Read Online Tabitha: Bride of Missouri (American Mail-Order Bride 24) by Amelia C. Adams - Free Book Online

They’ll each take a moment to tell you why they believe they should be Miss Atwater, and then our panel of judges will decide the winner. She will be chosen based on her grace, her beauty, and the quality of her answer.”
    The crowd clapped until the mayor waved them down. “Our judges are three of the town’s most important citizens. First is Pastor Reed.”
    Tabitha bit back an exclamation of surprise. She’d had no idea he was judging.
    “Next is Dr. Gideon, and third is Mrs. Pritchett, who, as you know, is the schoolmistress. Now, young ladies, let’s start down here on this end. Please step forward one at a time and state your name, age, and why you’d like to be Miss Atwater.”
    Tabitha was relieved that they were starting on the other end. That would give her a moment to decide what to say.
    “ Now are you going to tell me you aren’t trying to win?” Darcy hissed. “You came here on the arm of one of the judges, after all.”
    “I was not on his arm! I purposely avoided that,” Tabitha hissed back. “I had no idea he was a judge. Why does this contest mean so much to you, anyway? Is there a prize or something?”
    “Yes, there’s a prize, but that’s not why I’m angry. I don’t like interlopers.”
    “Interlopers? That’s what you think I am?” Tabitha glanced over to see that it was nearly her turn. “I’ve lived here for eight years of my life,” she whispered. “I’m sorry if that doesn’t qualify me for citizenship in your eyes.”
    Then she turned and stepped to the edge of the stage, as the other girls had done. “Hello. My name is Tabitha Phillips, I’m twenty years old, and I work at the post office. Clara and Herbert Wilcox are my cousin and her husband. I would like to be Miss Atwater because . . .” She looked down at the audience. Some of these people had watched her grow up. Others were new to her. What could she say to them? “To be honest, I’m not sure that I’m your best representative. I’m not as pretty as Darcy, or as talented as Hannah, or as sweet as Alice.” She nodded at the other contestants in turn.
    “I’m not even sure how I feel about this whole contest. I’ve only lived in Atwater for eight years of my life, and some might feel that I’m not truly a citizen of this town.” She kept her eyes straight ahead that time, even though she badly wanted to turn and glare at Darcy. “I’ve wondered that myself, feeling as though I don’t truly fit in at times.” She glanced down at the pastor and caught his faint smile. She couldn’t see Mr. Scott anywhere. “But there’s one thing I’ve learned. Home is wherever I make it, whether I’m here or somewhere else. And I believe Atwater is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. The budding trees in the spring, the clear blue skies, the chirp and the red feathers of the tanager—I love them all. And if I’ve felt out of place, that’s only because I’ve felt out of place inside myself. But no more.” She gave a little curtsy and stepped back, wondering if she’d just made an utter fool of herself.
    Darcy glanced at her, a look of contempt on her face. “Hello, everyone! I’m Darcy Hamilton, and I’m also twenty. You all know me—I’ve lived here my entire life, and you could say that the water of Atwater flows through my veins.” She gave a calculated giggle. “I would be the best Miss Atwater because I live and breathe this town. Why, I want to die here. Not today, of course, but someday.” Another giggle. “I would represent all that is the very best of our town every single day.”
    Once all the speeches had been given, the mayor came back front and center. “Our judges will now deliberate and present us with their decision.”
    Tabitha felt the scrutiny of every pair of eyes in town as she waited on that stage. Thankfully, the judges were quick, and Dr. Gideon whispered the choice into the mayor’s ear.
    “The judges wish to make it known that the fear of Mrs.