If Quinlan thought the situation with Pecos was going away, she was wrong. Even the kids whispered about the Indian boy, ignoring the child, pointing and making fun of him. On the playground, she tried not to interfere, but if they didn't stop, she would have to confront them. 

She kept hoping this would peacefully end, though her gut was telling her the problem wouldn't end. Someone would be punished.

That afternoon, writing on the chalkboard with her back to the class, she heard giggling. When she whirled around, she caught sight of the little boy sitting his face forward, stoically watching her. Someone made a paper braid and tried to glue it to the back of his head. The braid was stuck on his shirt. 

Anger roiled through her like a dust storm, coating her insides. Enough.

As she walked to the boy, she picked up the paper braid, then returned to stand in front of them. "While you are here in my classroom, I require your full attention. Your purpose is to learn. Not belittle other children who don't look like you. Not to think you're better than someone else, not to cause division in this schoolroom.” 

Taking a deep breath, she tried to steady the fury that still rode her. "In here, you are all young people being educated about the world outside. Now who wasted their time making this braid instead of studying?"

Silence filled the room as she glared at the children. 

"All right no one is going to tell me who did this. Take out your tablets. To reinforce my message, we will spend the next two hours writing I am here to learn."

A groan resounded in the schoolroom.

"Why?" asked a little red hair girl. "That's not fair. I didn't do this."

Oh yes, this punishment was getting to them. The thought of scribbling the same sentence over and over for two hours would be torture for many of them. 

"For one student’s prank, everyone will be disciplined, since no one came forward."

"Wait," another boy said, licking his lips nervously. "John took Sally's paper braid and glued it to Pecos’s head."

Of course, her two main troublemakers were the instigators who escalated the bullying.

"Is this true, John?"

The boy slouched in his desk. "Why do you care? This kid is a half breed. He's too stupid to go to school."

Those words would not gain him any slack. He was the one who didn't have the learning skills necessary to stay out of trouble. 

"Did you do this?"

"Sally made the braid and I glued it to the half breed's head."

"Stop," she said. "We do not name call in this classroom."

For a moment, she had to breathe and calm her racing heart, cool her rage, and not let the boy see how he upset her. This was her first discipline problem that Madam Wigg had not addressed and she tried to think of how her mentor would handle a student like this. And then the resolve came to her. 

"Well, it's true," the boy said. "He's a half breed."

"John, I want you to pack up your things for the day. Tomorrow, I will expect you to have written an essay on how every child is entitled to attend school and better themselves. You will write it on paper, and you will turn your paper into me in the morning when you return. Do you understand?"

The kid's eyes widened and she could see how frustrated the task made him. 

"Yes, ma'am. What about Sally? Why does she get away with this?"

Quinlan smiled. "Sally is going home as well. Her homework is to write an essay on how important it is that we respect each other and that we are all here to get an education."

The girl groaned. "Thanks, John."

"Now pack up your stuff, both of you and leave. In the morning, I will expect your essays."

After they walked out the door, she turned and faced the other children. The room was so quiet except for a mouse squeaking behind the walls. "Disrespect will not be tolerated. Do you understand?"

The remaining children nodded. "Now, let's finish our lesson."

During the time she taught, she considered how she could bring the class to a better understanding about their heritage and the people around them.

At the end of the day, she gazed at her students and made her decision. 

"Today gave me an idea. Here is your homework assignment. Talk to your parents and ask them about your family. Where you came from. How you arrived in Zenith, Texas. Write a short paper on your family story and be prepared to read yours aloud to everyone. All of us have a history and the more we know about our background the more we understand. Have a great night everyone."

Only her own history was one she would never tell the children. Not all families were created equal. Some had secrets that should remain in the dark. 

After the children left, Pecos hung around a little longer. 

"Thank you," he said to Quinlan. "My father said for me to be strong and proud, but I don't understand why they don't like me."

Quinlan's heart seized inside her chest. What could she say? They were ignorant. Their parents were ignorant. After all, he was just a boy whose appearance was different.

"Sometimes children don't know what they're doing is wrong. Ignore them and continue studying. Right now, your grades are some of the best in the school. Soon these kids will realize how smart you are. Don't hesitate to come to me if something like this happens again."

