Romance in a Ghost Town

by Robert P McAuley

  “My mother?” he stumbled as he stood and grabbed his cane and went to the window just as his mother stepped from the Jeep. The driver stepped out of the other door and he saw that it was Tommy Wallace. Both stood looking around with their hands shielding their eyes from the glaring sun.

  “Mom! Tommy,” he shouted as he ran out the door and down the steps to embrace his mother. “Mom! How are you?”

  “Oh, honey, I’ve been great and you,” she said holding him at arm’s length as tears welled up in her eyes, “Why you look like one of those cowboys right out of the movies!” They hugged some more and he then turned his attention to his old friend.

  “Tommy Wallace! So you’ve decided to become a cowboy after all.”

  They shook hands and went into a hug as his friend replied as he looked Bob over, “Well if I look as good as you dressed in cowboy clothes; I’ll give it a try.” He held up one finger and warned, “But only for one week. I miss the cold hard tarred streets of the city, already.”

  Bob put an arm around his mom and as they headed towards the house, another door opened and closed behind them. He looked over his shoulder and standing awkwardly alone by the car’s door, was his stepfather, watching them walk away. Bob’s mother and friend stopped and watched as Bob thought for a moment, then turned and went back to the man. He smiled and shook his hand before hugging him, as he knew what it was like to be unsure and uneasy in a crowd.

  “Dad,” he said with a smile, “I’m so glad that you came too. How’ve you been?”

  His stepfather smiled as he answered, “Great…s-son, just great. And you Bob?” The man held him at arm’s length and after looking him over, said with obvious pride, “Why, son, you look fantastic! You know your mom and me been worrying about you. We’ve all sort of been out of touch.”

  “I know. No excuse, dad, but I’ve been busy putting this town back together again.” He slapped him on the back and with an ear-to-ear grin said, “Now, come on and get in out of the hot sun. You’re acting like a City Slicker.”

  His father grinned and quipped as he shaded his eyes, “And I thought it was hot in Florida.”

  The four of them stepped inside where Anne stood with gritted teeth and clasped hands.

  “Anne,” said Bob, this is my mom and dad, and this guy,” she said nudging Tommy, “you know.”

  She put her hand out to greet them and Bob added, “Mom, dad, Anne and I are to be married today.”

  His mother gasped and hugged Anne as she said, “Oh my dear, this is going to be a wonderful holiday.” She turned to Bob and asked with tears in her eyes, “Is that why you invited us here, son? What a wonderful surprise.”

  A quick glance at Anne and seeing her raised eyebrows, he answered, “Uh, no, mom. We didn’t know that we were going to get married when I invited you and dad up. But, it certainly will add something to our big day.”

  She dabbed at her eyes, “I’ll say. I did bring a nice dress along for a night out and I guess this will be it.” She beamed and once again held him at arm’s length and said, “Robert Patrick McKillop, you look so grown up! So tanned and, well, so refreshed. It must be the clean air…but no matter what it is, I want you to know that your dad and I are so very proud of you.”

  “Whatever it is, mom, I sleep great here.” He winked and she understood and changed the subject by tilting her head at his stepfather, “If your father gets as nice a tan as you, I’ll be fighting off all the girls in Florida.”

  The door opened and Cal gingerly entered the room followed by Jean. He looked at Anne who smiled and, knowing all was well with her surprise, he took off his hat and imitated a man wiping his forehead in relief. He turned to the small group and said, “Howdy, Mr. and Mrs. Tesoriero, I’m Cal Sullivan and this here’s my wife, Jean. I just checked on your room over at the Silver Inn and ya can check in any time ya wish.” He turned to Tommy Wallace and went on, “Mr. Wallace, I took the liberty o’ checkin’ in on yer room as well and it’s ready when you are.”

  Tom nodded his thanks and still with a surprised look on his face said to Bob, “Hey buddy, you two are really getting married today?”

  “Well, tonight anyway,” Bob answered.

  Tommy shook his head, “Boy, you sure made some great moves since leaving the Apple.”

