Suffrage and Suitors

by Noelle, Jo

  He wondered what Millie might think would be a sufficient time to wait for the wedding, assuming she accepted his proposal. Perhaps the better question might be, how long would Callum require the engagement to be? As far as Edwin’s thoughts on the matter, tomorrow would be fine with him. He’d known that Callum advised Arthur to marry Beatrice immediately, and that had turned out very well. If he remembered correctly, Royce married Marta practically on the spot too. And Edwin had known Millie much longer. Yes. A one-day wait would be fine with him.

  On the last note, Edwin’s arm relaxed the pressure from the bag. Millie’s hands were clutched and held against her chest. Oh, and he’d play the pipes for her often, too. Edwin realized that he’d stared at Millie throughout the entire song, making his interest known to the entire congregation. Although he wasn’t embarrassed, he hoped Millie wasn’t either.

  Callum stood to pray over the close of the meeting. The prayer continued much longer than usual. He seemed to know every citizen in the area around about Creede who was infirm and invoked blessings on them. Edwin felt Millie’s hand, tucked under her folded arm next to him, graze his own. Her shoulder leaned into him, and her fingers twined with his. Edwin had a prayer of his own that there were many more for whom Reverend Bing needed to address heaven for a blessing.

  He peeked up and saw the Reverend looking his way with a smile. The prayer for blessings continued.

  But as the benediction was coming to a close, Edwin heard Millie whisper, “Thank you, Lord, for music and Scotsmen with bagpipes.” Just before the amen, Millie squeezed his fingers and then released them. When she leaned away, cold air rushed to the warm spot where they’d touched.

  Maybe Callum wouldn’t make them wait a day.

  Like every other Sunday, the men gathered outside, whittling and talking. The women stayed in the church and quilted. The communal meal proceeded as it had before. The goodbyes lingered as Callum had predicted, and Edwin left only to return at six o’clock sharp.

  “You’re just in time for pie.” Callum welcomed him with a handshake.

  “Thank you,” Edwin replied. His eyes flew to Millie. Her hair was the color of autumn leaves, and her blue eyes sparkled. “I appreciate the invitation.” He would be just as happy to skip pie and get right to the heart of his visit that day. There were so many things he wanted to tell her.

  “Dessert is ready. Have a seat, and I’ll bring you a slice.” She set the warm slices of pie in front of them and brought herself a piece.

  She and Edwin tucked in like they were starving while Callum took his time, taking a bite, looking at both of them, shaking his head. When Millie finished her last bite, she said, “Well, it’s a beautiful night.”

  “It is.” Edwin jumped to his feet.

  That’s when Callum suddenly laughed out loud. “I don’t know. Maybe you two would like to sit outside on the porch, and I’ll just sit in the kitchen. All alone.”

  Edwin was full aware of Callum’s tongue-in-cheek meaning but accepted it anyway. “That’s a grand idea.”

  “Yes. Let’s.” Millie hopped up too and got to the door before Edwin did.

  Once outside, Edwin led Millie to stand by the railing instead of sitting on the bench. “First, I have something to give you. Wait right here.”

  When Edwin returned, he held saddlebags. “And I have something to tell you. Something you don’t know about me. I was married about six years ago.” He told her how they’d boarded a ship for America and how his wife had died on the journey. “When her body was wrapped and pushed over the side of the boat, it was as if all my purpose to live had been erased. I was adrift. Instead of going to California, I boarded train after train, not knowing where they led. The last one deadheaded here in Creede, so I stayed.”

  “And that’s how you met me,” Millie said. “It seems like there might have been some divine intervention in your wandering. I knew you were hurting. I’m glad we became friends.” Her hand touched his arm, and the warmth of pure love filled him as sure as if he were sitting in church. Her fingers moved up and down his bicep, jolting him with want.

