Deep in the Valley by Robyn Carr Page B

his family for years. Most of the town has been waiting for him to get his just reward.” Both Stones nodded. “I’m sure some of the women will want to get together and see what can be done to help Leah now.”
    “Is there no shelter in the area?” Susan wanted to know.
    “Not in Grace Valley,” Birdie said. “And it’s a matter that could probably use our attention soon. I’d like to think Leah’s the only woman this happens to, but the unfortunate fact is, she’s hardly alone.”
    Burt and Syl Crandall had raised seven children while running their bakery at the center of town. Sam’s gas station was a block away. Between the two of themthey came across enough gossip to keep any dinner party going.
    “Justine Roberts spends at least three hours delivering flowers to the church,” Burt said. “Pastor Wickham, by coincidence, always seems to be alone there at the time.”
    “Do you mean to say he’s finally found himself a willing woman?” Myrna asked.
    Sam’s eyes sparkled and his pink cheeks above his silver beard turned into red candied apples. “She looks happier coming out than she does going in. I reckon it’s a spiritual thing for her.”
    Elmer wheezed and laughed. “It puts her in a holy mood. It always did me.”
    “Listen to you, pretending to remember,” Judge scoffed, at which Birdie whacked him on the arm with her fan and told him to mind his manners.
    “That young woman is a flirt,” Charlotte announced.
    “Young?” Jessica choked. “God, she must be thirty!”
    All eyes turned sharply toward her and she gulped. “And Pastor Wickham is an old lech! Susan, you don’t want to be bending over to help pick up hymnals if he’s around!”
    “I’ll take that as a warning,” she said. “But how are his sermons? I think we’ll be attending there.”
    “Not nearly as entertaining as his passes…and his wife’s futile attempts to keep him in line,” Sam said.
    John Stone slapped his knee and laughed. “I’m going to love this town!”
    Susan Stone wore a very uncertain look.
    “Let this serve as fair warning, Dr. Stone,” Myrna announced. “Your every move will be watched.”
    “I can see that,” he acknowledged. “And I’ll be watching right back!”
    “Now, let’s retire to the parlor for the evening’s entertainment!”
    “Oh goodie,” Jessica said, rising quickly. “I hope it’s dancing!”
    “I hope it ain’t no goddamn charades,” Judge grumbled.
    June rose and moved between John and Susan Stone, escorting them toward the parlor. “Once we took off all our clothes and did body painting,” she said. They stopped walking and their chins practically dusted the floor as their mouths hung open in stupor. “Kidding,” she said, moving ahead of them.
    “No, no, no,” Myrna protested. She held Sydney’s hand as they entered the parlor together. “Princess Sydney should hear the story of our angels. But first, we’ll have the Barstows bring us a refill on the coffee. Princess? Will you ring the bell for me?”
    By now Sydney was fully involved in her role. With gravity befitting a hostess princess, she lifted her chin and the bell simultaneously and gave the latter a jingle.
    “Splendid!” Myrna said.
    “I’ll do it!” one of the Barstows snapped offstage. “Just get the devil out of my way!”
    “You’d better mind telling me what to do. I don’t work for you!” the other snapped back.
    “Thank you, Endeara,” Myrna said as she was served first. “No more squabbling back in the kitchen now. It sets everyone’s nerves on edge, you know.”
    “Are they always like this?” Susan asked under her breath.
    “Always. Since they were children, actually.”
    “Why do you put up with it?”
    “Well…because someone has to, I suppose.”
    “What I mean is—” But Susan stopped. She had meant to inquire as to why Myrna didn’t simply hire maids who didn’t squabble, but as she looked into Myrna’s large, clear, innocent eyes, she knew her