Wanted- Developer

by Sophie Dawson

  They soon had the blankets laid out and the adults relaxing in the sunshine. Belle was talking animatedly to Millie while her youngest, Abe, ran around the group of blankets. He fell, got up and continued running. Denver could see grass stains on his brown pants.

  “Millie, Abe stained his trousers.” Denver pointed to the boy’s knees as he ran past.

  “They will all be grass stained or dirty before the day is over. That’s why I don’t dress them in their Sunday best. No sense in getting them ruined.”

  Denver hadn’t ever run around in such abandon. At least he couldn’t remember doing so. He’d always walked sedately by his parents at any social event. He certainly never stained his trousers with grass.

  Belle, who was sitting beside him, leaned back, her parasol nearly hitting him in the face. “That’s why we all changed clothes. The children need to be children and run and play.” She looked at Millie. “Mrs. Wallace may disagree.” Belle stuck her nose in the air and spoke with imperious tones. “‘Children should act with proper decorum, not run around like hoodlums.’”

  Denver drew his eyebrows together. Had his parents acted like Mrs. Wallace? He began to wonder.

  “Greetings, folks.” Mayor Luther and Victoria Garrison stopped as they walked along. “Did you tell the Cutlers about the morning’s event?”

  “What?” Millie asked, as she looked between Belle and Denver. “Oh, you got married this morning. I’d forgotten all about that. Congratulations.”

  Belle had to tell all about the wedding, the girls all gathering around to listen. When she was done, they ran off to play wedding.

  “I’ll be announcing that the food is ready shortly. I’ll let everyone know that you’ll be making a speech with what we’ve planned for the city later in the afternoon.”

  Once the Garrisons moved on, conversation continued but Denver let it drift around him. He looked over the people scattered around the park. There were families who were allowing their children to run and play, not caring if they got their clothes dirty. Those children were laughing and having a great time. Others were sitting on their blankets, in their best clothes. Girls had dolls they were playing with. Most seemed rather satisfied, or at least accustomed to their activities. The boys seemed less than pleased, watching the other children’s delighted play.

  Memories of being that boy, sitting on the blanket, quiet and most likely sullen, had Denver reassessing his dislike of the stains evident on the knees and seats of Abe Messer, and Connor and his friends. He remembered wishing he could run and play with the other children. Instead, he’d had to sit with his parents and the other adults, listening to their boring conversations. After he’d complained about it to his parents, Denver had either been left at home or instructed to bring a book to read.

  Luther’s voice brought him back to the present. The mayor was on the bandstand welcoming everyone to the event. He went on speaking for a while with varied amounts of attention to what he was saying, until he came to telling about the liquor that they’d found in the tunnel. A tent had been set up from which drinks would be sold. Miss Flora and her husband, Mac McMillan, were in charge of this, and keeping the children away. The proceeds would go toward a project for the town that Denver would be announcing later in the afternoon, right before the ice cream was served.

  Belle’s face turned bright red when Luther announced that they were now Mr. and Mrs. Denver Hughes. Cheers and clapping had Denver lifting a hand to wave. He knew they’d be visited by all of Belle’s friends and others of the town. He leaned forward, pushing the parasol away, and whispered in her ear, “Be prepared for the onslaught.” Her giggle gave him heart that she wasn’t too embarrassed with the attention.

  In honor of their wedding, Luther invited them to be first through the food line as soon as Pastor James gave the blessing. Connor came running over, abandoning his friends. He flopped down on the blanket with a wide smile. “We get to eat first. I’m starving.”

