Tenacious Love (Banished Saga, Book Four): Banished Saga, Book Four (41 page)

I miss you. I miss teasing you, laughing about something only you or I would understand. Sharing my paintings with you. Hearing about your inventions. I miss everything. What I wouldn’t give to hear you whisper “Zee” in my ear as you held me close.

Keep my letter next to your heart, my love, for that is where you are for me. I love you, Teddy. It still scares me how much I feel for you, but I refuse to run away from my feelings again.

I dream of the day I can look in your eyes and tell you that I love you in person.

Your Zee

T
he car lumbered
over a hill before making a slight turn. Zylphia gasped as she glanced out the window. “Oh my, look at those mountains.”

“Mr. Pickens always said the Bitter Root Mountains were his favorite,” Clarissa said as she stifled a groan when they hit a pothole. “They are majestic,” Clarissa breathed.

“That there’s the Como Peaks,” their driver said helpfully. “We’ll be in Darby in a matter of minutes.”

“Do you know where the Carlins live?” Clarissa asked as she hissed at another jolt.

“You bet. Everyone knows Sebastian and his missus.” He grinned at Clarissa, sitting beside him in the front seat. “He ensures his men have enough work but also time to hunt. Everybody likes Seb.”

“He’s a good man,” Clarissa said. She glanced out the window as Darby came into view.

They passed a school on the edge of the town before the road dipped and curved, entering the main part of Darby, cutting through the heart of town. A few of the buildings, including a saloon and a bank, were constructed of redbrick, although the majority were wooden. Men in rough work clothes lingered on the boardwalks or loitered outside saloons, openly staring at the automobile as it trundled into town.

The driver turned left down a side street, taking them one block off the main thoroughfare and came to a lurching stop in front of a small two-story home painted in an evergreen color. A pair of rocking chairs sat on one side of the large front porch. Clarissa heaved open the passenger-side door and tumbled out, groaning with relief to be out of the car.

Zylphia and Savannah followed her, exiting the backseat, nearly crashing into her. They giggled as they waited for the driver to unload their luggage. “You’ll come back the day after tomorrow to drive us to Hamilton?” Savannah asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said as he lifted out their small traveling bags. “Enjoy your stay in Darby.”

They each hefted their small bag and approached the front door. Clarissa raised her hand to knock when the front door swung open.

“Rissa!” Amelia squealed. She pushed open the screen door and launched herself into Clarissa’s arms. They rocked for a moment before Amelia released her and grasped Savannah in a tight embrace.

“Oh, it’s wonderful to see you both again.” Her eyes lit on Zylphia. “I beg your pardon. I didn’t mean to exclude you.” She frowned as she examined Zylphia, noting her McLeod coloring. She raised an eyebrow to Clarissa and Savannah as she ushered them inside.

“This is Zylphia, Aidan’s daughter,” Savannah said. “She’s come to help us canvass for the vote.”

“How wonderful,” Amelia said as she leaned forward and embraced Zylphia. “I’m delighted to finally meet you. Please, set down your cases and hang your hat and coats on the stand there.” She pointed to a rack by the front door. “If you don’t object, let’s move to the kitchen.”

Clarissa laughed. “As long as I’m not expected to cook.” She looked to Zylphia to explain. “Amelia is a wonderful cook and taught me all I know. I was her first student and most likely her worst.”

“Hush such nonsense,” Amelia said as she led them through a comfortable living area with mismatched chairs and settees, a formal dining room with the table already set for the evening meal and into the kitchen. A scarred large wooden table sat in the middle of the big bright room. The wood stove emitted much-needed warmth on this cool early September afternoon. Amelia waved to them to sit at the table. “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”

She moved toward the stove where a kettle of water sat warming and made a pot of tea. “How is the canvassing progressing?” she asked.

“It would be easier if my automobile hadn’t broken down last week.” Savannah shook her head in disgust. “We’ll have to return in October for more canvassing as we can’t travel to all the small towns and rural homes as planned without our own means of transport.”

“Other than your travel problems, how is it going?” Amelia asked with a smile.

“Well, although it is hard at times to bite our tongues at some of the ridiculous things said to us …” Zylphia began with a roll of her eyes.

Amelia frowned with curiosity.

“For example, a man yesterday told me there would be no point to marriage if his wife could vote too, because she thinks as he does in all things and couldn’t possible have a use for the vote. It would simply give two votes to the same candidate.” Zylphia huffed out a sigh of disgust.

