She glanced at him and shook her head. “I’m fine.”
He took her elbow and led her to an empty chair. A large tree offered shade and a gentle breeze.
Father pulled out the chair and helped her to sit. Marvella arrived and claimed the seat across from Eleanor, her concern palpable.
“Are you all right, my dear?”
Eleanor nodded. “Just a bit of a headache.”
A touch of worry showed in Father’s eyes. “She’s probably had too much sun. She’ll be better here in the shade.”
To the left of the grandstand, a band began to take form as musicians with their instruments took their places. After another minute or two, the conductor raised his baton, and the band sounded a call to attention. The mayor stepped up on the grandstand, and the crowd went silent.
“Let us stand for ‘Hail Columbia’!”
Everyone rose and the band began to play. Voices were raised from one end of the park area to the other. It was only then that Eleanor really noticed the red, white, and blue buntings fashioned after the American flag. The Montana state flag had been set up in place just a little lower on the grandstand than the Stars and Stripes, and at the tables for the city’s important guests, red, white, and blue tablecloths were laid.
Eleanor had never participated in an event like this one. She and Father had never attended parties or such revelry.Generally speaking, Father’s work kept them much too busy, and more times than she could count, they were on a train to some new destination when July Fourth came around.
In fact ... the same could be said of Christmas and birthdays. After Mother died, they had forsaken such things, offering only the slightest attention to those events that demanded action. Father always gave Eleanor a gift for her birthday and Christmas, and she had done the same for him, but there was little celebration.
How could they have let joy escape them?
Last night she’d known such happiness in just reading the Bible and remembering her mother. Could they ever recapture the joy they’d once known without Mother?
The music ended and the mayor again spoke. “We will have the Reverend Brooks offer grace, and then everyone can form a line for the food. Please allow our guests of honor to go first.”
The pastor came and prayed while the mayor retook his seat. As soon as the amens were said, the mayor greeted Mr. Hill with a vigorous handshake. He gave a nod to the Ashburys, the Briggses, and Mr. Grinnell. Eleanor allowed her father to maneuver her through the crowd, and the rest were ushered to the front of the line, where Mrs. Ashbury motioned to Nora. The maid immediately took up a stack of plates and handed one to each of them.
“Everyone brings their own plates,” Marvella told Eleanor and her father. “Silver and glasses too. It’s easier that way. We just pack it all up and take it home afterwards.”
Nora handed her and Father a plate, then turned and gave one to Marvella as well.
“Silver and the glasses are being put on the table as we speak. Napkins too.” She moved on to Mr. Grinnell and the Judge.
“Seems most efficient.” Father smiled at Mrs. Ashbury.
“Oh, it is, and we all just share the load of providing food. The Kalispell Women’s Club goes around and gets the help of the various church women. They in turn can reach out to their family members and friends. We never lack for food.”
Eleanor glanced down the many tables and marveled at the way everything had come together. No, they wouldn’t lack food. That was clear.
“This evening everyone will bring their own food, and we will sit out under the stars, although we won’t be able to see them due to the long hours of sun. We’ll watch the fireworks and listen to the band play again. It’s always such a grand celebration.” Marvella’s eyes fairly glowed at all she’d arranged.
Eleanor made her food choices and then waited while a big burly man gave her a large piece of roasted pork. It was far more than she’d be able to eat, but she smiled and thanked him for it, nevertheless.
“If you need help with that, just give me a holler.”
She turned to find Carter’s dad beside her.
“Mr. Brunswick. How nice to see you. I was just thinking that the portion was much bigger than I’d be able to manage.”
“Too bad you aren’t sitting with us. I know Carter would certainly enjoy that.”
She felt her cheeks heat up. Thankfully no one seemed to notice. Even Mr. Brunswick had moved on to greet the others.
Eleanor did her best to calm her nerves. If anyone asked about her cheeks, she would blame the sun. She made her way back to the table only to find Carter waiting there.
“Looks like your eyes may be bigger than your stomach. You sure you can eat all that?”
