Christmas is behind us, ladies. Rarely have I been this reflective at the onset of a new year, but with the possibility of war hovering over us, I cannot help but look ahead. Those who know me can attest to the fact that I am opposed to war. However, that does not mean I have no empathy for those who will serve our country. On the contrary—my thoughts and prayers are with them. I may never see a literal battlefield, but I know what it is to fight in the spirit. With this new year, I recommit myself to enter that battle afresh… on my knees.
—Ellie Cannady, editor of The Modern Suffragette
* * * * *
LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER Christmas, Tanner left his post at Fort Missoula with a heavy heart. His visit with the company doctor had not gone as he had hoped. In spite of his zealous attempts to convince Doc Keller that he should be allowed to fight for his country, the answer was a resounding no. Thanks to a childhood illness he could scarcely remember, Tanner would never serve his country on the battlefield, at least according to the doctor. Now he must find a way to aid in the war effort from home.
These feelings of conflict that rose inside of him could not be squelched, though he fought to convince himself it was for the best. He was needed at home. This, he’d been reminded of, time and time again. But with the ever-present realization that Alanna would be leaving to go back to Savannah as soon as the snows melted, he could no longer abide the idea of staying in Montana.
Somehow, he must reconcile the feelings warring within him, and he must do so in a quiet way so that Alanna would be none the wiser. Not to mention Mama. As much as he’d hoped to fight for his country, the idea of leaving the ranch caused all sorts of conflicting feelings to arise. Would they ever subside?
After leaving the fort, he headed into town to the mercantile to pick up supplies before going back to the ranch. He stopped in front of the art gallery with his heart in his throat as he realized that his painting in the front window had gone missing. Not that it really mattered. In his current frame of mind, Tanner didn’t want to think about his paintings. Maybe he would never paint again. Not until after the war, anyway. Stepping away from the canvas and brush would be his silent rebellion for not getting to do the one thing he felt most called to do—fight.
As he stared through the glass at the empty spot where the beautiful landscape had been, Tanner was reminded of his sister’s words: “I do wonder why it is that men are happiest when they’re fighting.”
He shook off the frustrations that rose up at the reminder then turned his attentions to loading his purchases into the car. No point in fretting over what could never be. If he couldn’t cross the globe to tend to the needs of his country, he could at the very least take care of things at home.
* * * * *
IN THE WEEKS AFTER GIVEN’S birth, Alanna grew increasingly more concerned about Margaret’s mood. Things grew to a frightening point on a Saturday morning after Brett headed out to tend to the cattle. Margaret lay in the bed, weeping and unable—or unwilling—to hold the baby. Alanna took over the responsibility of Given’s care as the tears flowed on Margaret’s end. She eased her way out of the bedroom, babe in hand, to give her sister some privacy.
“I don’t know what to make of it,” she said to Mama a few minutes later as they met in the parlor. Gazing into the infant’s beautiful eyes, she sighed. “Your mama’s struggling, little one.”
“It’s not uncommon after giving birth,” Mama said. “Happened to me when Tessa was born, remember?”
Alanna tried to recount the memory but could not. “What is the cause of it?”
Mama released a little sigh as she reached down to take baby Given from Alanna’s arms. “I can’t say why it happens, but the doctor called it the blues. Said it’s common among women who’ve just given birth.” She gave the infant several light kisses on her brow.
“Very odd. How long does it last?”
“No idea, though I did know a lady once who suffered terribly for months.”
A gripping sensation seized Alanna’s heart. “You don’t think that will happen to Margaret, do you?”
“Surely not.” Mama shrugged off the idea as she laid Given down on the edge of the sofa and began the task of changing her diaper. “She’s a strong, sturdy girl. We all know that. She’ll snap out of this soon enough, I daresay.”
“I hope so.”
“And in the meantime, I’ll send Tanner for the doctor. Margaret will just think he’s following up on the birth of the baby. We can ask for his advice.”
