down the road were a warm campfire, new friends, and Jackson Lincoln. The building that had been filled with warm light last night was now dark and quiet. Loud music spilled from the brightly lit building, where men and women were laughing and dancing. She drew another long, fortifying breath and trudged toward the music.
Glory took a few halting steps down the uneven plank sidewalk. The rising moon shed a narrow strip of light beneath the building eaves. Careful to remain in the shadows, she slid her right hand along the rough walls, while keeping the Hawkins tucked firmly under her left arm.
If she were to begin her new life in this town, she might as well learn her way around. She wondered if she could make friends here—friends like Ruth, Patience, Mary, and Lily. Even Harper’s companionship, despite her sharp tongue, would be welcome now. Glory thought of Jackson, his strength and calmness. A lump crowded her throat. She’d spent her life trying to be self-sufficient, but at this moment, the quiet protectiveness of Jackson and the warm consideration of the girls would be a comforting haven.
Unaccustomed to the kindness of strangers, Glory wondered if the people in this town would be as generous and caring as Jackson and the girls had been. If that were the case, she might be able to start her new life here.
A short distance ahead, a couple emerged from a shop. The handsome boy and girl appeared to be no more than a few years older than Glory. Shyness swept over Glory, making her drop her gaze.
Seconds later, a thread of hope caused her to glance up. Maybe these two well-dressed folks would introduce themselves and offer her kindness like the girls and Jackson had done. The couple strolled casually toward her, eyeing her curiously and whispering to each other as they drew closer.
Perhaps six feet away, the girl suddenly pressed a lace handkerchief to her nose and turned away. The boy cast Glory a disapproving frown. Grasping the girl’s elbow, he steered her sharply around Glory, then quickened their pace.
“Whew,” he muttered, “you’d think a girl would take more pride before mingling with decent folks!”
Glory dropped her chin and rushed to the first alley she saw; she scampered around the corner, craving solitude. She kept moving until she found a dark corner. Wedging herself between two abandoned crates, she slid down the wall and folded her arms around her knees.
What did that boy mean by “take more pride”? Glory couldn’t count the number of times Poppy had accused her of having too much pride for her own good—“stubborn pride,” he’d called it.
Glory wasn’t sure what the boy had meant, but she was certain of one thing: rejection. The young couple had forsaken her at first sight. She didn’t have to understand the meaning of his words to interpret the looks of disgust and revulsion on their faces. Why, the girl had acted like she was too superior to breathe the same air as Glory.
Stung and humiliated, Glory buried her forehead against her knees. Pain pricked the backs of her eyes like needles, and an unfamiliar wetness slipped down her cheeks.
So much for starting a new life in this town. When people her own age wanted nothing to do with her, there wasn’t much chance of being accepted by older folks. How could they be so quick to find fault? She hadn’t spoken a word.She hadn’t done a thing to them. Who did they think they were?
Glory tossed her head back and sniffed, wiping her cheeks with the backs of her hands. Well, if they didn’t want her, she didn’t need them! There had to be other places she could go where people were nice like Jackson and the girls.
Although she’d spent only a short time with the party, they were never far from her thoughts. How could she have fooled herself into believing that others would be as considerate as they had been?
More likely most folks were like Amos. Her heart pounded at the memory of her narrow escape from him. What if he
Glory took a few halting steps down the uneven plank sidewalk. The rising moon shed a narrow strip of light beneath the building eaves. Careful to remain in the shadows, she slid her right hand along the rough walls, while keeping the Hawkins tucked firmly under her left arm.
If she were to begin her new life in this town, she might as well learn her way around. She wondered if she could make friends here—friends like Ruth, Patience, Mary, and Lily. Even Harper’s companionship, despite her sharp tongue, would be welcome now. Glory thought of Jackson, his strength and calmness. A lump crowded her throat. She’d spent her life trying to be self-sufficient, but at this moment, the quiet protectiveness of Jackson and the warm consideration of the girls would be a comforting haven.
Unaccustomed to the kindness of strangers, Glory wondered if the people in this town would be as generous and caring as Jackson and the girls had been. If that were the case, she might be able to start her new life here.
A short distance ahead, a couple emerged from a shop. The handsome boy and girl appeared to be no more than a few years older than Glory. Shyness swept over Glory, making her drop her gaze.
Seconds later, a thread of hope caused her to glance up. Maybe these two well-dressed folks would introduce themselves and offer her kindness like the girls and Jackson had done. The couple strolled casually toward her, eyeing her curiously and whispering to each other as they drew closer.
Perhaps six feet away, the girl suddenly pressed a lace handkerchief to her nose and turned away. The boy cast Glory a disapproving frown. Grasping the girl’s elbow, he steered her sharply around Glory, then quickened their pace.
“Whew,” he muttered, “you’d think a girl would take more pride before mingling with decent folks!”
Glory dropped her chin and rushed to the first alley she saw; she scampered around the corner, craving solitude. She kept moving until she found a dark corner. Wedging herself between two abandoned crates, she slid down the wall and folded her arms around her knees.
What did that boy mean by “take more pride”? Glory couldn’t count the number of times Poppy had accused her of having too much pride for her own good—“stubborn pride,” he’d called it.
Glory wasn’t sure what the boy had meant, but she was certain of one thing: rejection. The young couple had forsaken her at first sight. She didn’t have to understand the meaning of his words to interpret the looks of disgust and revulsion on their faces. Why, the girl had acted like she was too superior to breathe the same air as Glory.
Stung and humiliated, Glory buried her forehead against her knees. Pain pricked the backs of her eyes like needles, and an unfamiliar wetness slipped down her cheeks.
So much for starting a new life in this town. When people her own age wanted nothing to do with her, there wasn’t much chance of being accepted by older folks. How could they be so quick to find fault? She hadn’t spoken a word.She hadn’t done a thing to them. Who did they think they were?
Glory tossed her head back and sniffed, wiping her cheeks with the backs of her hands. Well, if they didn’t want her, she didn’t need them! There had to be other places she could go where people were nice like Jackson and the girls.
Although she’d spent only a short time with the party, they were never far from her thoughts. How could she have fooled herself into believing that others would be as considerate as they had been?
More likely most folks were like Amos. Her heart pounded at the memory of her narrow escape from him. What if he
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