Donovan’s Angel by Peggy Webb

Author:Peggy Webb [Webb, Peggy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Peggy Webb romance, Animals, Humor, Peggy Webb backlist, Music, preacher, classic romance, Romantic Comedy, Dogs, Contemporary Romance, romance ebooks, Romance, southern authors, colby series
Publisher: Peggy Webb
Published: 2011-12-10T07:22:46.928490+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Paul looked up from the sermon he was preparing. He had expected visitors, but not this soon. Miss Beulah had wasted no time, he thought as he mentally girded himself for the skirmish.

His face betrayed no emotion as he came from behind his desk, shook hands with Victor Cranston, and showed Miss Beulah and Essie Mae to their chairs. “What can I do for you this morning?” he asked.

“I should think you would know that as well as anybody.” Miss Beulah’s lips were so pursed that her words all came out with rounded vowels. “I didn’t sleep a wink last night for fear that goat would come after me. And on top of that, she played that honky-tonk music until the Lord knows when. She’s a sin and disgrace to our little community. A dis-grace.” She stopped for breath and fanned herself with her fat hands.

Essie Mae leaned over and patted her shoulder. “Lord, Beuler!” she said sympathetically. “Don’t get yourself so worked up. You’re liable to have a prostration attack.”

Paul held himself in check throughout the speech. “Miss Beulah, I am well aware that the pageant last night got out of hand,” he began quietly, “but I will not tolerate a personal attack against Martie Fleming. Perhaps she made an error in judgment in using the animals, but her intentions were good. I will listen to your grievances as long as you confine them to the issue.”

Victor Cranston spoke up. “The issue, Reverend Donovan, is Miss Fleming. We believe she is a bad influence on the children and should be removed from the children’s department.”

“A bad influence, my eye!” Miss Beulah chimed in. “She’s a Jezebel. Flashing that gaudy jewelry, wearing those outlandish clothes. And that car! Lord. I won’t even mention that car! Why, I said to Essie Mae, I said—”

“Miss Beulah!” Paul’s rebuke was sharper than he meant it to be, but he could stand no more slurs against his beloved Martie. “Nobody in this room has a right to judge. You’ve all taken note of Miss Fleming’s clothes and her car, but have you actually seen her work with the children? Have you seen the warmth and generosity and compassion she has for them? Have you seen her inspire shy little Sally Pingham to take a speaking part in the pageant? Did you know that the Raiford twins are now coming to Faith Church because of her? Have any of you taken the time to get to know Miss Fleming, or have you tried and convicted her on first impressions?”

There was a stunned silence following his impassioned defense of Martie. One by one the self- appointed, self-righteous grievance committee rose from their chairs.

“We’ll give this some further consideration, Reverend,” Victor Cranston mumbled.

The pink peonies on Miss Beulah’s dress trembled as she talked. “Perhaps we were a mite hasty. That goat had me so upset. . . . Oh, my! I think I’ll go to the drugstore for some lemonade.” She sprang from her chair with surprising alacrity considering her vast bulk.

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