A Lesson in Patience (7 page)

During this exchange, the three other occupants were turning their heads back and forth, like watching a tennis match. Nate's mouth was open, Georgia looked very surprised, and Nizhoni kept making strange tsking sounds.

“Oh my, I do apologize. So, the two of you... you aren't... there's no...” Poor Eloise. The harder she tried, the more frustrated she became. It was actually pretty funny. Nizhoni thought so as well, as she began laughing a deep laugh that Ginny always associated with heavy smokers.

“Eloise, why don't we sit in the parlor together. You can give me your information.”

Georgia, being her most diplomatic, asked Eloise to stay for lunch. One look at Nizhoni suggested she might want to think better of it. Eloise, however, wasn't the quickest on the draw, so to speak.

“That would be delightful, Georgia. Thank you.”

Turning her back on the group, Eloise led the way to the parlor. Ginny smiled at her new family and followed closely behind.

Reaching the parlor, Eloise chose to sit on the settee and motioned Ginny to join her. She went about fixing her skirts, waiting for Ginny to get settled, before picking up the books she placed on the table next to the couch.

“I brought over the books I've been using for the boys.” Eloise handed Ginny the books.

Taking them, Ginny paged through the first few pages of the top book. “Why do you have these? Shouldn't the boys keep them here to do homework and such?” Ginny saw that the first book was a history book. She thought it would be interesting to see historical perspective in this time period.

“The boys would destroy the books, rather than read them.”

Looking up from the book, Ginny could see that Eloise was not pleased with her teaching position on the Miller ranch. Hoping for honesty, Ginny decided she would hold off on the subtle and just jump into her questioning.

“Were the boys difficult to teach?”
Well, I wouldn't call that subtle.

Smiling like she'd just eaten a lemon, Eloise expounded for a full twenty minutes on all that was wrong with Frank and Nate Miller. They were rude, obnoxious and dirty boys. Frank would constantly use profanity in his regular language, and Nate seemed to have an affinity toward mud.

“What sort of teaching position did you have before coming here, Eloise?”

“I worked for Mrs. Hopewell's School for Affluent Young Women. It was a lovely place, but I found myself needing to leave.”

Not wanting to change her “lack of subtlety” tack, Ginny asked why.

Looking down, Eloise blushed. Clearing her throat, she said, “I don't really like to discuss the particulars. I came with the best of intentions, but it just wasn't an appropriate position for me. I worked well with Georgia, but I find that working with boys just doesn't suit my skills.”

“Okay. Well, I appreciate the books, and I will keep in mind that the boys can be... boisterous. Thank you.” Ginny smiled. Eloise was wound tighter than twine. Everything she described to Ginny sounded like “boys being boys.” There didn't seem to be anything wrong with them other than their being young and male.

“Perhaps you would like to take a turn around the house with me. It is such a pleasant day, is it not?”

“Yes, great. I'll just go ask Georgia if she would like to join us.” As Ginny was leaving the room, she felt relief. There was something about Eloise that just felt wrong. She struck Ginny like a ticking time bomb, that someone would eventually set off. Ginny wasn't sure if she wanted to be around for that or not.

Georgia was still in the kitchen with Nate. Nizhoni was off in the garden, picking some vegetables for dinner.

“Georgia, would you like to take a walk with Eloise and me?” Ginny was still holding the books in her hands, so she figured she'd put Nate to work on something productive. Taking the history book out and opening it to the section on the Louisiana Purchase, she placed the book in front of Nate at the table.

“Nate, while we're gone, I want you to read this section and be prepared to answer questions when I return.”

“What?” Nate cried, turning a shade of red.

“Oh, did I speak in something other than English?” Ginny needed to take the upper hand immediately if she hoped to survive the Miller boys.

“Why do I have to do schoolwork and Frank doesn't?”

Ginny made a production of looking over both her shoulders. “Am I missing Frank? Is he here?”

“No! He got to go with Colby.”

“Well, then. I guess you answered your own question.”

“What if I don't?” Nate's expression was precious to Ginny. She had nephews, and she had babysat them from the time she was twelve. Ginny was not afraid to put her words into action.

Knowing, by his own admission, that being outside was what made Nate happiest, Ginny replied, “I will lock you in your room until you read it.”

