Bewildered in Billings

by Lynn Donovan

  Pamy furrowed her brow. “Yes mum.”

  “Thank you.” Leticia sat and returned her attention to her cross stitch.

  

  Ginger chewed her lip as she paced the floor of her room, coming to an abrupt stop in front of the window. She could just see the roof of the courthouse from where she stood. What if she did want to see Theodore Binks one last time before he was sent to prison?

  She rocked up on her tiptoes. Perhaps she could—

  Why was she thinking these horrible thoughts? She turned away from the window. He was a bad man! A horrible, awful man. Just because he was handsome and had tender kisses didn’t make him suitable for Ginger to consider for marriage.

  She twirled back toward the window. And yet, she wondered…

  If she climbed out onto the roof and shimmied down the tree, like she did when she was a girl, she could scamper across the yard without Mother’s notice. Even if Father came home, she could take the next street behind their house and miss him entirely. That way, she could watch from across the park that lay catty-corner from the courthouse and watch for Theodore to be brought in.

  Would he be pleased to see her? Even if for just a moment? She wouldn’t go inside or watch his sentencing. That would be too brazen. No, she would stay in the park… and wait. Maybe she’d gather some flowers on her way to the park and hold them up when she saw him. So… so he’d know she appreciated his thoughtful gesture.

  Ginger eased up the sash of her window and hiked her foot onto the windowsill. Out onto the shake-shingled roof. She gathered her skirt up and bunched it into a ball, then slung it over her arm. One foot, then the other, she climbed down the tree, careful not to catch her petticoats, and finally reached the ground. She looked forward and aft. The yard was clear. She scurried to the back of the house and through the next yard toward the back street.

  The neighbor’s chickens screamed and cackled in alarm, fluttering fiercely in their pen. Ginger gasped and hurried past the boisterous little beasts.

  Scanning for any possibility of her Father seeing her, she hurried to the park. A garden of tulips and daisys was meticulously maintained in all four corners of the park. Ginger picked three of each and held him tightly in her hand.

  She folded down next to a tree. From here, she could watch the road leading from the sheriff’s office. She panted from the thrill of escaping her parent’s house and let her eyes rove every which way to be sure she was not caught.

  “Miss Ginger.”

  Ginger gasped and jerked around. “Tater! You scared me half to death! What’re you doing here!”

  “Saw you, you all right?”

  “I’m fine.” She hissed, holding the flowers behind her back.

  Tatem Miller nodded. “What you looking at?”

  “Nothing,” she snapped. “Nothing you’d be interested in.” She closed her eyes and swayed with remorse. “Um… the sheriff came by our house and told Mother and me that Theodore Binks was going to be taken to the courthouse today for sentencing and then moved on to the Montana Territory Prison. I-I just—”

  What could she say?

  Tatem stared at the courthouse. “Morbid, huh?”

  Ginger snapped her mouth closed. “No, I— what? What do you mean by ’morbid’?”

  “It’s morbid, but hard to look away. That man is a murderer and arsonist. But it’s impossible not to watch.”

  Ginger gawked at Tater. “Yeah, something like that.” She swallowed and dropped her gaze to the ground. “Does that make me a horrible person?”

  “Nah. Just human. I’d sit with ya, but Dad’s got me running errands.”

  Ginger considered him. “Sure. But… could you do me a favor?”

  “Yes. Anything for you, Miss Ginger.”

  Ginger pursed her lips. Guilt roiled in her gut. “Would you walk me home? I don’t really need to see this.” She let the flowers drop from her hand.

  “My pleasure.” Tatem put out his elbow for her to take. She hooked her hand through and walked with him back to her house. She didn’t try to hide the fact that she was outside instead of in her room. With Tatem she felt safe and no longer as though she was doing something she shouldn’t. He took her right to the door and stepped back. “Here you go, Miss Ginger.”

  “Thank you, Tatem.” She smiled. “You’re a gentleman and a scholar.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about a ‘scholar,’ but Momma taught me how to treat a lady.”

  “Well. Thank you.” Ginger opened the door and turned back to him. “Would you like to come inside?”

  “Yeah.” He nodded. “But, Dad’s got me on errands.”

