His Rainbow After the Rain

by Grace Clemens

  Philip was in his chair, brooding, when Matthew came in. He focused his attention on the young man and for the first time, heard the noise coming from outside. He sat up, distracted from his angry thoughts.

  “What’s going on out there?” he asked before Matthew could speak, pushing himself to his feet with his hands on the desk.

  “Paul Ranyard is working the crowd out there. He’s gonna run for mayor! You should write about his efforts.”

  Philip’s chest hurt. The anxiety of it all was wearing him down. He couldn’t please everyone at once. The first thing he should have jumped on was replacing Hanover as mayor and doing his part by spreading the word about Ranyard. He knew Paul. He would make a good fit as mayor.

  But if he printed anything about Ranyard, Hanover was sure to levy that back tax debt on him and he would be forced to close down or sell his printing business. Glenwood needed the paper. It was the only way everyone could know what was going on in town and in the country, the world.

  The articles should be interesting and valuable, dispensing information as well as entertaining the townsfolk. Not with lies but with facts. It wasn’t always easy to make facts interesting, but some things were worth trying.

  Mary was surely as mad as a hornet. That weighed heavily on him. He didn’t want to argue with her. She was just so stubborn and pig-headed. Sometimes he didn’t understand her, as much as he wanted to.

  If he lost his business, he wasn’t the only one who would suffer. His parents would feel the brunt of it as well, since he was always helping them when they needed it. He would have to get a physical job and work long hours to support them.

  The doctor had taken John to the clinic to do a thorough examination. He’d sent Emma on her way as soon as she came through the door looking panicked. He reassured her that John was fine. She was big with child and it worried Philip that this accident might hurt her or her baby. He didn’t know anything about pregnant women. He’d never had a need.

  Emma actually looked a little angry at what he was saying. She didn’t respond though, she just turned around and ran out. Well, hurried out as fast as a large, pregnant woman could.

  Philip followed Matthew outside and into the crowd. He scanned it for Mary.

  “I saw Mary in the salon, boss,” Matthew said. When Philip looked down at him, he could tell Matthew knew something was going on. From the look he was giving, he approved of the relationship. “I left her out here but… I don’t see her now.” Matthew was looking toward the salon at the end of the street. Philip assumed that must be where he left her. “She told me to come get you and tell you what’s going on out here. Frankly, I’m surprised you didn’t hear it yourself.”

  Philip shook his head. “I was pretty deep in thought, I guess.”

  “Well, this would make a great story. Mary should have stuck around so she could write about it. I know Mr. Ranyard would love to have his name advertised as the mayoral opponent to Hanover.” Matthew glanced at him before returning his eyes to the man on the box yelling about the unfair treatment of the residents of Glenwood by the current mayor. “I guess you’ll have to write it, Mr. Jenkins.”

  Philip wanted nothing more than to write an article for Mr. Ranyard. But if he printed something like that, he would put his business in jeopardy. That thought would not leave his mind. It wasn’t going to go away. But to be a neutral party in politics, a newspaper was required to cover both sides of a campaign.

  Both men deserved to be equally exposed to those who would vote for the mayor. Philip didn’t want to play favorites, though if he could, he would have been getting votes for Ranyard long before Hanover. He could easily be biased and throw the full weight and support of his newspaper behind Ranyard.

  But could he take that chance?

  He went around the desk and headed for the doorway. When Matthew saw him coming, he took a hurried step back and then spun around to go outside with Philip.

  As soon as he stepped out from the building, Philip had to lift his hand to block the sun from his eyes. He could see Paul down the street, standing on a wooden box, making him two feet taller than his audience. He was shaking his fist in the air and his words drifted in their direction.

  “I know I’m not the only one who feels the brunt of the tyrannical rule we are under right now. Not only is Hanover known for his ineffectiveness as mayor, he is also known for disappearing when leadership is needed most! I guarantee if you elect me in his place, you won’t have to worry about that. You will always have an open door to me. I will never hear anyone say, ‘where were you when we needed you’. I will always be there for each and every one of you, to listen to your concerns and address them accordingly and quickly.”

  Cheers went through the crowd and several men raised their fists, pumping them in the air.

  Philip continued listening, his arms crossed over his chest, leaning up against the pole holding up one side of the porch roof. He liked what he was hearing. He made a mental note to write all of this down and put the event in the newspaper. More people needed to know about Ranyard.

  Philip knew the man as a concerned, strong, and courageous individual. He was married, with several older children. He was a few years older than Philip and they didn’t really run in the same circles, but had spoken on many occasions.

