The next morning, as arranged, Boone picked her up to take her out to the school and once again, she felt breathless in his company.

“Thank you for coming to get me. Let me know if I need to arrange for some other transportation.”

His gaze was admiring. “This works for me.”

Warmth bloomed within her. “Well, again, let me know if that changes.”

It didn’t take them long to get to the school, and they passed clusters of wooden houses built into the steep slope of the hill. There were Queen Anne cottages and gabled homes, and she could see men going off to work in the mines, lunch pails in hand and wondered if she’d be teaching their children.

Once they arrived, he hauled her down like a sack of potatoes and settled her on the ground once more.

She really ought to take him to task for it, but admitted to herself there was a part of her that enjoyed it, was impressed by his strength and liked the feminine way he made her feel.

Besides, she was so nervous about the upcoming day, that she simply chose to ignore his behavior. She straightened her skirt, thanked him when he handed over her bag and lunch pail, and walked toward the big, square, red-brick schoolhouse.

The place looked fairly new if she was any judge, but it wasn’t built for beauty, but rather utility. They walked up ten steps to the double doors and went inside.

The noise of rowdy children washed over her in the long hallway, as children, young and old, darted into classrooms. Nerves made her insides clench.

This was what she was in Montana for, and she had every intention of doing a proper job of it.

The hallway started to empty. They passed two rooms filled with older children, and at the third, Boone stopped. “This is it.”

She nodded. “Thank you for bringing me. Perhaps I’ll see you around today in the course of your work?”

“Probably so. Good luck.”

She took a deep breath.

“Don’t show any fear.”

That made her chuckle, releasing some of the tension she felt. “I won’t.”

Boone watched her as if curious at her reactions. “Have a wonderful day, Teach.”

“You, as well.” She could do this. She’d trained for it, though she’d really never expected to use her education for anyone other than her own children when the time came.

She took a deep fortifying breath, smiled at Boone, and walked inside the schoolroom to see young, bright, curious faces, all gazes locked upon her.

She shut the door on Boone’s smiling face and turned around with a genuine smile. “Good morning, children. I am Miss Rickman, your new teacher.”

She heard a muffled laugh through the door, and chuckled as the class welcomed her.

* * *

It wasn’t the worst bunch of ragamuffins that Lucy had ever seen, but it came close. The children she’d associated with in New York were always well-dressed, clean, and tidy.

Here, she noted more than one child without shoes, and a few with uncombed hair, but they all looked eager which filled her with hope. They looked to be from about age five to age ten, perhaps.

When she’d earned her teaching certificate from Vassar College, she’d studied under Mrs. Fordyce.

The woman had been a martinet, strict, stern, and determined to fill young minds with education and enlightenment, regardless of their economic status.

Lucy would do the same.

As she walked to the front of the classroom and settled her belongings on her desk, the room slowly quieted.

Again, following Mrs. Fordyce’s lead, her hands calmly clasped together in front of her, she faced the classroom.

“As I said, I am Miss Lucy Rickman and I am from New York City. You may all call me Miss Lucy.”

“New York Thitty!”

The boy who’d spoken was an adorable, chubby-cheeked towhead with two missing front teeth.

She smiled. “Yes. As I said, I’m from New York City, and I am happy to be here to teach you children for at least the next couple of months.”

“Where will you go after that?” A girl in a gingham dress smiled at her, cheekily.

An older boy called out, “Going to get married! That’s what they all do!”

“Quiet please, children. You will raise your hand and wait to be called upon if you’d like to participate in the discussion.”

She waited until it was silent. “Actually, I am not to be married. I will, perhaps, be reevaluated at the end of the school year and at that time it will be determined whether I’m to stay or not.”

A boy of about eight raised his hand. He was an identical twin if the boy he was sitting next to was any indication.

“Yes?”

“You’re pretty!”

The class broke out in giggles, as did the boy who’d made the comment.

Lucy smiled and started to relax. “Thank you. Now children, pay attention, we’ve a lot to learn today, and we’d best get to it. Please clean off your slates, and afterward I’ll have each of you introduce yourselves, and then we’ll get started.”

