The Texan's Inherited Family

“Apparently there are several reasons.”

“But you’re a great teacher.”

She gave a short laugh. “You still say that after your nephew went home with a black eye last week?”

His eyes narrowed. “Is that what this is about? I’ll go tell them it wasn’t your fault.”

He moved to stand but she placed a stilling hand on his shoulder then lowered her gaze to avoid his questioning look. “No. Don’t. Perhaps it’s for the best.”

“The best?” He stared at her then shook his head. “Why? Don’t you want to teach?”

She shrugged as the vague feeling of discontent she’d been ignoring welled up inside of her. “I certainly enjoy it. However, to be honest, it isn’t really what I want to do.”

He frowned. “Then what do you want to do?”

I want to have a family with a husband and children of my own. She sighed and leaned back against the stair railing thinking about how foolish she’d been. Of course, teaching school wasn’t anything like having children of her own. She’d been reminded of that at the end of each day when the students all rushed out the door, leaving her behind.

“Helen?” Quinn’s use of her Christian name for the first time drew her full attention. “Do you mind if I call you that?”

Surprised, she offered a quizzical smile. “I suppose you might as well. Many of the other students’ parents do.”

“I need to talk to you. I know this probably isn’t the right time, but I can’t hold it in much longer.”

“This sounds serious.” She crossed her arms on top of her knees and nodded. “Go ahead and tell me. We may have a few moments before they call me back in.”

He sent a speculative look toward the door. “My eldest nephew and niece are always going on about you and I’ve noticed that you seem to care a whole lot about them, too. That’s true, isn’t it?”

“It certainly is.”

“Well, I’m doing my best for them but anyone can tell that isn’t good enough.” He waved away her protests. “Now, that’s just the plain truth and you know it. The fact is that they need a mother.”

She stared at him, wondering where this conversation was going as he unfolded a piece of paper she hadn’t realized he was holding. He handed it to her. She didn’t bother to look at it. She couldn’t have if she’d tried for his gaze held hers captive with its intensity. “I prayed for a helpmeet and God sent me the Bachelor List. It says you’re my match. I was wondering if you’d be willing to marry me—for the children’s sake.”

Her gaze finally dropped to the paper unseeingly as she tried to make sense of what he’d just said. “Will you repeat that please?”

His hand covered hers. “You’re my match. My nieces and nephews need you. I need you. Will you please marry me?”

The schoolhouse door opened startling them both as Mr. Eldridge stepped outside. “We have reached a decision, Miss McKenna. Please, come in.”

Quinn helped her stand murmuring, “I’ll wait here.”

She gave him a brief nod then stepped inside. The grim faces of the school board members spelled out her not-so-surprising fate. She glanced down at the paper she held. Her attention caught on the sight of her name printed as clear as day next to the name of the man who was waiting for an answer to his proposal.

“Miss McKenna,” Mr. Etheridge began in a cadence that seemed unnaturally slow juxtaposed by her racing thoughts. “On behalf of the school board and the citizens of Peppin—”

Quinn was offering her exactly what she’d always wanted. Well, not exactly—but the closest she was likely to get to the marriage and children she longed for.

“—I would like to thank you for the kindness, energy and time you have devoted to the children of this community.”

Quinn hadn’t mentioned love in his proposal. Of course, she could hardly expect him to since they barely knew each other. Who was to say that it wouldn’t turn into love eventually? Her parents had an arranged marriage and they’d grown to love each other deeply.

“I would also like to apologize for any behavior on our part that would make you doubt our gratefulness—specifically my own.”

Most important, there were the Tucker children to consider—children to whom she could give so much love and care. She and Quinn wouldn’t be able to have children of their own, but she’d learned her lesson and would keep that bit of information to herself. What could it hurt? With four little ones of his own already, he might not have time to notice.

“We would be happy to have you stay with us through the rest of the school year per our original agreement.”

Quinn wanted her. Quinn needed her. She had a chance with him—with them—that she might not have ever again. She wouldn’t walk away from that. She couldn’t.

Her gaze snapped up from the Bachelor List as Mr. Etheridge’s words finally registered in her brain. “You want me to stay?”

“The school board has concluded that I might have been a bit hasty and overprotective as the matters concerned my own children.” The poor man looked as if he’d swallowed a marble. “We will honor our original agreement with you concerning the position.”

“That’s wonderful!” Her smile was returned by the other members of the board then she bit her lip. “You did say that your daughter is willing to start immediately, though. Didn’t you, Mr. Etheridge?”

“Well, yes, I did.”

“In that case...” She took a deep breath then couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face or the way her chin rose with pride. “I resign.”

Chapter Three (#ulink_5be0ee5e-6588-5227-98e9-49057e3503ab)

Quinn paced in front of the schoolhouse steps waiting for Helen to return. He felt nervous and even a little light-headed. Of course, that might be from the haircut and shave he’d just had but it was uncomfortable nonetheless. He rubbed his hand over his clean-shaven jaw as he remembered the shocked look on Helen’s pretty face at his clumsy proposal. He’d done the best he could. That didn’t mean it would be good enough. It certainly didn’t mean she’d agree to marry him. Why hadn’t she just outright told him no and put him out of his misery?

He stopped pacing long enough to stare at the schoolhouse door then across the schoolyard to where his children were playing with the Rutledge boy. Reece’s eyes had been as wide as plates when he’d seen Quinn with his new haircut. Clara had turned downright shy. Olivia had started crying. Even now, Trent kept sending him suspicious looks. Helen couldn’t refuse him after he’d alienated his children just to please her. Besides, there wasn’t any other woman in town he’d have a chance with. Not that he personally had a chance with Helen, but the children did.

Please. Please. Please, he prayed again. I know I don’t deserve her, but she isn’t for me. She’s for them.

He jumped when the schoolhouse door opened. Helen was nowhere in sight as the members of the school board clomped down the steps. A grin flashed across Mr. Etheridge’s face and he reached out to pump Quinn’s hand up and down. “May I be the first to congratulate you? What a wonderful surprise!”

Quinn could only respond with a confused grunt.

Mr. Johansen winked. “She’s waiting for you inside.”

Nathan Rutledge clapped him on the back. “I wish you and Helen all the happiness in the world.”

“Me and Helen—” Quinn stopped breathing. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. He stammered some sort of reply though what it was he’d never know. The men left him at the bottom of the stairs staring up at the schoolhouse door. Could it be possible? It certainly seemed likely. What else could they have meant?

He grabbed hold of the banister and took a tentative step up, then surged up the rest of the stairs into the schoolroom. Helen stood at the front of the room cleaning the day’s lessons from the blackboard. His noisy entrance caused her to turn and meet his gaze with a smile. Quinn swallowed, cleared his throat and jerked his thumb toward the door. “They said— I mean, they told me...congratulations. Does that mean that you’re saying yes? That you’re going to marry me?”

Her mahogany eyes sparkled. “I suppose it does.”

“You mean it? For real, now?” He strode forward until he stopped at the edge of the teacher’s platform. “You aren’t joking, are you?”

Her voice turned gentle as she met him there. “Quinn, I’d never joke about something like that.”

“You’re going to marry me.” It wasn’t a question this time. It was a statement even if his tone did hold a hint of disbelief. Trying those words on for size, he found that he liked the way they fit in a terrifying sort of way. He stepped back a little just in case a bolt of lightning struck him in holy retaliation for daring to marry a woman so far above him in every respect. He wouldn’t want it to hit Helen by mistake.

“Yes, I am.” She stepped down from the platform and lifted her face to stare up at him. “Well, isn’t there anything you’d like to say or do about it?”