by Merry Farmer
“Ah,” Miriam exclaimed in relief as soon as they ducked into the considerably warmer front lobby of the town hall. “That’s so much better. With wind like that, I’m surprised anyone would actually choose to live in this place.”
She meant the remark to be casual and directed at Juan, but as she finished and turned in the process of unwinding the scarf from her head, she saw Cody standing five feet away. His expression was downright hurt. That pain reflected right back into Miriam, leaving her gut in knots and her heart aching.
“But I suppose it has other things to recommend it?” She tried to save the situation.
Cody’s pitiful look morphed to something a little too close to resentment for Miriam’s liking. “Not everyone is cut out for living in a place as forward-thinking and industrious as Haskell.”
Ouch. But then, she probably deserved it.
As she unbuttoned her wool coat she said, “I suppose I could get used to the weather. I’m certain it’s lovely in summer.”
“Not that you’ll be here come summer,” Cody fired back. He didn’t give Miriam a chance to defend herself—or dig out of the hole she’d landed herself in—before raising his hand to catch the attention of someone behind her. “Howard. Here they are.”
Everything else was forgotten and Miriam’s spirits rose as she twisted to see if she could pick out the man who could help them. The town hall was not quite as large as the hotel, but it was still of considerable size, and at the moment, the lobby was crowded.
When she’d first come in, she’d noticed a large set of double-doors standing open opposite the entrance, which led to what looked like a council chamber. Other smaller doors lined the two walls on either side. Cody waved toward an open door on one side as a tall, broad, older man in a bespoke suit was just stepping out of what looked like an office.
“Cody!” He returned Cody’s wave with bombastic enthusiasm and started across the room. People stepped out of his way automatically, and though they smiled and nodded to the man, he didn’t interrupt their conversations. “Are these the delightful performers you were telling me about?” he asked once he was part of their circle.
“Howard, I’d like you to meet Miles Kopanari, Juan Bertran, and…Miriam Long.” Cody mumbled her name.
Howard Haskell brightened as if it was Christmas morning and he’d just unwrapped the gift of his dreams. Miriam didn’t know whether to laugh at him or with him.
“Miriam Long!” Howard’s exclamation—loud enough for the entire room to hear—sapped every bit of Miriam’s desire to laugh. Her smile tightened to the point of cracking as Howard said, “I know all about you. My charming daughter-in-law, Corva, tells me that you’re a treasure and a half. Weren’t you supposed to marry Cody here back in November?”
Miriam flushed, the heat of embarrassment banishing any hint of cold she had left. Cody squirmed on his spot, his expression flashing between annoyed and ashamed. Neither emotion looked right on him. Her own awkwardness didn’t feel right in her. There was nothing for it but to pretend everything was sunshine and roses.
“It seems that fate had other plans,” she told Howard with her grandest Daphne Diamond smile. She even went so far as to raise her hand.
Howard played along, taking her hand and lifting it to his lips and the bushy moustache over them with a chuckle that vibrated through the entire room. “Fate will just have to change its mind, then,” he said. “I’m a fantastic judge of character, if I do say so myself, and I like you.”
“I like you as well, Mr. Haskell,” Miriam replied, meaning every syllable.
“Psht! Howard. Call me Howard. My late, lamented father was Mr. Haskell.”
Miriam’s spirits fluttered even higher. “All right, then, Howard.” She sent a coy glance in Cody’s direction, curious what he thought of the introduction. “Cody told us you might be able to help our troupe, but he didn’t mention how jolly you are.”
Cody’s brow flew up as if she’d accused him of thievery. “I—”
“Cody has a knack for cutting straight to the heart of things.” Howard stopped Cody with a grin, thumping him on the shoulder so hard Cody sagged. “That’s what makes him such a valued employee.” Howard added a wink.
“Right,” Cody said, standing taller, but blinking as if trying to catch up to the conversation.
He was saved by Howard’s question, “So, what kind of help does your intrepid troupe require?”
