Rocky Mountain Hero

by Audra Harders

  Melanie sniffed. “C’mon, Jason. Let’s go meet the folks.”

  Melanie walked with Jason and her parents around the grounds, milling with the folks showing up for the barbecue, introducing her parents to the town. She knew something about everyone who greeted them, making the strangers she was introducing to her parents sound like old friends.

  “Melanie!”

  Jennifer popped up behind Mr. Deacon and waved a bandana in the air.

  “Thought I’d never find you. Will you look at this crowd?”

  Shayna skirted around a group of men and squeezed past a chair and table. She grabbed Melanie by the arm and pulled her into a hug. “Thanks so much for filling in at the store. I can’t begin to tell you how much better I feel. Dad’s not as worried about me now.”

  She stepped back beside Jennifer. “I can’t believe how many people are lined up to eat!”

  Jennifer craned her neck. “Folks probably knew Gabe had someone else cooking for him, so the food was safe to eat.” She winked at Jason.

  He giggled. “Gabe made me a baloney sandwich and it was good.”

  “Yeah, well, he ought probably stick to that specialty of the house.” She turned to Jim and Ester. “Jennifer O’Reilly.”

  “Shayna Leon.” She wedged in between Jennifer and Melanie. “Are you here with Melanie?”

  “These are my parents.” Melanie made the introductions. “They’ve come up to see what we’ve been doing with our summer.”

  “Great!” Shayna rushed in. “Melanie has helped me so much.”

  Ester raised an arched brow. “Oh? What did you do?”

  “Just offered a friend some support.” In such a short time, Shayna and Jennifer had become her friends. A reality Melanie still struggled with. “Doesn’t the barbecue smell great?”

  “Hank tossed seasoning on the beef to keep up with the spices you rubbed into the pork. RJ is flipping ribs as fast as he can.” Jen pointed all around. “Ed, Bob, Gus, all of ’em love it. Guess you know you’ll be welcome back anytime.”

  Melanie stopped before she spoke. The town liked her? All she did was organize a picnic, and really, if truth be told, she didn’t do much of the planning. She grinned at Jen for stretching the truth.

  “Melanie.” Her mother broke through the fog. “Where have you and Jason been living?”

  “Over here, Grammy.” Jason pointed up the path. “Wanna see?”

  A tender smile touched her mother’s eyes. “I’d love to.”

  Jason squeezed between his grandparents and led them up the path. Melanie brought up the rear. Jason’s existence was a shock to her folks, and they handled the surprise quite well. Those miracles just kept popping up all over the place. They reached the end of the path and Jason pushed open the door.

  “Home.” He swung out his arm.

  “It’s beautiful.” Her mother took a quick look around the small cabin. She came back out while Dad and Jason poked around. “The Davidsons were very generous to let you use such a quaint cabin. And look at this view! I’d say it was worth planning the party, wouldn’t you?”

  The lightness of her mother’s voice stunned her. Her mother, the one who always saw life through very proper eyes—teasing her over the situation? Melanie couldn’t help but smile back. “Two people and one bathroom in the mornings became dicey at times, but yes, it’s been wonderful.”

  “Seems like many things are wonderful up here.”

  The mountains, the people, Grace and Martin. Gabe. Yes, a lot about Hawk Ridge was wonderful. “I really like the small town.”

  Ester tilted her head. “Hmm.”

  Jason gabbed as he came out of the cabin, tugging his Grandpa by the hand. “And Gabe taught me how to ride a horse, and Hank’s teaching me how to rope and…” The two passed Melanie and Ester on their way down to the food.

  “Your friends seem nice.”

  Melanie scuffed her toe into the dirt. “Jennifer is a nurse and Shayna works for her dad in the hardware store. They’re very special.”

  “I can tell.” Ester circled around, pushing a pine bough out of the way. “When is she due?”

  “Four weeks, I think.”

  A distant look clouded her eyes. “I’ll bet her family can’t wait.”

  “Yeah, her dad is pretty excited.”

  Ester tilted her head. Melanie knew what her mother’s next question would be and she didn’t want to discuss it now.

