Myles From Anywhere by Jill Stengl

Author:Jill Stengl
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

ten

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God;

and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1 John 4:7

Miss Obermeier finished playing a hymn. A patter of applause trickled through the room as she returned to her seat between Myles and her mother. She leaned over to whisper to Myles. He inclined his head to listen. Marva’s pale hair gleamed, and her fair skin contrasted with Myles’s ruddy tan.

“Wonder why Myles didn’t wear his new duds,” Al muttered as Cyrus Thwaite began a mouth organ solo of “Camp-town Races.”

Beulah met Al’s gaze. “He bought new clothes?”

He nodded. “Today. A fancy suit, like for a wedding. Told me he had an announcement to make. I’m guessing there will be a wedding soon.”

Beulah jerked as if she had been slapped.

“Maybe it didn’t fit,” Al mused. “Too bad. Marva looks like a queen, and Myles looks like. . .like a farmhand. I’ve got to help the man loosen up.”

Eunice leaned around Al, frowning and holding a warning finger to her lips. “Don’t be rude!” she whispered.

Beulah took shallow breaths. I won’t look. I cannot bear to see Myles sitting with that woman. Her heart had started aching the moment she saw Myles hand Miss Obermeier down from a buggy, and the pain grew steadily worse. Marva’s parents already seemed to regard Myles as a son-in-law.

He never made me any promises, yet I thought there was something special between us. Maybe he does think of me as a child to be amused.

Biting her lower lip, Beulah smoothed the skirt of her sprigged dimity frock. She had been so proud of this dress with its opulent skirts and tiny waist. Violet had fashioned a ruffled neckline that framed the girl’s face, revealing the delicate hollow at the base of her throat and a mere hint of collarbone. Now the white ruffles seemed childish.

Marva’s royal blue satin gown showed off her white shoulders. Beulah wondered that Marva could keep her countenance in front of Reverend and Mrs. Schoengard. “I think her dress is improper for an unmarried lady.”

Al gave her a wry look. “Trust you to say so.”

“Shhhh!” Eunice leaned forward again.

Beulah flounced back in her seat. I was excited to have Myles come tonight. Now I wish he had stayed home. I wish I had never met the horrible man.

David and Caroline Schoengard rose to stand beside the piano. Violet settled on the stool and opened her music. “We will sing ‘Abide with Me,’ ” Caroline announced in a trembling voice.

Beulah watched the pastor shape his mouth in funny ways as he sang the low notes. Mrs. Schoengard was now heavily pregnant. Their voices were pleasant, but once in awhile Caroline strained for a high note and fell short.

Al shifted in his seat and tugged at his stiff collar while the Schoengards returned to their seats. “Is it almost over?” he whispered.

The only people present who had not yet performed were Al, Myles, and Obie. Beulah knew her stepfather could not carry a tune.

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