Chapter 5

Helen swept up her hair to tie it back. She didn’t realize Edna would invite Daniel in. He stared at her as if she’d grown two heads.

“Pardon me, Miss Jones. Edna, what did you need?” He stepped past her and headed into the kitchen to follow Edna.

Helen’s hands shook. Daniel had been staring at her with such intensity she nearly collapsed under her own weight. How could he affect her so? Her growing attraction to him compared with what she’d read about a volcanic eruption. She shook off the foolish thought. She caught a glimpse of him in the kitchen, of Edna handing him a box and pointing to a ladder. Helen retreated to her room. She needed to put distance between her and Daniel. Nothing could develop between them. She would lose her job, and at that point she would lose her mind. She closed her eyes and leaned against her bedroom door. “Dear Lord, what’s come over me?”

Helen fought her growing attraction through the holidays, thankful that Daniel had gone home for the Christmas break, as she had. She knew his parents lived in western Tennessee, while her father lived in Virginia. Although her father was concerned that she didn’t have a contract, he was nevertheless happy to see her. He also arranged a few not-so-subtle encounters with single gentlemen from the community. She’d gone to lunch with one and entertained another in the parlor of her father’s home.

Neither man compared to Daniel Moore. He’d been in her thoughts day and night for the past five weeks. She couldn’t shake his chocolate-brown eyes shimmering with desire. No question about it, when he’d seen her with her hair hanging down, he’d been smitten. Oddly enough, he had not stopped in again, not even when Mrs. Miller asked for help. He’d simply gotten a student to help. His distance caused more grief for Helen.

The holiday season drew to a close, and Helen kissed her father good-bye and boarded the train back to Warren. From her seat on the train she saw him standing beside Kathryn Granger, whom he would be marrying in the spring, no doubt. They seemed like a good pairing, but … She couldn’t help but feel she was being replaced. Then again, it was a good thing. The Bible spoke about a man not living alone, that he who findeth a wife findeth a good thing.

Wife? She closed her eyes and thought about that. For the first time in her life, she thought about what it would mean to be a wife, to partner with a man, to be his helpmate. And the only man she could picture being a helpmate to was Daniel Moore.

She opened her eyes. “Daniel?”

He smiled. “Helen, it’s good to see you.”

“What are you doing boarding a train in Virginia? I thought your parents lived in Tennessee.”

“They do. May I sit down?” He motioned to the seat beside her.

“Of course, please do.”

“My grandmother Iris took ill, and our family spent Christmas with her.” His voice caught. “She’s gone on to glory now.”

“Oh Daniel, I’m so sorry.” She reached over and took his hand.

He glanced at their hands knitted together. Helen’s heart thumped wildly in her chest. He squeezed her hand and released it. “Thank you. She was ready to go home and join my grandfather. He passed last year.”

Helen nodded and clasped her hands together. She wouldn’t be so bold again.

“I want to thank you for Treasure Island. It was a delightful read. Do you have any other works by Robert Stevenson?”

“No, I’m afraid not. But I did pack up a carton of books to bring back to Warren. I haven’t decided what will be the next book for my lesson plans, but I’m leaning toward The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Have you read it?”

He shook his head then shrugged. “As you said before, I have a limited knowledge of books. It’s odd, really. Both of my parents read. But my father tended to read scientific journals, and Mother loves cooking and gardening books.”

“All work, no play.”

“Precisely. It helped me earn my PhD by the age of twenty-six. It would have been sooner if I hadn’t had to help out my grandfather, my mother’s father, in Franklin, Tennessee. However, it was by helping him that I found my passion for gardening and growing things. While I would have loved to earn my degree by the time I was twenty-four, I don’t regret helping my grandparents. Grandma Iris was my dad’s mother. Father has a business in Nashville. Both of my brothers, John Jr. and James, are married and working at the family business. You might say I’m the odd one. But in fact, I favor my mother’s side of the family with my interest in gardening and maintaining the land the Lord has given us. Oh, I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“Talking too much. It was hard losing Grandma Iris. The harder part though was being told that I’m wasting my life. Farming, apparently, is not commercially viable.” Daniel snickered.

