A Great Catch (27 page)

Every member of the Council Bluffs Equal Suffrage Club stood outside the Rock Island Depot, along with most of the Manawa Owls. Carter had considered skipping the whole brouhaha, but his team expected him to be there, and the Chicago Stars would arrive any minute. He’d better be able to handle a few minutes with Emily. Tomorrow he’d have to handle a whole game.

He caught sight of her in the front of the crowd, her hand pressed to her stomach. He imagined the butterflies inside were in overtime. This whole thing meant the world to her. He inched closer.

“You look good in that uniform.” Ducky gave Emily a reassuring smile.

She ran her hands along the bare flesh on her forearms that the shirt’s cut revealed. Yesterday the boys had decided to wear their striped uniforms for the welcome, but Carter was pleasantly surprised she’d worn hers as well.

“Maybe I should have worn a dress. It’s not like I’m a real baseball player.”

Elwood chuckled. “But they don’t know that yet.”

Carter whacked Elwood in the stomach but didn’t say anything. When Emily smiled her thanks, he looked away. The last thing he wanted to do was give her any wrong ideas.

The rumble of the approaching train shook the platform. The brakes shrieked and the train rolled to a stop with a steamy hiss.

“Would you look at that?” The awe in Emily’s voice echoed his sentiments exactly.

The fancy Pullman Palace car housing the Chicago Stars rested before the Owl/suffrage club gathering. Rumor had it the special railcar cost ten thousand dollars.

A door swung open on the Pullman car, and the first of the Chicago Stars stepped out. Ducky hurried to the bottom of the steps and offered his hand. The female player, with her straw-colored locks hanging loosely on her shoulders, smiled and took the help he offered. She descended the steps with a bounce at the end.

In minutes, the first player was soon joined by seven other girls, all clad in loose-fitting red blouses, matching crimson bloomers, and black stockings. Two men in similar uniforms, clearly players, also joined them.

Finally, a slightly older man wearing a flashy summer suit stepped forward, removed his bowler, and swept it toward the ladies. “May I present to you the Chicago Stars—champion baseball club of the world!”

Emily’s suffrage ladies applauded. Ducky nudged Emily forward.

Just as Emily took a step, Olivia DeSoto jutted out her foot. Emily stumbled. The younger male player on the Stars caught her and held her a bit too long for Carter’s liking.

Emily regained her footing and took a step back. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He chuckled and touched the bill of his baseball cap. “The girls are always falling for me. You okay?”

“I’m fine.” Emily glanced at Carter.

Like a coward, he ducked his gaze again.

Her cheeks flamed as cherry as the Bloomer Girls’ uniforms. Finally, she cleared her throat. “On behalf of the Council Bluffs Equal Suffrage Club, welcome to Council Bluffs. We’re so happy you’re here.”

“It’s our pleasure, miss.” The younger male player cast a daring look at Carter.

Carter chuckled. These guys were good. If they could rile the Owls from the start, they’d have an advantage.

The older man nudged the younger out of the way and removed his cap. “I’m J. B. Olson, manager of the Stars. Thank you for inviting us to your fine city.”

She nodded. “Thank you all for coming. We’ve prepared a picnic luncheon at Lake Manawa’s Cottage Grove, and we hoped to have a parade through the city and around the resort in honor of tomorrow’s game. Of course, you are all welcome to swim at the lake this afternoon as well. Mr. Olson, does that meet with your approval?”

“Perfectly.” He plopped his cap back on his head. “Except for the swimming. We don’t want to tire our team out before the game, or maybe that was what you had planned all along?”

“No . . . I—”

Mr. Olson laughed. “I’m only joshing you. The ladies can swim all they want. Lead the way, Miss Graham.”

Outside the depot, buggies polished for the guests lined the street. Mrs. O’Neil, who was in charge of the parade, had draped garlands of flowers around each team of horses while they waited for the train’s arrival. Emily explained to Mr. Olson that the girls could choose any of the available carriages in which to ride.

“What about me?” the male player asked from beside Emily. “Is your buggy full?”

She smiled at him. “No, Mr.—”

“Russell, ma’am. Hank Russell.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have a carriage.”

Carter felt the pinch of jealousy but forced a smile. “Mr. Russell, you can ride with me up front, and Emily can ride in the back with—”

“Me.” A dark-haired player held out her hand. “If it’s okay with you. I’m Maud Nelson, pitcher and third bagger, and I can’t wait to hear how this game is going to help the suffrage cause.”

