Montana Morning (22 page)

“Not so fast,
Mister.” Will commanded.  “You’re ten now, and any day you’ll discover you
like wrappin’ those pretty young things in those long gangly arms of
yours.  Addy, think we could teach him the basics in two weeks?”

 Not only
could they teach him the basics, but the night before the dance, Scotty decided
to show them his new moves after supper.  Will and Jack had been gone all
day starting the fire and placing the beef Will had contributed into the big
pit outside the grange hall. Late that evening, Andy sat down at the piano and
soon Addy and Scotty were dancing up a storm. 

“May I cut in?”
Will asked politely.  “I need to practice up a bit myself.”

“Want to take a
turn?” Will asked Jack as Andy started a new tune.

“I don’t dance.”

 Jack sat
back and watched as Pops and Scotty took turns practicing their dance
steps.  Addy had to admit to herself she was a little disappointed. The
thought of gliding around the floor i
n his arms had
been a nice one.

THIRTEEN

“Man, what a
shindig this has turned out to be!” Will exclaimed, looking over the crowded
lawns surrounding the grange hall.  “Hope we have enough beef to go
around.”

“I’m sure there
will be plenty.” Red smiled over at the older man, as he wiped the sweat from
his brow.  “Lordy, Will, if I’d known how much work cooking this beef was
going to be, I’d have thought twice before volunteering.” Maggie and Red knew
how important this celebration was this year for the area ranchers.  They
needed a real show of solidarity, and they were certainly getting it.

“I’m pretty sure
you and Maggie had something to do with this huge turnout,” Will said, as he
helped Red uncover the meat in the pit. “We’ve never had a crowd like this
before.  Who the heck are all these folks, anyhow?”

“Will, the
ranchers aren’t the only ones feeling the pinch with Western Pacific. See the
fellow over there in the blue shirt?  He has worked for Western for over
twenty years.  The fellow standing next to him owns the mercantile. 
The two fellows to his right are on the school board.”  Will nodded as Red
continued to point out all the folks from town and around the valley. “The point
is, Will, if the ranchers go under, this whole community will be in
trouble.  All Maggie and I did, with the help of our young minister friend
over there, was point that out to a few folks.  If you give people a
chance, usually they know where right leaves off and wrong begins.”

“Are you two
getting anything done, or are you just gabbin’?” Jack asked, as he joined them
by the pit.

“Count on him to
show up when the work’s done,” Will teased. 

“How’s your arm
healing up?” Red asked, as they started to haul the beef up and out of the
hole.

“Fine. Almost
healed over.  How did you hear about that?” Jack laughed.  “No, don’t
tell me.  Addy told Maggie.  Maggie told you . . .”

“You got it. 
No such thing as a secret in our family.” Red smiled in Addy’s direction. 
She, Maggie, and Amy were helping the other women set all the food out on the
table.  Will went to gather more men to serve the barbequed beef.

 “Jack,” Red
elbowed him gently, “told the lady how you feel about her yet?”  Jack
didn’t answer, but Red saw the blush on the back of his neck, and knew he had
heard the question. “Don’t wait too long, fellow, you’re not the only one who
knows an angel when he sees her.”

Just then, Red saw
a white Lincoln pull into the field of cars. “Well, I’ll be. Didn’t think he’d
have the nerve to show up.”  Jack turned his head to follow Red’s gaze.

“As a matter of
fact, I invited the man,” Jack said, as Mike Simpson and his wife got out of
the car.

“I know
that.  I’m talking about the slime ball climbing out of the back seat,”
Red exclaimed. Sure enough, Randy Mueller was getting out of the back of
Simpson’s car and he had someone with him, a woman who looked very much like
Mrs. Simpson.

“I have a feeling
we just uncovered one of the great mysteries of this whole mess, Jack. 
What do you want to bet Mueller is Simpson’s brother-in-law?”

“Or son in-law?”

“Either way, it
sure explains why he won’t fire him, doesn’t it?” Red still couldn’t believe
Randy Mueller had the guts to show his face. “Got to give him this, he sure is
brazen.”