“But it is vitally important, just like teaching. The pay is horrible, but the profits of seeing the children capture a new concept, watching them learn something new …”

Daniel groaned. “Precisely. My father doesn’t see that. In a way, Edward Clancy reminds me of a younger version of my father. I’m hoping to have Edward rethink his ideas of profit to the exclusion of running the small farmer out of business.” He smiled at her. “What about you? How was your Christmas visit?”

“Father’s entertaining an engagement. She’s a nice woman. I pray the best for them. And he set me up with two potential suitors. Neither one of them measured up.”

“Measured up?”

Oh no, did I really say that? “What I mean is they just didn’t spark my interest.”

Daniel nodded. She prayed he wouldn’t bring it up again.

“I would never presume myself on anyone.”

Helen giggled. “No, you would not.” She glanced out the window to avoid staring at her handsome neighbor.

The conductor came by and took their tickets. “You’re getting off at Knoxville and continuing on to Nashville?”

“Yes,” Daniel said.

“That’ll be our second stop.”

“Thank you,” Daniel replied.

The conductor took her ticket. “You’ll be changing trains in Knoxville.”

“Yes, sir.”

The conductor handed them back their tickets. An hour into the trip, Daniel started to fall asleep. His masculine scent wafted toward her as he nodded off. His head fell on her shoulder. Surprisingly, she found the closeness refreshing. He turned in his seat, wrapped his arm around her waist, and nuzzled his head against her. “Helen,” he murmured.

She closed her eyes. Her heart raced. Her blood pumped so hard she was hearing the beats in her eardrums. She reached up to his hair and pushed it from his face. “Daniel,” she whispered.

He smiled.

“Daniel,” she whispered again a bit louder. “Please, wake up.”

His eyes flickered open, closed, then opened again. Shock settled on his face as he realized where he was and what he was doing. He jerked and stood up. “I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

“Sit down,” she hissed, grabbing his wrist and pulling him down, “before everyone stares at us.”

“Please forgive me.” He settled back down in the seat beside her.

“You were asleep. You didn’t know what you were doing.”

“Yes, but …” He glanced away. “I can’t believe … I’m so sorry, forgive me.”

“Hush, Daniel, it’s fine. You’re forgiven.”

His face was redder than a rose. “You’re so beautiful, so pure. I never would have taken such liberties.”

She grabbed his hand. “Daniel,” she whispered. Her voice was husky. She wanted to be wrapped in his arms. “You are a man of honor. It was purely an accident. Although … you did call out my name.”

“I did?”

She nodded.

He closed his eyes as his face grew a deeper shade of red. “I’m sorry. You’ve been a part of my dreams for quite a while. I promised myself I would not set my sights on you. I promised I would not do anything to take you away from your career of teaching. It wouldn’t be right. You’re such a good teacher. The students love you, and I daresay most of the parents do as well.”

Was she hearing him right? Had he been thinking about her the way she’d been thinking about him? Could it be? “Oh Daniel.” She leaned into him and kissed him. She knew she shouldn’t but couldn’t help herself. She pulled back and lightly stroked his full beard. “I’ve thought about you as well. Those two men my father tried to set me up with could not hold a candle to you. You’re a wonderful man, and I’m honored to know you.”

“But your career?”

“Will be over, come June.”

He leaned into her and kissed her this time. She melted in his arms. How could something so simple be so complex and wonderful all at the same time?

The conductor came by and cleared his throat.

They released each other and settled back in their seats. “We will need to be careful in Warren,” Daniel said. “I’m only allowed to court a woman once a week. If we meet at Mrs. Miller’s house, she must always be present. And we can’t confide in her. As much as I love Edna, she’s been known to spread a tale or two. Not on purpose. But when she starts talking, well … she lets some information slip.”

“I’ve noticed that as well. But if you officially court me, she will know.”

“True. I would wish to see you more than once a week.”

“Do you know your schedule for the spring semester?”

“Yes. What are you thinking?”

“What if you come and offer a class once or twice a week to my students? We can use the time to plan lessons together as well as get to know one another without the world watching.”

“Hmm. I’m not good with children.”

“Perhaps not, but I am. Between us we should give the children an enjoyable lesson.”

“Some sort of botany lesson?”

“Sure, why not? We’ll both be busy with our teaching requirements. But this could work. We could develop a lesson plan.”

He nuzzled into her neck. “A lesson in love?”

She giggled and swatted him. “No.”

He sat back and took her hand. “What kind of plants are mentioned in that Tom Sawyer book?”

