Romancing the Schoolteacher Read Online Free Page B

to enlist the help of some of the older students as she did with the first- and second-graders.
    The next few days scurried by with both the Thompson children in her class. They settled into the school routine and walked home with the Bennett children.
    The students she had chosen to work with Aggie and Dora were doing wonderfully. They read to the girls and taught them the alphabet, numbers, counting, colors and shapes. After lunch, the two girls always fell asleep. All was working splendidly.
    * * *
    On his fourth day of work, Lindley took his lunch and ate under a stand of trees in sight of the schoolhouse. He scanned the children until he saw Gabe with three other boys about his age. They stood in a circle playing battledore and shuttlecock. Even when he missed the shuttlecock with his paddle, he seemed happy.
    Dora and another little girl played together. What had his daughter said her friend’s name was? Yes. Aggie. They held hands and spun around in a circle until they both fell down.
    He smiled at the pair.
    Miss Greene sat on the steps of the school, eating her lunch. Maybe he should approach and sit with her while they both ate.
    No. That was silly. She had her job and he had his.
    He could see that his children were fine. He should head back to the mining company to finish his boiled eggs and bread with the other men. But he didn’t.
    When he finally did head back to work, the lunch break had ended. He hoped not too long ago.
    â€œThompson!” the foreman called.
    Mr. Brady’s scowl told him that lunch must have been over for some time.
    He trotted to the man. “I’m sorry about being late. It won’t happen again.”
    â€œYou’re right it won’t. There are plenty of other men who would love to have your job, who will be on time and work harder than you. I spoke with Keen and told him I didn’t think you were working out and he should fire your worthless carcass.”
    He’d spoken to the mine manager?
    â€œHe wants to see you. And if I’m real lucky, I won’t be seeing you again.”
    Lindley wouldn’t mind not seeing Brady again, but he couldn’t get fired. He hustled to Mr. Keen’s office and knocked.
    â€œCome in.”
    Lindley opened the door and entered the dimly lit, ten-by-ten room. “You asked to see me?”
    Keen frowned. “Close the door.”
    Lindley did and moved toward the straight-backed chair opposite the desk cluttered with rock samples and papers.
    â€œI didn’t invite you to sit.”
    Lindley straightened. “I’m sorry—”
    â€œI’ll tell you when you can speak.” Keen paused and took a deep breath. “Do you want this to work?”
    â€œYes, sir.” Lindley desperately needed this job to go well.
    â€œYou wandered off during the lunch break?”
    â€œI didn’t think I had to stay on the premises.”
    â€œYou came back late. You get lost?”
    â€œNo. I didn’t realize how long I was gone.”
    â€œBrady already doesn’t like you. Says you aren’t cut out for the work. He wants me to fire—how did he put it—your namby-pamby carcass.”
    He couldn’t do that. “I’ll work harder and won’t ever be late again.”
    â€œMaybe a week in the mine will give you an appreciation for working the kilns.”
    â€œYou can’t—”
    â€œI don’t want to hear it. Get yourself a cap lamp and sledgehammer. Then report to Ross. I think it will be real good for you to see what goes on underground. Now go.”
    Lindley wasn’t sure arguing would do any good, so he turned and left. He would work harder than any two men down there and be back up top in a week. Or less.
    All this trouble because of a woman. He had to keep his head on straight. Focus on the job.
    He grabbed the equipment and reported to Ross.
    That evening, exhausted, he fell into bed but was roused awake sometime later by Gabe and