Second Chance Bride. Jane Perrine Myers

a hint of the melody to the hymn.

      When the service was over, Annie rehearsed in her head what she should say as she waited to meet the minister. When she finally reached him, he took her hand and smiled at her with warmth, as if she really were Miss Matilda Cunningham and a member of his flock.

      “You must be the new schoolteacher. How happy I am to see you this morning. I’ve heard about your accident on your way here. I trust you have recovered?”

      “Yes, Reverend Thompson. Thank you.”

      “I know the children are delighted with you. Martha Norton tells me you sing beautifully although I didn’t hear you this morning.”

      “How nice of Martha.” As he continued to watch her, Annie added, “I’m not familiar with most of the hymns, Reverend. When I learn them, I promise I’ll sing.”

      “Our new teacher tells me she plays the organ,” John said from behind her.

      “Miss Cunningham, we are in desperate need of an organist.”

      What excuse could she give? “I play the organ only a little, but with my arm…” Annie held it out. Although it had healed some, she still protected it.

      “Oh, but if you would just try for us, Miss Cunningham.”

      The pleading in his gentle eyes stirred her guilt. “I’d be happy to try, but I don’t read music. If someone could sing a tune for me, I might be able to play it.”

      “Miss Hanson knows all the hymns we use. Perhaps she’d teach you some. The organ’s just over there. Why don’t you sit down and see if you can play it? I don’t know when we last had a musician here.”

      Annie soon found herself on the hard wooden bench, running her fingers over the cool keys. The intricate carving on the high wooden music holder reminded her of her mother’s tiny organ which Annie had played until the sheriff of Weaver City seized it to pay her father’s gambling debts.

      She spent a moment or two trying to remember the songs she knew. Obviously few of the ones she’d played in her previous life would be acceptable, so she attempted to remember “Amazing Grace.” The notes came out a little screechy, and her pumping was uneven mostly due to the pain in her leg and the stiff pedals. But the sound improved the second time.

      “Let me sing a hymn for you to try,” Amanda suggested. In a pleasant voice, she sang “I Need Thee Every Hour” while Annie pressed the keys and pumped the pedals, attempting to follow along.

      “That sounds wonderful,” John said. “But we must go. Lucia expects us home for dinner shortly.”

      Annie looked at her watch, surprised to see it was nearly one o’clock. Time always passed quickly when she sat at the organ. She suddenly realized she was exhausted, and both her arm and legs hurt from the exertion.

      “Reverend Thompson, I’ll practice and hope to be able to play by the next time you come through.”

      “Thank you, Miss Cunningham. I will look forward to hearing you again.”

      “Amanda, I hope you and your father will join us at lunch,” John said as Annie ran her fingers over the cool ivory of the keys once more. How lovely to play again, even on this ancient instrument.

      “Of course we will, John.” Farley Hanson pounded John on the back. “This time we’re lucky to have the lovely new schoolteacher dine with us.”

      “Oh? I didn’t realize I was to join you.” Annie looked from one man to the other.

      “We’d really like to have you. I should have mentioned it earlier.” John inclined his head slightly and smiled. “I hope you can join us.”

      “Please come, Miss Cunningham. I want to show you my room and all my dolls and books.”

      “Yes, we’d love to have you.” Amanda gave her the smile that Annie was sure no one refused. “We can work on some more hymns on the piano in John’s parlor.”