Paradise Falls by Ruth Ryan Langan Page B

neighbor. “This is the first time I’ve ever arrived at church like a king in all my regal splendor.”
    Greta shouted above the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves. “Has the stroke affected Broderick’s brain now, Rose?”
    “Not that I’ve noticed.” Rose adjusted her hat as they rolled along the main road of town toward the church. “But then, how would we know? He’s been crazy as a loon for years.”
    Fiona caught another wink from the old man as they came to a stop in front of the simple wooden building where families had begun to congregate.
    While Gray helped his father and the two women from the back of the wagon, Flem and Rose walked arm in arm through the crowd, hurrying forward to talk to the minister.
    “Reverend Schmidt, come meet our new teacher, Fiona Downey.”
    “Miss Downey.” The man in the simple black suit accepted her handshake. “I hope you don’t mind if I introduce you from the pulpit?”
    “If you think it’s proper, Reverend Schmidt.”
    “I do. There’s a good deal of curiosity about you.”
    There was no time for anything more, since the church was already filling up quickly. Rose led the way, with Flem beside her. Broderick leaned heavily on Gray’s arm as they started up the aisle. Trailing behind the Haydn family, Fiona could feel the stares of the congregation, and could hear their whispered remarks.
    “I heard Mrs. Haydn say that was the new teacher.”
    “So young. I expected someone older, more respectable, like Miss Hornby.”
    “This one certainly doesn’t look like a teacher.”
    “From the looks of her, she probably won’t last a year.”
    “Lucky if she lasts a month.”
    “So thin. Do the Irish starve their young?”
    “Too pretty to have a brain in that head.”
    By the time Rose had led her family all the way to the very front of the church, Fiona’s cheeks were blazing. She had only to look around her to see how different she looked from all the other young women. Big, sturdy farm women with plump cheeks and ample bosoms, who stood head and shoulders above her, and all with pale yellow hair tied neatly beneath their bonnets. She was even more aware of her small stature and hair as dark and wild as a gypsy’s.
    She was grateful to reach her seat. Her relief was short-lived, however, when Flem stood aside and waited until she was seated before settling in beside her. She gave an involuntary shiver at the brush of his shoulder to hers and was reminded once more of their previous night’s encounter. Had she only imagined danger? Here, in this house of worship, it didn’t seem possible for him to be anything more than a harmless handsome charmer. With the first strains of the organ, everyone got to their feet.
    Flem opened his hymnbook and stuck it in front of Fiona, forcing her to take hold of the other side. When he started to sing, she realized he had a lovely voice—and was only too happy to show it off.
    When the hymn ended, they took their seats and the minister mounted the steps to address the congregation. His voice was deep and rich, and he began by asking those gathered this day to join him in offering a warm welcome to their new teacher. Fiona got hesitantly to her feet and turned to smile at the strangers who were craning their necks to get a good look.
    “If you’d step up here, Miss Downey.”
    Fiona knew her cheeks were as red as apples and prayed that she wouldn’t stumble as she made her way up the steps to where the minister stood.
    “Our town is grateful to you, Miss Downey, for we’ve been three years now without a teacher for our children.”
    “I’m the one who is grateful, Reverend Schmidt. Now that the school is properly restored, thanks to the help of young Will VanderSleet.” She looked around, hoping she might coax Will to stand and be acknowledged. Seeing no sign of him she continued, “I’m looking forward to meeting all the children of Paradise Falls tomorrow morning.”
    When she returned to her seat Flem made a