Triumphant Love: Banished Saga, Book Nine

by Flightner, Ramona

  Clarissa formed a cheering section with Little Colin and the younger children, and she was joined by Delia, Sophie, Florence, Fiona, Rowena, Genevieve, Ronan, and Araminta. Soon the fierce competition began, and the women were chastised for playing favorites.

  “How can I not?” Clarissa murmured, winking at Gabriel as he winked back before he wound up his arm, as though loosening it before pitching to Richard. She cheered as Gabriel sent a fast pitch in his brother’s direction.

  Delia laughed as Aidan called a strike, and Richard howled with indignation, but Gabriel preened at having tricked his brother with his pitch. “Oh, they do love their competitiveness,” Delia laughed.

  Zylphia called from the outfield for Richard to stop being a crybaby, earning a scowl as she giggled with Calvin. Billy jumped up and down with his hand outstretched, as though waiting for a ball to miraculously fall from the sky.

  Teddy was the next batter up, and he swung his bat a few times to prepare for Gabriel’s pitch. He smirked when Zylphia taunted him that this was harder than cricket, but Teddy maintained his focus on Gabriel. Teddy swung, hitting the ball in a soaring arc, over everyone in the outfield and past the far reaches of the backyard into the alley. A shattering sound was heard, and he cringed.

  “Run!” Richard yelled, and Teddy dropped his bat and raced around the bases.

  Teddy reached home to a hero’s welcome as Richard, Ian, Perry, and Patrick pounded him on the back.

  Aidan shook his head in disgust, before clapping him on his shoulder. “Can’t you play without breaking something?” Aidan asked. He looked to Zylphia to see her worried expression.

  “I fear we cracked the front window of the baron’s automobile,” Zylphia said, as she joined the group near home plate.

  “Oh, no,” Jeremy breathed. “I was supposed to return it to him tomorrow.”

  “It was nice of him to let you use his latest model ReVere Touring Car,” Gabriel said with a grimace.

  With Teddy’s home run, and the cracking of the baron’s windshield, they decided to call it a game. The boys ran around, picking up cushions and cleaning up, while laughing and chattering. Geraldine and Nickie slinked away behind the shed, and Myrtle joined her mother and aunts. Breandan had crawled into Ronan’s lap and had fallen asleep for his afternoon nap.

  “Next time you’re catcher,” Zylphia said with a grin, as she kissed her husband’s cheek.

  “Next time you’ll be on the sideline,” he murmured, his gaze filled with love and the hope of what was to come.

  She flushed and then shushed him, wanting to wait a little while longer before sharing their secret with the family.

  * * *

  Zylphia had entered the house for a sketch pad, as she wanted to capture a few scenes of her family so she could paint them later. She noted the afternoon newspaper had been delivered and scanned the headlines, freezing in place as she reread the headline over and over. With a gasp, she dropped her pad and raced down the hallway and then outside. Zylphia rushed toward Sophie, pulling out a chair and holding out the afternoon newspaper. “Have you seen this, Sophie?” she asked in a rush.

  “No, I’ve been enjoying the party, not out purchasing the peddled tittle-tattle of hawkers of gossip.” Sophie pulled the paper from Zylphia’s hand, her eyes widening as she stared in stunned silence at the headline, “Suffrage Is Ratified.” She gasped, and her hand shook as she traced the words with her fingers. “It happened,” she breathed, as she reached for Zylphia’s hand. “It truly happened.”

  Zylphia nodded, her eyes filling with tears as she hugged her friend and mentor. “Yes, Sophie. Because women like you never gave up. You fought and fought and believed that women deserved the same rights as men.”

  Sophie harrumphed, although her favorite noise lacked any bark, and she appeared to battle tears. “Bah, I used my paltry influence and considerable fortune. You suffered physically, while giving the cause a few of your most precious years of your life.” She gazed at Zylphia with extraordinary fondness. “You should be very proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

  “I am,” Zylphia said with a smile, as she continued to stare at the headline proclaiming the passage of the nineteenth amendment in Tennessee, granting universal suffrage. She scanned the article, reading about the youngest member of the Tennessee House, changing his vote to be in favor of suffrage after he received a telegram from his mother, urging him to vote for the amendment. His vote had changed the course of history. The amendment would be truly ratified when the Secretary of State certified the results in the upcoming days. However, that was a mere formality now that thirty-six states had voted in favor of the amendment.

  “Although you must not fool yourself that this means all women have the right to vote, Zee. I’m certain there will soon be laws enacted to bar women in the south from voting.” She tapped her cane in frustration. “And you must never believe this amendment means we have the same rights as men. That is a dream far from realized.”

  Clarissa and Rowena raced toward them, their expressions filled with delight. “Have you heard?” Clarissa gasped, as she came to a stuttering stop in front of them. Zylphia jumped up, and she, Rowena, and Clarissa hugged and hopped in place with their joy. “I can’t believe it’s finally happened.” Clarissa sighed. “Although it doesn’t mean much of a change for my life here in Montana.”

  Sophronia gave her a disapproving look. “It’s the principle, Clarissa.” She smiled as her younger friend flushed.

