Annette nodded, smiling. “Yes, very much.”
During her brief walk around with Annette, Mary came to realize the girl was more than just an employee of the beauty shop. She was a smart girl but had no real motivation. She had to be at least seven years Mary’s senior but she didn’t act like it. She seemed younger; maybe as young as sixteen.
Her maturity level notwithstanding, it was easy to see Annette had a good heart and wasn’t out to hurt anyone with her gossiping. She just liked to let everyone know the news. Maybe more of a busy-body than a gossiper.
Mary got up and made two cups of coffee, asking her new friend over her shoulder if she wanted any milk or sugar in it. Annette took both and Mary swirled the milk in until the coffee was a rich, creamy, light brown color.
She brought the two cups over to the chairs and sat down, handing one to Annette.
“I had a flood in my house tonight,” Mary said. Annette’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“Oh no! There’s just been too much rain. How did that happen?”
“It came in from the porch under the front door. I guess the floorboards are slanted and the rain hit them just right to make it come right into the house.”
“Did you stop it? I mean, I guess you can’t stop something like that, can you?”
Mary explained how she had the boards arranged to push the water across the porch and off the side. Annette looked at her like she was a genius.
“I never would have thought to do something like that! How smart of you!”
Mary grinned. She hadn’t expected the compliment. It felt good.
“Thank you,” she responded. “It’s actually not my house. And my friend who lives there wouldn’t be happy if her home was flooded while she was away.”
Annette shook her head, taking a sip of the coffee. “A flood isn’t exactly something you can help now, is it?” she asked.
Mary shrugged. “No, I suppose not. Still, I feel responsible for it at least while I’m staying there. I have to try to protect her property. That’s why I’m there to begin with. And to feed her dogs.”
Annette laughed. “You must be a very good friend, if someone left you to watch their dogs.”
“Eh, I try to be the best I can be.” Mary was glad she’d stopped to talk to Annette. “I love those dogs. She takes great care of them, too.”
“I think that sounds like a lot of fun.”
Mary sat quietly for a moment, enjoying her hot coffee. She would have continued to enjoy the silence if a clap of thunder outside hadn’t broken the quiet, making everyone in the room, including Mary, jump and stare at the windows.
“You don’t think the glass will break, do you?”
Mary didn’t really know. If a tornado came through, they were all completely unprepared. But there was no reason to hide out if it was just a thunderstorm. She gave Annette a skeptical look. “I really don’t know, Annette. There’s no way for me to know. I hope not.”
“Are there a lot of tornados around here?” Annette was beginning to look scared. Mary tilted her head to the side, giving the young woman a sympathetic look.
“You haven’t been in Glenwood long?”
Annette shook her head. Mary suddenly understood why she didn’t know the girl very well. She wasn’t a socialite like Sarah, so she hadn’t had much need to go to the beauty parlor. She hadn’t had much need to talk to the girl. She didn’t even know when Annette had moved to Glenwood.
She was ashamed that she’d prejudged the girl as a gossip just because she worked in the beauty parlor. Moments later, Annette leaned closer to her and said in a stage whisper, “To tell you the truth, Mary, I hear a lot about people working where I work.” She shook her head as if disappointed. “You wouldn’t believe some of the things I hear.”
Mary had the sudden urge to giggle. Perhaps Annette was the gossiper she’d originally assumed she was.
Before she could delve into the subject of women’s issues and see what Annette thought about her ideas, a loud crash outside got everyone’s attention.
Mary and Annette jumped to their feet. Everyone turned toward the door.
Calls for an explanation could be heard in the murmurs and calls of the people in the shop.
There was a small surge toward the windows and doors to see what had happened outside to cause the loud noise. Mary was anxious. It sounded like something had exploded.
She pushed her way gently to the big window and peered in between the words painted on the glass. It was dark, but not because of the time of day. The clouds were a deep gray, covering the sky as far as she could see. She scanned the horizon for signs of a tornado but saw no funnels anywhere in the distance.
“It wasn’t a tornado,” she said loudly, over the murmurings of the people around her. “But I think something might have been hit by lightning.”
“Paul, go out there and check,” a woman said to her husband, pulling on his sleeve.
Paul nodded at her and moved toward the door.
“I’ll come with you!”
Mary watched several men go to the door and pull it open. A gust of wind blew through and Paul, who was holding the door, had to grip it hard to keep it from swinging wide. He held it until the rest of the men went through.
