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she’s not the same person anymore. I’m trying to
change all that, but I can’t do it alone. I need your help.”
    Gilbert searched her face as she spoke and
did not say a word.
    Melinda stared into his eyes, wondering what he was
thinking. Had she been too outspoken? She had stood up to him and
she had not cowered to the firmness of his voice. She had pulled
her shoulders back and spoke with confidence. Perhaps no one had
ever spoken to him in this manner before and he was offended. But
that did not matter to Melinda. It was Jenny who mattered.
    “Mr. Roberts, please help me,” Melinda went
on. “I want these children to accept Jenny. Will you accompany your
daughter and put your work second just this once? And I promise
that I won’t ask any more of you.” She paused. “Unless it’s
absolutely necessary.”
    Gilbert did not take his eyes off Melinda.
He breathed in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “You win, Miss
Gamble. Besides, it’s the only way to get you to leave. I don’t
need you following me around all day.”
    Melinda smiled. “Nor would I want to follow
you around all day, Mr. Roberts. But if I had to, I would.”
    “I believe you would, Miss Gamble.” Gilbert
had a slight smirk on his face, as if he were amused by this
unexpected confrontation.
    “Thank you very much,” Melinda said with a
smile. “You will not regret it. Meet us at the school Monday
morning at nine thirty.” With a big grin, she added, “Wear a jacket
and sturdy shoes. It will be a short climb and the mountains will
be chilly.”
    Then Melinda turned on her heels and strode
back to the carriage, grinning all the way. She felt like singing.
She had won a very important battle.
    Gilbert watched her as she walked away. “Dad
blame it, but she’s a stubborn and strong-willed woman,” he
murmured.
    Aside from her strong will, Gilbert had noticed a
few things about her that he liked. He liked the way she defended
his daughter. Jenny had told him how Miss Gamble would compliment
her at school and he liked that, too. Another thing he liked was
Melinda’s self-confidence and determined attitude. He also noticed
how beautiful she was, which was not difficult to see. He saw her
expressive green eyes as she spoke and how they flamed when she was
annoyed with him. And last, he noticed how graceful she was as she
walked away from him, her skirts swaying with each step she
took.
    He remembered her delightful laughter at the
stream and how happy she had been. She seemed unfettered and free,
and there had been an almost ethereal beauty about her as Gilbert
watched her walk in the middle of the stream. When she held her
skirts above the water, he had noticed her shapely legs and slender
ankles and Gilbert knew he should not have noticed such things, but
they seemed to add to her charm.
     

Chapter 7
THE PARIS SPRINGS
     
    It was Monday morning and the children were
excited about their excursion to the mountains. Jenny’s father
arrived on horseback precisely at nine thirty.
    Melinda smiled as she walked up to him and
said, “I’m glad you came.”
    Gilbert grinned. “I had to ’cause I gave my
word. I don’t back down when I give my word.”
    “That’s admirable,” she replied.
    Then Melinda quickly
gathered the children together and they hopped into the back of two
buckboards that were waiting. Mark was fourteen and had gotten
permission to drive his father’s buckboard. So, with Melinda in the
lead, they headed toward the mountains. It was a dusty five-mile
ride to the mouth of the canyon , but the
children laughed and sang as they headed up the
mountain.
    As they rode, they passed one birch tree after
another and the pine trees seemed to multiply as they headed up the
mountain. The dirt road was rocky and the buckboard bounced and
jolted about, but that did not stop the singing and chattering.
After arriving at their destination, Melinda grabbed her lunch pail
and the children piled out of the buckboard to begin their