5
Christmas Eve
"I will tell the town biddies that you cornered me in the coat closet at the fall harvest dance," Mr. Matthews warned. "You were eager for me, eager enough to lift your skirts so I could claim you. Who could blame me if you are a harlot and gave yourself to me?"
"No one will believe you," I countered, struggling to break free of his tight hold. The owner of the mercantile had gone into the back to retrieve some bullets for Mr. Matthews and we were left alone.
The man leered at me, completely unconcerned by my words. "They will if I change the story that has you coming to my house, spending the night in my bedroom, then stealing money from my dresser before you leave. You'll paint yourself a prostitute then, taking money for s*x. Everyone knows you need it."
In that mom
