A Convenient Christmas Bride. Rhonda Gibson

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       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. СКАЧАТЬ