  Denver ruffled the boy’s hair.

  ~~~~~

  Belle watched Denver climb the steps to the bandstand. The band was taking a well-earned break, and he was ready to make his speech. He’d donned his suit jacket and inspected himself, straightening his tie and combing his hair carefully before he went to the stage.

  Belle had inspected him, at his request, to be sure his attire was in order. She hid a grin at his fastidiousness. She had a feeling their house would be kept somewhat neater than it had been before. She hoped it wouldn’t cause problems, especially for the children.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, if you don’t know who I am, I’m Denver Hughes. I was hired to come and help the development of Silverpines, improving and installing the city services of electricity, water, sewage, and streets. I arrived on the afternoon of the fire and found my new job had expanded, literally, overnight.”

  He went on to explain about the new city buildings and services. A round of applause went up when he mentioned establishing the fire department. New warehouses would be built along with a new freight depot west of town with the railroad company installing several side tracks. More applause followed the announcement that the passenger depot would remain where it was.

  There were a few cat calls when he told how the bank was providing low interest loans to the townsfolk, including the Chinese residents, interested in purchasing some of the abandoned houses. Some still resented the immigrants, especially since the fire that destroyed the downtown had started there. The Chinatown district would be rebuilt, mostly by moving the houses the immigrants purchased to that area. Denver wished they would integrate more into the community, but knew that would take a long time, if ever.

  Several of the downtown businesses had asked him to announce their plans to rebuild. The Worthington’s were rebuilding their bookshop, the Dekum’s their gun shop, as were the bakery and butcher. The Silverpines Telephone & Telegraph Company was bringing their new technology to town, and the Silverpines Times would have new printing presses for the weekly newspaper.

  “In the next few days, a tent will be erected here in the park that will house the mercantile. That building will be torn down. Mr. and Mrs. Cutler are replacing it with C & M Department Store. They are also building a new store. Cutler’s Grocery Store will be between 6th and 7th Avenues on Cedar.

  “One of the services planned by the generous donation of Nathan Ryder will be augmented by the discovery of a crate of gold in the tunnel where the liquor was found. The new Silverpines Memorial Hospital will be built just south of the new grocery on Cedar Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. Our fine doctors have agreed to admit patients and perform surgeries there. A maternity ward will be available for babies to be born. The doctors will continue to see you at their clinic.” Another cheer echoed through the spectators.

  “With the added funds from the gold, the city council is looking into installing a trolley system connecting the business district with the residential. More news on that as plans are made.

  “Last but not least, Mayor Garrison mentioned that the funds from the liquor sales will be used to build something else in Silverpines.” Denver paused and pointed back toward the school behind him. “Just a couple of blocks in that direction, the city is going to build a baseball diamond for use by both children and adults.” That brought cheers.

  No one had thought much of recreation in the past year, and the fire had kept it from the minds of everyone in the last month. It seemed that this signaled a true revitalization to the future of Silverpines.

  The fire had caused loss of jobs and opportunities. These plans for the improvements to the city, the new services, the hospital, the new industries coming to town to supply those services, were all good and needed. But that the city would also plan for the entertainment and recreation of its populous brought a hope for the future not totally focused on work and rebuilding.

  Denver’s next announcement brought even more cheers. “And now for the best part of the day. Ice cream is now being served right over th
ere.” He pointed and people, especially the children, jumped up and ran to the tables being laden with the cold goodness.

  ~~~~~

  “Mama, can I have another bowl of ice cream?” Connor asked with hope-filled eyes.

  “Don’t you think three is enough?” Belle asked.

  “Oh, I suppose so.” Disappointed, Connor jumped up and ran off to find his friends.

  Denver pulled her back against him, supporting her back. Evening was approaching and a few families were beginning to fold blankets and gather the empty dishes they’d brought food in. Neva and the Cutler girls were sitting in a circle pretending to feed their dolls ice cream.

  “No, I don’t think I’ve had enough. You aren’t the boss of me.” The loud, irritated voice was that of Mrs. Wallace. She was marching across the park toward the tent serving the whiskey and brandy. Paul Bunyan was following, his long strides catching up with the swiftly moving lady. That she was weaving back and forth as she went, indicated that she just might have had more liquor than was good for her.

  Everyone in the park went silent. No one wanted to miss whatever was going to happen between the two. Though Mrs. Wallace and Mr. Bunyan thought their relationship was a secret, the entire town knew about it. There was much speculation as to how deep it went and what the future would hold. Today might be pivotal. That something might happen at the social had all eyes riveted on the couple.

  Paul was one of the three Bunyan brothers who worked at the lumberyard and mill for Mr. and Mrs. Watts. Big and burly, they’d come to Silverpines after the mudslide. Paul could have been scary, but his kind eyes and usually gentle demeanor belied that impression.

  At the moment, his expression was fierce and angry. He caught up with Mrs. Wallace, scooped her up, and tossed her over his shoulder. When she began protesting, Paul gave her a swat on her backside and stalked off towards her house.

  Everyone sat speechless for several long moments. Then the park erupted in laughter and chatter.

  “Oh my word,” Geneva gasped. “She is going to be livid when he puts her down. I’d hate to be him. He may require the services of all three doctors.”

  Those within hearing range broke out laughing.

  ~~~~~

  Denver was carrying a sleeping Neva. Connor was dragging his feet in fatigue as they headed home. The day had been long and everyone was tired. He and Belle would get the children to bed then go to the inn for the night. Tomorrow Denver’s trunks would be delivered to the house and he would become a permanent resident with his new family.

  Denver hoped tonight would bring fulfillment of their vows but he wouldn’t push Belle. They hadn’t spoken about the physical part of their marriage. There just hadn’t been time. Plus he’d been hesitant to bring the topic up for fear she’d reject him. Tonight would tell. He was definitely attracted to her and hoped she was to him. He didn’t know how he could handle a marriage that wasn’t one in the full sense of the word.

  Belle bent and picked up Connor. He was asleep on his feet. The boy had run and played with abandon the entire afternoon and evening. That was after all the excitement of the wedding.

  “Switch with me. He’s heavier.” Denver traded children with her. Geneva was ahead of them, wanting to light lamps before they got home. “It was a good day, wasn’t it?”

  Belle looked up at him and smiled. “Yes, it was. Your speech went very well, and the plans were well received.”

  “Thank you. You are a big part of those plans. You’ve made my job easier. You were right that I needed you.” He gave her a teasing smile. “Even though you don’t type as well as you inferred.”

  That tiny smirk he was beginning to love, touched her lips. “I only said I had taken a typing course, not that I was that proficient at it.”

  Chuckling, he said, “That’s true.”

  He let her proceed him up the walk and they soon had the children snug in their beds. With a kiss to each sleeping forehead, they took her overnight bag and turned down the lamps as they left the house in Geneva’s capable hands.