“You... wouldn't... dare!” Nate dragged out each word, squinting his eyes like a gunslinger.

Ginny put both her hands on the table, put on her most cross expression, and stared right back at the young, indignant face. “Try me.”

Nate, who clearly wasn't used to anyone standing up to him, backed down immediately. He made some sputtering noises but otherwise looked close to tears.

“Look Nate, if it will help, why don't you go outside and read. You could pick a nice spot in the meadow or the barn. I don't care where you read, just that you read it.” Ginny felt like she was playing both good cop and bad cop. She had to gain his trust and make him realize that she was not the enemy.

Somewhat placated, Nate took the book and left through the back door. Turning toward Georgia, who had an expression of shock, she said, “Shall we?”

“Of course, Ginny. Let's.”

*******

“I can't believe how easily you got him to do an assignment Ginny.” Georgia was going on and on. Judging by the look on Eloise's face, she was not just surprised, but also upset. It was clear that Eloise had never had such an easy time of it.

“I applaud your ability, but do you think it's appropriate for the child to do schoolwork outside? It could be a distraction.”

Ginny wasn't in the mood for this. She was still tired from the journey and from sparring with Colby. What she really wanted was to sit down, put her feet up and relax for a few days before having to play this new part. Her frustration was already high from not knowing who she was or why she ended up here. As well as not being in her own world with her own friends and family.

“What difference does it make, Eloise? If he doesn't complete the assignment, then I'll make good on my promise to lock him in his room until he does. If it makes him more comfortable being outside, why would I care?” Ginny was trying to control her voice, but she didn't think she was doing such a great job.

Eloise seemed oblivious to her discomfort. “Yes, of course. But, in the end he will not learn how to sit still and take direction.”

“He's ten years old. Short of tying him down, he is incapable of sitting still.”

At this, Georgia started laughing. “After only a few hours, you know my brother so well Ginny.”

“Your brother is nothing extraordinary, Georgia. He's just a boy.”

After a few turns around the yard, Ginny had had it. Eloise, the lady she was, felt that the sun was too much today, and that she really should have thought to bring her parasol. So back into the house they went. Sitting in the parlor, discussing nothing in particular.

After a couple of minutes of meaningless chatter, Nate came flying back into the room with the history book.

“I'm done, Miss Ginny.” He looked very proud of himself.

Jumping at the chance to leave the stimulating conversation of Eloise, Ginny jumped up and walked to the doorway. “Let's go and discuss it in the kitchen.”

“Awww, Miss Ginny. Can't we go outside again?”

“Sure.” Ginny caught the look on Eloise's face. Damn, wasn't it precious.

They walked to the barn and found some bales of hay to sit on. Ginny took the book and read a few lines in order to form a question. Nate answered every question correctly, demonstrating a photogenic mind.

“Very good, Nate. You are a smart, young man. Have you given any thought to what you might want to be when you grow up?”

“I dunno, Miss Ginny. I guess I figured I would work the ranch like Colby.”

“Is there anything wrong with that?”

“No! I love this place. I don't think I would ever want to leave here.”

Ginny smiled at her young charge. He had no idea what he was in for with puberty and wanderlust. Still, he was smart and strong willed. He would make a great ranch owner.

Not a moment later, Frank walked into the barn with his horse. Spotting his older brother and knowing for once he had the advantage, Nate took it.

“Frank, this here is Miss Ginny. She's our new teacher.” Nate grabbed Ginny's hand and led her over to his older brother. Frank was nearly as tall as Ginny with chocolate brown hair and the same sky blue eyes as his sister.

Frank glanced at Nate, then turned his attention to Ginny. “Why the hell do I need a teacher. I know all I need to know to run this ranch. I bet this bitch knows nothing important anyway.”

Ginny laughed. Loud. She couldn't help it. Eloise had warned her of Frank's propensity toward profanity. It was obvious that he used curse words to elicit some sort of negative response. It was comical.

“What the hell are you laughing at, whore?” Frank looked insulted.

Stopping her laugher long enough to answer, she stated, “Why do you talk like that?”

Frank was turning an amusing shade of pink. “Men curse. Women obey.”

That was it. Ginny was doubled over, laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. When she was finally able to collect herself, Frank looked close to murder. He was sputtering and now beet red.

