Second Chance Bride Read Online Free PDF

load so you’ll have some when you need it. And I put a small pile next to the stove.”
    “Thank you, again.”
    “The shed’s where students who ride put their saddles. They tie their horses on the rail outside it,” Elizabeth explained as she moved toward the door. “Please excuse me. My father expects me home right away.” She started out before she turned to say, “Oh, and we’ll bring you a loaf of bread every week from our cook.” She smiled. “I’m so excited about school tomorrow. It’s been a long time since we had a teacher.”
    “Thank you, Elizabeth. See you tomorrow.”
    When they left, Annie entered the kitchen, ravenous. On the table lay a can opener. She opened one cupboard to discover it filled with tins, dried meat and a loaf of bread. A lower cabinet held a sack of oatmeal and another of potatoes. In the other cabinet were two plates, three glasses, a cup, knife, fork and spoon plus some bowls. What luxury!
    The crickets and dried fruit were gone.
    She felt incredibly fortunate, blessed with an abundance of belongings and a feeling of freedom, even though she knew it would last only a short while—a few days at most.
    For the first time in years, she possessed enough food to last for nearly a week. More, if she rationed it carefully.
    She considered lighting the stove but doing it with only one arm would be difficult. Besides, she didn’t want to waste any more time when she had so much to learn. With a tug, she opened the drawer, took out a knife and sliced a piece of bread. She was about to take a bite when she remembered Matilda’s prayer at the coach stop. If she were to be Miss Matilda Cunningham, she should say grace, even though it didn’t come easily. “Thank You, Lord, for this food and for this place. Amen.” She nodded, pleased with her first effort.
    Her meal finished, she pulled her desk over to the window and studied each book. Hours passed as she copied the letters from a primer. She had to use her left hand because her right was nearly useless. However, she covered the slate with crooked lines and uneven circles that improved as the afternoon advanced. She pressed hard on the pieces of soapstone, writing each letter again and again until the soapstone shattered and her hand cramped. After she finished copying all the letters over and over, she scrutinized them and wondered what she had written.
    One of the books showed the letters attached together in a beautiful, flowing wave. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to make such lovely lines? Well, she wasn’t ready yet. She returned to her straight lines and circles, wondering how on earth she would get through her first day as a schoolteacher.
     
    That evening as she fixed her dinner—her third meal in a row of bread and cold canned tomatoes—she heard a knock at the door. She looked down at her food. The knock came again, louder and more insistent.
    “Miss Cunningham,” Mr. Sullivan shouted, and knocked again.
    “Yes, sir.” She abandoned her meal and went to the door. There stood Mr. Sullivan and a beautiful young woman.
    Annie had never seen anyone as lovely. She had golden curls that fell from a knot on the top of her head, her eyes were a deep blue and sparkled with fun and her smile showed dimples in both cheeks. She wore a blue robe that matched her eyes and, Annie could tell, was beautifully made and very expensive. She was someone’s pampered darling, Annie guessed.
    “Good evening, Miss Cunningham.” He nodded as Annie motioned them in. “I came by in case you have questions before school begins.” He turned toward the young woman who was wandering through the classroom. “May I introduce you to Miss Hanson? She’s the daughter of our neighbor.”
    The young woman turned and gave Annie such a warm smile that she couldn’t help but return it.
    “Won’t you call me Amanda? I shall call you Matilda, and I believe we will be great friends! You must forgive our rudeness for dropping in on you unannounced.”