“Oh, I don’t doubt that you’re educated. There simply isn’t a teaching position available at this time.”

“Mr. Chandler led me to believe there was.”

“Well...” Mr. Cole had the grace to look a little abashed. “Currently, my wife holds the position. I’d like to have her at home, but she enjoys working with the children. Until I can find a suitable replacement, I’m sure she’s the best one for the job.”

“A suitable replacement?” Sarah struggled to keep a tight leash on her anger, but she was losing the battle. “Are you saying I’m not a suitable replacement?”

Mr. Cole steepled his fingertips. “I couldn’t, in good conscience, hire a fortune-hunting tart. What kind of example would we be setting for our youngsters if we let a young lady with questionable morals teach them?”

“Questionable morals?” He didn’t even know her! “How can you say such a thing? You don’t know anything about me.”

“I know you tried to sell yourself in marriage to a man you’ve never met. I know you spent the night in his home unchaperoned. That’s all I need to know.” He stood up, indicating the meeting was over. “I’ve nothing further to say to you, Miss Montgomery. Please leave.”

Words of defense tumbled to Sarah’s lips, but she bit them back, knowing they were useless. Mr. Cole had already made up his mind. All she could do was pray the rest of the town wasn’t as closed-minded.