A Convenient Christmas Bride

“A joke that could have cost your teacher her life,” Josiah answered in a firm voice.

“What was just a joke?” Bart’s mother demanded.

Bart sank deeper onto the wagon seat and refused to answer. His brown hair was tousled. And his deep brown eyes focused on his feet.

Mrs. Bradshaw turned her attention back to Josiah. “I don’t understand.”

He nodded toward the boy. “Bart told his teacher that one of the younger boys was hurt, and led her into the woods right before the storm. Then he disappeared, leaving her lost. When the freezing rain and snow hit, Miss Leland almost froze to death before she arrived here at my farm.”

The boy looked up as if shocked by his words. Had Bart not realized the danger he’d put his teacher in? Probably not. Josiah held Bart’s gaze with his own.

The widow looked to Anna Mae. “Are you saying she’s been here for over two weeks?” When no one answered, she crossed her arms and huffed. “She doesn’t look injured to me.”

Josiah cleared his throat and then said with quiet emphasis, “Regardless of how she looks now, Miss Leland has been very sick due to your son’s deceitfulness. The facts are, he lured her into the woods, then left her in the middle of a fierce storm.” Josiah so badly wanted to add that all of the above were offenses against the law.

“I don’t believe it.” Mrs. Bradshaw glared at Anna Mae.

Still sounding a little hoarse, Anna Mae answered, “I’m afraid it’s true, Mrs. Bradshaw. Isn’t it, Bart?” Her gaze moved to the little boy.

“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, before ducking his head once more. “I didn’t think about you getting caught in the storm,” Bart admitted.

“I believe you owe your teacher an apology. She’s been very worried about you and whether or not you made it home safely,” Josiah told him.

Bart looked up. “I’m sorry, Miss Leland.” His young voice sounded hopeful as he asked, “Were you really worried about me?”

A tender smile touched Anna Mae’s lips. “Of course I was.”

His young cheeks turned a bright pink and once more he looked away.

Mrs. Bradshaw’s voice sounded colder than the icicles that had been hanging from the roof a few days ago. “Well, it’s done and over and the boy has apologized. Since you’ve had a woman to cook and bake for you, I don’t suppose you need fresh bread.”

“No, we don’t, but thank you for offering,” Josiah answered, still looking at the boy. Bart had been doing lots of mischievous things over the last few weeks. Josiah wondered if the boy simply craved attention. “Now, back to Bart.” He let his words hang between the two wagons.

“What about him?” his mother demanded.

“I think the boy needs to be punished for leaving his teacher out in the woods to freeze. Don’t you?” Josiah asked, fearing what she’d say.

“No, I don’t.” She sputtered. “I think you are—”

Bart’s young voice interrupted her. “He’s right, Ma.” The boy turned to look at him. “I could chop your wood for you, Sheriff, if you think that would be a good punishment,” he offered.

“What do you think, Miss Leland?” Josiah asked.

Anna Mae nodded. “I think that would be good for the boy. Plus, he could cut some for the school, as well.”

Mrs. Bradshaw sat on the wagon bench with her mouth hanging open. “You are seriously going to punish my boy for a childish trick?” She shook her head.

Bart looked to his mother. “I shouldn’t have deceived her and then left her in the woods, Ma.” He turned his attention back to Josiah and lifted his chin. “I’ll cut the wood.”

Mrs. Bradshaw slapped the reins over her horse’s back. “Good day to the both of you,” she said, turning the horse back in the direction of town. Josiah watched her leave, utterly mystified.

* * *

Anna Mae leaned back and sighed. Her fears had been realized, and they hadn’t even left the Miller property. Mrs. Bradshaw would be knocking on the door of every school board member as soon as she got to town. It was as plain as the nose on her face that the other woman was interested in the sheriff and that she’d assumed the worst when she’d learned that Anna Mae had been staying with him.

She turned to look at the little girls, who up to this point had sat quietly listening to the adults talk. Rose pulled at her left ear and puckered her little face into a frown. Was she coming down with an ear infection? Anna Mae reached across and touched her forehead.

