Broken Limbs, Mended Hearts by Regina Jennings (highly recommended books .txt) 📕

forward and back, he managed to free a strand. Mr. Eden pulled out the knotted rope and triumphantly threw it on the ground. With another turn of the gear, Adam could reach the last bundle he’d tossed in and extract it from the belt.

“Is that all of it?” Mr. Eden asked. “If you’re set to rights, then I’m going to spell my daughter. I don’t think her heart’s in it.” He lowered his voice. “And after seeing what you’re about, maybe I’m not set on a victory either.”

Bella let the heavy shovel rest against the ground. Looking down, she dropped it a little farther to her left, blocking the field hand from his next scoop.

“You’d better get this thing going again,” said Mr. Eden. “She can’t delay them for long.”

He was letting Adam win? After Adam had tried to let him win? Adam yelped to Dr. Paulson, “Get those horses moving!”

The belt started to turn. All that was left was a few cranks. A few more kernels sputtered out of the chute, and the job was completed. Both teams had to stop.

Mr. Eden tossed a last scoop into the air, then stepped back. It didn’t take long for the crowd to make the determination on Eden’s crop. While he and his helpers had worked valiantly, the grain would profit from some more work before it was truly separated enough for the mill.

On the other hand, the bucket of Adam’s wheat was as clean as any ever produced by their toil. And despite the delays in setting up the machinery and the mechanical trouble, there was no question of him acquiring customers from the crowd that day. He had prevailed, but more important than the contest, he’d won Mr. Eden’s respect.

As the farmers crowded around, now comfortable inspecting the rig for themselves, Mr. Eden offered his hand.

“I know what you were up to,” he said. “You didn’t think Bella could pass that teacher’s exam. You’d rather get beat in a contest than have her lose her job, but I’ve got news for you. Bella will pass that test and be teaching here next year, no matter what that professor of yours says.”

Adam was taken aback. Mr. Eden thought he’d thrown the contest for Bella’s job? But, of course, his pride wouldn’t let him imagine that Adam had done it for him. Adam would never tell.

“My stars, Ben Eden,” said Mrs. Clovis. “I can’t believe the show you put on. It was a close contest. I don’t know how you kept it so close. Well done.”

“I already have one field drying,” said Mr. Granger. “By the time you get out to work on it, I should have the rest of the wheat knocked down. Put me on your list.”

“Don’t forget me.” Mr. Clovis pushed to the front. “What do you charge? Five percent of the yield? I’ll save that in waste alone. I’m getting in the field today to get started, so bring your rig to the farm early next week. I’ll pay you some up front to secure my spot.”

Adam nodded and shook hands, but the whole time he was searching past the men for the one congratulatory message he yearned for. She wouldn’t leave without saying good-­bye, would she?

Noticing his concern, Mr. Eden explained, “She had to catch the stagecoach, remember? She’s going to take her test.”

“I wanted to tell her good luck.”

“She’ll be back tomorrow. You could join us for supper to hear her news.”

Where had this friendliness come from? Could it be that Mr. Eden suspected his real reason for throwing the contest? Could it be that he was grateful for the chance to save face?

“I’ll come for supper, but could you do me a favor first? When Mrs. Eden and Bella get home from the station, could you send Bella . . .” Adam went on to explain his plan. Well, he didn’t explain everything, just what Bella’s father needed to know to do his part.

The rest was up to Adam.

eleven

She’d passed the test.

Bella washed her face and neck to remove the dust from the stagecoach, then ran a brush through her hair. If what her father suspected was true, she wanted to look her best for the school board meeting that was to commence shortly. While she wouldn’t have the test results back for a few weeks, she knew she’d performed well. Instead of worrying about the disaster that would befall her if she failed, she’d filled her mind with happy scenes. She’d remembered the days she felt helpful and knowledgeable in her classroom. She’d cherished the smiles and relationships she’d built with the kids and took pride in the older students who were a credit to Oak Springs. All of those things kept her calm while the exam was being administered, but mostly she was thinking about Adam.

Would he be at the schoolhouse? She’d been disappointed that he wasn’t at her house, waiting for her to return, but when her pa explained about the school board meeting, she understood. Besides, Adam was probably too busy with work to be idling at her farm. He’d be able to make the payment on his threshing machine now. He’d stay here until harvest was complete, and then what? Would their courtship resume next summer when he came back?

She finished wrapping her hair into a roll and then dabbed some scent on her neck. They had to be impressed when she told them that she’d passed the exam. They had to believe that she would work harder for their kids than any outsider they could bring in.

Bella dropped a flat straw bonnet on her head and took to the road. The sun streamed its rays along the horizon, lighting up the gentle slopes of the fields and dancing atop the waving wheat, heavy for harvest. The road rose by the giant oak tree, and she could see town. There were no wagons in the schoolyard. No one was making their way to the schoolhouse. Instead of a contentious meeting, it looked