Chapter 9

Alexandre stood, and Josie followed, her stomach queasy. Dozens of questions raced through her mind.

“I apologize for the inconvenience,” Alexandre said to the Greenfields. “Thank you for understanding.”

Mr. Greenfield smiled. “We’ll look forward to seeing you in about a month’s time.”

“Do you have a few moments to meet some of the students?” Mrs. Greenfield turned her hopeful eyes on Josie. “I know they’d love to meet you. They’ve been waiting eagerly for the new reverend.”

The last thing Josie wanted to do was postpone her conversation with Alexandre. “I think it best if we go back to town and get our affairs in order. We’ll be leaving on the stagecoach first thing in the morning.”

“Oh, what a pity,” Mrs. Greenfield said.

Alexandre touched Josie’s hand. “We could spare a few moments, non? After all, the Greenfields have been very understanding.”

If she denied his request, it would make a scene—and she didn’t want to embarrass her new husband. “Of course.” She tried to smile, though her lips trembled. “What was I thinking?”

Mr. Greenfield excused himself to tend to his chores.

They followed Mrs. Greenfield out of the house and across the rutted road to the school and church building. The day had grown hot, and the humming of the locusts buzzed from the prairie.

Mrs. Greenfield opened the thick oak door and led the way to the front of the stuffy classroom. At least three dozen students lifted their heads, their curious eyes assessing Alexandre and Josie. Many of the students looked to be children of local farmers and fur traders with their fair coloring, but the other half were Chippewa, with their dark hair and eyes.

A lump grew in Josie’s throat. She hadn’t spoken Chippewa since she was a child. Would she have a chance now?

A woman stood at the front of the room. Her eyes blinked behind spectacles, and her blond hair was pulled tight at the back of her head.

“Reverend and Mrs. Dugas, this is Miss Hazel Smith, our lead teacher at the mission.” Mrs. Greenfield indicated the severe woman. “Miss Smith, this is the new reverend and his wife.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Miss Smith said with a curt nod of her head.

Josie nodded a greeting but cringed at the words new reverend.

“The reverend will be leaving but will be back in one month’s time to take up his duties,” Mrs. Greenfield continued.

If Miss Smith was surprised at the change in plans, her stoic face didn’t show it.

“I was wondering if the reverend and Mrs. Dugas might meet the children.”

“Of course.” Miss Smith indicated the classroom. “The children have been waiting for the reverend’s arrival.”

Josie’s temples began to pound. She just wanted to leave and explain the mistake to Alexandre. Surely, once he realized she needed him to help manage her father’s business in St. Louis, he would clear up the misunderstanding with the Greenfields. They would continue to support Belle Prairie financially, but the mission would have to find another preacher.

The students stood and introduced themselves. The girls gave a curtsy and the boys a bow. They all wore gray uniforms, with brass buttons and black boots.

When they were finished with introductions, Mrs. Greenfield encouraged Josie and Alexandre to walk among the students and look at their schoolwork.

Alexandre moved to the boys’ side of the room, where he immediately engaged with a young boy about the sums on his slate.

Josie looked down at the first little girl. She sat with her legs dangling over the seat and no desk in front of her. She held a primer in her hands, but she couldn’t keep her eyes on the book. She glanced up at Josie, her large brown eyes filled with curiosity. When she saw Josie looking at her, she dropped her gaze.

Mrs. Greenfield put her gentle hand on top of the girl’s shiny black hair. “This is Claire. We’ve guessed her age to be around four or five, but we’re not sure. Both of her parents died of the fever, so she was sent here.”

Claire lifted her eyes again, and it was as if Josie was looking at herself, twenty-two years ago. The little girl was adorable, and all alone in the world. Josie suddenly felt overcome with the need to cry—but she put a smile on her face instead.

“Will she live here permanently?” she asked.

“Unless someone comes along to adopt her.” Mrs. Greenfield smiled down at the child. “But we love having Claire here. She brightens up even the dreariest days.”

Josie sank down to the girl’s level. “Hello, Claire. I’m Miss—Mrs. Dugas.”

The little girl dipped her head bashfully and didn’t answer.

“She can understand English,” said Miss Smith, “but she hasn’t spoken a word of it. Shall I interpret for you?”

Claire blinked, and her large eyes drew Josie’s heart. She wanted the little girl to know she understood what it felt like to lose her mama and papa.

“That won’t be necessary,” Josie said.

She reached back into the recesses of her mind for a simple phrase. Hello, I’m Mrs. Dugas. “Aaniin. Niin Mrs. Dugas nindizhinikaa.”

Claire’s eyes lit with joy, and she bounced in her seat. Her words spilled out in Chippewa, and Josie tried desperately to keep up. She caught little snatches that she understood. “Hello! I’m Claire … pretty lady … pretty dress … new teacher? … you sing?”

Josie’s smile grew until she was fairly laughing. She lifted her hands to slow the child. “Slower, please.”

The other children laughed with Josie, and for the first time in a long time, she felt real joy.