He took her hand in his. “Why don’t we pray for her together?”
“I would love nothing more.”
THURSDAY, JUNE30, 1904
Carter took a seat and waited for the mayor to address the men of Kalispell. Dad hadn’t been able to make it since his harvest had started, but Carter promised to bring him all the news.
The mayor signaled for people to stop talking. “I’m glad that you could join us here today. It’s become evident that the decisions made by James Hill of the Great Northern Railway are final and firm. We tried our best to reason with them and get at least a regular train in once a week, but we haven’t come to a firm agreement on this. Only time will tell.
“The railroad will abandon us as the main line in August. But we are determined to keep Kalispell moving forward.With that in mind, and after discussing this situation at length with the city council, we are happy to say that we have a plan.”
Carter shifted in his chair, glancing around. He heard a few comments of approval offered from men in the audience, but most remained silent, not yet convinced that any plan could save them.
The mayor continued. “We will do whatever is necessary to improve the road between our city and the railroad in Whitefish. We’ll take on as many of the unemployed men as come to us to make a solid and dependable road, and to make it quickly. We will see to it that this road is not only created but maintained to keep the flow of supplies coming in and local products moving out.”
Well, good news at last. This would help Carter and his father with their plans to transport goods. A better road to Whitefish might mean the freighters would keep their prices at a reasonable rate. After all, they were about to get a boon in their business.
“We are also going to look at improving the route south to Flathead Lake where we can. That way, when necessary, we can utilize the steamboats for transportation. The good news is that the existing road to the lake is better established and will probably need fewer improvements.”
“When ya gonna do this, Mayor?” someone called out from the crowd.
“We are going to send a team out immediately to determine what improvements are needed. They will report back to us as soon as possible. Hopefully by the Fourth of July celebration. Then we can take a moment at the festivities to have another town meeting and report to you. Ofcourse, with that date just days away, the report will be cursory. Some of the men will remain to take measurements and work up more of the details needed to figure the costs, and we will hear from them after Independence Day. Thus, for the time being I am adjourning this gathering to await further information so that we may make an educated decision.”
Carter shifted out of the way of some of the men who were leaving. There was grumbling here and there, but for the most part the men seemed in fairly good spirits. Dad would be glad to hear the plans for the road improvements. This was the logical choice, and it would benefit everyone.
He glanced at his watch. Nearly noon. His favorite café was just around the corner so it seemed only natural that he should stop in for lunch. He was almost to the door when he spied Ellie Briggs riding her bicycle toward him. He gave her a wave. There had been no chance to talk to her since the dinner six days ago, and he needed to clear the air between them.
She slowed and stopped just before reaching the corner where he stood. Carter gave her a smile. “Where are you off to?”
“Home. Not that it’s any of your business.”
Her sharp tone, while understandable, took him aback. “I was hoping I might run into you today.”
Her foot fidgeted on the pedal of her bike. “I was just as hopeful that we could avoid any confrontations.”
He might have laughed another time, but not on the heels of hurting her. “Ellie, I’m so sorry for what I said and how I handled myself at the dinner last week. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
For the first time since he’d met her, Eleanor Briggs showed no emotion on her face. “You owe me no apology. As I said, I’d rather avoid any confrontations.” She propped one foot on a pedal and moved to ride around him.
He slid in front of her, arms open wide to impede her progress. “Idoowe you an apology. And I want to make it right.” He took one more step toward her, trying to catch her eye. “Let me buy you lunch. I’m just heading to the café. We can talk over some of the best beef stew and fresh bread that you’ll find in all of Montana.”
Her eyes slammed into his and she shook her head. “No, thank you.”
“Ellie, please.” Couldn’t she hear how real his desperation was? “I know I don’t deserve kindness and mercy from you after the way I acted. The things I said.” He pushed a hand through his hair. “Please take some time to hear me out.”
She looked away and then nodded. “Very well. I will extend some kindness.” She got off the bicycle and Carter reached out to take hold of it lest she change her mind.
“I’ve got this. I’ll rest it over here.” He put the bicycle alongside the café, then extended his arm to her. With what looked to be great reluctance, she finally slipped her hand in the crook of his arm and let him help her up onto the boardwalk.
They made their way inside, where already the place was filling up with some of the men Carter had seen at the meeting. He led Ellie to a table near the window so she could look out and see her bicycle.
Adrenaline rushed through him, making his hands shake.Please help me, Jesus. I want to be a good friend to Ellie.
After pulling out her chair for her to sit, he took the chair opposite and leaned in. “The mayor held a town meeting a little bit ago. That’s why there are so many people in here now.”
She glanced around. “What? Why?”
“He let us all know that because the railroad is moving out, the city plans to improve the road to Whitefish and down to Flathead Lake.”