The four of them ventured out into the hazardous weather, with their loved ones and neighbors watching from inside.
Mary saw them going toward the corner, where something was smoldering, and she could see black smoke curling up into the air, being whisked around by the harsh wind. The men were holding their hats on their heads with one hand, the fronts of their jackets clutched in the other. They were yelling to each other.
After a few more steps, they turned around and hurried back to the store. Mary was right next to the door, watching through the window, so she went to the door and pulled it open to let them in.
The wind nearly took the door from her hand but she gripped it hard. The sounds were deafening. She felt like they might as well have been in the middle of a tornado.
Once the men were inside, she pushed as hard as she could, leaning all her body weight into the door to close it. She turned the lock before looking at the rest of the group.
“It was a lightning strike, I think,” Paul said, sounding exhausted from the exertion of pushing through the wind and rain. One of the other men was leaning over, his hands clasped against his knees as he tried to draw in a deep breath.
Fear took hold in Mary’s heart. She could only hope the children she taught were safe. And where was Philip? Where was Sarah?
She turned concerned eyes to the window and peered out into the storm.
“Well, I’m not going out in that,” one of the women spoke up, loudly. Mary was reminded of Mrs. Edwards. She was glad the grumpy old coot wasn’t trapped in the general store with her and the others. She was doubly thankful the mayor wasn’t there, trying to take over and pretend like he could control the weather. He’d probably make them all pony up extra cash to fix the damage after the storm passed.
Like anyone could afford it. The budget cuts he’d made all across the board had put a hardship on many residents in Glenwood. He really needed to be taken care of.
Mary had the sudden urge to speak out right then and there. She could picture herself grabbing an empty wooden box, turning it over, standing on it and calling out to everyone. She’d rally them up to go against the mayor, eject him from his position of authority and call in someone better, more trustworthy, more intelligent.
She looked around the room, wondering if anyone fit that bill. It was one thing to oust a leader from his status but to have no one to replace him would just be foolish. She didn’t doubt the town would function fine without a mayor for a time. Still, she didn’t think it was wise to leave that gaping hole open in their local government. Especially since there were people who would lift themselves up and try to take over. The last thing Glenwood needed was its own civil war.
One of the wisest things her father had ever
told her was that people needed to unite behind one person, a person who they trusted to keep their best interests at heart and in mind. A man who would keep the well-being of every resident in town important and relevant.
If women were allowed those types of positions, Mary would have run for the office of mayor. She had strong convictions, was trustworthy, smart, and would get the job done.
But those days, if they ever came, were not yet here. With her help, she hoped the women’s movement would someday result in not just the right to vote for the man running, but to be the woman running for office. She was sure that wouldn’t happen in her lifetime.
That didn’t mean she wasn’t going to try. She wouldn’t give up helping the cause no matter what happened to her. It was just and right.
“I’d give a nickel to know what you’re thinking so deeply about, Miss Mary Ross,” she heard to her left.
She swung her eyes over to see Philip standing next to her smiling, and was immediately covered in chills.
Chapter 26
Philip had waited a few minutes before approaching Mary. She was looking around, obviously so deep in thought she wasn’t really seeing the people in front of her.
He’d come in through the back door because the front lot was packed and his wagon wouldn’t fit close enough to suit him. He knew he could access the store through the back and come through the supply room. Sometimes it was locked but even when it was, Philip had a key.
He thought with amusement that he would have to tell her how he got that key someday. The story was quite amusing. Since he had it in his mind now, he thought he might use it to break the ice.
Philip stepped closer to her and spoke, hoping he wouldn’t startle her too much but knowing it wouldn’t take much. She was very deep in her thoughts. He couldn’t help smiling when her eyes sharpened on his face and she came back to reality.
At first, she almost had a fearful look on her face, like she was expecting to be confronted by an enemy. He wondered who had yelled at her enough to make her react that way when surprised. A wave of sympathy passed through him. The feeling disappeared when Mary got a hold of herself and smiled so brilliantly that Philip wanted to grab her and kiss her.
But he would never do something like that. He could only imagine how angry she’d be. He didn’t want to see her that mad at him. In fact, if he could just stay on her good side permanently, that would be best.
“Hello!” she said, her eyes wide with surprise. “I have been here for nearly an hour and haven’t seen you. Where have you been, Philip Jenkins? You didn’t come in this front door; don’t even try to tell me that.”
