by Janice Hanna
“Well, my goodness.” Tears sprang to Prudy’s eyes. “Lottie, you should write all of that down and give it to Augie for the paper. Words like those would draw tourists in from all over.”
Lottie smiled. “Maybe I will.” She began to hum, and before long the words to the hymn flowed from several of the ladies, their voices almost angelic against the backdrop of the mountains.
“Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on heaven’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.’ ”
With tears streaming, Lottie felt—literally felt—the Lord bringing healing, not just to Prudy, but several of the others as well. And, in that moment, as heaven kissed earth, she truly understood what it meant to speak to the mountains.
* * * * *
GILBERT WAITED AT THE PICNIC SITE, wondering what in the world could be taking the women so long. Lottie had been so distant of late. Had she deliberately gone off away from him just to torment him? Being away from her proved to be exactly that—torment.
At one in the afternoon, the ladies came down off the mountain, singing a familiar hymn, one he’d loved since childhood.
Strange. They looked different from before. He’d never seen that many tear-filled eyes.
“What do we have here?” Gilbert rose from the quilt and took several hurried steps in their direction. “What happened up on that mountain?”
Prudy stopped singing and glanced his way. “Gilbert, we—we had church!” She erupted into tears but managed to smile through them.
“Had church?” He looked Lottie’s way and she nodded.
The women began to sing once more, and before long he joined in, praising God for planting his feet—and their feet—on higher ground.
Gilbert couldn’t be sure what had happened up on the mountain, but he had the strongest sense it would be the first step toward bringing the people of Estes Park together again.
TWENTY-ONE
LOVELESS IN LOVELAND TIPS FOR COURTING
Fellas, if you plan to bring your gal to the melodrama, you might want to take a few tips in courting her proper-like, so that she arrives with a happy heart. When a cultured man courts a lady, he calls her sweet names and opens doors for her. He plays the part of a gentleman in every situation, public and private. Most of all, he lets her know—in any and every way possible—that he has feelings for her. No beating around the bush when you’re in love, fellas. Just get right to it. Tell her how you feel, then let the chips fall where they may. Once she’s accepted your gestures of love, she’ll link her arm through yours and come with you to see the show. We’re looking forward to seeing you there. —Your friends at Parker Lodge
The women arrived back at Parker Lodge late in the afternoon, just as Jeb arrived to start dinner. Lottie couldn’t help but notice the expression on Fanny’s face as she laid eyes on him. For a moment, the woman seemed to come alive. His face lit up too. Just as quickly, their smiles faded. They parted ways—Fanny going to her cabin and Jeb to the kitchen.
The other ladies left too, most heading to their various rooms.
“What are you going to do between now and suppertime, Lottie?” Grace asked. “Go back home for a couple of hours?”
“I still have some chores to tend to.” She yawned. “Wish I had time for a nap.”
Grace yawned as well. “Now see what you’ve got me doing?” She giggled. “I’m tired too. Why don’t you come to my room and sleep for a few minutes before doing your chores? I’m sure Mrs. Parker won’t mind. The pie parlor has been closed for hours, so she’s not on double-duty or anything.”
“True.” Lottie looked at the Closed sign on the pie parlor door. “I’ll rest for a while.” She followed Grace and a few others to their cabin and climbed into an empty bed. But instead of sleeping, the ladies told funny stories and made Lottie laugh until her cheeks hurt.
A knock sounded at the door, and Fanny popped her head inside.
“What are you ladies up to in here? We can hear you laughing all the way in our cabin.” She stepped inside with Flossie behind her. “What are we missing?”
“Come and join us.” Lottie patted the edge of her bed. “We’re telling stories.”
“Good ones, it sounds like.” Fanny quirked a brow. “You talking about the men or something?”
This got another laugh out of the women.
“No,” Lottie said. “But I could, if you like. What would you like to know?” She felt her cheeks grow hot. “Not—not that I know a lot about men, of course.”
