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After her third sandwich, Miss Cooper began to chatter away about her students. I learned more than I wanted to. Louisa Kellam was coming to school without her father’s permission or knowledge. I knew Kellam. He was a drunk who did odd jobs around town when he wasn’t at the saloon playing cards and drinking. How he kept the poor girl alive was anyone’s guess. They lived on my property in an abandoned shack. I looked the other way, even though he didn’t pay rent, because of the child.
“I’m worried what will happen if he finds out,” Miss Cooper said. “Is he dangerous? Will he hurt her?”
I shared my opinion of John Kellam. Miss Cooper didn’t bat an eyelash.
“I thought as such,” she said. “I’ll have to think about what to do. Louisa didn’t want me to talk to her father, but it may come to that.”
“If anyone talks to him, it will be me. You’re not to go to his place alone.”
She waved away my concern with a flutter of her slender hand. “We’ll worry about that if it comes.”
“Miss Cooper, I realize you’re an independent woman, but there are certain situations out here in the West that require a man’s help. Preferably a man with a gun.”
She raised one eyebrow and popped another cookie in her mouth.
I let it go for now. Miss Cooper’s courage both captivated and disarmed me.
According to Miss Cooper, the Johnson girls were smart and a delight. “In fact, they might be a great help to me with the night school students. I could pair them with the women students. If we have any, that is.”
She went on to tell me about the Cassidy children—quiet and shy but excited for school. This was good to hear. Mr. and Mrs. Cassidy were good, hardworking immigrants from Ireland. Mr. Cassidy, along with a dozen others, had volunteered his time to help construct the school last summer.
“The two little boys from Sweden, Isak and Viktor, speak almost no English,” she said. “They’ll be challenging, but nothing we can’t conquer.”
“Their father owns the tailor shop,” I said. “Good people.”
Miss Cooper clapped her hands and smiled. Her small white teeth were in such a perfect row in that pink mouth. “I have saved the best for last. You’ll never guess. Poppy can read English. And guess who taught her?” She paused dramatically, her eyes sparkling. “Josephine. They did it on the sly.”
“She did? But why hide it?” I asked.
“She doesn’t want Harley to feel bad.”
“How sweet,” I said.
“As is your Josephine. I’ve never heard of such a thing. There’s something in the mountain air, Lord Barnes. These are the dearest children I’ve ever met.” She glanced at the ceiling. “I’m blessed to be here. Truly.” She looked back at me. “Which brings me to the next subject.”
The sound of stomping feet and laughter interrupted us as the children came into the foyer from outside. Merry’s voice came next, instructing them to take off their wet coats and boots before they destroyed the floors and caught their deaths.
All five tumbled into the library, looking like the picture of health with red cheeks and noses. “Hello, Papa and Miss Cooper.” I swear Jo exchanged a conspiratorial glance with Theo before coming over to kiss me on the cheek.
The boys ran to the fire, warming their hands.
“Are you hungry?” I asked. “Miss Cooper’s told me of your generosity toward Louisa.”
“My insides are eating themselves.” Flynn clutched his stomach.
“I doubt that. Regardless, Lizzie has tea for you downstairs,” I said. “Go on now.”
After the children left, Miss Cooper returned her attention to me. “I have an idea. I’d like to take the place as your nanny while I’m here at the house as a way to thank you for allowing me to stay here. I’m quite capable of looking after children.”
“I’m sorry, no. It’s too much.”
“It’s no trouble. You have to have someone. Merry and Lizzie are obviously busy with their own work.”
I considered her offer. As much as I disliked the idea, I was rather desperate. “Just until I can find someone else. And I’ll increase your pay. It will give you more to send home.”
“Wonderful.” She held out her hand. “You have a deal.”
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