Читать книгу A Convenient Christmas Bride - Rhonda Gibson - Страница 13

Chapter Four

As Anna Mae had expected, within minutes of her arrival the last remaining two board members miraculously showed up at Beth’s Boardinghouse.

They whispered among themselves, argued a bit, then called her into the sitting room and invited her to sit. Mrs. Anderson, the bank president’s wife and head of the school board, pointed to a chair placed in the center of the room, and it was not lost on Anna Mae that her back was to the door. The board was in full intimidation mode and wanted no interruptions or distractions. She sat in the chair, her fingers tensed in her lap.

Josiah slipped into the room and sat off to her right, with his cowboy hat resting on his knee. Anna Mae could only assume that he’d left his girls with Emily Jane. Having him there made her feel somewhat better, but not much.

Mr. Holiday, the newly elected town mayor, leaned forward and lowered his voice as if the charges against her were too vile to speak out loud. In a soft, yet firm tone he said, “Miss Leland, it has come to our attention that you were out past dark on the night the storm hit. That you ended up at the Miller farm, where you have resided for over two weeks. Would you say that these statements are true?”

He was a large man, with a walrus-type body and face. His mustache twitched when he spoke and his normal voice came out loud and robust. But not today. Now his dark eyes searched her face as he waited for an answer.

“Yes, that is true but—”

Mrs. Thelma Anderson, the bank president’s wife, interrupted with a sharp tone. “There are no excuses for such conduct. It is very plain in your contract that we will not tolerate this type of behavior.”

Anna Mae’s breath caught in her throat, her heart pounded, and her eyes widened in astonishment. The suddenness of the attack took her breath away. Surely they would give her a fair hearing before pronouncing her guilty and firing her. “If you will just let me explain,” she pleaded. She couldn’t accept the dull ache of foreboding.

Levi Westland nodded. “Yes, I believe we should allow her to explain.”

“I don’t see the point. The evidence is here for all to view. Miss Leland admits she spent many nights at the Miller farm.” The bank president’s wife spoke with a contempt that forbade any further argument.

“Now, dear, let her speak.” Mr. Anderson patted his wife’s hand.

The woman looked ready to argue further, then took a deep breath and sighed. “I don’t see the point, but if she must.”

“I believe she must.” Josiah’s low voice reminded Anna Mae of his presence. She hated that he was here to witness her shame.

Mr. Anderson waved his hand in her direction. “Go ahead, Miss Leland. Tell us what happened.”

Anna Mae remembered Josiah’s words, “Just tell them what you told me.” She took a deep, calming breath and did just that. Her hands shook in her lap as Mrs. Anderson studied her with impassive coldness. The woman’s mouth twisted wryly as Anna Mae recounted how she’d followed Bart out into the woods.

Levi nodded his head as if agreeing with her choice to go search for the little boy, as did a couple of the other men.

She assured them of the innocence of her stay and that she’d been very ill. Anna Mae finished by explaining that she and Mr. Miller had returned to town the moment it was safe to travel with the girls.

Josiah stood. His hands worked the rim of his hat while he spoke. “I can vouch for Miss Leland. Everything she has told you is the truth. When she arrived at the farm, Miss Leland was very ill. It wasn’t until the last few days that she’s felt well enough to get up and eat.”

Mrs. Anderson gasped, but he pressed on. “I’d like to add that Miss Leland behaved like a perfect lady, watching over the girls as best she could, being sick and all, while I handled the care of the horse and mule. She has done nothing wrong and I request that you allow her to keep her teaching position.”

Anna Mae knew that in his own way Josiah thought to help her, but she feared his words caused more damage than good. He must have felt so, too, as the tensing of his jaw betrayed his deep frustration. Her heart warmed at the thought that at least he’d tried to help her. She watched the play of emotions on his face and realized he felt the same hopelessness that tore through her.

For a moment she allowed bitterness to slip in. He would walk away with no repercussions. His job wasn’t threatened. He would suffer no embarrassment, no aftermaths, yet she stood to lose everything. Where was the fairness in that?

