Montana Madness

by Sioux Dallas

  “Do you think it would help if I talked to her?”

  “Oh, Ginger, would you please? I didn’t want to just come out and ask you but I don’t know what else to do.”

  Ginger assured him that she would come by for a visit as a caring neighbor and would not mention that she had heard from James.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Steve Nighthorse came by with a gift for Ginger. “I made a jish for you.”

  “A what?”

  “You know. A protection.” He held up a small bag on a rawhide chain.

  “What is it and why would I need a protection like this?”

  “I have made you a jish of soil from the sacred mountain, pollen from special flowers, powdered corn and a wolf’s tooth. Wear this at all times and it will protect you. I’m so sorry I didn’t think of it sooner.”

  “Steve, I don’t know what to say. It’s so kind of you to think of me, but a jish is not something we prize in modern times. It was what our ancestors used. I rely on Jesus for my protection.”

  He stared at her. “You mean you won’t accept it? You’re turning your back on our ways.”

  “Steve, how can I make you understand? I do appreciate your concern but we know now that items such as this have no value other than an emotional attachment. This can’t protect me any more than -- that chair over there could.”

  “I’m shocked. Does this mean you won’t accept me? I’d hoped we could live on the reservation and work with our people.”

  “I can work with our people here. I’m part of this whole community and love all my neighbors. We have all stood together during these stressful months and I don’t see them any differently than I do my blood relatives.”

  Steve grabbed the leather bag and left without another word. Juanita crept into the living room. “Forgive me, Ginger. I couldn’t help but hear what he said. That’s why so many of the young Native Americans are having a hard time. It’s all right to honor and remember the practices of our ancestors but we need to remember they lived in a different time. They had no knowledge of medicines and law enforcement that we now have. Please don’t let Steve’s attitude upset you. I’m working with a group at the center in town and teaching our young people the folk stories and songs of our ancestors. Bonnie Whitefeather and her husband, David, are teaching dances and practices such as Steve is trying to keep alive. It’s okay to know about them but not to try to live a couple of hundred years ago.”

  “I agree, Juanita. It’s the same as us going into the schools and teaching folk stories and songs of the pioneers and telling how the settlers built the land and made all the changes and created progress.”

  Juanita went back to her living quarters and Ginger went to the office to work on the books. She still had not hired anyone to help with the records for the guest weeks. The first one was coming up in May. I need to get the men together and make arrangements for some to help teach and entertain the guests. Let’s see, she reached to get a pad and pen. I’ll need hands to help with the riding activities, some to teach roping, shooting, etc.

  She sat back in her chair thinking of all that had to be made ready and all that had happened the past few months. I’m so thankful the law breakers have been caught and we won’t have to worry about guests being hurt or frightened. She closed her eyes thinking and the next she knew Juanita was calling her to supper.

  Aretha brought Jordon to meet Ginger and to show her lovely engagement ring. “Ginger will you, Juanita, Helen and Irene be my bridesmaids? We’re not going to have a big wedding and we can’t get too many days off for a trip. The trials are still going on and the head honcho has yet to be picked up. “

  “For all we knew he could be down in South America by now,” Jordon told them. “We know it’s a man by the name of Davis Williams and that he’s claiming to be a minister, but that’s about all we know so far. The sheriff is working himself into rags trying to wrap this whole thing up.”

  Aretha nodded. “That poor man is working night and day. He’s not asking the men to do anything or put in extra time that he won’t do. I sure do admire him.”

  Ginger promised to ask the other ladies if they’d be willing to be bridesmaids for Aretha. She knew Aretha wanted them because they were so understanding of her situation and were the first ones she’d met.

  Jordon grinned, “Ginger, I bet you have beaus all over the place. You’re not only a wealthy young woman but you’re beautiful and smart and you stand on your own two feet.”

  “In the first place, no, I have no beau and am not trying to find one. I’ve never considered myself beautiful and smart is still in question.” She laughed.