This time, Miriam kept her mouth shut and deferred to Miles. Miles stepped smoothly forward, offering Howard his hand. “Miles Kopanari, sir.”
“Howard, Howard,” Howard insisted, shaking Miles’s hand vigorously. “You must be the leader of this merry band.”
“I am, sir.” Miles paused for a moment, then gestured to Juan. “And this is Señor Juan Bertran, one of our actors, and a brilliant practitioner of Spanish guitar.”
“I love Spanish guitar,” Howard boomed, shaking Juan’s hand with enough force to pull his arm out its socket. “I’d love to hear you play sometime.”
“That is precisely why we have come to you for help,” Miles said.
As concisely as he could, Miles spelled out the history and purpose of the Kopanari Company, discreetly laying out their financial woes and the need of a well-attended performance to see them through to the next part of their journey. Miles was far better at appealing to the business aspect of their troubles than Miriam ever could have been.
As Miles spoke, she inched closer to Cody. He wasn’t really still angry with her, was he? She peeked up at him, venturing a welcoming smile. Cody was paying attention to what Miles was saying, but when Miriam swayed close enough to bump him, his glance shifted to her. His lips twitched into a grin and for a moment he leaned toward her. Then he seemed to realize what he was doing and stood straighter, taking a step away.
Miriam sighed, uncertain if she wanted to apologize or smack Cody for being stubborn.
“Why, that sounds like an excellent idea,” Howard declared, letting Miriam—and half the room—know that Miles had finished his plea. “A theatrical event at this time of year would be just the thing to boost morale.”
Miriam breathed an inward sigh of relief. Performing meant payment. Payment meant she could put worry on hold for a few more weeks. And performing in Haskell meant the possibility of spending more time with Cody.
No, she hadn’t just thought that, had she?
“And I applaud Gunn’s suggestion of drawing from the population of Haskell for additional acts for the show. The children especially will be eager to participate,” Howard went on.
“Children? How lovely.” Miriam beamed from Miles to Mr. Gunn and on to Howard. She’d completely missed that part of Miles’s proposal, but what a good idea it was. She loved children, had once even imagined having dozens of her own. She flickered a glance up to Cody, then bit the inside of her lip and forced herself to focus.
“Come.” Howard threw out an arm toward the double-doors. “Let’s get this meeting started so you can have a chance to appeal to the citizens of my fair town.”
Howard’s announcement was heard by the entire lobby. It was all the signal people needed to cut short their conversations and head into the other room. Howard marched ahead of Miriam’s group, but the rest of the citizens of Haskell who were in attendance were welcoming as everyone shuffled into the main hall.
The council chamber of Haskell’s town hall bore a startling resemblance to illustrations Miriam had seen of the House and Senate Chambers of the Capitol Building in Washington DC, only in miniature.
“Howard has always had a flare for the dramatic,” she overheard Mr. Gunn tell Miles as he showed them to a bench where they could sit for the meeting. “He wanted to replicate the façade of the Capitol Building as well, but fortunately, cooler heads prevailed.”
Miriam giggled at the explanation and took a seat between Miles and Juan. No sooner had their backsides hit the bench when Juan rose to his feet again and shifted to the side. Before she c
ould ask what he was doing, Cody plopped down into the seat Juan had vacated.
“Figured you might need someone to explain things to you,” Cody told her, keeping his eyes on the front of the room.
“That’s very considerate of you, Mr. Montrose,” Miriam said. Considerate, yes. So was the warmth of his large body beside hers. Not that her body needed much help heating up at the moment. Her heart raced with expectation.
“Let’s bring this meeting to order.” Howard marched up to the rather throne-like seat at the front center of the room. He picked up a gavel and banged it on something hidden past the edge of the desk in front of his seat, but he didn’t sit. “Gentlemen…and ladies…please take your seats.”
