A Dogtown Christmas (Oklahoma Lovers 4.50)

“Thank you. No nasty comments?”

He took his seat alongside her. “I never make nasty comments. Only keen observations.”

Raised eyebrows were her only answer.

Pastor Thatcher lumbered to the front of the room and held up his hands. Conversation turned to whispers and then silence.

“Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I want to thank all of you for providing such a wonderful meal for us.” He rested his hand on the back of the chair in front of him, looking as

if he needed a nap. “Now we come to the part of our little gathering I like most. We must talk about our Christmas pageant and celebration.”

A stout woman in a large flowery hat and an equally flowery dress stood. “Reverend, we are pleased to announce that the decision has already been made as to who will take on the job of guiding our little angels into a spectacular Christmas performance!”

The woman waited until she had everyone’s attention and then with a flourish waved her arm in Priscilla’s direction. “Our new teacher, Miss Priscilla Cochran, has graciously offered to direct our lovely Christmas concert and pageant.”

“Concert?” Priscilla leaned near Mitch’s ear and whispered.

He crossed his arms over his chest and smirked. “Yes, indeed.”

No one had mentioned the concert to her, but how hard could it be to teach the children a few Christmas carols? She could consider it part of her music curriculum.

The enthusiastic applause died as the marshal took the pastor’s place at the head of the room. “We have a group of about six men ready to hunt down that mountain lion. If you haven’t signed up yet, come see me when this is over. We’re looking at Wednesday night.”

Ian’s chin jerked up and he leaned across the table. “Hey, Pa, you know who you should get to go with you to hunt that mountain lion?”

Priscilla glanced at the boy, giving her head a quick shake.

“Who?” Mitch said.

He looked at Priscilla and blushed. “Oh, uh, me.”

“No, you’re way too young.”

Priscilla winked at Ian and heaved a sigh of relief. Even though this was hunting territory, she wasn’t sure how receptive the townsfolk would be to a teacher who could outshoot the men.

After lunch, the ladies set up pies and cakes and coffee for everyone to enjoy before they headed home. Priscilla felt as welcome as she had at the church she’d attended back home her entire life. With a full stomach and a warm feeling inside from the friendships she’d made, she felt ready to face her students the next morning.

Mitch was called up to the front to make the final arrangements with the men on hunting the mountain lion while Priscilla gathered her things and walked with Ian out the door to the buggy.

“Why don’t you want to go with the men to hunt the mountain lion?”

Priscilla placed her hand on Ian’s shoulder. “Since I’m new here, I think it’s best if don’t talk about that right now. People have a certain idea of what a teacher should be like, and I don’t want to give them a reason to fire me.”

“Fire you! No. You’re the best teacher, ever.”

“Thank you so much, but you must wait for school to start before you can say I’m the best teacher, ever.” She smiled softly. “But I love your enthusiasm, and I hope you will be just as excited about school tomorrow morning.”

“Are we ready to go?” Mitch walked up to the buggy and took Priscilla’s hand, then helped her climb in.

Priscilla asked a lot of questions about the Christmas concert and pageant that she’d just volunteered to conduct. From what Ian told her, it would require a certain amount of work, but nothing she didn’t think she could handle.

Ever the gentleman, Mitch helped her alight from the buggy.

“I’ll see you at school tomorrow, Ian.” Priscilla waved goodbye to the boy. Mitch walked her to the door, and she almost forgot his negative comments earlier. “Thank you for inviting me to church and the lunch afterward.”

“You’re welcome. I just hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into with volunteering to handle the Christmas concert and pageant.”

“I’m sure it will be fine.” She lingered at the door, Mitch’s demeanor making her think he wanted to say something else. After a minute he tugged on the brim of his hat and walked away.