High Lonesome

by Coverstone, Stacey

  Although the big buildup had caused anxiety, Beth held no grudge. “You handled the situation with professionalism, Sheriff. I just feel so bad for the poor man.”

  “Let’s hope he gets the help he needs,” Buddy replied.

  Scott glanced at his watch. “Well, now that the excitement is over, I guess we should be getting back to the ranch. Beth, I guess you’ll be staying with us a little longer.” He smiled, clearly happy.

  “Looks that way.” She had been prepared to go to the dedication with Scott and Willow that night, but now she wondered if she should skip it and find a motel room instead. After almost kissing today, being in such close proximity to Scott was not a good idea. He’d led her to believe he was going to break up with Joanna, but words meant nothing. Only actions. And what if she was a married woman? Even if the man in her visions was abusive, if he was her husband, she’d have to divorce him, perhaps bring charges against him, and make a new life for her and her daughter—if the little girl in the flashbacks was her daughter. There was no room for a new man, even one as kind and good-hearted as Scott.

  “Are you going to the hospital shindig tonight?” Scott asked Buddy.

  “Nope. Joanna and I try to steer clear of each other as much as possible. Are you two going?”

  Scott stared at Beth. The sheriff’s call had interrupted them back at the house before she’d made her final decision. “Are we?” he asked her.

  Despite reservations, but not wanting to let Willow down, she said, “Yes.” It was her intention to tell him after the dedication about her decision to move out of his house.

  Scott beamed.

  “Have fun,” Buddy said. “Beth, I’ll keep you posted if any new developments occur.”

  Scott opened the truck’s passenger door and helped her inside. Buddy spun on his boot heel and called out, “I know someone’s out there looking for you, ma’am. I feel it in my bones. Don’t give up hope. I’ll do everything in my power to find the people who love you.”

  She and Scott swapped glances. Intensity streamed from his blue eyes, causing her to wonder if the one who loved her was beside her.

  ****

  “My, my. Is this my daughter, or a fairy princess?” Scott beheld Willow in genuine bewilderment. Demure in a cornflower blue dress with capped sleeves and white lace around the collar and at the hem, she didn’t look like the same girl. A big satin bow adorned her blonde ponytail, and she wore anklet socks and shiny white leather shoes with thin straps across the top.

  “I wanted to wear my cowgirl boots, but Beth thinks these shoes make me look more grown up.”

  Scott grinned. “I totally agree, although I’m not sure I’m ready for you to grow up quite yet.” He scooped the little girl into his arms and she buried her face in his neck. “You’re so pretty, honey.” His voice choked with emotion. “You remind me so much of your mama.”

  Willow pulled back and gazed at him, baffled. “Are you crying, Daddy?”

  “No, baby. I’m happy. You’re as pretty as a picture.”

  “Do you like my hair?”

  “Yes. The curl on the end of your ponytail looks like the tail of your little pony toy.”

  Willow laughed. “Beth used the curling iron on it. Wait till you see her. She’s as pretty as a picture, too. I’ll go get her!” Willow wiggled out of his arms and skipped down the hall. She returned a moment later grasping Beth’s hand. When Scott gazed upon Beth in a knee-length lilac wrap dress, which showed off her shapely legs and womanly curves, he swallowed hard. Her ebony hair tumbled down her back in soft waves. Unable to take his eyes off her, he found it difficult to contain the swell of joy rising inside.

  “Do you remember this dress?” she asked twirling around.

  His answer was an honest one. “No, I don’t. Was it Maggie’s?”

  “It was hanging in the closet. Do you mind me wearing it?”

  He shook his head. “It’s yours. The dress is a perfect fit and you look gorgeous in that shade.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, unable to utter another word.

  “Thank you, Scott. You clean up real good yourself.” He was dressed in a mahogany colored leather jacket, white shirt, black dress slacks and black ostrich quill boots.

  Willow’s head bobbed back and forth between them like she was observing a tennis match.