Time after time, she'd seen children bully someone who was different until they learned how intelligent that child was and then they wanted that student to be their friend. No one deserved to be bullied including Pecos. 

Walking out the door together, there stood the child's mother.

"I was getting worried," she said. "Give me a moment to speak to your teacher alone. Go on ahead and I'll catch up to you."

The boy walked away. 

"Pecos told me some of the children are picking on him."

"Yes, everything came to a head today. Two of the students went home early and received extra homework."

The woman sighed. "His mother, my sister, ran off with a handsome Indian chief and Pecos is a product of that union. Unfortunately, she died when he was four and his father brought him to me to raise. We're trying to let him learn the ways of his tribe and our ways. But I don't want the boy to be harmed or picked on."

The concern in the woman's expression, her eyes warm and yet pleading, showed how much she cared about the boy. Quinlan was sure raising the child must be difficult. 

"Pecos is very intelligent. A quick learner and we're going to do our best to make sure he continues to excel," Quinlan told the boy's aunt. 

The lady smiled. "My sister was extremely bright." She bit her lip. "As his teacher, I hope you don't pay a price for helping him. There are people in town who will not make your life easy."

The thought had already crossed Quinlan's mind, especially after her visit from Mrs. Brown. Tomorrow she would probably encounter more angry parents, but she refused to back down. Pecos would receive an education. 

Quinlan nodded. "I'm sure. My job is to educate all the children. Not just a few. Pecos deserves to learn as much as the others."

"Thank you. That means a lot," she said and turned and walked away.

No, this would not be the end of this situation. 

The next day, Will insisted on driving Quinlan to school. While he realized the parents would be upset, maybe if he stood beside her when the children arrived, they would see she had a man determined to protect his wife. No one would harm Quinlan. 

When they drove up, an Indian brave sat on a horse in the distance, watching. After Will helped Quinlan out, he walked over to the man on horseback. 

"Hello," he said.

"Hello," the man responded. 

"Will Adams," he said holding out his hand. 

"Chief Isatai," he said his eyes never wavering. 

"Why are you here?" Will asked, wondering if this was Pecos father.

"For the same reason you are," the man said, staring at the children arriving. "My son attends school there. Making certain my boy and his teacher are not harmed."

For some strange reason, Will trusted the man and he believed he was watching over the children. 

Will smiled. "I'm married to the teacher, Mrs. Adams."

The man nodded. "My wife's sister spoke to her yesterday. The other students don't like Pecos being there and Mrs. Adams is doing her best to help him."

"Do you think the townspeople will hurt your boy?" Will asked. "My wife would do everything in her power to keep any of the children from being hurt."

The man gazed at him, his large dark eyes softening for the first time. 

"I believe you. I've been watching, and your woman has a kind spirit. There are those in town who don't like us around."

No way could Will argue with the man because it was true. They all wanted to live in this area, but without tolerance, Will feared someday another war might break out. All that would do was get good men on both sides killed. Somehow they needed to learn to live together in harmony or face dire consequences. 

Some tribes never wanted peace, but many wanted the killing to stop. 

Will looked down the hill at his wife, waving the children into the classroom. 

"Could I ask a favor of you," he said, thinking he was crazy for even asking as he stared up at the man sitting stoically on the horse. 

"What is this favor?"

"Mrs. Adams studies Indian culture and would like to visit a village. Would it be possible to come to your village?"

The man smiled. "On Saturday, bring her to the other side of the creek and I'll ride in with you. My new wife will fix us lunch."

Joy spread through Will's heart as Quinlan would be so pleased and would love learning about their way of life. 

"Thank you, that will mean a lot to Quinlan," he said. "Can I ask you another question?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you putting your son in a white man's school?"

"My boy, Pecos is half white and half Comanche. As my son, he will be in both worlds and must learn the ways of each, so he can use the best information."

Will nodded, understanding, but thinking the kid was going to have a rough, hard road in most places. 

"Thanks for watching over my wife."

The brave gave a brief nod. "Thanks to your wife for watching over my son and making him a smart man in the white man's world."

