Read Online His Errant Educator (Willamette Wives Book 3) by Maggie Ryan - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Maggie Ryan
Ads: Link
words to hurt me. The man was truly awful but he was also weak. Perhaps, if I hadn't known better, I wouldn't have survived. But I also had memories of a wonderful man which kept me strong. Your pa wasn't a weak man, Agatha. He was the strongest, most loving man I've ever known. He didn't have to scream and threaten until you don't even hear the words anymore. But, just like your Wyatt…" she turned to give the other two women a glance, "and your Richard and James, I was often across his knees getting a lesson delivered on my bare bottom. Believe me, it is a far better thing to be spanked and then forgiven than to be accused of every sin imaginable and ignored. So please, don't ever feel the need to censor what you say to me. It makes me feel honored and blessed to be included in your lives."
The four remained silent for a moment before three chairs scraped across the floor as the younger women all stood to move to Catherine's chair, each bending to give her a hug.
"Thanks, Ma," Agatha said. "I always thought… was scared…"
"You don't ever need to think about that man again, Agatha. He's not worth another moment of your time. But I do believe that your friend Roger and Teresa are worth it. I'll do whatever I can to help but you must understand that ultimately, if they aren't meant to be together, if God isn't the one who has decided they are each other's perfect mate, then it would be better to let them go their separate ways. Life is too precious to spend with someone who doesn't make your heart stutter every time they come into the room."
"That's romantic, Mrs. Kennedy," Charity said.
"Please, call me Catherine. After all, despite what you might think, I'm not yet old and gray."
"You're definitely not," Anna agreed. "In fact, I'm sure there are quite a few men in town who would agree that you are quite the catch."
"Don't be ridiculous," Agatha said sharply. "Ma has had enough of men. Besides, we're supposed to be talking about how we can help Teresa." She didn't miss the looks exchanged between the other three but had no intention of offering her mother up for discussion. Despite what Catherine had said, Agatha knew she'd been hurt deeply by Wallace. She'd offer her own life before allowing another man to hurt the woman who'd sacrificed her own happiness for her daughter.
The women spent the next hour talking about how they would make sure that they each connected with Teresa.
"We can't gang up on her," Charity said. "It's best if we offer our friendship, which we can do the next time we see her, and see how she responds."
"I agree and since I'm sure she'll be at the dance, hopefully with Roger, that will give us the perfect opportunity," Agatha said. "Ma, you can keep your ears and eyes open. I'm not saying spy on her but, well, all right, I am saying exactly that. It's important that we know what is going on in order to best help."
"I'll do whatever I can," Catherine promised. "Beneath that stubborn exterior I'm sure there is a very sweet girl who wants to be loved, and give love in return."
"If not, the faster we discover the truth, the quicker we can encourage Roger to look elsewhere," Anna said, nodding.
They all turned towards Anna when she giggled. "What's so funny?" Charity asked.
"I'm just thinking about what Matthew is always saying. You know, women aren't worth the trouble."
"We most certainly are," Charity said with a huff. "One day, he'll find his own girl and have to eat his words."
They spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about babies, husbands, and recipes as they pulled out mending and played with the children. They were a bit surprised to hear the sound of horses thundering into the yard, not having expected their men back until dark. As they rushed to pull on cloaks and bonnets, Catherine joined them on the porch to discover that a buggy was also pulling up.
The group celebrated the fact that the men had indeed shot a huge elk, the women very impressed with the large rack of
The four remained silent for a moment before three chairs scraped across the floor as the younger women all stood to move to Catherine's chair, each bending to give her a hug.
"Thanks, Ma," Agatha said. "I always thought… was scared…"
"You don't ever need to think about that man again, Agatha. He's not worth another moment of your time. But I do believe that your friend Roger and Teresa are worth it. I'll do whatever I can to help but you must understand that ultimately, if they aren't meant to be together, if God isn't the one who has decided they are each other's perfect mate, then it would be better to let them go their separate ways. Life is too precious to spend with someone who doesn't make your heart stutter every time they come into the room."
"That's romantic, Mrs. Kennedy," Charity said.
"Please, call me Catherine. After all, despite what you might think, I'm not yet old and gray."
"You're definitely not," Anna agreed. "In fact, I'm sure there are quite a few men in town who would agree that you are quite the catch."
"Don't be ridiculous," Agatha said sharply. "Ma has had enough of men. Besides, we're supposed to be talking about how we can help Teresa." She didn't miss the looks exchanged between the other three but had no intention of offering her mother up for discussion. Despite what Catherine had said, Agatha knew she'd been hurt deeply by Wallace. She'd offer her own life before allowing another man to hurt the woman who'd sacrificed her own happiness for her daughter.
The women spent the next hour talking about how they would make sure that they each connected with Teresa.
"We can't gang up on her," Charity said. "It's best if we offer our friendship, which we can do the next time we see her, and see how she responds."
"I agree and since I'm sure she'll be at the dance, hopefully with Roger, that will give us the perfect opportunity," Agatha said. "Ma, you can keep your ears and eyes open. I'm not saying spy on her but, well, all right, I am saying exactly that. It's important that we know what is going on in order to best help."
"I'll do whatever I can," Catherine promised. "Beneath that stubborn exterior I'm sure there is a very sweet girl who wants to be loved, and give love in return."
"If not, the faster we discover the truth, the quicker we can encourage Roger to look elsewhere," Anna said, nodding.
They all turned towards Anna when she giggled. "What's so funny?" Charity asked.
"I'm just thinking about what Matthew is always saying. You know, women aren't worth the trouble."
"We most certainly are," Charity said with a huff. "One day, he'll find his own girl and have to eat his words."
They spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about babies, husbands, and recipes as they pulled out mending and played with the children. They were a bit surprised to hear the sound of horses thundering into the yard, not having expected their men back until dark. As they rushed to pull on cloaks and bonnets, Catherine joined them on the porch to discover that a buggy was also pulling up.
The group celebrated the fact that the men had indeed shot a huge elk, the women very impressed with the large rack of
Similar Books