“He had to come;
he’d have looked guilty as sin if he didn’t.” Jack was sure that was Mueller’s
reasoning, but the looks he was getting from the ranchers and their wives,
showed he might have miscalculated. Jack hoped everyone stuck to the plan to
act like ladies and gentlemen, no matter what happened.  They had vowed
not to sink to the level of Mueller, and with all the folks from town as
witnesses; it was vital to their cause.  The late arrivals were headed
their way. “Remember . . . sweetness and light.”

“Great turnout,”
Mike Simpson said, as he reached out and shook Will’s hand.  “This is my
wife, Helen, and her sister, Arlene.  You know her husband, Randy.” 
So there it was . . . Jack gave Simpson a look of understanding and pity. 
The man was caught between a rock and a hard place, with no room to wiggle.

“Glad you could
all come.  We’re having a fine time, with lots more to come,” Will said,
as he led them over to the serving tables where he rang the old dinner
bell.  “Welcome to all our friends, old and new. Thank you for joining us
in the celebration of our nation’s birth.” The crowd was still as Will gave his
welcome, just as they were each year. “Let us give praise for our country, our
families, for our friends, for our land, our lives, and the Lord, our friend. 
Mark, if you would please.”

***

 The sun was
setting as the last game of horseshoes came to an end, and the remaining food
was put in coolers for the midnight luncheon.

“Folks, let’s
strike up the band.  I’m in the mood to dance,” Seth hollered, as he
grabbed his wife and headed for the center of the grange hall floor.

“I thought he was
kind of bashful,” Addy laughed over at Will.

“Not when it comes
to dancing.” He nodded in the direction of the band. “Just like Andy, shy
except when he pounds on the piano.” She could see the look of pure joy on
Andy’s face. 

“Will, why didn’t
Andy play at home before I came?  He obviously loves it.”  Addy
couldn’t believe Will would have objected.

“I guess Em was
about as close to a mom as Andy ever knew; He said that piano reminded him too
much of Em and pushed it under the stairs.  I honestly don’t think he
would have ever played again if it hadn’t been for you, Addy.”  Someone
was tapping on her shoulder.

“May I have this
dance, please?” Scotty asked shyly, as he looked at the toe of his boots.

“I would be
absolutely delighted!” She smiled and gave him a slight curtsy.  “Relax,
Scotty,” she ordered, as they headed onto the floor. “You’re going to be one of
the best dancers here.”

“I’m only dancing
with you.”

“You may change
your mind.” She grinned at him and looked around at all the cute young ladies
about his age.

“Nope,” he said
firmly.

“If they ask you?”

His head shot up
in dismay.  “They wouldn’t!”

“Don’t count on it. 
And if they do, you be polite,” Addy said it sweetly, but he knew it was an
order.  “You are a quick study, and you have great rhythm, Scotty. 
You’ll do fine.”

“What if I step on
their feet?”

“You simply say,
‘Excuse me’.”  The song ended and as they walked back to the sidelines
Will grabbed her arm.
             

“I’m next, he
said.”  Addy danced every dance until the break, and then stepped outside
to catch a breath of fresh air. Jack had been visiting with some of their
neighbors, but when he saw her, he excused himself.

“Having a good
time?” he asked, as he stared up at the night sky.

“Yes, as a matter
of fact, I am.”

“Everyone behaving
in there?”

“Being perfect
angels . . . well, not quite, but we’re all doing our best to be civil and
pleasant to our guests, if that’s what you mean.”

“That’s what I
mean.” He looked around at the people drifting back into the hall.  “We
all know who the bad guy is here; we want to make sure no one gets confused.”
She felt him studying her and turned to face him.

“What?”

“Do you realize
today is the first time I’ve ever seen you in a dress?” he said, his lopsided
grin showing in the moonlight.

“And?” She was
baiting him and they both knew it.

“And, I like what
I see,” he answered her plainly.

“I’m glad.”

 “Let’s get
back in there before folks start talking.”

“They wouldn’t do
that.” She gave him her most innocent look.

“Would you like a
glass of punch, Pollyanna?” he offered as they went through the door.

“That would taste
really good right now.  Thank you.” Suddenly, even though he wasn’t
touching her, he felt her tense. The reason was walking across the empty floor
towards them.

“Mrs. Banks, may I
have the next dance?” Randy Mueller asked boldly.  Jack had all he could
do not to punch him in the mouth.  Addy turned her back on Mueller just
long enough to remind Jack to keep to the plan.