A broad smile curled Carter’s lips. “In that case, it looks like we’re all set.”

“Carter, are you certain you want me to ride with you? I could ride somewhere else,” Emily whispered as they walked toward his rig.

“Let’s just get through these two days, Emily.”

As planned, Carter led the procession down Broadway in the fancy buggy he’d borrowed from his father. Store patrons stopped and waved as they passed. Children hoisted on their daddies’ shoulders waved at the visitors. But it was the girls dressed in their fancy aprons he noticed most. Their faces lit up when the Bloomer Girls’ parade approached. How many of those girls yearned to compete like their brothers? Nothing had ever been off-limits to him as a man.

How many of the little girls would actually attend the game? Even if they didn’t, Emily’s plan was already a success. She’d opened up the world of baseball to them. Council Bluffs would never be the same.

“Did Amelia Bloomer really live here?” Maud asked.

“Yes. We could show you where she lived if you like.” Emily tapped Carter’s shoulder. “Could you make a little detour to the Bloomer house?”

Carter nodded and led the entourage to 4th Street. He pulled the carriage to the side in front of the two-story home. “There it is. Dexter and Amelia Bloomer lived here. They’re both deceased now.”

“The Bloomer Girls at the Bloomers’.” Maud rubbed her hands on her pantaloons. “Did you ever meet her?”

Emily nodded. “As a girl. She and my grandmother were good friends.”

“I bet you’re as thankful as I am not to have to wear a skirt to play baseball.”

“The bloomers do make it easier to move.” Emily smiled at Carter. “But they take some getting used to.”

Carter chuckled and clicked his tongue. The horses clopped down the brick-paved road.

“I believe Amelia Bloomer would have loved to see all of you,” Emily said. “Are you aware dress reform wasn’t her only fight? She petitioned the Senate and the House saying that as the owner of several thousand dollars’ worth of property, she was being taxed without representation. In her letter, she petitioned Congress for the removal of the burden of taxation—or for the removal of her political disabilities.”

Hank Russell glanced over his shoulder. “She had disabilities?”

Maud rolled her eyes. “She meant, either don’t tax her or let her vote.”

“I bet she was a handful,” Hank said. “I feel sorry for her husband.”

“Actually, it was her husband who deserved much of the credit for her work in advocating women’s rights,” Emily said. “He was a very forward-thinking man. He believed in her, encouraged her publishing, and admired her mind. Not all men would do that.”

“Only the special ones.” Maud looked from Emily to Carter, and Emily stiffened.

Hank adjusted his starred ball cap. “Yeah, I don’t know about you, Carter, but I’ve spent enough time around talented ladies to learn two things. Don’t argue with them and don’t get in their way. They’ll do anything to get what they want.”

Carter sighed. “Have to agree with you there, Hank. Have to agree with you there.”

While taking the streetcar would have made the jaunt to Lake Manawa much faster, the steady trot of the horses’ hooves in the parade of carriages drew attention wherever they went. Emily glanced at the noonday sun overhead. The slight breeze and cooler temperatures promised a perfect picnic.

Carter turned off the main road on Shady Lane. Oak trees canopied the street, and when they drew closer, the blue lake provided a backdrop for the Grand Pavilion, which marked the park’s entrance.

“This is lovely.” Maud glanced around at the buildings and Midway. “I never would have imagined something like this here.”

“You mean in Council Bluffs as opposed to Chicago.”

“Well.” Maud laughed. “Actually, yes. No offense?”

Emily smiled. “None taken. I bet you see things all over. Where have you been?”

“This year?” Maud’s eyebrows drew together. “Well, we’re making our way from Kentucky to Oregon. We played ten games in ten days in Kentucky, several in Missouri, and now we’re here.”

“It must be hard to travel so much.”

“It’s an adventure and I’m doing what I love.”

“Do you feel the same way, Hank?” Carter asked.

“Traveling with eight women?” He chuckled. “‘Adventure’ hardly covers it.”

As planned, Carter led the parade along the service road circling the lake. Crowds of spectators covered the paths, and clearly used to such displays, the Bloomer Girls made a big show of waving to them and inviting them to the Independence Day game.