  Ginger smiled sadly. “Maybe another time?”

  “Appreciate it.” He tipped his hat and turned to continue on his errand.

  Ginger liked the way he sounded happy to spend some time with her. It made her forget her odious thoughts about Theodore Binks. She walked inside but remained facing Tater with a sweet smile on her mouth.

  A thrill shot through her and she rushed upstairs. Her mother’s voice trailed after her. “Ginger! Where have you been? Pamy and I have been looking—”

  She giggled and closed her bedroom door. This time she would stay put and think about other things besides Theodore Binks.

  Chapter Three

  

  “Ginger!” Dorothy Orchid walked out onto her schoolhouse porch, shielding her eyes from the afternoon sun. Her other hand automatically cupped her slight baby bulge. “What a surprise!”

  Ginger set the brake of her father’s buggy and scurried down. “Oh, Dotty! I had to see you! Did you know that Theodore Binks was taken to his sentencing today? He’s being transferred to prison and… and you won’t believe what I did!”

  Dorothy took Ginger’s shoulders in her hands. “Ginger. Slow down. Breath. Let’s go in the Big House and sit down with some tea and you can tell me all about this thing you have done.”

  Drake Two-Rivers took Ginger’s horse and walked her, while still attached to the buggy, over to the watering trough. He pumped some fresh water and let her bury her muzzle into the cool liquid.

  “All right. But you will not believe! I climbed out onto Father’s roof and shimmied down a tree!” Ginger let Dorothy lead her into the house.

  Turtle Dove Two-Rivers frowned when the two entered the kitchen, but moved out of Dorothy’s way while Dot put a kettle on to boil.

  “I don’t know what I was thinking!” Ginger went on. “I scared the neighbor’s chickens, I’ll bet they don’t lay an egg one for three days! They startled me, too, but I kept running. I wanted to see him. Am I horrible? I wanted to see Theodore Binks one last time. I wanted him to know I cared.”

  Ginger grabbed Dorothy’s hands. “Why do I care, Dotty? He’s an awful man! Why am I so drawn to seeing him? It’s morbid!”

  Dorothy’s brow furrowed. “What?”

  “That’s what Tater said. It’s because seeing a man go to prison is morbid and we can’t not watch.”

  “Tater?” Dorothy twisted her head, trying to understand.

  “Tater Miller. His real name is Tatem. In fact, he prefers to be called that now that he’s grown up and all. He was here with his dad when we all came out to help rebuild your barn. I always seem to get stuck working with him. Happened back in school, too. I don’t know why that is.”

  Dorothy nodded, but she was still trying to tie all the loose ends of Ginger’s story.

  “Anyway, I squatted down by a tree and Tater scared me half to death!” Ginger giggled. “He was right there! In the park. It made me realize I shouldn’t be there and I asked him to walk me home. So he did. He’s such a sweet boy… well he’s not a boy, like Missus Rockford reminded me, he’s a grown man, just like I’m a grown woman—”

  “Missus Rockford? The general store owner?”

  “Yes… OH!” Ginger gasped.

  Dorothy jerked.

  “That’s the other thing I wanted to tell you!”

  The kettle whistled and Doro
thy rose to prepare the pot of tea. Ginger watched her work. She swallowed hard and continued. “I did it!”

  “Did what?” Dorothy looked up from pouring hot water into a lovely painted china teapot.

  “I didn’t know if I should. I was so nervous. Mother told me not to get myself so worked up, but I just can’t seem to help it. It’s bewildering to me why I am having so much trouble with something that everyone else seems to accomplish with ease. Look at you, for example. So… I did. I followed your lead.”

  Dorothy sat down to let the tea steep with curiosity knitting her brow.

  Ginger blurted. “I wrote Lovelorn!”

  Dorothy blinked. “You what?”

  “I did!” Ginger grinned. “I signed it ‘Bewildered in Billings.’”

  “Really?” Dorothy shook her head and furrowed her brow. “Why?”

  “Well! It worked for you to find a good husband.” Ginger sighed. “I’m desperate, Dotty! No man I know wants me for me. They all want Father’s money, my inheritance, my family’s reputation, or whatever, but nobody loves me for who I am: Virginia Nicole Houndsman.”

