Women across this great land have merged their hearts, lives, and voices to accomplish a great goal—for women to hold the God-given rights they deserve. Most recently the National Woman Suffrage Association—a great champion for women on the federal level—has merged with the American Woman Suffrage Association, a group that has long served women through state legislation. Our arms have been strengthened by this delightful union, ladies! To paraphrase a Scripture found in Deuteronomy 32:30, one woman can put a thousand enemies to flight. Two women…ten-thousand! I, for one, have always been in favor of working together, not tearing asunder. This is a biblical principle, after all.
—Ellie Cannady, editor of The Modern Suffragette
* * * * *
THE FOLLOWING MORNING ALANNA AWOKE feeling stiff and sore. She’d spent most of the night tuning out Tessa’s incessant chatter about the upcoming rally. When she’d finally drifted off to sleep somewhere around three in the morning, her head ached and her eye twitched nonstop.
As the morning sun peeked in through the window, Alanna lay quiet in the bed, begging the Lord to help her figure out a plan to calm things down. Her prayers, though frantic, were heartfelt. If she couldn’t manage to get Tessa under control, she might very well lose her to this madness.
Her younger sister stirred, stretched, and muttered a drowsy, “Morning.”
“Good morning to you too, sleepyhead.” Alanna kept her words light, determined to start this new day on the right foot. “You slept later than usual.”
“We deserve it, after the night we had.” Tessa sat up in the bed. “Oh, but wasn’t it fun? I had the best birthday ever.”
Alanna could think of little to say except, “Glad you enjoyed it.” Still, she could hardly imagine the other guests felt the same, especially Mama and Mrs. Jacobs. And poor Margaret. How embarrassing, to have such a conversation take place with the pastor and his wife present.
Tessa propped herself up on her pillows and narrowed her gaze. “Now, Alanna, we must talk, sister to sister.”
“Oh?” Didn’t you say enough last night to last a lifetime?
“Yes.” Tessa leaned forward. “Tell the truth, now.”
“The truth?”
“Yes. Aren’t you the one who once told me that the truth would set me free?” Tessa’s impish grin turned up the corners of her mouth.
Alanna plumped her pillows and leaned back against them, pulling up the quilt to shield herself from the cold room. “Well, yes, but I’ve no idea which truth you’re referring to.” A little shiver crept along her spine, and she couldn’t help the visible shudder that followed.
Tessa put her hands behind her head and narrowed her gaze. “The truth about Tanner Jacobs. You’re infatuated with him, aren’t you? I can see it in your eyes every time you look at him.”
“W–what?” Alanna felt her right eyelid begin to twitch once more. She stared at her sister, not quite believing what she had just heard. “Have you been reading those ridiculous dime novels again?”
“Of course not. The only thing I’ve been reading is your face. I know you better than anyone else, Lana. You don’t flirt with any men back home, but you do with Tanner. It’s undeniable.”
At this point, heat started in Alanna’s neck, rushing up her face and straight to the top of her head. “Take that back,” she managed. “I do not.”
“I won’t take it back. The way you giggle and smile. The way your eyes sparkle. There’s no avoiding the obvious. You’re drawn to him.” Tessa rolled over on the bed and released an exaggerated sigh. “Oh, but who wouldn’t be? I told you, he’s just like the man in that portrait in Papa’s study. Rugged. Handsome. So very charming and witty too.” She giggled. “A girl would have to be blind not to notice.”
Instead of arguing, Alanna grew quiet and waited for her cheeks to stop burning and her eyelid to calm down. “I won’t deny he’s something special to look at,” she said at last. Unwelcomed heat crept to her cheeks, and she forced back the smile that threatened to betray her.
“Oh, he is. He carries himself with an air of self-confidence. And don’t you think he’s devilishly handsome?”
“Perhaps, though I’m not sure why you’re bringing the devil into it.”
“Because the devil has blinded me to the handsomeness of every other man in the state.” Tessa released another sigh. “I’ve never met anyone quite like Tanner Jacobs.”
After a brief pause to take in her younger sister’s expression, Alanna snapped to attention. “Now, wait a minute. You’re too young to be thinking about him in this way.”
“I am not.”
“That snake charmer has pulled you into his web, as well.”
“As well?” Tessa quirked a brow. “So I was right? You’re infatuated?”
“That’s not what I meant to say, but you’re avoiding the question. Do you have a crush on Tanner Jacobs?”
“Well, of course. I thought I made that perfectly plain. And if you’re not interested in him, Alanna, then please say so. And stop calling the man of my dreams a snake charmer. He’s no such thing.”
“He knows just what to say to the ladies to get them to swoon.” Alanna shivered and pulled the quilt up to her neck.
“He doesn’t have to say anything. That’s what’s so perfect.” Tessa pouted. “I sometimes wish he would say more to me. But he’s far too busy trying to go along with this scheme you’ve cooked up to turn him into a gentleman.”
“W–what? Who told you that?”