“How are they reacting to a group of eastern women advising them how to vote?” Amelia asked, biting her lip as she fought a smile.

“Fairly well,” Clarissa said. “When I explain I’ve lived here for thirteen years and Sav for over eleven, that helps. I hate that, the moment I speak, I’m thought of as an outsider.”

“Well, everyone in Montana is an outsider of sorts, so you shouldn’t take it personally. It’s more that they’d hate to think they’re being told how to act or vote.” Amelia grinned as she looked at Zylphia. “I imagine you could be too forward thinking for many.”

“It’s no different than what I’ve heard in Boston,” Zylphia said as she shrugged her shoulders, either in resignation or agreement. “It’s all the same. Men, and women, afraid of change.”

“Well, as Sophie would say, the one constant we can rely on is change,” Clarissa said.

“Could I join you tomorrow?” Amelia asked. “I know it’s not much of a contribution, but I’d like to do something.”

“That would be wonderful. It would also help if the locals see that one of their own is supportive,” Savannah said as she took a sip of tea.

“And that you are our friend,” Clarissa murmured. “Too many times when we’ve come into a town, we’ve been seen as radical outsiders from the big city of Missoula, and it’s taken time we didn’t have to convince people to listen to us.”

Amelia nodded with enthusiasm at the thought of being part of the canvassing.

“Amelia, how are your children?” Savannah asked.

“Very well. I can’t believe how quickly they are growing,” she said as her eyes lit with a mother’s pride.

“I can’t believe you have seven children!” Clarissa said.

“Seven?” Zylphia asked. “I remember someone remarking that you had quite a few, but I never thought to ask how many.”

“Yes, we’ve been quite blessed,” Amelia said with a broad smile. “Thankfully Sebastian has a good job, and I’m able to add to our income by selling sandwiches to the workers.”

“Where do you sell them?” Savannah asked.

“In a few of the local saloons.”

Clarissa choked on her tea while Zylphia’s eyes widened. “You’ve been in a saloon?” Clarissa gasped.

“Yes, numerous times.”

“Why did you never mention this in one of your letters?”

Amelia attempted to bite back a smile and failed. She nodded to Clarissa. “I know how it would upset Gabriel, and I had no desire to provoke his concern.”

“And Sebastian knows this?” Savannah asked, shaking her head in surprise.

“Yes. He’s quite supportive,” Amelia said as she laughed at her friends’ dazed expressions. “It’s not that scandalous.”

“Yes, it is,” Clarissa said as she shook her head at Amelia. “Tomorrow, are we expected to canvass in saloons?”

“Well, the majority of the men will congregate there,” Amelia said. “And, if you are with me selling sandwiches, they’ll be more apt to listen to you.”

“Oh my,” Savannah said as she sat back in her chair, shaking her head. “I’m not sure I could do that.”

“I’ll be happy to join you,” Zylphia said. “It seems like quite the adventure.” Her smile dimmed. “It would give me something interesting and exciting to write to Teddy.”

Amelia nodded, sparing Zylphia any questions when the back door burst open.

“Mama!” a blond-haired girl said as she burst into the kitchen. “Guess what I …” She broke off, her eyes going round as she beheld the visitors. “Aunt Clarissa!” she shrieked as she ran around the table to fling herself in Clarissa’s arms.

“Annie, darling,” Clarissa said as she held her close and kissed her on the side of her head. “Oh, how you’ve grown.” She shared a smile with Amelia. “I find it’s the same with Geraldine. They keep growing no matter how much I want them to remain my little angels forever.”

“How long can you stay?” Annie asked, bouncing around to give Savannah and Zylphia hugs. “Nice to meet you!” She said to Zylphia before returning to Clarissa’s side to burrow into her. Annie sighed with contentment when Clarissa gave her a soft squeeze.

“I’ve missed you, Annie,” Clarissa said before the girl raced away to wash her hands and help her mother.

Nicholas clomped into the room, wiping his boots on the rug outside before entering the kitchen. “They came,” he said with a broad smile.

Clarissa, Savannah and Zylphia had stood at this point to hug the children as they trickled in from school.

“My, how you’ve grown, Nickie,” Savannah said as she ruffled his russet-colored hair. “I can’t believe you’re almost seventeen.”

He puffed out his chest with pride. “I’ve begun to help my father at the mill.”

“As long as you continue with your studies and don’t fall behind,” Amelia said with a hint of a warning in her voice. “I don’t mind you working at the mill, but you will complete your education.” She set down a sliced loaf of warm cinnamon bread with butter, and the children fell on the snack as though they hadn’t eaten in days.

