by Lisa Emme
“Don’t you worry, Allison dear. We’ll get this into the city right away and it has guaranteed delivery down east by tomorrow.” Melba Parks, who had been the postmaster for as long as Allie could remember, smiled and patted the cardboard courier tube in her hand.
“Thanks, Mrs. Parks. That’s great.” She smiled back happily, barely able to contain her excitement. She had finished the line drawings for all twenty-four illustrations and was sending them off to the publishing house for approval. Hopefully, the author of the children’s book she had been hired to illustrate would like them. Allie had really tried to capture the feel of the story in her drawings. The story itself was lovely and whimsical and Allie had done her best to make her drawings the same. They had already passed inspection with Dougie, who had deemed them “totally thumbs up Mommy”. Now if only the people that would actually sign her big, fat commission cheque felt the same way.
On the way out the door, Allie bumped into her Aunt Eleanor. “Oh, Eleanor. Good morning.” She smiled at her aunt warmly. “Thank you again for inviting us on the weekend. It was a wonderful party.”
“Hello, Allie. You’re most welcome. It was a good day, wasn’t it?”
The pair exchanged pleasantries for a few more minutes, and then Allie headed on her way. As she walked, she reflected on how much difference a week could make. Her relationship with her Uncle Randy and even her grandfather, Duncan, seemed to be on a positive upswing. It was almost too hard to comprehend the seemingly radical change in her grandfather, but maybe Mike was right about Duncan. Allie’s heart lurched. Oh God, Mike. What was she going to do about Mike? So far she had managed to avoid having to deal with things, but sooner or later, she knew that she would have to face him, and her feelings. Shaking her head, she pushed the pain down and returned her musings to happier thoughts and to her grandfather’s - man, would she get used to thinking of him that way? - birthday party a few days before.
It had indeed been a fun day. Allie had been dreading the party since getting the invitation. Then with all the gossip circling around town about her and Mike, she had really not wanted to go. But as her Aunt Elaine had pointed out, it would have been rude to cancel at the last minute, not to mention cowardly; so they had all gone as planned. Dougie had been beside himself at the thought of going to a birthday party. Allie chuckled as she remembered his earnest “will there be loot bags?”
There actually had been loot bags, for all the kids in attendance. Eleanor, famous for her parties, had outdone herself. The party was held in the gardens behind the MacAllister home. There were activities to keep all the kids busy; and plenty of food and drink for everyone.
Allie had been unsure as to what sort of reception she would get from Duncan, so she’d been flabbergasted when he gathered her up in a genuine, albeit somewhat awkward, hug. He wasn’t the least bit awkward, however, when he swooped Dougie up in his arms with a happy hello, introducing him around to everyone as his ‘clever great-grandson’. Allie laughed to herself remembering how Duncan seemed almost as excited as Dougie when he pulled out a large toy fire truck and presented it as a gift to him. It was in fact, the fire truck; the one Dougie had been salivating over in Hanley’s store all summer long. Dougie had been beside himself, happily chattering off all the fire truck’s specs to anyone who would listen. Duncan had sat with him for close to an hour listening, neglecting the rest of his guests. Allie had finally told Dougie that he should go play with the other kids and let his great-grandfather mingle. Dougie had reluctantly agreed, but not before charming everyone around by promising Duncan that he could come over and play with the fire truck anytime he wanted.
Of course there were a few uncomfortable moments too. Despite Duncan’s apparent turn-around, Rowdy was still less than friendly towards her and Allie couldn’t help but notice that many conversations ended whenever she approached. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the gossips were hard at work, but Allie did her best to pretend she didn’t notice. Luckily, her cousin Evan was there to keep her laughing and well supplied with his own brand of gossip. It seemed that he knew some salacious or titillating bit of information about everybody at the party, or at least was able to make something up if he didn’t. Some of the juicy ‘tidbits’ were so outrageous that Allie was practically in tears from laughing.
