Weeping Angel Read Online Free PDF Page B

prepared to read the outcome.
    â€œMy fellow citizens, silence please.”
    The room quieted posthaste, and Mayor Dodge quirked his brow at Narcissa, who shook her head at him again. “When in the course of . . .” Catching Amelia’s anxious gaze, he sobered. “ . . . piano disputes, it becomes necessary to take a vote, which we have done. Now, allow me to report the results.”
    Amelia tensely awaited the verdict. Closing her eyes and clutching her purse tightly, she held her breath until her lungs burned.
    â€œBy a margin of twenty-nine to twenty-one in favor of, the New American upright parlor piano will be going to the Moon Rock Saloon.”
    Amelia’s heart sank. Exhaling, she opened her eyes, only to find Frank Brody’s gaze fastened on her. She wouldn’t show him her defeat. She could take the loss graciously. Facing him, stare for stare, she held her chin high.
    His clear, observant eyes chipped at her composure. Could he tell she was desperately holding back tears? Determined not to reveal her disappointment, she kept all expression from her face. But her blood pounded at her temples, and she couldn’t stop the heat from stealing into her cheeks.
    She thought she saw a sign of empathy in his gaze. How could he identify with her? He’d won the piano. She hadn’t. What made the loss hurt all the more was, he’d been the outsider in town, and she’d been here for six years. Apparently loyalty didn’t count when the issue at hand involved glasses of beer.
    Amelia couldn’t bear Mr. Brody’s false sympathy, so she broke away from his gaze to look around her. The men patted themselves on the backs and the women, who she thought were her friends, were glancing at one another with suspicious guilt in their expressions. Only Narcissa put her hand on Amelia’s forearm for comfort.
    Folding her hands in her lap, Amelia dropped her chin and waited for the meeting to be finished. The strain was wearing her down. She was afraid she’d disgrace herself by crying.
    â€œHey, Dodge, come here a minute.”
    Amelia looked up to see Frank conferring with the mayor at the pulpit. Mayor Dodge’s brows rose, and he nodded with a wide smile. “Splendid idea, Mr. Brody. I’ll let you make the announcement.”
    Frank took his straw hat from the lectern and let the band hang on the crook of his finger. “I appreciate the vote coming my way, but I think it needs to be said—Miss Marshall is out a piano until another one can be shipped.” Their eyes met and, half in anticipation and half in dread, she waited for him to continue. “I’d like to offer her use of the upright at the Moon Rock. During my closed hours, she can teach the kids at the saloon.”
    She stared at him in astonishment, too surprised to move. His generosity caught her off guard, and she couldn’t help but wonder what his ulterior motive was for making the offer. Unfortunately, he’d put her on the spot in front of everyone, and she couldn’t exactly cross-examine him. Far worse than the damage doneto her pride was the simple truth: She couldn’t afford to refuse his charity.
    â€œYou’re being very gracious, Mr. Brody. I”—she had to swallow the lump in her throat—“I accept.”
    â€œThere now,” Mayor Dodge declared. “Everything turned out just fine. The excitement is over, folks. The special town meeting is adjourned. Miss Marshall, in the meantime, I’m sure you’ll be taking up the matter over at the Wells Fargo office. And Mr. Brody, I’ll be seeing you shortly.” Licking his lips, Mayor Dodge left the pulpit to join his wife.
    Amelia stood, said her good-byes to Narcissa, then filed out of the church with the crowd. Esther Parks met her.
    â€œAmelia, dear, I’m afraid I was too hasty when I said my Elroy wouldn’t be taking lessons. I’ve changed my