Ribbons of Steel (20 page)

Catherine started everyone to singing, and by the time they were half-way to town, Seth was pleased to hear them in a merry mood once again. Even Madeline had the makings of a smile.

Yep. Catherine was going to make a good teacher if she ever got the chance.

As Seth steered the wagon into the village and rounded the street next to McCarthy’s store, they fell in line with other families coming in from the countryside to join the festivities. Finding an empty spot next to the athletic field where the day’s events were already underway, he nudged his horses and wagon into the tight spot. A quick jerk on the reins and they were there. Seth jumped down, tied the horses to the iron ring in the hitching post, gave the horses a gentle pat on their heads, and then put a hand up to help Mrs. Flanagan down.

Timothy, Michael, and Robert didn’t waste any time. They jumped from the back of the wagon and ran off to meet their school chums they’d already spotted. Seth took a moment to scan the open park until he found the one person he was looking for—Anna Louise. She was standing behind a table at the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union’s booth where people were already lining up to purchase some of the society’s baked goods.

“She fancies you, you know,” Catherine said when they were alone again, Mrs. Flanagan and Madeline having run off to join the throng of fair-goers and set up their own booth to sell her crisp, white Irish lace. Sarah was tucked snug around Madeline’s pudgy frame, while Maggie carried her boxes of lace like a proud owner of precious Tiffany glass. Catherine and Seth carried the cherry pies across the fair grounds at a slower pace.

Seth sighed. “I aim to ask her to marry me today,” he confided, not bothering to meet Catherine’s eyes while they made their way to the tables where the pie contest was to take place.

“Didn’t you already ask her?”

Seth kept his eyes on Anna Louise the whole time, hoping she’d look his way.

She didn’t.

“I did. Guess I did it all wrong.”

“If you weren’t so stupid when it comes to courting a lady, Seth Carmichael, you’d figure out how to do it proper. Let her get her teaching certificate, and then go after her. What’s the rush? You’ve a farm to run.”

“Gads, Catherine. When it comes to love, I don’t think you’re an expert yet, yourself. Besides, in between milking cows and goats, and plowing fields my mind has been patient long enough. What I need to figure out is how to win her away from that lumber tycoon, Mr. Linsky.”

“Tycoon? I don’t believe Mr. Linsky falls into such an elite category.” Catherine stopped and glared into Seth’s eyes. “Perhaps they’re just friends. And maybe, just maybe, Anna Louise is using him to find out just how serious you are about wanting to marry her. And from the looks of you, I’d say it’s working. You’re jealous.”

“Jealous?
Jealous? Me
?” Seth hissed between clenched teeth so no one else would hear. He glared back into Catherine’s sparkling eyes. Dang it. She had the nerve to laugh right in his face. Shucks. Maybe she was right. His sister had a knack of always being right. He took a deep breath and sighed, and then turned to continue across the noisy, crowded fairgrounds with Catherine, holding a cherry pie in each hand.

“I am not jealous. There is something about Mr. Linsky that doesn’t seem right. I’m only worried about her getting involved in something illegal.”

“You are jealous.”

“I am not.”

“Yes. You are.” Catherine laughed.

Seth stormed off ahead of her toward the pie booth, ending the conversation.

Once the pies were delivered, Seth walked back to the wagon to get the two picnic baskets. He carried them across the field, along with a blanket he threw over his shoulders. He found a place along the far side of the festivities where they were sure to have an excellent view of the hot air balloon set to go off at one o’clock. He spotted Madeline rounding the last booth, Sarah in tow, heading his way.

“Where’s your mother?” Seth asked, taking Sarah in his outstretched arms while Madeline helped spread the large quilt out on the grass.

“She’s still at her booth. There were lots of people buying her lace.”

“Good. I hope she gets plenty of orders, too.” He handed Sarah back to the young girl once she was settled on the ground.

Catherine walked across the field, talking to a young lady he didn’t recognize. They stopped for a moment, spoke, and then waved to each other as they turned to go their separate ways. From a distance, the girl was a might taller than Catherine. She was thin looking, wore a long skirt of blue denim, and her dark hair hung in a long single braid.

“Who were you talking to?” he asked as Catherine drew near.