As the children did as she asked she wrote her name on the board as well as the agenda she’d prepared for the day and happiness rose within her.

Her grandmother had been right to send her here. Lately, her life was becoming one new experience after the next, and some of them were turning out to be pretty amazing.

* * *

Boone was having a lot of fun watching Miss Lucy, as the children were calling her.

He had plenty to do, and was now playing handyman after informing the county superintendent that he’d be filling in for a few days or so.

“Boone, do what you want. You always do, anyway. So long as we’re still having the year end party, that is.”

“Of course, we are. Don’t be stupid.”

Superintendent Graham White sat behind his desk and steepled his fingers. A thin, elegant man in his forties, with a passion for education, he was always trying to get Boone to contribute funds. “Just so we’re clear, I’m simply concerned that one day of dealing with the children could lead you to changing your mind.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t.”

“In that case, I have plenty to keep a man of your abilities busy.”

Boone chuckled. “That’s what I figured.”

“Any chance this has anything to do with my new teacher? I haven’t met her yet, but I’ve heard she’s pretty.”

“No comment.”

Graham had laughed and made him a list like the taskmaster he was. He’d handed it over with the remark, “Notice all these jobs are at the Adams School.”

Boone grinned. “Good thing, as I won’t be going anywhere else.”

So, he’d ended up spending the day at school checking on Miss Lucy when he could. When she dismissed the children for lunch, Boone came into her room with a smile.

“How’s it going so far?”

“It seems to be going well.”

“Really? Is that doubt I hear in your voice?”

That got a smile out of her. “Not doubt, exactly.” She gave him an impish smile. “But perhaps a bit of concern. Did I mention this is my first day teaching? Ever?”

He smiled. “You’re doing well.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you want to go to lunch?”

“Go? Go where? Mrs. Collier sent me with a pail.”

“Even better. Do you have enough to share?”

“I suppose that depends on how much you eat.”

“Hardly anything at all.”

She laughed again, and he felt like he’d accomplished his best task of the day.

“All right, I will share. But if this is to be a regular occurrence, then you can bring lunch the next time.”

“It’s a date. Tomorrow, same time, same place.”

Looking suddenly flustered, she blushed and lowered her gaze.

He hid a smile, but it wasn’t easy.

This girl was solid gold, and the fact that she thought him a lowly handyman and yet was still blushing in his presence was making him feel invincible.

She busied herself with gathering her lunch pail from off a nearby shelf. “Pull up a chair.”

He did so and watched as she set out two small pieces of chicken and a generous portion of potato salad. “I’m afraid there’s only one plate and one fork.”

“I’m not picky, I’ll share.”

Again, her blush heightened, and he couldn’t help wanting to continue to tease her. “This is cozy, isn’t it?”

She slung him a sharp look, but didn’t answer and started to eat.

“The children giving you any trouble?”

She swallowed. “No. Not really. They’re boisterous, but I love it.” She gave him an impish smile and handed him the fork, leaving him wondering if he was going to fall in love with her, based simply on that one charming look alone.

“I am wishing I would’ve paid more attention to my own teacher when she discussed different ways to control a classroom. But I’m sure I’ll find my way.”

“I have no doubt you will.” After taking a bite, he handed her back the fork, loving the intimacy of sharing with her. “If you need any help, just say the word.”

“Thank you.”

They ate in silence for a moment, enjoying the food, and he watched in amusement as she took dainty bites of chicken.

Maybe he should just admit he wasn’t the school handyman, but rather owned the largest mine in the area. Truthfully, he was surprised he’d been able to carry the ruse on for so long.

One look into her admiring blue eyes convinced him that now was not the right moment.

So instead, he sat across from her, enjoying lunch, while he considered the fact that if any of his friends or competitors saw him, sitting at the school desk of the pretty new teacher, they’d laugh their heads off to see him mooning over her the way he was.

Well, let them laugh.

He’d seen her first.