A Vote of Confidence Read Online Free PDF Page A

charismatic,
     wealthy, or a dozen other things that might win him votes, but she had love for Bethlehem Springs and its citizens. That was
     something he didn’t have, couldn’t have.
    “We’ll just see what you’re made of, Mr. McKinley,” she whispered as she walked toward home. “We’ll just see.”
    Gwen had reached the corner of Idaho and Wallula when she was hailed by Charles Benson, a man who fancied himself her suitor
     no matter how often she spurned his attentions. Perhaps she was too gentle with her refusals.
    “Good afternoon, Miss Arlington.” Charles crossed the street. “You’re looking particularly lovely today. Is that a new bonnet
     you’re wearing?”
    “You’re very kind, Mr. Benson. But no. The hat isn’t new.”
    “Well, it looks new on you.” He motioned in the direction of her house. “May I walk you home?”
    She stifled a groan. “If you wish.”
    He fell into step beside her. “Did you hear that Gloria Birdwell is coming to Bethlehem Springs in July? I heard her sing
     in Boise last summer. She is nowhere as beautiful as you, Miss Arlington, but she does have an extraordinary voice, to be
     sure. It’s no wonder she’s called the Songbird of the West.”
    Gwen quickened her pace, as if she could out-walk the question that was sure to come next.
    “It would be my great honor to escort you to the concert, Miss Arlington. Would you grant me the pleasure of your company?”
    “How kind of you to ask, Mr. Benson.” Thank goodness she was almost home. “But I’m afraid I must decline. I don’t know if
     I will be able to attend, as wonderful as it sounds.”
    “Well, perhaps you would allow me to ask again as the time grows closer.”
    Everything in her wanted to say she would rather he didn’t ask again, but politeness overruled. “If you wish.” Reaching the
     bottom step of her front porch, she stopped and faced Charles. “Thank you for escorting me home, Mr. Benson. Have a pleasant
     afternoon.”
    With a nod of her head, she hurried up the steps and into the house before he could say anything more. Once safely inside,
     she leaned against the door and breathed a sigh of relief.
    She supposed there was nothing
wrong
with Charles. He was polite, good natured, and undeniably handsome. And yet she felt no desire to spend time in his company.
     But her lack of interest hadn’t discouraged him. Not in the least. Charles was nothing if not persistent.
    Gwen pushed away from the door and crossed to a small table set against the wall. A mirror hung above it. She stared at her
     reflection as she untied the netting that covered her face and held her straw hat — the large crown swathed in yellow silk
     chiffon — in place. It was, as Charles had said, a pretty hat, but it wasn’t new or even worth mentioning.
    Why was it men thought a woman’s appearance required flattery? Why not ask what she was reading or what she thought about
     America’s position regarding the war in Europe? Why not inquire about her thoughts on temperance and the chance that Idaho
     might become a dry state? Why didn’t they care what was beneath the pretty bonnet on a woman’s head? On
her
head?
    She removed her hat and set it on the table, then walked through the parlor and dining room and into the second bedroom, which
     served as her library. A large desk filled one side of the room. She sat in the chair behind it, pulled several sheets of
     paper from a drawer, and picked up a pen.
    “I will not be judged by appearances,” she whispered. “I will make the people of this town hear me.”
    At the top of the paper, she wrote:
What I want to accomplish as mayor of Bethlehem Springs.

    In his youth, Morgan had lived in stately mansions, hobnobbed with the best of society, and spent his summers in Italy, France,
     and a few more exotic locations. He’d been accustomed to servants seeing not only to his needs but to his most frivolous wishes
     as well.
    He thanked God he hadn’t turned into a