Page 104 of A Forgotten Heart
He watched her, softness in his eyes. “She’s the one who knows what she’s doing. I’m just in training.”
Elsie shook her head. Hardly. Teaching came like breathing to Nick.
Mr. Jamison looked at Elsie and nodded toward her. “Oh, yes. Of course.”
As Mr. Jamison spoke, Nick didn’t take his gaze from her. Like always, he saw deeper than what was on the outside. Deeper than what everyone else saw.
And he wouldn’t let anyone overlook her. Or forget her.
Nick dragged his attention back to the board member as he explained some of the changes they’d made. Together.
Elsie folded her hands and listened. A ribbon of joy twined inside, and she drew in a long inhale.
She was truly blessed.
Nick had thought this day would never come. The day he stepped out of his own classroom, prepared for students the next day.
He inhaled all that the summer’s late-afternoon breeze brushed over him. The grass. The overtone of fresh paint on the school’s clapboard siding. Even Kaitlyn’s nearby cherry pie.
All of his brothers and their families had turned out for this celebration picnic. The beginning of the school year.
The children had run in and out of the school, pointing out the new things on the walls. Tillie had stood behind his desk, pointer aimed at the chalkboard, helping her imaginary students recite their ABCs.
He scanned the schoolyard, yearning to set eyes on his beloved. She’d nestled into his family like she’d belonged there all along, but he still wanted to assure himself she was fine.
In the mix of ladies, he found her. And she was more than fine. She carried Kaitlyn’s baby in her arms, her cheeks glowing as she whispered something in the baby’s ear.
Heat radiated through his chest. She looked even more beautiful with a baby in her arms. Maybe, when it was time, she’d be carrying her own babies. Their babies.
For now, though, he wanted to cherish these days of it being only the two of them. And about thirty-two students.
How much time had he wasted sulking? How much time had he wasted by not forgiving Elsie? By not showing grace and understanding?
No more. He didn’t want to miss a thing. Not waking up beside her with the sun glistening off her hair, nor sneaking food off her plate at lunchtime. Nor a kiss while grading papers at the table at night.
Time marched fast enough on its own. He didn’t want to hurry it by one second.
He’d been restored. Had finally been able to take the position he’d wanted all along.
From behind, Eli bumped into him, trying to scoot by. “Sorry, Uncle Nick!”
Nick waved him on.
“Perhaps you should stop gawking at your woman and get out of the doorway, little brother,” Isaac called out.
Nick shrugged. What could he say? Isaac was right. Elsie was captivating.
His brothers lingered in the shade of the schoolhouse, discussing business. They’d all cleared their chores for the afternoon to come celebrate with Nick. To support him in his new endeavor.
And it warmed him all the way to his core.
They were truly happy for him.
“They’re saying Isabella isn’t going to sell. She wants to run the ranch.”
Ed’s words drew Nick’s attention as he approached. Nick hadn’t seen Isabella Quade around much since her father had been sentenced to ten years in prison.
Couldn’t say he blamed her. He felt bad for the gal caught up in the thick of her father’s many mistakes. But he would never feel sorry for Quade.
