someone dies, no matter how small, he just paces and paces in his office.” Nick folded his blanket. “What can I do for you, my child?”
“Let’s see what’s inside, and then I’ll tell you.”
She looked around in surprise at the dirty space that was rapidly becoming a classroom. Without the heavy drapes, sunlight poured in and warmed the place, even without a fire lit in the newly swept fireplace. The desks were clean and someone had polished them. There was even a blackboard now, and a pile of books by the door.
“Looks like the miracle happened right here, Nick,” she said.
The windows were dusty again, probably from the work of the chimney sweep, so she sent Nick up the ladder to wash them once more. She admired a handsome bookcase near her desk. “Where did this …”
Nick looked down from his lofty height. She almost expected him to raise his hand in a blessing. “I have seen one like that in the major’s quarters,” he said, then turned his attention to the window. “The Lord provides.”
“My goodness, I wonder when he found the time,” she murmured.
“Ye of little faith,” Nick scolded, but gently.
She started sweeping, but stopped when Katie O’Leary arrived with a globe.
“Hi, Nick,” Katie said cheerfully. “I am continually amazed what lurks in dark corners at old forts.” She set the globe on top of the providential bookcase. “Not you, Nick! It happens that the quartermaster clerk is from County Mayo, where Jim was born, so he found me a globe.” She laughed. “Life in the army depends on who you know, even though the other officers’ wives think I don’t know anyone!”
“You’re giving my pupils the world, Katie,” she teased.
“Mrs. Hopkins—may I call you Susanna?—you are a hopeless romantic!”
“Of course you may call me Susanna, and I am an educator, not a romantic.”
“I don’t know about that.” Katie took off her overcoat. “What will you have me do?”
Just keep reminding me how truly lucky I am to be at Fort Laramie, Susanna thought. She noticed the note on the books. “‘Since I head the advisory committee this year, I am also over the post library. Use what suits you. J,’” she read out loud, then looked at Katie. “Major Randolph takes a serious interest in his post duties.”
“You can think that,” Katie said, all complaisance. “I think he is interested in you.”
Susanna felt her face flame. “Surely not,” she murmured. “Now I will change the subject. Watch me! You, madam, may dust the books while I sweep and mop.”
Katie sat on one of the stools, took a cloth Susanna handed her, and started through the pile, sneezing at the dust. Susanna stopped sweeping and leaned on the broom. “My cousin-in-law told me such a story about Major Randolph last night. Does General Crook truly mean to snub him by keeping him here during that winter campaign?”
“I’m certain he does,” Katie replied. “It’s what the general has been doing for years.” She put down the dust cloth. “For my part, I am glad enough. I’d rather Major Randolph delivered this next O’Leary, and he can’t do that in the Powder River country.” She sighed. “The general has been plaguing Major Randolph’s life since he took over the Department of the Platte.”
“It’s so unfair,” Susanna said, attacking the dusty floor with more vigor. “Does Major Randolph just not care anymore?”
Katie was silent for a long moment, returning her attention to the old books. “Do you know what happened to his wife? It was so terrible I hate to think about it.”
Susanna nodded. She started sweeping slowly.
“I think if he could have crawled into the coffin with her, he would have,” Katie told her, after a glance at Nick on his ladder. She crossed herself quickly, and then was silent again. The whoosh of the broom was the only sound in the room. “I noticed something yesterday. He’s not wearing his wedding ring. I don’t know when he stopped doing that, but I noticed yesterday.” She gave Susanna a shy look. “You don’t wear yours. I suppose it’s difficult.”
I pawned mine, Susanna thought. The engagement ring got me to Chicago, and the wedding ring got me almost here. “Rings need to be tucked away, eventually,” she said, resisting a strong urge to tell the truth to Katie O’Leary.
The work was done by noon, or mess call, which Susanna recognized. Even though she assured him she was capable, Nick threw the mop water outside the front porch for her and returned