Montana Madness

by Sioux Dallas

  “Juanita had already called me at the barn. Actually she just called the barn and I happened to answer the phone. That woman has serious problems and she really needs a lot of help. I’m going to tell James what happened and let him deal with her.” Jack quickly left.

  Ginger jumped up and hugged Juanita. “Once again you’ve saved my hide. I’m so blessed to have you.”

  The two women exchanged a hug and each went their way; Juanita back to the kitchen and Ginger to her office to work on reports on the computer. Every few minutes she would stop and think of Vicki. At first she had been angry at Vicki and then afraid. Now she just felt sorry for her and decided to pray that Vicki would find inner peace and accept the fact that James did not love her enough for marriage.

  The next day James visited and was feeling badly that Vicki had verbally attacked Ginger. “I heard all about it and so deeply sorry that you had to go through that. I had never ever given her any impression that I was interested in marriage or even remotely interested in her. I feel sorry for her. Her parents are at fault. They’ve spoiled her rotten as an only child from wealthy parents. The father worked hard and invested wisely and became wealthy through his own actions. They’re as bad as she is.”

  “Couldn’t you talk to them, James, and make them understand what they’re doing to their daughter?”

  “I tried once, but they bend to her will in everything. She made up her mind that she was going to be married and I was it. I tried explaining to her parents but they were oblivious to the truth. What Victoria wanted, Victoria got.”

  “I can’t fathom why parents would be so cruel, because, yes, it is cruel to indulge a child in that manner.”

  James smiled sadly. “There are none so blind as those who cannot see. Or in this case, won’t see. I hope it’s the last both of us have heard from her.”

  “How did you get involved in the first place?”

  “Years ago my father was a friend of Vicki’s grandfather and her father remembered it. He came to see us once bringing his family. I was polite to them as I would be to any guest. For some unknown reason Vicki kept coming back and asking me to go places with her. I refused a couple of times because I was busy with ranch work, but the day you saw us in St. Ignatius, was the one and only time I had given in and gone shopping with her.”

  “She definitely has a mental problem and needs professional help. I hope she doesn’t decide to come back and do something drastic to you or your parents. Or even your property. Remember the news item about a month ago, where the woman, with the same mental problems Vicki has, felt rejected because the man she had selected had not given her the attention she craved? He was married and loved his family. She set his house on fire one night with his entire family inside. Thanks to a neighbor, who came home from a late work shift, the family was rescued safely but they lost all their belongings.”

  “Please, Ginger, it’s bad enough without putting thoughts like that in my head. With my dad in a wheelchair and mom not really strong, they would die if I wasn’t home to get them out.”

  “We’ll pray for her and hope she comes to her senses.”

  James left to go back to his work and Ginger went out to work with the horses. Jack was working in the barn and she told him of her conversation with James.

  “That’s nothing to take lightly. Yes, I think prayer is necessary to combat evil that plagues people. The devil does walk the earth like a raging lion. We need to be strong enough and have faith enough to know the difference. People with mental problems don’t have that possibility. Leave it in God’s hands.”

  “Jack, I swear you’re an angel. I’ve never asked you, but do you attend mass?”

  “I sure do. In fact I’ve sat behind you a couple of times. When we have too much work, or something comes up that I can’t attend, I read my Bible and pray. It’s the way I was taught,” he smiled.

  Ginger continued with her work and felt a lot of satisfaction working with the animals. There was something almost spiritual about the horses as they trusted her and welcomed her presence.

  A week went by with the usual ranch work. One evening Ginger had finished a little early and come in to take a shower, change clothes and eat dinner with Juanita and the Ming sisters. She complimented the three women on the beauty of the house. The curtains had all been taken down, cleaned or washed and hung. Every window had been washed inside and out. All of the furniture had been cleaned or polished and the entire house smelled clean and fresh.

