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“Then why handle them as if they are?”
Graham studied him for a moment. “Makes me look like a bigoted idiot, too, I suppose.”
Rhine waited.
The snippy clerk handed Rhine his tally, and as Rhine left he felt better. Not only had the clerk been put on notice for the future but he’d given Graham Peyton something to think about as well.
By midweek Eddy and Rhine had looked at the available houses and settled on one not far from the orphanage. It was of medium size, had two floors, three good-sized bedrooms, and a nice large parlor. The kitchen left a lot to be desired but Rhine promised her he’d have it enlarged and that was all she needed to hear. She fell in love with the gingerbread trim and the large porches on the front and back. Rhine made arrangement for the purchase through Graham Peyton at the bank and it was theirs.
Also by midweek Sylvie had two less boarders. Miner Gabe Horne left Virginia City for the city of White Pine to work at a mine owned by three Colored men they’d named the Elevator after the San Francisco paper. Both Eddy and Sylvie were sad to see the quiet little man go. Augie Williams moved out too to take a room that opened up in the boardinghouse where his cousin Zeke lived. And although he’d been distant the past few weeks, Eddy would miss him as well. Whitman Brown, rumored to be still courting Lady Ruby, was more often gone than in residence but continued to pay his rent, which was all Sylvie cared about. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to advertise the two now vacant rooms but decided to wait until after the party on Friday to make a decision.
Friday’s party was a big success. Vera made a large banner out of blue cotton with stitched-on gold letters that spelled out Welcome Home Rhine. It was hung over the door of the boardinghouse. Rhine was pleased when he saw it and gave Vera a big hug. Most of the community turned out for the celebration, although Zeke, Augie, and his fiancée Cherry were notably absent. The rest of the city was celebrating the nation’s Independence Day, but the people of color were not allowed to participate in the parade.
“We were barred last year as well,” Sylvie informed Eddy. “But it’s okay. We do our celebrating on August first anyway, just like the rest of the country’s Colored communities.”
There were trestle tables of food, horseshoe competitions, sack races, and egg tosses while the fragrant scent of roasting pigs filled the air. When it was time to eat, people set out blankets on the large open area behind Sylvie’s place and sat and talked and ate. Rhine sat with Eddy, and after the main meal was done he helped her up and they stood together.
Rhine looked out over the gathering and in a loud voice asked, “Can I have your attention, please?”
It took a moment for folks to quiet down, but once they did, he said, “First of all. Thank you!”
Applause rang out.
“Had I known I’d be given a party, I might have crossed back over a long time ago.”
That brought on laughter.
“Eddy and I have an announcement to make. We’re going to get married.”
Applause, whoops, and hollers of joy split the air.
Fishmonger Amos Granger yelled out, “Is she still going to cook for us?”
More laughter.
Eddy replied, “Yes, Mr.Granger.”
“Good. My congratulations then,” he called back.
Vera asked, “Have you set a date?”
“Two weeks from today.”
“So soon?” she replied. “That’s not enough time for me to make your dress.”
“I don’t need a dress, Vera.”
“Of course you do.” Vera then asked the crowd, “Don’t you all think Eddy needs a dress?”
Everyone agreed with Vera, and Eddy hung her head and laughed. “Lord,” she said to Rhine.
Vera said, “Be at the shop tomorrow morning sharp so we can get started.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Amos called out, “So Doc. Are you and Sylvie going to follow these two down the aisle?”
Sylvie snapped, “Hush up, Amos. Be a cold day in hell before I marry again.”
