Fire, The (35 page)

The politicians and merchants came next. The mayor and three city aldermen waved as they walked, while the operators of the brewery, three hotels, the iron works, and the power company waved as they rode in horse-drawn wagons. Kevin laughed as he saw banner after banner advertise products and services. Even in 1910, patriotism and business went hand in hand.

He was particularly drawn to a wagon sponsored by the telephone company, which touted future service to Coeur d'Alene and Spokane. Though Wallace residents could and did call each other several times a day, they could not reach points beyond the Silver Valley. The publisher in Spokane had contacted Andy by telegram because he hadn't had a better option.

Several school sports teams followed the merchants, including Shoshone County's baseball team, which played a doubleheader with Kellogg later that day, and the basketball squad from Burke. The short but spirited players threw balls back and forth as they walked down the street.

Kevin then turned his attention to what he considered the parade's main attraction: ten students who marched behind the banner of the high school's science club. Josie White had founded the club the day Halley's comet went into hiding and had already presided over three meetings and two fundraisers, including a bake sale on the last day of school that had raised more than fifty dollars for future projects and a gift for the family of Josh Miller.

"You should be so proud," Sarah whispered in his ear.

"I am. Believe me, I am."

It was the second time that day Kevin had seen some of his favorite students in action. Several had participated in a track meet earlier that morning at the city park. Josie had finished first in the girls' shoe race and the fifty-yard dash, while some of the boys had placed in the standing high jump, pole vault, and shot put. Fred Simpson and a friend from Mace took top honors in the three-legged race.

Kevin put a hand to his forehead to shield his eyes from the sun as he directed his attention to the last student group: a debate team that had taken third at state. Sarah had recruited four of the five boys on the celebrated crew from her upper-level English class.

"Now, it's your turn to bust your buttons," Kevin said. "You're as responsible for the success of those boys as anyone. Did Frank Merriman ever thank you for stocking his team?"

"He gave me the flowers at the picnic."

"You mean those weren't from me?"

Sarah issued a wry smile.

"Like you, Mr. Johnson, I have more than one admirer."

Kevin laughed. He loved her playful side and was happy to see it again. He knew he might not see it as much in the coming days when their conversations turned to more serious matters.

When the last of the students crossed Cedar Street and began to fade from view, Kevin turned to the end of the parade and an entry that many had waited for: the fire wagon. Six members of the Wallace Fire Department, fully uniformed, thrilled the crowd by ringing bells, blasting horns, and shooting water from hoses.

Kevin saluted the firemen, including three he knew personally, as they rolled past his group. He knew that all were committed, well-trained professionals who could handle almost anything man and nature threw their way. But he also knew they would be no match for the problems to come. They were men, not gods, and it would take gods to stop the coming inferno.

He turned to the southwest, from where the trouble would come, and gazed at the once lush, green mountains. In just a few weeks, the hills had begun to brown.

Kevin drew a breath and smelled the smoke of a dozen fires. The problem was still small, or at least not large enough to trouble leaders, businessmen, and tourists, who flocked to the city by the hundreds to celebrate the holiday.

That would change, however, and change soon. By the end of the week, the smoke would be thicker and the fires more numerous. By the end of July, they would be cause for concern. By the end of August, they would be the stuff of legend.

CHAPTER 60: KEVIN

Tuesday, July 12, 1910

Kevin scanned the mugs in Maude's living room and shook his head. He couldn't believe the same news could produce three decidedly different reactions.

Andy's face was easy to read. He wore the satisfied smile of a man who had just been given the biggest promotion of his life. He leaned back in an easy chair with a cigar in one hand and a telegram in another. The telegram, delivered at noon by a boy on a bike, had informed him that the city editor position in Spokane was his for the asking.

Maude's face was also easy to read. She frowned and stared at the floor as she sat in a settee in another corner of the room. She was not at all happy that her friend, lover, and boarder was about to leave her for a bigger office and a larger paycheck in a city three hours away, but she understood that this was the nature of things. She had said as much at dinner.

Kevin wasn't quite as sure what to make of Sadie's expressions, which ranged from smiles for Andy to frowns for Maude to pouts for Kevin. He knew she was fond of the man who had in a few months become her de facto big brother. He knew she would miss his sense of humor, his kindness, and his world-class appetite, but he also knew that she would want him to be happy.

Kevin had mixed thoughts of his own. While he was sad for Maude, he was glad that his friend had found professional fulfillment and that he planned to leave the area at least four weeks ahead of the fire. He was troubled most by Sadie's reaction. What did the pouts signify?

"I think I'll retire for the night," Maude said as she got up from her seat.

"Sleep tight," Sadie said.

"Good night," the others added.

Maude grabbed a glass of water from an end table, gazed at Andy for a few seconds, and left the room. A moment later, she shut the door to her first-floor bedroom.

"I feel sorry for her," Sadie said.

"She'll get over it," Andy said. "Did you think I was going to stay here forever?"

Sadie shook her head.

"I'll still come back to visit. You know I will. We'll still get together and have some good times. We'll just have to have those good times a little less frequently."

Kevin watched Sadie as Andy spoke and noticed that she appeared to tune out the speaker. He could see from her reciprocal stare that she seemed less concerned with what the day's news meant for Sadie and Andy than with what it meant for Sadie and Kevin.

"Well, I'm happy for you, buddy. I said so at dinner and I'll say it again. You deserve this. You've paid your dues. It's time to collect on all that hard work."

"Thanks, Kevin. It means a lot to me to have your support."

"When will you leave?" Sadie asked.

"I start work in Spokane on July 25. When I
leave
for Spokane depends on you."

Kevin sat up.

"Me?" Sadie asked.

"Yes, you," he said with a smile. "Let me explain. When I went to Washington, I did more than ask about a job for me. I asked about a job for you."