Then she realized how unfair her thoughts were. He’d been nothing but kind to her. Even in front of these people, Josiah had tried to help her. They’d become friends during her stay with him. If truth be known, it was a friendship she wouldn’t have minded cultivating, if the circumstances were different.

She imposed an iron control on herself, stifling any warmth she felt toward the sheriff. Josiah simply felt guilty for her predicament. It wasn’t his fault, but she knew he felt as if part of it were. Either way, Anna Mae refused to allow herself to soften toward him. She couldn’t afford to let another man break her heart. Besides, by the way things looked, after today she wouldn’t be staying in Granite.

She raised her eyes to find the board members watching her, gauging her reaction to Josiah’s words. Her gaze shifted from one person to the other, the majority of them staring back in accusation. Thoughtfully, she searched each man and woman’s face. Several of the men looked at her with what appeared to be sympathy, while Mrs. Anderson’s features showed nothing but scorn. Levi Westland held her gaze as if to say he was on her side.

Mrs. Anderson spoke once more. “As honorable as Miss Leland’s tale sounds, she still broke several of the rules of her contract. Gentlemen, I realize you think she did the right thing by going out for the boy, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that she signed a contract. What good is the contract if we do not hold our schoolteachers to it?”

When no one answered, Anna Mae was assailed by a terrible sense of bitterness. She knit her fingers together and rested them in her lap. Her throat ached with defeat. Lord, why? In desperation her heart cried out to her creator. Have You forgotten me? Is there a purpose in allowing this to happen a second time? Did I not learn the lesson You wanted me to through the humiliation of being stranded at the altar? Must I be humiliated again through no fault of my own? Bitter tears burned the backs of her eyes. She lowered her head so that they couldn’t see them.

The woman’s voice droned on. “I move that we dismiss Miss Leland as our schoolteacher. She broke the contract when she left town with Bart Bradshaw and stayed out after dark. As for what happened at the Miller farm, that is between Sheriff Miller, Miss Leland and the good Lord.”

Anna Mae raised her head and boldly looked Mrs. Anderson straight in the eyes. She might stand accused, but she most definitely was not guilty, and she refused to cower in front of them as if she were. God knew that she had done no wrong and therefore had nothing to be ashamed of.

Mr. Anderson spoke up. “I second the motion.”

Mrs. Anderson continued with the ruling. “All in favor raise your right hands.”

Three of the men raised their hands. Levi Westland sat staring at them with hard eyes.

“All opposed.” Mrs. Anderson continued as if daring Levi to raise his hand.

He did so and said, “This is wrong, Thelma Anderson, and you know it.”

She ignored him as if he hadn’t spoken. “Miss Leland, you are hereby removed as the schoolteacher of Granite, Texas, for your unladylike conduct.”

“Now hold on just a moment.” Josiah’s voice boomed about the room. “Miss Leland never once misbehaved as a lady. And if I hear such words bantered about town, I may just lock you up for slander.”

Anna Mae stood. “Sheriff Miller. Thank you for your kind words, but the school board has spoken.” She smoothed out her skirt and walked to the door. Just before exiting, she added, “I’m sure Mrs. Anderson is too much of a Christian to go speaking falsehoods about me. Now, if you all will excuse me, I will be retiring to my room.” Her chin quivered but she managed to hold her head high as she exited the room.

* * *

Josiah looked at each of the school board members. He ought to arrest every one of them. They’d just delivered a verdict without any evidence. A court of law would have thrown them out of the courthouse. He could think of any number of things to charge them with. Slander, destruction of character and illegal firing from a job. And the unfairness of it—now that cut the cake. All in the name of moral correctness.

“Well, now, what will we do for a schoolteacher?” he asked, noting that none of them would meet his eyes.

Mrs. Anderson raised her head and sighed dramatically. “I suppose I shall have to fill in until another teacher can be found. I suggest we advertise for a male teacher this time.”

He looked at the older woman, her actions finally making sense. “Ah...” He deliberately drew the word out. “I see.” Everyone knew the bank president’s wife was bored, but Josiah wouldn’t have thought she’d fire Anna Mae to give herself a job to do.

