Free The Bishop's Daughter by Wanda E. Brunstetter

don’t get some help. Maybe you should consider going to AA.”
    “Alcoholics Anonymous?”
    Jimmy nodded.
    “You’ve got to be kidding!”
    “I’m serious, Dad. There’s a lady from church who’s a recovered alcoholic, and she says she’s gotten a lot of help from AA. She spoke to our young adult Sunday school class last week and told us that, even though she’s been dry for years, she still goes to those meetings as often as she can.”
    “If she’s recovered, why would she need to keep going?”
    “Partly to remind herself that she is and always will be an alcoholic. But I think the main reason she goes is to help others who are new to the group and need some support.”
    “Each to his own, I guess.”
    Jim had almost made it to the hallway door when Jimmy called out, “Would you like me to see when and where the next meeting is going to be held?”
    “No!”
    “How about going to church with me this Sunday? I can introduce you to—”
    Jim squinted as he looked over his shoulder at Jimmy. “What part of no don’t you understand?”
    “If it weren’t for me and Ed covering your back at work much of the time, you might have lost your business by now. Have you considered that?”
    Jim whirled around. “I’m not an alcoholic—and with or without Ed’s and your help, I would not have lost my business!”

    As Leona prepared for bed that night, her head pounded like a herd of stampeding horses. I should have listened to Mom when she suggested I not go to school today. It was good to see the kinner again, but I’m not sure it was worth the headache I’m left with now . She moved across the room to stand in front of her bedroom window. If I had stayed home, Papa wouldn’t have felt the need to ask Abner to give me a ride, either .
    She leaned wearily against the window frame. I can’t believe he actually thought I might be interested in courting someone when it’s only been a few months since Ezra died .
    Woof! Woof! Woof!
    Leona glanced into the yard below. There sat Cinnamon, staring up at her as if begging to be let in. Leona opened the window and leaned her head out. “You know you can’t come inside the house. You’d better go out to the barn or find a comfortable spot on the porch to sleep.”
    Woof! Woof!
    “Hush up, Cinnamon. You’ll wake Papa and Mom with all that barking.”
    Woof!
    “Okay, okay, you win. I’ll be right down.” Leona smiled as the dog wagged its tail and swaggered toward the porch as though she’d won a prize.
    Grabbing her cotton robe from a wall peg, Leona slipped quietly out of her room, tiptoed down the stairs, and hurried out the back door.
    A chilly wind met her as she stepped outside. She shivered, wrapping her arms around her chest. It might be plenty warm during the day, but nighttime was another matter.
    Cinnamon pranced up to Leona, licking her hand as she bent to petthe dog. “I can’t stay out here long, but we can sit awhile and listen to the crickets sing if you promise to be real quiet.”
    The dog answered with a soft whine, then flopped down beside Leona when she took a seat on the top porch step. Without an invitation, Cinnamon laid her head in Leona’s lap.
    “Did you miss me today, girl?” Leona asked, scratching the dog behind its left ear.
    Cinnamon released a quiet grunt.
    “I missed you, too.” Leona closed her eyes and reflected on the days of her youth when Cinnamon had been her constant companion. With her sisters and her brother being several years older than she, Leona had little in common with Peggy, Rebecca, and Arthur. Sometimes Leona had felt like an only child, especially after both sisters had gotten married and moved to Kentucky. Arthur always seemed to be busy helping Papa with the painting business. Truth was, even if he had been around home more before he married Doris, Leona was sure he wouldn’t have wanted his little sister tagging after him all the time. So, from the time Papa gave her Cinnamon, Leona and the dog