When Doc Mundy had arrived, Allie’s stomach had clenched, and she had looked around for Mike, half hoping, half dreading to see him. Noticing her, Doc had come up, sympathy in his eyes and told her that Mike was out on an emergency call at the Henley farm. Allie had been hard-pressed to put a finger on whether she was relieved or disappointed.
***
Her arrival at her destination, Town Hall, interrupted her musing. Just as well, she thought, since her mind had once again turned to Mike. Town Hall was just that, a large hall, with offices in the back. Allie crossed the empty auditorium, her steps echoing off the walls, and let herself into the office.
“Good morning,” she said to the vaguely familiar woman behind the reception desk.
“Good morning. How can I help you?” The woman looked up, her eyes widening. “Allison? Allison Daniels, is that you?”
“Uh, yes…” Allie replied carefully.
“It’s me. Diane. Diane Lamont? From high school?” She beamed at Allie. “Well, it’s Forrest, now,” she added.
“Oh Diane, right. Sorry, I didn’t recognize you at first. It’s been a few years,” And about thirty pounds. Allie smiled back at Diane.
“Oh, don’t you worry about it.” She tugged self-consciously on her top. “A few years and three kids will certainly change a person.”
“Wow. Three kids. That’s great.”
“Thanks. And look at you. You haven’t changed a bit, well except for the bruises. I heard what happened to you at Rowdy’s. What a horrible thing. I hope they catch that guy and throw away the key.”
Allie touched her face. Her bruises had faded quite a bit and she hadn’t bothered to try and cover them up. “Yeah, me too.” She shifted uncomfortably. “Listen. I need to order a map of the area and I heard I could do that here.”
“You sure can.” Diane smiled. “Gee, we sure are having a run on maps; three orders in the last month. That’s more than we had in the last three years combined.”
“Really?” Allie’s curiosity was piqued. “Who else has ordered them?”
“Well, now that I think on it, it was the same fellow. Isn’t that strange?”
“Did you recognize him?”
“Oh dear, well…He was an older fellow, new in town, working up at the Circle D.” She tapped a finger against her lips pensively. “Grange…Granger, something like that.” She looked questioningly at Allie. “I could look it up if you’d like.”
“Sure, that would be great, if you don’t mind.” Allie shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m just curious. It’s no big deal, so don’t go to any trouble,” she added remembering belatedly she was supposed to be trying to be discreet.
“Oh pish-posh. No trouble at all.” Diane turned to her computer screen, yanked the keyboard drawer out and started typing. “Let’s see.” She ran a finger down the monitor and then tapped the screen. “Well, I was half right. The first map was actually ordered by Rowdy MacAllister, but his new foreman, Seth Granger, picked it up. Mr. Granger placed the second order himself though.” She looked up at Allie smugly. “I guess they’ve heard the news about the geological survey.”
“News?”
“Yes, didn’t you hear?” Diane looked surprised. “I just figured that’s why you wanted to order a map yourself.”
“Oh, well my uncle told me that there had been a crew through the area last year updating things - ”
“Not just updating things,” Diane interrupted excitedly. “Using some new-fangled technology to map natural gas pockets.”
“Natural gas?” Allie
looked confused.
“Yes, isn’t that something? News is that some big gas company just paid a huge chunk of change to buy some private land over in Roland County. They’re going to sink a well, or something.”
Allie frowned in thought. Roland County bordered the Badlands Conservation Area on the side opposite of her aunt and uncle’s farm. “How big a chunk?” she wondered.
Diane’s eyes lit up. “Well, don’t quote me, but I heard it was over a million dollars.”
“A million dollars?” Allie’s eyes widened and her eyebrows shot up. “Wow. That’s a big chunk all right. I guess I’m definitely going to need that map now.”
