Gathering on Dance Hall Road

by Dorothy A. Bell

  “No, I can’t,” she said, her lips moving against his. His hands moved over her hips to the firm roundness of her bottom. She bent her leg and nestled it under his arm.

  “But can you stay for all time?” he asked her. “I need to know, Melody, can you stay for all time?”

  ∙•∙

  “For all time,” she said and sighed. The passion in his response left Melody gasping for air. His hands were all over her, stroking, holding, his lips on her neck, then moving over her mouth, his tongue diving in, hungry, seeking. Her body thrummed and ached, answering his need with her desire to surrender.

  “We can’t do…this…this, here,” Van said, his voice hoarse.

  “The tack room?” she said, and took his hand and started for shore.

  He stopped her. “Marry me, Melody? We’ll go into town, and we’ll be married tomorrow. I thought I could wait until spring to ask you, but I don’t want to wait.”

  She stopped and threw her arms around his neck. “I was going to ask you if you didn’t ask me. Yes, yes, I’ll marry you.”

  “Are you sure? This is for all time. I won’t let you leave me. You’ll be stuck here, Melody. No more traveling, no more shows.”

  “I swear, no more traveling,” she said and crossed her heart. “But, I don’t see why once in a while I can’t put on a demonstration, do a few tricks for our guests. I might even open a school, teach other folks how to train horses.”

  He didn’t say anything to her suggestion. She held her breath, waiting for him to object, give her all the reasons why her idea wouldn’t work.

  He took her by the shoulders and picked up and twirled her around and around. “I think that is the most brilliant idea I ever heard. Dad and I were just talking, thinking aloud how we could expand our operation here. A riding school, Melody? A riding school, you are…you are…beautiful and I’m going to make you mine.”

  ∙•∙

  Van couldn’t think in the water. The stars, the moon, Melody in his arms as good as naked in her long johns, she wanted him. Hell, she was ready to…well…she was ready. More importantly, she wanted to stay and never leave. And…and as if that wasn’t enough, she had an exciting, new, innovative, money-making plan for expansion. He couldn’t wait to tell Buck. To tell the whole family.

  “What’s that?” Melody asked pointing to the road. “What are all the lights?” She wriggled out of his arms and came to her feet.

  “Torches—from the house. Something’s wrong. Get your robe and put your shoes on,” he said, urging her out of the water and into the shelter to retrieve their clothes. “I knew something was wrong. They’ve all been acting so strange.”

  “What is it, Van? They’re coming this way.”

  “I see that. I don’t know. But it must be something at the house. Or Jo? Maybe Jo and the baby.” He steadied Melody, his hand beneath her elbow as she put on her shoes. She tossed his coat to him. He put it on and bent over to put on his boots.

  “Don’t try to hide in the shelter,” Royce yelled at them, rounding the pond and stepping off the boardwalk. “We see you. And we know what you’ve been doing.”

  “What the hell?” Van said, under his breath. The torches moved forward and highlighted Royce, shotgun aimed at him.

  “Daddy?” Melody said, her voice a screech.

  Van held her back. “What the hell is this, Royce? Have you lost your mind?”

  “Unhand my daughter,” Royce said, coming within a yard of the shelter.

  Van drew himself up and tugged Melody closer to his side. “No.”

  Buck stepped forward out of the pack, torch held high, then Ryder, Telt, Gabe, Quinn and Rafe. They all had shotguns and torches. “Let her go, son,” Buck said.

  Van put up his chin. “The hell I will. She stays with me.”

  “I won’t leave him,” Melody said, spreading her arms and moving in front of him to shield him. “If you try to separate us, I’ll find a way to get back. We’ll run away, and you’ll never find us. Never.”

  “We’re going into town as soon as it gets light,” Van said. “We’ll be married, and you can’t stop us.” He wrapped his arms around Melody’s trembling body.

  “Like hell you will,” said Royce, taking a menacing step forward. “You’ll get hitched right now. Right here, with both our families as witness. Now get movin’, get dressed. The women are waitin’ for you, Melody, in our cabin. Van, get some God damn clothes on, you fool.”