She glared at him, but a telling flush crept into her cheeks and deepened to crimson.

Josiah shook his head, distaste curling the edges of his mouth into a grimace, which he allowed the board members to see. To their credit a few of them had the grace to look ashamed, and dropped their heads. He slapped his hat back on his head and left.

He made his way to Emily Jane, who sat with the twins just outside the door. “Thank you for watching the girls,” he said in greeting.

“It didn’t go well for Anna Mae, did it?”

“I’m afraid not.” Josiah took Rose from Emily Jane and looked about for Ruby.

The little girl sat at the foot of the stairs, looking up. Ruby held a soft spot for the young schoolteacher. She pulled herself up on the bottom step and began to climb.

“Oh, no, you don’t, little lady.” Josiah scooped her into his free arm and held her tight. His gaze moved up the stairs, where he knew Anna Mae had fled.

Poor woman. She’d lost her job and her reputation today. When word got out that the school board was looking for a new teacher, everyone would want to know why, and even though he’d threatened to toss Mrs. Anderson in jail if she bad-mouthed Anna Mae, he knew the older woman would tell everyone what had happened. And if she didn’t, Mrs. Bradshaw would. He sighed heavily.

“I think I’ll go up and see if I can make her feel any better.” His sister-in-law pushed herself up from the bench.

Josiah nodded. “Thank you again for taking care of the girls.”

“You’re welcome. They were good.” She walked past him and headed up the stairs, then stopped and said, “I hope you and the girls can come into town for Sunday lunch. I’ll fry up a chicken if you do.”

He grinned at her. “If the weather stays clear, we’ll be there.”

She nodded and then continued up the stairs.

Josiah carried the girls out to his wagon and put them onto the seat. He handed them the rope to hold on to and then tucked several blankets around them. The wagon tipped slightly as he pulled himself up and sat down beside Rose. As long as he was in town with the wagon he might as well go to the general store for supplies.

Mentally he ticked off what he needed—coffee, salt and beans. Thanks to Anna Mae, he now knew how to cook ham and beans that didn’t taste plain and hard. He guided the horse to the store.

Once inside, he sat the girls down and took each one by the hand. They were old enough now to toddle along with him. Carolyn Moore came out of the back room.

“Josiah, how good to see you. Did you get a lot of snow out at your place?” she asked, coming around and kneeling in front of the girls.

“We got our share, that’s for sure.” He laughed as he watched Carolyn give both twins a big hug.

“You girls don’t look too frostbitten,” she teased.

They giggled and tucked their faces into his legs.

It always amazed him that the girls could turn shy in an instant. He stroked their curls and grinned like the proud papa he was.

“What can I help you with today?” Carolyn asked. She wiped at a thin layer of flour on her apron, reminding him that he should get some more of that, too.

“It seems I’m in need of coffee, beans, flour and something else.” For the life of him Josiah couldn’t remember the other item. Anna Mae would know what he needed at the house.

Would she be all right? Now that she’d lost her teaching job, what would she do? Maybe instead of denying that the school board would release her, he should have helped Annie plan a new future.

“I’ll gather the coffee, beans and flour for you. As for the something else, as soon as you remember what it is, let me know and I’ll add it to your pile.” Carolyn went to measure out his requests.

A heaviness centered in his chest and there was a sour feeling in the pit of his stomach that caused him to rub the affected area. He should have stood up for her better. But what more could he have said to help her keep her job? As it was, he thought he might have made the situation worse. He could still see the look of tiredness that had passed over her features, and hear the strained tone of her voice.

“Have you remembered what the other something was that you needed?” Carolyn asked as she placed a brown paper bag full of beans onto the counter.

Josiah looked about the store. His gaze landed where the spices were and he remembered. “Salt.”

Rose and Ruby pulled at his hands. He didn’t understand their babble, but looked toward where they were straining. They seemed to have spotted a section of toys and wanted to get closer to them. “When did you start carrying toys?” he asked, as he allowed the girls to pull him forward.

