His Rainbow After the Rain

by Grace Clemens

  Philip nodded. “I really hope so, Emma. I don’t think Han… the mayor has much of a chance winning against Paul, not with his track record.”

  “I agree.” Emma slid her eyes to her husband as she patted the baby’s bottom comfortingly, continuing to sway. “John, there are plenty of people you can talk to about this. You know so many people. And I’m sure Mary will let every one of her children know so they can tell their parents.”

  Philip’s mood brightened at the mention of Mary’s name.

  “You know, I’ll bet she might even write a note for the children, or visit each of their parents,” Emma continued. “In fact, I know she would do that for you. She could even tell the children to have their parents come to her. Maybe she could hold a meeting in the schoolhouse just for the parents.”

  “I do like that idea, too,” Philip said. “I’m going to see her for lunch. I’ll talk to her then.”

  “Wonderful.” Emma grinned at him. “Now that you’re here, and since it is early in the day, would you like some breakfast? I was about to go make something for John. We both slept a little later today because…” She looked down at the baby in her arms. “This little guy kept us up during the night and whenever he sleeps is when we sleep, at least for now.”

  “I’d love a bite to eat, Emma,” Philip replied, putting one hand on his grumbling stomach. “In fact, I could use some nourishment after the events of this morning.”

  Chapter 42

  The week went by so fast that Mary couldn’t believe she was waking up on Election Day. It had been a flurry of activity all week long. She had gone door to door, telling everyone about Monday’s election and the reason it was so important to vote. Their slogan had been “Save the Newspaper, Save Glenwood”.

  Hanover stayed away from the action for the most part. For being as arrogant as he was, it was astounding how good he was at disappearing when things got tough.

  They’d all done their part in getting the word out and the reception to Paul was positive. She was sure there would be a new mayor that day. She wanted to see it all unfold.

  One of the concerns Philip had during the week that he’d brought to Paul’s attention was the vote count. It was important that whoever was in charge of counting the votes be neutral. If Hanover had the chance, he would pay off the vote counters to ensure his victory.

  To combat that happening, Paul and Philip got their heads together to come up with two people in town that wouldn’t have a bias against either candidate.

  Those two had turned out to be Mr. and Mrs. Marrow. Sarah was gone, having taken the train to visit Luke Anderson and his family – hopefully to convince them to call the marriage off – or she would have been one of the vote counters, too.

  Mary was certain the Marrows could not be bought off. Hanover had no control over two of the wealthiest people in Glenwood. They had more money than he did. They would laugh in his face.

  She hurried toward the town square, wanting to watch the action as the men drifted in and out of the town hall, casting their votes. She’d decided the day before to sit on the bench outside the building and watch as they all went in throughout the day.

  Mary stopped short when she turned the corner and stared at the town hall. It was a bustling, moving source of action. There were people moving all around; men, women, children. Several small vendors had brought carts to the event and were selling fruits and veggies from their stands. The men of Glenwood had decided drifting in and out through the day wasn’t what they wanted. Apparently, they wanted this taken care of right away.

  There was a line coming out of the front door of the town hall as the men waited to vote.

  She stared at the men, the action, and the crowd with excited anticipation. It was going to work. Philip would have his printing press back by the end of the day, it was certain. Paul had already told him to get prepared.

  Philip had her, Matthew, John and several other people waiting to help clean up and restart the business. It didn’t take knowledge about the printing business to sweep and mop. And everyone was on board, saying they’d missed the newspaper for one Sunday and that was one too many.

  The thought made Mary grin, proud of her man.

  Her man.

  Mary giggled and hurried to join the crowd. She spotted John and Emma in the crowd and waved at them, calling out. They both looked at her and smiled as she went to them.

  “Mary!” John said, looking like he wanted to jump up and down with joy. “Look at this crowd! Everyone came to vote. I think I’ve seen every single man in Glenwood already! And it’s not even ten o’clock yet!”

  “Good,” Mary said, instinctively taking the baby when Emma handed him to her. “I want this all to be over with early. Hello, sweet baby, how are you today?”

  “I’ll be right back,” Emma said. “I have to find an outhouse.”

  “There’s a washroom in the hotel you can use,” John suggested, pointing to a nearby three-story building. Emma gave him a grateful look and dashed away from the two of them. Mary gave John a look of concern, patting the baby’s chest which was covered by a thin blanket.

  “Is she all right?”

  John nodded. “As far as I know. I guess it’s just whatever happens after you have a baby. I’ve never had one before either.”