This got another laugh.
“Tell us about Phineas and Jeb and the other fellas,” Flossie said. “What were they like before we got here? What are their stories?”
“Ah.” Lottie paused. “Well, all the men were different back then. Phineas used to be a little grumpy. Well, actually, a lot grumpy. And bossy too. I think it’s because he had no one else to talk to. Guess that’s what happens when you live alone on a cattle ranch. You get used to bossing the animals around.”
“Speaking of cattle, what’s the situation with Jeb and that cow of his?” Fanny asked. “I’ve never seen a man so heartbroken over losing an animal before. You would’ve thought he’d lost his pet dog or something.”
Lottie sighed. “Loneliness, I suppose. I guess you ladies don’t really know this, but there was a time—not so long ago, I might add—when Jeb threatened to jump off Longs Peak because the Widow Baker wouldn’t give him the time of day.”
“Althea Baker?” Fanny snorted and smacked the bed with her hand. “That’s so funny. Why, they’re total opposites.”
“I told him that many a time,” Lottie said. “But he wouldn’t hear it. Back then, he only had eyes for Althea.”
“And now?” A smile turned up the edges of Fanny’s lips.
“Now he’s quite happy he didn’t jump off Longs Peak.” Lottie reached to give Fanny a warm hug.
“I’m glad he didn’t.” Fanny giggled. “I’ve got to tell you, when he takes to playing ‘Swanee River,’ my heart just goes to pitter-pattering. Nothing touches me right here”—she pointed to her heart—“like that man’s saw.” A lingering sigh followed, along with the fluttering of eyelashes.
Lottie fought to hold back the laughter.
“Before you ladies came to town, the men were sour most of the time,” she said. “They didn’t have a lot to laugh about. Now they’re behaving like total strangers. I’m telling you, I don’t recognize them half the time, and it isn’t just their clothes and hair. Their manners are different. Everything is different.”
“A good woman will do that to a man,” Grace said and then sighed. “Not that any of us women have spoken more than a word to the men in weeks.” A pause followed. “Still, Chauncy’s been awfully sweet to me, in spite of my coldness. I don’t know how much longer I can go on being rough on him.” She glanced around the room at the other women. “What about the rest of you?”
Fanny’s gaze shifted to the window, and Flossie shrugged.
“Don’t rightly know,” Flossie said. “Guess everything has to work according to God’s plan. I’m not going to fight it, but I’m not going to force things, either. We’ll just rest easy and see what He’s got up His sleeve.”
A rap sounded on the door and Fanny hollered out, “C’mon in and join the party.”
Margaret stepped inside, looking half-asleep but fully frazzled. This certainly got everyone’s attention.
“Anyone seen Prudy?” Her words were strained.
“Prudy?” The women spoke in unison.
“I figured she’d be hidden away in her room till supper, reading a book or something,” Lottie said. “Why?”
Margaret shook her head. “No. When we got back from the mountains, she rushed to the room and changed into her prettiest dress. Even fixed up her hair. Said she had to go to town.”
“Go to town?” Again, several of the ladies spoke in unison.
&n
bsp; “Surely not.” Lottie yawned. “Maybe she just went for a quiet walk to think through all that happened up on the mountain. She needs time to absorb it all.”
“No. It’s a quarter of six and she’s missing. But there’s more.”
Lottie sat up straight. “More?”
“Yes. I don’t know if you’ve been noticing the commotion outside, but the fellas are here—Phineas, Jeb, Chauncy, and Gilbert. They’re cooking something up.”
“In the kitchen?”
“No. In the dining hall. I saw them hanging a curtain and putting in some set pieces that I’ve never seen before. When I went in to ask them about it, they shooed me out of the room.”
“Interesting,” Fanny said. “Very interesting.”
“Yes, well, before I left the room, I overheard Chauncy say something to Phineas about how worried he was that Augie hadn’t shown up to help them. I don’t know what those men are up to, but I think we’re going to find out very soon.”
