An hour into the festivities, Burt stood high upon a haystack and held up his arms. The barn suddenly quieted.
"Here's to the people of Colton, the farming and ranching community of Mare's Creek; we've survived another year out here together, made it through another harvest and it's been a darn good harvest at that," he paused as everyone started clapping and cheering. "Folks don't understand our way of life, why we go through the things we do on our farms, on our ranches, in our Montana. But we know, because there is no other life. As far as I'm concerned, this is the best and only way to live." He raised his beer above his head, "To our families, our farms and our Montana."
The entire barn repeated his salute, cups held high, "our families, our farms, our Montana."
Then a huge cheer rang out, loud enough to raise the roof, echoing through the clear night sky and rising all the way to the stars. Marge looked at Burt passionately as he stepped down and put his arms about her, for at that moment, he looked like that handsome young kid who had pursued her almost forty years ago.
The small band that was set up on the second story of the barn began to play. A young woman whom Kate recognized as the lead soloist from the church choir began crooning, backed by expert instrumentals. Her clear sweet voice drifted downwards, spurring people to take their partner in hand and lead them to the wooden dance floor. A few men approached Kate and asked her to dance. She politely declined and stepped out the back door for a breath of fresh air. She walked past the teens who were sitting by the bonfire, most of them trying to set a record for the world's longest kiss. No matter where she went, she was surrounded by emotions; love, friendship, passion, determination. While it was wonderful and magical, it was also overwhelming, she strongly considered walking home.
She heard footsteps behind her, "Kate, are you okay?"
"Sure," she turned to smile at Marge, then paused before correcting herself. "No, not exactly. I think I'll head home, it was wonderful, especially Burt's words, but..."
"Don't leave, you're part of all this. This is a celebration of your year of hard work too, I know it's a difficult time for you right now, but I'm here for you, we all are."
"I love you and Burt, I do," she blurted out, saying what was in her heart.
"We love you too," Marge replied, wiping away a tear that had escaped. "Now, come back inside and eat and drink. If you thought farming was tough this summer, wait until the winter months..." she teased her as they headed for the barn.
The band was surprisingly good. They played old country classics as well as the better modern country tunes by Clint Black, Shania, Faith, the Dixie Chicks... The dance floor was crowded with adults and kids, even some of the teens unlocked their grip on one another long enough to come in and dance, while others danced outside for the music could be heard for miles.
Molly had run off to play with her friends, leaving Kate by herself. Her favorite song, "Loving Arms" began to play, the talented singer doing justice to the haunting words and melody.
Kate stared down at the ground, taking in a deep breath and bracing her emotions. When she looked up, Tray was standing in front of her. They stood gazing at each other, neither one saying a word. He held out his hand to her, his palm up; open, exposed and vulnerable. She hesitated, then laid her hand in his.
He walked backwards as he slowly led her to the floor. People moved out of their way, making room for them. His eyes never left hers. He gently slid his arm about her waist. Cautiously, she kept him at a safe distance as they began to sway back and forth, an enormous charge of energy and passion flowing between them. The bittersweet lyrics filled their heads and told their story; "if you could see me now, the one who said that he'd rather roam, the one who said he'd rather be alone, if you could only see me now. If I could hold you now, if I could only turn back the hands of time..."
Her eyes began to mist and her heart was melting as he drew her closer to his body. He softly kissed her forehead, he kissed her temple, he kissed the side of her face. His voice cracked as he whispered into her ear that he was sorry, that he'd been wrong, that he could love only her...
Her composure broke, her tears fell, and she wrapped her arms about him tightly. He held her firmly, a hand on her hair as he pressed his cheek to hers. She was finally able to pull away from their magnetic embrace and look into his eyes to see him smile as he then kissed her while they continued to dance. It didn't take long before everybody was watching them, pleased at the reuniting of a couple that was destined to be together. Now everyone was laughing through tears, happy for Tray and Kate, as they were reminded of their feelings for their own lovers, their years together, tribulations and years yet to be. The final chorus of the song approached and the entire group sang along with it, "I've been too long in the wind, too long in the rain, taking any comfort that I can, looking back and longing for the freedom of my chains and lying in your loving arms again, I can almost feel your loving arms again..."
Every couple embraced and then clapped as the song ended. Tray and Kate stood together in the warm glow of friends and family, smiling at one another, for their song was just beginning and would last a lifetime.
"Ouch, what the—," Kate shrieked in surprise as a dense snowball hit her hard in the rump. "Girls, I'm trying to work, I don't have time for this."
"But we do," Molly retorted, a glint in her eye, fully aware that her group of friends outnumbered Kate.
"Really, I can't, it's almost supper-time and I have to finish storing the feed," she reasoned with them.
They all stood motionless for a moment, deciding whether or not to feel sympathetic, before launching another round of snowballs at her.
"All right, if that's how you want it," Kate threatened, dropping her shovel and stepping away from her chore as she plunged her hands into the glistening snow.
She formed snowballs as fast as she could and hurled them at her opponents, taking some of them down as they fell on their rears into the drifts. Kate was still getting pummeled, though she put up a good fight.
