Once in a Blue Moon

by Diane Darcy

  Willie started talking about girls again.

  Merrill frowned.

  Tex sighed. “Willie, give it a rest. Women aren’t everything.”

  Richard glanced at Tex. “You were married, right?”

  Tex pursed his lips. “Yeah. Far as I know, I still am. Been there, done that, glad I got out alive. There’s no way to keep a woman content. She turned out to be cousin to a rattlesnake and miserable to be around. Said she was unhappy, whatever that means. She said goodbye and I said good riddance.”

  Tex could easily have been describing Melissa’s state of mind before they came out here. Once again Richard remembered he’d barely escaped a divorce by coming to the past.

  A familiar pain pierced his chest. Coming here might well have saved his marriage. But they had to go home sometime, didn’t they? And then what? Would he lose her?

  He didn’t share Tex’s views on married life. If he could keep Melissa happy somehow, he would. Perhaps staying in the past was the answer? Perhaps they were meant to be here?

  The line moved forward again.

  Willie spoke to Merrill. “...and she has a friend. And I’ll introduce you, but only if you promise to be pleasant and smile a lot.”

  Merrill shrugged as if reluctant, but his eagerness was transparent. “Okay. I guess it’ll pass the time.”

  The guys wandered off and finally it was Richard’s turn to stand in the shade. It was at least ten degrees cooler.

  John counted out three gold eagles and handed them over.

  Richard grinned. They were real antiquities, and in mint condition. Gold Eagles worth ten dollars apiece. He frowned. “Thirty dollars?”

  John nodded.

  “Full pay? I didn’t know how much I’d earn, since the widow has supplied my family for the month.”

  “She don’t ever charge for that. No question the woman’s a saint. Besides, that boy of yours helps a lot. Sign here.”

  Richard took the metal-tipped pen, and when it didn’t work, realized he needed to dip it in the ink jar. He noticed some of the others had signed their names with an X, and it surprised him to realize they couldn’t read.

  There were definite advantages to be had in the future; advantages for their family, advantages for the children.

  They had to go home.

  He needed to keep his marriage together.

  How did he do both?

  He straightened and gripped the three gold coins.

  “Thanks.”

  Willie called to him from across the yard. “You comin’?”

  Richard shook his head. “I’ll catch up.” He headed to his cabin. First he needed to keep his woman happy, and, if he knew Melissa, he knew just the way to do it.

  * * *

  “What do you think?”

  Melissa stared at the three coins in Richard’s hand.

  That was it?

  Laughter bubbled up inside her chest and she quickly stifled it. She looked up into Richard’s excited eyes, then back at the money. The gold coins were bigger than quarters, and reminded her of chocolate candy coins.

  She swallowed, and glanced a little wildly around the cabin, but the inappropriate laughter continued to push at her. She bit the inside of her bottom lip. She couldn’t laugh out loud. Wouldn’t! She didn’t want to hurt Richard’s feelings, or his ego.

  But really, after a month of work and the anticipation of some money, somehow Melissa had expected...more. Against her will, her gaze was drawn to the coins once again.

  The pressure pushed harder, coming up into her throat. She put her hands to her face, palms under her chin, fingers cupping her mouth and nose.

  “Pretty exciting, isn’t it?” Richard grinned at her, then at the coins in his hand. “These are Liberty Head Eagles.”

  He picked one up and held it to the sunlight streaming through the open doorway, making it shine. “Look. This one was minted in 1875. That’s a rare coin. It’ll be worth a lot someday.” He picked up another. “And look at this 1884 one. See the little s? That means it was made at the San Francisco mint.”

  Melissa nodded, her eyes scalding with the effort she was expending not to laugh. Her eyebrows burned. She was reminded of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale; the part where the boy proudly presents his mother with his handful of beans, expecting her to be happy. A few sounds escaped her throat and she tried to muffle the noise. She pressed her hands hard onto her face and bent to stare at the linoleum where it curled up by the door. “Melissa? Are you crying?”

