Reckless Destiny by Teresa Southwick Page A

laughing.”
    “I want to be the best teacher I can be. If you step in every time there’s a problem, the children will not learn to respect me.” She laced her fingers together in front of her. “If you hadn’t been here, I would have had to handle it, wouldn’t I?”
    “I suppose. But I
was
here. I couldn’t let them hurt you—or each other.”
    She touched her cheek. “It’s nothing.”
    “I think the post surgeon should take a look.”
    “That’s not necessary. I’ll just put some water on it.”
    “Are you sure you don’t want the doctor?”
    “I’m sure.”
    “All right.” He started to walk away, then turned back to her. “One thing: Never try to stop a fight until it’s over.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind, captain, in case you don’t happen to be here the next time,” she said wryly.
    “I nearly forgot. The reason I happened to be here this time was because I had something to tell you.”
    “What?”
    “There’s going to be a reception in your honor given by the officers’ wives.”
    “How lovely.” She smiled and winced at the stab of pain in her cheekbone. “When is it?”
    “Saturday.”
    “Day after tomorrow. That soon?” She cupped her cheek with her hand and wondered if she dared hope there would be no swelling or discoloration.
    “Out here, folks are always looking for a reason to have a party. There’s not much else to do.” His gaze intensified as he studied her. “You might want to wear purple to match the color your eye will be by then.”
    “Emily Stanton said some of the children are waiting to see if I’ll get drunk and have to be let go the way Sergeant Cramer was. You don’t suppose this reception could wait until I’ve convinced everyone that I’m staying?”
    “Those ladies want to have a party. Do you want me to tell them it’s postponed?”
    And start off on the wrong foot with everyone? Cady shook her head. “Wouldn’t be neighborly. I’ll be there. And I’ll look forward to it.”
    “All right, then. I’ll stop by for you at seven.”
    “That’s not necessary. I can see myself there. You must have more important things to do.”
    “It’s my duty.”
    “More orders?” she asked.
    “Mrs. Wexler asked me to escort you.”
    “Ah,” she said. “Do you always follow orders?”
    “That’s what a good soldier does.”
    “And you’re a good soldier?”
    One corner of his mouth lifted. “The army’s been good to me.”
    “I see. Well, then, I’ll be ready at seven. I wouldn’t want you to disobey orders on my account.”
    “Cady, it’s not like that.”
    “Never mind, captain, it’s not important. But there is the matter of those two boys in your office who need to have a good talking to.”
    He nodded. “There is that. I’ll go speak to them now.” She started to say something, and he held up his hand. “You can have your turn when I’m finished.”
    “That’s not what I was going to say. I get the feeling you have a special interest in Master Wexler.”
    “R. J.’s father is away from the fort a lot, dealing with the Indian agent. His mother can’t seem to handle him, and I’ve gotten in the habit of filling in.” Kane’s eyes narrowed for a moment and the muscle in his cheek contracted. “I’m in charge when the commanding officer is gone. Keeping order here is my responsibility. The soldiers are my concern, their dependents are my concern, and you’re my concern.”
    “All right, talk to them. But from now on, captain, I’ll thank you to stay out of my classroom.”
    “I can’t do that.” He grinned at her. “This is the only building on the post big enough for a social gathering.”
    “This is where the reception will be?”
    He nodded.
    Her first day of teaching—a disastrous day, she added—just got worse. In two days, she had to meet the parents of her students. No doubt she’d have a black eye. And Kane Carrington would be her escort. If only Miss Agnes had taught her about men. Cady had a