Free Bride Blunder by Kelly Eileen Hake Page A

building materials’ cost. Wood’s scarce around these parts, so we’d have to ship in whatever we used. It’s not the best insulator against weather. Would need steady upkeep and repainting, too. But the main argument against it seemed to center around the issue of safety.”
    â€œFire.” Midge fought to keep from going pale. Amos would notice—and it made her freckles stand out.
    â€œYep.” His nod didn’t seem to notice anything unusual. “Some folks saw a wooden schoolhouse full of boisterous children and a stove as a catastrophe waiting to happen.”
    â€œNot worth the risk.” She let them both know she agreed with that opinion. “Brick is a better choice.”
    â€œExpensive.” Marge frowned. “Wouldn’t the money be better spent on books, slates, ink, and paper for the children to use?”
    â€œThey balked at the high freight cost, but I found a substitution.” He made his way behind a cornerstone and lifted a piece of canvas to reveal an orangish red block far larger than a normal brick. “This is made from a type of red clay found not too far from here. It holds up well to wind and water, and the thickness of the blocks will keep the building sturdy enough to withstand the worst storms.”
    In spite of herself, Midge crouched, stripped off a glove, and ran a hand over the block. A fine layer of soft reddish grit dusted her fingertips. She rubbed them together. “Little red prairie schoolhouse—not brick and doesn’t have to be painted. Ingenious.”
    â€œI can see now why the walls will be so thick,” Marge commented. “We’ll be glad of it in the heat of summer.”
    â€œThis will make the place dark.” The very thought of it—forced to stay cooped up inside in a dim room with thick walls—made Midge’s toes twitch with the need for a quick escape.
    â€œWe’ve ordered a total of six windows.” Amos pointed first to the length then to the breadth of the foundation. “Each side will have two, so you’ll get light in morning and afternoon. The third pair is slightly smaller, to bracket the entrance.”
    â€œGlad to hear it.” Her toes stopped twitching, at least. Well ... mostly.
    â€œWill I need to speak with the council about ordering a blackboard, desks, and supplies?” It seemed Midge wasn’t the only one who made mental lists, as Marge began rattling off things like primers and hornbooks. “Or has that been seen to?”
    â€œThe blackboard and desks, they’re ordered. I couldn’t speak as to the rest.” Amos stepped up onto the foundation, walking to the very center. “This is where we planned to put the stove so it’d heat most evenly come winter. If you ladies approve that, then there’s not much else to discuss.”
    â€œI approve.” Time to leave Mr. Geer behind ... far, far behind. So I don’t have to consult with him again. Midge looked expectantly at Marge.
    â€œThe council mentioned a bell?” Her friend’s question may have been reasonable, but Midge didn’t appreciate it all the same.
    Especially when they all walked back to the general store and Amos Geer pointed up a narrow flight of stairs. “It’s up there. You can’t miss it.”
    Marge started up without a moment’s hesitation. Midge, however, balked when Amos stepped back to let her go ahead.
    â€œI’ve already seen it, thank you.” It would take far more than a bell to make her waltz up those stairs, knowing her rump would be straight in his sight line.
    â€œGood.” A wide smile revealed that the slight gap between his front teeth hadn’t completely closed in the past four years. He moved in such a way to block the stairs. “Now you can explain why you’ve been avoiding me.”
    ***
    Amos didn’t bother to hide his amusement as his quarry looked to the left then right for