  The more he thought about it, the more Philip realized his conversations with the mayoral hopeful had almost always been about politics, the government or how things were running in Glenwood.

  His eyes swiveled to the left and he caught sight of the very pregnant Emma standing in front of the clinic. When she saw him looking, she lifted her hand and motioned for him to come over.

  He pushed himself upright and bounced down the steps, jogging across the street and heading toward the clinic.

  “How’s John?” he asked when he was close enough.

  “He’s hurt pretty badly but he should be up and running in a few days. Mary told me she was responsible for this. What happened?”

  Philip had always liked Emma. She was blunt and honest but tactful and polite. She would be a wonderful mother to her unborn child. She was the kind of woman who gave direction well and could take it just as easily. But mess with someone she loves and you would see a totally different woman. Nine months pregnant or not.

  She had her hands rested on her ample stomach, and her slightly plump face looked a little red. He wondered if she was in pain or just worried about John.

  “She and I were arguing. I took hold of her arm and she dropped some papers on the floor the same time John was coming from the supply room with a piece of equipment for the press.”

  Emma’s face changed from one of suspicious anger to frustration. “Oh dear. She probably feels so bad about that. I need to go find her and tell her John will be okay. Do you know where she is?”

  Philip shook his head. It was pleasing to him that someone would ask him for Mary’s whereabouts, as if she was his second half. If he could smooth things over with her, he just might experience that feeling a lot more. He was already upset enough with the way he’d treated her. He knew her well enough to know she was really beating herself up about now.

  “If I were you, I’d check the schoolhouse. If she’s not there, she probably went home.”

  Emma nodded, her eyes searching the street outside for the woman. “I don’t see her in that crowd. Paul’s got them all riled up, doesn’t he?”

  Philip looked over his shoulder at the exact moment several men in the group cheered loudly.

  “He sure does. Well, let me get on in here and talk to John, if he’s up for visitors.”

  Emma nodded again, her face sober and serious. “I’m going to go find her.”

  Without another word to him, she passed him by and hurried down the long wooden walkway.

  Philip watched her for a moment before turning back to go in the clinic. The room he stepped into was the lobby, with the receptionist’s desk to his left and several rows of chairs to his right. Three d
oors led to the back of the clinic, where there were other rooms for patients and doctor’s offices.

  He recognized Margaret, who sat prim and proper behind the desk, a pair of narrow glasses with black frames perched on her long, thin nose. She moved her dark brown eyes up to his face. The sudden smile made the stony expression she had disappear, to be replaced with a friendly one.

  “Hello, Philip. Are you feeling all right?”

  “Yep. Just here to check on John. He back there?” He gestured with his head to the door he knew led to the examining rooms.

  Margaret nodded, never losing her smile. “Just go on back, you’ll see him in the third room to the right. The last one.”

  Philip grinned. “Thanks, Margie. You’re the best.”

  Margaret giggled, her face flushing. Philip walked away with his smile plastered to his face.

  Chapter 36

  Mary was surprised when Emma came walking up to the schoolhouse. She’d only been there for about ten minutes and was just getting settled on the porch stoop with a cup of hot tea she’d started the moment she arrived.

  Her heart fell down into her stomach. She was filled with guilt and shame. She looked regretfully at her friend.

  “Hello again. How is John?” she asked, hoping she dare ask a question like that after what she did.

  Emma hurried over to her without a word, sat down next to her on the stoop and wrapped one arm around her shoulders. She squeezed Mary to her, leaning her head over so they would touch.

  A wave of sadness covered Mary and tears rose to her eyes. “I’m so sorry I hurt John,” she murmured. “I really didn’t mean to.”

  Emma pulled away and gave Mary a reproachful look. “Don’t come down on yourself like that, Mary. It was an accident. Philip told me what happened. Don’t you trouble yourself, dear. It’s not like you pushed him out in front of a stampede. It was just an accident and he will be just fine. He may have bruised himself up but it could have been a lot worse. He could be an old frail gentleman on his last legs.” Emma grinned and Mary couldn’t help responding with one of her own, relief flooding her.

  “You aren’t upset with me?” she asked incredulously.

  Emma chuckled. “Of course not. I have to get used to tumbles and scrapes and bruises on my little one as soon as he gets to be a bigger boy. I think John can handle it.”

  Mary threw back her head and laughed, not only because Emma was talking about her unborn child as if he was already a year or two old, but also at the comparison to her injured husband.

  “Does John know you think of him as a big boy?”

