He wasn’t opposed to a national park being created. It was important to preserve magnificent places of God’s creation and make them available to the public. But after another fifteen minutes of discussion and questions, no one seemed to care much. The weight of losing the main line of the railroad had sunk in.
And it was devastating.
Judge Ashbury ended the meeting. Nothing positive hadbeen accomplished for the welfare of Kalispell, but at least everyone knew where they stood.
“Well, that was some evening.” Dad let out a sigh and glanced around the opera house. He looked back at Carter, his expression tight. “Let’s get together sometime this week. We can look at options for shipping up north.” Dad stood as the crowd dispersed.
“Sounds good.” Carter’s gaze turned to the stage. Ellie and her father were in discussion with the Judge and Marvella. Ellie’s cheeks were pinker, but her lips were tight and pinched. “Hey, Dad. Come with me for a minute. I want to introduce you to Mr. Briggs and his daughter.”
They made their way through the sea of people and waited. Marvella spotted them and held out her arm to welcome them into the circle.
“Carter and Jacob Brunswick. I hoped we might meet up tonight. I understand you’ve met our house guests.” Marvella patted Carter’s arm.
“Yes, at least I have.” Carter smiled at Ellie. “We encountered each other at the train station.”
“That’s what Miss Briggs told me.” Marvella lifted her lips just a touch. That twinkle in her eye said more than she let on. “I hope you are as impressed with them as we are.”
“Of course.” Carter kept his features neutral. “I wanted Dad to meet them. He was eager to meet Mr. Hill as well.”
Hill had been speaking to the mayor but turned at the sound of his name.
Dad offered his hand to Mr. Hill. “We met some years back to negotiate wheat shipments. Guess we’re going to have to remake our agreement.”
“Ah yes, Mr. Brunswick.” Mr. Hill took the proffered hand and shook it.
Dad turned to Carter. “This is my son, Carter. He also has a contract with the Great Northern for Brunswick Flour—he owns the mill. Guess we’ll both have to figure out a new way to transport our commodities.”
“Ah, I see.”
At least Hill had the decency to look a little uncomfortable.
Mr. Grinnell held out his hand. “Mr. Brunswick, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Mr. Briggs did the same. “Pleasure.” They shook hands and then Dad turned to Ellie. “And it is a delight to meet you. Carter, you didn’t tell me just how beautiful this young lady was.”
Ellie’s cheeks flushed and he had to suppress a grin. He raised an eyebrow at his dad. “I suppose I was just keeping that to myself for fear of the word getting around.” He winked at Ellie. The pale pink bloomed to a darker red, and Carter paused. She’d had a rough night. It was probably not right to tease her so much.
“The Briggses and Mr. Grinnell are getting ready to trek out into the mountains.” Marvella’s eyes brightened. She rapped Carter’s forearm with her folded fan. “However, I just had a marvelous idea. When they return in three weeks, I would like to host you all at dinner. Would you and Mrs. Brunswick be able to join us?”
Dad replied before Carter could. “Of course. We’d enjoy that very much.”
Ellie leaned over and whispered to her dad. Carter watched their interaction from his periphery. Mr. Briggswaved a hand at Ellie and turned away from his daughter. Ellie’s shoulders curled, her head dropping slightly. It wasn’t his place to interfere in family affairs, but the lack of care Mr. Briggs was showing Ellie after her scare tonight set Carter’s teeth on edge. He was about to ask her if she needed something, but Marvella interrupted him.
“And what about you, Carter dear? Would you enjoy an evening with the captivating Miss Briggs as your dining companion?”
Carter snapped to attention. With any luck, his observation of the pretty Miss Briggs had gone unnoticed. But no. The gleam in Marvella’s eyes told him it had not. He swallowed, resisting the urge to tug his collar. “I’d be happy to be there. Miss Briggs is always a pleasure to talk to.”
Marvella smiled, looking like a cat with fresh cream. Heaven only knew what was happening in her mind. “That is the correct answer, Mr. Brunswick. Now”—she turned to her husband, who had just joined the group—“what are you going to do about that miscreant who almost injured Miss Briggs?”
The Judge buttoned his coat, his eyes trained on Ellie. “You can be sure that they will be dealt with, Miss Briggs. I hope it doesn’t color your opinion of Kalispell. Folks are having a difficult time adjusting, but that’s no excuse for violence.”
“I appreciate your kindness, Judge.” Ellie gave the older gentleman the first genuine smile Carter had seen all evening.
Marvella slipped her arm through her husband’s and gave the group a firm nod. “The Judge is right. Our town is in adifficult spot. But we will find a way through, with the Lord’s help.” She glanced at Carter and Ellie, a smile blooming on her face. “And maybe along the way see a little happiness come to fruition.”
“Now, Marvella, you let these young people be. They don’t need to be hustled down the aisle.” The Judge patted his wife’s hand. Marvella shook his hand away, giving her husband a look.
Carter chuckled. Marvella and the Judge were a pair, and for the first time since the evening began, he felt some of the stress leave his shoulders. The Ashburys had a way of doing that. “Don’t you worry, Judge. I’ve no mind to get into any schemes. If the Lord has a wife for me, He’ll lead me to her.”