  They visited for a few more minute and then Jordon and Aretha had to get back to Poison.

  Ginger told the three other women about Aretha’s plans. Irene moaned, “Oh, I’ve always wanted to be in a wedding but I can’t afford a dress.”

  Ginger assured them that they needn’t worry about dresses. That would all be taken care of. She didn’t tell them she would pay for them. She was feeling guilty and self conscious about keeping the fact from Juanita that Sharpie was not who she thought he was. She hoped all would be resolved soon so that she could confide in Juanita and pray she wouldn’t be angry.

  When they were ready for bed, a strong winter wind was blowing with sleet and rain mixed. The forecast said more snow for tomorrow. Ginger hoped the others were getting more rest than she was. Finally she struggled out of bed, wrapped a quilt around her and went down to sit in front of the fireplace. Shivers ran up her spine as her imagination took control.

  The wind was singing in a hissing, shrieking moan and the claw tapes of rain on the window gave her a wild fertile imagination. Snuffling and growling the rain begged entry like a wolf sniffing at the door. She got a book of her grandfather’s from the shelf thinking to read and get sleepy. Imagine this! In 50 B C, Roman architect, Vitruvius, came up with the idea of an elevator. Looking at the leaping flames in the fireplace put her to sleep.

  The next morning Ginger, with a worry ball in her stomach, made plans to visit the Deerhunters’ ranch. Juanita brushed Ginger’s black, silky hair that was almost down to her waist. She then French braided the hair into one braid and arranged a wisp of a curl on either side of her face.

  Arline didn’t come to the door and Ginger was startled at her appearance. She had always been a neat lady and now her hair needed combing, she’d lost weight and her skin was sallow. James had to leave the house to work and the only person in the house with Arline was an ancient woman who looked as if she might fade away at any minute. Ginger was very concerned.

  “Arline, please let me help you take a bath and get dressed. Maybe this nice lady will scramble eggs and make toast for you. Have you had breakfast?” Arline just stared at her and looked around as if she were confused.

  Nancy Red Bird came into the room. “Missy, I’ve tried to get her cleaned up and she refuses. She screams if you touch her. And she won’t eat unless her son is here to feed her.”

  Ginger’s heart was breaking looking at Arline. “I’m going to call for help that she needs. I’m positive James will not mind.” Ginger went to the phone and called the Senior Health Center. The man who answered listened carefully and asked what relation this person was to the one calling. Ginger had to admit there was no relationship but that she was a close friend of the family. He thanked her for calling and said they would be glad to help but a relative needed to make the request.

  After a little more than an hour James came in looking drawn and tired.

  Ginger told him about the call she had made. “Have you called Marlene and told her of this situation?”

  “No. I haven’t talked to her yet and I’m not sure she would care. Look how long it’s been since she’s been here and she didn’t even attend her own father’s funeral.” James was so tired and worried.

  “My guess is that she’s ashamed and maybe doesn’t want her husband to know her past. Please call her for her mother’s sak
e.”

  James reluctantly made the call and was astonished that he could not think what to say. Ginger took the phone and explained what had happened. “Your mother needs you and James has his hands full with the ranch, the trouble we’ve been having and now your mother’s care. She needs to go into a senior facility and James is reluctant to make the move. He needs you desperately and your mother certainly needs you. I think she is willing herself to die.”

  Marlene was shocked and admitted that her husband did not know of her past. “I’ll come but I don’t know what I can do.”

  Ginger soothed her. “You don’t have to tell your husband everything at this time, just tell him you’re needed to take care of your mother’s affairs.”

  “I’ll come alone. My two older children (she hesitated) are capable of seeing to their younger brother. My oldest is a good cook so I can leave for a short time. I’ll call you later with information of my travel plans.”

