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much I can’t do. No, t’wasn’t the promise of new skills that brought me to Kansas. . . .” She scratched the cow’s forehead while the animal munched. “I’m wantin’ a kind man an’ the chance to build a family of me own. Been many years since I been part of a family, Tressa.” She tipped her head, sending Tressa a thoughtful look. “And ye? Why did ye come to this place?”
    Heat built in Tressa’s face. How could she explain that coming hadn’t been her idea? Sallie would certainly scuttle away in shock if she learned that Tressa’s aunt had deemed the school a means of ridding her of the obligation of providing a dowry for a niece. Tressa felt a developing affinity with Sallie despite the vast differences in their backgrounds. But if she were to mention those differences, Sallie might withdraw her offer of friendship.
    She chose her words carefully, unwilling to deceive Sallie but also unable to divulge the full truth. “Like you, I’m here to gain a husband . . . and a family.”
    Sallie grinned, stepping away from the cow and reaching for the bucket. “Well, I’d say with your pretty face an’ sweet way of talkin’, the men around here would be foolish to pass ye by. I be thinkin’, once you’ve learnt what ye need to cook an’ clean an’ be a help with the animals, you’ll have no trouble snaggin’ a man.”
    Tressa couldn’t decide if she found Sallie’s validation encouraging or frightening.
    “An’ besides, if ye don’t find any of the men here pleasin’, I’m thinkin’ you’d make a fine schoolmarm. I can tell by your way of speakin’ you’ve had more learnin’ than most. You must’ve lived with a fancy family at some time an’ picked up their habits. . . .”
    Tressa’s pulse raced. Why hadn’t Aunt Gretchen warned her of the need to temper her speech? Working clothes weren’t enough—Tressa must somehow present the complete picture of a lower-class girl. She made a silent vow to choose her words carefully lest she give her secret away and lose her opportunity to find a new life in this barren land.
    She followed Sallie out of the cool, shadowy barn into full daylight. The brightness took Tressa by surprise. The sun had been a golden promise resting on the horizon line when they each chose a cow and began milking. But now the gray sky had turned robin’s egg blue, the sun a huge yellow ball climbing toward the heavens. How much time had she wasted trying to draw milk from that cow?
    Sallie also gave a start, squinting at the sun. “Aunt Hattie’s surely got breakfast waitin’. We best be hurryin’, Tressa.”
    They scuttled through the back door, which led directly into the kitchen. Sallie plunked Tressa’s milk bucket beside the dry sink, where a row of upended buckets dripped from a recent washing. The room held a pleasant aroma, giving evidence that breakfast had been prepared. But no one was around. Then the sound of voices carried from the dining room. Sallie grabbed Tressa’s hand and pulled her in that direction.
    Mrs. Wyatt gestured toward the two open chairs when the girls entered the room. “Sit. Eat. The eggs’re probably cold by now, but that’s the price paid by stragglers.” Her smile softened the reprimand. She waited until Tressa and Sallie sat before speaking again. “We were discussin’ the cookin’ schedule. Each of you will take your turn pre-parin’ meals. First just for us, an’ then for my whole crew.”
    “So we’ll meet the men after we’ve learned to cook?” Luella tittered, hunching her shoulders and winking in Evelyn’s direction. “Oooh, I’ll be first.”
    Mrs. Wyatt continued as if Luella hadn’t spoken. “Most o’ the ranches around here have a full work crew livin’ on the property, an’ the wives’re responsible for feedin’ not only their own families but the fellas who work the place. So cookin’ for a crowd is somethin’ you all need to learn.”
    Tressa slid an egg onto her plate, noting the slight