  Aidan wandered over, curious at their display of emotion. He glanced with mild curiosity at the newspaper Sophronia thrust at him and then stilled as he read the headline. “Marvelous,” he breathed, as he pulled his daughter into a tight embrace.

  He whistled, calling the extended family to order. He motioned for Zylphia and Clarissa to speak, as he held the newspaper high.

  Zylphia looked at Clarissa, who motioned for her to talk. “I don’t know if you have had the good fortune of hearing the news,” Zylphia said, as she beamed at her family. “But the suffrage amendment has passed!” Her smile broadened even farther as she saw Teddy’s elation at the news. “We won the vote for women!”

  A huge cheer went up, as they hugged, laughed, and cried. Lemonade was raised rather than whiskey, and toasts rang out for the tenacious, triumphant women.

  * * *

  As the late afternoon turned into early evening, the children no longer ran around in excited circles but rested near their cousins and parents. Colin pointed out shapes in the puffy clouds, and they laughed at the outrageous ideas they came up with as the evening cooled.

  Aidan cleared his voice, attracting everyone’s attention. After a few moments, they formed a half circle as they faced him. “My wonderful family,” he said. “Too soon we will be separated by distance. However, I know that I will cherish the time we have spent together and will dream of another occasion where we are all reunited once again. However, before our family party ends, I believe there are a few announcements, and then I have one more thing to say.”

  He stepped aside when Richard cleared his throat. “As you know, the past weeks my family and I have spent here have been a balm to our spirits. We love Boston, but I hadn’t realized how much we missed being near Gabriel, Jeremy, and their families.” He looked around at his extended family, his eyes glistening as he saw Gabriel and Jeremy standing stoically beside each other and Billy draping an arm over Calvin’s shoulder. “What Florence and I have discovered is that we have no desire to leave. We have decided to move to Missoula.”

  He beamed at his brothers as they gaped at him and then gave a whoop of delight as they rushed him, nearly bowling him over and toppling him backward. Only Gabriel’s fierce hold on him kept him upright.

  Billy gave as loud a yell as his father, wrapping his arms around Calvin and holding on tightly. “We’ll go to school together!” he shouted. “He’ll be my best friend.”

  Richard nodded as he swiped a tear off his cheek, one arm slung over Gabriel’
s shoulder, the other over Jeremy’s. “Yes. It’s as it should be.”

  Once the family had calmed after Richard’s announcement, Teddy stepped forward, his hand linked with Zylphia’s.

  Sophie stomped her cane on the ground, saying in a loud, imperious manner, “You’d better not abandon me too, my Zee.”

  Zylphia smiled in her direction and shook her head.

  Teddy swallowed a chuckle and squeezed his wife’s hand. “Zylphia and I have the greatest delight of informing you that we will be parents sometime in the new year.”

  Another wave of well-wishing, hugs, laughter, and cheers ensued. Sophronia heaved herself up, brandishing her cane to clear her path to Zylphia. She pulled Zylphia close, whispering in her ear, “I’m so happy for you, my darling Zee.”

  “Thank you, Sophie.” Zylphia squeezed her tightly for a moment and then eased back to smile into Sophie’s gaze, filled with love and pride. “Thank you for everything. Always.”

  Sophie traced a finger over her cheek and nodded as she backed away for others to offer their congratulations. She embraced Teddy before settling in her chair again.

  Finally Aidan called them to order again. He raised his glass, filled with lemonade rather than his preferred whiskey, for a toast. “We have known trials and tragedies. We have wondered if our love was strong enough to overcome our fears, our desolation, our sorrows, and our doubts. However, we have learned that our love is tenacious. And today, standing here with those I love most in this world, I know that we will always triumph over adversity. Simply because we love with abandon.”

  He raised his glass higher, meeting each person’s gaze. “To our family. May we always remember those we have loved and lost. May we cherish those we have been blessed to love now. And may we always have the support, love, and guidance of our extraordinary family.”

  A final cheer rose, sending his prayer into the heavens, like a benediction.

  Epilogue

  Sophronia donned a bright aquamarine dress that matched her eyes. She stared in her mirror as she pinned a matching hat at a jaunty angle, her blue eyes dancing with anticipation. At the knock on her front door, she walked with the step of a much younger woman to her front sitting room, although she still leaned heavily on her cane.

  She stared at the painting Zylphia had gifted her a few years ago of the dawn’s soft light over the Charles River. Somehow the simple promise of a new day had always given her the fortitude to continue to struggle for what she believed in and to fight for those she loved.

  As the door to her sitting room opened, she turned to face the young women she considered family. Zylphia McLeod entered with a broad smile and sparking blue eyes, her sapphire-blue dress cut loose in an attempt to conceal her pregnancy. Parthena Wheeler had an air of contentment about her. She wore a bright red dress, enhancing her striking good looks and beautiful blond hair. Rowena Hawke entered last, her dark green dress accenting her shiny chestnut hair and enhancing her subtle beauty. By tacit agreement, all the women had agreed to wear bold colors today. They wanted everyone to notice them and their actions.

  “Are we ready?” Sophie asked in her scratchy, authoritative voice.

  “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life,” Parthena said.

