Texas Hero

  Especially in front of girls.

  "There was too much rain falling to know if I was crying. Besides, I was more worried about my pa and ma."

  "How did they find you?" Jack asked.

  "Pa said when Blackie came home without me he knew something was wrong.

  So he loaded his rifle and came looking for me. When he fired it, I heard it over the sound of the storm. I started hollering and didn't stop until he finally found me." " When did you find out you couldn't walk? " one of the bigger boys asked.

  Ben, growing bolder during his narrative, answered with a matter-of-fact "The next day. I guess I slept a long time. When I woke up, Doc Con way was in the kitchen with my folks." Ben glanced toward Runs With The Wind and young Kate and Danny, wondering if their father had told them much about the accident. But they seemed as curious as the others. He continued,

  "I

  tried to get up and I couldn't. I couldn't feel my legs at all. For a minute I thought maybe he'd cut them off, and I let out a holler. By the time they all came running in, I had the bed covers off and saw that my legs were still there. But I couldn't feel 'em at all." Caroline turned to Runs With The Wind, who accompanied Clan on most of his rounds.

  "Can you tell us what Dr. Con way found?"

  "He said it was an injury to the spine. And he thought," the boy said carefully, "that because Ben feels no pain, the injury is more serious than if he could feel pain."

  Suddenly growing bolder, the children asked to see Ben's legs and even to touch them.

  Un selfconsciously the children gathered around.

  When they asked him to explain how his legs felt, he grew thoughtful before giving them an answer.

  "They just feel like they aren't there."

  "Do they hurt?" tenderhearted Lisbeth asked.

  He shook his head.

  "I just can't feel them at all."

  "How do you get around your house?" Ethan Waverly asked.

  "My pa has to carry me. Mostly I just lie in bed, 'cause Pa's so busy with all the farm chores. Without me to help, he has to do even more than before."

  Caroline was surprised to note that even now Ben was more concerned with his parents than with his own suffering. For one so young, he was remarkably generous. Once again she became aware of the pain his infirmity had caused his loving parents.

  Even the youngest children seemed to have lost their fear when they were finally allowed to ask all the questions that came to mind, and to stare at Ben's lifeless legs and even touch them.

  When their curiosity was satisfied, Caroline said,

  "I think it's time to put away our lunch baskets and get back to our studies."

  While the older students worked on their sums, Caroline helped the beginning readers, who clustered around her in a small group. As she worked with them, she glanced over at the group of boys and girls seated around Ben. No longer did they shun him. They had completely taken over the blanket, with Ben in the middle.

  Jack had apparently appointed himself protector, seeing that no one got too close. Lisbeth held the slate while Ben wrote with chalk. When his hand got tired, Lisbeth passed the slate to someone else, giving Ben a chance to rest.

  When the older students were called on to read aloud, it was obvious that Ben's reading skills had improved so much that he was now better than Emma, who until now had been considered the best reader in the class. As a reward for his efforts, Caroline handed Ben the treasured book of adventure stories.

  "At the end of every day, the student who has shown the most effort is permitted to read a chapter to the class," Caroline explained.

  "I think we would all agree, Ben, that today that privilege is yours."

  While the children settled back to listen, Ben began to read.

  Seeing the rapt faces of the children, Cora stepped outside to investigate.

  Abner and Thad, strolling from the barn, joined her. The parents were overwhelmed to see the way the students had responded to their son. The boys and girls lay in a cozy circle around Ben, some with eyes closed, others staring at the clouds that dusted the sky. Young Jack's hand rested casually on Ben's shoulder. Lisbeth turned the pages while Ben read.

  Ab and Cora were stunned to hear their son's voice washing over the crowd of children, taking them to a land none of them would ever see.

  Cora turned to her husband, and he could see the glitter of tears on her cheeks. Touching a big, work-worn hand to her face, he wiped away her tears and awkwardly drew her to his chest. They stood together, feeling their hearts alternately breaking and mending. The shining look in their son's eyes was something they had thought lost forever.