“Something wrong?” Josiah asked.

“I’m not sure. You might have Doc look at the girls’ ears when we get to town. Rose acts as if hers might be hurting.” Anna Mae turned back around on the hard seat.

Josiah nodded. “I’ll do that as soon as I drop you off at the boardinghouse.” He snapped the reins over the horse’s back and the wheels made a sucking noise as they pulled free of the mud.

Anna Mae wanted to bring up Mrs. Bradshaw, but didn’t know how to go about it. She couldn’t come right out and say that the other woman hadn’t been happy to see her with Josiah. Did he realize that the widow was sweet on him?

That didn’t matter. What did concern Anna Mae was that the widow would tell the whole town that she’d been out at the Miller farm for over two weeks. She feared the other women in town would think ill of her. Anna Mae chewed the inside of her cheek as she worried about what would be waiting for her in Granite.

Would the school board demand her resignation? Or simply fire her on the spot? Would the women avoid her? Would she ever be able to look anyone in the eyes again?

She’d gone through this before, but at least when her fiancé had left her at the altar, the women knew that she’d done no wrong. He simply hadn’t loved her enough to keep his word or take her with him when he left town. This would be different. The women would talk. Everyone would talk. She was sure to be fired from her job and looked upon as a wayward woman.

As they pulled up in front of the boardinghouse Josiah said, “It looks like the good widow has gotten here before us.”

Anna Mae saw three of the board members’ buggies already parked in front of the boardinghouse. She offered a wobbly smile. “Well, she did have a head start.” Anna Mae climbed down from the wagon and took Ruby from Josiah.

Levi Westland stood on the porch waiting for them as they walked up to the front door, hands shoved in his pockets, shoulders hunched forward. He tipped his hat to Anna Mae and nodded to Josiah. “Glad to see you are safe, Miss Leland.” His voice was calm, his gaze steady. Icy fingers of fear seeped into every pore of her being.

“Thank you, Mr. Westland,” she answered, her voice shakier than she would have liked, fully aware that he was a member of the school board.

His mouth spread into a thin-lipped smile. “So the rumor is true.”

“Rumor?” Josiah repeated the word, but Anna Mae watched him tighten his hold on Rose. His vexation was evident.

The talk had already begun. Anna Mae hugged Ruby to her and inhaled the baby smell. It had a calming effect on her and she looked to Levi. With a slight smile of defiance, she responded, “If the rumor is that I’ve been out at the Miller farm waiting out the storm, then yes, the rumor is true.” She pulled her shoulders back and raised her head. Anna Mae knew she had nothing to be ashamed of, but if Levi’s manner and tone of questioning mirrored the rest of the town, then she didn’t stand a chance.

Levi sighed in resignation. “I hoped it wasn’t. We’ve been worried about you, but with the weather the way it was, none of us could come looking for you. We searched the school and about town, but weren’t sure where to look from there.” His handsome face twisted in regret. “I’d intended to come out and get Josiah to help round up a search party, but Mrs. Bradshaw just arrived in town and said there was no need.” He paused, the silence stretching between them as the severity of the situation became clearer. Finally Levi offered her a sad smile. “I truly am glad you are safe.”

Josiah placed his hand at the small of her back and gently urged her toward the door. “Let’s go inside and talk where it’s warmer.”

Levi nodded and held the door open for them.

Anna Mae slipped inside. Her heart raced in her chest. She felt her face flush with humiliation. She didn’t want to lose her job or reputation, but deep down felt as if she probably had already lost both. Anna Mae just couldn’t accept the dull ache of foreboding. And once again in her young life, she experienced the nauseating, sinking feeling of despair.

A terrible sense of bitterness threatened to overwhelm her. She glanced at Josiah and found his expression grim as he watched her. He’d said he’d stand beside her, but what good would that do? Would his being there only make things worse?

Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to release them as the questions roared through her mind, one more insistent than the others. What was she going to do now?

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.