Page 19 of Willing to Wed the Rancher
One thing led to another, and soon she found that they were discussing the various methods of education and what worked best. She was especially interested to hear about his style, which involved reasoning and application rather than rote memorization.
With the passing of the morning, she invited Franz to stay for a simple lunch. Afterward, he asked her to give him a tour of the farm, and of course, Dieter and Bianca led the way, eager to show their uncle everything from the newest baby chicks to the blooms on the strawberry plants.
Franz followed along, interacting with them as if they were giving him the most interesting educational lesson known toman. Clarabelle could only watch and smile, admiring Franz all the more for his patience and sweetness with the children.
When the tour finally finished, Franz asked if they would teach him how to do some of the chores around the farm so that he might make himself useful during his visit. Although Clarabelle was curious to know what Franz meant, whether a visit would be for the day or for many days to come, she couldn’t gather enough courage to ask him how long he would be in Summit County.
After they’d finished showing him how to milk the cows and feed the livestock, the afternoon had passed. Maverick had stopped by for his daily visit and met Franz. It hadn’t taken Maverick long to seem at ease with the man.
As evening drew near, it seemed only natural to feed Franz supper since he’d helped with the chores. By the time they’d eaten a fare of stew and biscuits, the sun was sinking behind the western range. With darkness closing in, she convinced Franz to ride a horse back to town—one he could keep at the livery and use as long as he remained in the area.
She and the children walked down the lane with him as he led the mount. Bianca held on to one of Franz’s hands and one of Clarabelle’s, skipping happily between them. When they halted, Bianca and Dieter darted around trying to catch lightning bugs.
“You have already won them over.” Clarabelle couldn’t keep from smiling as Bianca cupped a bug and then yelped.
“They have won me also.”
A beat of silence passed as they watched the children. “Eric and Luisa were good parents.”
Franz’s smile dimmed, as it did every time she talked about Eric and Luisa.
She waited for him to say something about the couple, about why he hadn’t written back to Eric, about why he was just now coming to visit.
Instead, Franz fiddled with the lead line and ran a hand across the horse’s withers. “May I come back each day and assist you and the children with the farm chores?” His question was hesitant, and his shadowed and uncertain blue eyes were the color of a mountain lake that reflected the sky.
“Of course.” Was he changing his mind and deciding to stay in Colorado and take over the place? Maybe he wanted to learn as much as he could before demanding ownership of the farm.
Whether he stayed or not, the children deserved to spend as much time getting to know their uncle as possible. “Perhaps you would consider teaching them for a short while during your stay.”
He started to nod, then halted.
“Only if you want to.” She hurried to put him at ease. “You probably want a break from teaching while you’re away from the university.”
“Not at all. I love teaching.”
“It’s just that I won’t have time to take them into town to school, not with all the work I have to do—”
He laid a hand on her arm, silencing her. “Please, Clarabelle. I would love to teach them as much as I am able while here. And I will do it...” An unspokenbuthung on the edge of his acquiescence.
“If you’re too busy, I understand.”
“I am not too busy.” His fingers slid downward toward her wrist. With her sleeve rolled to her elbows, the touch sent a shiver of pleasure up her arm.
Surely it was just an innocent movement—one that didn’t mean anything to him. And she couldn’t let it mean something to her. Even so, as his fingers lingered lightly at her wrist, she found herself holding her breath and unable to look into his eyes, lest he see her reaction.
As though finally realizing he was touching her, he pulled his hand back and stuffed it into his pocket. “If time permits, would you like me to also teach you?” His question was hesitant. “It may not entirely take the place of the teacher training you aspire to, but it could be a start.”
His offer was so unexpected and so generous she couldn’t think of an appropriate response.
His brow was furrowed and his expression earnest. He was hatless, and strands of his hair had fallen over his forehead. With his tie pulled loose and the top button of his shirt undone, he looked almost boyish. He was more handsome now that he was slightly rumpled than he’d been earlier in the day when he’d first arrived.
Not only was he quite possibly the handsomest man she’d ever met, but he was also the kindest.
“Do not say no tonight.” He fitted his hat onto his head. “At least think about it.”
“I would love it.” The words rushed out before she could tame her enthusiasm. “But I couldn’t impose on you.”
His shoulders seemed to relax, and he smiled. “I would love it also.”