  As they were finishing cleaning the kitchen someone came to the front door. Ginger was surprised to find Brandon Garrison again. “My goodness. What a nice surprise. Do come in. The evenings are beginning to get chilly. I’ve seen fresh snow on the mountains so I guess we’ll get it before long.”

  Brandon kept smiling and sat down in the living room. Juanita came in and asked if they wanted hot chocolate. They sat in front of the crackling fireplace and drank mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows.

  “Brandon, I’m pleased to see you, but I’m puzzled. We were not in the same classes and I didn’t really know you until the night of the reunion. I looked through the yearbooks and I can’t find anything about you.”

  “Keep looking with an open mind and you’ll solve the puzzle. I told you I knew you back then and admired you for your gentle personality and trustworthiness.”

  They visited for about an hour and Brandon left saying he wanted Ginger to go out to dinner, or a movie, or whoever she wanted to go with him. She explained how busy she was and gracefully did not promise him anything as she ushered him out.

  Ginger stood thinking a moment. “Juanita. Please come in here for a few minutes.” Ginger picked up the yearbooks and sat down on a couch facing the fireplace. Juanita joined her.

  “Please look through these books with me and see if you can find Brandon Garrison. He’s a mystery.” They looked together until they came to Brandon Harrison’s picture.

  “Ginger! That’s the same man. See the shape of the face, the curly, brown hair and the amber eyes. I knew it. He’s had his nose fixed and now wears contacts. But why would he be here under another name and not tell anyone who he really is? I hope he’s isn’t a criminal of some kind hiding out from the law.”

  Ginger laughed. “I don’t think he’s a criminal, but it is interesting that he has gone to so much trouble to change his appearance and not tell anyone.”

  Ginger called Maryann and got a phone number of where Brandon was staying while in town. She called him and invited him to a Sunday lunch.

  He accepted quickly and laughed. “I have a feeling you’ve solved my puzzle. Have You?”

  “I think so, but I won’t know for sure until we discuss it.”

  Sunday came and Brandon showed up looking like a GQ man. He had a light blue suit with vest, a pale lilac shirt and silver tie with gray stripes and a white handkerchief in the jacket pocket. His black loafers were almost twinkling they were so polished and shiny.

  Juanita had a scrumptious meal topped with lemon cream pie and hot cider with a peppermint stick in it. Coffee had been served with the meal. Ginger and Brandon took the hot beverage and sat in front of the fireplace to talk.

  “I have a strong feeling you’re really Brandon Harrison. What I can’t understand is why you came with a different name and you’ve obviously changed your appearance.”

  Brandon smiled and put his drink on a table by the couch. “Yes, I’m guilty of all that. You see, I was known as a nerd or a geek in school because I was a loner and made top grades. My studies were all I really had and they kept me sane. None of the girls would go out with me because I was sky, I was not an athlete, and I had little to offer except myself. I was enamored of you but was too shy to ask you out; besides I was older.”

  “But why the subterfuge? Why didn’t you answer the call for the one most likely to succeed? Everyone would be glad to see you as Brandon Harrison.”

  “I didn’t want anyone to know, but when I was in the eight grade, my
mother had taken more than enough of my daddy’s drunken beatings and just gave up living. She died. Daddy kept drinking and beating on me. That’s how I got the broken nose. I don’t know how he stayed out of jail more than he did. He would work long enough to get money to go on a drunken binge.”

  He stopped and took a drink of his beverage. Ginger was trying hard not to shed tears in front of him. She sensed he wouldn’t appreciate her crying for him.

  He continued. “When I started my junior year, my daddy left and we’ve never heard from him since. I don’t even know if he’s alive or not. Mother’s sister and her husband, Martha and Leman Garrison, took me into their home and treated me like their own son. You wouldn’t have noticed but I had nicer clothes and was able to do more activities.”

  He took another sip. “Leman had cancer and died during my senior year. Aunt Martha took care of me and even sent me to college. With my top grades and a strong will to succeed, I did. I loved her so much and wanted her to know how much I appreciated her, so I had my name legally changed to Garrison. With the money I now had I was able to have my nose fixed and an excellent eye surgeon worked on my eyes. I can wear contacts and have no trouble. I was also able to give my aunt an easier life. She died a year ago, but I’m so thankful that she knew I was a man to be proud of because of her.”