  Melissa shook her head, and met Richard’s worried gaze. Her eyes filled with tears, and couldn’t hold it in any longer. She dropped her hands, threw back her head and howled! There was no other word for it. She simply howled with laughter, panted, gasped, clutched at her chest and roared!

  Holding out a hand toward Richard, she tried to stop, to apologize for her inappropriate mirth, but when she saw his chagrined expression, she laughed even harder; so hard she choked.

  Richard glanced down at the coins, back to Melissa and his mouth twisted into a scowl. “I don’t see what’s so funny.”

  She couldn’t stop! He looked so adorable, so miffed, with his lips puckered and his brows drawn together, clutching his three coins! She whooped, tears fell to her cheeks, and she pressed the heels of her palms to her temples.

  Richard crossed his arms and looked outside.

  Melissa gasped for breath. “Richard, I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s the matter with me. Perhaps they could pay you in dollar bills next time?” Her voice wobbled, and she tried to look serious, attempted to, but her own words set her off again, as she pictured thirty whole dollars. Her face crumpled with mirth as giggles spilled out.

  Richard looked up at the ceiling and took a deep breath.

  “I was thinking pennies next time. A big bag of ‘em.”

  She laughed, choked, crossed her arms over her chest and chortling, bent over double.

  Jessica tripped up the stairs and into the cabin. “What?”

  Breathing hard, Melissa gasped, straightened, focused on Jessica’s face and tried to get hold of herself. “Your father got paid today.” Melissa strangled on the words.

  Richard’s lips puckered in a scowl, and he opened his hand for Jessica to see.

  Jessica studied the coins. “They look like chocolate dollars.”

  Melissa shrieked. She could hardly breathe. Ribs burning, abdomen aching, she threw herself onto a chair and slumped over the table, her shoulders shaking with mirth. After a few minutes she finally calmed down, worn out. She straightened, sighed loudly, wiped her eyes, and turned toward Richard with a smile.

  Jessica’s mouth was partially open. “Jeeze, Mom, get a grip.”

  Richard raised a brow. “Finished?”

  Melissa nodded, and feeling slightly abashed, stood, then giggled.

  Richard held out the hand with the coins, clenched his fist around them and shoved the coins in his pocket. “I was going to entrust you with our bounty, but I think I’ll take the coins with me.”

  Melissa put a fist to her mouth. “Richard, I’m so sorry. I don’t know where all that came from.”

  Richard shook his head. “I’m leaving.”

  He stood there; waiting.

  Melissa walked over and rubbed his arm. “Don’t go. I’m really sorry. I don’t know what came over me!”

  “Well, whatever it was, just make sure--” he smiled at her, wrapped both arms around her and bent her over his arm, “that it happens again.”

  Richard bent down, kissed both her cheeks, her mouth, then stared into her eyes. “I love it when you’re happy.”

  Melissa’s mouth parted at the sweetness of his words.

  Jessica made a sound of disgust and left the cabin.

  Richard smiled, straightened and eased Melissa upright. “Why don’t you make a list. Plan out what we need to buy. And when I get off work, we’ll go shoppin’!”

  “Can I hold the money?” She giggled.

  Richar
d shook his head decisively. “You had your chance.”

  * * *

  As Melissa, Richard, and the kids walked into the general store, a bell rang over the door.

  Richard looked up and grinned. “And how cool is that?”

  Melissa rolled her eyes. “Please. Whatever you do, don’t get any more hick on me than you already are.”

  As her family started to explore, Melissa stopped to look around. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim interior, but fortunately, the windows in the front and on the side were big enough to let the sunlight in.

  Her gaze roamed the packed recesses of the store. Talk about your original one-stop shop. Hardware, bulk foods, canned goods, games, and all sorts of paraphernalia were deposited in every nook and cranny. The building was large yet claustrophobic at the same time.

  Farm implements lined the far wall, shelves were built into every available space, and items were stacked in the middle of the floor, piled on sideboards and counters, and heaped on shelves. Barrels and bins were situated throughout. Brooms, kerosene lanterns, canteens, baskets, and more hung from hooks in the ceiling.