  Carmen advanced around the corner with her old Polaroid camera in her hand and exclaimed, “Ay yi yi. Don’t you all look like a million bucks! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you two dressed in anything but Wranglers and spurs.” She pointed an accusatory finger at Scott and Willow. “I have to take your picture for posterity. Stand together,” she ordered, pressing the three of them together like a sandwich.

  “What happened to that digital camera I bought you for Christmas?” Scott asked.

  “This one works just fine,” Carmen replied pleasantly.

  “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks, I guess,” he joked, shaking his head.

  Carmen snapped several photos and wiped a tear from her cheek.

  “Why are you sad?” Willow asked.

  “I’m not sad, chiquita. You and your daddy look so happy, and that makes me happy. These are tears of joy.”

  The pictures slid out one after the other. Carmen handed Beth one of them. “You keep this one. I want you to always remember your time at the High Lonesome.”

  Beth hugged her, apparently too moved to say more.

  “Let’s go, Daddy!” Willow shouted.

  “Good idea. We don’t want them to run out of those tiny pinkie sandwiches,” he said, causing them all to laugh.

  As Willow climbed into the pickup, Beth took Scott aside. “When Carmen took our picture, I remembered something. I have a memory of posing for a photo with the man in my flashbacks, and the little girl. Scott, I really feel that she’s my child. I think it was a family photo. Which must mean…”

  The breath stuck in his throat. “You’re married.”

  ****

  Throngs of people milled around when the trio arrived in the lobby of the new hospital wing. Glancing around, Scott knew just about everyone there. He introduced his daughter and Beth to a few ranchers and businessmen, not bothering to go into details when people stared. With all the flyers in town and her picture having been on the news, he figured who she was or what had happened to her was no secret.

  The three of them were checking out the buffet table when Joanna breezed up. “Hello, handsome,” she drawled, snaking an arm around Scott’s waist.

  “Hi, Jo. Nice party you have here.”

  “Thanks. Hello, Willow. Hello, Beth.” She shook both their hands in a formal manner. They replied with polite smiles. She stepped back and perused Scott from head to toe. Her forehead wrinkled. “Honey, where is the beautiful suit I brought out to the ranch? I thought you were going to wear it tonight.”

  “I never promised to wear it, Joanna. Formal suits aren’t my style. You should know that by now.”

  “I like the way my daddy looks,” Willow piped up.

  Joanna fired the child a look that suggested she stay out of it. “This is big people talk, Willow,” she replied in her iciest voice. Returning her gaze to Scott, she mumbled, “For once, I thought you could show up to one of my functions looking like a sophisticated gentleman instead of a trail cowboy.”

  “Daddy, what’s a sophisticated gentleman?” Willow asked.

  “A stuffy old toad.”

  Willow giggled.

  “Scott!” Joanna jabbed him with her elbow.

  Even Beth visibly struggled to keep from laughing, her lips disappearing from biting them together.

  “There’s nothing wrong with the way I look,” he replied. “I come from a long line of trail cowboys, and I’m proud of my heritage.”

  Jo sighed. “Everyone in this crummy little town is a cowboy. I married one, in case you don’t remember. I thought you’d learn to…”

  Scott cut her off. “That’s enough, Joanna.”

  H
er mouth twitched as her gaze darted between him and Beth. It was obvious she was considering her next move carefully.

  “I’d advise you to think before you say more,” he said quietly. “Let’s not ruin the evening with harsh words.”

  Willow stared at him with bug eyes. Beth stepped away and let her gaze drift across the crowd.

  Joanna’s face flushed. In a heartbeat, she plastered on her best beauty pageant smile. Straightening her posture, she patted the top of Willow’s head.

  Willow whined, “Please don’t mess up my hair.”

  Jo tossed her an annoying look. “Come with me, Scott. I want to introduce you to some important people.” She tugged on his arm. “You don’t mind if I steal him away for a few minutes, do you ladies?”

  Beth spun around. Before she or Willow could answer, Joanna dragged Scott into the crowd of suits and ties.

  “Let’s sample these finger foods,” Beth suggested to Willow. “I love petite fours. How about you?”

  Willow nodded, and the two of them filled their plates with goodies. They had almost made their way down the buffet table when Joanna took her place behind the podium.