While the children ate, Amelia introduced them to Zylphia. “You’ve met Nicholas and Annie. Mary is ten, Adam is nine,” Amelia said, stroking a hand over their shoulders. “Then there’s Shane who is seven, and David’s six.”

“I thought you had seven children,” Zylphia asked, confused.

“John is away playing with a friend this afternoon. Come. Let me show you to your room,” Amelia said. “I wish I had space for each of you to have your own room, but it’s not possible.”

“Amelia, we’re thankful to have this time with you. We know what an inconvenience it is to have us here.”

“Not at all,” Amelia said with a wave of her hand. “It’s our pleasure. We don’t travel to Missoula nearly as often as I’d like. It’s a major outing with all nine of us. Although I appreciate letters, it’s never the same as seeing you.” Her smile included all three women.

She walked down a long hallway and opened a door. “We fit a single bed in here along with the double that’s usually here, but it is quite cramped.”

“This is lovely,” Savannah said as she moved toward the single bed that appeared to be a cot. “This will suit us just fine.”

“I agree,” Zylphia said as she inched her way toward the double bed. “I can’t imagine needing anything more.”

“Oh, stop it!” Amelia said with a laugh. “At least we’ll be together, and that’s all that matters.”

A few hours later, Sebastian’s deep voice resonated throughout the house as he called out, “I’m home!” The squeals of delight from the children as they raced toward him provoked smiles as Clarissa and Savannah rose to greet him.

“Sebastian,” Clarissa said. “It’s wonderful to see you.”

“Clarissa,” he said as he enfolded her in a hug. “It’s been too long since we’ve seen you.” He turned to Savannah and gave her a quick hug, and then nodded to Zylphia.

“Seb, this is Zylphia, although we call her Zee. Aidan’s daughter,” Clarissa said.

“Ah, that’s why you have the look of a McLeod about you, although I detect a touch of Delia in you too,” he said as he studied her. “Around the eyes. I met your mother a few years ago when they visited.”

Zylphia smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.” He gripped her shoulder before turning to watch Amelia enter the room, his eyes lit with love and pride as he beheld her.

“How was your day?” Amelia asked, running a quick hand down one of his arms.

“Fine. The usual. No one was hurt, and we have a shipment ready to head out tomorrow on the train,” he said as he tucked a strand of hair behind one of her ears. “Dinner smells delicious.”

“It’s a roast, and we’ll eat in the dining room tonight.”

“Then I’d better wash up,” he said with a smile as he winked at their guests. He walked with a barely discernible limp.

When they sat for dinner, Clarissa turned to Sebastian. “Is there any chance you could be transferred back to run the mill in Missoula?”

“I could apply for one of the newer ones, like the one run by Mr. Polley, but I have no interest in leaving Darby. We have a good home here, and I like the men I work with. I run a good mill.”

“I never doubted you did,” Clarissa said, belatedly realizing her question could be construed as critical in some manner. “It’s just I wish you lived closer.”

“It’s not that far,” he said with a wry smile. “Although those final few miles in an automobile or carriage do seem to last an infernal distance, don’t they?”

Savannah laughed. “I thought a rib would rattle loose today as we drove here from the station in Grantsdale. Our driver took great care to land in every pothole in the road!”

“I know my father loves his automobile and encourages me to ride in it as often as possible, but I always prefer to ride in a streetcar instead,” Zylphia said.

“Well, you don’t have that option here.” Amelia laughed.

“At this point, walking doesn’t seem half bad,” Zylphia muttered.

“We should have planned better when we learned Sav’s automobile was not available and decided to canvass while riding our bicycles throughout the valley,” Clarissa said.

Amelia and Sebastian laughed at the thought.

Clarissa continued her argument. “Susan B. Anthony believed the bicycle would bring great freedom to women, and she was correct.”

“Yes, but I can’t imagine you bicycling all those miles, arriving disheveled and shrouded in dust, showing the citizens of each town that you were respectable women worthy of listening to. I think you’ve opted for the correct course of action,” Sebastian said. He winked at Amelia as he pushed away his plate. “Who’ll join Amelia as she makes her rounds through the saloons tomorrow?”

Clarissa tapped him on his arm. “I can’t believe you condone such actions!”

“Of course I do. She’s insistent in earning money for the family, and she could conceive of no other way. She can’t teach because she’s married.” Sebastian watched Amelia as she tended to their youngest child, John.