“His sister. Katie thinks it’s a hoot that you’re trying to change him. She’s been trying to change him for years, but in the opposite direction. She said he’s so confused, he doesn’t know if he’s coming or going.” At this, Tessa erupted in laughter. “Poor fella.”
“Poor fella, indeed. I can’t believe he told his sister. I’ve just been working with him….”
“So that he will pay you more attention.”
“Absolutely not. So that he will learn how to handle himself in social situations.”
“Like last night?” Tiny creases formed around Tessa’s eyes. “Because, I’d say you’re not doing a very good job. Otherwise he and Katie wouldn’t have gotten into it like that.”
“It wasn’t his fault.”
“Ah. And you’re defending him.” Tessa nodded. “I see. That answers my question, then.”
“Your question?”
“Yes. About whether you care for him.”
Alanna pushed back the quilt, ignoring the cold, and stepped out of the bed. “I’ve had just about enough of this. You have no idea what you’re talking about, Tessa.”
“That’s what you always say when I’m right.” Tessa climbed out of bed and waltzed across the bedroom with an invisible partner. She stopped in front of the mirror, where she began to fuss with her hair. “But if you’re being honest—if you’re really not interested in Tanner—I certainly am. I’m seventeen now, you know. A lot of seventeen-year-old girls back in Savannah have beaux Tanner’s age. I think Mama would agree to let him court me.”
“Wait a minute, Tessa. How did we transition from garnering his attentions to courting? This isn’t a game of Skip to My Lou. Are you telling me that you’ve really got feelings for this man?”
“He is a man, isn’t he?” Tessa giggled. “Oh, he is. Just look at his broad shoulders and muscled arms.” Another sigh followed. “None of the boys back in Savannah are like him. Not even one.”
“Well, no. Of course not.” Alanna paused to let her thoughts wander. Indeed, none of the fellows back home resembled Tanner, physically or otherwise. In fact, she’d never known anyone quite like this rugged cowboy. “I believe that’s why he’s cast such a spell,” she said at last. “He’s different.”
“Deliciously different.” Tessa leaned in close to the mirror and smacked her lips. “Delectably different. But I happen to like different, so if you’re not going to claim him, I will.” She turned on her heel and headed off to the bathroom.
Alanna took a seat in front of the mirror, gazed at her reflection, and wondered how in the world she could ever get her eye to stop twitching.
* * * * *
“I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE does it.” Tanner pulled the cast from the fire and set it to cool.
“Does what?” Brent watched him from a distance, a half smile on his face.
“Katie always manages to talk me into things I don’t want to do.” He eyed the brass piece, allowing it to cool before releasing it from its cast.
“Like making those bells, you mean?” Brent pointed to the table where a line of beautiful brass petal bells sat in a perfect row.
“Yeah.” Tanner sighed and turned his gaze back to the bells.
“She knows you well, Tanner.” Brent chuckled and patted him on the back. “You might disagree with her philosophies, but you still love her unconditionally. And that love gets you roped into doing a few things you don’t care to do.” He paused and offered a little shrug. “But then again, that’s what love always does. Takes you places you didn’t know you wanted to go and keeps you from losing your mind once you get there.”
Tanner paused to give his older brother a closer look, realizing his words held a double meaning. “What are you saying?”
“Not talking about Katie now.” Brent slapped him on the back. “Could be love is taking you to other places besides just bell making.”
Tanner focused on the ridge around the middle of the bell and tried to ignore the obvious. No point in denying it, but neither would he address the issue. Not while crafting sleigh bells, anyway.
“Just saying you need to keep your heart and mind open to what the Lord is doing.” Brett pointed to the bell. “I’ve ribbed you about how the ladies are playing you like Pa’s fiddle but never really considered the possibility that the Lord might be using them to mold and shape you in some way.”
At this, Tanner stopped cold. “Trust me. I’ve been molded and shaped enough over the past few days. Alanna’s got me walking and talking like a dandy. I’ve played along, but it’s getting tiresome.”
“You’ve played along so that you can spend time with her, you mean?”
“Well, sure.” Tanner took a chisel and cut the slit across the petal bell, leaving it with a large opening. He gave the ridge around the middle another solid look and double-checked the four holes cast into the lower half of the bell. Satisfied that everything was as it should be, he went to work drilling a hole through the bottom. Eventually, he would attach it to a strap with rivets. Today, however, he needed to stay focused on production.
One hundred sleigh bells. That’s what Katie had ordered up. A saner man would’ve turned her down. But, as always, he had a soft spot for his younger sister, even when she was dead wrong in her principles.
“You think on the things I’ve said, little brother.” Brent gave him another slap on the back, but the look in his eyes spoke of serious intentions. “Maybe it’s time to stop joking and start looking at very real possibilities.”
Tanner did his best not to wince. Until Brent left the barn. Then he had a lengthy talk with the bells, pouring out his frustrations. On and on he went, sharing his woes with the innocent bells. Only when he heard a familiar voice did his exaggerated conversation come to a halt.
“Tanner?”
He turned to find Alanna and Katie standing behind him, bundled in winter coats and shivering. Clamping his mouth shut, he refused to say a word.