  The place smelled of vinegar and pickles. She’d actually been in the store when she’d looked for a job, but at the time hadn’t paid much attention to her surroundings.

  It was so different from any establishment in the future. In terms of quantity, there was probably much less than what she was used to, but the merchandise was so packed in, there seemed to be a huge assortment to chose from.

  A woman, her husband, and two little girls dressed in frilly frocks and bonnets were the only other customers in the store. The woman wore a day dress with a high neckline and collar, puffed shoulders, fitted sleeves and the ever-present bustle. Her hat, sporting a large white feather, completed the outfit. She looked at Melissa, her gaze roaming up and down before she turned away.

  Melissa ran a hand through her short hair and wished for some gel as she moved away from the door. The implied criticism didn’t seem to sting as much anymore. Perhaps because she knew she was getting new clothes today.

  Product-filled glass jars and a cash register covered a long counter that ran along one wall. A glass cabinet on one side held guns, ammunition and a few other items. Behind the counter were shelves and, she belatedly realized, a smiling man; the shopkeeper, hiding amidst his wares.

  The tall, skinny proprietor wore a white shirt with a high collar, and rolled-up sleeves that revealed thin forearms. He sported an apron, tie, and greased-back thick black hair; the very man who’d refused her employment. His prominent adam’s apple bobbed. “Hello, can I help you folks with anything?”

  “No, thanks.” Melissa spotted material against the far wall and made a beeline for it. Wool, cotton, linen, calico, and silk. Seven cents a yard up to twenty-three cents a yard. Out on the ranch she wouldn’t have any need for the expensive fabric. But some of the midrange would suit her very nicely. It was priced at twelve cents a yard. She felt rich, rich, rich!

  There were some strange, colored advertisements on the wall, smaller than postcards, for thread and sewing machines. One pictured a prospector calmly smoking a pipe as a bear, tied to a tree with a piece of thread, tried to charge him. The thread was too strong for the bear to break. She shook her head at the silly attempt at advertising. Amateurs.

  Another ad depicted a huge spool of thread, and an old woman fast asleep in a rocking chair. A little girl leaned in through a window and tried to poke the granny in the eye with a needle. Nineteenth century humor? Amused, Melissa blew out a breath. These people needed serious help.

  She glanced once more at the material, then at the list Emma had helped make. Excitement thrummed though her. She needed to get the necessary shopping done first, then she’d know how much money was left so she could figure out the amount of material, thread, and accessories she could buy.

  She and Richard had already decided they needed to have a minimum of five dollars left over for emergencies. She never wanted to be without cash again. So the twenty-five dollars needed to be stretched as far as possible.

  She looked over the list: flour, sugar, oats, beans, rice, baking powder, yeast, vanilla, canned goods, coffee, salt, spices, vinegar, molasses, kerosene, boots for Richard and Jeremy, and--she grimaced at the last item--lard. Melissa had argued, but Emma had insisted. Apparently, one couldn’t make proper biscuits without it.

  Melissa glanced around, but didn’t see what she was looking for. She walked over to where Richard studied a display. “Richard,” Melissa whispered. “Do you see any flour?”

  Eyes shining, Richard glanced around. “I don’t. But look at this.” He ran his finger over some fishing tackle, pinned to a strip of cloth on the wall.

  Melissa made a derisive noise and turned away. Some help he was going to be. Apparently Richard was as clueless as she was when it came to shopping. She should have gone with the other women.

  The storekeeper came around the counter, his smile ingratiating. “Can I be of some assistance?” He held out a hand for the list.

  Melissa raised a brow and pressed the paper to her chest. Did the guy think she was handing it over to him? She needed to look things over, and carefully consider the best way to spend what little they had. “I’m fine.”

  The storekeeper dropped his hand, a look of surprise on his face. He glanced at Richard. “You’re new in town?

  Richard dragged his gaze from the fishing poles. “Oh, sorry.” He replaced a pole and offered his hand. “I’m Richard Kendal, and this is my wife, Mrs. Kendal,” he pointed over a few stacks of inventory to where the kids were looking at toys. “And our children Jeremy and Jessica.”