  “Millie, you were a good friend to me when I most needed one. My feelings have changed for you a great deal, however. Now it’s time for your surprise.” Edwin hung the saddlebags over the rail and opened the side closest to him, pulling out a single buttery-colored chrysanthemum. “You give friendship to everyone because you love and accept people.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. He nearly abandoned his plan when he heard her gasp lightly when his lips touched her skin, but instead, he wrapped the stem in her fingers.

  He lifted a second flower from the bag. “I love the way you smile to yourself when you get an idea. It lights up your whole face.” This time, Edwin kissed Millie on the forehead before giving her the flower.

  With the next flower in his hand, he said, “I love how revolutionary you are—the passion you have to want to give everyone a better life and your courage to do something about it.” He could see Millie, a smirk playing across her mouth, watching to see where he’d kiss her next. He leaned over and pressed his lips to the back of her cheek, careful to exhale against her ear.

  “Oh,” she sighed. Her eyes slowly opened as he pulled away. “I hope you have more flowers in that bag of yours,” she said.

  “I do.” He pulled out the next and placed it in her growing bouquet. He had only one more after this. His anticipation for that one thrilled him. Eventually, they’d share their first kiss, but not yet. “I love how you cook, and that you sing while you do it.” Edwin eyed the spot beside her lips where she had a small arch of a dimple that deepened when she smiled.

  As he leaned to kiss it, Millie turned her head and threw her arms around his neck. Her lips found his, and she eagerly pressed against him. He realized that he could only tease Millie so far until she’d do something about it. That made him very happy. She loved him as he loved her and wasn’t shy in showing it. He loved that her soft body molded to his. She seemed to be made for him.

  Her hands pulled his neck toward her, and his arms circled her waist in reply. She kissed him harder and deeper. Her lips tasted sweet—of apple and cinnamon and nutmeg. The most tempting moan whispered past their dancing lips. The world disappeared, swallowed in that sound. His hands caressed her back.

  He knew without a doubt that he needed this woman in every way to share his life and love. Edwin felt weak at her touch and strong in giving his touch—the paradox driving him crazy. Tremors radiated through his body from the intensity of kissing her. She wasn’t asking for a gentle kiss but pulled his shirt and him closer still. When a groan burst out from deep in his soul, he said “Millie, I love you.”

  Her hands moved to his face. Her fingers splayed out to hold it. “I love you, Edwin McRae.”

  His mouth found her once more. He wanted to demand that Callum marry them tonight. He wanted to pick her up and take her home and spend every minute of forever in her arms. This time, a silent groan shook a pinch of sense into him. This had to stop. No—this had to wait. He had to wait. He broke the kiss, and with one finger, he traced the curve of her jaw.

  Edwin didn’t know how he found the strength to step away and retrieve the last flower, but he did. He handed it to her to add to the crushed ones she still held and then knelt before her.

  Her mouth was reddened and puffed. Her eyes waited like a question. Her lips were poised to say yes.

  “Millie Bing, with all the love in my heart, with my strength, with my promise to serve you all my days, I ask, will you be my wife?”

  Millie’s hand cupped his jaw. “I will honor your name and raise your children. I’ll keep your house and keep your heart. Yes, Edwin. I will be your wife, and you’ll be my husband.”

  This time, Edwin felt the same pledge in her kiss as was in his too.

  “I hope you love bagpipes,” he said.

  “Yes, I do. And I love a bagpipe player.” When she saw him open the other saddlebag, she asked, “Do you have mor
e flowers? Because I liked that very much.”

  Edwin made a mental note to bring home flowers often. “No, but something I’d like you to have, if you will.” He withdrew a tartan sash of the McRae plaid, the clan brooch affixed to it. “Will you wear it?”

  Tears filled her eyes, and her delicate fingers covered her mouth, as she nodded earnestly. Edwin noted the tears filling the rims of her eyes and her trembling smile as he draped the sash over her left shoulder, crossed the ends, and pinned it to her dress near her right hip. “You are mine, and I am yours, and together we are McRae.”

  She kissed his lips lightly and smiled at him. He was stirred with happiness, realizing he’d look into her face for the rest of his days. He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.

