Tabitha: Bride of Missouri (American Mail-Order Bride 24) by Amelia C. Adams Page B

be supporting it, would I?”
    “No, you wouldn’t. It just feels like I’m being put on display, like Clara’s pie.”
    The pastor’s brow furrowed. “I didn’t think of it that way. If you’d like me to see about withdrawing your nomination—”
    “Oh, gracious no,” Tabitha said. “Let’s not worry about it. Darcy’s so pretty, I’m sure she’ll win, and then all my objections will be dealt with naturally. Thank you for asking, though.”
    Their attention was called back to the front, where the mayor was outlining the day’s events. A potluck dinner would be held at five, followed by dancing, and contests would be judged all afternoon.
    “I hope the weather holds,” the pastor said, looking up at the sky.
    “I do too. Shall we go look at the exhibits?”
    Tabitha had to admit to herself that as she and Pastor Reed walked up and down between rows of quilts, pies, bread, and needlework, she was also keeping an eye out for Mr. Scott. She didn’t feel ready to tell him about the packet of letters—one difficult conversation a day was her limit—but she did want to see him. She was curious about how he was feeling, and if he’d found work, and . . . she wanted to see his smile.
    Pastor Reed said something about the handiwork display, and she forced her thoughts to stop wandering. She was still the pastor’s guest, even though this wasn’t a romantic outing, and she could at least show him some courtesy.
    Tabitha was thrilled when Clara took first place for her pie, and clapped loudly as the blue ribbon was handed over. Clara took the stage reluctantly, but Tabitha could tell from the look on her cousin’s face that she was proud of herself for winning.
    “Miss Phillips! There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere.”
    She turned and saw Mr. Scott at her elbow. “Hello. Mr. Scott, have you met Pastor Reed?”
    The two men shook hands.
    “I don’t believe I’ve seen you in our congregation as of yet, Mr. Scott,” Pastor Reed said. “Are you a religious man?”
“I am. I just haven’t affiliated myself with any particular group since coming here,” Mr. Scott replied.
    “You’re officially invited to attend with us tomorrow, then,” Pastor Reed said. “It will be Miss Phillips’ first Sunday as well. I’d be delighted to have two new members on the same day.”
    “Then I’ll come. It will be nice to see a familiar face there.” Mr. Scott gave Tabitha a little nod.
    Her heart leaped, and she took a deep breath to calm herself. He hadn’t meant anything by it—he was just being friendly.
    The pastor didn’t seem to notice her discomfiture at all. “I’ll look forward to it. Shall we, Miss Phillips?”
    She returned Mr. Scott’s nod as she moved away with the pastor, wishing she could stay right where she was.
    At four thirty, everyone gathered back around the bandstand for the Miss Atwater contest. Tabitha had tried to forget about it all afternoon, but now, she had no choice but to smile and pretend to be glad that she’d been chosen to compete.
    “Would all the nominees please come to the stage?” the mayor called out, and Tabitha worked her way to the front. After climbing the steps, she found herself standing right next to Darcy rather than one of the other girls.
    “I must say, I’m rather surprised to see you up here,” Darcy said, her sweet smile never leaving her face. “I thought this was a contest for the residents of Atwater, not for those who can’t make up their minds whether they live here or not.”
    “I’m just as surprised as you are, actually,” Tabitha replied. “I never wanted the nomination.”
    “Oh? Well, Frank Giles told me that he saw you on your very first day here and told you about it. I can’t believe that it didn’t at least cross your mind.”
    Tabitha never got the chance to retort, as the mayor had resumed speaking. “Ladies and gentlemen, up here you see before you a fine assortment of beautiful young women from our fair town.