wanted to be had been beyond his grasp. Now free, his life, ambitions, and dreams were his own. He’d not turn the reins over to anyone else.
Per the arrangement, Arnold Cale and Chauncey Miller arrived promptly at seven, and joined Garrett at a table in the back of the boardinghouse’s dining room.
As they took their seats, Garrett asked, “Are the other council members on the way?”
“No,” Cale replied. “Mayor Nelson is in Laramie on business, Heath Leary’s doing inventory at the saloon, and Beck’s handling a funeral, so it’ll just be the two of us for your story.”
Garrett had hoped to speak with the entire group. “Shall we postpone the interview until they’re available?”
Cale shook his head. “I think Chauncey and I can provide you with all you need to know.”
The dour Miller studied Garrett through the thick lenses of his spectacles and asked, “Do lots of people read your newspaper?”
“A fair amount. There are a number of newspapers to choose from in Washington, so many people subscribe to more than one.”
Cale appeared pleased by that.
“How about President Cleveland? You think he’ll read about us in your paper?”
Garrett smiled. “I’m not sure. I don’t know if he reads Colored newspapers.”
Both men appeared perplexed, and Miller asked, “What do you mean by Colored newspapers?”
“Newspapers for the Colored population.”
They drew back as if he was contagious. “Coloreds have newspapers?” Cale asked.
The astonishment on his face forced Garrett to swallow an urge to laugh out loud. “Yes. There are quite a few, to be honest. In fact, the first one, Freedom’s Journal, was published way back in 1827.”
Miller’s eyes were wide, as well. “And that’s where your story about us will be? In a Colored paper?”
“Yes.” He opened his journal. “So tell me how long you’ve both been on the council.”
Cale began to stammer. “I—I just remembered Glenda needed me to do something for her this evening. So sorry. She always teases me about how forgetful I am.” He stood up so hastily he knocked his chair to the floor.
Miller rose, too. “I have a shipment coming in I need to see to. I don’t think I’ll have free time to talk to you again before you leave town.”
“I understand,” Garrett replied. “Have a nice evening, gentlemen.”
They practically ran to the exit.
Garrett sighed with irritation. Although their reactions were common, he still found them disappointing.
Dovie walked over. “Are you ready to eat? What happened to Arnold and Chauncey?”
“When they found out I write for a Colored newspaper they suddenly remembered they had someplace else to be.”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry they were so rude. We have spittoons with better manners.”
“No apologies needed. And yes, I’m ready to eat. I’ll have the pork chops and rice, please.”
“Coming right up. If you decide to write about a tall blonde woman making her way alone while raising her son, I’m available.”
“Good to know.”
Chapter Seven
Although Spring got along well with Glenda Cale, the idea of having to attend a dinner party at her home was not something she would’ve agreed to on her own, so while Regan did up her hair, she simmered silently.
“There,” Regan said, placing the curling iron in the brazier for the last time. “I’m done.”
Spring looked at herself in the mirror and scowled. Regan ignored the displeasure on her face and said, “Get dressed. You don’t want to be late.”
A short while later, stomping through the house in the fancy, off-shoulder burgundy gown and thin-soled slippers she didn’t want to wear, Spring snatched up her shawl and went to seek out her sister-in-law.
“You look lovely,” Regan said. “But please don’t glare at Glenda’s guests that way.”
Spring glared at Regan instead. “Tell me again why I’m going to this party?”
“Because I have to stay with the children, and Colt is away handling an emergency, so you, my dear angry sister, have to represent the family. Mr. McCray is our guest after all.”
“Not mine.”
“Yours, too. Didn’t you rescue him from the blizzard?”
“Yes, I did. I also fed him, helped him out of his boots, and gave him bark tea. My obligations are done.” So maybe she was curious about how he might be faring, but it wasn’t necessary for her to get all gussied up to find out.
“You’ll have fun.”
“Lightning is going to strike you dead.”
“Didn’t you say you wanted to know more about him?”
“I lied.”
Regan laughed softly. “Colt hitched up my buggy for you before he left.”
Spring blew out a breath. “I’ll bring it back in the morning.”