Read Online Robin Lee Hatcher by When Love Blooms - Free Book Online
Authors: When Love Blooms
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totally different person. At those times he can be likeable.
I cannot imagine anyone not loving my young charges. Sabrina is nine and Petula is five. They are so bright and cheerful. Upon our arrival I was introduced to Sabrina’s calf as well as to the new litter of kittens in the loft of the barn. Yes, Maggie, I actually climbed the ladder to the loft. I do not exaggerate when I say I was terrified, although I would not show it for all the world. Not with Mr. Blake watching me.
The Blakes own several wolfhounds, the youngest of which has decided to become my close companion. Joker is almost as big as a small pony, but I’m told he is still a pup, which explains his clumsiness as well as his total lack of manners.
Mr. Blake and the ranch hands are going to drive the cattle up to the main ranch soon, and the family will leave in a couple more weeks. I will send this letter with the men when they go so that it can be posted from Challis. Mrs. Blake is reluctant to leave. Every time it is mentioned, I see the sadness in her eyes. And now that I’ve been here a few days, I suppose I can understand.
It grows late, and I had better close this letter and get some sleep. Our days begin before daybreak.
Please pray that I will be a good teacher for the children and a caring companion for Mrs. Blake. And also that Mr. Blake wouldn’t object to me quite so much as he does. I do so want to prove myself.
Your loving sister,
Emily
Eight
Emily looked up from the book. The room was wrapped in silence while the usually boisterous girls concentrated on their studies.
Petula leaned over her slate, a piece of chalk pinched between chubby fingers, copying her letters while frowning in concentration. The girl would have the alphabet conquered in no time. She was determined and eager to learn.
Emily’s gaze shifted to the opposite end of the table where Sabrina sat. The tip of her tongue could be seen in the corner of her mouth as she worked on her math lesson. Sabrina had made it clear that she disliked arithmetic, but she never gave up before she found the right answers.
Satisfaction washed over Emily. She hadn’t dreamed she would enjoy teaching this much. If she had, she would have made it her vocation long ago. It was exciting to see the children’s eyes light with understanding, to answer their questions, to expand their horizons. When she returned to Boise in the spring, she would seek another teaching position at once.
When she returned to Boise. The words saddened her more than they should. She’d grown attached to these girls, to this family, in the short time she’d been here. Spring would come too quickly.
A door closed softly behind Emily, and she turned toward the sound. Dru smiled as their eyes met, then she placed an index finger to her lips, indicating she didn’t want to disturb the children. With silent footsteps, she made her way across the living room to a chair near the fireplace. Once there, she sat, pulled a lap rug over her knees, and closed her eyes.
In the four days since Gavin and the other men drove the cattle from the valley, Emily had begun to understand how ill Dru was. The moment her husband rode away, she had wilted before Emily’s eyes. Her face looked older, more tired. Her shoulders were stooped. She smiled less often; only her daughters brought a look of joy into her eyes.
Emily wished she could ask the exact nature of her illness, but something in the woman’s demeanor forbade her from doing so.
She would have to wait until the information was offered.
“Miss Harris.” An index finger poked her arm.
Emily looked at Petula.
“I did ’em.” The girl held out the slate. “I did ’em all. Just like yours.”
“Yes, Pet. You’ve done a fine job. You learn things fast. Your mother wasn’t exaggerating when she said you were bright.”
Petula cocked her head to one side. “What’s exag . . . exagger . . .”
“Exaggerating.” She printed the word on the slate. “It
I cannot imagine anyone not loving my young charges. Sabrina is nine and Petula is five. They are so bright and cheerful. Upon our arrival I was introduced to Sabrina’s calf as well as to the new litter of kittens in the loft of the barn. Yes, Maggie, I actually climbed the ladder to the loft. I do not exaggerate when I say I was terrified, although I would not show it for all the world. Not with Mr. Blake watching me.
The Blakes own several wolfhounds, the youngest of which has decided to become my close companion. Joker is almost as big as a small pony, but I’m told he is still a pup, which explains his clumsiness as well as his total lack of manners.
Mr. Blake and the ranch hands are going to drive the cattle up to the main ranch soon, and the family will leave in a couple more weeks. I will send this letter with the men when they go so that it can be posted from Challis. Mrs. Blake is reluctant to leave. Every time it is mentioned, I see the sadness in her eyes. And now that I’ve been here a few days, I suppose I can understand.
It grows late, and I had better close this letter and get some sleep. Our days begin before daybreak.
Please pray that I will be a good teacher for the children and a caring companion for Mrs. Blake. And also that Mr. Blake wouldn’t object to me quite so much as he does. I do so want to prove myself.
Your loving sister,
Emily
Eight
Emily looked up from the book. The room was wrapped in silence while the usually boisterous girls concentrated on their studies.
Petula leaned over her slate, a piece of chalk pinched between chubby fingers, copying her letters while frowning in concentration. The girl would have the alphabet conquered in no time. She was determined and eager to learn.
Emily’s gaze shifted to the opposite end of the table where Sabrina sat. The tip of her tongue could be seen in the corner of her mouth as she worked on her math lesson. Sabrina had made it clear that she disliked arithmetic, but she never gave up before she found the right answers.
Satisfaction washed over Emily. She hadn’t dreamed she would enjoy teaching this much. If she had, she would have made it her vocation long ago. It was exciting to see the children’s eyes light with understanding, to answer their questions, to expand their horizons. When she returned to Boise in the spring, she would seek another teaching position at once.
When she returned to Boise. The words saddened her more than they should. She’d grown attached to these girls, to this family, in the short time she’d been here. Spring would come too quickly.
A door closed softly behind Emily, and she turned toward the sound. Dru smiled as their eyes met, then she placed an index finger to her lips, indicating she didn’t want to disturb the children. With silent footsteps, she made her way across the living room to a chair near the fireplace. Once there, she sat, pulled a lap rug over her knees, and closed her eyes.
In the four days since Gavin and the other men drove the cattle from the valley, Emily had begun to understand how ill Dru was. The moment her husband rode away, she had wilted before Emily’s eyes. Her face looked older, more tired. Her shoulders were stooped. She smiled less often; only her daughters brought a look of joy into her eyes.
Emily wished she could ask the exact nature of her illness, but something in the woman’s demeanor forbade her from doing so.
She would have to wait until the information was offered.
“Miss Harris.” An index finger poked her arm.
Emily looked at Petula.
“I did ’em.” The girl held out the slate. “I did ’em all. Just like yours.”
“Yes, Pet. You’ve done a fine job. You learn things fast. Your mother wasn’t exaggerating when she said you were bright.”
Petula cocked her head to one side. “What’s exag . . . exagger . . .”
“Exaggerating.” She printed the word on the slate. “It
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