  Dorothy’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know that was your given name.” She set her jaw and reached out to take Ginger’s hand. “Ginger, my dear friend, you’re young, and beautiful. The right man will come along. Theodore Binks is no gage for who might be out there right now wanting to court you. There are good men in Billings. Remember what Lovelorn told me? She said I should consider relocating to a small western town because prospects of finding a husband were greater out here.”

  Ginger’s eyes bulged. “I know! So what’s wrong with me.” Tears clawed at her voice as she choked out the words.

  “Oh, Ginger.” Dorothy squeezed her friend’s hand harder. “Dear me, you are a wonderful woman, and any man would be so, so lucky to marry you. I really think you are being too impatient.” She poured them both a cup of tea, pondering what to do to help Ginger. “Maybe Aidan and I should plan a barn dance, to thank everyone for helping us rebuild. Plus, it would bring all the single gals and fellas to one place where you guys can figure out who likes whom.” Dorothy’s eyes lifted to Turtle Dove. The cook had busied herself in the kitchen, but Dorothy knew she was listening. “What do you think, Turtle Dove?”

  She turned with a shrug. “That’s not a bad idea, Missus.”

  Dorothy smiled. “Now, let’s see. I know how to have a gathering in Boston. I suppose it wouldn’t be too different here. Perhaps, we could write an announcement inviting everyone to the barn dance and post it at the general store and perhaps ask the pastor to announce it in church. What do you think, Turtle Dove?”

  “That depends… is everybody invited?” Turtle Dove crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the cupboard. She looked offended.

  Dorothy’s mouth dropped. “Of course! Are you asking me if… natives are invited?”

  Turtle Dove shrugged and one brow rose.

  “Turtle Dove! Surely you know by now, I have no prejudice toward anybody. This barn dance is to help the single adults of our community to get to know each other better and… hopefully start courting. I’ll talk to Aidan about planning it so that the women are also safe in case any of our men get too… out of line. But I certainly do expect all the residents of our community to attend, if they want to.”

  Turtle Dove smiled. “Well, then, I think word of mouth will travel very quickly, but posting an invitation in public places would help. I can speak to my sisters and they will spread the word through the camps. Perhaps you or Aidan would want to discuss your plans with the Mayor of Billings, as well as the pastor.”

  “Yes.” Dorothy nodded. “The Mayor. That’s an excellent idea. Ginger, what do you think?”

  Ginger’s eyes focused on Dorothy. “These are all good suggestions, but… we need a theme.”

  The three women pondered for a moment.

  “Mother.” Ginger broke the silence.

  “What?” Dorothy furrowed her brow. Her dear friend was hard to follow in her erratic thoughts.

  Ginger’s eyes flitted from Dorothy to Turtle Dove and back to Dorothy. “We need to talk to Mother. She is the QUEEN of social gatherings. SHE is the one we need to talk to first.”

  Dorothy smiled and looked at Turtle Dove. The cook tilted her head and lifted one brow that way she does when she agrees but doesn’t want to say anything. Dorothy turned back to Ginger. “All right. We will take this matter to Queen Leticia Houndsman.” She giggled. “But first, I need to let Aidan know we plan to use the barn.”

  The women laughed.

  Turtle Dove leaned on the cupboard. “So, when are you thinking we will have this matchmaker’s ball?”

  Dorothy cupped her baby bulge. “Soon.”

  

  Ginger reined the horse and buggy all the way into her parent’s carriage house just as the sun was sinking behind the western mountain range. It was a beautiful night. A chill had just settled with the setting sun. She unhitched the horse and shoved the buggy into its partition before Graham realized she was home and rushed out to finish putting the horse and buggy away for the night.

  “Thank you, Graham.” Ginger muttered, her thoughts were centered on this idea Dotty had about a barn dance. Would anybody worth courting come? Who did she consider court-worthy? She shrugged to herself. Who might ask her to dance?

  With a gasp she spoke to no one, “What will I wear?”

  She rushed into the house. “Mother?”

  “Ginger, dear? Come eat supper.” Her mother called from the dining room.

  “I’m sorry I’m so late, Mother.” Ginger nodded to both of her parents as she sat. “Good evening Father.” Pamy brought her plate filled with the evening’s food choices.

