Free Second Chance Bride by Jane Myers Perrine Page B

she’d laced her shoes loosely, they pinched so much that she hobbled toward him. “I hurt my foot in the accident. My shoes rub, but I’m sure I’ll be fine shortly.”
    “We cannot have you in pain, Matilda. Not even for a short time. Do you need new shoes?”
    “I would like a new pair, but I don’t have the money to buy them yet.” And she had no idea when she would be paid—or if she would be paid when the children told their parents about the incident of the lazy S.
    “Then I’ll advance you part of your salary.” He reached in his pocket, took out a bill and handed it to her. “You have, after all, taught for a week. Do you need anything else?”
    Annie, astounded, almost couldn’t think clearly. “A brush. I lost my brush in the wreck, and some soap.”
    “I’ll have Lucia bring you soap tomorrow. Also I’ll put some money on account for you at the general store, as well as the bank. You can draw it from either place for your necessities.”
    “Thank you, John.” She smiled, delighted by the feel of money in her hand and the thought of wearing shoes that fit properly. “You said you had a message for me?”
    He simply watched her for a moment, his eyes filled with an admiration that made her self-conscious. She shifted, ill at ease under his scrutiny.
    He finally cleared his throat and said, “I’ve been asked to bring you to a meeting of the school board on Tuesday of next week in my office at the bank. We’ll leave here shortly before seven.” He turned, got into the surrey and had driven off before she could say anything or ask for more information.
    What would they expect of her at such a meeting? Would they test her? Would they expect her to read for them? Or to recite a poem?
    She sighed. Well, there was nothing she could do about it now. She’d have to wait until Tuesday and hope she could show herself to be competent.
    “Thank you, Mr. Sullivan. That sounds fine. I’ll be ready,” Annie yelled.
     
    Two o’clock Friday, at almost the end of the school day, Elizabeth waved her hand, trying to get Annie’s attention. “Miss Cunningham, Miss Cunningham.”
    Annie looked up from Clara’s arithmetic. “Yes, Elizabeth?”
    “Guess what I’m getting for my birthday?”
    “When is your birthday, Elizabeth?”
    “Today, today!” Her face glowed with excitement, then changed quickly to dismay. “I was supposed to tell you. Lucia is bringing a cake today, just before the end of school. So everyone can celebrate with me. I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you.”
    “That’s all right.” Annie smiled at the rest of the class. “Do you mind that Elizabeth forgot to tell us, or can we all agree to eat the cake Lucia brings to help Elizabeth celebrate?”
    Everyone shouted their approval. “I think we’ll all enjoy celebrating with you.”
    “Good.” Elizabeth smiled again. “But can you guess what I’m getting for my birthday?”
    “A new doll?” Clara asked. The boys made sounds of disgust about such a feminine gift, but Elizabeth shook her head.
    The guessing continued: an apple, a hairbrush set, new shoes, a dress. No one found the correct answer.
    “A pony!” Elizabeth finally said. “My father is giving me a pony. I’ll ride it to school on Monday.”
    “A pony,” Martha said. “What color?”
    “I don’t know yet. He’ll have it for me when I get home.”
    Everyone told Elizabeth how excited they were about her present and wished her happy birthday. After they shared the delicious torte Lucia brought down, the other students left for the day.
    With an impatient Elizabeth dancing around, anxious to get home to see her pony, Annie helped Lucia clean up and then saw them off, waving as the two headed to the ranch house in the wagon.
    Finally alone, Annie went back into the schoolhouse and twirled around the room. She’d lasted another day. “Thank you, Lord,” she whispered, the prayer feeling more natural.
    The students had sung a lot and done sums orally, but