  “I guess we better go eat while there’s food left.” The words flew out of her mouth. Melanie dreaded moments alone with her mother, wanting to put off judgment day as long as possible. “It is, after all, my party.”

  As she turned toward the path, she felt her mother’s hand on her shoulder. Melanie hesitated then met the bright eyes of her mom.

  “I’m glad you kept him.” Her mother’s chin trembled.

  Tears stuck in her throat. The memory of the fighting and screaming and all the hurtful words that had shot between herself and her parents wove through her mind. Melanie waited for the familiar stab of resentment and anger…but all she felt was relief.

  She managed a smile in return and embraced her mom. “I’m glad. I was so scared you’d find out.”

  Ester hugged her close. “I’m sorry we made you feel that way.” She pulled away and cupped Melanie’s face with her palm. “We have a lot to talk about after your event is over.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The crowd ebbed and flowed around the tables loaded with ribs, burgers, salads, desserts and everything in between. Gabe had never seen so many loaded plates balanced on arms and hands full of cold drinks. The last burden of worry slipped off his shoulders.

  Good food, sunny skies, hungry folks. Couldn’t ask for a better party.

  At the edge of the trees, on the path leading to her cabin, Melanie stood and waved as Jason led her parents toward the buffet line. Gabe knew he’d not find a better chance to apologize for his mother’s behavior. In a few hurried steps, he darted around the scrub pine and caught Melanie before she could get away.

  “Hi.”

  Her smile lit her face. She moved closer and snaked her arms around his waist, giving him a squeeze. “Thanks for everything, Gabe. I know I never would have taken the step to make amends with my parents if it hadn’t been for you.”

  His words of apology died on his lips as he wrapped her in his embrace, his blood pumping straight to his head and making him dizzy. “I’m glad everything worked out.”

  “Not completely. Not yet. But we’ve got a good start.” She tilted her face up at him and squinted against the sun. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m not sure how this would’ve turned out if I didn’t have you and your family as support.”

  Gabe squeezed her tighter. Okay, so he’d apologize to his mother instead of Melanie. To some degree, he was glad the circumstances had turned. He didn’t want to give Melanie a reason to leave. Ever.

  “I always want to be here for you.” He lowered his head and met her lips, drinking in her sweetness on a sigh. She clutched at his shirt and drew him close, her desperation mirroring his own. He knew he’d stepped past all known boundaries.

  He released her lips, but wrapped his arms around her tighter. “When this is all done, and the guests are all gone, we need to talk.”

  She snuggled her cheek against his chest, her soft hair brushing against his chin. She rubbed her nose on his shirt. “That would be a good idea.”

  He kissed the top of her head. He didn’t know exactly what he was going to say, but he knew she made him complete. The words I love you threatened to pour out. He swallowed them, knowing he had to find a better time, a better place, to pour out his heart. “The best.”

  Pulling out of his embrace, Melanie slid her hand down his forearm and entwined her fingers with his. “C’mon, we’ve got a party to throw.”

  They mingled over to the grills. The smell of pork ribs rubbed with mesquite spices filled the air as meat smoked on the racks. His mouth watered. “Hey, grea
t food.”

  “Nothing like a fine rack of pork ribs at any barbecue,” RJ proclaimed with all the satisfaction of a cat finishing a cup of cream. “Gotta keep ’em real tender. Melanie, what do you see over there?”

  Gabe followed the direction of the meat tongs to the platters on the long table. Eager people speared forkfuls of tender meat onto gigantic puffs of bread, each bun looking more like a small sheepherder’s loaf than a hamburger bun.

  She squeezed his hand and grinned. “Happy people?”

  RJ gave a quick nod and winked. “The third round of barbecue on that table is almost gone.”

  Hank clamped a chunk of steak and flipped. “Nothin’ wrong with pork or beef sharing the spotlight. It’s all in the choices.”

  “You just wait until next year, cowboy.” RJ tipped his hat. “I’ll make the best fall-off-the-bone pork ribs you’ve ever tasted.”

  “Yer on.”

  Gabe didn’t miss the challenge. “RJ? You’re staying?”

  The younger cowboy turned back to the grill, giving Gabe a view of tan hat and suntanned hands. “Thought maybe it’d be all right with you if I stuck around.”

