Clementine: Switchboard Sisterhood by Saxton

Author:Saxton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

“It is such a happiness when two good people get together—and they always do.”

Jane Austen

Clementine’s first ferry ride was exciting. She, the Tremblays, and the Gagnon twins were the only ones able to attend Roxy Reynolds’ wedding. “Someone has to cover the boards,” Florence said, and she stepped up to the task like a champ. Still, Clementine found it interesting that Saylor had chosen her to attend and not one of the other, more refined, ladies.

However, next to Saylor, Clementine figured she might have been Roxy’s best roommate and second-best friend. The two of them had never fussed up over nothin’, and Clementine wasn’t offended. Why, before moving into Anchorage, Clementine had only been friends with Hilde, old Floss and Blossom, the hens, her brothers, and herself.

“I always did love me,” she admitted, hanging over the front rail, catching a bit of reflection. With her new hat, the dress, and the shoes, she felt as fancy as a seven-layer cake with dollops of buttercream and carefully piped florets. “How do you do?” she practiced to herself, summoning all she’d learned about etiquette. Perhaps it was the clothes. “I am a wedding guest of honor. I was coordinated at Ashton’s Women’s Shop, and I don’t mind being a walking billboard. Not one little bitty bit.”

“Don’t let the wind steal your hat,” Helen advised. She wasn’t the most daring of Clemetine’s acquaintances. Helen preferred to read about adventures rather than actually having them, and in her hand at that very moment was a copy of Jane Austen’s Emma.

“My mother liked that book,” Clementine said, surprising all who knew her. “I read it too, but it wasn’t my favorite until just this very minute, as I realize that crazy Saylor is Emma Woodhouse.” She exchanged smiles with Julie Tremblay. Hazel wasn’t actually listening to Clementine, because she seldom did, but Helen scowled slightly, as if considering the very truth of the statement.

During the journey, Mr. Tremblay spotted several orcas. Clementine had never seen whales before, and it gave her a thrill. “There once was an ocean deep, with secrets she just couldn’t keep—like big arching whales, and their wonderful tales. Oh, how I love watching them leap!”

Mrs. Tremblay was astonished, exclaiming, “You are quite a poet, Miss Clark. I would never have guessed.”

“That makes two of us,” Helen replied. Boy, was this a day of surprises!

Clementine couldn’t take her eyes off the vistas. She tried scanning the water for more whales. She did spot a big grizzly walking along a shoreline, but he was at a distance, making him a little bear. Clementine smiled at the thought.

“I hope there’s dancing at the wedding,” Hazel said, joining Clementine at the ferry’s bow.

“Well, who would you dance with if there is? There’s not likely to be any eligible bachelors.”

“I’ll settle for Helen, then. I’ve made her dance with me before.” The women laughed. “Oh, see the colorful little dots in the distance, Clementine? They are houses in Homer. Roxy’s house is one of the stilted ones.

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