The Schoolmarm and the Preacher by Susan Thomas

Author:Susan Thomas [Thomas, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: LSF Publications
Published: 2017-04-04T04:00:00+00:00

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Annie had so many and such strong feelings regarding James that she was in a total muddle. One minute she longed to be his wife and the next minute doubts set in. She wasn't good enough for him: he had no idea what she had done in the past or the wickedness in which she had been involved. He had no idea about the money she had hidden in her house or that she had stolen it or the man she had stolen it from. How could she marry such a good man with such dark secrets?

She was in no doubt about his disciplining her. She hated it while it was happening of course, but it was like her father's discipline in that it was to help her. Her life had shown all too clearly, she was willful, headstrong and prone to making rash decisions. James had spanked her bottom hard to stop her rushing in where angels fear to tread. When he had beaten her... you couldn't call it discipline... he had done it for his pleasure or to control and dominate her. His beatings had been quite savage most of time sometimes leaving her unable to move from her bed; she had feared him, but she was never afraid of James, not even when he was disciplining her. In a way, she longed for his discipline and guidance but then she became worried... how could she hide her past from him? That wasn't right. So, her thoughts went around and around, never staying put for any length of time, but always in the background was the man she feared; the man she knew would still be looking for her.

James had solved the problem of Sams Saloon. He had paid the owner a visit and invited him to meet with him and Mrs. McWilliams at the church. James had coached her not to be shrill or critical but calm and reasoning, and she had obeyed. James had mediated between them and, in the end, Sam Mackie had agreed the children should attend school. They were not his of course but a by-product of what happened in the upper rooms. The boy aged six and the girl aged seven were not brother and sister although they thought of themselves in that way. They were not unloved or neglected just getting a very odd upbringing. When they did attend school, Annie was surprised that they were very clean and very well dressed. In fact, they were extremely polite and well-mannered and clearly in need of going to school. Annie guessed they had been bored at the saloon all day.

Beth Flight came in twice a week for a few hours to give extra help and support to any child that needed it. Teaching across a wide age range and so many abilities is never easy and Annie was grateful. It took her a few weeks to notice before she finally said to Beth in private, "You're with child!"

Beth grinned at her. "Yes, and so is my sister Emily, but if Mama Spencer is to be believed, we are both having twins.

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