He immediately caught her teasing tone and affection for her filled his heart. His chest tightened and he forced himself to think straight. He wasn’t a teenager. He was a 32-year-old man. If he got tongue-tied around a woman because he liked her at his age, he might as well just hang it up.
“It’s actually a funny story,” he launched into the tale, hoping for the smile on her face to stay right where it was. He loved seeing it. “A couple months ago, I was writing a story on the inventory and stock of this store. It was actually last year sometime, I think. I like to try to advertise for Mike whenever I can. He’s a good guy.”
Mary didn’t know the store owner well but she hadn’t heard anything bad about him or his products. She nodded.
“Well, he let me know something that…” Philip looked around him to make sure no one was listening to their conversation. Mary was not the gossiping type and he was going to take a chance this time just because it was her and he knew she wouldn’t talk. “I don’t think he wants anyone to know.” He finished. Mary lifted her eyebrows curiously.
“He kind of has some memory problems. He’s forgetful. Has to write notes to himself all the times so he doesn’t forget things. He uses up a lot of paper like that. Shame.” Philip shook his head. The paper was an extra cost. Mike was probably using the same piece, writing several notes on it and on the back before discarding it or burning it. “Point of the story is that he gave me a key to do research while he wasn’t open and it was quiet. I forgot to give it back.”
Mary looked shocked for a moment. He was amused by the look on her face. He grinned wide.
“Don’t worry; he knows I still have it. A few months after I wrapped up the article, he lost his keys. Couldn’t get in. I just happened to come along before he broke a window or something and offered him my key. I didn’t even remember I had it until I saw him in that predicament.”
The pleasant look on Mary’s face told Philip she’d relaxed and enjoyed listening to his story.
“After that, he said that I could keep the key and probably should, so if he ever loses his again, he’ll just come find me.”
“Well, that’s really nice, Philip,” Mary remarked quietly. He could see by the way she was looking directly at him, she had listened to ever word. “You showed how trustworthy you are. I’m sure you could have come in and taken anything you wanted without him noticing until his inventory doesn’t match his numbers.”
He was impressed by her intelligence once again. Nodding, he replied, “Yes, and then he would automatically think of the only person who has been messing with his inventory in the last few months. What good would it do me? It would destroy a friendship and cost me my freedom and more money in fines and penalties.” Philip shook his head. “I don’t think so. He does trust me. I’m glad he does.”
Mary’s smile was warm. He liked the way she parted her lips enough to see her teeth behind them. It was a pretty smile for a pretty woman. “Has he needed it since?”
Philip chuckled. “No. He sure hasn’t.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here.” Mary was suddenly serious. Philip figured he was about to find out what had been on her mind a few minutes before. “I want to talk to you about something.”
“I hate to rush you,” Philip said. “But I’ve got to get supplies and take them back to my ma and pa. I just wanted to see if you’re okay. Looks like a lot of people feel trapped here because of that storm outside.”
Mary tilted her head, staring at him. “You don’t feel trapped? You aren’t going to stay?”
Philip was a little taken aback. The storm outside was bad. But he’d ventured out in it to get his parents the things they needed because to him, it was just a little water and a lot of wind. He could deal just fine with both. He had his raincoat, head covering, galoshes, gloves; even his horse had a cape draped over her so the animal wouldn’t get sick.
Since he’d brought the wagon so he could take all the supplies he needed in one trip, he’d outfitted another horse with the same raincoat. He didn’t want any sick animals.
“I’m not staying here. My parents need me. Why did you come out in this? What could have been so important?”
A look of worry came over her face and Philip was sorry he’d questioned her. It probably sounded like he was taking her intelligence for granted and calling her stupid. He hoped she wasn’t thinking that.
“I’m staying in a cottage for a friend for a couple weeks,” she replied. “And tonight, there was water coming in under the front door. I’m worried and don’t know what to do. I thought I’d come and gets some sand bags and towels and anything else I can use to fix the problem.”
Philip was impressed by the young woman’s initiative.
It was a shame to see her bravery kept at bay by the storm outside. But he understood. His reaction to the storm was not one a common one.
“I’ll tell you what,” he proposed, gazing into her eyes. “I’ll take you and your supplies with me in my wagon. I’ll take my parents what they need and help them set everything up. Maybe you can help, too. Then I’ll come with you to your place and fix your flooding problem, if I can.”
His Rainbow After the Rain Page 16