  Jeremy had ducked down to look at something, but Jessica lifted a hand in greeting.

  The storekeeper shook Richard’s hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Tim Harvey. I understand your wife threw Curly Jenkins to the ground over at the saloon. Flipped him right over.” His gaze slid over Melissa with admiration.

  Melissa let out a long sigh.

  Richard chuckled. “Heard about that, did you?” Richard continued the conversation as Melissa drifted away.

  Some items were priced, and some weren’t; very frustrating. A few minutes later Mr. Harvey poked his head around the corner as Melissa set down the can of beans she’d been examining. She glanced at the sardines, oysters and peaches.

  Mr. Harvey cleared his throat. “You looking for anything in particular? Can I help you find something?”

  She needed to figure out how much the food cost, see what she could afford, and make a plan. “How much for the beans?”

  “Five cents.”

  Melissa tried not to gloat; their money would stretch far.

  She continued to browse, trying to ignore the staring storekeeper, and her gaze wandered to a display of shoes in front of the middle window. Richard and Jeremy needed work boots. She checked for prices. Nothing. She turned to the shopkeeper who still watched her. “How much are the boots?”

  “Three dollars.”

  “Three dollars? Isn’t that a little pricy?” As soon as the words left her mouth, Melissa chuckled. She was used to spending more to buy fast food kids meals.

  The shopkeeper shrugged defensively. “That’s the cost.”

  “Jeremy, come see if you like any of these boots.”

  Jeremy came to look at the display. “As if.”

  Melissa smiled. “Well, try them on and see if they fit anyway.” She plucked some stockings off a nearby shelf and handed them to Jeremy.

  With a sigh, Jeremy sat on the floor and tried on boots. Behind Melissa the little girls begged for candy. Loudly. The mother adamantly refused, however, the father opened the lid on one of the glass jars on the counter and showed two sticks of candy to the proprietor, and gave the girls the treat.

  The couple started to argue. Apparently, Mom didn’t want them to have candy.

  The storekeeper needed to Feng Shui the place. It was too dark and dreary; too crowded. He really s
hould have hired her.

  Mr. Harvey was staring again and acting antsy. “If I could just see your list? Perhaps I might be of some service?”

  What was with the guy? “No, thanks.”

  Jessica showed her a slingshot. “Look, Mom. Can I have one?”

  Melissa turned to the shopkeeper, “How much?”

  “Fifty cents.”

  Richard was looking at a gun in the glass cabinet. “How much for this?”

  “Twenty dollars. And I’ll throw in some ammunition.”

  Melissa could see Richard really wanted the gun and suddenly she didn’t feel so rich anymore. The twenty-five dollars wasn’t stretching as far as she’d like.

  The other couple signaled to Mr. Harvey who went to help them.

  Melissa motioned to Richard. “Come and try on some boots.”

  Reluctantly Richard left the gun cabinet and did as she asked.

  The shopkeeper finished helping the other family and they left.

  She looked at her list again: flour. She still hadn’t seen any bags. Finally, she conceded; she might as well let the guy help. It looked like he would dog her footsteps until she let him.

  When Mr. Harvey walked over again, she handed over the list. He took it with alacrity, scanned it and immediately started to pile supplies on the counter.

  Melissa wandered back to the bolts of material. She studied each piece, and looked at the thread, the needles, and some scissors she couldn’t afford.

  She needed material to make shirts for Richard and Jeremy, and they both needed a pair of trousers.

  Her hands ran over some material that would make the most beautiful dress. She touched another and styles and ideas flashed into her mind; a day dress, a fancy dress, a work dress, and an evening gown.

  There was a pattern book on the table in front of the material. She looked at the designs and allowed herself to gloat. Her ideas were better.

  The cash register started jangling and Melissa turned. She studied the supplies on the counter, suddenly worried. There seemed to be a lot.

  A few minutes later Harvey looked up. “Okay, folks. Do you have eggs or butter to trade?”