Most of the crowd gathered tonight were farmers, but students and people who worked at the college were here as well. The grounds were blanketed with election posters, banners, and patriotic bunting. Buttons supporting William Jennings Bryan had been handed out to the few people who didn’t already have one pinned to their suit coats. Bryan, who hailed from the neighboring state of Nebraska, was a stalwart champion of the American farmer and had overwhelming support from the crowd here tonight.

“I think we’re the only ones here rooting for McKinley,” Gray whispered to Annabelle.

“Shh,” she urged. “We’re definitely the only ones, and it’s best people don’t know about it. I don’t want to be tarred and feathered before we head home.”

Hearing Annabelle refer to Washington as “home” warmed his heart. They would return to Washington next week, where they would soon marry, and Annabelle would return to the Department of Agriculture. Surprisingly, Maude and Roy would be moving to Washington as well. They wanted to be closer to their daughters, and Roy was getting too old to manage the farm on his own much longer. While Gray and the Larkin women had gathered data at the Library of Congress, Roy had been riding the streetcars, marveling at the technology and talking to the drivers, dreaming of what might have been. Now he planned to sell the farm so he could explore the world of possibilities the city held for him.

A gust of chilly air came through the open door as the dean of the college entered the main hall. “Ten more minutes until the midnight fireworks,” he announced. “Last call for hot chocolate and coffee before the show begins.”

The fireworks would be set off at midnight whether the election results were in or not. It could be dawn before the election was decided, and Gray didn’t know how he’d endure much more of this gnawing anxiety. He was rubbing at the tension gathering in the back of his neck when Maude angled through the crowd, handing Gray and Annabelle each a mug.

“Free hot chocolate!” Maude said. “Drink it down fast, then I’ll go get more.”

The thought of a sugary beverage made Gray’s stomach turn. “No, thanks,” he said, trying to refuse the mug, but Maude wouldn’t take it.

“Never pass up free food,” she said. “Although it’s not really free, since our tax dollars went to buy it, so drink it down.” She headed back to the concession tables.

“Sorry about that,” Annabelle muttered as she took his mug and set it on a table. “Mother will always be something of an embarrassment.”

Gray laid a finger across her lips. “Your mother is a fighter,” he said. “Now I know where you get it from. Your kindness comes from your father, but your grit and gumption is all Maude Larkin. Be grateful for her.”