Read Online Leora: Bride of California (American Mail-Order Bride 31) by Kit Morgan - Free Book Online Page B

hint of disapproval from Theron sent her over the edge. The sense of desperation that went with it was terrible and she felt as if the whipping post Mr. Egan had threatened her with was all too real. Why?
    “Who do you think is going to win today?” Theron asked. “You, or the piles?”
    She smiled. “I am, of course. At least I’ll put a good dent in it, though I’d prefer to get it finished today.”
    “I don’t know. You’re getting into a few things that might be hard to read.”
    “Why?”
    “The rain, remember?”
    “Oh yes, I see.” She bent to the first box and was about to open it when there came a knock on the outside door. Theron got up to open it.
    When he did, Leora tensed – Mrs. Rutherford stood on the other side. “Good morning Pastor Drake. I trust your schedule has not been interrupted?”
    “My schedule?”
    She glanced past him to Leora. “Married men tend not to get as much work done.”
    Theron looked over his shoulder at her, smiled and winked. She brushed at her mouth to hide her smile. “Quite right, Mrs. Rutherford. A married man is concerned with taking care of his wife, of course. Now what can I do for you?”
    She shoved past him into the office. “I want to discuss this year’s Christmas play.”
    “What about it? You told me the parts are all cast.”
    “Yes, of course, but Mrs. James can’t possibly direct this year. I’m afraid it shall have to fall to your wife.”
    Leora dropped the box she was holding. “Me?!”
    “What’s the matter?” Mrs. Rutherford asked as she looked her up and down. “Are you incapable of doing such a simple task?”
    Her words rankled and anger flared, overpowering her good reason. “Of course not. I can do it.”
    Theron turned to her. “You can? Have you ever directed a Christmas play before?”
    Leora froze. “No, but she just said it was a simple task …”
    Mrs. Rutherford smiled in satisfaction. “Excellent – I’ll inform the others.”
    Leora felt her heart drop … but darned if she was going to let on to Mrs. Rutherford. “Fine. You do that.”
    “Are you sure?” Theron drawled.
    “Of course she is; you heard the woman. Good day.” Mrs. Rutherford shoved her way out as fast as she’d come in.
    Theron eyed Leora with suspicion. “You let her intimidate you.”
    “I did no such thing.”
    “Mmm, I think you did.”
    “I can do it.”
    “I gave you an out and you didn’t take it.”
    “I …” Leora said and stopped. He had, hadn’t he? “As I said before, she said it was a simple task”
    “Mrs. Rutherford is in it,” he stated simply.
    Leora blanched. Drat. “She is?”
    “Yes, her and all her friends. You know, those people that attended our wedding?”
    Leora backed up a step as her eyes went wide, but she quickly collected herself. If she was going to get a handle on things, what better way than to face her fear (whatever it was, she still wasn’t sure) and take Mrs. J. B. Rutherford head-on? “I can do it.”
    “Okay, if that’s what you want. You have my complete and total support.”
    She swallowed hard. “Er … how badly do you think I’ll need it?”
    He sighed. “Trust me, dear wife. You’ll need it like you need water to survive.”
    She gulped. “Oh, that’s encouraging.”
    “It’s supposed to be.” He sat, picked up a pile of papers and began to read one.
    What in Heaven’s name did he mean by that? Well, she supposed, she’d find out soon enough. She sighed and returned to the corner as another question came to mind: how much time was this play going to take out of her day? If her guess was right, she’d better get through this pile as fast as she could, or it might never get organized.
    Leora sighed once more and dove in.
     
    * * *
     
    “Merciful heavens! You did what?!” Mrs. Pleet blurted later that afternoon.
    “I volunteered to direct the Christmas play,” Leora repeated.
    “You’ve done handed yourself up on a silver platter!”
    “She can’t be that bad,”