Another minute or so was spent getting everyone organized. Miriam recognized Athos Strong, the stationmaster, from the day before as he took one of the chairs at the front of the room beside Howard’s grand desk. Another man in an expensive suit sat on his other side, and—to Miriam’s surprise—an older woman beside him. Miriam’s brow rose further at the sight of a distinguished man of color sitting on Howard’s opposite side. The man who sat next to him was dressed in an odd combination of normal clothes and Indian buckskins. The last man on that side was dressed as expensively as Howard, and was the only one who wore a peevish expression instead of a smile. Four young ladies in overly fancy dresses sat on the last observer’s bench on that side, three of them whispering furiously to him, the other looking pale and sickly.
“That’s Rex Bonneville.” Cody leaned closer to her as he whispered. “He owns the ranch that competes with Paradise Ranch. Those are his daughters, probably causing trouble as usual.”
“I see.” Miriam scooted closer to him.
“The man in the buckskin is Aiden Murphy. He’s the Indian Agent for the area. Next to him is Solomon Templesmith, our town banker. On Howard’s other side is Athos Strong from the train station, Charlie Garrett, who owns The Cattleman Hotel and half the other businesses in town, and on the end is Virginia Piedmont, half owner of Paradise Ranch and Howard’s sister.”
“Ah.” Miriam nodded in understanding. “Is she—”
She didn’t have a chance to finish her question.
“Tonight’s business involves discussion about improving the baseball field by installing more bleachers, hiring two new teachers to accommodate the growth of Haskell’s school, and constructing a new road to allow for more residential properties,” Howard began. “But first.”
He paused and sought their party out, then gestured to Miles.
“First, I’d like to start by introducing a few guests in town. Miles, come up here.”
Miles rose and edged his way along the row of benches to the aisle. As he did, Miriam was jostled against Cody. Cody caught her, looping a supportive arm around her back. By the time Miles made it to the aisle and headed to the front of the room, Cody’s arm was still braced against Miriam. A ghost of a smile flittered across Miriam’s lips. She waited, tense, hoping Cody wouldn’t notice how close they now were. She liked sitting close to him. She liked his rugged, ranch-y smell, the softness of his jacket, the firmness of the muscle underneath. Why, he was close enough that if he turned his head just a little, and if she tilted her lips up…
“…and his troupe of brilliant performers would like to put on a show here in town.” Howard’s bombastic speech yanked Miriam’s thoughts away from avenues they had best not travel. “But in order to do it, they need capital to build sets and stages.”
“Yes.” Miles picked up where Howard left off, turning on every bit of his gypsy charm. “We are used to borrowing whatever sets and properties the theaters we are booked to perform in have available, but Haskell doesn’t have a theater.”
“Yet!” Howard interrupted.
Miles nodded to him with a grin. “Mr. Haskell here…”
“Howard,” Howard insisted.
“Howard is of the opinion that the town would be willing to participate—financially and practically—in the mounting of a production.”
“Financially?” Rex Bonneville spoke up from the far end of the front benches. He’d shifted so far to the side that it almost looked as though his daughters were in a cabal with him. “What do you mean by that? How much of my money are you planning on spending?”
“Well,” Miles began with a self-deprecating smile. “We are a small outfit. Most of our acts can be achieved with minimal—”
“Where is your sense of scope, Bonneville?” Howard rode over him. “Where is your sense of scale? It is irrelevant what price mounting this production brings with it, as it will entertain and involve our entire town.”
“I have no interest in throwing away my money on a frivolity,” Bonneville growled.
“What do you mean by involving the entire town?” Mr. Murphy, the Indian Agent, asked, surprising Miriam with his Irish brogue.
“Howard has inspired me with the idea of inviting the people of Haskell, the children especially, to form their own acts, read poetry, sing, dance, or play musical instruments, as their talents dictate.”
“Especially the children,” Howard seconded. “I want to see the future of our great town up there on the stage that we build. Your sons and daughters are needed.” He boomed as if recruiting them all for war.
The townspeople in attendance hummed and murmured, nodding as if they liked the idea.
“I want to be in the show,” one of the young women with Bonneville spoke up in a near shriek. To Miriam, she looked to be the youngest of the group. “Say I can be in the show, Papa, say it. Say it!”