  “You never will.”

  They both laughed.

  “Let’s sit over here on the bench,” John said. “I’ll take David if you don’t want to hold him.”

  Mary clutched the baby gently and turned her upper body away from John, effectively holding the baby away from him. “Oh no you don’t. I’m practicing.”

  John laughed again and nodded. “Fair enough. Here, let’s sit, though.”

  The two sat down next to each other and watched the action around them.

  “This is going to change everything, isn’t it?” Mary asked wistfully. “I know Philip has got to be going crazy. Where is he anyway? I would have thought he’d be right here in the thick of things.”

  John’s eyes studied the crowd around him, but Mary could tell he wasn’t looking for anyone in particular. “He’s with Paul. He kind of became his campaign manager, you know, helping him coordinate things and talk to people. He’s anxious, yeah. Beside himself. Ready to get back to his job. But he does have other things on his mind, of course.” He gave her a direct look that made her feel tingly inside.

  “Oh?”

  John chuckled. “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about, girlie. You know full well he’s got you in his sights. And you have him in yours, don’t deny it.”

  She shook her head. “I won’t deny it. I don’t want to deny it. I am hopeful for a future with him.”

  John’s smile beamed suddenly, making her feel warm inside. “I’m so glad to hear you say that. I reckon I figured y’all would end up together and in love, at least after that initial bitterness.”

  “I’m just glad I was able to convince him my intentions were good,” Mary said, dropping her eyes to the innocent babe in her arms. “I never wanted to interfere. I just wanted to bring awareness to the things that are important to me because I know other women find that interesting and informative, too. Anything having to do with women’s issues, women’s rights. Hanover… your pa didn’t want anything to do with that. It’s a shame.”

  “It is a shame and he does that because he doesn’t know a lick about women nor does he want to find out.”

  “I feel sorry for your ma, no offense intended.”

  John shook his head. “None taken. I’ve felt sorry for her for years. You know, when Philip told me what happened last week, I went straight to him and told him what I thought. I tried being polite and nice at first. But he was stubborn and rude, and said some vile things about Philip that I took offense to. Ended up walking out of his office, telling him I couldn’t wait to see him lose. Then what would he do, I challenged him. I didn’t give him time to answer, though. I just got out of there as fast as I could.”
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  Mary nodded, feeling sorry for her friend. Having to deal with a brute for a father had to be difficult. John stretched his arms out over the back of the bench. Feeling his arm behind her and the baby cuddled in her arms made Mary think about what it would be like if he was Philip and it was her baby instead of John and Emma’s. She closed her eyes for a moment and pictured it. Just the image in her mind made her heart fill with love and hope.

  Only ten minutes later, the line to vote had dissipated so that no one was standing outside. A man came from inside and stood at the top of the steps, to John and Mary’s right.

  Mary’s chest tightened with anxiety and anticipation. Was he going to announce the results already?

  “Every man in Glenwood has voted, it seems!” the man spoke loudly, getting everyone’s attention. “We will leave the door open for any man who hasn’t yet for one hour. Then we will close it down and count the votes. The win for the new mayor will be announced as soon as all ballots are counted.”

  Mary giggled and jostled John with her elbow. He looked at her curiously with a smile.

  “Did you hear him say ‘new’ mayor? He’s practically announcing Paul’s win already.”

  John’s grin widened and he nodded. “You’re right; he did say that, didn’t he?”

  They both laughed softly.

  Mary wished Philip could be there with her. She wanted to be wherever he was when the big news was delivered. She was relieved when she spotted Emma heading through the murmuring crowd toward her.

  “Do you know where Philip and Paul are waiting? I want to be with him when it’s announced.”

  John stood up as Emma approached but answered her. “I’m sure he will be right back here to hear it himself. Both of them will. I think he’d really like to have you by his side when he gets his business back.”

  Emma came closer, smiling at them. “Have you gotten comfortable with David?” she asked, winking. “I know you want some practice now, don’t you?”

  “That’s exactly what she said!” John exclaimed, jabbing a thumb toward Mary, a huge grin on his face.

  Mary nodded, standing up. “That is what I told him. That I was practicing. But you can hold him now. I want to go find Philip. Now that the voting rush has ended and we have an hour to wait, I want to find him and be with him.”

  “Of course you do. And I saw them, believe it or not, waiting in the barber shop. Paul looks as nervous as he can be.” She laughed softly, shaking her head. “He’s got nothing to worry about. I’m of the mind that if John’s pa got any votes at all, he paid for them.”

