The next few weeks were peaceful, if overall uneventful. The boys came into town late Fridays and didn't leave until Monday morning. Early Monday morning. Too early, Jeremy said, most Mondays, and then he'd square his shoulders and say something about that was how it was when a man had a job to do.
That made his father and brothers smile. The father suggested his youngest son could stay with him, and the obstinate boy shook his head, stamped into his boots, and said, "That's not how you have a job, Da." He pulled his coat on and stood by the door, waiting for his brothers.
The man laughed. "You're right about that, son. My apologies."
The boy ran over to him for a hug and a kiss on the forehead, and then they were ready to go.
And were gone, probably for another week.
"What can he possibly do for you?" the father had asked Jason.
"Whatever we say," Josh answered, and laughed when Jason frowned at him.
"You'd be surprised," Jason answered. "He does quite a bit. Keeps the fires going, and coffee ready – he makes a mean pot of coffee. He sharpens our tools, what he can. Some of the axe handles are longer than he is, but he's closing up that gap pretty quick. He can't use the grinder too well yet, usually has to choose whether to get the wheel going or doing the sharpening while someone else does. He can use hand tools fairly well, and I've begun using him to carry messages back and forth. Short trips, so he doesn't get distracted."
"I don't like him messing around with the fires. He's too small."
"Da, when you brought us cross country, you had me making and tending fires every night. Open campfires. You need to start seeing him as a boy, not a small child. He's growing."
"Too fast, it seems. Even faster than you have, my boy." He had shaken his head at the fickleness of time, that passed so slowly by day and so quickly by years.
He brought himself back to the present. Everything was so quiet when they left, and he mentally kicked himself for the times he had wanted – just a little bit of peace and quiet.
He had been such a fool!
He had news for them the next weekend. It was good news, in his opinion, but the little one would probably disagree. Twas a shame to wrangle with the boy, when he did not know how much time he'd have to be with him., but this time he would not be gainsaid. Education was too important, especially outside education. The world was bigger than just family.
He didn't say anything to them when they came in on Friday.
Nor on Saturday, when they were going about their business.
He waited up for Jason to come in Saturday night, after the other two were in bed. Both reluctantly, but that was to be expected. Once settled, they seemed to sleep quickly.
Jason frowned at his father waiting up for him. "What's wrong?"
"I wanted to talk to you, alone. I have something to tell the boys, and I –"
"I'm not going to do it for you."
"I've not asked you, son. I was wanting to warn you. I don't think it will be an easy conversation. Do you know what it is I have to say?"
"Yeah. Josh's friends told him all about it. A woman, Da? Hope you don't expect that to last long." He was already planning how this would be managed.
"Long enough. She's under contract."
" 'll not mean anything to the men around here, will it?"
"It does to her. She's – not socially inclined, I think is how she said it."
Jason laughed. "With three-quarters of the town trying to change her mind, she'll change her mind soon enough."
"I do not believe that. Are you going to oppose me, Jason?"
"Nope. What good would it do me?" Jason shook his head and (finally) sat down. "Fact is, I mostly agree with you. It's just –"
"Jeremy?"
"Yes."
"I'll be telling him, not asking."
"I know. Therein lies the problem."
"It will be my problem."
"Your problems are my problems, Da. Sooner or later."
"That's why this must be settled. Sooner rather than later."
"Are you feeling worse, Da?"
"Nae. I'd not mind keeping it that way."
Sunday evening came, and plans were being made for the next week on the mountain.
"Enjoy yourselves," Da said. "School starts Monday next, and you'll be staying here."
"We can go back?" Josh asked.
Jeremy frowned at Josh. He didn't need to sound so happy.
Jason hid a smile.
"There's to be a new teacher, a young woman."
Jeremy turned his considering look to his father.
"Where'd they find a her?' Josh asked. "Is there something wrong with her? Is she ugly or something?"
"Well, son, that depends on what you mean by 'something wrong with her' and also, ugly is a matter of opinion."
"Yeah," Jeremy agreed suddenly, surprising them all. "Lots of p-people think there's something wrong with me, cause I don't t-talk to 'em. And t-try t-to hide, s-sometimes."
"It seems the young lady has a similar problem. She has no liking for men, say some, for all she adores children and loves teaching."
Who is –are?- some, Da?" Jason asked. "Her references?"
"Aye." The older man frowned at the younger.
"Clever." Jason approved.
Josh was puzzled. "There's nothing clever about references, Jason. That's just good business."
"This is true," Jason agreed, still amused. He'd meant Da was clever in engaging Jeremy's sympathies for the woman.
"I am pleased, Joshua, that you wish to continue. I was afraid you had been seduced by the mountain."
"Well, I like working. But I like school, too. Besides," he hesitated, and glanced at his younger brother.
Jeremy met his eyes and managed a small smile.
Josh grinned. "Besides, I wanna see the first time Jeremy lays into some of them that was making fun of him before." Josh glanced over at Jason, who nodded once.
Jeremy looked worried.
Josh punched him in the arm. "You been getting stronger all summer, and you've learned a few things. It'll be fun."
"Maybe." Jeremy didn't seem convinced.
"Fighting's not the answer to everything," the father automatically chided, with little conviction.
"No, but it is to some things. When somebody starts calling names, breaking their teeth makes 'em stop," Josh replied promptly.
"Puts your own teeth at risk," Da rebutted. "And your nose, and mayhap your ribs, and a few other parts as well."
"That's when it really gets fun."
"Wh-what If J-jason needs help?"
"Unlikely, this time of year," Jason answered. "We're mostly creating inventory for spring. There's no urgency for that."
"He'll not be needing your help, little one. You'll be staying here with me."
"And me." Josh agreed.
"And possibly even me," Jason added. "I'd rather none of us end up snowed in up there, and it gets dark so early. Mind you, I'll work when the weather's decent, but I don't plan on taking any chances."
"How long is school?" Jeremy asked, still uncomfortable.
"Three months, as is usual."
"Oh."