  Buck waved his gun at him. “Best shake a leg, son. I think he means business.”

  Van, with Melody tucked close to his side, did as ordered and headed for the house. And he would’ve remained frightened and uncertain if he hadn’t heard Telt Longtree burst out laughing when he passed.

  Furious now, humiliated and outraged, Van cursed and called over his shoulder, “You sons-a-bitches!”

  “What? Why are they laughing?” Melody wanted to know. “Why is Daddy laughing?” she asked, stumbling in the dark on the slippery boardwalk.

  He held her tight and said into her ear, “We’re the butt of a little joke, sweetheart. But don’t you worry, we’ll get our revenge and live happily ever after.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Van, wearing a crisp white shirt and black string tie, hair combed, paced before the fireplace in his black cord trousers and polished Sunday boots, arms straight and fists balled up tight. He paced without seeing the smirking faces of his future father-in-law, his future brother-in-law, his erstwhile friend Rafe and his brother Gabe, and his traitor father. Telt stood at the fireplace grinning like a big, stupid fool. He was to do the officiating, and he was the worst of the dirty bastards in Van’s estimation.

  It wasn’t that Van didn’t want to get married, he did, but he didn’t like being forced into it at gunpoint. The prank soured his stomach.

  “Ah, come on, Van, admit it, you’ll laugh about this someday,” said Gabe, who dared to put his hand on his shoulder. Van whipped around and shoved his hand away but didn’t say a word. He didn’t dare say what he wanted to say.

  Duress, they were imposing duress on what should be a willing ceremony of joy and family celebration, all for a joke. They were making a mockery of what should be the happiest day of his and Melody’s life, and why? For a laugh, that’s why.

  “You were taking too long, son,” Buck said, getting in his face. He started to put his arm around him but thought better of it when Van growled at him. “We wanted, all of us wanted, to be at your wedding. You and Melody were taking too long to get to the point. We’re all here gathered in, what better time than right now to have a wedding?” Van drew his lips uptight and to the side, scowled at him, and resumed his pacing.

  Van stopped. The women had come up on the porch, all of them laughing and chattering. Melody entered the room first, face flushed. Her black hair hung down her back, and a thick braid formed a crown on the top of her head decorated with little silk rosettes. She had on the dusty rose dress he liked. It fit her like a glove, following all of her subtle curves, accentuating the warm honey glow of her complexion.

  Her dark eyes sparkled like hematite. She smiled at him. Van let go of his outrage and put his hand on her back to lead her across the room to the fireplace where they were to take their vows.

  Telt grinned at him. Van narrowed his eyes and said, “Well, Mr. Justice of the Peace, put your big teeth back behind your lips, and do your duty.”

  Telt sobered and cleared his throat. Everyone gathered around. Jo and Ryder with little Cameron tucked in his arms, Birdie-Alice and Gabe holding little Joy, Melody’s sister Tru and Quinn and their two boys. Twyla-Rose and Wren, Telt’s wife, stood with Rafe and Doreen. Buck took up his position at Van’s side, his arm around Idella.

  “We are gathered here this bright and beautiful morning, the first day of the twentieth century, to witness the joining of these two people in matrimony. If there is anyone present who can show just cause as to why these two may not be joined, speak now or forever hold your peac
e.”

  Of course, Twyla-Rose giggled. Wren elbowed her, and the girl put her hand over her silly mouth.

  Telt continued. “Who gives this woman to this man?”

  Royce, standing behind Melody, stepped forward. “I do, her father,” he said, and took Melody’s hand and Van’s hand and put them together. He winked at both of them. Melody giggled, but Van, holding to his grudge, clenched his teeth and pulled in his chin to avert his gaze.

  “Marriage is a solemn vow not to be taken lightly, but reverently, and with an open heart,” Telt said. “Do you Hoyt Van DeVeer Buxton take Rain Melody McAdam as your lawfully wedded wife, forsaking all others, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”

  Van squared his shoulders and turned to Melody. “I do.”

  “Do you, Rain Melody McAdam take Hoyt Van DeVeer Buxton as your lawfully wedded husband, forsaking all others, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”

  Without a second of hesitation, Melody replied, “I do.”