 
“Sweetness
and light.”
she whispered, and then turned back to the man behind
her.  She could feel her skin crawl, but she planted a smile on her face
and answered, “Of course, you may.” The hall had been so quiet you could hear a
pin drop, now the music began and he took her in his arms and they began to
waltz.              

“Is your wife
having a good time?”  Addy had decided conversation would make the torture
seem shorter.

“Yeah, I guess she
is,” he said glancing in her general direction.  “I have to give it to
you, Lady.  I didn’t figure you’d have the guts to dance with me, after
the lies you told about me.”

“Mr. Mueller,
please save that line for your wife and your brother-in-law.” Addy felt like
she was going to vomit.

“Oh, so you do
know what my trump card is.  You’d better change your story, or every
rancher that is sticking with Jack is going to hang right along with him.”

“And you?”

“I’ll move onto
bigger and better things.  I always do.” He gave her a syrup-sweet smile
and led her off the dance floor.

“Thank you for
letting me borrow your lady,” he said to Jack as he turned and walked
away.  Addy’s eyes flew down to Jack’s hands; they were clenching and
unclenching at his side.

“I’m okay,” she
whispered.  “I could sure use a drink of punch though.”

“Coming up.” He
took her hand and started across the floor towards the punch bowl.

“We’re just about
to take off and I was wondering if I might dance with Mrs. Banks,” Mike Simpson
asked from behind them.

“I’d be happy to
dance with you, Mr. Simpson.”  Addy squeezed Jack’s hand as hard as she
could.  “I’ll take that drink as soon as we finish dancing.” She noticed
Mike Simpson was shaking and his hand was sweating as he led her onto the
floor. As they danced, he began to relax.

“I’m sorry, Mrs.
Banks.  I . . . I don’t know what to say to you,” he stammered and stepped
on her toe.  “I’m sorry; I can’t dance and think about this mess at the
same time.”

“Mr. Simpson . . .
do you mind if I call you Mike?”

“Heavens no! 
I’m sure you’d rather call me a lot worse.”

“Not really.” She
tried to smile at him. “Look, are you a believer?  I mean, is God a living
part of your life?”

“I think so. I
hope so.  What has that got to do with this mess and you  . . .?”

“And half the
other females in this room?” she reminded him.

“Okay, them too.”

“I realized today
what you must be going through, and I’m really sorry about your family.  I
will pray for you and your wife and her sister.  I’ll even pray for
Randy.”  With that Mike Simpson paused and looked her right in the
eye.  He understood her and she was serious.  She would pray for
Randy Mueller, even after all this . . .”

“I wish I believed
that would help,” he said, as he stared at all the people dancing and sitting
around the room. “I can’t fire him without hurting Arlene; that would hurt
Helen . . .”

“And if you don’t,
if you continue to employ him, knowing what he has done not just to me but too
many others?”

“I don’t have an
answer.”

“Maybe you’re
looking in the wrong place,” she offered softly.  “Do you see the man
standing with Jack by the punch table?” He nodded.  “His name is Mark
Denning, and he’s the pastor of the Community Church.”

“What has he got
to do with this mess?”

“God has the
answers, if we’re willing to seek him out. Having sought him out, we just need
to listen.”

“Simple as that,
huh?” he scoffed.

“As simple or as
complicated as we want to make it,” she assured him as they walked off the
dance floor.  I have an address for you.”

“Jack, can I
borrow a small piece of paper and your pen?”  He gave her his
‘what are
you up
to’
look but handed them to her.  He was pleased to see
everyone relaxing and having fun, and hoped Mike was noticing too.

“Here you go.”
Addy told him. “This is the place you may be looking for.”

 Mike Simpson
looked down at the paper; it said ‘Jeremiah 17:7-10'. He gave her a hearty
smile. “This is the place?”     

“It would be a
good place to start.”

“Thanks again for
the dance.”

Jack and Addy had
noticed Mueller dancing with every woman in the place.  They, like Addy,
had been polite, but it would have taken a blind man not to notice their
disdain.

 “Looked like
quite a conversation you and Mike were having out there.  What did you
find to talk about?” Jack grilled her, as they sipped their drinks.