“I want to be on stage too,” the one who looked to be the oldest piped up. “I was born to be on the stage.”
Judging by the pose the young woman struck, Miriam wasn’t so sure. Unless, perhaps, it was as part of a comedy routine. Only the sickly sister didn’t leap up to pester her father.
“All right, all right.” Bonneville waved his daughters back to their seats, shaking his head. “I’ll support this…this entertainment. But only if I see a return on my investment. We will collect a portion of the box office takings, won’t we?” He glared at Miles.
To his credit, Miles didn’t even flinch. “Yes, sir,” he nodded as though speaking to the king. “We generally share our box office proceeds sixty-forty.”
“That’s more than generous,” Howard spoke up before Bonneville could argue, which he certainly looked as though he would do. “Any questions from the floor?”
“When will this performance take place?” a woman sitting a few rows in front of Miriam asked.
“Good question, Olivia.” Howard turned to Miles. “When?”
Miles shrugged and spread his arms. He stole a peek at Miriam and Juan, his eyes traveling on to Mr. Gunn for a moment before saying, “It will take at least a week to construct a stage. Perhaps more for rehearsals and costumes.”
“I would be willing to help with whatever costumes need to be made.” Miriam burst into a smile when her old friend, Wendy Montrose, spoke up at the other side of the room. Miriam and Wendy had been friendly at Hurst Home, but they hadn’t had a chance to speak in Haskell yet. If Wendy was offering to help with costumes, those costumes would be grand indeed. Miriam’s heart swelled with hope.
“Thank you, Wendy.” Howard smiled. “I’m sure Mr. Kopanari would welcome your help.” He shifted his weight, tilted his head to the side, and went on with, “How about two weeks and a bit? We could mount the production on Saturday, March 5th. Does that work for you, Mr. Kopanari?”
“Yes, sir, Howard, I believe it does.” Miles sent a smile to Miriam and Juan. “If my company members agree.”
More than two weeks of staying in Haskell. It could be as much as three, if they counted the time it would take to deconstruct the stage after the fact. Miriam could have three more weeks to spend with Cody. Three weeks to figure out how to apologize for running away from her promise to him. Three weeks to consider picking up where they’d left off?
No, that was out of the que
stion.
Wasn’t it?
“I look forward to working with the kind people of this town,” Juan spoke first, flashing his romantic, Spanish smile to those who were watching. A few ladies in particular looked very happy indeed that he would stay around.
“Miriam?” Miles asked her.
Miriam peeked at Cody. He was trying hard to keep a straight face, but heat and energy rippled off of him.
“I would be happy to stay in Haskell,” she said, finishing by looking directly at Cody.
“Would you?” Cody whispered.
“It’s settled then.” Howard cut off any chance for Miriam to answer. “The Kopanari Company—aided by the citizens of Haskell—will mount an end-of-winter theatrical production on the evening of March 5th. I’m sure Mr. Kopanari would be willing to answer any questions you might have at the conclusion of tonight’s meeting.” Howard motioned for Miles to take his seat, picked up his gavel, and banged on his desk with gusto. “Now, moving right along to the baseball field.”
Miriam clapped her hands silently and grinned at Miles for a job well done as he returned to their bench. He met her enthusiasm with a relieved grin. “I give you partial credit for this,” he whispered as he sat beside her once more.
“Me?” Miriam batted her eyelashes.
“It was your idea to stop in Haskell,” Miles said.
On her other side, Miriam thought she heard Cody murmur, “And I’m sure glad she did.”
Two hours later, after the most entertaining town meeting Miriam had ever been to, the walk back to the hotel didn’t seem half as bleak as the walk there had.
“And could you believe the way Howard silenced that poor Mr. Strong when he requested that the new teachers be single women?” Miriam laughed as she, Miles, Juan, Cody, and Mr. Gunn walked up the steps of The Cattleman Hotel’s front porch.
“‘Athos, if you want a new wife, you should place your order with Hurst Home, like any other man in town,’” Miles said in a perfect imitation of Howard’s response.