  “By the power vested in me I now pronounce you man and wife,” Telt said, the grin back in place, a grin Van itched to slap off his big, good-looking face. Telt leaned forward and nudged Van on the shoulder. “You may kiss your bride, as if you haven’t already done that this morning.”

  Melody put her hand on Van’s cheek, reminding him this was a happy occasion. Tearing his gaze from Telt, Van lowered his head, eyes open to deliver a slow, gentle kiss on his bride’s pretty little mouth. Lost in the wonder of the woman in his arms, it wasn’t until Cleantha put her arms around him, her canes hitting him in the leg, that he realized the family surrounded them, everyone talking all at once, wishing them well.

  “I tried to talk him out of it,” Cleantha said, her pretty face turned up to look him in the eye. “I suspect you want to know what made him do it? How he talked the others into going along?”

  Van looked at the ceiling and pursed his lips.

  “Well, I’m going to tell you anyway,” she said. “Royce told me you’re just too damn good. You’re such a straight arrow, he had to do something to get your goat. You are perfect for our daughter, Van. You’re steady, open-hearted, hardworking, generous, everything a parent wants for their only daughter. Royce admires you. He played a cruel joke on you, and he’s pleased with himself for succeeding., but you’ve made him very happy. We love you, Van. I expect you to call me Mother. And you can call Royce anything you want. He wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Idella and Buck took him aside. The ladies had Melody surrounded.

  “Idella and I, we want to give you a wedding present, a little honeymoon. We’re leaving tomorrow to spend some time with Jo and Ryder, give them a hand with our new grandson. We’ll be gone a week. Luis and Carlo will be back tomorrow. They’ll take care of the chores. You and Melody will have the place all to yourselves. You will have one week free of charge, chore free, relative free, interference free, at Hoyt’s Hot Spring.”

  Idella placed a kiss on his jaw. “We couldn’t be more pleased, Van. Melody is lovely. I know you’re a little sore right now, but everyone here is so happy for you both,” she said, tears in her eyes.

  “Before you leave,” Van said to Buck, “we need to talk. Melody has a great idea on how we can expand.”

  Buck grinned, laughed, and slapped him on the shoulder. “I don’t doubt it for a minute, she’s a firecracker, a real firecracker. She’s gonna keep you hoppin’, and that’s a good thing.”

  Birdie-Alice had started pouring champagne. Gabe called for everyone’s attention. “Raise your glasses, everyone, and wish the bride and groom wealth, health, and happiness.”

  Everyone took a sip. “And, let’s raise a toast to Royce, who had the forethought to alert Telt, who is a justice of the peace, to bring along a marriage license. Here’s to Royce and Telt.”

  Van hesitated to drink. Melody moved to his side and wrapped her arms around his waist. “To family,” Van said. “To families intertwining. And here’s to their enduring support, and all of our lasting memories.” Everyone cheered and drank deeply of his toast. Van raised his glass, directing his toast to his father-in-law, and he winked.

  »»•««

  “How much longer do you think we have to stick around?” Van asked Idella. The day had dragged on, first a big breakfast, a sleigh ride across the meadow, more food and now, with evening coming on, Van itched to get his bride alone.

  “Melody is talking to Buck about her ideas on her riding school.” She turned him around to face the fireplace and lowered her voice. “Doreen is over at Jo and Ryder’s cabin. She and Birdie have moved all of their things into Jo’s room upstairs and changed the bedding. Cleantha gathered up Melody’s things. Earlier, Buck helped me get some of your things together while you were out hitching up the sleigh. Everything you might need is waiting for you in the cabin. You and Melody can stay there tonight. I made up a hamper with some supper. Everything is ready for you. Any time you want to escape, you go with my wholehearted blessing.”

  Van opened his mouth to say thank you, but it didn’t seem like enough. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you. I feel kinda funny. The whole day’s been like a crazy ride, all out of control. In a good way, I’m not complaining, it’s just that I’m not used to having everybody doing stuff for me.”