  Now, seeing it, hearing his voice strong and clear, they began to feel the first faint stirrings of hope.

  They seemed completely unaware of Thad, standing in silence to one side, his eyes narrowed in concentration.

  "Thank you, Ben," Caroline said when the chapter was finished.

  "That was good reading, Ben." Jack clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder.

  "I have a lot of time to read now that I can't do farm chores."

  "Maybe I'll come by next week and we can work on our reading together."

  "I'd like that," Ben said softly.

  "So would I," Jack said with a laugh.

  "You're so much better'n me, my grades are bound to improve."

  "All right, children," Caroline called.

  "It's time to get to the wagon."

  Their departure was not at all like their arrival. It was obvious that the children had become so comfortable around Ben that they were reluctant to leave. They punched his shoulder or slapped his hand as they bid goodbye.

  And Ben, no longer self-conscious about his infirmity, laughed and shouted to each of them.

  The older children helped the younger ones into the wagon while Caroline walked to where Cora and Abner stood together.

  "Thank you for allowing us to come," Caroline said.

  "I'm glad now that I let you talk me into it," Cora admitted.

  "But I was afraid."

  "You had a right to be worried." Caroline gave her a bright smile.

  "The truth is, I was worried, too. But I think now..." She glanced toward Ben, still lying on the blanket, his face wreathed in smiles.

  "I think it's going to be all right."

  Abner looked at this young woman and thought how angry he'd been when his wife had first told him of her plans. The thought of the children coming to ridicule and taunt his son, to flaunt their ability to run and play, had been like a knife to his heart. But now, seeing the look in his son's eyes, his heart was nearly overflowing with a mixture of relief and joy.

  His eyes were still haunted; his lips still tight and pinched with the pain he had carried all these long months alone. But his handshake was firm as he caught Caroline's hand in his and said,

  "You come back now, hear?"

  "I will, Mr. Meadows. We all will, if you'll have us. As long as the weather allows, I'd like to bring the class often."

  He nodded, then turned to where his son lay beneath the tree. Ben's eyes were bright with excitement as his father lifted him and carried him to the front porch.

  The children waved and shouted until the wagon disappeared below a ridge.

  Cora stood, the blanket folded over her arms, waving until they were out of sight. Ab stood beside her, holding his son. When they went inside, he carried his son to his bed and found he had to swallow several times before he managed to get by the lump that had formed in his throat.

  When the wagon rolled to a stop at the schoolhouse, the children scrambled down and headed for their own horses or wagons to continue the journey to their homes.

  "Goodbye, Miss Adams," they called.

  "Goodbye."

  When the last child had gone, Caroline turned to Thad.

  ' "Thank you for the use of your wagon. I know how busy you must be at your own ranch."

  "I was glad to do it."

  He studied
the way she looked, hair teased by the wind, eyes still shining from the excitement of the day. Did she have any idea of the miracle that had just occurred?

  As he picked up the reins he fixed her with a probing look and added,

  "You're an amazing woman, Caroline Adams The people of Hope have no idea how lucky they are to have you teaching their children."

  Before she could react, he was gone in a cloud of dust.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Oaturday, the first day of the town social, dawned bright and clear. By noon the sun shimmered in an ice blue sky unblemished by a single cloud.

  Caroline spent the morning in a frenzy of cooking and baking. Besides Sunday's picnic lunch, Jessie had explained to Caroline that each woman was expected to supply a dish for the Saturday evening potluck supper, which would be followed by dancing until, as Jessie explained, "the fiddlers stopped fiddling or the jug went dry."

  While the last of young Jack's generous gift of venison roasted over the fire, along with several plump fish from the river, Caroline dug precious potatoes and picked tender young vegetables from her garden.

  At the table she rolled out pie dough, cutting it into fancy strips and fluting the edges carefully over tart cherry filling. The wonderful aroma filled the tiny cabin.