  Roderick wiped his mouth. “What have you been up to, Ginger-snap?”

  “I went out to the Copper Mining Camp to see Dotty Orchid.” She turned to her mother and smiled. “Mother, I’d like to have a tea and invite Dotty and Turtle Dove Two-Rivers… and you, of course. We really want you present.”

  Her mother cocked her head back with widened eyes. “Oh. Well, all right, dear. When?”

  Ginger slid a sugar beet off her fork with her lips and chewed quickly then swallowed. “Tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow!” Her mother gasped. Then cleared her throat to compose herself. “Well, I guess that can be arranged.” She darted her eyes to Pamy. “I suppose Cook could whip up some ladyfinger sandwiches and… maybe something simple like sugar cookies.” She nodded, satisfied it could be done in time. “Are you thinking three o’clock?”

  “Yes.” Ginger nodded and folded into her dinner. “Mmm. This trout is delicious. When did you go fishing, Father?”

  He smiled. “A business associate of mine gave me the trout as a gesture of goodwill. It was fresh caught this morning. Cook did an excellent job preparing it, didn’t she?”

  Mother nodded. “Yes, we are blessed to have such skilled staff.” She glanced at Pamy and smiled.

  “Are these pecans?” She forked at the crust on the fish. “Oh, Father, did you hear?” Ginger glanced at Mother and returned her gaze to Father. “That horrible man, Theodore Binks was sentenced today. I suppose he was taken to prison, afterward? I wouldn’t know for sure.”

  Her father frowned and gave a scouring glare to her mother. “Yes, Ginger-snap. I heard. I also heard that you went up to your room and later was escorted home by the Miller’s son. Care to explain your misadventures?”

  Ginger smiled her prettiest smile. “Oh Father, I was so curious, but then Tatem Miller spoke to me and I felt so ashamed. I asked him to walk me home before Mr. Binks ever appeared in the streets. Did you hear if Mister Binks went to prison?”

  Roderick wiped his mouth. “I assume so, but I didn’t hear officially. So you didn’t catch a glimpse of the scoundrel who caused so much duress in our town?”

  “No sir. I came home before he was transported to the courthouse.”

  “Well, just as well. I am pleased all t
his came out in the open before we were saddled to the man by marriage. How awful that would have been for you, Ginger-snap.”

  A shiver ran down Ginger’s spine. “Yes. How awful indeed. And before you were ‘saddled’ with him in a business deal. How awful it would have been to be associated with such a ruthless miscreant.” She let her gaze linger on her father a moment as he continued to eat. His discomfort in the truth of her words evident on his face, then she turned to her mother. “May I be excused?”

  Her mother looked concerned. “Of course, dear. Do you need Pamy to bring you anything? A peppermint, perhaps?”

  “No, Mother. I’m fine.” Ginger rose and slowly drudged upstairs. Did Theodore think about her as often as she thought about him? Did she want him to? He was a horrible, awful man, after all. Tater was right. It was morbid and she just couldn’t tear her mind from the thoughts. Did that make her a terrible person?

  She undressed and crawled into bed. Thoughts of Dotty and Turtle Dove coming to tea, Theodore and beautiful wildflowers, Tatem and his poignant comments, the Lovelorn’s advice column. What will the clever columnist tell her to do?

  “Have a barn dance and find your true love.” That would be a weird coincidence if she did say that. Ginger giggled, rolled over, and went to sleep.

  Chapter Four

  

  “Hey, Dad.” Tatem Miller dusted off his hat and hung it on the nail. He brushed sawdust off his pant legs and eased his boots to the floor before entering the kitchen. “What’s for supper?”

  “Come on in here, son.” His mother called. “Your father wants to tell you something.”

  Tatem continued through the kitchen and joined his older sister, Georgetta, on their side of the dining table. All of the serving dishes were in front of him. He scooped a little of each onto his plate and slid a slice of roast beef in the middle, then spooned brown gravy over the meat. He bowed his head and said a silent prayer of thanks, then looked up at his father. “What, Dad?”

  “Tater, your mother and I are painfully aware that you have reached the age of adulthood and, as such, we feel it is time you took a wife.”