  She tapped on the microphone. “Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I’m Doctor Joanna Coleman, and I’d like to welcome you all here tonight. As a member of the Board of Directors of Ghost Rock Memorial Hospital, I would like to thank each and every one of you for attending this dedication of the brand new Marvin Cardiac Wing. The board wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Mrs. Clarice Marvin, who contributed the funds for the addition of this wing, in memory of her late husband, Doctor Elmer Marvin.”

  Beth joined the round of applause that erupted for the elderly Clarice, who stood to the right of the podium and nodded her head in thanks.

  Joanna continued. “It’s been two years since the design of this wing was approved and construction began, so we are very pleased to be here tonight celebrating the opening of this very important unit. It will benefit our community in so many ways.”

  Scott sidled up beside Beth during more applause and pressed his shoulder against hers.

  Willow yanked on his sleeve, and he bent down to her cupped hand. She said in that loud whisper that all children think is quiet, “Can we go now? I’m bored.”

  “They’re about to cut the ribbon. That’s the most important part. They have a giant pair of scissors over there.” He pointed across the room to where the scissors were propped.

  “Oh. Those are cool.”

  Joanna smiled at Mrs. Marvin and said, “If you’ll come with me, we’ll now conduct the ribbon cutting ceremony.” She led the woman to a faux brick wall where a bronze plaque hung bearing the words, The Elmer Marvin Cardiac Wing. Clarice pointed to the plaque and smiled as a newspaper photographer snapped her photo. She then shuffled to the wide red ribbon tied across the double-door entrance of the new wing.

  Joanna placed the gigantic pair of silver scissors in her hand and the room grew quiet.

  Just then, Willow sneezed and all heads swiveled. The guest of honor shouted, “God bless you!” and everyone laughed. Then she positioned the scissors over the ribbon and cut. When the ribbon snapped and swirled to the ground, everyone clapped.

  “Can we go now, Daddy?” Willow begged. “I don’t feel good. I think I ate too many pickles and cookies.”

  Scott dropped to his knees and pressed the back of his palm to her forehead. “You do look a little green around the gills.” He glanced at Beth, who shrugged her shoulders. “I guess the main event is over now anyway,” he said. “Let me explain to Joanna why we’re leaving and tell her goodbye.”

  He stood behind her, waiting until she excused herself from a circle of friends. When he told her they were going, she wasn’t pleased with the news. Frowning, she rolled her eyes and turned away from him in a huff.

  Scott returned to Beth and Willow. “Joanna is sorry we have to go so soon, but she wanted me to tell you, Willow, that she hopes you feel better.” He glanced at Beth and could tell she knew he fibbed. Hopefully, she understood his motive for doing so.

  When the three of them stepped out into the tepid air, the child perked up as if a miracle had taken place. She slipped between Beth and Scott and grasped their hands. “Can we take a walk downtown?” she asked, swinging between them.

  “Are you sure you’re up to it, kiddo? You were as green as a frog just a minute ago.”

  “Yep! I’m up to it. I’m feeling much better already. I think I just needed some air.”

  He grinned. “Didn’t we all? I wouldn’t mind a walk. How about you, Beth?”

  “It’s a lovely evening.” She inhaled in a breath of air. “A walk would be nice.”

  Hoards of people filled Main Street. Shop doors were open wide, music blared from a club on the corner, and enticing smells drifted out from the many cafes and restaurants lining the quaint downtown avenue. As the golden sun floated below the horizon, colorful lights strung across shop doors warmed to a soft, inviting glow.

  “This town is really hopping. Is it always so busy on a Friday night?” Beth asked.

  “Yeah, Main Street is the place to be. This is a small town, and what we offer may not be so cultured, but there’s always something going on.”

  “I love the friendly, family atmosphere. It reminds me of when I was a girl, when life was simple. I grew up in a little town like this.”

  He stopped, whirled, and put his hand on her arm. “What do you remember about your town? What was the name of it? Can you recall any landmarks?”

  She stared down at his hand clamped upon her wrist.