“Well, it’s set on the Mississippi River. I suppose there are a great variety of plants.”

“I’ll look them up. Perhaps we can grow some seeds and then dissect the plants. I have a microscope the students could look through.”

Helen squeezed his hand. “I like it. However, I’m really interested in finding out more about you.”

Daniel couldn’t believe his good fortune and that his dreams of Helen were becoming real.

Thankful he hadn’t scared her off, he was concerned about how they could proceed as a courting couple. His contract was clear: one evening per week was allowed for courting. Granted, their idea of a botany class could cause some of the university board to question his integrity, but he should be fine. The only other option would be to marry her right away. But it was too soon for that. Not to mention, the town would be out a teacher for their students.

“Are you certain you want to continue a relationship with me? I mean, you will lose your job….”

She placed her silky soft finger against his lips. “I’m certain. I do love teaching, but I also care for you. If things are to move forward with us, what would our future hold? Where do you see yourself in five years?”

“Interesting questions. Prior to you, I was headed to one of the larger universities. Would you consider moving with me?”

“Not if we aren’t married, no.”

He could feel the heat rise to his cheeks again. “Of course I meant if we were married.”

“I would go wherever my husband goes. However, we would have to discuss the matter. I cannot abide a man who makes blanket decisions and doesn’t let his helpmate be a part of the conversation.”

“I would not make a move without discussing it with my wife.”

“Daniel, why are we discussing such far-off decisions?”

He smiled. She returned the smile. “Because we have both arrived at the same decision at the same time, knowing that if we are to yield to our attraction, there will be serious consequences.”

“True.”

“And I would not have been so forward with you if I hadn’t already thought about you becoming my wife. Have you considered such a possibility?”

Helen groaned. “Yes, unfortunately. Wait, I don’t mean that the way it sounds. I fantasized about us becoming a couple, falling in love, marriage, babies, of course, but—”

“It would mean the end of your career. I understand. I didn’t approach you, for those very reasons. But we’ve gone beyond ‘approaching one another’ by sharing those kisses. I don’t regret it, but there will be issues for us to deal with. Timing, courting, etc.”

“Yes. I would not feel right hiding our relationship.”

“Nor would I. However, it will be hard to limit our time with one another to once a week.”

“Six months is a mighty long time,” she agreed.

Daniel held her hand. “With God’s grace we shall work this out. Can you make yourself available for Saturdays? That will be our day, once a week, you and I.”

“Yes, I like that. Saturdays will be ours.”

“I will come by once a day on my way to the university, and we can exchange a few words before classes begin. That shouldn’t be a problem.”

Helen giggled. “Knowing the school board as we do, I imagine it will be.”

Daniel sighed. “You’re probably right. We’ll be careful. We have to be. I will begin escorting you and Edna to church on Sunday mornings.”

“That would be wonderful. But we should sit with Mrs. Miller, one on either side of her. That should help with the school board.”

“Agreed. I would prefer you by my side, but …”

“As would I.”

Daniel wrapped her in his embrace and held on as the train rolled down the tracks. He couldn’t believe how much his life had changed in a few short months. He hadn’t been looking for a wife, and yet the Lord had put this wonderful woman onto his path. His mind swirled with thoughts of the future. He wanted to ask about children and starting a family, but they needed more time. They could marry the day after school ended for the summer…. But how could he ask about a marriage date when he hadn’t proposed! They hadn’t even gone out with each other. Still, his mind filled with all the possible places they could go on their special day. If he was only allowed one day, he would make the most of it.

Helen exited the train with Daniel following close behind. A part of her didn’t want to continue on to Warren. Another part of her was excited to get to know Daniel. It felt odd to work so long for a degree in order to teach, and then not be able to because she had fallen in love. She understood her duties at home would take a lot of time, but felt confident she could do both. The school board, however, would never make an exception and allow a married woman to teach. Could she honestly give it up?

“Daniel.” She turned to speak with him. “I know you will think I’m fickle, but I am having doubts about leaving my career behind. I’ve worked so hard for my degree.”

It was hard for her to see his facial changes behind his beard. He closed his eyes for a moment then gave a single nod of his head. “We shall wait. I will not reveal to the university our intention to court. When you are comfortable, or if you are ever comfortable about giving up your career, I’ll be waiting.” He glanced around the area. He extended his hand. “It was a pleasure seeing you, Miss Jones.”