  Ginger thanked her and hung up to find James sitting with his head bowed low and his hands clasped and hanging between his knees. “She’s coming. She’ll call later and let you know when to expect her. Why don’t you get some of the younger wives of your hands to help clean house and cook? I’m sure Nancy can use, and will appreciate, the help.”

  “Okay. I hate to keep bothering you but would you please take care of that for me? I have to get back on the range.”

  Ginger made arrangements with three of the wives to help with the cleaning and cooking. She explained that a bedroom would need to be prepared for Arline’s daughter. She left with a heavy heart and went back home.

  When Ginger pulled in her yard, she saw that company was there but she didn’t recognize the truck. She was delighted to find Lisa and David Swift drinking hot chocolate and visiting with Juanita. She hugged them and got out of her bulky clothes while Juanita brought her a mug of hot chocolate.

  David was concerned that the head person of the cult had not been arrested. “Who knows how many people he has involved and what trouble he can cause us yet?”

  Lisa and Ginger calmed him and tried to talk of innocuous subjects. David jumped up and started pacing and fuming. “Who knows what they’ve planned. I’m so disturbed over this I feel -- like a person sitting naked on a barbed wire fence.”

  Lisa laughed out loud and Ginger chocked on her drink as she tried not to laugh in his face. Lisa urged him to sit again by her. “By the way, my darling husband, how many times have you sat on a barbed wire fence naked?” She couldn’t keep from chuckling.

  “Well of course I never have. I was just comparing my frustration to that.” They visited for a while and the Swifts left with a promise to keep in touch.

  Ginger wrote an ad to be placed in the news that she needed an assistant for the records of the guest plans. Before she could take the ad in, Harry and Linda Morton visited and told her they had a daughter just graduating from college in business and accounting. “She wants to work but doesn’t want to get into anything permanently until she has a chance to think about what she wants to do,” Linda explained.

  “I shall be delighted to talk to her and explain what I need. If she’s interested it’ll be great. If not, I have to get the ad in quickly. It’s only seven weeks until the first session.”

  Francine Morton came to see Ginger and they agreed on a trial basis. “I need to count on you for this summer,” Ginger told her. “I have books to be kept with the names, addresses, phone numbers, wishes of the guests such as dietary concerns. Another book will be kept of the money taken in and the money paid out.”

  “I can keep all of that on spreadsheets in your computer.”

  “Yes, I know you can but if the computer goes down in a storm, I’ll want written records also. It won’t hurt to keep double books.”

  They agreed on a reasonable salary and Fran staying at the ranch for the first session. She might stay all summer or drive back and forth for the other sessions. She confessed that she was dating Cord Wilkens, son of Ted Wilkens the restaurant owner and didn’t want to make plans yet.

  Alan Barker called Ginger one evening with the fantastic news that the so called pastor, Davis Williams, had been arrested. “The Oregon State Police caught him trying to board a plane and fly out of the country. We’ll hear all the details later from Sheriff Mercer.

  Ginger called Sheriff Mercer and was told that she and her neighbors would be called in for a group conference and told all the details. “I’ve had the VICAP in on our problems and they’ve been great.”

  “What’s VICAP?” Ginger asked.

  “Violent Criminal Apprehension Program. I’ll tell your entire group about it when we can get together.”

  “Does this mean we no longer have to be secretive? I’d like to tell my people that the two undercover agents have been living here to guard and guide us.”

  “Sure, Ginger, go ahead and tell them.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Ginger happily called Raymond Saunders and Michael (Sharpie) Rogers to come to the house for lunch and to talk. She asked Juanita, Helen and Irene to join them.

  Sitting around the round dining room table, and drinking hot tea, Ginger was nervous about telling Juanita who “Sharpie” really was. She breathed a prayer hoping that Juanita wouldn’t get her feelings hurt and be angry. First she told the women about the latest arrests and that the law officials thought they were closing the cult and stopping the harassments.