  Mary glanced at John to see if he would be even a little upset by his wife’s assessment. He was scanning the crowd but nodded at Emma. “She’s right about that, Mary. Paul doesn’t have a thing to worry about. You make sure you tell him that. And tell Philip I’m ready to get back to work. The sooner the better. Today, if possible.”

  Mary nodded back at him. “He’s going to need your help putting the press back together. He says you know it better than anyone else.”

  John tilted his head to the side, lifting one shoulder. “I reckon I do. And I don’t mind a bit.”

  Chapter 43

  Mary hurried to the barber shop, her heart pounding. She wanted nothing more than to spend the next hour waiting for the results with Philip by her side. And to be with Paul when he was announced as the new mayor would be like icing on a cake.

  She was surprised to see the barber shop was full of people. They were all in good spirits, chatting with each other, their voices overlapping each other. Mary looked around for Philip, spotting him near the barber’s chair, talking to Henry and Paul. His hands were moving animatedly and his companions were looking at him with amused expressions.

  She walked up just when Henry burst out laughing. The three men instinctively looked at her. She returned their looks but settled her eyes on Philip, her heartwarming as if she’d pulled a blanket over it and tucked it into bed.

  “Here she is!” Philip said, as if he’d just been talking about her. He held one hand out to her and she took it, stepping up next to him. “I was telling Paul how much Matthew has done for me since you brought him to my attention. He is thinking of offering the boy an apprenticeship so he can take over Paul’s business; or at least work in the executive offices where all the brain work is done.” Philip laughed along with his friends.

  “That sounds wonderful!” Mary felt her heart swelling to twice its normal size. She gazed at Philip with open affection, knowing every one of the men in front of her could see it but she couldn’t help it. What a wonderful blessing for Matthew and his family! Philip didn’t need to think of the boy but he instinctively had. “That was so nice of you, Philip.”

  Her emotions overwhelmed her and she pressed one hand to the base of her throat, willing the happy tears to go away. Or at least wait until the announcement. She had much to celebrate today. The mood in the room only served to elevate her even more, making her feel giddy.

  She listened to the men talking, mingling through the room for the next hour, finding several people to talk to. Everyone said there was no chance Hanover would keep the title of mayor, considering how many were openly telling others of their vote for Paul. People were bonding over it, laughing and telling each other stories, some horror stories about something Hanover had done, some funny or heartwarming stories about Paul or someone in his family.

  Mary was glad she didn’t hear anyone say negative things about John or Emma. The only time she overheard John’s name and focused on the conversation, she heard, “I don’t see how that man could be his father. They are nothing alike. Maybe John was adopted and Hanover just didn’t tell anybody.”

  The response she heard was, “He looks too much like his ma to be adopted. But yeah, I feel sorry for the fella. He’s a decent man.”

  Sooner than she thought, the door was flung open by no other than John Hanover. He rushed in, his eyes wide, his face excited.

  “The numbers are in! The vote is in! Come on, they’re gonna announce it!”

  Mary giggled when she caught a few glances John’s way that looked a little confused. Several people spoke to their companions behind a flat hand. But everyone surged toward the door and soon she was spilling out into the street with everyone else.

  She looked over her shoulder to see where Philip was at the exact moment he grabbed her hand.

  “I don’t want to lose you, now do I?” he asked with a smile.

  She grinned back, shaking her head. “No. You don’t. Let’s go!”

  The two ran like children at play down the street toward the town hall. They merged with the group, moving off to the side so they would have some room. Mary spotted Paul at the front, near the top step. He was waving at them to come to where he was.

  “Come on. Paul wants you up there.” She pointed up the steps to the man.

  Philip looked up at him and then back at her. “I’m not going anywhere without you.” He kept hold of her hand and took her along with him.

  She giggled, feeling like a teenager again, running up the steps behind him to stand next to Paul. Her heart was pounding as if they were about to announce she had won the title of mayor. Her cheeks were beginning to burn from smiling so hard but she couldn’t help it. She put her hands together in front of her lips as if praying, scanning the people crowding around the steps of the town hall. She tapped her fingers together nervously.

  She bent at the waist to look around Philip and Paul at the doors to the town hall. Where were they? Her anxiety was making her tremble.

  Finally, the door opened and the same man who’d come out the first time stepped through followed by Mr. and Mrs. Marrow.