"You did what?" Kevin asked.

"I inquired about a job for Sadie. I think I found one too."

"What kind of job?" Sadie asked.

"It's a clerk position in the business office. The publisher wants someone who is good with numbers, someone he can hire immediately."

"But I work for Maude."

"Do you really want to cook and clean the rest of your life?"

"No."

"Then consider it."

Sadie again glanced at Kevin, as if to ask, "What should I do?"

Kevin decided that this was one decision Sadie would have to make on her own. Then he reevaluated the situation and changed his mind. He wanted her to move on with her life and to get out of harm's way. By encouraging her to seek the job, he could accomplish both goals.

"I think you should do it, Sadie."

"Why?"

"You should do it for the same reason Andy took the editing position. You need to get out of Wallace and see the big blue world. You need to maximize your potential."

You also need to find someone else.

Sadie returned an icy glare.

"There's more, Sadie, much more," Andy said.

"What do you mean?"

"This publisher's a very progressive guy. He pays his employees well, treats them well, and provides financial incentives for those who want to further their education."

"He does this for women as well as men?"

"He does it for everyone."

Kevin watched Sadie sigh and look away. He could see she was running out of excuses.

"You think he would help me?"

"I know he would. One of his society reporters is a woman in her twenties. He helped put her through the state college in Pullman. He's one of the most progressive men I've ever met."

"I don't know, Andy."

"Come on, Sadie. What could possibly keep you here?"

Sadie looked at Kevin again, this time with eyes that practically pleaded with him to take her away. It was clear she didn't want to make a snap decision that would put an end to any chance she had of winning over the man she loved.

"Can I have some time to think about it?"

"You can think about it until the day I leave, which can't be later than July 22. I promised the publisher only that I'd bring you with me if you were interested."

Sadie gave Kevin a hard stare and Andy a tentative smile.

"I'll think about it then. I'd like at least until early next week."

"Take your time, love. This is a big step."

"Thank you, Andy. Thank you for thinking about me."

"Don't mention it," he said. "If there is one thing I've learned in this fair little town, it's that friends matter. They matter a lot."

Andy took a puff of his cigar.

"I take care of my friends."

CHAPTER 61: MAUDE

Thursday, July 14, 1910

"So are you going to leave me too?" Maude asked.

"I don't know. I'm confused right now."

Maude walked past Sadie to the window in her living room. She wiped a brow, saw a light breeze rattle the leaves of her oak tree, and wondered whether it was time to throw open the windows. She wanted relief from the heat, but she didn't want any more smoke. The smoke from a growing number of wildfires was rapidly reaching hazardous levels.

"I must admit that Andrew has set up a wonderful opportunity. If I were you, I would probably pursue it. Such opportunities for women, I'm sad to say, are few and far between."

"I know," Sadie said from the settee. "That's what makes this so hard. I feel that if I don't at least apply for the job I will regret it for the rest of my life."

"How long has he given you to make a decision?"

"I have to decide by next Friday."

"Are you leaning one way or the other?"

Sadie shook her head.

"Well, whatever you do, don't do it on account of me."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I can always find another housekeeper, just like I can always find new boarders. I will miss you dearly, Sadie, if you leave, but life will go on."

Maude gazed at Sadie from the window and wondered who was lying to whom. Yes, she would be able to find someone to cook and clean, but she doubted that the new hire would have half the intelligence and charm of this wonderful girl.

As for replacing Andy, she didn't even want to think about that. She knew the quality of single men who roamed the streets of Wallace, and that quality left her wanting.

Then there was Kevin. She hadn't thought much about his situation, but she knew that it, too, was about to change. He was racing toward marriage, and men who were racing toward marriage didn't hang their hats long in the mansions of woeful widows.

"I know. I would still feel bad, though, about leaving you all alone."

"I won't be alone, dear. I'll still have Kevin, at least for a while," Maude said. "You have to do what's best for you. You have to do what you want to do."

Maude walked back to the settee and sat down next to Sadie.

"What
do
you want to do?"

"I want to go to college. I really want to go to college. Andy told me that his new boss offers scholarships and incentives to his employees, even the women. I like that."

Maude turned toward her maid, still clad in her work dress and apron, and placed a hand on her knee.

"There's no need to get a job, Sadie. If all you want is money for college, then just ask. I'll give it to you, no strings attached. I would much rather spend Marcus' fortune on your education than on a husband I don't want or extravagances I don't need."

"I know you would. You've been very generous. If I decide to go to school first, I will definitely accept your offer. I like the idea of going to college next year, though part of me would first like to see what the newspaper has to offer. Life there sounds exciting. I'm just not sure that now is the time to go."

"I don't understand your hesitancy. Why wait? Whether you work or study, why put it off? Why delay what you can do now and do on someone else's dime?"

Sadie looked away.

"Is it Kevin?" Maude asked.

Sadie nodded.

Maude smiled sadly and then let her eyes drift to a fading photograph of a Denver showgirl that hung on a wall. She remembered a time when that girl had gone through a similar trial.

Determined to help Sadie as best she could, Maude searched her mind for the right words. She knew she had a chance to steer a young life in a constructive direction and didn't want to squander that opportunity.

"I know how you feel, Sadie. Before I met Marcus, I fell in love with a fellow performer. We dated for several months and talked often of marriage. Then he left me for someone else. I didn't think I'd ever get over him, but I did. I focused my attention on other matters and got on with my life. Sometimes our only course is to accept things as they are and move on."

Maude put a hand on Sadie's.

"You should move on, Sadie. You should let Kevin go."

"I know I should, but I can't. I can't stop thinking about him. Just when I think he doesn't care anymore, he shows me that he does. Do you know what he gave me for my birthday?"