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh. That was rude. I only laughed because I've heard babies curse better than you.” With that, Ginny stopped laughing and looked him directly in the eye. “My grandmother cursed better than you.”

“You bitch! I can curse plenty good. Why don't you fucking go cook me something.”

Rolling her eyes, she saw her opportunity to make nice with Frank. “Listen, you little cocksucker. If you think I'm going to fucking stand here and listen to your shit, you've got it all wrong. Your life is worth less than piss and your education is worse. I can teach you how to curse, dickhead. But what's in it for me?”

Frank couldn't believe his ears. Eloise would have rolled over and died by now. Licking his lips, Frank considered his options. This woman had already used words he'd never heard before. She might be able to add to his vocabulary of swears. What could she want in return?

“What do you want?” Frank kept the indignation in his voice, but he clearly sounded desperate. Ginny smiled. She liked her men desperate.

“If you listen to me, do your lessons and complete your chores, I'll teach you new curse words. But, at the same time, you will learn a more effective way to communicate. Do we have a deal?”

Frank mulled over the deal. He'd have to do his lessons anyway, or Colby might take a switch to him. He figured he had nothing to lose, and he might learn more swears to boot.

“You have a deal, Miss Ginny,” he said holding out his hand.

Shaking his hand and keeping it firm, she replied, “Thank you, Frank. You won't be sorry.” Then she smiled. This might be easier than she thought.

The two boys walked Ginny back to the house after Frank stabled his horse. She was asking them questions about how far along they were in their lessons. Surprisingly, or maybe not so, they were very close to the same level. Frank explained that after their parents were killed, he hadn't bothered much with his schooling. Nate, on the other hand, used what books he could find to escape the pain. Curiosity got the better of Ginny.

“What happened to your parents?” she asked in a quiet voice as they sat on the front steps of the house.

Frank looked away, while Nate looked her in the eye. “Flash flood,” was his only response.

Ginny was from the southwest, so she knew all about flash floods. How a trickle can turn into a torrent in minutes. How people thought their truck could get through the water, only to find themselves clinging to the roof of the car, waiting for rescue.

She said the only thing she could say. “I'm sorry.”

Nate looked away, but not before Ginny saw the tears in his eyes. He was only ten. He still needed his mother. Was this what Colby had wanted? Did he think she would make a good replacement? Ginny didn't have kids. Although she would admit to certain pangs at times, she knew she didn't want kids unless she was in a stable, committed relationship. She knew women who were so desperate to be mothers that they forgot all about the father part. Raising kids was hard enough that she could never understand willingly doing it alone.

Changing the subject, Ginny stated, “Well, it will be easy to teach you if you're both on the same level. We'll get started tomorrow after breakfast.”

Frank turned back to her. “Sorry can't. I'll be going out with Colby again.”

Ginny smirked. “Well, I guess we'll just have to talk to your brother at dinner. I'm here to teach you two, and that's exactly what I plan to do.”

At this, Nate smiled. Frank, on the other hand, looked pretty peeved. The sputtering started again, and Ginny waited.

“Bitch!” was all he could come up with.

“Bastard!” was Ginny's not so clever response.

“Dammit!” Nate said just to join in the fun.

It was after this productive exchange that all three of them turned to see Eloise and Georgia standing by the open door, behind the screen. It was Eloise's gasp that alerted them to their presence.

“Ginny, may I please speak to you inside the house?” Eloise looked appalled. Georgia was surprised, but her eyes spoke of laughter.

“Of course, Eloise. Excuse me, gentlemen. I'll put together some lessons for tomorrow, but for now, I want the both of you to figure out the easiest way to retrieve one bale of hay from the barn and place it at the bottom of these steps.” With that, Ginny stood up, brushed off her bottom and entered the house.

As she walked away, she could hear the two brothers arguing over what would be the easiest way. The last thing she heard Frank say made her smile. He asked what Ginny meant by easy. It showed a quiet intelligence that Ginny could work with. And it would make her job so much easier.

*******

“What do you think you're doing?” Eloise asked, shocked to the core.

“What do you mean, Eloise?” Ginny responded, knowing full well what the former governess meant.

“You cursed to those two young boys.”

“Yes, I did.”