  Edwin opened the door for Millie, and they entered the kitchen where Callum waited for them.

  He saw Callum’s eyebrows raise as he appraised the sash Millie wore. In the old days, that was as good as a handfasting. “I’ve proposed, and Millie has accepted my offer of marriage,” Edwin announced. He could hear the pride in his voice.

  Millie tossed the mangled flowers on the table and grabbed Edwin’s hand with both of hers.

  He knew he grinned like a fool but couldn’t stop himself. “We’d like to set a date,” he said.

  Callum stood from his chair. “Saturday,” he replied, walking to the door. He cracked it open to let Edwin out. “Be patient, my friend. It will come soon.” His hand rested on Edwin’s shoulder and gave a squeeze. Edwin respected his answer, but it wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

  “I’ll bring by the treats for your meals in the morning, Edwin,” Millie said, giving him a wink that Callum must have seen as well.

  “And I’ll chaperone her.” Callum widened the opening of the door and nodded to Edwin.

  Edwin turned and saw Millie’s little pink tongue peek out and wet her lip before she said, “I’ll walk you out.”

  “Not necessary,” Callum replied, giving Millie the eye. “There’s been enough sparking for an engagement.”

  Millie blushed. Oh, she’s a beauty!

  Edwin left. He sat taller in the saddle on the way back to Creede than when he’d come to Bachelor. If he wasn’t saying, “one week,” in his mind, then he was reminiscing about their shared kisses. The drive back was quick and quite enjoyable.

  Before he entered his house, he found a telegram stuck between the door jam and the door. He unfolded it and read the few lines. “Family coming in three weeks.”

  Edwin stared at the page. He reread it two more times. He groaned and pushed his hand through his hair. This might change everything.

  Millie

  The Colorado flag snapped in the wind outside the marshal’s office where a sign said it was the polling place. It seemed like ages but it had only been a couple of weeks ago, that she’d been handing out flyers for the rally. Today was the day, and the poll would open in half an hour. Votes for women would be decided today.

  Millie parked her wagon beside the boardwalk out front. Then she and Julianne got into the back and began draping bright red-and-white gingham tablecloths over the wooden sides, anchoring them with boxes of cookies. Spitz whined with his paws up on the tailgate. He obviously wanted to jump in but didn’t. Hugh lashed a sign that said “Votes for Women” to the corner of the wagon before he took baby Grace to the boarding house with him.

  “If you’re going to stay, you can sleep under the wagon,” Millie said to Spitz and pointed down. As if he understood, he lay down at the edge in the cool shade. His nose poked out, and his eyes scanned the street.

  As they settled their cookies, Millie wondered why Archie stood in an exceptionally fine open carriage parked near them. He was fitted out in a shiny black silk suit with lots of gold trimmings that winked in the early sunlight. His flashy display made Millie suspicious. The man standing beside his wagon, Ab Helm, had a wide stance, his arms folded in front of him. They were up to no good. She was sure of it.

  Millie didn’t like Helm at all. He’d only come to town recently, and somehow he’d become a shadow to Grady. That alone would make him suspect to her, but that wasn’t all. His eyes roamed where they shouldn’t. He disparaged Marshal Murray. And he always had his hands near his guns. The man was bad news for Creede.

  Millie and Julianne were all set up as men started walking toward them from every direction. It was shaping up to be a fine election day. As they neared, the women readied themselves with cookies in each hand.

  “Voters, form a line,” Ab Helm barked out. “Voters start here.” He continued calling out the orders. Men lined up as they were told and had a personal conference with Mr. Grady over the sideboards of his carriage. It didn’t take long, and each man left pocketing a silver dollar before entering the poll.

  Worry crowded her chest. Would his money buy the decision? He was despicable.

  “A cookie while you wait,” Millie called out. She noticed Mama M wandering around Grady’s carriage too. After the men visited with Archie, they crossed over to the ladies’ wagon for the little treat. “All voters welcome.”