***
Mike slouched in his favourite chair, sipped a beer, and stared at the painting above his couch. He was still in shock after discovering it was Allie’s. How could that be? What were the chances? He shook his head. It was beyond comprehension and quite frankly, made him feel uneasy. He laughed to himself. His sister, Annie, would say it was destiny. She had always been the romantic sort. But Mike didn’t like the idea of his life being all lined up by some…some entity, to think that his relationship with Allie, or anything else in his life, was pre-ordained. Not that there seemed to be much left of his relationship. He still hadn’t had a chance to clear the air between them after the Madeleine fiasco.
Mike ran a hand through his unruly hair. What a week! First there was the whole thing with Allie, then it seemed like there had been one emergency after another, starting on Sunday with the young colt out at the Henley place that managed to get itself all tangled up in barbwire. At least that got him out of attending Duncan MacAllister’s birthday party, sparing both Allie and himself some pain.
A knock at the door dragged him from his thoughts. Too tired to even get up, he shouted, “Who is it?”
“Open up, it’s the police.” Brian’s voice echoed through the room and Mike groaned.
“Come in. It’s not locked.”
Brian came in, hitching up his belt as he came. He stopped beside Mike’s chair, staring at the painting. “Holy shit!”
“Yeah, I think that’s what Lori said too.” Mike frowned up at Brian. “Did you come to break my kneecaps? Because if you did, I’d prefer it if you’d just shoot me and put me out of my misery.”
“That bad, eh?” Brian shot Mike a look of sympathy.
“I might be underplaying things a bit. Don’t want you to think I’m a wimp.”
Brian snorted and then pointed to the beer Mike held forgotten in his hand. “Got any more of those?”
“What? Oh, sure. In the fridge.” Mike gestured vaguely in the direction of the kitchen. “Help yourself.”
Brian grabbed a cold beer from the fridge then dragged a kitchen chair across to set it beside Mike’s big comfy leather chair. The two sat in silence, starring at Allie’s painting.
“Damn, she’s good,” Brian said suddenly, startling Mike. “I remember that painting. Of course, I remember it. How could I forget?” He took a long draw from his beer, eyes never leaving the painting. “It was like watching all her emotions bleed right out, watching her paint it. But I forgot. I forgot how abso-frigging-lutely amazing it was.”
“Yeah,” Mike replied, his voice hoarse. “That’s what drew me to it in the first place.”
Brian drained his beer and then looked at Mike. “So what are you going to do?”
“I haven’t a fucking clue.”
“Knock, kno-ock! Hello? Mike?” Evan peeked his head in the door.
“Geez, it’s like Grand Central Station in here,” Mike grumbled. He sat up in his chair and turned to greet his new guest. “Hey Evan. What’s up?”
“Well, I heard that…Oh. My. God!” Evan stopped in the middle of the room and stared at the painting. “It’s incredible!” He stood, hands to his face in exaggerated surprise and then turned to look at Brian in admonishment. “How could you have let her sell it?”
Brian shrugged helplessly. “She wanted it gone and she needed the money. What else was I supposed to do?”
Evan shook his head. “Well, thank God it’s back.” He turned to look at Mike. “I can’t believe you’ve had it all these years.”
“Tell me about it,” Mike grumbled, then, remembering his manners, added, “You want a beer? Help yourself.”
“Thanks.” Evan grabbed a beer from the fridge. “Anyone need a refresh?”
“Nah, I’m good.” Brian set his empty bottle on the coffee table.
“No, thanks.” Mike looked at his now warm, half-empty beer and then put it on the table beside Brian’s. He turned to look at Evan, who had pulled a chair across to the living room and now sat beside them. “How did you know about the painting anyway?”
“Allie told me on Sunday.”
Mike sat up suddenly. “Allie told you? You talked to Allie?”
“Down boy,” Evan replied. “Yes, I talked to Allie.” He turned a frown on Mike. “You done screwed up, Doc.”
“I know, I know. But how do I fix it?” Mike sighed in frustration. “She wouldn’t talk to me before and now…now this damn painting has her freaked out. Hell, it has me freaked out.”