  ~~~~~

  Belle placed her hand over her new husband’s. He was spooned behind her with his arm around her waist. She could tell he was asleep. She would be soon, but she wanted to revel in the moment. She’d been so very lonely the past year. Lonely for her husband and his arms around her. His kisses and loving touch. When he died, Belle had thought that part of her life was over.

  She hadn’t thought of marrying again. Not even when she was recovered from her miscarriage, before she fell ill over the winter. The other daughters and widows had advertised for husbands. They’d needed help with their businesses. Doing so was expedient for their success. Emery had been a simple miner. There hadn’t been a need to find a husband. What did she have to offer? Two small children, herself, and a mother-in-law. Never would she abandon Geneva.

  Now, she was married to a fine man and she would have those loving touches again. Denver had been inexperienced but that hadn’t lessened their enjoyment of each other.

  Belle might not love him yet, but she had hopes for their future. She knew there would be rocky times. All marriages had them. His adjustments would be far more than hers. He wasn’t used to living with children and two adult women. She smiled. It was the smile Denver liked so much. He’d told her so when he’d entered their bedroom after she changed into her nightgown.

  His eyes had scanned her, and she could see the desire in his eyes. Typical male. She’d widened her smile, and he took the hint, approaching her. She had lifted her arms and stepped into his embrace.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  After Sunday dinner, they unpacked Denver’s trunks. Connor and Neva, after her nap, examined every item. The boy was very interested in the tools he used for his work that hadn’t been moved to the office yet. He’d had to rescue them several times from little hands before he got smart and set them on top of the tall chest of drawers. They would go to the office tomorrow without fail. He didn’t say anything, but Belle must have noticed his irritation as she sent Connor out to play.

  “I’m sorry, he’s just curious. His father never had anything as interesting as those.” She hung another one of his suits in the wardrobe.

  Denver pulled her to him and sat down on the bed with her on his lap. “It’s not a problem.” When she lifted her eyebrows at him he said, “All right. It was somewhat of a problem. I can be patient with them both. I understand it’s all new and interesting. It will be solved tomorrow when I take them to the office. Out of sight, out of mind.”

  “They will be very interested in everything you have and do for a while. Then you’ll just be another person who tells them ‘no’ most of the time.”

  Denver chuckled. “Most likely. I’m glad you talked with Millie about how they combined their families. I think it will help. We’ll need to talk about it so I know how you handle things. I’m very unskilled at raising children. I was barely allowed to be one when I was a boy.”

  “Really?” Belle’s eyes held regret for him.

  “I wasn’t allowed to play with other children. My upbringing was very strict, stifling really. I won’t go into detail, but play wasn’t something I can remember doing very often. If there was play it was always something that would teach me something.”

  “It must have been very solemn.”

  “It was.”

  “How did you become such a joy filled man? You seem to enjoy life to the fullest?” Belle laid her hand on his chest causing his body to react.

  Denver took a breath before answering. “I had a very fun-loving roommate in college. He nearly flunked out. I was at one extreme, and he at the other. Between us we managed to bring each other to a more middle of the road outlook.”

  “It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.” Belle quoted.

  “That’s what I learned. There’s value in seriousness and levity. It’s something my parents never learned.”

>   “You’ve not told me about your parents or where you grew up. It’s not really something one speaks about with one’s boss.”

  Denver laughed. “No, I suppose not. We’re past that now.

  “My parents were older when I was born. I believe I was a surprise. They’d had no other children. At least they never told me about any. None were listed in the family Bible. I was, so I figure there were no others, or their names and dates would have been there. It’s in the bottom of that trunk. I’ll record our wedding once it’s unearthed.”

  “So, they are no longer living?”

  “No, they passed within a few months of each other the year after I graduated college.”

  He knew Belle had lost her mother years before and her father in the mine collapse last year.

  There was a thump of small feet hitting the floor from a room across the hall. Denver and Belle looked toward the door. Neva came running in.

  “Goodie, you’re not done. Can I help?” Her smile brought the same to both of the adult’s faces.

  ~~~~~

  “What do you mean you’re leaving for the office? I’m not quite ready yet.” Belle was wiping the table after breakfast Monday morning. She still had her apron on. Geneva was outside working in the garden. Neva was with her, and Connor was on his way to school.

  “You’re going?” Denver asked.

  “Of course. I still work for you. Getting married didn’t change that.”

  “Oh, I thought…”

  “Don’t say it, buster. You’ve been in Silverpines long enough to realize the women don’t necessarily just quit a job because they get married. You still need my help. There may be days I don’t go with you, but they will be few and far between.”

  “Um, yes ma’am?” Denver was biting his lips to keep from laughing at her indignant face and the washrag she looked just about to throw at him. “You can put the rag down now. I washed my face this morning when I shaved.”

  Just as she turned around to face the sink, he caught that smirky grin. He stepped up behind her, trapping her hands against her sides as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “I caught that smile. You weren’t going to really throw that at me.”