  He removed it and said, “I’m sorry. I just got so excited. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  “No, I’m fine.” She smiled.

  “So, what do you remember?”

  Her forehead wrinkled. “I remember a small town, but nothing specific. The words just slipped out of my mouth. It was more of a fond feeling rather than a true memory.”

  “Oh.”

  They began to stroll again.

  “What’s going on over there?” she inquired, pointing to a building on the corner. There seemed to be a lot of activity and noise coming from inside.

  “Bingo!” Willow shouted. “Can we go play, Daddy? Please, please, please.” Willow wrenched his hand, pulling him down the walk toward the Bingo parlor. Beth followed along.

  The doors were propped open and inside the hall were a dozen tables, lined one in front of the other with young and old hunched over their cards. The caller was an elderly lady with blue hair, done up in a beehive. She hollered “B, 14” as they entered.

  “Please, Daddy. You know how I love Bingo.” Willow cast him her best hangdog expression, which never failed to cause him to melt like snow on a spring day.

  “Your tummy sure got better fast,” he teased.

  He and Beth smiled at one another. “Have you ever played Bingo?” he asked her.

  “Probably when I was younger. Let’s go in,” she urged. “I feel lucky tonight.”

  “Me, too.” Scott winked at his daughter.

  The three of them found spots at the very back table, with Willow sitting in the middle. They poised their markers over their cards as the caller rapped her fist on the podium and hollered into the microphone. “Take your seats. A new game is starting.” She had a hard time getting people’s attention because an older gentleman in a ten-gallon hat across the aisle had just won twenty dollars and was still being congratulated. The new game commenced, and a teenage boy shouted “Bingo” almost as fast as the game had started. He won ten bucks. Everyone laughed when he jumped into the aisle and celebrated by doing a few silly dance moves.

  “Sit down, sonny,” the lady yelled from up on the stage. “Next game is beginning!”

  “This is fun!” Willow exclaimed. “Don’t you think so, Beth?”

  “Yes. I do. Is the parlor open every Friday night?”

  “Yep. Do you want to come back next week?” Scott asked.

  He and s
he glanced at one another. He wondered what the chances would be of her staying at the High Lonesome another week. Not likely, he figured, if Buddy did his job.

  The next game began. “N, 6,” the lady yelled. “Oh, I’ve got that one,” Beth said, unbelieving. “First one I’ve gotten so far.”

  “Lucky you,” Scott shook his head at his empty card.

  “O, 23.”

  “What do you know? I’ve got that one, too.” Beth smiled broadly.

  “Next number. G, 21.”

  “G, 21,” Beth repeated. “Oh, my gosh. I’ve got it.”

  Scott and Willow grinned at her from across their blank cards.

  “Next number coming up!” The lady shouted into the mike, “B, 63!”

  “I’ve got B 63!” Willow cried.

  Beth squeezed her shoulder. “You won’t believe it, but so do I.”

  Willow’s mouth opened, forming an o. “One more and you’ve got Bingo.”

  Beth glanced at the next table and saw an old lady glaring at them. The lady was huddled over her card, protecting it like a mother bear would protect her cub.

  The blue-haired lady caller declared the next number. “I, 85.”

  Beth’s eyes swept over her card. “I, 85. I, 85. I’ve got it! Bingo!” she screamed. “Bingo! Right here, I’ve got a Bingo!” She shook Scott’s shoulder, and he and Willow both laughed.

  The checker, an older gentleman wearing bib overalls, hobbled over and announced the marks on her card one at a time. His voice boomed. “N, 6. G, 21. O, 23, B, 63, and I, 85. She’s got ‘em, Martha,” he informed the caller. “She’s got a Bingo!”

  “Yippee!” Willow yelled. “Way to go, Beth!”

  “What did I win? What did I win?” Beth asked. She was as excited as a child on Christmas morning.

  The caller declared her the big winner of the night. “You’ve won fifty dollars! Congratulations, honey.”

  The old man who had checked her card pulled a fifty-dollar bill out of his pocket and placed it in Beth’s open palm. He flashed her a semi-toothless smile. “Don’t spend it all in one place, miss.”