Epilogue

NOVEMBER 1868

"Mr. Decker, I need help with my arithmetic," a redheaded boy declared, coming to Charlie's desk.

Charlie was glad that Melody had already taken the rest of the class into the other room for lunch. "What seems to be the trouble, Isaac?" he asked the ten-year-old.

"Fractions," the boy answered. His expression was most serious. "They're perturbing me."

Charlie refrained from laughing. "Oh, I see. Well, I know that fractions often perturb people when they are first attempting to understand them."

"I just don't understand," the boy continued. "You want me to reduce them, but I can't figure out how. I have nine-thirds, and you said when the top number is bigger than the bottom it needs to be reduced, but I can't remember how to do it."

Charlie felt great affection for the boy. "Tell me, how do you feel about division?"

The boy's tense expression relaxed. "I like division. Makes sense to me."

"That's wonderful. I'm so glad you enjoy it." Charlie went to the blackboard. "Fractions are really nothing more than division problems."

The boy's look of stress was back. "How can that be a division problem, Mr. Decker?"

Charlie smiled. "Because nine over three is really just another way of saying nine divided by three. The bar is nothing more than a division bar."

The boy's eyes narrowed for a moment, then Charlie saw his eyes widen as understanding dawned. "A division bar?"

"Exactly. So when I ask you to reduce the fraction, what would the answer be?"

"Three," the boy said without hesitation. He looked up at Charlie for reassurance that he had answered correctly.

"There you are. That's right."

"Well, I'll be." The boy shook his head. "My ma is never gonna believe this."

"I think she'll be very pleased with you, Isaac. You're quite smart."

The boy stood a little taller. "Thank you for helping me, Mr. Decker."

"No problem. Fractions will get a little more complicated, but I know you're smart enough to handle it, and you can always come to me with your questions. Now you'd better go on and eat your lunch. Mrs. Decker will be waiting for you."

Isaac ran for the door and disappeared into the next room, while Charlie erased the problem he'd written on the board. He had a full school of twenty-two boys, all ranging in age from ten to sixteen. There was even a waiting list for people who wanted Charlie to take their boys on as well. It was quite a challenge to plan out lessons for each age group, but Melody had proven to be quite helpful. She seemed to enjoy working with various projects.

Charlie had no sooner reclaimed a seat at his desk than Melody appeared with his lunch in hand. He jumped back up as she placed the food on his desk. He took her in his arms, glanced around her at the open door, and then kissed her in a most loving fashion.

"Charlie Decker," she declared as he turned her loose. "That is not the way to conduct yourself in a schoolroom."

He laughed and sat back down. "I used to be jealous of boys who stole kisses from girls in school. I never had the chance to do that, and now I do."

"As the recipient of that kind of attention, I can tell you it was quite annoying. However, I don't mind your attention at all." She smiled and leaned back against the desk. "So what will you be teaching after lunch?"

"We're going to study how Wyoming became a territory and what the procedure is for statehood. After I talk about it, you can help us make a map. I think the boys will like getting an idea of where everything is situated. My father is arranging for a United States map that we can hang on the wall. It will be quite detailed and really give the boys a perspective on the country."

"That will be wonderful." Melody leaned over and kissed Charlie on the top of his head. "Oh, I'm wondering how you would feel about taking on another student."

"Now, Melody, you know we can't. There isn't room. Not only that, but we already have a waiting list."

"But this child won't start for a while. They'll probably need about five years before they'll be ready to sit in class."

Charlie was more than a little confused. "What are you talking about?"

Melody leaned over once again. Her eyes were wide. "I'm going to have a baby, Mr. Decker. That's what I'm talking about."

If she'd said the school was on fire, Charlie couldn't have been more shocked. "A baby?"

She nodded and straightened. "A baby. Our baby."

"When?"

"April, as best we can figure. I talked to Marybeth since she's also expecting around the same time. We calculated it and figured the babies will be born in April."

Charlie got to his feet and took hold of her shoulders. "I can hardly believe this. What a wonderful gift, and it's not even Christmas yet." He pulled her very gently into his arms. "Oh, how I love you."

"I love you too, Charlie." She wrapped her arms around him as best she could and sighed. "Maybe girls should advertise for husbands more often. I came out of the deal quite well."

Charlie chuckled. "Yes, but we had your father plotting and planning for you, and as you said, his discernment was a gift from the Lord."

Melody looked up. "Do you think if it's a boy we could name him after Da? Not Clancy, but his middle name, Michael."

"Michael Decker. Nothing would please me more," Charlie said, remembering the man he'd known for such a short time yet came to love.

A howling noise rose up from the direction of the lunchroom. Melody pulled away. "Time to go. Sounds like the boys have run out of food."

"I suggest we herd them outside for some fresh air. A little time in the cold and they'll be ready to come in and settle down to learning," Charlie suggested.

She nodded and left, calling out to the boys to clean up their messes and get their coats. Charlie leaned back in his seat, still in awe at the news Melody had just shared. He was going to be a father. The thought was terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. He glanced toward the ceiling.

"Thank you, Father. For the many blessings, but especially for Melody and the baby." He gazed out over the empty classroom and knew he'd never known more joy.

Melody awoke in the night. For a moment, she was back in time, listening for her father's moaning. She sat up on the edge of the bed, then remembered he was gone.

She slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Charlie, and went to the window. She looked heavenward, noting the vast, empty darkness. Snow clouds had moved in earlier in the evening and turned the pale blue skies a gunmetal gray. They figured to see snow by morning.

A smile touched her lips as her hands went to her abdomen. There was just the slightest rounding there. She'd been almost certain of her condition since September, but with Charlie so focused on getting the school started, she'd not wanted to say anything. With her expanding waistline, Melody had known she wouldn't be able to keep it quiet much longer.

It delighted her to know that she and Marybeth would have their babies around the same time. It would be good to have someone with Marybeth's parenting experience to help guide her. Of course, Granny Taylor would be there as well.

Oh, but how she wished Da could be with them. She missed him so much some days. Especially days like this when there was something special to share.

Lord, if possible, please let Da know how happy I am and that Charlie and I are going to have a baby. I know he'd be so delighted.

Warm arms encircled her. "Are you all right?" Charlie asked, pulling her back against him. "I woke up, and you weren't there."

"I'm fine. Something woke me, and I came to the window to see if it was snowing yet. Can't really see much of anything, but I don't think it's started."

Charlie nuzzled his face alongside her head. "Come back to bed. It's cold out here, and I always sleep better with you in my arms."

She turned and fixed her hands on either side of his cheeks. She couldn't see his face in the dark but knew he would be smiling at her. His blue eyes would have that wonderful twinkle to them. She stroked his chin with her thumb. He needed a shave. Not that it mattered. Charlie was perfect just the way he was. He was the perfect friend and the perfect husband.

And he belonged to her.