America 1883: The Western Homeland

Chapter 148 Winter Survival Routine in Paradise Valley

The cold wind raged through the valley, and the knife-like chill made people shiver.

It was so cold that my bones felt numb, and I didn't want to go out at all.

With the arrival of November, the harsh winter of Montana has truly arrived.

When snowflakes fall to the ground and stop melting, instead being swirled and rolled by the cold wind, everyone understands that the harsh winter has arrived silently.

Tom pushed open the gates of Dutton School.

The gravel paths leading to various parts of the campus had already been swept clean and were covered with a thin layer of snow. Reflecting the sunlight, they were not slippery.

As soon as Tom appeared, Principal Gina rushed out nervously to greet him.

"No need to come out, it's cold." Tom waved his hand casually.

The female principal, in her forties, rubbed her hands together, her voice trembling with unease: "Tom, you should—find someone else to be the principal."

Tom tightened his collar to block the cold wind from blowing in: "Let's talk inside."

Dutton School is fully equipped with classrooms, dormitories, and a canteen.

Martha is the cook here, and Becky helps her.

Mary then became the children's teacher.

When others didn't have anything to do, they all lent a hand to look after the children.

Tom walked into the warm and cozy classroom.

The children were sitting around the stove and the hot fire wall.

As soon as he entered, they all tried to get up.

"Sit down, everyone sit down." Tom gestured for everyone to stay still, his gaze sweeping around before landing on Mary. "Auntie said you didn't go back to the ranch last night?"

Mary nodded: "Someone has to add coal to the stove at night so the children won't get cold."

As soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room became inexplicably tense.

The women looked at each other; they were taking turns on night duty, and it wasn't that they were bullying Mary.

Tom didn't ask any more questions. He reached out and touched a child's cotton-padded coat. It was thick, warm, and well-stitched.

Looking at the children's faces, they were rounder and rosier than when they first arrived, clearly showing that they had gained weight.

"Well done." Tom's words put everyone's minds at ease.

"It's freezing cold right now, the children's priority is to keep warm. If they're missing anything, ask my mother. If she can't solve it, ask me. Come on, let's go to the cafeteria."

Martha quickly led the way.

Outside, the cold wind in the valley seemed even fiercer, cutting like a knife against the face.

Tom quickened his pace.

The canteen is a sturdy stone building.

The stove was spotless, and the shelves next to it were piled high with food.

"Is the cellar still working well?"

"It works great!"

"That's fine. If there are any problems, let me know and they'll come and fix them."

Of course, if a major problem arises, we can only wait until spring to dig another one.

After visiting the cafeteria, Tom returned to the classroom.

His gaze swept over the crowd at the school: "What difficulties do you have? Tell me now. You can say anything."

The group looked at each other, and no one spoke for a moment.

"Mary, you go first." As the person closest to the Dutton family here, Tom called on her.

"Tom, look, the snow is falling harder and harder—" Mary's voice was filled with worry, "What if the snow blocks the door one day? We're all women here—"

Tom glanced at Mary, then looked at the others.

The women all lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

Tom understood.

They were afraid of being trapped by the heavy snow and becoming isolated and helpless.

Human nature.

"Don't worry," Tom's voice was steady and strong, carrying a reassuring quality, "There are thirty cowboys on the ranch, plus the Dutton family, that's at least forty people! Even if the snow blocks the door, or even if the snow buries the roof, we'll dig you out! The school is right inside Dutton Manor, what's the panic?"

Finally, his gaze fell on Gina.

With an undeniable air of authority: "Gina, we made you the principal because of your experience caring for these orphans. Don't keep thinking about quitting; you need to think about how to do this job well, and do it brilliantly!"

After playing around with the children for a while, Tom got up and left.

The surprise inspection of Dutton School was to see if the students were slacking off. Fortunately, they didn't disappoint Tom.

As soon as Tom left the school gates, he headed straight for the ranch outside the manor. Zack was already waiting there.

"How's the situation?" Tom deftly dismounted.

"The cattle and horses have all been driven up to the high slopes to graze on the grass roots!" Zack quickly led the way.

Tom went into the barn first. There were people cleaning inside, and Tom nodded slightly. The barn was quite tidy; the floor was clean, and there were no piles of garbage or manure. Clearly, the cowboys were very efficient.

"As soon as the livestock leave the shed, they immediately start cleaning," Zach explained from the side.

Tom didn't say a word, but paced around the shed with his hands behind his back, his sharp eyes scanning every corner. The troughs were spotless, and there was no dirt or grime in the corners.

"Wade is doing a good job managing," Tom commented, gesturing for Zach to follow him and wander around elsewhere.

Several livestock sheds were inspected, and the results were satisfactory.

The hay in the hay shed was also neatly stacked and properly stored.

Finally, Tom's gaze fell on several empty livestock sheds in the distance.

"Zack," he stroked his chin, "how many beef cattle do you think would be the best number to raise on our ranch?"

Without a second thought, Zach replied, "At least ten thousand!"

Tom nodded, but he had another plan in mind.

Simply increasing quantity won't work. If the meat quality and taste can't compete with others, and sales channels can't be opened up, the ranch still won't make big money.

This approach needs to be changed!

After inspecting the ranch and then taking a look around the bunker at the mouth of the valley to make sure everything was normal, Tom turned back to the main house.

"Quick, have a cup of hot coffee to warm yourself up!" Mother Margaret personally handed Tom a steaming cup of coffee.

Tom took the cup and warmed his hands with it, glancing at Elsa on the sofa, who was over six months pregnant.

He frowned, but didn't say much: "I'm going back to my room."

Margaret hesitated, then finally let out a soft sigh.

As soon as I lay down on the kang (heated brick bed), the warmth emanating from underneath instantly enveloped my entire body.

Cool!

Those who have survived the harsh winters of Montana know that this heated kang bed is a lifesaver!

"Bang!"

The door was violently kicked open!

Tom didn't even bother to lift his eyelids; he knew perfectly well who it was—it was that rascal John!

"Tom! Go see the puppies!" Little John scrambled onto the kang (a heated brick bed), his big eyes blinking as he stared at him.

"I'm not going!" Tom really couldn't understand it. Was that thing a puppy?

That's clearly a mane-covered lion cub! Besides, don't you get tired of seeing it every day?

What really made Tom's blood pressure spike was that this little brat not only looked at things, but also kept pulling on their tails!

He would never forget the way that sheepdog looked at him, as if he were an accomplice who was protecting a bully!

"Little John," Tom said patiently, "do you know where this is? This is our room, your room!"

Little John nodded vigorously, his face full of innocence.

"You have to take care of your own things! If you break the door, where will you sleep tonight? Won't you mind the cold wind blowing in and freezing your butt?"

Tom thought a six-year-old should understand this principle by now, right?

Unexpectedly, little John stiffened his neck and declared confidently, "I can sleep in my parents' room!"

Tom: 6

He felt a surge of anger rush to his head, and his temples throbbed. Who did this brat take after?