“Good idea. I would feel better.”
As her mother handed off the freshly diapered baby and disappeared into the kitchen, Alanna fought to keep her focus on the matter at hand. She couldn’t help but think of all those speeches Margaret had given about women’s equality. It seemed in the past couple of weeks, she’d climbed into a hole of her own choosing—one that left her vulnerable, weepy, and somewhat irrational. Not at all the strong, liberated soul she’d once been.
But what could be done about it?
Alanna could only think of one thing—prayer. She would offer up a plea to the Almighty to spare her sister from whatever anguish she might be facing.
She headed back up to Margaret’s room and found her sister sleeping. With little else to do, Alanna paced the room, keeping a watchful eye on baby Given, finally placing her in the cradle as she dozed. Of course, watching a sleeping infant took very little effort.
Minutes later the babe let out a cry, and Margaret startled awake. She sat up in the bed, a wild-eyed look coming over her. “Is that the baby?”
“Yes.” Alanna peeked into the cradle, happy to find the infant had settled down. “But she’s gone back to sleep. You should do the same.”
“I feel as if I sleep all the time now.” Margaret rested her head against the pillow. “So much for saying I’m a pillar of strength.”
“You’ve just had a baby. It takes time to recover. Besides, you were up half the night. I heard you pacing the floor in between feedings.”
“My schedule is off-kilter. I don’t know night from day anymore. And when I am awake, I feel as if I have no energy at all.” Margaret shifted her position. “I’ve never been one to take to my bed, even in the worst of circumstances.” Her eyes filled with moisture and she shook her head. “I don’t know what’s come over me. I really don’t.”
“Try not to fret, Margaret. Please.”
“There’s just so much to think about, now that Given’s here.”
“Like what?”
Margaret propped herself up and sighed. “I’m starting to think that you were right all along.”
“About what?”
“About going back home to Savannah.”
Alanna’s heart twisted. “Do you really mean that?”
“I—I don’t know. I just know that life here is difficult. When I look into Given’s precious face, when I see those tiny hands and beautiful eyes, I wonder if she’s going to be strong enough to last in these surroundings. I wish she had a proper layette, one like we had as girls. I can’t give her anything like that here. She will never have a fancy cradle or delicate clothes.” Margaret buried her face into her pillow. A muffled, “What was I thinking?” followed.
Alanna stroked her sister’s hair. “You were thinking it would be wonderful to spend your life in a new place with a man who loves you more than life itself.”
Margaret lifted her teary face and sniffled. “Y–yes.”
“And you were thinking it would be lovely to have your daughter share in the adventure of growing up in a place where she can experience new and wonderful things with a freedom women in the South cannot.”
“Yes.” A half smile lit Margaret’s face. “You always know just what to say to cheer me up, Lana.”
“Usually it’s the other way around, but I will accept the compliment. Just promise me you will rest easy. You need to stay strong for the baby, and that’s not going to happen if you’re exhausted.”
Margaret yawned. “I will. I promise. And in case I haven’t said it before, thank you.”
“For what?”
“For coming all this way to be with me.” Tears covered her lashes. “It means the world to me, Lana. Having my sisters here is such a blessing.”
“I’m the one who’s blessed.”
“That makes two of us, then.” Margaret’s eyes fluttered closed, and before long her gentle breathing eased into a soft snore.
Alanna’s thoughts shifted to Tanner. She couldn’t help but feel some concern, knowing he planned to see the doctor this morning. A shiver ran down her spine, and she whispered a prayer for the Lord’s will to be done. Every time she envisioned him heading off to some strange place to fight for his country, her heart felt as if it would break in two. Then again, every time she thought about going back home to Savannah, her heart felt equally as heavy. Still, the inevitable road stretched out before her, beckoning her home.
Determined to shake off her uneasiness, Alanna headed downstairs to brew some tea. Perhaps it would warm her from the inside out and remove the never-ending chill that seemed to grip her heart when she thought about leaving.
