Belonging by Robin Lee Hatcher

her. Things could have been so much worse for her after the death of the Kristoffersens.
    She drew in a slow breath and let it out, whispering, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
    There. That was better. So much better to be grateful than to complain. So much better to look to the Lord than to her own frustrations.
    “Talking to yourself, Felicia?”
    She looked behind her, recognizing Kathleen’s voice. With a laugh, she answered, “I do that on occasion. Either to myself or to God.”
    “Where are you off to?”
    “Murphy’s Mercantile. I need to order maps for the school.”
    “I’m headed that way myself.” Kathleen held up her basket, as if for proof. “Mind if I walk with you?”
    “Of course not. I’d enjoy the company.”
    They fell into step beside each other.
    After a brief silence, Kathleen said, “I want you to know how happy you’ve made Phoebe. She was always nervous around Miss Lucas, who could be rather sharp at times. But not you. You put her at ease.”
    “That’s good. I would hate to frighten any of my students.”
    “What about you? Are you afraid of any of them ?” Her tone was teasing.
    Felicia laughed again. “Maybe a little.”
    Kathleen tipped her head slightly to one side as she looked at Felicia. “I’m not sure I believe you. I suspect you’re fearless.”
    “Me? Not hardly.”
    “My husband always said the definition of courage is to be afraid and to proceed anyway.” Kathleen smiled. “So if you aren’t fearless, then you are certainly courageous.”
    Felicia felt a surge of affection for the woman walking beside her, and again she thanked God, this time silently. For she had wanted a friend, and the Lord had provided one for her.

    Jimmy Bryant leaned over the desk, his mouth skewed to one side, a pen in his right hand.
    “Make sure to order the copper kettle Mrs. Reynolds requested,” Colin told him from the doorway.
    “Yessir. Already on the list.”
    “We’ll need more flour, sugar, and coffee too.”
    Jimmy nodded.
    The sound of a customer entering the store drew Colin around.
    Felicia walked toward him down the narrow aisle, a sense of purpose in her step. “Good day, Mr. Murphy.”
    “Miss Kristoffersen.” Only then did he see that Kathleen had followed Felicia into the store. “Hello, Mrs. Summerville.”
    “Mr. Murphy.”
    “What can I do for you ladies?”
    Felicia answered him, “I’m in need of an item for the school. Something you’ll have to order, no doubt.”
    “And what would that be?” He moved toward the counter.
    “A series of large maps. Wall maps.”
    “Yes, those would have to be ordered.” He looked over his shoulder toward the office. “Jimmy, come out here, will you? And bring the catalog with you.”
    “Yessir.”
    Colin returned his gaze to Felicia. “Is this to be billed to the school?”
    “Yes.”
    “I assume you obtained permission from Mr. Swanson for the purchase?”
    Her cheeks turned pink. “Of course. I came here straight from the pharmacy.” She lifted her chin, an indignant spark in her eyes. “You may ask him yourself if you choose.”
    He hadn’t meant to insult her, but it looked as if he had. And he was almost glad he had. The heightened color in her face was quite attractive.
    Jimmy arrived with the thick catalog in his hands.
    “Look up maps,” he told his clerk.
    The boy placed the book on the counter and opened it to the back, running his finger down the columns of words until he found what he wanted. Then he flipped through the pages to the desired one. Colin glanced at the book, noting the illustrations of world globes, books on stands, and what appeared to be wall maps. He took the catalog from Jimmy and turned it toward Felicia.
    “Is this what you want?” he asked, pointing at the illustration.
    She plucked her new pair of reading glasses from her pocket and set them on her nose as she leaned toward the catalog. “Yes. That’s exactly what we