“Thank you,” he said tersely. “Barring any problems with the weather or supplier delays, we should be able to get it built in six weeks. Do you have any questions?”
They didn’t.
He gathered up the drawings. “I’ll see you ladies next time.” And strode to the kitchen door and was gone.
Eddy looked to Sylvie, who simply shook her head in response.
“Maybe he’ll find someone else.”
“Let’s hope so.”
Eddy wondered how he’d react once the truth came out about Rhine, but she supposed it didn’t matter.
Over at the saloon, Rhine and Jim stood by the windows to watch the crowd of biddies outside marching back and forth with their signs, singing hymns, and shouting slogans denouncing the establishment. He spotted Natalie and her friends, the mayor’s wife and a slew of women he was unfamiliar with. They’d been out front for over an hour. “When do you think they’ll move on?” he asked Jim testily. “It’s not like we’re the only saloon in town.”
“Who knows, but Natalie could have something to do with it. She seems to be yelling the loudest and wearing the angriest face.”
Rhine focused on her, positioned at the front of the crowd, and had to agree with his partner. She’d never shown the least bit of interest in anything political the entire time he’d known her but now appeared to be boisterously embracing the cause. Dressed in all gray, she was shaking a sign that read: VICE IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVILS!! He folded his arms in frustration because the group was also verbally castigating his customers in an effort to shame them into not entering the saloon. When Cyrus Benton, a big burly carpenter, walked up, the women began their vocal assault. Cyrus, known for his quick temper, snatched Natalie’s sign from her hand, threw it into the next county, and continued on inside. Natalie stomped her foot with fury, her companions cried foul. After a few moments the singing and chanting resumed but they moved on to harass another establishment.
Jim cracked, “I think Cyrus deserves a drink on the house.”
Rhine chuckled, “I agree.”
The night of the ball, a formally attired Rhine surveyed the buffet tables. He was known for putting on a big spread at this event, and Jim and Eddy had outdone themselves with the variety of dishes and desserts offered. Good thing, too, he thought, since this would likely be the last ball he’d sponsor, at least for the Lily White arm of the party. The wait staff had arrived and were getting into their supplied uniforms. In a few minutes his guests would begin arriving as well. He’d let them enjoy the food and champagne first before making his announcement.
Eddy walked up and cast a critical eye over the offerings. “Anything you want changed?” she asked.
“No. It’s perfect.”
“Good.”
“You look very nice,” she said.
“My tie straight?”
She grinned. “Yes. If you need anything, let us know. Jim’s slicing the roast now. He’ll bring it out on the platter as soon as he’s done.”
The first of his guests, the mayor and his wife, entered the hall.
“I should get back to the kitchen so you can tend to your guests,” she said to him. “I hope things will go well.”
“So do I,” he replied. He was looking forward to it being over though, so he could spend the rest of his days with her.
As she turned to retreat to the hall’s kitchen, he called to her quietly, “Eddy?”
She stopped and looked back.
“I’ll be driving you home. Think I’ll treat you to a black powder explosion outside under the moonlight.”
She laughed and walked off. He ran appreciative eyes over the sway of her skirt then focused himself on getting through the evening ahead. Once it was over, kissing Eddy under the moonlight would be his reward.
While the musicians played, Rhine spent the first hour greeting his guests and encouraging them to help themselves to the food and drink. Some of the wives in attendance had been members of the marchers outside his saloon and he wondered if they felt like hypocrites for enjoying his hospitality. He knew better than to ask, and besides, after he made his announcement, none of it would matter. He spotted Natalie and her parents entering and walked over to them. “Welcome.”
Lyman’s nod was chilly. “Rhine.”
Rhine turned to his wife and Natalie. “Ladies.”
Natalie forced a smile and handed her wrap to the attendant. She said nothing to Rhine.