Page 6 of Beyond Montana's Sky
Ben waved a square of paper. “Micah Norton stopped by with an invitation for you to attend a tea party Mrs. Delia Norton is holding for their guests—the one who’s going to be the new librarian and her niece. He said his mother extends her apologies for the short notice.”
Her son’s voice sounded a bit hoarse. Edith made a mental note to question him later about how he was feeling. “Ah yes, Rose Collier, the librarian without an actual library.” She reached out a hand for the invitation. “How was school today, boys?”
Matthew wrinkled his nose. “I wish I could breeze through algebra problems the way Ben can.”
Pride in her son’s analytical mind filled her. “Ben has his father and uncle’s mind for business. He certainly didn’t inherit a love of mathematics from me. Basic problems are fine. But algebra….” She gave a mental shudder, feeling grateful her school days were over.
Ben nudged Matthew’s shoulder with his. “You’re coming along just fine. And you’re doing better in geography than I am. Yourlittle brothersare doing better than I am.”
With a sheepish look at Edith, Matthew shrugged. “Teacher lets us take the globe home on weekends.”
“That’s kind of Mrs. Gordon.”
“We have contests to find the different countries. Scotty’s actually the best. Embarrassing to have my ten-year-old brother beat me at geography. He’s especially interested in Africa. He even cornered Reverend Joshua and pestered him with questions about Uganda.”
Edith thought of the one in Caleb’s study and wondered if Ben ever looked at the globe or just took the ball for granted as part of the décor. “How clever of you Salter boys to take advantage of all your learning opportunities.”
She pushed the plate of cookies toward them. “Have one.”
They dropped their books with a thud, and each seized a cookie, politely keeping a hand under their chins to catch any stray crumbs, finishing in a few bites.
Matthew glanced at the clock on the mantel and stooped to pick up his books. “I need to go, else I’ll be late for work.” He shifted his weight toward the door. “Mr. Livingston has us helping the staff to clean the hotel from top to bottom.”
“Every square inch, I presume…again.” In his own way, Caleb was determined to make the wedding perfect. Maggie would have settled for a simple ceremony at the parsonage.
Matthew grinned. “Could be worse. Mr. Livingston ordered the street be cleanedagain.But the stable boys are doing that work.”
Edith wrinkled her nose. “The cattle drives are almost over, thank goodness. The streets have been filthy. You can be sure my brother has been keeping track.”
“I’m going to help Matthew, if you don’t mind, Mama.” Ben jerked a thumb in the direction of the hotel.” I want to earn money to buy Uncle Caleb and Maggie a wedding present and one for Charlotte, too—a welcome-to-the-family present.”
The old Edithwouldhave minded her son lowering himself to servant’s duties. But since her arrival in Sweetwater Springs, a sullen son in hand, both of them grieving and unhappy, she’d learned a series of important lessons. The first came from consequences of the fire-setting and malicious mischief Ben got into. A few years later, they’d befriended the Salters before the Christmas Eve party, bringing them into close contact with the poor but proud family. Then Ben started helping Caleb at the hotel, learning the Western values of hard work.
She’d watched her son bloom from his friendship with Matthew, and later, when Maggie and Charlotte came into their lives. He was happy now. A responsible young man any mother would be proud of. “Go ahead. If your homework is done, you can eat supper at the hotel and keep working after.”
Ben made a triumphant fist. “We stayed in at recess and did algebra, spelling, and biology.”
Matthew grinned. “While we work, I’ll quiz Ben on the countries of Europe. That’s what’s left of our homework for tomorrow.”
Edith smiled and waved them off. “Run along, you two. The first basket of harvest apples arrived today. You each take an apple on the way out.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Matthew tilted toward the door.
Ben grabbed his books. “Come on, Matthew. Let’s toss these in my room and get going.”
With grins and slight bows, the two hurried off.
Edith stared after them, fondness making her smile. Then she thought of parting Ben from Matthew Salter and stared unseeing at the guest list.Ben has friends in Boston, too. Hopefully, he’ll pick up those relationships where they left off.
Well…maybe not so easily. Living in Sweetwater Springs has changed Ben, as the people and ruggedness of Montana have changed me.
With a sigh, she opened Delia Norton’s invitation. A librarian would be a welcome addition to Sweetwater Springs’s social circle.
The town is growing, and I won’t be here to see what happens next.
* * *
The next day, Edith stood at her son’s bedside, looking at his flushed face, a sinking feeling in her stomach. She placed a hand on his forehead. Warm, but not hot. Still, Ben had obviously caught Maggie and Charlotte’s cold. “No school for you today.”