Carter slowed the horses as they neared the open area dotted with towering cottonwoods, sturdy oaks, and spreading maples. “We call this picnic area Cottage Grove. It’s a popular place for businesses and clubs to hold their festivities, and it has a good view of the lake.”

“But is there food?” Hank rubbed his stomach for effect.

Carter’s lips curled. “With all the food these ladies have planned, I don’t think you’ll need to eat again for a week.”

After Carter pulled the horses to a stop, he hopped down to secure them. Hank held up his hands to lift Emily from the carriage. Emily hesitated. Would Carter offer? And if he did, would she want him to help her down?

Hank’s bright blue eyes sparkled mischievously. “I’m on the other team, but I’m not the enemy.”

“I know that.” Emily smiled and placed her hands on his shoulders. When his hands gripped her waist, her stomach cinched. How odd it felt to have another man touch her.

Hank lowered her to the ground, then turned to help Maud down.

“Look out, food, here I come.” Hank tugged on the bill of his ball cap.

Emily laughed and began walking toward the picnic area where tables had been set up and laden with goodies. “Carter’s right. The ladies have been planning this for weeks.”

“If you tell me there’s fried chicken, I’ll marry you right here on the spot.”

“You don’t want to marry me.” Emily giggled. “I can’t even cook.”

“But I bet you can do a lot of other things.” He quirked a knowing grin, revealing a handsome smile.

Heat infused Emily’s cheeks. Why was Hank flirting with her, of all people? And why was she noticing his roguish grin in return? She glanced over her shoulder to gauge Carter’s reaction to the baseball player’s antics. The last thing she needed today was a fight between the two men.

Her heart grabbed.

Carter was already back in the carriage, vanishing without so much as a goodbye.

“Leave the poor girl alone.” Maud hit Hank’s arm. “You’re making her blush.”

“Emily, over here!” Marguerite waved to her. Marguerite’s husband Trip and son Tate sat beside her on a large quilt spread in the grass.

Taking a deep breath, Emily plastered on a happy face. She refused to let Carter’s disappearance put a damper on the day’s activities. She’d worked too hard for this day, and she intended to enjoy every minute of it, with or without thieving Carter Stockton.

She turned to Hank and Maud. “Would you two care to join us?”

Hank grinned. “I don’t know about Maud, but I’d love to.”

Carter steamed away like a locomotive from the Bloomer Girls’ picnic scene. Tomorrow Hank Russell would pay for all his flirting. He started to mentally tick off the lightning-fast pitches he planned to hurl in Hank’s direction. Who knew? Maybe one would “accidentally” go wild.

Now again in town, he pulled the rig to a stop and tied the horses to the hitching post. Thoughts of Emily sent a confusing mix of feelings through him. His fury had ebbed, but the longing hadn’t budged. And the twinge of jealousy Hank evicted surprised him. He hated leaving her today in the company of a man, but this appointment wouldn’t wait.

Besides, he had to put her out of his mind. In truth, he had no say over who spoke to Emily or even who flirted shamelessly with her. They’d gone their separate ways, and he had plenty of reasons for keeping his distance. Her lack of trust in God topped the list, with her lack of trust in him following right below. And no matter how much she made his heart jump, those two biggies would keep them apart forever.

Carter opened the door to the café, and the bell rang above the door. The young woman behind the counter smiled at him. He nodded back and found his lunch companion at a table in the back. Dressed in an impeccable dark suit, Jim Wilson fidgeted in his chair.

“Have you been here long?” Carter removed his hat and set it on the table. “I’m sorry if I’m late.”

“You were helping with those lady baseball players, right?” Jim’s hands shook as he spread his napkin on his lap.

“What’s wrong?”

“Your brother isn’t exactly happy with you right now. If he sees me eating lunch with you, it could cost me my position at the bank.”

“Don’t worry. He never eats here. Says their fried chicken still clucks.”

Carter paused when the server came to their table and looked at Jim. “What’ll it be?”

Jim took the special of the day, roast beef and gravy, while Carter ordered ham steak and mashed potatoes.

After the server left, Carter leaned forward. “What did you find out?”

“I did what you told me to. Every fifteen minutes I checked the ledger where we record all our transactions to see if the deposit you made had been altered in any way.”

“And?”

“Before I came over here, I checked it again. The deposit had been changed from 350 dollars to 50. Someone had erased the three. Since there were only two people who’d gone near that book and one of them was me, I’m pretty sure I know who’s taking the money from Kate Graham’s account.”