With a touch of his finger to the tip of his hat, Will walked down the side of the hill to the tiny building to tell Quinlan goodbye. Rounding the corner of the building, he heard the yelling and his stomach tightened with fury. 

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice trembling with rage.

"Your wife sent my son home from school yesterday over him teasing a half breed."

Will had never liked Mike Scott and thought his kid was a bully. He'd witnessed how the boy treated other children and he wondered if the kid received that kind of treatment at home.

"My wife, your son's teacher doesn't deserve to be yelled at. Her pay doesn't include having parents screaming at her. And her students shouldn't have to listen to your disrespect. Maybe it's time you left so that school can get started."

Quinlan stood in the doorway, her face pale, her hands shaking. If this kept up, her days of teaching would be over. 

The man glared at Will. "Don't think this is over. I saw you up there talking to that Injun. We don't need his stealing band of thieves robbing us blind. We certainly don't want his diseased children among our own. You can be I'm going to the school board."

"Let's make it a date," Will said. While he knew he shouldn't, he couldn't stop the words from slipping from his mouth. "See you in church on Sunday, Mike."

The man turned and stomped toward town. 

As he turned to Quinlan, she raised her hand to his face. "Thank you, my husband. Now I need to go to work."

"Do you want me to stay?"

She smiled. "No, I'll be all right. See you tonight."

Entering the schoolroom, she shut and locked the door behind her, while Will had to take deep breaths to keep from going into town to find Mike Scott. 

After a week of heated conversation with parents, Quinlan hated that her school had suddenly become embroiled in controversy. All she wanted was to teach children, not segregate them into groups based on their families or their skin color. Hopefully today would be the day she could get back to teaching. 

The early morning sun was shining brightly and she knew it was time for her to leave for school. She just couldn't seem to muster the enthusiasm for her job she once loved. 

A knock on the door startled both of them. 

Will opened the door and Quinlan was shocked to see Meg, Annabelle, and Ruby, along with their friend Dora, standing there. 

"Good morning. We came to escort you to school," Meg said.

Annabelle stepped forward with the cutest little girl. "My name is Charlotte. Can I come to school with you?"

The pixie shaped face looked up at with such innocence and adoration that Quinlan's heart melted. They were showing their support and she couldn't help but smile. She squatted to the little girl's level. "How old are you?"

"I'm five," she said. "Momma said today I could go to school and learn."

"Well, of course, you can," Quinlan said. 

This morning for the first time, when she awoke beside Will she thought about staying home. All week her children were upset. In their young eyes, she saw they were frightened and nervous. The adults argued amongst themselves and they heard the discussions, the yelling, and the ugliness. This wasn't what she wanted for her class.

"If you don't mind, I'd like for her to be there for a couple of days. That way people will witness we're not afraid to send our children to school. Why should they be?"

"Maybe this will soon blow over," Meg said. 

The last few days, Will had tried to cheer her, but Quinlan was starting to feel like a failure. At her very first independent job, already there was contention. But she refused to back down. Her morals said every child deserved an education.

"So, we're here to walk you through town to school," Ruby said.

Will stood at the door, smiling. "Thank you for supporting my wife." 

Never before had Quinlan experienced such love and encouragement. 

"You're welcome," Dora said. "Don't know what the big hullaballoo is."

The woman appeared almost bored with the whole situation. "Kids are kids." 

"Let's get going," Meg said.

"Sure, let me grab my things," Quinlan said, going back into the house.

Will followed her inside, his face tight, eyes shadowed with worry. The man had been nothing but caring and attentive. 

"Be careful."

Reaching up, she ran her hand along his face, enjoying the smooth texture of his skin. "Come pick me up. The idea of walking back alone makes me uneasy."

"Oh, and by the way, Saturday, we're doing something special. It's a secret."

"What?"

He grinned at her, her heart glowing. "It wouldn't be a secret if I told you."

As he layered his mouth over hers, the touch of his lips was enough to have her thinking of the two of them entwined together in bed. Married almost a month, she wondered how long before her husband decided it was time. 