“What?” He shook his head with a glance over to their right. One of the school board members, Mr. Markle, waited on the station’s loading dock. “Pleasure meeting you, Professor Moore.” She grabbed her valise and headed toward the train station to determine which train she would be taking for the final leg of her journey back to Warren.

Daniel didn’t follow her in. After her inquiry, she exited the station and found him engaged in conversation with Mr. Markle. Her stomach twisted in knots thinking about Daniel, the train ride, the kisses they shared, and the conversation that followed. In his arms, it was easy to walk away from teaching. Apart from him, it was more difficult. What should I do, Lord?

A couple of days earlier her fantasies had leaned toward a simple life with Daniel as her husband. Now she was fighting those desires to maintain something she had worked so hard for, something she enjoyed. But was it her life?

She glanced back at Daniel. He nodded and gave her a slight wave as he headed back into the train. He was going on to Nashville. He would return to Warren later. He hoped to teach at a larger university someday. It made sense—better pay, more opportunities. But Warren would seem lonely after he was gone.

“Miss Jones!” Mr. Markle made his way over to her. He was wearing a dark suit with a light-colored vest.

“Mr. Markle,” she replied. “Visiting family?”

“Yes and no, I’m afraid. Mostly business. Professor Moore says you are coming back from your father’s.”

“Yes, sir. We had a lovely holiday together.”

“Wonderful. Well, I wanted to extend my appreciation for your reading of Jules Verne’s book, Around the World in Eighty Days. Quite enjoyable. The whole community really enjoyed it. I heard there was standing room only during your reading time with the children.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Wonderful. Perhaps now we can get the local families behind a better education budget.”

That is certainly needed. “That would be nice.”

“I’m wondering if you would consider signing a contract for next year? I don’t have the authority to offer it to you at this point, but I would like to bring it to the board’s attention, if you are interested.”

“For the same pay?”

Mr. Markle blushed.

“I’m afraid I can’t afford to rent my own place on such a meager salary.” Helen swallowed, not sure if she should continue, but decided to go ahead anyway. “The school board would have to do better for me to consider staying on another year.” Not that she could imagine staying in Warren, having such feelings for Daniel. Of course, he might be leaving for greener pastures by the fall.

Mr. Markle coughed. “I think we might be able to improve your wages. As I said, I cannot speak for the entire board.”

“I understand. My father would like me to return to Virginia and has sought out a teaching position for me there as well.”

He gave a curt nod. “I will speak with the board.”

“Thank you, Mr. Markle. I have enjoyed teaching in Warren.”

“What is the next novel you’ll be reading from?”

“Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. I might have the children whitewash the fence around the church as a class project.”

Mr. Markle chuckled. “Oh, Pastor Stevens would enjoy that.” He glanced at his pocket watch. “I must be going. It was a pleasure to see you, Miss Jones. Have a pleasant trip back home.”

“Thank you, and you as well.”

Helen prayed she would not be sharing the same train as Mr. Markle. She needed the time to rest, pray, and try to decide her future. Did she want a future of aloneness? Did she want a husband and children?

Two hours later she was back in Warren, in her room at Edna Miller’s house, and still had no answers. Edna, who had said she might stay visiting with family until the end of February, had not returned. At the moment, Helen wished that were not the case. She rattled around the empty house alone, so alone. Her stomach knotted. No matter how much she prayed and tried to think about the Lord and more pleasant things, she could not relax and find peace. Instead she found boredom and loneliness.

The weeks passed and Helen remained alone in Edna Miller’s house. The university students had come the first couple of days after Helen’s return, only to discover Edna was not back from her family visit to cook for them. They no longer came to check.

Helen watched every morning for Daniel but had only seen him a couple of mornings each week. He nodded as he passed by but never stopped. He never approached her about doing the Tom Sawyer botany lesson. Instead, she worked out her own curriculum. She ordered pansy seeds from Mr. Kroger down at the mercantile to represent the flower Tom buttoned in his jacket next to his heart after meeting Amy Lawrence. Helen wanted to do the same. She missed Daniel more than she expected to. She closed her eyes and wiped the tears from them as she settled down for the night. Father, I’m so lonely. Where is Edna? Why won’t Daniel even speak with me? I guess I understand that he’s waiting on me, but what do I do?