“Who?”

“Carter, you’re not going to believe this.”

He took a deep breath. “Try me.”

“You went to town in that!”

If Aunt Ethel hadn’t been sitting down, Emily was certain she would have fainted. Beside her, Hank’s chest rumbled against her arm. Traitor.

“You might as well parade around in your drawers and corset.”

Emily’s neck heated and her cheeks burned like coals. Had her aunt really mentioned a corset in Hank’s presence?

He coughed.

Emily pinned him with a stare. If he laughed now, she’d punch him. The picnic with the Chicago Stars had been so enjoyable. Why did Aunt Ethel have to be such a dishrag about it?

The screen door banged open, and Aunt Millie toddled toward them. “Why, Emily, don’t you look sporty. And just who is this, dear?”

“Mr. Hank Russell. Mr. Russell, meet my aunt Ethel and my aunt Millie.” Emily caught the twinkle in Aunt Millie’s eye. “Mr. Russell walked me home after the picnic so I could get my bathing costume.”

Aunt Millie lowered her ample body into one of the wicker rockers. “I take it those Bloomerettes made it to Council Bluffs, then?”

“Bloomer Girls, Aunt Millie, and yes, they arrived in a fancy Pullman Palace car made especially for them.”

“Oh my, that must be something to see.” Aunt Millie picked up a crochet hook and a ball of yarn. “What was it like inside?”

“I didn’t see the inside,” Emily said.

Hank grinned. “If you’d like to, I can give you a personal tour.”

“Excuse me.” Aunt Ethel cleared her throat. “We were discussing Emily’s selection of inappropriate apparel.”

Confusion muddled Aunt Millie’s countenance. “But I thought Emily was talking about the Palace car. You were, weren’t you, dear? My mind isn’t slipping. You know, Ethel tries to tell me it is, but I don’t believe her.”

Hank’s chest rumbled again. Emily glanced at him. He was sucking his cheeks together too. If he didn’t let it out soon, he might burst. Emily patted Aunt Millie’s plump arm. “Your mind is perfectly sound.”

The screen door creaked open, and salvation stepped out. Grandma Kate crossed the yard and sat down at the dining table. “Hello, Emily.”

Emily quickly introduced Hank and explained how he’d insisted on walking her home.

“I take it all is in order for tomorrow’s big game.” She turned to Hank. “Are you ready to play Lake Manawa’s talented nine?”

“Yes, ma’am, I believe we are. We haven’t lost the last ten games.”

“Didn’t you notice her
clothes
?” Aunt Ethel’s voice rose, and she pointed to the bloomers covering Emily’s legs. “She wore them all around the lake and all over the city.”

Grandma Kate beamed. “What an excellent way to promote the game, Emily. Marvelous use of advertising.”

“And those Bloomerettes came in a Palace car,” Aunt Millie said. “But Ethel interrupted, so I haven’t yet heard what it was like inside.”

Emily smiled. “We didn’t see inside it, but I could tell Carter wanted to.”

“Carter.” Aunt Ethel stood and glanced at Hank as if she only now noticed his presence. “What did Mr. Stockton think of you gallivanting about in that?”

“Aunt Ethel, please.”

“Didn’t he give you the uniform, dear?” Aunt Millie asked.

Emily bit her lip. “The Owls did. I’m part of the team.”

Hank smiled at Emily. “Ma’am, does it help to know that all of the Bloomer Girls are wearing similar uniforms?”

“Humph.” Aunt Ethel crossed her arms. “I for one won’t be attending tomorrow’s game. It’s nothing more than a burlesque show on a ball field.”

Emily gasped and Aunt Millie gaped.

“Come sit down, Ethel.” Grandma Kate placed her weathered hand on the chair next to her. “No need for theatrics.”

“Theatrics? You’ve let Emily go so far, your son isn’t even going to recognize his daughter when he returns from England. She carouses without a chaperone on the arm of a man he’d not approve of, she preaches women’s suffrage at every turn, and now she’s running around all creation in bloomers. What would he think of that?”

No one breathed. No one moved.

Finally, Grandma Kate smiled. “I think he’d be very proud of the young woman Emily has blossomed into—a woman who can think for herself.” She stood and pulled Emily into a warm embrace.