Funny, but she no longer feared him and was anxious to finalize their marriage. Never before had she been drawn to a man who created all kinds of emotions within her, but Will was certainly making her feel something new and exciting.

"See you tonight," he said as their lips broke apart.

The women all gave her smug looks as she came out the door. 

"Yes, most definitely, the honeymoon stage," Ruby said as they walked up the roadway. Since they lived aways out, the walk would not be short as they laughed and giggled heading into town. Though Quinlan missed the girls at the orphanage she grew up with, these ladies were quickly becoming her friends. 

On the edge of Zenith, the women linked arms with Annabelle on the end carrying Charlotte as they walked down the middle of Main Street. Meg's husband, Zach, the sheriff, came out of his office and stared at his wife.

"Meg Gillespie, what are you doing?"

"Making a statement, honey. What are you doing?"

"Watching my bullheaded wife," he said. 

"You adore me," Meg said with a smirk.

"Absolutely, I do, but you're eight months pregnant."

"So? You don't think this doesn't affect this baby?"

Quinlan didn't know whether to laugh, giggle, or try to keep her emotions from spewing out of her mouth. The married couple's semi arguing in public was kind of hilarious. 

The sheriff came over to his wife's side. "There probably is no way you would stop this foolishness for the sake of the baby."

"Nope, the baby is fine. She's having a good time."

"Aargh, Meg Gillespie...what can I do to help?"

"Walk with us," she said. "All we're doing is letting the town see we're backing Quinlan as the new teacher who just wants to teach."

As Zach joined the women on the other end of the line, Quinlan smiled. "Thanks, Sheriff. I hope this doesn't cause you any trouble."

With a laugh, he replied, "This is the least of my concerns. People should take a look at the men on my wanted posters. Those are the ones they should be concerned about, not a young boy." Leaning over to Quinlan, he said, "And my wife, who likes to drive me crazy."

"Don't think I can't hear you," Meg said, giving her husband a look. 

As they walked through town, people in shops came out and watched. Some cheered, some booed and one man spat in the street near Quinlan. Was this the reception the people of Zenith would give a newcomer? For teaching an Indian child? What had she done that was so wrong?

When they reached the school, the chief sat on his horse staring down at the building. The women didn't say anything as they stared up at him. Quinlan decided to be brave.

"He's watching over us to make certain no one harms his son or any of the children. That no one hurts me."

The sheriff frowned. "Things have gotten tense, if he's here every day."

She waved to the man Will had told her was watching over her and the children. He returned her wave and that's when the idea came to her. Maybe it would work and maybe it wouldn't. The thought was worth trying.

"Ladies, I think I might have a solution."

Will stood at the back of the classroom, watching his wife and the adults in attendance. Quinlan asked him to be there in case of trouble, but she hoped the children could show their parents they were all one and the same. 

From the looks of the crowded building, every parent and school board member were in attendance. 

"Thanks, everyone, for coming. For the past week, the children have worked on their stories and we thought this would be a great way for the kids to share something about their backgrounds. The students chose the best three tales and those will be read out loud. These are the children's family histories and how they came to Zenith. We hope you enjoy them." 

"First up is Jennie Brown," his wife said. 

The little girl whose mother said they would take her out of school stood. The child began to read her family’s journey from Ireland to New York while Will watched the adults’ reactions to her words. 

She spoke of the famine that had driven her grandparents to leave their native land and how they had been mistreated in New York. How her father became a banker and then they bought the bank here in Zenith.

His wife was a genius.

"Next up is John Smith with his family's story."

As the boy read about his family, Will watched the other guests. Some were pleased, some indifferent, but the ones that had been angry subtly understood the message. All were immigrants, blessed to be on this land. The child finished his story, glanced over at Pecos and smiled. Even the children realized they weren't the original settlers.

"Last we have Pecos. This child's story is a complex tale of cultures."

A rumbling of whispers began in the crowd as the parents grasped this was the boy everyone was upset about attending the class. The door opened and in walked the boy’s father. Isatai nodded to the parents, but didn't say a word, as he moved to stand in the back with his arms crossed, his feet firmly planted.