  Ginger took a deep breath and hated to face Juanita. “These two gentlemen, Saunders and Sharpie are not really who you think they are. They are undercover Park Policemen and I have been sworn to secrecy about telling their reason for being here. No, I haven’t been paying them to work for me; the State of Montana has done that. They are both reputable gentlemen and above reproach. We have been blessed to have them. Saunders is Lt. Raymond Saunders and Sharpie is Lt. Michael Rogers. He pretended to be a low life gambler and a flirt as a cover. Michael is not a gambler or a low life person.

  There was complete silence as the women sat in shock. Juanita began to get red in the face, glared at Ginger and Michael, pushed her chair back and stalked out of the room. Ginger started to go after her but Michael put a hand on her forearm and shook his head. “Give her time to assimilate the information. She’ll be all right.”

  It took two days for Juanita to be able to talk to Ginger about the undercover officers. “Why couldn’t you have told me? You know how I’ve felt about Sharpie, I mean Michael.”

  “Juanita, you heard me say I was sworn to secrecy.”

  “But you’re like a sister to me. Surely you could have told me.”

  “I wanted to but was ordered to not tell anyone but Hank and Frank. Jack finally found out because he has been in the business.”

  Juanita apologized to Michael for being so cold and sharp with him. He smiled and told her to forget it and then explained that he would like to give her time to know him better. She shyly agreed. They dated and spent a lot of time visiting and talking.

  The first session of the guest trials opened and Ginger was so very proud of her men who welcomed these guests and gave them a memorable three weeks. Ginger had deliberately chosen the first twelve couples that had no children. She felt this was more fair to her hands until they learned to adapt to the wishes of strangers. Juanita, Helen and Irene worked so hard but offered delicious food and very clean cabins. The guests left excited and planning to return.

  Hank was withholding comments and feelings until the end of the summer. Frank admitted that it was better than he had anticipated. Jack was in seventh heaven, so to speak, teaching roping and playing his guitar and singing. He gave a demonstration of the tricks that his horse had learned to do.

  The last week in May, Juanita told Ginger that she and Michael were getting engaged. Ginger was elated for her.

  “Ginger, I don’t intend to leave you and I’ve told Michael so. We’ve, or rather I’ve been wondering ---”

  “Yes, go on. What have you been
wondering?” Ginger grinned.

  “I hate to sound greedy, but you told me you had made provisions for me to inherit this house and land around it in the event that anything happened to you. I’m not going to wait around for something to happen to you because I hope we’ll be together for a hundred years yet.”

  Ginger laughed aloud. “I hope we’ll be together for the remainder of our lives and that I’ll help raise your children. But what are you trying to say?”

  “Welllll, I have been thinking that Michael would be uncomfortable living with me here in the house.” She blushed and hesitated. “Instead of leaving me this house, would you consider letting me have ten acres of land as you did for Hank and let us build a house of our own on it? Of course Michael still cannot tell he is a National Park Policeman, but maybe in the future he can.”

  “Juanita,” Ginger jumped up to hug her, “I’ll do better than that. Yes, you can have the land and I’ll build a house of your dreams.”

  Juanita wiped her eyes and hugged Ginger. “No, you don’t need to spend your hard earned money on a house. We’ll build our own but I want to stay near you and continue to be your housekeeper, if you’ll have me.”

  “Have you! I would be lost without you. Would Michael work for me and earn his keep?”

  “Not yet. He’ll still be paid by the state. Don’t forget though, we can’t allow it to get out that he is an officer. We’ll work that out later.”

  “Juanita, I can’t wait.” Ginger was up dancing around. “Let’s draw up plans for your house now. When do you want to start building?”

  “We aren’t married yet,” she laughed. “I’d like to wait until Michael can join us and put in his two cents. I’m sure he would appreciate that.”

  “That’s fine with me. Just let me know when you’re ready.”

  The June session went even better than the first one. Everyone left ecstatic and planning on returning. Ginger was just thankful there were no accidents or sicknesses.