Lottie’s thoughts shifted as fear kicked in. “I sure hope Augie shows up for rehearsal. You don’t think he’s backing out, do you?”
“Hope not, but he has been acting a bit strange lately,” Fanny said. “Has anyone else noticed it but me?”
“I have,” Flossie said.
Lottie nodded. “Me too. Of course, he’s announced his run for mayor, so that probably has something to do with it.”
“Well, he’s certainly been away from the lodge a lot,” Flossie said. “Barely shows up in time for curtain call.”
“Between running the paper and running for office, he’s up to his eyeballs in work.” Lottie shrugged. “Least, that’s my guess. I hope he’s not losing interest in the production. His part would be the most difficult to recast.” She sighed. “Goodness, I do hope he’s not jumping ship. We really need everyone—every single person. And now with Prudy missing…I don’t know. Sounds like tonight’s rehearsal is going to be rough, for sure.”
“I say we get ourselves dressed and show up for supper early.” Fanny sprang from the bed and ran for the door. “Meet me in the dining hall in fifteen minutes, ladies.”
They all flew into action, each woman headed to her own room. Lottie and Grace remained in Cedar Lodge, along with a handful of others, who all helped Lottie make sense of her messy hair and wrinkled dress. Then, with curiosity mounting, she led the way to the dining hall, where they found Gil, Phineas, and Jeb working together on some sort of unfamiliar backdrop.
“Gil?”
He turned around, his face red. “Lottie. You ladies are early. We’re not ready for you.”
“What are you doing?”
“S–something.”
“I can see that.”
He took her by the hand. “Look, we’ve planned something special, but we’re not quite ready. We’ve got a little supper show cooking up, but I’d be grateful if you didn’t say so. Jeb made lasagna. Put it in the oven nearly an hour ago, so it’s probably almost ready. Mama’s gonna dish it out so that he can stay here with us for the…” His words drifted off. “Well, the surprise.” Wrinkles appeared on his brow. “’Course, we’re not sure how we’re going to pull off this surprise without Augie. He’s a key player.”
He’d no sooner spoken the words then Augie rushed into the room. “Whew! I barely made it.”
Gil wiped the sweat from his brow. “You scared us to death, Augie.”
“Well, something came up at the office. Pretty big story brewing that required my attention. But I’m here now and that’s all that matters.”
“Yes, well…”
Behind her, Lottie heard several of the ladies talking at once. She turned to discover that Prudy had arrived at last. Rushing her way, she gave the young woman’s hand a squeeze.
“You frightened us.”
“I’m so sorry about that.”
Lottie gazed at the beautiful dress Prudy wore. The perfectly upswept hair. The blush in her cheeks. Very odd.
Then again, everything about this day had been a bit odd, hadn’t it? And yet, she’d never seen the Lord work so swiftly…or smoothly. Perhaps the time had come to just relax and let Him prove, once and for all, that He made a far better director than she ever could.
* * * * *
GILBERT RUSHED AROUND, finishing up the set pieces and costumes while his mother scooped helpings of lasagna onto the ladies’ plates. Once they settled into their seats, he met with the fellas behind the makeshift curtain.
“Well, this is it,” he said. “Everyone ready?”
Jeb stared at him, wide-eyed. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Phineas sighed. “Gilbert, are you absolutely sure this idea was God-inspired? I have to think it’s a little on the crazy side.”
“I’m tellin’ you, fellas, the idea is inspired. Trust me.”
“Hmm.” Phineas did not appear to be convinced.
“How do I look?” Jeb pointed to his mismatched costume pieces and Gilbert laughed.
“Perfect. Fanny’s going to find you hard to resist.”
“Oh, I hope so.”