“It is some freaky shit,” Evan agreed with a grin. “But I don’t think the painting is what’s bothering her. At least now that she’s gotten over the shock of seeing it again.” Mike looked relieved, until Evan continued, “But you’ve done some serious damage to her in the trust department. And we’re talking about a girl who doesn’t normally trust many people to begin with.”
Mike groaned and ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “So what do I do? You know her. What do you think I should do?”
“Well, normally I would say going all Neanderthal like you did, would be the wrong approach for Allie. But, for some reason, you seem to have pressed all her buttons.” Evan looked Mike over and smirked. “And, since Allie can be stubborn as hell when she wants to,” Evan paused and rolled his eyes. “I think you’re just going to have to grab the opportunity when it presents itself again and make our girl listen to you.”
“Easier said than done, when I think she has been avoiding me like the plague.”
Evan patted Mike’s arm. “You’re a clever boy. You’ll think of something.” He crossed his arms and looked at Mike sternly. “But no more secrets. If you want to make a go of it with Allie, you had better be prepared to be upfront.”
Brian’s cell phone rang shrilly. He grabbed it off his belt and looked at the display. “Hey…I gotta get this.” He jumped up and crossed the room to the kitchen.
“Well,” Evan stood and drained his beer. “Thanks for the beer. I’ve got to take off. Dinner at my folks tonight.” He placed his bottle on the table beside the others then gave Mike’s shoulder a squeeze before heading out the door.
***
“Okay, okay. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Brian’s raised voice carried to the living room. Mike looked over in concern. “What? Now? Why would they….okay, okay. You’re right.” Brian let out a slow breath. “Look, I’m at Mike’s. He’ll give us a hand.” Brian paused and then winced. “Okay, okay. We’ll be right there. Hang in there, baby.”
As Brian slapped his phone shut, Mike jumped from his chair. “What’s wrong? Is it the baby?”
“Yeah. That was Becky. She’s in labour.” Brian’s face was pale and he wobbled on his feet.
Mike rushed to his side and grabbed his arm. “Easy big guy. Come on now. We’ve got to get you home.”
He led Brian to the door and locked up. “Come on. You’ve done this before. Twice. It’s no big deal, right? You can do this.”
“I…I…sure.” Brian shook his head to clear it. “Right. I can do this.” He fumbled for his keys. Mike grabbed them and shook his head. “Listen. Maybe I better drive.”
“Yeah. Yeah, okay. If you could help, that would be great.” Brian was still pale, but at
least he remained upright.
“No problem, man. Anything you need.”
***
They made the trip across town quickly. Brian sat beside Mike in stony silence, opening and closing his mouth like he was about to say something, but never did. Mike glanced at his friend in concern.
When they pulled up to the house, Brian shook himself, and then sprang from the truck, suddenly a man of action. Becky was standing on the porch, a small suitcase sitting beside her.
“Oh thank God!” She suddenly doubled over, clutching her abdomen. “Ohhhhh…I…Uhhh…Arrrgh!” Brian rushed to her side and she clutched at his hand, squeezing it so hard he winced.
A minute or so later, Becky stood up, panting. “We have got to get moving people.”
“Okay, no problem. Just get in the truck and I’ll drive you both.” Mike gestured back to his truck.
“No.” Becky shook her head. “We need you to stay here with the boys.”
“The boys?” Mike looked surprised. “You want me to babysit?”
“Please Mike? My parents were supposed to come when it was time, but they’re stuck in the city with car trouble.”
Mike looked a little pale, but he nodded slowly. “Yeah, okay. Sure, whatever you need.”
Becky's face reflected her relief. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” She grabbed him and gave him a big hug and then waddled down the stairs towards their van. “They’re inside watching TV. They’ve had their dinner, they just need to get ready for bed.” She turned to look at Brian. “Let’s go Brian, unless you want this kid born here in the street.” Brian hustled past and opened the door for her. She stopped and looked pointedly at the porch. The suitcase was still sitting there. “Did you forget something?”