  Caroline had carefully washed and ironed both her dresses. She would wear the brown one today and save the dove gray with the white collar and cuffs for tomorrow's church services and the picnic. She detested the thought of trying to dance in her old brown boots, but she had no choice. They were all she had.

  Scattering grain on the floor of the shed for the chicks, she latched the door. She was taking no chances on coyotes coming upon them before she returned.

  She carefully placed the blackened pots of roasted meat, fish and vegetables in the back of the wagon, then returned for the cherry pies.

  When everything was loaded, she climbed to the seat of the wagon and flicked the reins. The horse took off at a gentle clip.

  When Caroline reached the town of Hope, she was surprised by the number of horses and wagons littering the street. Everywhere she looked, people clustered around, calling out greetings. Children and dogs scampered about, chasing each other among the wagons.

  The festive atmosphere was contagious. For two glorious days, the ranch chores could be forgotten, the tough business of survival could be put aside.

  She guided her horse and rig the length of the congested street to the church. Inside, the men had set up long planks to hold the array of food being brought by the women.

  In a corner of the church Reverend Symes was having a whispered discussion with Sara Waverly. They looked up when they caught sight of Caroline.

  "Ah, Miss Adams. Perhaps here is our solution, Mrs. Waverly." Waving Caroline over, the preacher explained, "It seems we have a problem with some of our girls. I think a young lady like yourself is the perfect one to handle the situation."

  "What did they do. Reverend?"

  Sara, looking as if she'd eaten something sour, replied, "They found the boys swimming in the creek and decided to join them."

  "Oh dear. And do you mean they don't know how to swim?" Caroline turned away, ready to rush to the rescue. "We must go help them at once."

  "That is not what I mean."

  Sara's stern words had her turning back.

  "Are they fighting?"

  "Of course not."

  Caroline was clearly puzzled.

  "If they're not drowning and not fighting, what's wrong?"

  "You see nothing wrong with girls and boys swimming together?"

  "Well..." Caroline thought back to her own childhood. There'd been no time to be carefree, but she had managed to slip away to the river sometimes, just to escape the tedium. But always she'd been alone, not by choice but by circumstance.

  Mistaking her silence, Sara said sternly,

  "I realize, Miss Adams, that you are as shocked and disgusted as I, but far too much of a lady to show it."

  Shocked? Disgusted? Caroline covered her confusion with another question.

  "Is Emma one of the girls swimming?"

  ' "The reverend assures me he saw her there just minutes ago."

  "Do you object to Emma swimming?"

  The preacher fixed his gaze upon the young widow as she replied,

  "Well, no.

  I've always let my daughter go with her brother. But, of course, he's much younger." Sara glanced at the man beside her.

  "My late husband used to tell me that boys often... remove their clothes before diving in."

  "Oh." Caroline wanted to laugh, but the look on the the young widow's face stopped her. As for Reverend Symes, his own good sense appeared to be waging war against the widow's persuasiveness, and good sense was losing.

  "I'll go to the creek right now and ... resolve this." Caroline hoped her calm, reasonable tone would reassure both Sara and Reverend Symes.

  ' "Thank you, Miss Adams," the preacher said with a sigh of relief.

  ' "I think a lecture on the proper behavior of young ladies would be in order," Sara called after her.

  "I think you're right." Caroline hurried away before the laughter that was bubbling up inside happened to spill over and ruin her image.

  She had no difficulty finding the children. The sounds of their laughter could be heard long before she broke through the tangle of brush and came upon them at the creek.

  As she watched, young Jack caught hold of a thick vine and went swinging high over the water, twirling in dizzying circles. He had discarded his shirt and boots and wore only his britches. With a shriek of laughter he let go and dropped like a stone. Seconds later he broke the surface, spitting a mouthful of water like a fountain to the cheers of the children.