"My mother's family came from across the ocean from a place called London, where her grandparents worked as house servants. Wanting a better life for their children, they purchased passage on a ship that traveled to America. In New York, they found jobs, but still this was not the life they dreamed of. So they signed up to travel to Texas where they could homestead. 

“On the journey here, my mother was born and then later, my aunt and uncle. My grandfather loved horses and soon he traded horses to everyone including the Indians. At the age of eighteen, my mother was out riding when she stepped on a rattlesnake. A young Indian brave saved her life by lancing the bite and putting herbs on the wound. Then he took her home to her father. 

“My mother told me the proud brave was very handsome. Soon he started visiting her and my father said my mother's arrow pierced his heart. Though they came from different cultures they fell deeply in love. 

“My father asked for mother's hand in marriage, but my grandfather said no and threatened to send her back east to family. Afraid of being separated, they ran off and united in an Indian ceremony. 

“Living with my father's people, my mother began to learn the ways of the Comanche. At first, it was a hard life, but she loved my father and they were happy. A year after their joining, my mother gave birth to me. My father said they were so excited to start their family. 

“Right after I turned six, my mother took ill. My father gave her Indian herbs and they didn't heal her. So then he took her home to her father and a doctor tried to cure her. But the sickness spread and soon she died. 

“At the time of her death, my father was devastated and I felt lost. My aunt convinced my father that I needed to learn the ways of his people, but also my mother’s. Not only to honor her memory, but to help me in this world. The way of life for the Indians is changing. While my father does not want me to forget my heritage, he wants me to know how to live in these challenging times."

The kid looked up and stared at the parents. "You may call me a half breed, but I'm a boy just like your sons trying to grasp what I need to know for when I become an adult."

Silence filled the room. Not a sound came from the adults, and for a moment, Will feared his wife's experiment had failed. 

Suddenly Charlotte, Annabelle's tiny daughter stood and ran to the boy and threw her arms around him. "I'm sorry your mama died."

Several of the women wiped away tears at the sight of the little girl lovingly embracing the motherless child. Even Will teared up at the image of the two children embracing one another. The smallest expressing her heartfelt sadness for the Indian child.

"It's okay. My father and my aunt take care of me," the boy said.

"No one can replace your mama," she said hugging him.

The boy’s story had been moving, but the image of the little girl accepting and offering him comfort had more of an affect than the child's words. 

Wiping a tear from her eye, his wife stood. "That concludes our readings about our families and our heritages. I'm so pleased that all of you turned out this afternoon to hear our children. Isn't it wonderful that we live in such a diverse country and have been blessed to come to Texas. There are refreshments in the back provided by Meg Gillespie, Annabelle Samuels and Ruby Culver. Again, thanks for coming."

Will shook his head. The woman used the children to teach the adults something about life and love and getting along. The parents who had been angry about Pecos being in school didn't cozy up warm and friendly with the boy, but their kids talked to him like old friends. 

Pecos's father walked over to Will. "Your woman, she is smart. Her plan may have succeeded with the children, but the adults, I don't know."

"Let's wait and see. Your story is touching," Will said. "We've only been married a month and already I can't imagine Quinlan not being here."

The man sighed and nodded. "Thank you. So young and beautiful and now she's gone. Recently I joined with a sweet squaw. You'll soon meet her."

Many people avoided speaking to the man as he leaned against the back wall of the building watching over his son like the other parents. One by one, the families gathered their children and left the building until finally it was only Will and Quinlan and the school board members.

A man walked up to her. "Pecos may remain in school as long as he does not create any disciplinary problems. If someone complains, direct them to us."

"Thank you, sir," Quinlan said, smiling at Will. "Let's hope the rest of the year goes smoother."

The man laughed. "You're teaching children. There will be no smooth sailing."

After he left, Will walked up to Quinlan and took her in his arms. "When you told me about this crazy idea of yours, I thought it would never work. What a great reminder to all of us of our pasts."

Leaning down, he kissed her and she let him, before she pulled apart. "Take me home. There is this man I'm married to that I want to spend some time with. Maybe he could show me a new dish to prepare tonight."

The woman had no clue what he'd like to do with her this evening and every other evening. An idea began to form in his head, and maybe this weekend, it would all come together.