Read Online House on Diablo Road: Resurrection Day (The McCann Family Saga Book 3) by Jeanie Freeman- Harper - Free Book Online
Authors: Jeanie Freeman- Harper
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horseshoes and told tales grown taller every year.
Dapper in white linen slacks, blue and white striped jacket, and straw boater, Nathan Bonney strode up to the bandstand podium. He looked as if he had just stepped down from a 1920s Arrow shirt billboard. When he began to speak, all chatter stopped, and the townsfolk looked up to him with rapt attention—especially Katie.
Nate’s accent held little of the local backwoods brogue but more the soft lilt of the old southern gentry: “Fellow citizens, we've come today to honor those fearless leaders who trekked from Tennessee to the great Texas forest country, behind their brave leader Davy Crockett. They came to carve homesteads out of the wilderness and build a booming timber empire. A giant among these men was Reese Morgan, grandfather of our own Annie Morgan McCann. We also honor the railroad men who opened up the state, and along side them, my great grandfather who brought his own heritage of cattle ranching to the eastern side of Texas. I am proud to say Jonathan Bonney was instrumental in bringing economic stability to the county, and…”
Before Nate could finish, Buck emitted a loud “Humph” and pushed himself up with his cane: “You forgot one person, Nathan Bonney. You forgot a man who brought cotton to this county, helped poor folks in need, took in mistreated slaves, freed them and gave them paid jobs and dignity. That man was Cyrus McCann, uncle to Jesse here and once a respected member of this community.”
At Buck’s declaration, Nate temporarily lost his composure as well as his place in his scripted speech. From the back of the crowd, a man in overalls shouted “Sit down, Hennessy! I heard Cyrus McCann was a deserter! We owe him no honor!”
Buck turned to face the heckler: “Mind your tongue Archie McMurray, or I’ll mind it for you!”
Jesse took a firm grip on the old logger’s arm and sat him down. “Let it be, Buck. Lets see how Nathan handles it.”
True to form, the young man quickly retrieved his control. “You were right to speak up, Mr. Hennessy. We should not leave out a humanitarian who contributed much to this county. I apologize to the McCann family. Let bygones be bygones, and let the celebration continue.” With that, he tossed the last page of his script in a nearby trash can.
The Victrola was brought out, and “Ma, He’s Making Eyes at Me” played three times in a row, while women coaxed the men to take a fox trot around the makeshift dance floor in front of the bandstand. After the last dance, Nathan took Katie’s hand and pulled her from the crowd to share his place front and center:
“ Attention all!” he began. “Most of you know Katie, and many of you know we’ve been keeping company for several months now. During that time I’ve come to see my future with her.”
Then as Katie stood speechless and red faced, Nathan got on one knee and held out a diamond ring to her. “Kathryn Hannah McCann, will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Nathan Bonney?”
Above them flew a little propeller crop duster that trailed a banner that read Nathan loves Kathryn. The crowd began to cheer, even before she could answer. Finally, she managed an almost inaudible “yes”.
Granny Minna almost came out of her wheelchair. She understood what had transpired between her great granddaughter and Bonney and shook her head vigorously and made sounds that no one understood.
“ Yes, I know, Granny!” said Annie, who apparently had lost her compass of shrewd observation. “You’re excited that our Katie has finally chosen a husband...a newspaper editor and one of means at that.” Had Annie not been so taken with her daughter’s new fiance, she would have interpreted the look in her grandmother’s eyes as dread mixed with fear.
Someone finally changed the Victrola to “Happy Days Are Here Again” and dedicated it to the newly engaged couple. They two waved politely and slipped away to a nearby peach orchard, where he drew
Dapper in white linen slacks, blue and white striped jacket, and straw boater, Nathan Bonney strode up to the bandstand podium. He looked as if he had just stepped down from a 1920s Arrow shirt billboard. When he began to speak, all chatter stopped, and the townsfolk looked up to him with rapt attention—especially Katie.
Nate’s accent held little of the local backwoods brogue but more the soft lilt of the old southern gentry: “Fellow citizens, we've come today to honor those fearless leaders who trekked from Tennessee to the great Texas forest country, behind their brave leader Davy Crockett. They came to carve homesteads out of the wilderness and build a booming timber empire. A giant among these men was Reese Morgan, grandfather of our own Annie Morgan McCann. We also honor the railroad men who opened up the state, and along side them, my great grandfather who brought his own heritage of cattle ranching to the eastern side of Texas. I am proud to say Jonathan Bonney was instrumental in bringing economic stability to the county, and…”
Before Nate could finish, Buck emitted a loud “Humph” and pushed himself up with his cane: “You forgot one person, Nathan Bonney. You forgot a man who brought cotton to this county, helped poor folks in need, took in mistreated slaves, freed them and gave them paid jobs and dignity. That man was Cyrus McCann, uncle to Jesse here and once a respected member of this community.”
At Buck’s declaration, Nate temporarily lost his composure as well as his place in his scripted speech. From the back of the crowd, a man in overalls shouted “Sit down, Hennessy! I heard Cyrus McCann was a deserter! We owe him no honor!”
Buck turned to face the heckler: “Mind your tongue Archie McMurray, or I’ll mind it for you!”
Jesse took a firm grip on the old logger’s arm and sat him down. “Let it be, Buck. Lets see how Nathan handles it.”
True to form, the young man quickly retrieved his control. “You were right to speak up, Mr. Hennessy. We should not leave out a humanitarian who contributed much to this county. I apologize to the McCann family. Let bygones be bygones, and let the celebration continue.” With that, he tossed the last page of his script in a nearby trash can.
The Victrola was brought out, and “Ma, He’s Making Eyes at Me” played three times in a row, while women coaxed the men to take a fox trot around the makeshift dance floor in front of the bandstand. After the last dance, Nathan took Katie’s hand and pulled her from the crowd to share his place front and center:
“ Attention all!” he began. “Most of you know Katie, and many of you know we’ve been keeping company for several months now. During that time I’ve come to see my future with her.”
Then as Katie stood speechless and red faced, Nathan got on one knee and held out a diamond ring to her. “Kathryn Hannah McCann, will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Nathan Bonney?”
Above them flew a little propeller crop duster that trailed a banner that read Nathan loves Kathryn. The crowd began to cheer, even before she could answer. Finally, she managed an almost inaudible “yes”.
Granny Minna almost came out of her wheelchair. She understood what had transpired between her great granddaughter and Bonney and shook her head vigorously and made sounds that no one understood.
“ Yes, I know, Granny!” said Annie, who apparently had lost her compass of shrewd observation. “You’re excited that our Katie has finally chosen a husband...a newspaper editor and one of means at that.” Had Annie not been so taken with her daughter’s new fiance, she would have interpreted the look in her grandmother’s eyes as dread mixed with fear.
Someone finally changed the Victrola to “Happy Days Are Here Again” and dedicated it to the newly engaged couple. They two waved politely and slipped away to a nearby peach orchard, where he drew
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