  “Before you leave,” Bob countered as he slapped him on his shoulder, “us two City-Slickers need to get together at the saloon and talk some.”

  “You got it, partner.”

  “See?” said Bob, “He’s almost a cowboy already! He called me, ‘partner’.”

  His mother hugged him again and said as they started to follow Cal and Jean, “Son, it’s just great to see you so happy. You know that a mother is only as happy as her saddest child and I’ve never been happier than I am right now.”

  The group went out the door with Bob’s mother happily chatting away with Jean as they walked down the path towardsMain Street.

  Anne looked at her future husband as he sat and buried his face in his hands and sat next to him as Samson watched from his curled up position near the fireplace. She put her hand on his back and as she felt him shudder, said in a low voice, “Bob, please don’t be angry with me. I just thought that bringing your mother and father here would bring you a nicer holiday.”

  He wiped away any trace of tears and with a warm smile answered, “Honey, you did something that I never could do: brought me and my mom together again. And seeing my step dad made me realize that he was her choice and who am I to judge him? If he takes care of my mom, he’s good enough for me.” He hugged her, “I’m not angry at all. I don’t know where to start thanking the stars above for the many gifts I’ve received in the past few days. And,” he added looking in her eyes, “with the governor backing the doctor in the cellular research program in the Bransville Hospital, you’ll have the inside track on reporting it all.”

  She shrugged, “I’m not so sure about that. My boss was pretty upset that I…“

  He cut in, “That you what? Introduced the governor of Nevada to Rattlesnake Haven and Doctor Peters who will put Bransville on the medical map of the world? I bet you can write your own ticket after the governor changed his mind about having the army invade his new, home-away-from-home.”

  She nodded and wiped away a tear before it spilled over and down her cheek and with her fists balled up pounded lightly on his chest and said, “Now, get out of here! I have to dress for a wedding.”

  As if to punctuate that thought, Jean entered the room and said with a shake of her head, “Land sakes, child. We need ta get you dressed.” She turned to Bob and added, “Best you go on over to the tavern, young man and have a drink with the men folk while I help your future bride get dressed.”

  Knowing he had his marching orders, Bob quickly retreated. He took Samson and walked over to the cemetery. Once by the gate, he sat and looking up, said, “Hey, dad. Just wanted to keep you in the loop: I’m getting married today and you would love her. Anne Dallas is a wonderful girl and it came as much of a surprise to me as it is now for you.” He held Samson up and rubbed his nose against the puppy’s and continued, “I’m pretty sure that by now I’ve introduced you two, but just in case: dad meet Samson.” He put the pup down and watched as he scampered around as he continued his one-sided conversation.

  “Anyway, dad, mom and d-ah, my step dad, are here. He’s changed…or maybe I’ve changed. But, no matter who made the change, he does seem like a nice guy and, as he is taking care of mom, I’m sure you would agree. Anyway,” he said as he stood and brushed the sand off his jeans, “I’m doing good. I sleep great and think the whole leg thing is behind me and I hope you agree with the decision that I had to make in Doc Peter’s office…I wish you were there besides me to help guide me, but like I said, I do believe I did the right thing. We’ll just have to wait and see.” He looked up and smiled as he tipped his hat and finished, “See you in church tonight, pop. Love ya.”

  The young man from New York City and his beagl
e walked into town and entered the Dust Off Tavern and were applauded by the group of people with Cal up front.

  “What’s yer drink, partner?” the sheriff asked as he put his arm over Bob’s shoulder.

  Bob grinned as he motioned with his hands for them to stop. “Beer is fine with me.”

  “Howdy, partner,” said a tall slim man dressed in garish western clothing. The boots were highly polished and he wobbled slightly on the, higher-than-he-was-used-to, heels. His black shirt matched his black jeans but it was his very large black hat that made Bob laugh as Tommy Wallace walked over to him, his very ornate spurs jingling. They hugged and his friend asked, “Well Bob, am I dressed for the occasion?”

  “I guess so, partner. And I love the belt,” he said referring to the leather belt with large round silver discs decorating it.”