Carolyn grinned. “We got a shipment in right before the storm hit. Wilson thought it would be good to carry toys, since Christmas is right around the corner.”

“If these girls are any indication, I believe your husband was right,” Josiah said, releasing their little hands so that the girls could get to the toys. It wouldn’t hurt to see what they might be interested in. As Carolyn had said, Christmas was right around the corner. He watched as Ruby grabbed a stuffed brown horse with a white mane and white spots, and Rose pulled at an ugly gray toy elephant.

What would Anna Mae do about the upcoming holidays? With no job and no income, she certainly wouldn’t have much of a Christmas. He sighed and let his gaze move about the store. A dress hung in the dry goods area. The pretty fabric would look nice on the schoolteacher.

Josiah shook his head. His thoughts refused to stop bringing Anna Mae to mind. He felt responsible for her. Hadn’t he said that no matter what happened he’d stand beside her?

“Is there anything else I can get you, Sheriff?” Carolyn asked, placing the salt into a box for him.

“Do you think the twins will remember the toys they’re playing with now, if I buy and hide them until Christmas morning?” he asked, picking up each of the girls, who held tightly to the toys. Josiah carried them to the counter.

“I doubt it. They are still pretty young,” Carolyn said, tickling Rose and taking the toy from her at the same time.

“Then go ahead and wrap them up for me, if you will.”

“Be my pleasure to do so.” Carolyn handed Rose a peppermint stick to replace the toy.

Josiah grinned at the ease with which the shopkeeper distracted the girls with candy. She took Ruby’s toy also and replaced it likewise. The twins smiled and smacked their lips as they sucked on the candy. They were so, oh what was that word Anna Mae described them with? Oh yes, adorable. They had a double dose of it.

“You do have a way with children,” he said.

Carolyn wrapped the toys in brown paper and placed them in the box. “I’ve had lots of experience.” She smiled at him and then added the cost of the toys to the list she’d been tallying for him.

Josiah paid for his supplies and the toys and then carried them out to the wagon, while Carolyn watched the girls. As he placed the box in the back, he froze, his hand clenched on the sideboard. Suddenly, with crystal clarity, he knew what he had to do to make things right with Anna Mae.

The girls needed a mother and Anna Mae needed a home and her reputation restored. And he needed someone he could trust to take care of his girls while he worked. His sister-in-law could no longer watch his girls and run a bakery with a newborn to take care of as well.

With courage and determination settling like a rock inside him, he girded himself with resolve. He would marry her.

His mind went through a thorough deliberation process before he allowed himself to act. Would this benefit them both or were his motives selfish? If she agreed to this harebrained scheme, what would her motives be? Would a marriage between them benefit them each?

He already knew that marriage would solve both their problems. She would have a home and the girls would have a mother. But would it produce positive results like he pictured in his mind, or bring regrets further down the road?

Josiah stood still and listened to his gut. In the few years he’d been sheriff, it had never steered him wrong. He turned his head sideways to hear better. Not a word; not even a growl.

He fell back on the evidence. She cooked better than he did. She’d been sick the entire time she was with him, yet his house looked cleaner. The most persuasive piece of evidence won the case. She loved his girls and she tolerated him pretty well.

Now all he had to do was convince her that marrying him would solve both their problems. He’d have to be up front with her and tell her that he could never offer her a husband’s love, but that he would happily and freely supply her basic needs for the rest of her life. Surely she’d understand that he’d already lost the love of his life and that he couldn’t risk losing another person that he loved that deeply.

Would Anna Mae agree to such a proposition? The future looked so vague and shadowy. Why, he didn’t know what would take place in his own life, so how could he expect her to join up with him? He had a farm, yet wasn’t a farmer; he was a sheriff.

But could he keep being a sheriff and possibly leave his daughters without a daddy? If he married Anna Mae, and something did happen to him, he knew she’d take care of the girls. Yes, the girls needed a mother. A stable woman they could depend on to take care of them. They needed Anna Mae.