“You don't find that behavior improper?” Eloise had a superior look upon her face, and it made Ginny want to wipe it off all the more.

“Eloise, did you have an easy time getting through to those two?”

“We were making progress. I feel, that with time, I could have gotten both of them to behave more like gentlemen than wild savages.”

“They're boys, Eloise. Part of them are wild savages. They can't help themselves, especially Frank. He's growing up and wants to be a man so bad, he's invented this theory that cursing will help him achieve it quicker. If I tell him not to, he'll just do it more. If I get on his level, he's bound to listen to me. And if he listens to me, I can get some knowledge crammed into his head.”

“But what of books? You have them doing something fun and trivial.”

“I beg to differ. It may be fun, but it's certainly not trivial. It's teaching them how to think, work out a problem, solve a riddle. It's developing their brains and making them work as a team. These are skills that will be valuable to them as they grow up and later in life.”

“Frank needs to work on his reading skills...”

“I know, Eloise. But if I can reach him on his level, he'll respond to other things as well.”

“It is highly unorthodox, Ginny.” The pious sound to Eloise's voice was wearing very thin.

“I guess we'll just have to wait and see if it works. But, you gave up this job, so it's my turn to give it a try. I'll do it as I see fit.” Ginny tried to keep her voice kind, but she was never one to listen to such condescension.

The look of hurt on Eloise's face was obvious. It would never occur to her that she was being anything but helpful. “I'm sorry to intrude on your domain, Ginny. I was just trying to be helpful.”

Realizing that she might need Tim's help someday, Ginny knew she had to make this right. “No, I'm sorry, Eloise. It was a long journey here, and I'm still very tired. I don't mean to snipe at you. I just want to give my way a try first. If it doesn't work, Colby's vowed not to pay me.” With that, Ginny smiled to reassure Eloise that she wasn't mad.

Seeing an area where she can show off her superiority, Eloise stated, “Well, I wouldn't put up with anything from him, Ginny. After all, you are not really married, and although he may be your employer, you still deserve respect. Believe me when I say that this job is hard enough without him threatening you.”

“Too true, Eloise. I thank you for all your help.” Ginny was proud that she didn't sound the least bit sarcastic.

A moment later, Colby walked in the front door, holding his younger brothers by the scruff of their necks. Before Ginny could say anything, Colby asked, “My brothers told me that you told them to move a bale of hay from the barn to the front door. Is that true?” Colby looked as though experience had taught him to be skeptical of anything his brothers might tell him.

“Please let them go, Colby.” Ginny recognized the look on Colby's face. It was his impatient look. One she'd seen many times in the two days it took them to get back to the ranch. Placating him, she said, “Yes, I asked them to move a bale of hay.”

“You best not be protecting them, Ginny. These two have gotten into enough trouble. I need someone who can handle them, not baby them.”

Now, that made Ginny mad. “Let them go, and I'll explain.”

Colby released his two brothers and folded his arms over his chest. (His muscular, well-formed chest.) It was clear he expected an explanation.

Turning to the boys, Ginny asked, “Well, gentlemen, what did you come up with?”

Frank spoke up first. “We decided that the easiest way to move the bale would be to use a cart. But, we couldn't find one.”

Nate, not wanting to be left out of the explanation, chimed in, “Then, we thought we could carry it between us. But, it was too awkward and we kept dropping it.”

“You kept dropping it, ya mean. Then, we figured we could roll it. We've seen some of the ranch hands do that. So, between the two of us, we rolled it all the way to the front steps.”

“Very good, gentlemen. You've done a fine job. What did you learn?”

Frank and Nate looked at each other, then Frank ventured, “Well, we had to talk about what we wanted to do.”

“Yeah, and we had to work together because rolling it over takes a lot of strength, even for the ranch hands,” Nate added.

“Yeah, yeah, and we had to figure out what we could do with what we had available.”

“Very good. Now, please return the bale back to the barn and get cleaned up for lunch,” Ginny grinned at the two boys as they ran out the door.

Turning to see Colby's expression, she knew he was not impressed. Incredulous, maybe, but definitely not impressed. He took a deep breath and turned to Eloise.

“Are you planning to stay for luncheon, Eloise?” His voice was polite, but carried some strain to it.