"Come on guys, stop, I have to get back," Kate cried, out of breath and holding up a hand of surrender.
"Maybe we'll let you off if you tell us about it again," Sue informed her.
"Again? Girls, the harvest celebration was two weeks ago and we talked about it already."
"So, we like hearing about it, it was like a fairytale," Molly interjected.
"And we want more details," Amanda added.
"Yeah, like what happened after you and Tray left that night?" Heather spoke up.
"What, no way, I told you guys enough. I do need some privacy and besides, not everything in an adult's life is appropriate for a kid to hear," she explained.
"That means sex," Molly commented.
"Molly, where did you hear about that?" Kate exclaimed, feeling flustered.
"In school," she answered her.
"Well, I'm not going to contribute to your education," Kate replied.
"Then face the consequences," Sue called out as they resumed the snowball exchange.
Tray could hear the screeching laughter as he parked his truck in Marge's driveway. He trudged through the heavy snow in the direction of the silo to investigate.
The action came to a dead halt as he approached and stood imposingly in front of the group with a look of disapproval upon his face.
"Heather, Amanda, Molly, Sue, what in the world is going on?" he asked, taking note of the soaking wet people surrounding him.
"Nothing," they sheepishly replied, giggling.
"Can't you guys see that Kate is trying to work and now I'll have to help her so she can get done on time," he stated with authority.
Kate attempted to squelch her laugh as a snowball bounced off his head.
"Oh, you're in for it now," he replied, ready to redeem his honor as he joined Kate's side of the battle.
With Tray's help, he and Kate just about overpowered the four girls, tossing their snowballs more rapidly and accurately. Finally they leapt o
ver the snow bank and conquered the screaming children who took off running for the house. Kate and Tray laughed until their sides hurt as they plodded back up the hill and quickly completed the work that had been interrupted.
"Look at all of you," Marge admonished them as a soaking wet Molly walked in first, then Tray, and then Kate. "Another snowball fight?"
"Kinda," Molly admitted.
"Go upstairs girl and get into some dry clothes," she instructed, then turned to address the adults, "there's towels in the basement, you two better dry off before you step into my kitchen."
"Yes Ma'am," Tray replied as he departed down the stairs, Kate following close behind.
"I can't believe we've got a foot of snow in November," she remarked as they toweled off.
"I can't believe the trouble you get me into," he responded, shaking the water from his dark waves.
"You think this is trouble, just wait," she teased him, "wait until spring."
"Why do we have to wait 'til spring, I'd like to get married now."
"Because I came to Montana in the spring, it has special meaning for me. And from what everyone says, I'll need something positive I can hold onto to get me through my first winter out here. Anyway, we still have to discuss a few things."
"I realize that you told me the truth about your transformation, I believe you and I don't care if you wake up one day looking like Rodney Dangerfield, I'll still love you," he proclaimed.
"That's sweet, Tray, and I know you mean it, but I was referring to other things, like where we'll live."
"I don't want to give up my house," he revealed as they climbed the stairs.
"And I don't want to give up mine," she retorted. "We'll ask Burt and Marge's opinion at dinner."
"Are you sure you want to involve them," he warned her.
"Involve us in what?" Marge inquired, standing at the stove.
"Whose home we should live in after we're married," Kate filled her in.
"Why Kate's place of course, just add on to it. Tray, you love to design things, this could be an interesting project for you," Marge encouraged him.
Burt walked in and sat down at the table, "They should live at Tray's; it's much larger and more valuable," he contributed his opinion.
"Kate's place is closer to work, she won't be happy being so isolated out there," Marge persisted.
"Tray's spread isn't that isolated, it's only ten minutes away. Be honest, Margie, I think you like having her close by," he winked at his wife.
"Oh, is that what you think? Well, I think your low-cholesterol diet starts tonight," she replied as she set the plate of steaming pork chops down at the opposite end of the table.
The farmhands who'd been plodding in during the conversation laughed at Marge's last comment and the look of disappointment on Burt's face as he sadly stared at the chops that seemed so far away from him.
"Maybe this wasn't a good idea," Kate concluded as all the hands got in on the discussion, the room growing louder and louder.
Tray smiled at her, nodding his head in agreement.
Just as predicted, it was a horrendously long and cold winter accompanied by swirling winds, storms of hail, snow, ice and viciously bitter temperatures. Maintenance of the weather-battered fences, farm machinery, vehicles, barns and stables were the main duties through the winter months. The animals still had to be cared for and Eddie had taught Kate how to properly ride a horse so she could help them ride out into the frozen pastures to check on the cattle. It was not uncommon for cows to freeze to death, especially the younger and elderly animals.
The days were shorter, though the cold made them seem long, and darkness came earlier. While Kate enjoyed the winter at first, by the end of January, she longed for sunshine and warmth. The best thing about the freezing days was spending warm nights with Tray.
"We're almost through February now, the worst of it'll be over by the end of March," Eddie informed Kate as they rode across the snowy southern pasture, sharp particles of ice hitting their faces.
"Is that supposed to be encouraging?" Kate questioned, pulling her scarf tighter.
