Tenacious Love (Banished Saga, Book Four): Banished Saga, Book Four

by Ramona Flightner

  Clarissa groaned. “Fine, I’ll talk, but you’ll all be up there with me.”

  Savannah and Zylphia grinned conspiratorially at each other.

  Sebastian entered the Hall, smiling to many of those present and slapping the backs of most of the men. He asked a few to move the casks of beer outside into the Hall. Sebastian approached the women. “I’ll introduce you. Most of the men know me, and it’ll help when they realize I’m for this referendum to pass.” He winked at Amelia who chatted with women near the long table. “Are we ready?” he asked them all.

  Clarissa took a deep breath and nodded. “As ready as we’ll ever be.”

  “Great.” He rose onto a small stage, holding up his hands and motioning for those present to cease speaking. He smiled at a few ribald jokes and whistles, but the room’s occupants quieted.

  “Thanks for coming to the Hall tonight on such short notice. It’s always a pleasure to have our friends, the McLeods, visit us from Missoula. This time they’re here to promote the upcoming referendum granting women the right to vote. It’s something I urge you to consider, and I can’t wait for voting day so that my Amelia will have the right to vote, too.” He smiled as a few of the men whistled and hooted. He then waved an arm in the women’s direction, and Clarissa stepped slightly forward of Savannah and Zylphia.

  “Mrs. McLeod, Miss McLeod and I would like to thank you for the warm hospitality you’ve shown us as we’ve walked through your beautiful town. Although you might not realize it, you have the opportunity to make history on November 3. For on that date, the men of Montana have the opportunity to enfranchise the women of this state.

  “You will be joining the company of esteemed states such as Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, California and Washington. You will grant for women what no state east of the Mississippi has granted. As you know, those easterners like to say they are progressive, but their actions have proven otherwise.”

  The men laughed at that, hearing a hint of Massachusetts in her voice.

  Clarissa smiled and laughed with them. “Now I know many of you may wonder what a woman would do with a vote. Well, she’ll do much the same as you. Enter a booth and practice her rights as a member of this country. As a full citizen.

  “Just as you do, she will determine what issues are important to her. She will listen to the candidates as they campaign, deciding the merits of their arguments. Just as you are concerned about safety at the mill, she may promote causes such as food safety or care of infants. Causes that affect her family’s health.” She continued on in that vein for a few more minutes. “Vote for women in November!” Clarissa raised her hand in triumph as she finished.

  Clarissa blushed as the men hooted, hollered and whistled at the end of her speech. Savannah and Zylphia giggled and they moved off of the miniscule stage.

  Sebastian pulled out his fiddle; others joined him with a banjo, guitar and another fiddle, and the music began. Before Clarissa had a chance to speak with Zylphia or Sav, she was grabbed by one of the men and spun into a lively dance. She shrieked, then laughed as she twirled around the dance floor in the arms of a tall lumberjack.

  Clarissa looked to see Zee, Sav and Amelia dancing and laughing as they enjoyed the evening. They spent the entire evening dancing, barely taking a moment to rest. Clarissa felt her concerns about the upcoming election fade as she danced with a different man each time. Finally she held up a hand, out of breath and on the verge of falling over. “Enough,” she gasped. “I need a glass of water and a break.”

  She glanced around the room to see Amelia standing near Sebastian, pausing from his fiddle playing. Savannah was approaching them, and Clarissa went to join them too. “I don’t think I’ve ever danced as much as tonight,” she said.

  “It’s glorious,” Zylphia said before she laughed as she was again led onto the dance floor.

  “There aren’t many womenfolk here, and the men appreciate any chance they can find for dancing,” Sebastian said.

  “They appreciate any chance they can find for holding a woman in their arms,” Amelia retorted, earning a snicker from Sebastian and stifled giggles from Savannah and Clarissa.

  “I appreciate their welcoming us,” Savannah said. She shook her head at a man who approached her. She smiled apologetically. “I’d think any woman who came here would be hard-pressed to remain single.”

