Within the Candle's Glow by Karen Campbell Prough

Author:Karen Campbell Prough [Prough, Karen Campbell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Firefly Southern Fiction
Published: 2016-04-22T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

For the next two weeks, Samuel kept the school open. Ella watched him expertly teach the different grade levels, and she did her best to help where and when she could. Every morning he gave progress reports on Konrad’s ordeal, and the children bowed their heads to pray for more good news.

The day before the barn dance, Ella waited for all the students to leave before approaching Samuel.

“You’re a born teacher, Samuel McKnapp.”

“I love teaching.” A wide, boyish grin lit his face as he closed an open book on the rugged desk and stood up. “Are you working today?” He smoothed his new light-colored mustache and picked up his hat.

“For two hours, then I need to wash my hair. Tomorrow’s the barn dance. Remember?”

“Are you reminding me for a reason? You changed your mind? Will you go with me?” He gazed down at her expectantly, a faint smile playing with the corners of his mouth.

“No.” She studied his handsome face and blue-green eyes, wishing she could surprise him by saying yes. “But I’ll see you there.”

“Hmm.” Samuel gathered his saddlebags and paused at the open door. “I know you’re going to decorate your basket so I can recognize it and buy it. I’ve saved some money.” He waved her past him.

“S’pose I ain’t bringin’ a basket?” She laughed, tucked her shawl about her shoulders, and went down the four steps. “Besides, where’d you dig up money? You been slippin’ off to the gold mines or pannin’ in the creeks?” She crossed her arms against the faint chill in the air and tilted her head. “You know, I heard a person don’t have to go far. A man found gold in Double Creek, west of here. If I were a man, I think I’d give it a try.”

“Honest?” He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“Yes. There’d be lots of things I’d do if I were able. I might be just like Duncan. I’d go hikin’ by myself and explore these hills and mountains.” She motioned at the wooded slopes.

He snorted at her last statement. “You do that now.”

“An’ I love it.” She playfully nudged him in the side. “So, did you pan for gold?”

“No.” Samuel pulled the door shut behind them. “I do odd jobs here and yon, and sometimes people pay me.”

“Sometimes, eh?”

They walked to the corral.

“Not often,” he muttered.

She patted his back. “Sorry. Times are tough. We can be thankful Konrad’s much better.”

“Yes. I stopped to see if he wanted any other school subjects covered. He’s in less pain. He’s breathing easier and resting better. They plan to make him a place to sit inside the barn so he can be at the dance.”

“I know. I visited with him two evenin’s ago. He’s usin’ a crutch to hobble around.”

“He told us he remembers stepping off the ladder and starting to climb. Then he slipped. He thinks a wood shingle broke under his foot. So, he wasn’t at the top, thank God.”

She shuttered. “I feared he’d never respond.”

“Granny thinks a bruise to his head had to heal.

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