Tears stung Emily’s eyes at Grandma Kate’s tender words and the reminder of her parents’ absence. A lonely ache tugged at her heart. “Thank you.”

Her grandmother cupped her cheek. “As for the game, I want a front-row seat. Ethel and Millie, you’ll have to decide for yourselves on attending.”

After Grandma Kate returned to her seat, Emily looked from Aunt Ethel, whose lips were drawn in a thin line, to Aunt Millie. Caught between her two sisters, the plump aunt seemed reticent to answer. If only Aunt Millie had half the ability to speak her mind that Aunt Ethel did.

“I’m going.” Her words came out soft as a whisper and then grew bolder. “I wouldn’t miss something this important to Emily.”

“So you’re going to indulge Emily’s foolishness as well? When all of this explodes, I hope you remember I told you so.” Aunt Ethel tipped her nose in the air and marched back into the house, slamming the screen door in her wake.

Hank shifted nervously.

“Mr. Russell, I apologize for my sister’s behavior.” Grandma Kate laid her hand on Emily’s arm. “Are you all right?”

“She’ll come around, right, Grandma?”

Grandma Kate shrugged. “Either way, you have to do what God calls you to do.”

Waiting in front of the bank was not how Carter wanted to spend his afternoon. Finally, the St. Peter’s bell chimed four o’clock, and Nathan emerged with William DeSoto. After exchanging goodbyes, the two men separated at the foot of the stairs and went in opposite directions. Carter followed the man he needed to speak to.

Quickening his steps, he matched the pace of William DeSoto. “Fine day, isn’t it?”

“Why, yes, Mr. Stockton, it is, but your brother went the other direction.”

“I know, but it’s you with whom I’d like to speak.”

“Me?” DeSoto stopped in front of a hat shop. Propped on stands of various heights, hats of the newest styles in different shapes, colors, and sizes filled the window.

Carter turned to DeSoto. “You’re one of the bank’s managers, correct?”

“I am. Under your brother, of course, but you’re already aware of that.” DeSoto drew his hand down the length of his beard. “Oh, you’re finally considering taking the position Nathan offered.”

“As a manager, what exactly does your job entail?”

“I have a great many jobs such as opening new accounts, overseeing the records of deposits and withdrawals, and preparing statements for our clients.”

“And it’s that middle one I want to talk to you about. Overseeing the records of deposits and withdrawals.” Carter glanced inside the window. The milliner, who seemed to have taken an interest in the two of them, had turned away. With a flick of his wrist, Carter indicated they should continue on.

“It’s not that difficult. You’d get the hang of it quickly, I’m sure.”

“I’m not interested in the position, but I am interested in how deposits and withdrawals are handled.”

“Mr. Stockton, you’re a suspect in Kate Graham’s missing funds. I shouldn’t be talking to you about this. I’m supposed to be investigating you. Is that what this is all about?”

“In a manner of speaking.” He glanced in the window of the Five and Dime as they passed. “I made a deposit today into Kate Graham’s account, and by noon the ledger had been changed. Ironically, you were the only one who had access to it.”

“No, I wasn’t. Jim Wilson was there.”

“Except he was serving as my investigator.” They reached an alley between two large buildings, and Carter yanked DeSoto into the gap. He grabbed the man’s lapels and tossed him against the brick wall. Before the banker could fight back, he pressed his forearm hard against the man’s neck.

“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Carter hissed. “Since tomorrow is the fourth, I’ll give you until the fifth to get all of Mrs. Graham’s money back.”

DeSoto fought to break free. “You’re out of your mind. Why would I do that?”

Carter shoved him back into place against the brick. “Because if you don’t, I’ll go to the police with what I know.”

“And why would they believe you?”

“Do you want to take a chance they wouldn’t?”

DeSoto’s face reddened. “I’m warning you, you don’t want to do this.”

“Why?”

The banker didn’t answer, and Carter leaned even harder against DeSoto’s throat. Eyes bulging, DeSoto dug his hands into Carter’s arm. Finally, Carter let up. “I said why?”

DeSoto coughed and his words came out hoarse. “I’m not admitting anything, but maybe someone’s involved you don’t want to hurt.”

Carter’s stomach wadded into a ball. “I don’t want or need to know who that person is.” He released his hold and adjusted DeSoto’s lapels. “You and your partner get the money back by noon on the fifth, and we can make this whole ugly problem go away.”