  “Well, they can,” Seb said. “A woman can choose what she wants. The men are respectful in that way, as long as they haven’t had too much to drink. But, if she encourages him, she better know what she’s doing.” Sebastian winked at Clarissa as she smiled at him. “That cousin of yours should be careful.”

  “Oh, I think Zee can manage well enough,” Clarissa said as she watched Zylphia flirting with one man after another, never encouraging one more than the next. Clarissa hadn’t seen Zylphia this carefree and youthful since her arrival. “I must write Delia about tonight. She’d like knowing how much Zylphia enjoyed herself.”

  36

  Gabriel watched the peaceful procession down Main Street in Helena, sharing a relieved smile with Jeremy. “I’m thankful this is nothing like the one last year in Washington, DC.”

  Jeremy nodded. “I hated disappointing Sav and Rissa by refusing to march here, but I didn’t want to be far from them, in case they needed us this time, too.”

  “I know Rissa understood,” Gabriel said, battling a frown. “Besides, she’s the one who gave us the choice of either marching at the rear or awaiting their arrival at the finish. She denied us the option of walking through the crowd as they marched to ensure they remained safe.” He grunted as he hefted Billy over his head and onto his shoulders, hooking one leg on either shoulder, so Billy could see better.

  “You can’t blame her for wanting to believe that this parade would be peaceful,” Jeremy said. He smiled as his brother bit back a growl of displeasure. “And I don’t blame you for wanting to make sure no harm came to her or any of the marchers.”

  Gabriel and Jeremy waited for the marchers at the end of the parade. They waved the homemade flags their children had made for them, cheering loudly when they saw Clarissa, Melinda, Amelia and the collective assortment of their children. Gabriel beamed at Clarissa as she walked toward him, grasping her to him for a hug with one arm, the other on Billy’s legs to keep him balanced. “Well done, love,” he murmured into her ear.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes shining with pride and love. She ran a hand over his cheek as she backed away before smiling up at Billy. “Billy, darling, how are you?”

  “I’m with Daddy. I’m his best boy,” he said with pride as he squirmed in place.

  “You are,” Clarissa whispered, running a hand down his legs hanging off Gabriel’s shoulders. They turned to watch as Zylphia, dressed in black, finish her march, the lone representative of Massachusetts.

  “I hate that I had to wear black,” she grumbled when she joined them.

  “Well, until you get the vote, it’s a powerful visual,” Jeremy said, with a wink to his disgruntled cousin.

  Amelia laughed. “I imagine, for an artist, it’s rather disturbing to wear such stark clothes.”

  Zylphia smiled her agreement.

  “Come. Aren’t we supposed to continue to the auditorium to hear that lady speak?” Gabriel asked, grabbing Myrtle’s hand. Billy chortled with glee as they walked, holding on to his father’s broad shoulders as he rocked to and fro with each step. Clarissa walked arm in arm with Geraldine, while Savannah, Jeremy and Melinda walked in front of them. Amelia, Zylphia, and Amelia’s children walked behind them.

  “Yes, we’re to hear Anna Howard Shaw,” Zylphia grumbled. At Savannah’s raised eyebrow, Zylphia sighed. “I know. I should be pleased to hear anyone from the National speak.”

  “Just because it isn’t Alice …” Clarissa murmured.

  Zylphia nodded, still somewhat despondent. They entered the large reception hall, festooned with red, white and blue ribbons, plus a bright yellow banner strung along t
he podium.

  They found seats in the middle of the crowd where they could all sit together as a group, taking up two rows of chairs. Zylphia sat between Clarissa and Savannah, and she whispered, “I’m certain you put me here to ensure I behaved.”

  Clarissa chuckled her agreement while Savannah merely grinned.

  The speakers began. First Jeannette Rankin was introduced, to loud applause. She spoke for a few minutes on the day’s successful march and the continued need for vigilance as the campaign entered its final month. She then introduced Dr. Anna Howard Shaw.

  Zylphia squirmed in her chair as she listened to the speakers. She grunted her agreement as Dr. Shaw said, “They call us clinging vines, and they tell us to let the sturdy oaks take care of the politics. But I have noticed in the forests that each sturdy oak with a clinging vine is a little withered at the top.”