Catherine knelt on the quilt and took the tablecloth out of the picnic basket to spread it on top of the blanket before she answered.

“An acquaintance from school, Cassandra Strang. Her family lives on the farm over the hill from ours. I’m surprised you haven’t met her father at one of your farm meetings.”

“Of course. He’s big in the Agriculture Society. I didn’t know he had any daughters.”

“Just one. I doubt if she’s going back to the Academy in the fall though. She’s too busy wanting to raise and train horses. I would have introduced you, but I figured the two of you had already met. She seems to know you. She’s a very nice lady.”

“It’s not important.” Seth looked over to where Cassandra Strang stood with her family, quite at ease with herself.

Catherine lifted fried chicken, potato salad, cheese, pickled beets, hard boiled eggs, and watermelon wedges out of the basket. The tantalizing smells reminded Seth just how hungry he was. He looked down at the great feast laid out before them and forgot about everything except his stomach. He figured his brothers must have a natural homing device for food because they appeared out of nowhere.

All around them, other families gathered with their picnic baskets and blankets and settled on the green lawn. Tiny violets grew among the clover and a few dandelions added a touch of sunshine with little mounds of yellow. A variety of colorful parasols also dotted the park to protect the women from the hot noontime sun. A cheerful afternoon, Seth’s mood was light and positive. He sat back while everyone enjoyed the festivities. Even baby Sarah was on her best behavior, and Madeline’s smile had grown a tad wider.

Seth scanned the picnickers in search of Anna Louise. Not able to locate her, he figured she was still busy at the Women’s Christian Temperance Union’s cake-wheel booth. He checked his pocket watch.

“Is it time for the balloon man to take off?” Timothy asked.

“It’s taking an awful long time to get the dang-blasted contraption up in the air,” Michael spoke up.

“According to the schedule, the balloon should have already been in the air, flying high over the field,” Catherine said.

“Be patient,” Seth scolded. “Let’s eat while we wait. It shouldn’t be long now.”

They finished eating, stowed everything back in the baskets, and still the hot air balloon lay limp on the ground. Many of the other families started packing up as well, and were beginning to mill about, chatting, while their children ran off. Several balls appeared and a game of baseball got underway. Timothy joined in, but Michael, with his broken arm, and Robert stood to the side. Mrs. Flanagan and Catherine were engaged in conversation with several of the other women, while Madeline remained on the blanket with Sarah, playing pat-a-cake.

Seth spotted Mr. Linsky across the way talking to the owners of the two major mills in the village. Perhaps now was his chance to go visit Anna Louise’s booth while everyone else was otherwise occupied.

Mustering the nerve, Seth had only taken two steps when the band struck up a few loud notes, followed by the thunderous percussions, preparing everyone for the biggest event of the day. The balloon was finally about to lift off. Children ran back to be with their families, and the entire crowd turned to observe the multi-stripped colored balloon take form and rise upward.

A man with a big black top hat, a black tuxedo complete with long tails, and a white starched shirt climbed into the basket, which was attached to the balloon with thick ropes. It was all held fast to the ground where another man was frantically running to each corner in an effort to untie the anchors so the basket would lift evenly. The basket jerked forward, then dragged along the ground like a drunkard, bumping, leaning, and lifting in a staggering motion while flames shot up inside of the balloon. Several bystanders, too close to the balloon, were knocked over, only just managing to roll out of the way, unharmed. The balloon finally took flight into the perfect blue sky in a dramatic sweep. The crowd burst into a cacophony of cheering and clapping. Kids jumped up and down, while adults craned their necks to watch the spectacle. The balloon hung in space for a few more seconds and then rose higher and higher, then drifted over the nearby homes along Main Street. Another round of clapping and cheering erupted as the great colorful spectacle floated up, up, and away. And disappeared out of sight.

Without seeming to worry about where the balloon was going to land, people settled back on their blankets to listen as the local band play several marching songs. Some settled in to chat and enjoy the remains of their picnics. Catherine picked up Sarah, settled her in the pram, and wandered off toward the pie contest booth. Seth and the boys took the empty baskets back to the wagon. Once they were stowed, the boys set off at a dead run to meet up with their friends once again.

