Paradise Falls Read Online Free Page B

spinster, with crooked teeth, thick spectacles, and a face that would have stopped a plow-horse at twenty paces. What’s more, she never bought a new dress in all the years she lived here. Ma claimed that she used to sew her dresses from feed sacks, but I swear she was born in that shapeless gray rag she wore every day of her life.” He gave Fiona a long, appraising look that brought a rush of heat to her cheeks. “When my ma offered to put up the town teacher, she was expecting someone like Miss Hornby to keep her company.”
    “I didn’t mean to deceive her...”
    He threw back his head and roared. “I didn’t say you did. Besides, if you had two heads and breathed fire, Ma would still have offered you board.”
    “She must be a very kind—”
    “Kindness has nothing to do with it. The school board pays ten dollars a month to anyone willing to provide room and board to a teacher. If there’s one thing my mother knows, it’s how to squeeze a dollar from a lump of sand.” He reined in the horse and helped Fiona down, then led the way to the backdoor.
    Inside a woman looked up from the table where she was rolling dough. Despite the heat of the day, gray hair was slicked back from her face and secured in a perfect knot at her nape. She wore a faded blue gown, and over it an apron of bleached muslin that was dusted with flour.
    “Ma.” Flem was grinning as though enjoying himself immensely. “Look who just arrived. It’s the new schoolteacher, Fiona Downey.”
    The woman’s smile faded. She took considerable time studying Fiona through narrowed eyes as she crossed the room.
    Positioning himself so that his mother couldn’t see, Flem winked at Fiona. “This is my mother, Ulrica Rose Haydn.”
    “You know I hate the name Ulrica, Fleming. I had an aunt by that name, and she was my least favorite.” Rose ignored Fiona’s outstretched hand while she meticulously dried her hands on her apron. “We weren’t expecting you until next week, when school starts, Miss Downey.”
    “I’m sorry, Mrs. Haydn. I thought you would have received my letter of introduction by now.”
    “There’s been no letter.” Rose’s tone was accusing.
    Fiona flushed. “I mailed it almost two weeks ago.”
    “There is no regular mail delivery in Paradise Falls. If someone wants to contact us, they usually send a message with the conductor of the train.”
    “I see.” Fiona glanced at the table, set for four, and wondered how much longer she could stand without keeling over. Whether from hunger or exhaustion, her legs were threatening to betray her. The kitchen smelled of yeast and baking bread and all manner of wonderful spices that had her mouth watering. “If I could trouble you for a glass of water.”
    Rose turned away and pointed to a bucket in the corner of the kitchen. “There’s a dipper. Help yourself.”
    Fiona crossed the room and lifted the dipper to her lips, drinking deeply. When she looked up, Rose had returned her attention to the dough, rolling, kneading, pounding, then flipping it over to roll and knead again. She seemed to be taking great pleasure in pounding the lump of dough.
    Without missing a beat she called, “Fleming, show the teacher where she’ll be staying.”
    “This way.” He led Fiona through the parlor to what appeared to be an enclosed sunporch across the front end of the house. It had been made into a bedroom with the addition of a daybed, a scarred wooden chest, a desk and chair. Over the windows, sheets had been strung along wooden poles and tied back on either side. When untied, they would afford privacy.
    “I’ll fetch you a basin of water.” Flem was still grinning when he walked away, as though enjoying a private joke.
    Minutes later he returned with a basin and pitcher, which he set on top of the wooden chest. “Ma says to clean up for supper. As soon as Gray gets here, we’ll eat.”
    “Gray...?”
    “My brother.” He nodded toward the approaching horse and wagon that could