  “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.” Gabe gripped his shoulder and looked down at the grill. “Unless you go burning the ribs.”

  A cheek-splittin’ grin was all the answer Gabe needed.

  Hank shut the lid and turned toward the table behind him. He lifted two plates heaped with meat, bread and ears of corn. “Here, you two eat. By the time this crowd gets done there won’t be nothin’ left but the coals.”

  “Thanks, Hank.”

  Gabe threaded through the crowd to a side table by the pens. He set the plates down and let Melanie scoot in on the bench seat. He shrugged toward the tables. “Sounds like a happy bunch to me.”

  She grazed a kiss across his cheek as she reached for a fork. “Everyone’s so busy visiting, they’ll probably forget all about the auction.”

  Her breathy voice tickled his ear. He dipped and kissed her back before she took a bite of her rib. “Better not. I don’t want a single uninvited bovine left behind.”

  Pure adoration lit her blue eyes as she laughed and swiped her hands with a napkin. “Where’s that ornery bull? Remember, the day we came to the Circle D? The trouble he caused?”

  “Yeah well, you’ll have that with bulls.” Gabe smiled before he took a bite of his barbecue sandwich. The taste of heaven danced through his mouth. With his elbow, he pointed across the pens. “Milk River is over there.” He set his food down and wiped his mouth. “What’s Bud doing by that pen?”

  “Jason’s with my parents.” She leaned forward. “Is something wrong?”

  “Don’t know.” He rose from the table, never taking his eyes off his target. “Won’t know till I get there.”

  Melanie chased after Gabe, weaving through the gates and pens until she caught a glimpse of what he’d seen. She stopped in her tracks, her breath caught in her throat. Another two pens down, Jason balanced on a fence panel, his face flushed with excitement as he waved to her parents. Jim and Ester walked toward him, Ester making motions for Jason to jump down.

  Jason climbed a rail higher and waved harder.

  “Jason!” Melanie yelled, though the noise around her all but drowned out her warning. “Get down from there!”

  Gabe approached the corner of the pen. As he turned, he called out. Jason looked around and waved at him, too. The white bull paced around his pen, snorting and shaking his head. She looked at the panel in front of her. How did it open? If she could open the pen, the animal would go through the gate, wouldn’t he?

  “Gabe, you can see all the cattle from up here.” Jason looked over the lot, his shins leaning against the top rail. He tipped his cowboy hat back as Melanie had seen Gabe do a thousand times. Jason pointed. “Grandpa look, twenty-five—”

  Milk River butted the fence panel Jason stood on. He bent to grab the top rail but the bull rammed it again. He lunged for the rail and missed. His body disappeared into the pen.

  “Jason!” Melanie screamed. She tore around the panels in time to see Gabe vault into the pen.

  Conversation stopped and a crowd formed. Hank raced past her. Melanie shoved her way to the front. In the dirt and mud, all she saw was Gabe huddled up and wedged under the bottom rail of the panel. Milk River snorted and butted the panel over Gabe time and again, pawing at the ground as slobber dropped in strings from his mouth.

  From beneath the rail, a small hand stuck out. She dove for the ground and clutched his palm to her face. Oh Lord, save them! Please, save them!

  She repeated the desperate plea over and over. The bull grunted and stepped back. She leaned forward so that her forehead rested against Gabe’s shoulder pressed through the rails. Lord, do something!

  The clang of gate panels rang through the air as the animal left the pen, his bellow a blatant cry of victory. Melanie kneaded the small fingers between hers. Before she could say anything, strong hands gripped her shoulders and urged her back. On the other side of the panel, Hank and another man bent over Gabe.

  “Come back here, Melanie.” She recognized her father’s voice. He continued to murmur low to her as he pulled her away from Jason.

  She protested, but found she had no strength to match the words.

  “Take it easy, honey.” He hugged her. “They have someone checking them now.”

  “Jason…Gabe.” She stared in a horrific trance.

  They pulled Gabe back and Jason wiggled out from under him. Bruised and dirty, Jason stared at the crowd, wild-eyed. Melanie tore away from her father and scrambled to the fence.

