Evan yanked his attention back to the superintendent. Mining had been a long, lonely process, as he'd built up savings to provide for his son and their future. He'd come looking for Joseph, not a new wife. But even his poignant memories of pretty Nadine didn't rival this russet-haired beauty that seemed to flush at the slightest glance. If he intimidated the little school marm, how in the world did she manage a classroom of children?
"Mr. Russell?" The superintendent waited.
"I'm sorry." He mumbled to the tubby man. "I think I left my manners in the mine." It'd been a long time since he'd experienced a woman's scent, er, presence.
"Well, how can we help you, then?"
"My son is missing, sir." Miss Sheehan's inhale caught Evan off guard. He cleared his throat. It still hurt every time he had to repeat it, but sympathy choked him to silence. Do-gooders needed to either help him or stay out of it. He dredged deep for the courage to tell it one more time. "I left him with relatives after my wife died. I had to work elsewhere. For a long time, I'd get an update once a month. But those updates stopped coming a year ago. Being the dead of winter, I assumed mail was having trouble getting through. After the melt, I came over the mountains. When I inquired, I heard…" He ran a hand through his hair. "My brother's home burned down, and according to all accounts, my family was lost."
"Oh Mr. Russell, I am so sorry." Mirielle crossed herself and bowed her head.
Evan cleared his throat again. "They did not find my son among the ruins. I was directed here to ask if any families might have taken him in and registered Joseph with their children."
"Joseph, you say?" Mr. Randolph scratched his head. "We have several by that name, but all have known parents."
Evan's heart sank. Maybe it was true. Maybe Joseph didn't make it through the fire. "Is there a way to question the children? Or let me see them? Maybe one of the boys was taken in or adopted." He knew desperation tinged every word. What else could he do? Where could a little boy wander off to, with no one noticing?
"I realize the dire nature of the situation, Mr. Russell. But there's no possible way we could impose on the families of this school for a search. You're simply asking too much. We know each child here. What would you do if we found him adopted? You certainly couldn't suddenly show up and abscond with a child."
Abscond? "Not just a child, sir. My son!"
The young lady cleared her throat. "May I?" Miss Sheehan certainly didn't wait to be invited as she offered, "What if the child weren't here, but a child here knew of him?"
Hope lit in Evan's heart. He'd have made friends. Of course!
"I do see all the children through music class each week." She rejoined the men. "If Joseph attended our school, I'd know. But, no sir, all the boys belong naturally to their parents."
The hope dimmed.
"Mr. Russell, we could send out notices to the parents. Then, if a family knows your son, they'll let us know. But I have another idea for you."
Evan's emotions jerked up and down like the backside of a bronco. "I'm listening."
"As am I, Miss Sheehan." The superintendent raised his eyebrows.
"Come with me to meet the newsies."
"The newsies?"
She held up a forefinger and tipped her head forward as if conducting an orchestra. "I know eleven little boys who would love to earn a penny or two." Her hands gracefully lowered.
The fatigue of frustration set an edge in his voice. " What makes you think a bunch of—" Evan clamped his mouth shut at the sudden fire in her eyes as Mirielle's hands pinched the air, punctuating the sign for a dramatic rest.
She gave him a direct challenge. "Do you have a better idea? They can spread out and look in places no adult would think of searching. One might think your love of a few pennies —"
"No, no. Nothing like that." Now he knew how she managed a classroom full of boys. Could a motley cluster of newsboys fan out and find Joseph in Helena?
"You won't know until you try." She looked him straight in the eye, not a hint of falsehood in her voice. "And they're nice boys."
The superintendent added, "They are nice, if a bit unruly. But we have plans to solve that issue."
The teacher's back stiffened. "In the most loving way possible for their future success."
Miss Sheehan's voice softened as she placed fingertips on his bicep. "Are you willing to try?"
The weight of her touch soothed him even through the heavy wool of his coat. Evan nodded and concentrated on the hope she offered. He liked her optimism. Something sorely lacking in him right now. "I'll try anything."