Blossoms of Love (47 page)

Two weeks later Leon and Ann got another motorcycle. This one was for Ann. They wanted to enter the races. They came over to see Lamont because he had been in races before. Leon said, “We would like for you to give us some pointers on racing.” Ann asked, “Monty, have you done everything?” Lamont grinned, “Yea, just about. I was always one who looked to try things just to see if I could do it.” Leon said, “That’s why Monty was so good with his fists. He had lots of practice with five brothers. He just wouldn’t stop until he won the fight.” Lamont laughed, “I remember one time Berry and me got into it over a damn pair of jeans. Berry nearly beat me to death.” Leon said, “Yea I remember that. I was about twelve. Dad was gone to town with Johnny to get feed for the stock. Mom came running upstairs and tried to stop the fighting but she couldn’t She had to just let you fight.” Lamont chuckled, “Berry would have beat me to death but he gave out before I did. The worse thing was when Dad and Johnny got back home. Mom was so upset, Dad really laid it on us.” Lamont gave them some pointers on racing.

The whole Ellman family went to see Leon and Ann race. Leon came in second place and Ann won the women’s race. Leon told his family, “Oh boy, I’ll never live this down.” Lamont said, “Get ready brother, here she comes.” Ann did tease Leon a lot. Leon said, “I’ll have to take her out to eat tonight. I’d never get her to cook.” Ann laughed, “How right you are my dear husband.” Barbara said, “Well I don’t blame her, she needs to celebrate.” Berry said, “You ain’t got a chance Leon.” Leon laughed, “Don’t I know it.”

Lamont and Barbara stopped at the grocery store for a few things they had ran out of. When they got home, Sara met them at the door, “Monty there’s been an accident. Leon and Ann. I guess they are in the hospital by now.” Lamont and Barbara hurried back to the car.

On their way to the hospital Barbara said, “I just can’t believe it. We were just with them an hour ago.”

Lamont was pale as a ghost when they hurried in the hospital. Barbara had a hard time keeping up with him. The nurse told Lamont they were both in emergency. Lamont asked the policeman, “What the hell happened?” The policeman said, “A car was passing another and hit Leon head on. It killed three people in the other car. If Leon hadn’t been in his truck it would have been worse.”

Lamont was pacing up and down in front of the emergency room when Allen and Cindy got there. Then David and Mrs. Ellman came. Soon everyone was there. It seemed such a long time before they saw Leon come out of the room. He had cuts all over his face and a broken nose. Then Dr. Morris and two nurses came wheeling Ann on a stretcher to the operating room. They were in a hurry. The whole family gathered around Leon. He said, “They’ve got to operate on Ann. She has brain damage and a punctured lung.” A nurse came into the room and gave Leon a shot. Everyone stayed with Leon.

The minutes ticked slowly by. Leon looked at Lamont, “If I loose her—I’ve lost everything.” Allen said, “Let’s pray while we wait.” The family all got down on their knees and Allen prayed.

The operation lasted five and a half hours. Lamont and Johnny were the only ones who could keep Leon from going to pieces. Finally, Dr. Morris came in the waiting room still wearing the green clothes he wore while operating. He said, “I think she will be alright Leon. The brain damage wasn’t as bad as the x-rays looked.” Leon sighed with relief. Dr. Morris suggested, “I think you should stay in the hospital tonight.” Leon said, “Sure, anything you say.”

They all stayed until Leon was settled in bed. Barbara and Alice offered to stay but Dr. Morris said, “There’s no need for that. When Ann comes from recovery, we’ll put her in the room with Leon. There will be a nurse with her for the next twenty-four hours.”

On their way home Barbara sighed, “That was a close call.” Lamont said, “I’ll never forget the look on Leon’s face when he told me if he lost Ann he would loose everything. He wanted me to tell him she would be alright. I couldn’t say anything.”

When they got to the door, before he opened it, he took Barbara in his arms and said, “I know just how he felt. If I lost you, I’d loose everything too.” Barbara said, “I know darling. If I lost you, I would too.” He kissed her tenderly. He held her close, “I didn’t think I could love anyone so much. You’re a part of me. You’re my reason for everything I do. I just hope we have many years together.” Barbara said, “Oh so do I, but no matter how many years we have, we’ve already had more than most people.”

Leon got out of the hospital the next day. Ann got out the last day of October.

