beside Mr. Samuelson, though his gaze was on her. “As Miss Wilkes said, there’s been a mistake.”
Mr. Samuelson stood in all his outdoor gear, mouth and nose covered by a thick scarf. Emmy was only able to see his hazel eyes as he took her in, head to foot. “What’s the meaning of this?”
“Apparently, you thought I was a man.”
“Of course we thought you were a man. Your name is Emery, is it not?”
“She was named after her maternal grandfather,” Ben told the superintendent.
He’d remembered that little detail?
“I don’t care if she was named after the president of the United States.” Mr. Samuelson unwrapped his scarf with more force than necessary. “We don’t want another female.”
“I realize that,” Ben said, coming to her defense. “But what’s done is done.”
“It must be undone.” Mr. Samuelson was younger than Emmy first thought, now that she could see the rest of his face. He was a pleasant-looking fellow, though his face was contorted in anger. “She’ll have to go back posthaste.”
Emmy took a step forward, unwilling to let these two men determine her future without some say in the matter. “I came in good faith that a job would be waiting for me. I’m not returning home until I fulfill the contract.”
“She’s right, Dennis.” Ben put his hands in his pockets and nodded in her direction. “She came because we hired her—”
“We didn’t hire her.” Mr. Samuelson motioned toward her like she was a pesky fly. “We were expecting him.”
“I realize you’re upset,” Emmy said. “But you have to understand how I feel.” It had been five years since William died, and it had taken her that long to get the courage to fulfill their dream to come west. She couldn’t let one little mistake send her back. “Reverend Lahaye explained to me why you’re seeking a male teacher—and I’ve assured him you have no fear of losing me. I don’t plan to marry, nor will I in the future. I am committed to staying in Little Falls as long as the Lord sees fit.” She smiled and added quickly, “Which I hope is a long, long time.”
Both men studied her. Mr. Samuelson with a calculating, unhappy look, and Ben with an approving, tender one.
“I suggest we let her stay on at least until we can find a replacement,” Ben suggested. “We did guarantee her a contract for the first term, which ends at Christmas. Surely she’ll stay unmarried until then.”
Mr. Samuelson crossed his arms and let out a discontented grunt. “I thought we were done with looking for a teacher once and for all.”
Emmy offered up a silent prayer, hoping her journey was not over before it had begun. She wanted desperately to stay and serve the children and families of Little Falls. It was all she had thought about this past month after she’d received the acceptance letter. She had fought so hard to come on her own, defying her parents’ wishes, her friends’ concerns, and putting up with the tittle-tattle of neighbors who thought she was ruining her life. She couldn’t return now, not like this.
“Fine,” Mr. Samuelson said. “She can stay—but only until Christmas. In the meantime, I will continue searching for a male teacher and have him ready to take her place the first of the year.”
Emmy let out the breath she’d been holding. It wasn’t what she’d hoped for, but it was a start. “If I can prove to you that you have nothing to fear, and that I have no intentions on ever marrying, will you allow me to stay?”
Mr. Samuelson squinted at her. “How would you prove that?”
“On Christmas Day, if I have made myself invaluable to the school and community, and I’ve shown myself above reproach, will you allow me to stay?”
Mr. Samuelson looked at Ben, who stared back at him without expression.
The superintendent threw his hands in the air. “Fine. But I’m warning you, Miss Wilkes—” he pointed at her, his finger shaking “—I will watch you closely, and if I see even a hint of romance, I will immediately terminate your contract and find a new teacher. Do I make myself clear?”
Hope bubbled in Emmy’s chest for the first time since her arrival. She had no doubt she’d prove herself to the superintendent. No doubt at all. “You’ve made yourself clear.”
“Now.” Mr. Samuelson turned to Ben. “Where is she staying?”
“I haven’t decided.”
Mr. Samuelson eyes grew wide as he swung around to face Emmy. “Where did you stay last night, Miss Wilkes?”
“She stayed here,” Ben said quickly. “We tried to go to the Coopers, but I turned back, knowing it would have put her life in jeopardy if we had continued.”
“Here? Unchaperoned?” Mr. Samuelson’s face filled with disapproval.
“There was nothing untoward about last night,” Ben said with authority in his voice. “Neither one of us expected the mistake and we did our best to rectify it. Miss Wilkes slept upstairs, while I slept down. I hope my character and reputation will speak for itself.”
Mr. Samuelson balled his scarf in one hand. “I don’t like it, but what’s done is done.” He addressed Emmy. “It is your upmost priority to ensure that your reputation stays untarnished, do you understand?”
“Of course.” Her reputation meant more to her than almost anything.
“I want you to bring her to the Hubbards immediately,” Mr. Samuelson said to Ben. “It’ll be cheaper to board her with the Hubbards than pay full price at the hotel, and her meals will be included.”
“But don’t you think she’ll have more privacy at the hotel?” Ben asked. “The Hubbards’ boardinghouse is always full.”
“Pearl will make room for her.” Mr. Samuelson’s voice suggested the debate was over. “And she’ll be across the road from me, so I can keep an eye on her.”
Emmy suspected that was the real reason he wanted her at the Hubbards’ boardinghouse.
“I’ll help you with your things,” Mr. Samuelson said to Emmy. “We’ll leave right now.”
“We haven’t finished our breakfast,” Ben said.
“Now.”
Emmy smiled at Ben, offering him a quiet thank-you with her eyes. He had done more than he needed, and she was grateful.
Without prompting, Emmy entered the enclosed stairway near the front door and went up to the room she’d slept in the night before. It was a spacious bedroom with a large bed, a bureau and a generous window. The bed had been warm and comfortable, and she’d had the best night sleep since leaving Massachusetts, given the circumstances. She gathered up her things as quickly as she could and placed them in her bag, and then she went back downstairs where the men were waiting.
“Feel free to borrow the cap and scarf and mittens,” Ben said. “You’ll need them.”
“Thank
