Free Tomorrow's Garden by Amanda Cabot

another, then still another. And then . . .
    As if she sensed her fear, Ruth put her arm around Harriet’s waist and hugged her. “We don’t drink spirits,” Ruth said calmly.
    Frau Friedrich laughed. “Nor do we. This is root beer.”

5
    Harriet tried not to smile as the children filed into the room, grousing about the fact that they had to come to school. It had been the same in Fortune. No one seemed to welcome the first day of classes. Today, Ladreville’s students had even more cause to complain. Though Harriet found the weather perfect, their grumbles announced that they did not appreciate the steady rain. Harriet did, for even though the rain had spattered her spectacles as she’d walked to school, it meant there would be less temptation to go outside, and that would make her job easier. Almost as good, the day was cooler than normal for September. That would translate into less drowsiness. Fortunately, though it was downright chilly outside, the warmth the children radiated meant they would not need the stove. That was truly a blessing, for the thought of having to one day light a fire in this wooden structure made Harriet shudder.
    She glanced at her watch. Five more minutes. Then she would call the class to order. In the meantime, she studied the children as they entered the schoolhouse, knowing they were eyeing her with curiosity and, in some cases, concern. A new teacher, she knew from experience, was cause for anxiety.
    She recognized a few of the pupils, including Eva Lehman, Isabelle’s stepdaughter. In the three weeks since they’d moved to Ladreville, the little girl had become Mary’s closest friend and was undoubtedly one of the reasons Mary was happy here. The boys were a different story. Her brothers stood in the back of the schoolhouse, as far away from Harriet as they could manage. She bit back another smile, realizing that some things would never change.
    Jake, Daniel, and Sam had hated the fact that she was their teacher in Fortune and couldn’t understand why she had to work outside their home. Perhaps it had been a mistake, but she hadn’t wanted them to know that most of the family fortune was gone, and so she had pretended that she had accepted the position as schoolmarm simply to ensure that they received a good education. Desperate for a new teacher when Mr. Harrod ran off with the mayor’s daughter, the town council had agreed to hire Harriet, and—as far as she knew—no one suspected that her salary was the Kirk family’s primary source of income. Fortunately, the small stash of gold coins she’d found when they’d moved into her grandparents’ house had helped maintain the illusion of wealth.
    When she had decided that they would move to another town, the younger children had thought it an adventure until they’d learned she would once again be their teacher. Then they’d begun to complain. Harriet wouldn’t dwell on that. Living in Ladreville had brought good things. Though Ruth remained reclusive, both Mary and Harriet had a new friend. Furthermore, Chet wasn’t here. Though Harriet had never been certain whether he or Jake was the instigator, one thing was clear: those two were trouble when they were together.
    “Good morning, children.” It was time for school to begin. As a few titters greeted her, two of the older boys stalked to the front.
    “You the teacher?” the first demanded. He stood at least eight inches taller than Harriet and seemed to take pride in his height, for he made a point of looking down at her, ignoring the fact that his dark hair tumbled onto his face when he did. His companion, whose resemblance announced that they were brothers, stood next to him, forming a human wall between Harriet and the rest of the class. The two were big and brawny, and judging from the vacant expression in their eyes, blessed with fewer than normal brains.
    “Indeed, I am.” Harriet kept her voice firm, knowing there was only one way to deal with bullies like