Ellen Gray stared out the window of Mrs. Porter’s boarding house. She hadn't bothered changing from the black dress she had worn to see her father laid to rest an hour ago. She was alone now, truly and horribly alone. Her mother had died when she was three from a fever, ever since then it had been her and father, and he was gone most of the time. Truth is, Mrs. Porter was more like family to her then her own father was.
As a child she had spent many happy hours and even days learning how to sew, cook and clean house with Mrs. Porter. The memory made her smile. Times had changed, and she was no longer a little girl. She was twenty now, a grown woman. She should have been married and had at least one child but no one seemed to want her.
Growing up, no man ever invited her to a social gathering or even the town dance. Her father had repeatedly told her it was because she was young. When she got older, he would have to beat the men off with a stick there would be so many of them coming to lay claim to her. Sadly this was not true and Ellen knew why, she wasn't very pretty, there was no other reason why a man wouldn't want her.
The tears began again as she thought about what would happen now that her father was gone. An overwhelming sense of loneliness gripped her. She buried her head in her hands and began to sob.
Mrs. Porter came out from the kitchen and sat beside her on the small window seat. She pulled her close and held her as she cried. “Now now dear don't cry. Everything will be all right, you'll see.”
Ellen lifted her head from Mrs. Porters shoulder and wiped at the tears streaming down her face. “I'm all alone now. Where will I live? How will I eat?”
“If my sister wouldn’t be coming in a few days I would let you stay here. I’m sorry your father was unable to make other arrangements for you before his earthly departure. I’m sure everything will work out.” Mrs. Porter smiled as she gave Ellen's hand a gentle pat before standing and returning to the kitchen.
Ellen turned back towards the window and once again stared out. There wasn't much to see. The town was rather small. There was a mercantile, owned and ran by an elderly couple. To the right of the mercantile at the end of the road sat the church in need of new paint and a few repairs. The town had gone through three reverends in the last five years. The fourth arrived a couple of days ago in time to speak a few words over her father’s grave.
Between the mercantile and church sat the jail, with a small house behind it for the sheriff. At the moment the town had no sheriff. The last one left almost two months ago, and crime was beginning to rise. Nothing serious, just the occasional gun being fired in the street from a drunken cowboy. Or a saloon brawl which usually ended with someone needing to see the doctor. Whose' office was conveniently located beside the saloon.
Ellen turned her head to look down the other end of town where several people were looking. A stranger was riding into town on a magnificent looking gray stallion. His hat pulled down low on his head hiding his face from her view. Not that she cared what he looked like. There was no chance he would ever be interested in an ugly duckling like her anyhow. He rode right down the middle of the street like he owned the town. When he rode past the school Ellen quit watching. Her eyes were focused on the sign hanging from the door to the school house.
TEACHER NEEDED
HOUSING INCLUDED
APPLY AT CHURCH
A plan began forming in her mind, the stranger long forgotten. She jumped up from the couch and ran up the stairs to the room Mrs. Porter had provided her. Her father constantly said she looked pleasant in blue, so she changed out of her black dress and into a blue one. A twinge of guilt swept through her as she looked at herself in the small mirror. She tucked a stray strand of her raven hair behind one ear and washed her face. She pinched her cheeks to add some color. Satisfied she was presentable, she calmly and lady like walked out of her room down the stairs and out the front door.
◊ ◊ ◊
James Hardy rode into the peaceful town of Calico Rock shortly after lunch. His grumbling stomach reminded him he hadn't eaten since supper last night, and all he had consumed were some beans. Guiding his horse through the middle of town, he looked for the sheriff’s office. He saw the jail house sign right in the middle of town on the right-hand side and directed his horse that way.
He pulled his Gray stallion to a stop in front of the run down building and tied him to the hitching post out front. The town was small, and few people were roaming the streets. A note on the door informed him he should go to the church to get the keys and badge. Sighing, he crumpled the piece of paper up and shoved it in his pocket.
Looking down the street he decided the white building at the end was the best choice for the church. He headed that way hoping he was right. He wanted to get settled and get something to eat.
Pausing at the door to what looked like a church he removed his cowboy hat, revealing a head of thick sandy blond hair. A feature he had inherited from his mother. His broad shoulders and six foot height he had gotten from his father.
Pulling open the door he stepped inside. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. There was one candle lit at the very front of the church which did little to illuminate the large building. A small chubby man was hunched over the desk with the candle trying to read. James cleared his throat to get the man’s attention.