  Tommy grinned, turned slightly and pointed to the art group’s Lisa Caputo and said, referring to his belt, “I met Lisa and this was hanging on the wall of the work shop and I just had to have it.”

  “It was an experiment,” she said with a smile, “to be sold to City Slickers only.”

  A grinning Bob nodded, “Well then, it worked!”

  “I hear there’s gonna be a wedding here today,” said a voice coming from the person standing in the bar’s doorway. The setting sun put him in shadow and Bob squinted to make him out.

  “Jim Bensen,” shouted Bob as the real estate man stepped into the tavern. As usual, he was dressed in a well-cut, tan western suit with his snakeskin boots and tall western hat on. Strapped to his thighs were his holstered, highly polished six-guns. The two men shook hands as Edward and Katey Pushkin entered after him.

  Katey ran over and hugged him. “I’m gonna get my hugs in before you’re hitched, sonny boy.” They did a group hug, sat at a large round table and the bartender brought the drinks over as the piano player’s music went from the standards to a mix of upbeat tunes. They turned their eyes to the player and saw the Governor of Nevada playing Blues, Jazz and Ragtime…totally thrilling them all.

  Tommy Wallace got Bob’s eye and tilted his head towards Lisa and flicked his eyebrows for his friend’s approval. Bob grinned and nodded back as he gave him a thumbs-up.

  Less than one hour later there was the sound of a helicopter’s rotor blades and Bob looked questioningly at Cal who said with a shrug, “Sounds like the governor’s family is coming to the wedding too.”

  Up next to the well, an Army helicopter landed and the governor’s wife and two young girls got off before the copter took off again.

  “Mommy,” asked Katherine Ekuland as they stepped away from the area the helicopter had left them in, “where’s daddy?”

  “I’m not sure, honey,” her mother answered as she strained to see in the swirling dust left by the aircraft. Slowly, she made out a wagon with a big horse standing about fifty yards away. The single person sitting on the wooden bench had one foot resting on the brake as he held the reins lightly while his head was lowered against the sand being raised by the copter’s prop wash. A moment later the mini-sandstorm subsided and looking up, the figure removed his western style hat and waved to them.

  “Mommy,” said her eight-year old daughter, Rita, pointing at the figure, “There he is! There’s daddy on that wagon.”

  “Oh mommy!” asked Katherine clasping her small hands to her chin, “Can we ride on the wagon?”

  “I-I don’t know, honey. I guess so.” She led them over to the wagon and saw her husband smiling and dressed in jeans, boots, blue jean shirt and black western style hat.

  “Howdy ma’am,” he said as he hopped down and kissed them all. “I thought that this year we’d do something different for the holidays.”

  “But,” she started to say, “we have people coming after Christmas…”

  “Not this year. I called and cancelled. This year we are relaxing, old western style.” He picked the two girls up and sat them in the rear of the buckboard, tossed their baggage in next to them and helped his wife up next to him.

  “Mike. Do you know how to drive one of these things?” she asked as she gripped the seat tightly.

  He grinned, “Hon, coming here was the best thing I could have done. I forgot that I grew up in a saddle, went to music school and a hundred other things…one of which is to write a book.” He turned the horse and wagon about and headed to town as he told her of all that had happened…although for now he left a few things out.

  20

  A Ghost Town Wedding

  Jean stood in the quiet bedroom behind Anne as the future bride looked in the full-length mirror. It reminded the elderly woman of a time long ago when it was she and her mother in the very same room, lit by the same oil lamps, getting her ready for her wedding in the very same dress. She fought back a tear as she deftly tightened the strings at the rear of the dress, sucking Anne’s waist in dramatically. Tying them into an bow, she stepped in front of her and smiled.

  “You look beautiful, my child.”