“Just had to see this for myself.” Alanna took a few steps toward him, her hands pressed into her pockets. “Katie told me you were out here working on the bells, but I couldn’t believe it.”
“You can believe it, all right.”
She pulled her gloved hands from her pockets, picked up one of the finished ones, examined it closely, then gave him a look of admiration. “These are beautiful. I’ve never known a soul who made bells before.”
Tanner shrugged. “It’s something my grandpa taught me years ago. He created the cast. I just mold them according to his specifications then do a bit of tidying up once they’re done.”
“Tidying up?” She pulled off one of her gloves and ran her finger along the intricate petal-like shapes. “You mean this detailing? It’s exquisite.”
Tanner squirmed, unsure of what to say. He’d never been very good at accepting flattery, especially not from pretty girls. He’d best divert the attention. “Well, Cattle Kate over there knows how to get me to do what she wants.”
“It’s a special gift I have.” Amusement flickered in Katie’s eyes. “From the time I was little, I played on his talents. He’s especially good with bells. That’s really what prompted this idea in the first place.”
“Yep. Cattle Kate and her cow bells. Ironic.” He went back to work, doing his best to avoid looking into Alanna’s penetrating gaze.
“Why do you keep calling her that?” she asked after a moment.
Katie rolled her eyes then picked up one of the finished bells. “Cattle Kate, you mean? The name is meant to carry a sting, I can assure you. He’s poking fun. Taking advantage of a weakness of mine.”
“If it’s a joke, I’ve somehow missed the punch line.” Alanna looked back and forth at Tanner and Katie. “Is someone going to spill the beans, or do I have to guess?”
Tanner stopped working long enough to give her an inquisitive look. “You mean you’ve never heard of the real Cattle Kate?”
“No, can’t say as I have.”
He chuckled. “Well, she’s the stuff legends are made of, at least around these parts. She was an outlaw.”
“An outlaw?” Alanna paled. “Truly?”
“According to legend anyway,” Katie threw in.
Tanner gestured for the girls to sit on the bench across from him. “I’m not altogether sure that’s been proven,” he said. “But Cattle Kate lived in Wyoming at the time our pa was being raised. He tells the story better than anyone. He says she wasn’t charged with a crime but made quite a name for herself performing all sorts of illegal deeds. He named Katie after her, in fact.”
Alanna turned to Katie, her eyes widening. “You’re named after an outlaw?”
“Yep.” Katie chuckled. “Only, I’m scared of cows.”
“What?”
“Yep. That’s the joke.” Tanner laughed so hard he couldn’t stand up straight. “Cattle Kate’s afraid of the cows.”
Katie sighed. “It’s true. I’m not partial to them. Haven’t been, since one of Brett’s Herefords jabbed me in the backside as a kid. Sent me running across the field and straight into my mama’s arms. Talk about a wound that took awhile to mend. We don’t realize how much we use our backside ’til it’s suddenly too sore to use.” The girls took to giggling, but Katie grew more serious as she faced Tanner. “Reminds me, too, that I don’t know how much I need those who love me until I’ve been at odds with them.”
His heart melted at once. He slipped his arm around Katie and pulled her close, planting a kiss on top of that mop of blond hair. Then he looked at Alanna and sighed. “Now you see how she ropes me into these things. How can I resist a comment like that?”
“I know how to play on his sympathies,” Katie said with a wink. “He’s crazy about bells.”
Alanna sighed as she rolled one of the smaller ones from one hand to another. “Me too. Bells are a vital part of our Christmas celebration back in Savannah.”
“Oh?” He gave her a curious look.
“Yes. Our church would ring the bells four times for Christmas. Three times for Easter.”
“Interesting. I would think there would be more fanfare for Easter, to be honest. After all, that’s when the resurrection is celebrated.”
“I’m not sure who came up with the system, but, for as long as I can remember, the bells have pealed four times for Christmas. That’s all I know.”
“Makes me want to sneak into the bell tower and give that bell an extra ring.” Katie grinned. “Why is it I have such a hard time sticking with tradition?”
Tanner chuckled. “Nothing new there.”
“Guess I’m something of a rebel.” She offered up an overdramatic sigh. “I didn’t set out to be, mind you. Just sort of happened.”
“Nothing ‘just happens,’ little sister. We change over time. Nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Do you mean that, Tanner? I always thought you were embarrassed by my passion for women’s rights.”
His heart stirred as he gave his sister another warm hug. “Oh, I’ve been a little embarrassed at times, but I always get beyond it.”
Tanner couldn’t help but notice Alanna’s eyes sparkling as she looked at them. “This is what I love about your relationship. You can argue one minute and be perfectly at ease the next. I would say the Lord has gone a long way in mending fences between the two of you, which makes me very happy.”
“I live to make you happy.”
Where the words came from, he could not be sure. Still, as he looked into Alanna’s beautiful green eyes, as he pondered the winsome smile on that gorgeous face, Tanner realized he would love to have the opportunity to do just that.