The first week in November, the mayor of the town asked Lamont and David if they would allow their names to be placed in a magazine. A feed company out of Butte, Montana, picked their ranches for them to advertise. Lamont and David agreed to it. Some men from the magazine came to the ranches and looked them over. They were really impressed. One of the men said, “Mr. Ellman, Mr. Agar you have got fine ranches. To be so large I don’t see how you keep them in tip top shape.” David said, “We have a fine foreman and good men working for him.” The men met both families. “Not only do you have lots of land, but you both have beautiful house. The big one on the hill, is it on the ranches too?” Lamont said, “It’s on my land. People here know it as the Ellman house. My father built the house when he and my mother came here. My mother lives there now.” The man looked over his notes. Sara brought them coffee. One of the men said, “Mr. Ellman, you were born here on this ranch. You are the second son of six boys. Mr. Agar was born in Mobile, Alabama. You both met in the Navy. Both of you served time in the Navy during World War II. Mr. Ellman’s wife was the daughter of a Navy officer and Mr. Agar’s wife was born in Idaho. Mr. Ellman you have one son who is three and Mr. Agar has two daughters, nine and two, and a son seven. Let’s see, I’ve got how large the ranches are and how many men work for you. Your foreman’s name is Jesse King. I think that just about covers it.” The other man said, “No you both will receive two free years of our magazine. There will be reporters and camera men here for two days. They will start tomorrow.” They shook Lamont and David’s hands, “Thank you very much.” David grinned as the men drove away, “Wow, one of those men could talk a mile a minute.” Lamont said, “They talk too damn much.”

Barbara was brushing her hair when Lamont came in the bedroom. She asked, “Are they gone?” Lamont said, “Yea. I was beginning to think they were going to stay all night. If I’d known it was gonna be like this, I wouldn’t have agreed to it.” Barbara said, “Cheer up darling, you wife will get a mink stole.” He looked at her, “If my wife wanted a mink stole, her husband would get her one.” She laughed, “Your wife isn’t too crazy for one but since it is free, I’ll take it. Really Monty, it will be nice to have a magazine about the ranch and us.” She got into bed. He undressed and went to take a shower. When he came back in the room she said, “Well, since my husband is in a bad mood, I guess he isn’t interested in making love.” He looked at her and grinned, then flipped her with a towel, “Who said I was in a bad mood?” He crawled in bed under the sheet beside her, “Since you’re all cocked and ready, I suppose I’ll have to ease your pain.” Barbara said, “Well, don’t do me any favors.” He put her hand on him, “Are you sure this is what you want?” He brushed his lips across hers. That was his way of teasing her before he kissed her. She whispered, “Yes. I’m very sure.”

By noon the next day, Lamont and David’s ranches were covered with men, cameras, and people who came to watch. As they ate lunch Lamont grumbled, “This is a hell of a day. I’m glad they won’t be back tomorrow. They thought it would take two days but they brought enough men to do the job today.” Barbara said, “Oh stop being so grumpy. You should be proud, you’ve got a ranch that will be in a leading magazine. Just think of how many people that will see the ranch and read about it.” Lamont gave her a sarcastic look. Barbara smiled, “Darling, please look pleasant when they take your picture. I intend to show it to our grandchildren.” Lamont laughed, “Okay. I’ll be pleasant.”

Jesse came in the kitchen, “If you’re through eating boss, they want to take our pictures together.” Lamont got up from his chair, “Come on Jesse, let’s break the camera for them.” Barbara teased, “Who knows, you may get a movie contract out of this.” Lamont gave Barbara a quick glance, “You know Jesse, this wife of mine is a damn idiot sometimes.”

At supper time, Lamont sighed with relief, “Well that’s over. Now we can start living a normal life.” Robbie asked, “Will my picture be in the magazine too?” Barbara answered, “Yes it will honey.” Sara laughed, “They even took my picture.”

A blanket of snow covered the ground three weeks later. Summer was gone for another year. Lamont and Barbara spent a lot of time hunting.