  Zylphia joined in the applause. She leaned over to whisper to Clarissa. “I wish I could hear her and the others argue. It must be something to behold.”

  “You’d never just observe, Zee. You’d jump right in and join them,” Gabriel said with a fond smile to his cousin.

  The children behaved throughout the speeches, the promise of wandering the fair and eating cotton candy an inducement to not fidget. Once the speeches were over, and Zylphia realized she’d be unsuccessful in speaking with Miss Rankin, they departed the hall and walked to the expositions at the fair.

  Each child received a small portion of cotton candy. After they devoured it, turning their mouths pink, they wandered into the livestock barn. Gabriel grabbed Billy’s arm as he attempted to scamper away and pet a steer. “No, Billy boy,” Gabriel said with a laugh.

  He hauled him up again, carrying him on his shoulders. He lowered him to pet a sheep but kept a tight hold on him. He shared an amused smile with Clarissa. He saw Melinda laugh as a sow pig came forward and stuck out her snout, intent to eat the lace at the hem of her skirts. She scampered away, shrieking with delight.

  When the children tired, their group left the pavilion for the hotel. Clarissa leaned into Gabriel’s arm a moment, Myrtle’s hand in hers. “I can’t believe it’s already over and that we return home tomorrow.”

  “As Miss Rankin said, now’s the time to buckle down and really focus on your canvassing,” Gabriel said.

  “It may mean I’m away from home quite a bit.” Clarissa eyed Gabe for his response.

  “I understand. I know how important this is for you. Jer, Col and I will survive. Hopefully Araminta and Charlotte will remain to help us. If not, we’ll cook. I still remember how from the days before I met you.”

  “Thank you, darling,” she whispered.

  He kissed the side of her head. “I want you to know you’ve done everything possible for success. To never doubt that there was one more thing you could have done. Then, no matter what happens, you know you did what you could.”

  Patrick sipped a cup of coffee at the kitchen table before he headed to work. He smiled at Fiona as he read a letter from Colin. He chuckled. “Only Colin would have problems with a woman he’s known for over ten years.”

  “What do you mean?” Fiona asked, coming to sit across from him, her pregnancy showing with a slight curve of her belly behind the apron she wore over her housedress.

  “Somehow he offended Araminta, and she’ll no longer speak with him. He says that she threatened to stop cleaning his house altogether if he keeps pestering her about what he did wrong.” Patrick sighed. “I always thought they would end up together.”

  “They might yet,” Fiona said. “Although pestering her isn’t any way to show a woman he cares.”

  Patrick shrugged his agreement as he thought about his brother’s predicament. He reached across the table and gripped Fiona’s hand, considering it a success when she didn’t flinch or fight his touch. “Something doesn’t seem right, but I’m sure it will straighten itself out.”

  He released her hand and rose, carrying his dishes to the sink. “Clarissa, Sav and Zee marched in the women’s parade at the State Fair a few days ago. They seemed excited to hear one of the leaders of the national movement speak.”

  “I wish we could have gone,” Fiona whispered. She placed a hand over her lower belly. “I know the doctor advised me I shouldn’t travel and must rest, but I hate missing any chance to spend more time with your family. I would like to know your sister better.”

  “You’ll have plenty of time to become acquainted with Rissa. Once you have the baby, they’ll be here all the time, offering more advice than you could imagine.” He shared a rueful smile with her. “At least that’s what she threatens.”

  When Fee remained silent, he squeezed her shoulder. “Besides, with how tense things are at work right now, I couldn’t ask for any time away.”

  She lifted the newspaper, a sensational headline about the upcoming trial of Butte’s mayor and sheriff along the top, proclaiming both officials had colluded to destroy the Miners’ Hall. “Do you believe this?”

  “It’s nonsense. Anyone who was near the Miners’ Hall that night knew that the mayor and sheriff had nothing to do with its destruction. However, Amalgamated hates that those two are Socialists, so the Company will do anything in their power to rid them of their presence, and power, here. They can’t stand that the mayor’s the only official in Butte to have been freely elected by the populace twice, even with all the money the Company spent to prevent his reelection.” He sat again, drumming his fingers on the tabletop. “I never realized one company could wield so much power.”