"What do you want, a trip to Florida?"
"Yes, that would be perfect. I could just picture it; warm balmy nights, palm trees waving, soft white sand, bright blue water, rolling waves, the sun baking my skin..." she elaborated.
"Shut up, Kate."
"You're the one who brought up Florida," she pointed out, "that reminds me, where are you going on your honeymoon?"
"Florida," he answered.
"Ah, so it's on your mind already. I won't mention Florida again, I don't want you to get excited thinking about it," she teased him.
"It's twenty below, I couldn't get excited if I wanted to."
Kate laughed, her chest hurting as she took in a breath of icy air.
"Let's herd this group down closer to the barn, they need to get in for awhile," he instructed her.
Kate turned her horse to assume her place behind the cattle when she suddenly stopped and dismounted. She ran a few yards and knelt on the ground by a fallen animal. Eddie appeared beside her.
"It happens, Kate, ain't nothing you can do. Who was it?" he asked her.
"Loretta, she was pretty old, too old for this weather."
"She didn't die in pain, now come on before we freeze to death," he advised, climbing back on his horse.
Kate stroked the cow's velvet face before mounting her ride and joining Eddie.
On weekends, Tray and Kate would ice skate on the frozen pond at Marge's with Molly, her friends, sometimes Eddie and Lisa and whoever else wanted to join them. Catalogue night was put on hold until spring, but a smaller crowd usually gathered at the farmhouse to play cards, talk, knit or watch a movie. Kate and Tray typically left the social functions early because Saturday nights were for snuggling.
"Warm enough?" Tray asked her as he tossed another log on the fire.
"When you crawl back under this quilt, I'll definitely be warm enough," she remarked.
"I will, after you push Mari out."
Kate gently shoved the dog's rump, she slowly got up and lumbered to her usual spot beside Huck and Missi on the hearthrug.
"I'm so glad they get along," she commented, smiling at the three snoring animals that lay side by side.
Tray snuggled next to Kate on the plush couch in front of the radiant flames, "Burt told me they lost another couple of cows today."
"Yeah, old Loretta and a calf."
"That's a shame," he commented, taking a sip of wine before picking up his book.
They each read quietly for a few moments before Kate interrupted the silence.
"Why can't they be kept warm like domestic animals. People put those jacket-type things on their dogs."
"You want to put sweaters on the cows?" he inquired.
"I didn't say sweaters, don't make fun of me, Tray," she warned him good-naturedly.
"Then what do you mean?"
"I don't know, what about the canvas sacks, they could be slung over their backs and secured," she suggested.
Tray attempted to take her concept seriously, knowing it came with good intentions, "I don't think so, they'd probably slide off in a second, the cows would get tangled in them, fight to rip them off, maybe even try to eat them..."
"Okay, okay, so it was a dumb idea."
"No, I can picture the herd in a pastel cable knit, very chic," he teased her.
Kate burst out laughing.
"L.L. Bean probably has something in an extra large," he continued, "maybe matching pumps and a bag; the possibilities are endless for the well-dressed heifer."
"Stop," she managed to say through her laughter, the dogs looking at them as if they'd gone crazy, "I can't breath."
"You need CPR," he stated, tossing his book aside and leaning over her.
"Vets give the best CPR," she replied before he kissed her.
The plump buds that had been patiently waiting upon slowly awakening bushes and trees eagerly burst op
en the morning of the wedding. April flowers reached for the warmth of the sun, their colorful blooms basking in its rays. The sweet perfume of tender green grass and fresh blossoms was carried on a gentle breeze.
Kate had sold her home to Eddie a few weeks earlier. He and Lisa would be getting married that summer and were thrilled to have a place of their own. Kate had accepted Tray's invitation to move in with him upon the stipulation that she could add her own decorative flavor and touches to their home.
The ceremony would be conducted in Tray's lovely backyard, in the presence of all their friends from Colton, Mare's Creek, their three dogs and Marge's family. Molly and Lisa served as the bridesmaids, Marge was the matron of honor, Burt the best man, Colby and Tray's brother were ushers. Tray's parents had politely declined to attend but nothing could dampen this special event, for the people they loved most were there.
Kate's hands were shaking as she tried to finish getting dressed in Tray's bedroom. Marge helped her, carefully zipping up the back of Kate's long ivory satin gown. The dress was classically tasteful, cut slightly off the shoulder to expose her graceful neck and tailored to her slim waistline in lines that accentuated her figure. Her waves of hair were loosely wound on top of her head, tendrils hanging softly about her face. A delicate wreath of fresh flowers crowned her auburn hair, a small veil hanging from the back of it. Fine pearl earrings that had been a shower gift from Marge graced her lobes and an elegant solitary diamond necklace that Tray had given her were the only jewels she needed. Minimal makeup accented her lovely features, as she glowed from within. Through the open window, she could hear the crowd that had gathered as they waited for the ceremony to begin.
"You look like an angel," Marge stated with tears in her eyes.
"Thank you, this doesn't feel real."
"It is real and you deserve it, once you truly believe that, you won't be scared anymore."
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