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“I’m not sure a seven-year-old could conceive of a lie that damning. She reminded me of myself at that age.”
“That’s sad.”
“It is.” Memories of those awful years with her mother tried to rise but Regan tamped them down.
Spring said coolly, “Colleen’s not been kind to me since she moved here. She took what the gossips fed her and sneered at me just like they did. Hearing this makes me want to laugh and point, but not at Felicity. She’s done nothing wrong.”
“No, she hasn’t.”
“Should I ask around? I still have ties to a lot of the ranchers and their hands.”
Regan shook her head. “It’s really none of my business.”
“I’m going to ask anyway. Discreetly, of course, because frankly I want to know. And if it’s true, I’ll get a kick out of knowing she’s wallowing in the same mud she dragged me through.”
“That’s not nice, Spring.”
“No, but it’s the truth.”
Regan refused to judge Spring so she asked about something else she wanted to know. “Who holds the key to the schoolhouse?”
“The mayor I believe. Why do you need the key?”
Regan told her.
“You’re going to teach school?”
“Yes. Why are you smiling?” she asked, smiling, too.
“I’m just surprised, I guess. Colt said the teacher was leaving and that you and some of the women went to the council meeting. How’d it go?”
Regan told her about the petition.
“If Nelson says he’ll support you, he will. He’s always been a man of his word, and with him behind you, the other ranchers will sign on, too—if only to get Cale’s and Miller’s goats.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “The two aren’t well-liked, but they got elected because none of the big ranchers have time to play politics, and no one else is interested. There’re rumors that Nelson may run for mayor next time around. Many people are hoping he will.”
“Why didn’t Colt tell me any of this?”
Spring shrugged. “Probably doesn’t view it as important. Too busy with his nose to the doctoring grindstone, which everyone appreciates because he’s very skilled at what he does, but he’s not much on rumors, gossip, or politics.”
Regan thought that a reasonable explanation.
“You’re really going to teach school?” Spring asked as if needing confirmation again.
“Yes. It’s not like I have anything pressing to do right now so I’ll fill in until we find a replacement. Mr. Nelson promised to help with that, too.”
Spring raised her tumbler in salute. “To success. Let me know if you need my help.”
“I will.”
Regan rode home. With Anna away, she and Colt could have a nice cozy evening. She envisioned dinner, a relaxing bath, then donning one of the tempting nightgowns she’d yet to wear for him from her bridal trousseau. Maybe they’d even make love in a bed; not that she had any complaints about the other places they’d used, but being able to spend an entire night alone with her husband would be a dream come true.
When she reached the house, his stallion was tied to the post out front. She paused at the sight of the bedroll behind the saddle and went inside. “Colt?”
“In here,” he called from his bedroom. She entered and found him packing a bag.