  For long minutes Caroline hid behind a curtain of leaves, reluctant to spoil their pleasure. They were having so much fun. The kind of fun that only innocent children could enjoy.

  Sitting down on a rock, she waited, drawing out the moment when she would have to keep her promise to the preacher and Sara. She would have waited even longer, but when she saw Sheriff Horn heading toward her from one direction and Bel va Spears from another, she decided it was time to make her presence known.

  "So this is where you've all gone to." She made a great deal of noise as she pushed aside the bushes and stepped into the clearing beside the creek.

  "Doesn't this look like fun. Are you all having a good time?"

  "Miss Adams, look," Ethan Waverly said, slipping below the water and coming up on the other side of his sister. "I can hold my breath under water."

  "That's very good, Ethan."

  Caroline was pleased to see the boy playing with the others. Usually Ethan, cowed by his mother's strict rules, was shy and withdrawn around the other children.

  "Emma," Caroline called gently,

  "I told your mother I would come and find you and the other girls."

  "Do I have to go back to the church now?" The girl began wading toward shore, and Caroline was relieved to see that she still wore her dress.

  The wet skirt clung to her legs, dripping water as she walked.

  ' "I thought maybe you girls would like to come with me. And leave the boys here to swim alone."

  "Where are we going?" Emma called.

  "It's a secret."

  "I love secrets." With no further coaxing, Lisbeth hurried from the creek with her cousin Kate following.

  "Good afternoon. Miss Adams, children," Sheriff Horn and Bel va called in unison. Each seemed not at all surprised to see the other, and Caroline wondered if they'd arranged to meet away from the prying eyes of the town.

  "Miss Adams is taking us to a secret place," Lisbeth said conspiratorially.

  "That sounds like fun. Just don't go too far," Bel va cautioned.

  "The children's races will be starting in a little while."

  Caroline and the girls set off in one direction, while Sheriff Horn and Bel va Spears returned to town.

  As soon
as they were alone, the boys stripped off their wet clothes and hung them on tree branches to dry. With hoots of laughter at their freedom, they dived back into the water, splashing and screaming.

  Caroline led the girls along the banks of the creek until they were out of sight of the others.

  "I wish we could swim some more," Emma complained loudly.

  "It isn't fair.

  The boys have all the fun and we have to go back to the church and help with the food." " They don't really need us at the church yet." Caroline slowed her walking, and the girls looked up at her.

  "You mean we could swim some more?" Lisbeth asked.

  "I don't see why not. How about right here?"

  "You mean this is the secret?"

  Caroline nodded. Though she hadn't planned it, allowing the girls a little more fun in the water seemed perfectly natural.

  ' "The secret is that the boys sometimes like to shed their clothes while they swim. And they can't do it with us around. But" -- with a conspiratorial smile, Caroline drew the girls close "--there's no reason why you can't have the same fun."

  With giggles and shrieks the girls stepped out of their dresses, tossing them quickly over the branches of low- hanging brush. Wearing only their shifts, they raced into the water. With a laugh Caroline stepped onto a large boulder and watched as the girls frolicked and splashed.

  "Who wants to race?" she suddenly challenged.

  "I do. I do." All three girls took up the challenge.

  "To that submerged rock out there," Caroline called. "On the count of three."

  They were off and racing, their hands sending up a spray of water as they cut through the creek's smooth surface.

  Emma reached the rock first and climbed on top, proclaiming herself the winner. When Lisbeth reached her she helped her up. By the time little Kate got there, the two girls helped her onto the flat rock, where they joined hands and danced and twirled around and around until, dizzy, they slid back into the water and headed for shore. There they sat, the water lapping over their legs, catching their breath for the next race.

  "Isn't that much more fun than trying to swim with those heavy skirts?"

  Caroline asked.

  The three girls nodded, enchanted by the fact that a grown-up would understand them and spend so much time with them. Especially one in a position of authority. Their hearts swelled with affection for their teacher.