The Schoolmarm's Surprising Suitor by Beverly Bernard

Author:Beverly Bernard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sweet romance, historical romance western, old west, christian romance, gold rush, short story romance novella, clean and wholesome
Publisher: Beverly Bernard
Published: 2015-07-03T00:00:00+00:00

Seven

LIFE TOOK ON A RHYTHM for Clara that consisted of teaching, grading essays and mathematics drills, and walking with Henry. Although they still ate at separate tables in the dining room, as was proper since they were not betrothed, they made it a point to walk each Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Clara even convinced Henry to join her at church on Sunday mornings, and the Reverend’s knowing smile when he saw them together reminded her of their first conversation. She had been so sure that she would not find someone who would accept her as she was, yet here she was with Henry by her side, the two of them singing from a shared hymn book.

One cloudy day after school, Clara had a letter to deliver to the post office. She thought if she walked there and back quickly she could get back home before dark, so she gathered her books and empty lunch sack and headed for town. She had never gotten used to the loud music and laughter that spilled from the saloons and dance halls, and she always ducked her head and walked a bit faster as she passed them. That day, however, as she rushed past The Golden Nugget saloon she heard a voice she recognized, and she looked up to see Henry sitting at a table inside talking to a young woman.

Clara ducked to the side of the door so that Henry couldn’t see her, and she watched him as he listened intently to his companion. The woman was dressed in fine city clothes and wore a wide-brimmed velvet hat trimmed in feathers. Her button shoes were shiny black patent leather and she wore ivory kidskin gloves. She spoke in hushed tones to Henry for several minutes and Clara could not hear the subject of their conversation. Finally, the woman stood to go, and Henry went to her and gave her a quick embrace.

Her eyes stung with tears as Clara backed away from the saloon entrance. She remembered the letter in her pocket and she nearly ran to the post office to deliver it. She was on her way back to the boarding house, walking fast with her head down to hide her tears, when she heard Henry call her name. She pretended she didn’t hear and kept walking, though she realized the sun was going down and it would have been a good idea for him to accompany her to Miss Mamie’s. She was hurt and angry, and she didn’t trust herself to speak to him just then. The last thing she wanted was to make a scene in the middle of town by confronting him about the mysterious woman in the saloon.

The towering pines were casting long shadows on the ground when she reached the boarding house. She hurried inside and up the stairs, stopping only to tell Miss Mamie that she didn’t feel well and would not be coming down for dinner. When she got up to her room, she threw herself onto the bed and let the tears come.

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