Just a few days before Thanksgiving, Lamont and David gave Jesse and the ranch hands a month off with pay for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most of the men went to their homes. Jesse and Sara had no family or relatives to visit except Sara had a sister that lived in Idaho. They would spend a weekend with her, Sara wouldn’t go at Thanksgiving. Even though the families gather at the Ellman house, Sara wanted to cook for Lamont and Barbara. Lamont was glad because she made the best oyster dressing he ever ate. Barbara said as Sara was making the dressing, “I understand why Mom Ellman is such a good cook with six boys and a husband, but you’re a very good cook and don’t have any children.” Jesse said, “She was a good cook when I married her.” He laughed, “In fact, when I ate a piece of her apple pie one Sunday at her house, I made up my mind she would be my wife.” Lamont and Barbara laughed. Jesse said, “Sara came from a very large family.” Sara smiled, “Yes, I was the oldest of eleven children.” Barbara said, “Eleven! I thought the Ellmans were a large family.” Lamont said, “People like to have big families out here. We have lots of room to raise them.” Sara said, “We lived on a potato farm in Idaho. I was always kind of sickly. My mother put me to cooking instead of working in the fields. There were nine boys, my sister, and me.” Lamont said, “You speak of your sister often. What about your brothers?” Sara’s face grew very sad, “My youngest brother was killed in a truck coming from town with my father. A tire blew out and caused them to have a wreck. He was thrown out and hit a tree. He was only fifteen. My father never did get over it. He blamed himself. My other brothers were in service during the war. Four of them didn’t come back. One is in a mental hospital and will be there for the rest of his life. He cracked up in the fight at Aiwa Jima.” Barbara said, “That’s where Monty was.” Lamont said, “I can understand why it happened to him. I damn near did myself.” Sara continued, “The other three brothers are living in the east. One lives in New York. He married a girl from there. The other two are still in service. My parents are both dead. The accident crippled my father and he didn’t live long after that. My mother died three years later.” Barbara sighed, “Everyone has their troubles.” Jesse said, “Yes they do. But a person has to be big enough to overcome the bad things that happen to them. God didn’t say life would be perfect. He only promises us a paradise after death if we believe in him.” Sara smiled at Jesse, “He has given me a wonderful life. I just regret I couldn’t give him children.” Jesse said, “That couldn’t be helped.” Robbie said, “You got me.” They all laughed, “Sara hugged Robbie, “We sure do.” Lamont said, “We are your family.” Sara said, “I’m glad. Jesse and I have never been as happy as we are here.”

The next week, Jesse and Sara took Robbie with them to Idaho to visit her sister since they would only be gone for the weekend. With the Agars gone to visit Carolyn’s parents, Robbie gone, Mrs. Ellman was spending a few days with Cindy and Allen, it seemed so quiet and lonely to Barbara. As Lamont helped Barbara with the dishes she said, “Do you realize we are the only ones on this ranch or Dave’s for the weekend?” Lamont grinned, “I sure do. It’s kind of nice don’t you think?” She kissed him, “I sure do.” Lamont said, “Do you realize how long it’s been since we were completely alone.” Barbara said, “A long time. Let’s see—our honeymoon.” He said, “That’s right.” He kissed her on the neck, “Go get on something sexy like that black outfit you’ve got.” She said, “You mean the black velvet that zips down the front?” He winked, “You bet.” She smiled, “I didn’t know you thought that was sexy.” He made a sound in his throat, “Umm—baby it fits you like a glove.” She giggled, “I believe you’ve got the hots.” He grinned, “How did you know that?” She gave him a quick kiss, “By the bulge under your jeans. Bye darling, I’m going to get sexy.” He said, “I’ve got some champagne stacked in the basement, I’ll get it on ice. I knew one of these days we would have a time to use it.” Barbara laughed, “Monty Ellman you are just full of surprises.” He winked, “That’s what makes me so interesting and irresistible.”

By the time Barbara dressed and looked in the mirror for her approval, she was in the mood for making love. She sprayed a little perfume on her and heard the bottle of champagne pop. She went to the kitchen where he was. He made another sound in his throat, “Umm—baby what you do to me.” She said, “It’s nice to be able to affect my husband so much.” He said teasingly, “It’s a damn shame.” He handed her a glass of the champagne, “Drink my love, then we will make beautiful music together.” Lamont drank his quickly but Barbara sipped on hers while she watched him shave. She said, “You look very handsome tonight.” He laughed, “Hey, the champagne is working already.”

When he finished shaving, he took her glass and drank what she had left. Then he took a shower. When he came into the bedroom drying himself he said, “We are gonna make love all weekend.” She said, “We are?” He pulled her in his arms, “We are. I’m gonna see if I can get enough of you.” She said, “I don’t want you to get enough of me, just almost.” He unzipped her velvet top to the waist. Then he gently touched her breast. He asked as he kissed her on the neck, “Love me?” She whispered, “Oh yes, I love you.” It wasn’t long until they were on the bed with their naked bodies together and their kisses setting each other on fire with the desire they felt for each other. He said, “Our love is beautiful and sacred. We have the kind of love God intended for two people to have.” Barbara moaned, “Love me darling. Take me into our world of enchantment.” He loved her with the sweetness and tenderness that only together they can have.