  The men seemed happy enough to come by, but no one offered to tell her what Grady was up to, so she asked. “Archie’s handing out money over there. Did you get some?” Millie asked the next man who came over.

  “Sure did. Just wants me to vote against women for it. Sorry, Miss Millie. I like your cookies, but a dollar’s a dollar.”

  Millie burned with anger when the man confirmed her suspicion. How dare Archie tamper with an election! It seemed like that sort of thing was too low even for Archibald. In a quick flash, she wondered if she was doing the same. No. She didn’t ask the men how they would vote, or ask them to change their vote to get the cookie. She was still campaigning while he was buying votes.

  Mama M approached, but instead of looking at Millie, she walked up to the man just leaving with a cookie and said in his ear. “You already have Grady’s money. When you go into that poll, you could still vote for women if you’re of a mind to. No one will know.”

  Mama M set herself up by the door and spoke to every man who entered.

  It might be a fair election after all.

  Millie and Julianne worked all through the morning and early afternoon, and their cookie supply was dwindling. Edwin left the restaurant across the street and headed straight for them, waving as he came. He pointed to their sign. “You know I will,” he called out as he crossed the road. “I’ve got to vote now, so I can get back for the last meal.

  He came alongside the wagon, and Millie carefully chose the cookie that she handed him.

  “One to reward you for being a voter today.” Then she handed him a second and looked around to make sure her next sentence would be private. “And one because I love you.”

  “Aye, Lassie. I’ll take a dozen more of those to hear that as many times.” Edwin smiled at her, and she wanted to jump down into his arms.

  “Only one, unfortunately.” Millie would gladly have made that trade with him. “We don’t have enough. I think we’ll run out of cookies before we run out of voters. I’m glad so many are showing up though. That’s good for us, I think.”

  “Let me vote, and then I’ll come back in half an hour with more cookies for you.” Edwin turned toward the marshal’s office and stopped in his tracks, staring at—it seemed to Millie—his mother. Can he see her? Millie hadn’t thought so since Mama Mhad shushed her at the march.

  “You have a peculiar look on your face,” Millie said, hoping he would volunteer some information. “Do you see something strange?”

  He shook his head and asked, “What do you mean exactly?”

  “Nothing. Unless you mean something. Do you?”

  Edwin looked from Millie toward the office and back again as if he was deciding what to say. “No. Nothing.” His eyes stared into Millie’s. He bit the side of his cheek, then said, “I’ll cast my vote now.”

  There continued to be a steady stream of voters all afternoon. Good
to his word, Edwin trotted over with more cookies every half hour. They would have run out long ago without his continued support. It meant so much to Millie that he supported her cause. If he hadn’t helped, they would have had to leave hours ago. He’d made this his own cause too.

  About dinnertime, Reverend Theodore walked up and turned over a soapbox, the same one Millie had used only a few days ago when she started the rally.

  “What’s he up to?” Julianne asked Millie. Her eyebrows furrowed as she watched him.

  He stood on top and began a speech. “Women do not need the vote. If a woman is married, as she should be, her husband will cast a vote for the needs of that family. What is the best a man could hope for if his wife were to vote too? Have you thought of that?” He pointed a finger at the line of voters waiting to enter the poll. “She will vote the opposite of her husband and nullify his vote! It is innate that men protect women, and women obey men. It is the law of nature.”

  At that moment, Benita came running up to stand by him. She was wearing a dress that looked as if it were rags all sewn together, the fabric hanging like the skin of a molting lizard. The men in line seemed amused by the antics of the couple more than the message Eugene wanted to impart.

  The reverend waved his hand as if to shoo her and then turned his back to her as much as he could and still face the voters.

  “Now, don’t you be ashamed of me.” Benita’s voice was whiny and high as she pulled on his coattails. “I’ve done the best I can to be presentable with what you’ll allow me.”

  “If she’s off voting, who will be making dinner?” He was shouting over her at this point. “She will neglect her wifely duties.”