  Emma’s dark eyebrows shot up. “I said no such thing and don’t you go around saying I did.”

  Both women laughed.

  “I think Philip is very angry with me,” Mary said sadly. “I wanted to go and check on Matthew, since now he’s going to have to do John’s work for him. How long do you think he’ll be out of work?”

  “John? No more than a few days. He’s a strong man. He’ll bounce back from this easily. I don’t want you feeling so bad about what happened. John isn’t mad at you and the only reason Philip is cross is probably be because he’s got a crush on you.”

  Tingles ran up Mary’s arms and down her spine. It was noticeable. She wasn’t the only one who could tell he had feelings for her.

  Emma continued and Mary didn’t interrupt, enjoying what her friend was saying.

  “I hope you two end up together. He won’t be angry for long, if he is at all. When he told me what happened, he said he grabbed your arm and you dropped papers that John slipped on. If there was ever the definition of an accident, that would be it. Now don’t you fret! We are friends and I’m not angry with you.”

  Mary pulled in a deep, refreshing breath. “Thank you, Emma. I’m so glad he will be okay. I just… I just don’t know what I would have done if I’d really hurt him.”

  Emma shook her head. “Now, now. I don’t want to hear that. You just rest easy. He’s a big boy. Oh, wait, you didn’t hear me say that, did you?”

  The women laughed. Mary felt better than she had all morning. She regretted confronting Philip about the paper and wanted desperately to tell him so. To say she was sorry.

  “I was upset with him this morning. That’s why he grabbed my arm. We were arguing. I don’t think he should censor what he puts in the paper. I think he should have more diverse articles, things that will appeal to everyone in town, not just the mayor. Hanover treats the Jenkins Press like it’s his own personal propaganda machine. No one can ever find out the truth if Philip caters to him all the time.”

  Emma raised her eyebrows slightly and gave Mary a look that indicated she might know a little something about what was going on. Mary didn’t say anything further, hoping Emma would elaborate on her own expression.

  “What is that look for?” Mary asked when Emma didn’t say anything.

  Emma shook her head. “It’s just that… well, John likes to talk about work when he comes home. I never mind because he always makes his job sound so interesting, plus I get firsthand knowledge of anything they print.”

  Mary nodded, grinning.

  “And he’s told me about the problems Philip faces with the mayor. Hanover is very demanding and with that back tax Philip inherited, he holds the press under his thumb.”

  “I know about that,” Mary said. “But it seems to me there must be some way to get out of this. I was thinking about passing around a collection plate of sorts, taking up a donation to see how much of it we could get paid off so he wouldn’t have to sell the press to the mayor or someone who will do whatever Hanover wants. Not that Philip is any…” She stopped herself amid a flush of remorse. She was ashamed, talking negatively about Philip behind his back. A loving sweetheart wouldn’t do that to her beau. Hell, a friend wouldn’t do that to another friend, if it was real.

  Emma caught the near slight and narrowed her eyes, giving Mary a mildly reproachful look. “Now, Mary. You know Philip is not easily pushed over. He has fought hard against Hanover’s oppression and has actually been able to print several noticeably outstanding newspapers. He’s not like the others.”

  Mary shook her head vigorously. “No. I know he isn’t. I’m ashamed for almost saying he is.”

  “You know what I think? I think you should go find him and talk to him. I’ll just bet he’s not mad at you anymore.”

  Mary nodded. “I will. I will do that. I wanted to check on Matthew anyway. He’ll have to take over for John and I’m worried he will feel overwhelmed.”

  Emma grinned. “You dote on that boy more than his own mother does. Do you plan to have children of your own?”

  Mary laughed softly. “Of course, Em. What else does a woman want?”

  Emma nodded, patting her belly. “Yes, I think he’ll be coming out to meet us very soon. I can feel it.”

  “You be sure to let us know as soon as it happens,” Mary said, and then quickly realized she had just made herself and Philip into a couple. It felt so good. She had to smile.

  Emma patted her knee. “You know I will, my dear. Now go talk to Philip before the both of you lose your ever-lovin’ minds.”

  Mary laughed, pushed herself to her feet and took off toward town.

  Ten minutes later, Mary was at the edge of town, cutting across the street to get to the printing press. Her heart was going a mile a minute. She couldn’t wait to see Philip. Emma had been so certain that he wasn’t mad at her anymore and he hadn’t blamed her when he’d told John’s wife what happened. He admitted he’d grabbed Mary’s arm which had startled her more than she would have expected, thus making her drop the papers.