Not noticing his restraint, Eloise smiled and said, “Why, thank you Colby. Is Tim around?”

“Yes, he's in the barn. Could you let him know that he's welcome to join us as well?”

“Certainly.” With that, Eloise left through the front door.

Georgia, who had witnessed the entire exchange, followed Eloise out the door.
Smart girl. I would rather be somewhere else as well,
Ginny thought.

Deciding to be nice, Ginny suggested they sit down in the parlor. His expression still bleak, he extended his hand to suggest she go first. Of course, Ginny thought, he might be acting the gentleman. On the other hand, he might be waiting for her to turn her back so he can do something awful. Smiling, Ginny accepted his invitation and walked to the nearest chair.

Sitting down, she adjusted her skirts and waited. Colby was pacing the floor. She considered speaking first, but then decided to let him get to his issues in his own time.

Clearing his throat, he said in a deceptively quiet tone, “I believe I am to pay you for teaching the boys. Not inventing silly games for them to play.” Colby stopped his pacing and faced her dead on.

“Actually, Colby, we've never really discussed what my duties are to be. Tim mentioned that the boys needed a new teacher, and you alluded that they needed a maternal figure. But other than that, we've discussed nothing.”

“I guess I thought it was pretty obvious.”

“I'm sure you did think that, but that doesn't make it true.” Between two days on the road with Colby and then a few hours of Eloise, Ginny was done.

Colby's eyes narrowed as he considered his next words. Ginny was no pushover, much like Eloise. As a matter of fact, if Tim hadn't fought so hard for Eloise, she would probably be in the same position, miserable from the boy's torture. Ginny, on the other hand, was a whole different animal.

“I want the boys to learn the basics. Reading, writing, math, and whatever science you can offer. Is that clear enough?”

“Perfectly. However, I wish to teach them the way I see fit. Even if that means using silly games to do it.”

“It's a damn waste of time. I should have returned today to see them in the classroom we set up in the dining room, learning something productive.”

Ginny bowed her head and took a deep breath. It was time to show this arrogant jackass what's what.

“You leave this morning before I get up and take one of my students with you. You give me no instructions. You didn't even warn your family of my being here. I walk into breakfast, with your siblings staring at me like I had two heads. So, I have to introduce myself. You never showed me the classroom or the books. So, how exactly was I to do what you expected me to do?”

Colby was prepared to give his answer when he stopped and really considered what she'd just said. How could she have known? He left before dawn, he did agree to let Frank come with him, and he never left any instructions for her. Instead of apologizing, he asked, “So what did you do all morning?”

Ginny's jaw dropped.
He has to be kidding
, she thought. The man was perplexing, to say the least. He obviously couldn't say sorry if his life depended on it.

“Well, I got up and had breakfast. Then, Nate and Georgia took me on a tour of the ranch. I met Nizhoni, and then Eloise came by. We talked for a while about the boys. I gave Nate an assignment, which, by the way, he did brilliantly on. Then I met Frank and got to talking to both boys to assess their skill level. Eloise wanted to talk to me again, so I gave both boys another assignment to do. Then you came home and acted like a big jerk. And, now, here we are.” Ginny made sure to keep her voice light and her expression pleasant.

Colby was not amused. His arms were still crossed over his chest. His expression was still angry. His body language gave the overall impression that this would not turn out well. Two stubborn, pig-headed people trying to deal with one another never turned out well. Would this be the one exception? Ginny seriously doubted it.

“Do you expect me to pay you for today?” His voice was no longer very calm.

Standing up, Ginny stood right in front of him. If he was going to hit her, she might as well make it easy for him. “I don't care what you do, Colby. Just back off of me, before this gets ugly.”

Clearly stunned, Colby took a few steps backwards. Ginny had to admit that it felt good to scare him for once. Realizing his position, Colby turned and left the room, going out the front door.

Ginny took a deep, calming breath and went to the kitchen where she assumed lunch would be served. If she couldn't have peace with the head of the household, she might as well get really fat on Nizhoni's fine cooking.

*******

Walking from the house, Colby went straight to the barn. He took his horse, which he hadn't bothered to unsaddle, and rode hard out toward the southern plain. All he wanted to do was put some distance between himself and his... his what? Not his wife, not his intended. His brother's governess... teacher? He didn't know what to call her.