To Want the School Teacher by Lisa Day Page B

Especially, since the older woman knew no
wedding would be taking place. However, with all the activity
around her Victoria couldn't get the woman alone. Leaving her
nothing but to submit to the goings on.
    The bust needed to be let
out. The seamstress tsk'd as if it Victoria chose the size of her
bosom on purpose. The need to take in the waist line brought a
pleasant smile from the same woman. After tugging on the hem a line
of pins marked where the new shorter hem should be.
    “Emily, if
this is all it needs the dress will be ready late
tomorrow.”
    The two women shared in the
chore of removing the garment without getting Victoria stuck by a
pin in the process.
    “Victoria,
you and Thomas will have dinner with us tomorrow night, so we can
make sure the alterations are correct?”
    “Yes, I'm
sure Thomas will agree. If that's what you think is
needed.”
    “I
do.”
    Both Emily and the
dressmaker headed out of the room leaving Victoria to redress
herself.
    One of Thomas' habits
Victoria came to appreciate was his promptness. By the time she
managed to dress and show herself downstairs he arrived and rushed
her out the door. On the floor of the carriage sat a large picnic
basket.
    “It's such
a beautiful day I thought before we start our chores we take some
time and share a small repast together.”
    Victoria's heart melted. It
wasn't not a beautiful day. The clouds though not threatening never
let the sunshine break through. The breeze in the shade contained a
nip of the forth coming chilly fall weather. Thomas saw the world
through rose colored glasses at least when he looked at her.
    Victoria wondered would it
be so bad to wear a pair herself. She sighed.
    ***
    Mary sat on the
schoolroom's steps. Another dilemma to deal with Victoria heard
herself sigh another sigh.
    Before they reached her the
child bounced up to greet them.
    “I'm here.
I'm ready to help.”
    Thomas bent over and took
the girl's hand and brushed a kiss on the back of it. “And so you
are.” He picked her up. “Shall we ladies?”
    Thomas planned on cleaning
out the large pot belly stove that heated the room in the
winter.
    “Mary, can
you count?”
    Mary's head bobbed. “Of
yes, Ma'am. I can count to ten.”
    “Wonderful.” Victoria responded knowing it wasn't wonderful at
all. The girl should be getting ready to memorize the
multiplication tables.
    “Do you
see the books over there on those selves. Could you stack them in
piles of ten making sure the book are of the same
kind.?”
    She beamed and danced as
happy children do toward the books.
    ***
    Thomas, Victoria, and
little Mary sat on the schoolroom's front step for a well earned
break.
    A middle aged woman with
two boys strolled up to them and Victoria recognized the boys from
yesterday.
    The Wellington boy who
yesterday seemed to have nothing to say now spoke up. This is my
mother, Alice Wellington.
    “How do
you do?” Victoria greeted her. Please overlook my manners, but I am
truly in disrepair and covered in dirt.”
    “No. No,
no worries there. Frankie told me he helped with the wood pile, and
I thought. Well, I thought I'd do my share to help, and I brought a
noon refreshment.” She took the basket from her son and held it
out.
    Thomas stood. “Let's go
around back there are tables there. Err, Mrs. Wellington, you
didn't happen to put some of that famous fried chicken you make in
there, per chance.?”
    “She sure
did.” Frankie announced making his mother blush and the others
laugh.
    After lunch Mrs. Wellington
declared her intent to repair the two garden strips in front of the
building. On each side of the steps apparently at one time someone
had planted flowers in larger flower boxes. The weeds and
overgrowth hid that fact from view.
    “A school
should be a welcome place. Somewhere children want to come to
learn.” The woman stated.
    No one noticed Victoria
looked at Mary and she winced at the other woman's words. Mary
might want to help. However, to Mary as a place