She found Katie in the kitchen with Mama and Tessa and greeted her with a warm hug. “How are you doing, Katie?”
“Doing quite well, thank you. I’ve just had the most glorious news. Ellie Cannady is doing a bit better.”
“That’s wonderful news.”
“I’m headed to her house now for a visit. Just stopped by to invite Tessa along, but she’s keen on staying here with the baby. Would you like to join me instead?”
“You want me to meet Ellie? In person?” Alanna set the kettle to brew and considered Katie’s suggestion. “I’m still not convinced that we would get along, to be quite honest. I find her writings thought-provoking, especially these past few weeks, but they do not move me to change my opinion on the matter at hand.”
“I’m not trying to persuade you to change, Alanna,” Katie said. “That is not my goal. You’ve had the benefit of a college education—not something many can boast. I simply thought you would enjoy meeting another woman with a similar background.”
“Similar background?”
“Yes. Ellie was raised in the South as well. She attended Sweet Briar, in Virginia. Her sister is Patricia Cannady of the Amherst Cannadys.”
“Are you serious?”
“Very. She’s a well-bred Southern woman. In fact, she’s only lived in the Northwest for a few years. She came because her husband wanted to chase after his dream to own a ranch.”
“She’s…married?”
“Well, not anymore. But her husband was quite well-known in these parts as an excellent rancher. I daresay he garnered more acclaim than she has, and that’s really saying something, since she works so hard on behalf of women.”
“I see.”
Only, she didn’t. Why did Katie say that Ellie was once married but was married no more? Had her liberal ways driven away her husband?
A shiver ran down Alanna’s spine. This speculation was the only thing that made sense. Strong women like these suffragettes were apt to drive away men who could not tolerate their aggressive side. Surely this Ellie Cannady, whoever she was, must’ve ruled her roost with an iron fist for her husband to bolt out the door.
“What do you say, Alanna?” Katie gave her a curious look. “Would you like to meet her?”
“You should go, honey,” her mother said. “And don’t worry about Margaret and the baby. Tessa and I are happy to stay here and tend to them. Besides, it might be fun to visit with someone who hails from our neck of the woods. You never know—you and Ellie could end up being fast friends.”
“I rather doubt it,” Alanna said. She turned back to Katie. “But you’ve piqued my curiosity, for sure. I think it might be an interesting way to spend an afternoon, as long as you’re sure she’s up to having guests.”
“As for how she’s feeling, the doctor says her recovery has been nothing short of a miracle. From the day we held our Sleigh Belles rally, her health has improved. Isn’t that remarkable?”
“Very.”
“I do wonder how to go about spreading the word that she’s doing better.” Katie said. “Many of our Sleigh Belles from across the state have been planning to come to Missoula for her funeral, you see.”
“Might be a problem, should she choose to live.” Alanna suppressed a smile.
“A happy problem, to be sure. Still, I have to wonder what we’ll do with so many women from across the state, should they descend on us at once.”
“Surely they won’t come unless…” Alanna didn’t complete her sentence. “Well, you know.”
“Hope not. But you know how these women can be. They’re a little impulsive at times.”
“So I’ve noticed.” Alanna quirked a brow, and Katie laughed.
“I probably deserved that, after all I’ve put you through.” Her expression brightened. “So, what do you say, Alanna? Ready to meet the woman behind the words? The one who’s penned so many wonderful articles on our behalf?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Alanna said. She reached for her coat, wondering how in the world she’d been tricked into going. Surely this was all a ploy to win her over to the suffragette way of thinking. She wouldn’t play into their hands. No, sir.
She would, however, enjoy a ride in the sleigh across fields of creamy white snow. And she would meet the infamous Ellie Cannady, if for no other reason than to say she’d finally done so. Perhaps in doing so, she could accomplish two things at once: first, figure out what sort of woman was behind this suffragette nonsense, and second, use her Southern charm to persuade Ellie Cannady to lay down her arms once and for all.