  They sat in comfortable silence until Ginger stirred and turned sideways to look at him.

  “Brandon, I knew who you were back then and admired you for making such good grades. You tutored several students and helped them through school. I’m positive they would have been delighted to know who you are and welcome you themselves. I can’t understand why you hid all of this.”

  “I can’t explain it. I guess with all my success, I’m still a little shy. I knew they would remember a geek and I just couldn’t face it.”

  “That was cruel of them to call you that. I bet if they could talk to you now they would say they were truly jealous of you and tried to put you down to make themselves feel great. Kids are often like that. I’m sorry that you couldn’t fully enjoy your own tenth reunion.”

  “I enjoyed it. I guess I’d better contact Maryann and tell her my story.”

  “Yes, you should. She still has the prize for the most likely to succeed.”

  “I’m not interested in a prize. I sometimes wish I could have the night of the reunion over and tell everyone who I really am. Ginger, would you go out with me -- one a date?”

  “I still admire you and think you’re great. It’s nothing personal but you wouldn’t believe how busy I’ve been. You don’t know about the trouble we’ve had with thieves, arsonists and murderers. I bet Maryann will want to let everyone know who you really are.”

  They talked a while and Brandon thanked her for the meal and left.

  Brandon called Ginger twice more asking for a date which she was too busy to honor. He finally gave up and went back to his home in Denver.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Ginger answered the phone to hear a man’s excited voice. “Please slow down and speak clearly. I can’t understand you. Who are you?”

  “I sorry, but I’m so thrilled and excited. My name is Yancy Gilliam ---”

  “Oh, you’re Soliel’s husband,” (so - lay) Ginger butted in, not meaning to be rude.

  “Yes! Soliel wanted me to call you and tell you that she had an eight pound ten ounce place kicker last night. I was lucky enough to get permission to come for the birth of our first child.”

  “You had a boy then. Soliel was sure it was a boy. Have you named him yet?”

  “We named him Warren Yancy Gilliam after her father and me. He is so strong and healthy and we’re so blessed. I’m thankful that God has blessed me with such a wonderful wife and now a son.”

  “How is Soliel? Did she have an easy birth? She was so sick the entire pregnancy. Please give her my love and best wishes. I’m thrilled for your own family. Tell Soliel I’ll be around to see her as soon as I can get time. I’m sure you know how much work is involved in running a ranch.”

  “I sure do and we both understand. She’ll be happy to see you anytime you can visit. I’ll tell her you sent your love and she sends hers to you.”

  They spoke briefly and then Ginger hung up to tell Juanita the news. Juanita was pleased because it was a dear friend of Ginger’s.

  Going over her notes again, Ginger realized she had forgotten to include a request for any dietary problems or medical problems a guest might have. She rewrote the entire brochure and set it aside to share with the men. In the meantime she went to Juanita to ask if it would be convenient for her to make her great spaghetti and meat balls for dinner. Her meat sauce was to die for. Juanita was happy to do something different and got started immediately.

  Ginger was heartsick when men still tried to steal the mustangs on her property. Twenty-one year old Billy Carson and James, Jimbo, Boyd had been on duty. Billy took two bullets in his chest and later died in the hospital. Jimbo was inconsolable. The two young men had worked together for a long time. Frank was furious and Ginger was afraid Hank was going to have a heart attack with his ranting and raving.

  Frank, Ginger, Jack Saunders and Sharpie met at Hank’s to discuss what their plans would be for the future. Ginger was more determined than ever to sell all the cattle, move the mustangs closer to the main house and open a guest ranch. None of the men agreed with her.

  “I know some of my hands will not care for the idea of catering to the greenhorns or, as they call them, citified folks. They’ll get used to it though and welcome the easier work load.”

