Belonging by Robin Lee Hatcher Page A

need.” Her gaze followed her finger across the page. “And the cost?” Then she straightened, smiling, her earlier irritation forgotten. “Twenty-three eighty for all seven. Perfect.”
    She should have looked prim and spinsterish with those glasses perched on her nose, but she didn’t. Not at all. Not with that smile making her eyes sparkle.
    “How long before I can expect delivery, Mr. Murphy?”
    He resisted the urge to clear his throat. “Next week, more than likely.”
    She removed the glasses and slipped them back into her pocket. “I suppose the wait can’t be helped. If the school has managed without maps for this long, another week or so won’t make a difference. I shall simply concentrate on other subjects than history until they arrive.”
    “History is Charity’s favorite subject.”
    “I know. She told me the day I arrived in town.”
    “That’s right.” He nodded, wondering at his reason for drawingout the conversation unnecessarily. “I remember now. She wanted you to quiz her.”
    “I’m glad she’s enthusiastic about history. I would hate for her to grow to dislike school.” She paused and then added softly, “Charity is behind other students her age in reading. And arithmetic as well.”
    This wasn’t news to Colin, of course. Miss Lucas had told him the same thing more than once. In fact, the former teacher had gone so far as to suggest Charity wasn’t capable of learning to read well.
    “Best be sure she acquires good homemaking skills, Mr. Murphy,” the woman had said. “You know, sewing and knitting and such. She’ll never be a scholar. Not that it matters. Unless she never marries, education will be wasted on her. And since she isn’t unattractive—”
    Felicia’s voice broke into his memory. “I don’t want you to worry, Mr. Murphy. Charity is a bright child. I’ll find a way to improve her reading and arithmetic skills. I promise you that.”
    Miss Lucas hadn’t thought Charity bright. She’d thought education was wasted on her. And Colin had accepted the opinion as fact, having no way to dispute it. But if Felicia was right?
    He felt a spark of hope spring to life in his heart—and a surprising affection for the woman standing opposite him.

    Kathleen liked Felicia, but she wasn’t sure the schoolteacher was right about Charity Murphy. After all, Kathleen had helped with the teaching duties after Miss Lucas married and moved away. She’d personally worked with Charity on her reading. It had been a frustrating exercise for them both. Phoebe, who was the younger by two years, read almost as well as Charity. Maybe even better.
    But Kathleen was wise enough to keep her thoughts to herself,especially when she saw the look that crossed Colin’s face. He doted on his daughter. Too much, according to Mother Summerville, who thought Charity spoiled and unruly.
    Kathleen didn’t agree with her mother-in-law completely. Yes, Charity was tomboyish and undoubtedly would benefit from a woman in the home, but Kathleen would never criticize the way Colin raised his child. Besides, Charity was happy and carefree and bighearted. How many mistakes could he have made? Not many. Probably fewer than Kathleen had made with her own daughters.
    Colin turned to look at her. “And what can I help you with, Mrs. Summerville?”
    For a moment, she couldn’t answer. She’d almost forgotten what had brought her to the mercantile beyond accompanying Felicia. Oh yes. Needles and thread and a pound of sugar.
    “I can find what I need,” she answered him at last. “Thank you.”
    She moved down the aisle toward the dry goods, the voice of Mother Summerville whispering in her head. It wouldn’t hurt you to let him wait on you, Kathleen. Instead, you left him at the counter with Miss Kristoffersen. How do you ever hope to win his attention if you make no effort?
    Her thoughts drifted back in time to when she’d first met Harold. He’d been a student, and she’d been visiting a cousin in