  “Mom.” Tears streaked down his face. He gulped air as he reached for her. Melanie grabbed on. He dragged his foot out from under Gabe and wiggled through the rail. She gathered him up, checked him over and buried her face in his hair.

  Slowly, she became aware of Gabe. He lay so still. Hank helped the other man move him around. Jennifer stood behind them.

  “What do you need, Dad? Can we move him?”

  Jennifer’s dad, the doctor. Melanie devoured their every move with her eyes. Jason sobbed against her. She held him tight. She prayed.

  The doctor looked up at Hank and nodded as he talked. Hank stepped aside as Martin squeezed in, Grace right behind him. The pen became crowded with people.

  Oh Lord, have mercy on him. Take care of him. Save him.

  “Come back here, Melanie.” This time her mother spoke over her. She wanted to ignore them all. A gentle hand touched her shoulder. “Let’s give them some room.”

  Melanie allowed her dad to guide them away from the crowd. She squeezed Jason as Martin and Hank hauled Gabe up and made their way to the house. Jennifer and her dad followed as Grace ran ahead. Melanie wanted to follow, to hold Gabe’s hand, to stay by his side until he looked up and she could stare into his incredible brown eyes and see for herself he was okay.

  “Think of the boy.” Jim Hunter sat in her kitchen and lectured Melanie in an all-too-familiar tone. “He’s eight years old. Do you know how much trouble he can get into if no one is watching?”

  How would she ever forget the mischief Jason got into even when people watched? She checked over her shoulder at the open door of her room where he’d fallen asleep, exhausted. Melanie shook her head. “I need to stay and make sure everything from the auction is taken care of.”

  “Will you, just once, listen to reason?” Her mother stood at the kitchen counter, the bulky mug in her hand looking terribly out of the place in her manicured grip. “These people have a tremendous amount of stress to deal with right now. Just come home with us and perhaps, when circumstances die down, you can come back and visit. Button up your personals then.”

  Melanie stared out the picture window. Somewhere over the last couple of weeks, she’d formed a habit of sitting and looking out the window at the pinecones and moss rocks. Familiar. Comforting. If she looked out the kitchen window, she could see into the valley. Out her bedroom,
forest so thick the squirrels could run from tree to tree with little effort.

  Back home? The front door of Mrs. Wilmer’s town house. “Mom. Dad. I can’t just leave.”

  “You said you were leaving tomorrow anyway.” Her mother teetered on the edge of whining. “You and Jason were coming for a visit. Why have your plans changed?”

  “I don’t know how Gabe is. Martin and Grace will need help cleaning up the grounds. I don’t have my truck.”

  Jim lifted his hand and fanned his fingers. “That young man is sturdy, and I’m certain he’ll survive. The parents are mountain people—this isn’t their first accident or gathering. If you were getting your truck back tomorrow, it must be ready now.” He finished ticking off his reasons, holding his thumb for drama. “Jason is our grandson. We don’t want him hurt.”

  Her father’s hand remained in her line of sight. All the old anger and resentment surged through her. All the old hurt.

  Every little bit of it.

  “You don’t want him hurt? You?” She tried to keep her voice low, afraid of waking Jason. “You never wanted me to keep him. You wanted me to put him up for adoption.”

  Pressure built in her throat. She squeezed her eyelids tight, feeling the tears run down her cheeks. “Paul just wanted me to get rid of him.”

  “Honey, we thought we knew what was best.”

  Melanie opened her eyes and swiped at the tears. Her mother’s voice quivered as she drew a chair up to the table. “You were only twenty years old. Raising a child is difficult enough for a couple, let alone a single young woman. We only wanted to help.”

  “Help? By giving away my baby?” Melanie grabbed a napkin from the holder on the table and blew her nose. “You never even came after me.”

  Her father rested his elbow on the table and hung his head. “We’ve known all about Jason.”

  She looked from parent to parent. The sorrow in their eyes testament to the pain they all shared. “Why didn’t you say something?”

  “Why didn’t you?” Her mother reached out and covered Melanie’s wet, cold knuckles with her warm palm. “Each time you came to visit, we prayed you’d bring the baby. You never did. It only took a few visits for us to realize how much we’d hurt you. After years went by, what could we say that wouldn’t drive you further away?”