?"
Ah, the boy too was thinking about their conversation. "I have not really had time to think through everything you told me, Eirik, but just because I greatly underpay you doesn't change the fact that I trust you with my farm or my son."
For a long while the young man stared at the floor. "I don't hardly know what to say."
"We'll have time when I get back. For now, I'd feel better knowing you're with Mark. Who knows, your special skills could be useful. And you get along with the Swenson's."
A ghost of a smile hushed over the thoughtful face. "All right then."
"We will have to finish that talk, though."
"I know." The young man hid under the brim of his hat.
Was he sorry he had confided in Lucas to the extent that he had?
As if reading his thoughts, Eirik lifted his head. "Thank you."
Now that came out of context. "For what?"
"For trusting me, and for not putting pressure on me. It's gonna come out sooner or later."
Lucas narrowed his eyes at the young man. "Aha?"
Eirik squared his shoulders. Back to his normal self asked: "What do you need for your trip, and what will be expected of me for Mark's trip?"
…