“Don’t leave the park,” Seth yelled. “We’re all to meet back here so we can go to the church for services and dinner later this evening.”

The fair in full swing, the crowd milled about participating in the day’s various events. Seth figured Timothy and Robert were off to take part in the ring toss and the three-legged races. Michael, more than likely headed for the pie-eating contest hoping he’d get Catherine’s pie. With his siblings entertained, Seth took the opportunity to finally go in search of Anna Louise.

At first, he didn’t see her, and his heart dropped clear down to his boots with a thud of defeat. He was too late. What was he to do? He’d come prepared to be a perfect gentleman and show Anna Louise how much he truly cared. Had he missed his chance to tell her things had changed at the farm? Now that Maggie was there to help his sister, she no longer had to worry about helping him with his family.

Seth turned around, head drooping, and walked back toward his wagon in disappointment. Not paying any attention to where he was going, he was surprised when someone called his name.

“Seth. How nice to see you,” Anna Louise trilled, a welcoming smile covered her beautiful face.

Seth stopped and stared. Anna Louise looked like a Christmas present on the Fourth of July. Her white dress was ruffled with a big red bow around her waist and hung clear to her hemline in the back. Her long ringlets flowed from the crown of her head with another red bow keeping all those lovely strands in place. And Seth spied the tips of her red shoes peeking out from under her gown.

His heart picked up a beat, and his chest hurt with the speed. His mouth dry, he had to say something, but was speechless. Yet, he didn’t want this chance to pass him by.

“You look lovely today, Anna Louise,” he stuttered.

“Why thank you, Seth,” she replied, bobbing her head, and then making eye contact.

If Seth’s heart didn’t stop doing a dance in his chest, he’d make a fool of himself when it popped right through in front of his shirt for everyone at the park to see.

He hoped his face wasn’t red. Men didn’t blush. But dear Lord, being this near to Anna Louise made him warm all over. It was a hot afternoon, yes, but this heat had nothing to do with the weather. On the other hand, perhaps she would presume the bright color of his face was the result of sunburn.

“Can I walk you to where you’re going?” he asked. “Here, let me carry your basket.”

“Why thank you. How kind of you to offer,” Anna Louise said, handing him the basket and tucking her hand through his right arm.

Seth’s heart picked up speed once more. Did this girl have any idea what her touching him did to his heart? Men didn’t swoon, but he was pretty close to falling to his knees.

“I’m just back from getting one of my spice cakes to take back to the cake wheel booth. I made it myself.”

“I’ll have to take a chance, then. I love spice cake.”

Which wasn’t altogether true, but if Anna Louise made it, it had to be excellent. Perhaps he’d come to like spice cake.

Anna Louise smiled, her eyes as blue as a robin’s newly laid egg and just as bright as the noonday sunshine. Lost in their depths, he almost dropped the cake when he lost his footing, catching himself only when he looked straight ahead. Her hands tightened on his arm, and he didn’t think he was going to survive the experience.

Was Anna Louise flirting with him?

Confident things were looking up, to his way of thinking, Seth presumed this to be the right time to put his proposal forward again.

The smell of lavender wafted up to tickle his nose. He closed his eyes for only a moment to savior the essence of Anna Louise. He opened them to find Mr. Linsky approaching.

Seth’s heart took a dive. This time, doom had just struck a blow. The spell was broken.

Mr. Linsky fell into step on the other side of Anna Louise.

Ill at ease, Seth was determined to keep pace and deliver Anna Louise’s cake as promised. The three of them walked together to the cake-wheel booth. In silence.

If he didn’t have a hold of her basket, he’d turn tail and run. Yep. He was a coward. So what? He couldn’t stand the man.

There were words he wanted to say to Mr. Linsky, but he had vowed to be a perfect gentleman in front of Anna Louise today. As much as it tore at his heart, the best thing to do was leave without making a fool of himself once again. Instead, he begged his leave.

The day wasn’t over. There might be other opportunities to be alone with Anna Louise. He would be patient.

Dejected, Seth searched for the others. Mr. Childs, the photographer, and his son were taking photos today. He had saved enough money so he could have a photograph taken of the whole family. Catherine had suggested they send one to their mother so she could see they were all doing well, especially baby Sarah.