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

If that’s how she talked, what was her singing like? “Yes, well, I can’t wait to see you perform.”
    Mrs. Tippens nodded enthusiastically before she trotted off to immerse herself in another group of women, who drew her into their midst, all talking at once.
    “Is that everyone?” Leora asked. So far the cast of the Christmas play consisted of at least twenty women and only two men. This, of course, could pose a problem. Who ever heard of the Three Wise Women?
    “Yes, that’s all,” Mrs. Pleet said. “I don’t understand what happened to our regulars this year.”
    “Regulars?”
    “Yes, we’ve had more men than this sign up. I can’t get over the lack of participation this year. And it’s your first play too. I’m sorry, dear.”
    “Don’t worry, Mrs. Pleet, we’ll make it work.”
    “Oh, Mrs. Draaaaake!” came a shrill voice.
    “Good heavens,” Leora whispered out of the side of her mouth. “Who is that?”
    “Oh, it’s Mrs. Galloway – I forgot about her. She’s late as usual, but she’s a dear.”
    A plump, grey-haired woman shoved her way through the gathered cast to Leora. “Well now, just look at ye!” she said with an Irish brogue. “I heard Pastor Drake done and got himself a wife! And I must say, yer a fine one, begorrah !”
    Leora smiled, unsure of what to say other than “thank you.”
    “It’s I that should be thanking ye , dearie. Now our poor lonely pastor won’t be lonely no more and we’ll have some livelier preachin’ come Sunday!”
    Leora stared at her. “Livelier?”
    “Oh yes, dearie. Poor Pastor Drake hasn’t been himself these last weeks, didn’t ye know?”
    “I’m afraid I didn’t. I only arrived a few days ago.” She studied the woman and realized she had a lot to learn about her new husband. And what exactly did she mean by livelier ? “Have you been assigned a part?”
    “Yes,” she said proudly. “I’m a donkey.”
    Leora bit her lip to keep from smiling, or worse. She’d better find out who was playing what part and make a list. She’d never been in charge of so many people. Not to mention she’d better brush up on the Christmas story – she hadn’t read it in years, probably because she hadn’t had a Bible in years.
    She bit her lip again, this time to gather her nerve. “Can I have your attention, please?”
    The chatter in the room died down as all eyes became focused on her. “Is it time to start already?” one of them asked.
    “Not until Ophelia gets here,” another answered.
    Ophelia? Leora silently mouthed. Who the heck was Ophelia?
    “Oh, but she’s here!” someone else cried. Several women clapped at the announcement. And now she knew who Ophelia was – Mrs. Rutherford waltzed into the church sanctuary like she owned it. Leora was surprised to see her enter the building alone, but then, most of her normal entourage was already present.
    She strolled right up to Leora. “I trust all is ready for our rehearsal?”
    “Er, we were getting to it.”
    “Getting to it and doing it are two different things. You’d do well to remember that or we’ll never have our play.”
    Leora’s eyes flashed in a mix of anger and … what? She wasn’t afraid, was she? No, that wasn’t it. Then what?
    “I of course will start things off,” Mrs. Rutherford went on to say. “Places everyone! Hurry now! We’ve only six weeks until Christmas!”
    Leora stood a moment. It took a jab in the ribs from Mrs. Pleet to get her moving. “Yes, let’s start, shall we?” She gave Mrs. Pleet a sideways glance and shrugged.
    Mrs. Rutherford went straight to the platform at the front of the sanctuary, took a nearby chair and, with the help of two of her coterie, stood on it.
    “Mrs. Rutherford,” Leora said in alarm as she teetered. “What are you doing up there?”
    “Taking my place! What else would I be doing?” she snapped.
    “Oh dear,” Leora said under her breath. “What … place is that, exactly?”
    “The angel Gabriel,