Gilbert pulled off his hat—a crazy, colorful number Chauncy had found—and offered up a prayer for God’s help and mercy. If they ever needed help from on high, it was now. Then, after giving the fellas a couple of last-minute instructions, he made his way to the front of the curtain to face their audience.
Stage fright gripped him…until he saw Lottie’s face. Somehow just gazing into those gorgeous green eyes gave him courage to go on.
“What’ve we got here, Gilbert?” Fanny called out. “A parlor show?”
“Of sorts.” He cleared his throat. “Ladies…” He looked at several of the local cast members who had arrived as well. “Friends, we’ve got a little something to share, something we’ve created for your entertainment and pleasure. We give you Loveless in Loveland. Curtain, please!”
The curtain opened—well, sort of, anyway—to reveal a cockeyed set and four fellas dressed in the wackiest costumes known to mankind. They’d pieced them together themselves, using scraps of fabric and pieces of other costumes from the real melodrama. Not that it mattered. The sole purpose here was to garner the attention of the ladies, nothing more.
And apparently, they succeeded. The women laughed and clapped, which only served to put smiles on the faces of his actors.
The men dove into gear, acting out the little script they’d all been working on for days. Hopefully the ladies would see the story inside the story—about a group of repentant men who were woefully sorry for the pain they’d caused the women they loved.
Gil smiled as his heart flooded with joy. The woman he loved looked on with wonder—and a bit of horror—in her eyes. Oh well. By the end of the show, she would know how the men felt. All the women would know. As for how they responded—whether or not they would join in the fun—well, that was up to them.
* * * * *
LOTTIE SAT GLUED to her chair, watching as the silly little skit played itself out. The fellas took on the roles of sinners, sorry for their misdeeds and overly dramatic in their apologies both to the Lord and the ladies. She got the message of the story. And from the whoops and hollers of the women around her, they got it as well. The fellas were trying to apologize for what they’d done. They acted out their shame and their apologies.
The show reached its climax when Gilbert, the evil villain, tied all four of the other fellas to the train tracks. There they remained, struggling against their ties, as Gil let out an evil laugh. Not a very believable evil laugh, but a good attempt on his part, anyway.
He stepped to the front of the stage and gazed at the audience. From backstage someone began to make train sounds—an unconvincing whistle followed by clacking noises. Mrs. Parker popped her head out from behind the curtain and Gil gestured for her to hide once again.
This got another chuckle out of the ladies.
“Folks, can you hear the train coming?” Gil’s expression grew more animated as he spoke to the audience. “It’s ju
st around the bend and comin’ fast. These fellas are sure to meet impending doom unless…” He gestured to the audience. “Unless some fair damsels come to the rescue.
“Who will rescue these poor, helpless men in distress from a sure and certain death—a death of the heart and soul?”
An awkward pause followed, accompanied by a couple of the ladies clearing their throats.
Finally someone stirred. “By gum, I will!” Fanny rose from her seat and raced to the stage, where she made quick work of untying Jeb. He swept her into his arms and gave her a kiss right there in front of the audience. A roar went up from the crowd and Lottie found herself laughing and crying all at the same time.
Mrs. Parker peeked out from behind the curtain once again, causing the train noises to stop. Gil gestured for her to continue, which she did.
“Can you hear it, folks? There’s still a train coming around the bend, and three men remain tied to the tracks. Who will save them? Is there not a woman in the room with a compassionate heart?
“Ooh, my turn!” Grace shot out of her seat and raced to the stage, all gracefulness put aside in the passion of the moment. She couldn’t seem to get Chauncy’s ropes untied, but he helped her, and the two ended up in each other’s arms. Lottie watched, transfixed, her heart going almost as fast as that silly train clacking.
“And yet two remain.” Gil’s voice intensified. “Are there no fair damsels willing to risk their lives for the sake of the men they love?”
“Well, shoot. When you put it like that…” Flossie trudged onto the stage and made quick, steady work of untying Phineas, who planted a kiss on her that made every woman in the room—single or married—blush.