“You’d save yourself some time if you just ask GW,” the young man said.
Emma glanced at the men, frustration strengthening her determination. She would raise enough money for a school, and she wouldn’t need to ask Mr. Hart.
“Good day, gentlemen.” She left the building—but paused when she saw the WANTED poster Hays had tacked up near the entrance to the blacksmith’s shop. With a sigh, she maneuvered the books to one hand and removed Hays’s poster from the wall.
Her books toppled out of her grasp, and she clumsily tried to save them. “Oh, dear.” They fell into a misshapen pile in the dirt.
She bent to retrieve them just as a shadow loomed overhead.
Emma looked up and stared into the laughing eyes of Hays Hart.
Thankfully she was already near the ground, since his charming grin threatened to make her knees weak.
Chapter Two
Hays squatted and lifted the first book within reach, A Comprehensive Survey of Texas History. The tome was surprisingly heavy, and it was only one of several Miss Longley had been carrying.
“Looks like you dropped something,” he said.
Without looking at him, she took the book and then proceeded to stack the rest in an organized pile, largest to smallest.
His torn poster was on the dirt next to her. Without another word, Hays stood and removed an extra poster from his back pocket. He unfolded it and tacked it in place. “Good thing I had one left over.”
Miss Longley sent a frustrated look in his direction and then finished arranging the books.
“Here.” He scooped up the stack in an effortless sweep of his hands. “I’ll be happy to carry these for you.”
“That won’t be necessary.” She stood and tried to take them, but he stepped out of her reach.
“Are you heading back to the church?” he asked.
Her hat was askew and a dark tendril of hair hung over her eye. She blew at it, but it refused to leave her pretty forehead alone. “I am going to the parsonage—and I can carry my own books.”
“I’m sure you can, but a gentleman always helps a lady in distress.”
“I am not in distress.” She rearranged her hat. “And you, sir, are no gentleman.”
Hays laughed; he couldn’t help it. He’d flustered her well and good. “Don’t bother leading the way. I know where the parsonage is.” He began to walk toward the south end of town.
Miss Longley set her shoulders, the daintiest scowl present on her forehead, and followed.
“Hays!” A woman’s voice called to him from across the road near the church. “Hays Hart!”
Evelyn Palmer stood in a stunning gown, with lace and ruffles in all the right places. Her tiny waist was made tinier by the large bustle at the back, and her stylish hat was tilted at a jaunty slant on her blond curls. Next to her was Miss Spanner, the new seamstress in Hartville.
Hays halted, torn between ignoring the notorious flirts—and introducing them to the new schoolteacher.
Evelyn rushed across the road, Miss Spanner on her heels.
It looked like he would have no choice.
Evelyn pointed to the new poster he’d hung at the church after Miss Longley had left. “Hays, darling, are you seriously looking for a bride?”
Miss Longley’s gaze followed Evelyn’s pointed finger, and her mouth parted in surprise—or anger, he couldn’t tell.
“Yes.” He nodded, wishing now he had ignored Evelyn.
“You silly man.” Evelyn took a step closer, and he could smell the expensive perfume she wore. “You don’t have to advertise for a bride. You know how I’ve always felt.”
Hays swallowed and Miss Longley’s cheeks blossomed with color. “Miss Palmer and Miss Spanner, I’d like to introduce you to our new schoolteacher, Miss Longley.”
Evelyn Palmer and Clarice Spanner inspected Miss Longley, their friendly smiles growing stiff.
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Miss Longley said in a pleasant tone.
“Miss Spanner is the seamstress in town,” Hays said.
Clarice extended her gloved hand to the teacher. “I prefer to be called a modiste.“
Hays tried not to roll his eyes. “And Miss Palmer is—”
“My father is the president of the First National Bank,” Evelyn said. “As well as the head elder of the church.”
“How nice.” Miss Longley smiled. “It was a pleasure meeting you, but I must be going.” She held out her hands toward Hays. “If you’ll give me the books, I can manage the rest of the way on my own.”
“No need.” Hays gripped the books tighter and looked at Evelyn and Clarice. “It was a pleasure seeing both of you, but I must help Miss Longley take these to her home.”
“I’ll pay a call to El Regalo soon,” Evelyn purred. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen the ranch.”
Miss Longley squinted and looked as if she was devising a way to grab the stack of books.
“I look forward to it,” Hays said, dipping his hat at the ladies.