  Anne looked at herself and saw a bride from another time looking back. The high-cut, tight fitting, lace collar was buttoned in the front and the white silk buttons stood out against the frilly lace. Her shoulders were encased in a puffy-cut of silk that stopped at her upper arms, which were enclosed in tight-fitting lace that ended at silk-buttoned cuffs. Her white linen bodice was prominent, thanks to the breath-taking strings at the dresses’ rear, and as it dropped slightly below the waist, the dress flared out into a silk shape not unlike an inverted flower with a short train following. On her feet were silk-covered, button-down shoes with the lower heels of the day. As she looked at the bride in the mirror, Jean placed the long, one-inch wide, strips of silk attached to a headband on her head, which Anne recognized as the veil of the times. Short white silk gloves finished the look and Jean stepped back and looked.

  “If I ever had a daughter, she’d look like you, my dear. You are a beautiful bride.”

  A smiling Anne said, “Jean, you and I are as close as a mother and daughter can ever be.”

  The two hugged.

  It was eleven-thirty and the stars were like silver pinpoints glowing in the black velvet night sky. The church was full as everyone from Rattlesnake Haven along with the invited guests was in attendance. The women of the town had decorated the church with scented candles and oil lamps along with flowers set in vases sitting on the windowsills. Wreathes decorated with red silk bows were everywhere and garland and holly draped along the wainscoting that surrounded the room. Outside were more oil lamps, garland, holly, and wreathes on both side of the path leading to the church.

  While the townspeople and visitors filled the seats, the minister stood at the altar with his hands holding a prayer book. Bob stood in front of the altar wearing his black suit with white shirt, black string tie and gleaming silver spurs on his highly-shined black boots while in his lapel was a white carnation.

  At the door of the church, stood Cal, dressed in a blue/black suit, white shirt, black string tie, tall black hat and silver spurs attached to his black boots. On his left breast was a gleaming silver sheriff’s badge.

  The choir sang Christmas carols in the small balcony above the churches open, double doors as all faced out and down Main Street. A small glow could be seen at the beginning of town and, as it got closer, all could make out a white carriage decorated in holly and garland being pulled by a white horse. Dressed in his best Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes, sat the driver, Tim Holden who kept the wagon at a steady, slow pace as the two women sat next to him.

  He stopped the carriage and Cal stepped forward and helped the two women down. The carriage was driven to the side and Tim scurried around and into the church as Jean walked behind the bride-to-be in order to keep the dresses train from getting caught in the three steps into the church.

  Anne took Cal’s arm and entered the church with Jean following as she fixed her train. The small organ started playing as they entered and all tried to get a close look at the bride as Cal stood wi
th a puffed out chest. Finally, they started down the aisle, walking at a slow, steady pace towards a waiting Bob who tried to see Anne’s eyes but the strips of silk thwarted his attempts.

  Once opposite him, Cal stopped, lifted Anne’s veil and gave her a kiss on the cheek before passing her to Bob. The sheriff then stepped back and Jean joined him in the front pew with Bob’s family and friends.

  The organ played softly as Bob and Anne walked towards the waiting minister. Bob had to concentrate as he walked the short distance as whenever he knew he was being watched, he usually stumbled. But this time it was different: he walked with the confidence that one does when they are with friends and never hesitated.

  The minister smiled and performed the service. When he was done, he said as he held up his hand, “My fellow parishioners and visitors to our fair town, my words may be lost to some, but understood by others: This couple was meant to be and witnessed by us again, as we all traveled this road before and although their future was ordained by the man above, it took many steps for it to come to fruition and for that we are all blessed and thankful.” A loud cough from Cal caught the forgetful minister’s attention and he stopped before going any further as the visitors to town looked at one another and shrugged…all except for a smiling Mike Eklund.

  The cough also seemed to signal the choir who started to sing, ‘Here comes the bride,’ as the newlywed couple started down the aisle. As he passed his mother in the front row, she pinched Bob’s arm and catching his eye, winked and mouthed the words: ‘I am so proud of you my son.’

  Once at the double doors, they stood as the church emptied, accepting congratulations from all. As the guests walked merrily downMain Street towards the Dust Off Tavern, they were joined by Bob and Anne riding in the white wagon which had some tumbleweed and bramble bushes along with an old pair of boots tied at it’s rear. Once there, they waited until the tavern was full and then stepped in to the applause and piano playing.