“Miss Cochran, you mentioned going to school in Oklahoma. Are you from Oklahoma?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Are you any relation to Senator Jesse Cochran?”
Priscilla
felt all the blood drain from her face. Lord, if Mr. Beaumont learned of her connection to Papa before the town approved her contract, he would surely ship her back. The man was more of a snob than he claimed her to be.
“I am,” she mumbled, looking around. “Are there any more questions before I continue with my plans for the school?”
The woman sat down, appearing a bit puzzled by her vague answer, but Mr. Beaumont, curse his hide, leaned forward and said, “Exactly what is your relation to the United States senator. Miss Cochran?”
She drew herself up and looked him square in the eye. “Senator Jesse Cochran is my father.”
Mitch quelled the desire to slap his hand on the table and shout, “I told you so.” This woman was here for a lark. Nobody with her background and connections would last long in a small, backwoods town. Not that he thought Dogtown would remain a backwoods town for long. If he had his way, the town would grow considerably in this new century and be a thriving, pleasant place to live very shortly.
He had his own aspirations. One day he wanted to be mayor, and then maybe a state senator. In fact, known for his family values and integrity, Senator Cochran had always been one of his favorite public figures. That he hadn’t connected Miss Cochran to that well-known and highly respected man before someone else brought it up annoyed the hell out of him.
His attention was drawn back to the room where Miss Cochran laid out her plans for the school.
“Aside from the usual arithmetic, spelling, reading, writing, history, and geography, I plan to incorporate science into my curriculum for the children. I also have had training in helping students who have difficulty learning. Recent studies have shown children who have a problem with reading and writing are not lower in intelligence, their brains merely process information differently than others.”
Excitement grew on her face, her cheeks grew flushed, and she waved her arms around. “There are so many different ways to teach a child. Some children do well if they are able to touch the letters. Cutting out the alphabet and letting them trace the letters with their fingers helps.”
Mrs. Davis, mother to three children, stood and addressed the group. “My son has always had trouble reading. The last teacher suggested I take him out of school because he’ll never learn.”
“No!” Miss Cochran’s forceful word startled the group. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to shout, but that is the absolute wrong thing to do. I promise you once your son is my student, he will learn to read.”
Mitch slumped in his chair. Miss Cochran had swayed the group in her favor. He glanced at Ray who smiled at him and shrugged. Apparently the mayor was as much mesmerized by the woman’s words as everyone else. The mumbling among the group told him he’d lost. Nods and smiles in Miss Cochran’s direction were all the vote he needed.
Mrs. Gillis, the owner of the boardinghouse who had the care of her granddaughter, stood. “When will school open, Miss Cochran?”
The teacher whipped around and looked directly at Mitch, her chin raised, challenge in her eyes. “When, Mr. Beaumont?”
Score one for the society woman.
He had to smile at her fire and passion. Until then he hadn’t noticed how very attractive the town’s new teacher was. A few wisps of her golden brown hair had come loose from her bun and dangled alongside her face. Her flushed cheeks, bright eyes, and dimpled smile of triumph had him squirming in his seat. He had no desire or intention of falling under the woman’s spell as the rest of the town apparently had. He dipped his chin in gracious defeat. “As soon as you are ready to open the doors, Miss Cochran.”
She turned back to face the group. “Monday morning at eight o’clock.”
Half an hour later Mitch walked up behind Miss Cochran, who was holding court with several of the parents. “I will walk you home when you’re ready.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Yes, it is. I’ll be by the door.”
Shortly after their exchange, the enthusiastic group surrounding the teacher broke up and headed for home.
Miss Cochran shrugged into her coat and buttoned it as she walked toward him. “I’m ready, but I don’t feel it is necessary for you to walk me home. It’s only a few blocks.”
“Nevertheless, I will walk you. We certainly don’t want anything to happen to our new teacher.”
She studied him, her face showing confusion as to the sincerity of his remarks. He wasn’t sure himself.
They stepped into the cool night air. “I guess you won, Miss Cochran.”
“No. To my way of thinking, the town won, Mr. Beaumont. The children will have school, the parents are happy, and I am here to stay.”