  “I think that’s the point, Van. We know how much you do, how hard you work to keep this place going. We love you, all of us. We love you and we love Melody.” She started to tear up. “We’re all so damned proud of you both,” she said and folded into his chest, giving him a hug.

  He kissed her on the cheek and thanked her again and then made his way across the room, stepping over the children sprawled out on the floor, to get to his bride. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Melody leaned back against him and tipped her head to the side, inviting him to place his lips to her ear. She turned in his embrace. “Where are we going?”

  “Say good night to your father-in-law,” Van said, and nodded to Buck.

  Buck grinned at him. “Good night children. I’ve put a stop to Royce’s plans for a shivaree, I think. He wanted to throw firecrackers in your bedroom window. If I were you I’d throw back the covers before getting in bed and test the bed frame. I can’t be sure he hasn’t snuck over there and done something. The man is unstoppable.”

  Van gave his father a hug and shook his hand.

  They made their way across the room, in fits and starts, halting to say good night and say thank you and give everyone their love.

  Out on the porch, Melody stopped and put her arm around her husband’s waist. “Now, where do we go?”

  He took her hand and led her down the porch steps. “We go to our cabin for a honeymoon. The ladies have been busy.”

  “Are we going to copulate?”

  They were in the yard. Van stopped, sent an oath up to the heavens, and picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. “Yes, yes, we are.”

  »»•««

  “It’s almost light,” Melody whispered, her head resting on his bare chest, her hair draped across his hip.

  “Yeah. I suppose we should get up. They’ll be leaving soon. We should go over for breakfast, say goodbye, give them a proper send off,” he said.

  “Yeah, I s’pose,” Melody said and started placing feather kisses across his abdomen.

  He moaned and rolled over, tucking her beneath him, coming up on his elbows. “Or…we could stay here and do this again,” he said, placing his knee between her legs.

  “I think we have plenty of time to do this at least once more before breakfast,” Melody said, her hand going to his backside to guide him.

  »»•««

  They were late to breakfast, which inspired entertaining and ribald conversation at the table. After breakfast, tearful goodbyes were said and repeated, but at last Van and Melody had the house and grounds all to themselves for a few hours. Luis and Carlo were expected to wander in later in t
he day.

  “Sorry, but we have chores to do,” Van said to his bride waving goodbye to their families from the barn yard.

  “I’m ready for duty,” she said, bouncing off toward the barn. Hands in his coat pockets, he grinned, aroused, his focus on her fanny and legs encased in her trousers.

  In the barn she handed him a pitch fork and started in on the mound of hay in the crib, transferring it to the sled.

  In no time they had the sled loaded with a small amount remaining in the crib. Van kicked the remaining hay into the sled. “All right, let’s get this out there. I don’t like the look of the sky this morning. Could be we’re in for some weather.” Melody hopped aboard the sled at the back, braced, ready to start distributing the feed.

  Van took the sled out into the open meadow, slowing the horse down to allow Melody time to pitch the hay. They were stopped, the cattle gathering in. Van stood up and raised his hand. “Listen. Do you hear that, it sounds like thunder way off in the distance?”

  Melody heaved her forkful of hay over the side of the sled. “I don’t hear anything. No clouds in the sky, can’t be thunder.”

  “Horses, Melody. I hear the sound of horses coming off the mesa. Wait for it,” he said, leaning on his pitchfork and looking toward the east. “See, there’s a dust cloud. We have to get back to the corral before they come in.”

  Melody braced herself behind the sled bench, and Van took up the reins. “Wild horses? I wonder if the buckskin is still with the herd.”

  They made it back to the corral and closed the gate. The herd of twenty or more mustangs came thundering across the open field, filling the meadow, tossing their heads, milling around, jostling each other to feast on the freshly laid hay.

  “Oh, Van, they are beautiful,” Melody said, leaning against his side, holding his hand. “There, there’s a buckskin. Is he the leader?”

  “No, the mean lookin’ salamander-colored stallion over there, off to the side, he’s the king of this mob. Buckskin is gonna have to challenge him one of these days. Some of the ladies prefer his company to Mr. High and Mighty.”