  “They’re like the British, running everything,” Fiona said, her gaze wistful.

  Patrick recognized that look. She was thinking of her homeland, Ireland.

  “The Company wanted to ensure they ruled supreme,” Fiona continued, “so they had the governor declare martial law here. They had no reason to remove the mayor, so they invented a law!” Fiona pursed her lips. “Makes me wish there was something to do to protest them.”

  Patrick gripped her hand, staring at her fiercely. He battled a mixture of fear for her safety and relief that she felt safe enough with him to want to act out against the tyranny they lived under. “You know as well as I do what living under martial law means. Don’t say or do anything inflammatory. Please, Fee.” When she remained defiant, he whispered, “People are disappearing, Fee. Not many but enough. I hear things at work, and I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”

  She nodded, her shoulders stooping. “I won’t. I promise. I just hate that there’s nothing we can do.”

  “I know. But I’m sure they’ll leave soon. There’s no reason for them to stay as we aren’t a riotous group.”

  “I hate that you still work there, with him,” she said, refusing to say his name.

  He nodded “I’m working as much as I can on my portfolio and hopefully someone will take a chance on me soon as an architect. I have to be able to provide for you and the baby, Fee.” He caressed her hand on the table. “And I refuse to live entirely off my family’s charity by moving to Missoula without work. It was hard enough accepting this house from Sav.”

  She sighed. “You know I understand. I just wish I could escape this place sometimes.”

  He leaned forward and stroked her cheek. “No matter where we live, you’ll have to find a way to make peace with the memories.”

  She met his somber gaze, blinking once to acknowledge her agreement.

  He leaned forward and gave her a kiss as he rose to leave for work. “Remember, don’t let anyone in but your sister or cousin.”

  She nodded her agreement. “You know as well as I that Henry isn’t interested in me any longer.”

  “I don’t,” Patrick said, gripping her shoulder. “I fear he’s merely biding his time. I need to know you’ll stay safe here, Fee. You and the baby.” He kissed her forehead again. “I’ll stop by the library on my way home and pick up more books for you.”

  She reached out a hand, caressing a hand down his arm. “Thank you
, Patrick.”

  A few days later Zylphia sat, sipping a cup of coffee at Clarissa’s kitchen table in Missoula, and watched Araminta expertly roll out a pie crust. “I should really learn how to make a pie from you.”

  “It’s not that hard,” Araminta said as she lifted the crust into a pie plate and crimped the edges of the crust. “I could teach you in a few hours.” She frowned when she saw Zylphia’s distracted nod of agreement.

  Clarissa entered the kitchen, smiling when she saw them together. “Zee, Minta’s busy making more pies, and I need to be with the children this afternoon. I promised I’d play with them in the park. Would you do me a favor and bring one of the pies that Minta’s already baked to Mr. Pickens?” Clarissa moved toward the cooling pies and picked up the heaviest one. “This looks delicious.”

  “I’d think you’d give the smaller one to a single man,” Zylphia said.

  “Mr. A.J. always has friends over. And he’d rather eat pie than anything else. So I ensure he has a pie at least once a week. These are his favorite. Apple with plenty of sugar and spice.” She placed the pie in a small basket with a lid and pushed it across the table toward Zylphia.

  “I could use some time outside,” Zylphia said as she gripped the handle of the basket with one hand, her hat with the other and exited the kitchen door. She smiled at Clarissa as she shut the door behind her and turned down the small path beside the house. The dahlias at either side were in full bloom.

  She looped the basket through one arm, lifting her face to the warmth of the late-afternoon sun for a moment before obscuring her face with her hat. She walked the short distance to Mr. Pickens’s home, smiling at the few people she recognized.

  She knocked on his door and leaned forward, listening for his distinctive shuffling gate as he approached the door. She heard guffaws, chairs moving and numerous voices speaking while she waited for him to answer her knock.