The reverend’s head shot up to look at the stranger standing in his church. “May I help you?”
“I'm James Hardy, the new sheriff.” James took a few steps forward closing the distance between him and the reverend.
“Well I sure am glad to see you.” The reverends smile beamed with genuine joy as he stood up and walked towards James. “I'm reverend Bryan Young.” He reached out for James hand pumping it enthusiastically. “How was your trip?”
“Long. I don't mean to be rude, but I am tired from my long journey. If you don't mind giving me the keys and my badge I'll be on my way.”
“Of course, how rude of me.” The reverend walked back to the private desk and opened the only drawer. He shuffled around a few things then pulled out a set of keys and a shiny badge. He slammed the desk drawer closed and walked back to James handing him the objects. “If there's anything else you need, just let me know.”
“Thank you reverend.” James pinned the badge on his shirt and deposited the keys in his pants pocket. Then he turned and walked back to the front of the church anxious to get to his new home.
He was reaching for the door knob when it burst open and a black haired Woman pushed her way through. She possessed such a determined look on her face he doubted she even knew she had practically run him over. He stared at her backside as she marched right up to the reverend and placed her hand palm down on his desk.
The reverend looked startled and surprised as he stood up once again from his chair. “Miss. Gray, is there something I can do for you?”
“I have come to apply for the teaching job.” she stated.
James couldn't help but stare at the lady who had passed him. Her hair was pulled back into a respectable bun. Her voice sounded so smooth and soft. He knew he should leave. His mother had taught him better then to eaves drop on other people’s conversation. However, being the town’s sheriff now he should probably stay in case there was any trouble. The woman sure was demanding and who knows what could happen.
He leaned up against the wall of the church, crossing one booted foot over the other. He got comfortable as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Well Miss. Gray I would love to help you out, but I'm not sure you are the right person for the job.” The reverend was flustered and having a hard time looking at the lovely Miss. Gray.
“Reverend I know you are new to town and haven't known me very long. But I can assure you I'm quite capable of teaching a classroom full of students.” Miss. Gray backed away from the desk giving the reverend some space.
“I don't know anything about you. Do you have any experience teaching?”
“Well no not exactly. But I’m smart and I can learn.”
“How about experience with children.”
“No I'm afraid I haven't been around many children.” She backed up another step and hung her head.
James could see the woman was losing steam. She had been so determined when she entered the church, now she looked like a child who had been scolded. She dabbed at her eyes as a sob escaped her. He knew he shouldn't get involved. That inner voice was telling him to walk away. But of course as always he ignored it. Pushing himself away from the wall he walked halfway up the aisle. “I think you should give her the job.”
Both the reverend and Miss. Gray turned to look at him with surprise on their face. The reverend was the first to speak. “She has no experience.”
“So hire her on a trial basis. You don't have anyone else wanting the job right now, do You?
“No.” Ellen looked back to the reverend, who looked at Ellen then James and back to Ellen again. “Well alright, I guess it wouldn't hurt. It doesn't pay much, but you get to use the small house that’s built onto the back of the school.”
“That's all I need. You won’t be sorry. I'll be the best teacher you've ever seen.” A faint smile appeared on her lips as she turned and walked to the door of the old church.
James was waiting for her and opened the door as she approached. Ellen gave him a slight nod of thanks and exited the church. James followed her out. She paused on the step outside shielding her eyes from the glaring sunlight. It was an unusually warm day for the middle of September, and several of the town’s children were taking advantage of the sunshine.
James cleared his throat to get Ellen's attention before he began speaking. She turned her head to look at him. “I’m James, the new sheriff. If you want, I can rent a wagon from the stables and ride out with you to the farms outside of town to tell them about the school?”
She stared at him for a moment, as if she were inspecting him. It made him a little uncomfortable. Turning her head away from him she smoothed her skirt before speaking. “No thank you. Tomorrow is Sunday and most everyone comes to church. The reverend will make an announcement so there is no need to go visiting anyone. But even if I did have to go, I wouldn't go with the likes of you.” With that said Ellen held up her skirt and hastily made her way down the church steps.
James was dumbstruck. All he could do was watch as Ellen hurried down the steps and across the street. What had he done to deserve that remark, and what did she mean, she wouldn't go with the likes of him? There was nothing wrong with him, was there? He watched until she disappeared into Mrs. Porter’s boarding house. He placed his hat back on his head and walked to the jail house thinking about the lovely Miss. Ellen Grey the whole way.
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