  “Ginger,’ Hank hesitated, “I don’t think your ancestors would ever be happy with a guest ranch. This has been cattle country for hundreds of years.”

  “My ancestors aren’t here having to face what we are now. Have you forgotten Billy being killed and he’s only twenty-one? I hated so badly to contact his mother and tell her. She took it awfully hard. Please, all of you, listen once again.”

  The men looked at each other and settled back to listen.

  “I’d like to sell all but at least fifty calves. We can keep them for future beef for us and for pretend cattle drives with the guests. Move the mustangs to the five hundred acres directly behind the ranch house. There’s a good grazing area, part of the river and trees for them to stand under out of the sun or out of the snow and wind. Leave the horses where they are. All of the animals would be closer to the main property and easier to guard.”

  There was absolute silence.

  “Well, don’t all of you speak at once,’ Ginger huffed. This brought a chuckle from Sharpie.

  “Times are changing and I guess we’d be wise to change with them.” Frank said. More houses and shopping centers are being built. It just isn’t the old Montana.”

  Hank reared back and glared at Frank. “Are you saying you agree with her?”

  “I’m saying it would be wise to think about it and make a decision soon. There’s lots of snow in the higher regions and we’ll have it soon. I remember having to guard cattle in snow and wind that felt as if it was going to rip my clothes right off me. I hate to ask these men to do the same.”

  Saunders took a deep breath and then spoke slowly. “It might smoke out the crooks if they get wind that we’re making changes.”

  Hank reached to hug Ginger. “It’s your property and we’re just your hired hands. I was here when you were born and watched you grow up so, forgive me if I’m overly concerned about you and this property. Do me a big favor. Go home and do what you always do -- pray about it. Let us discuss the possibility and I promise we’ll have a solution before this week is out.”

  Ginger stood for a few seconds. “Well, I respect your opinions and I will pray about it, but my feelings won’t change. I can’t stand to lose any more hands to this type of violence. Too, the cost of everything is going so high that it’s taking more money, which I don’t have, just to operate from day to day. Okay, I’m gone. Thank you, gentlemen.” She left to get in
her ATV and go home.

  Ginger ate her supper so quiet that Juanita became deeply concerned. “Honey, is there something bothering you that I can help with?”

  “Thank you, no. You’re a very dear friend and like a sister to me. I’m just trying to decide what is the best direction for the future of the ranch.”

  She went to her room and did get on her knees by her bed and prayed and cried. She wanted to save the ranch and her solution seemed to be the only one that would save it. After she showered and got in her pajamas, she laid in bed and talked aloud to Grandfather.

  “Oh, Grandfather, what am I going to do? You and those before you took such good care of the property and passed a beautiful ranch to me which I love. You didn’t have these organized raids to deal with and money is so scarce I don’t know how I’m going to pay the hands and the expenses. The property taxes alone are a little over five thousand and then I have permits to request and pay for. I would love to give more to the community as you did, but for some reason I’m so tired at the end of a day, I just want to fall into bed and be let alone. I am keeping up with your beloved Cattlemen’s Association, but everyone misses you. Regardless of where I go there’s someone singing your praises. I’ll never live up to that. Oh, I wish there was such a thing as ghosts then maybe you’d come and advise me.” She laughed at herself, snuggled down and finally went to sleep.

  The next morning Ginger worked with some of the horses and then decided to go over to the Deerhunters and visit. Howard had been a close friend of Grandfather’s and his mind was still good. It wouldn’t hurt to get the opinion of a person not directly involved with the running of her ranch.

  Arline came out on the porch to welcome Ginger warmly as she got out of the truck and started toward the house. She was so glad to see Ginger and hugged her over and over. Ginger realized that it was probably lonely for Arline on a ranch full of men. They drank hot peppermint tea and chatted for over a half an hour. Howard had been watching television keeping up with the weather and news. He finally realized that company was there and wheeled in to be as delighted to see Ginger as Arline had been.