  “Except my wedding,” Zylphia said with a wink.

  Soon they had descended the front steps, and they climbed into Sophie’s waiting car. Although their destination wasn’t distant, it would be a difficult walk for Sophie. The driver smoothly entered traffic, and they settled in for a short trip.

  “Parthena, how is Eudora?” Rowena asked.

  “Mourning, although I think she is mourning the dream more than the reality of her marriage.” Parthena sighed. “It came as a shock to her to realize just how little they had when Owen died. She’s never had to work a day in her life, and now that is a real possibility for her.”

  “Such a shocking way to die,” Sophie muttered. They all quieted a moment, considering Owen Hubbard, Parthena’s former brother-in-law, who had died in the September bombing across the street from the J. P. Morgan building on Wall Street in New York City, along with thirty-seven others.

  “I give thanks every day Teddy decided to skip that meeting,” Zylphia murmured, clutching her hands on her belly. “I don’t know what I would have done.”

  “It doesn’t bear considering,” Sophie said.

  “No,” Zylphia murmured, as she thought about her husband, whom she had left that morning, alive and well in his study, looking over financial accounts for clients.

  The car came to a smooth halt, and Zylphia shared a satisfied smile with Sophronia as she stared outside. “Finally.” She exited and then held out a hand for her stalwart friend. “I have a surprise for us.”

  “Surprise?” Sophie asked.

  Zylphia nodded and then motioned for a young man to approach them. “Yes, if you could take a photo of the four of us?”

  She had Sophie stand in the middle of the group with the three younger women around her. They smiled broadly as the young man took their photograph, the banner proclaiming Polling Station in large legible lettering behind them. “If you could deliver four copies to my house?” At his nod, she linked her arm with Sophronia.

  “Come,” Sophie said with a delighted smile. “It’s time to take our rightful place as citizens.” Her eyes sparkled with tears of delight, as she took a step into the polling station. She stood tall as she waited in line, stating her name with pride when it was her turn. “Sophronia Chickering.”

  The man running the polling station found her name, and she was handed a ballot. Her hands shook as she ran her fingers over the smooth piece of paper. After taking a deep breath, she walked with a purposeful stride to a voting booth and swiped at a tear before she marked her ballot and then sealed it. Upon exiting the booth, she waited until her friends joined her.

  When they stood together, she met each of their exultant gazes. “It is only appropriate that we do this together.” They reached forward, sliding their ballots, one after the other, into the ballot box. After a moment Sophie said, “Finally we are triumphant.”

  A Special Thank You From Ramona

  Hi!

  I can’t thank you enough for being such a loyal, enthusiastic reader of the Banished Saga. None of this would have been possible without you.

  It is a very bittersweet moment for me, as I began dreaming of the Saga and its characters nearly ten years ago as I sat by a stream in Montana. While I listened to the soothing sound of water playing over rocks, I envisioned a family, separated by circumstance and place, but never by love.

  Thus, the Saga was born. My father always told me that the Saga would be a ten year endeavor. I laughed when he first told me that, as I thought I’d write one, maybe two, novels in the Saga. Here I am, all these books later, and it’s been nearly ten years. How right he was!

  Thank you again for joining me on this marvelous journey and I hope you enjoy the other worlds I create as well.

  Love and hugs,

  Ramona

  Historical Notes

  As you know, the Saga is steeped in the historical times of the character’s lives. Triumphant Love is no different.

  The great molasses flood in Boston occurred on January 15, 1919 and has been called a man made “tsunami” as waves of molasses roared through the North End, mangling elevated streetcar lines, and drowning anyone and anything in its path in a sticky muck. Stephen Puleo wrote an excellent book called Dark Tide: The Great Molasses Flood of 1919.

  Mercury poisoning was somewhat common in the late teens and early 1920’s. I read a book called The Poisoner’s Handbook, and mercury became my poison of choice for Henry. Forensic science was a nascent science at that time, but they could, eventually, discover the source of such an illness. Rarely could a patient be saved.

  As with all of my novels from Tenacious through Triumphant, I’ve relied on many sources for suffrage information. One book that I have found the most helpful and re
adable is A Woman’s Crusade: Alice Paul and the Battle for the Ballot by Mary Walton. The headline Zylphia and Sophie read in the newspaper is the actual headline that announced the passage of suffrage in the local Montana papers. I found it in my research in the Library of Congress database of newspapers.

  Also by Ramona Flightner

  Bear Grass Springs Series

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  Immerse yourself in 1880’s Montana as the MacKinnon siblings and their extended family find love!

  Montana Untamed (BGS, Book 1)

  Montana Grit (BGS, Book 2)

  Montana Maverick (BGS, Book 3)

  Montana Renegade(BGS, Book 4)

  Jubilant Montana Christmas (BGS, Book 5)

  Montana Wrangler (BGS, Book 6)

  Unbridled Montana Passion (BGS, Book 7)

  Montana Vagabond (BGS, Book 8)

  Exultant Montana Christmas (BGS, Book 9)

  Lassoing a Montana Heart, BGS, Book 10)- Coming 2020!

  Healing Montana Love, BGS Book 11) Coming 2020!