by Sioux Dallas
With big eyes, Irene breathlessly asked, “What do you mean - take her out of the picture?”
“Kill her. Keep quiet Irene and listen. You’d better keep your mouth shut or you might be the one being taken care of,” Helen warned her sister. “Yes, we’ll keep all of this quiet and won’t even talk about it. Won’t we, Irene?” Helen said strongly as she glared at her younger sister. ‘After all, we don’t know who to trust. There may be others planted here such as one of the new men who just hired on.”
Ginger jumped nervously. “Oh, do you think one of them could possible be a plant?”
“No,” Sharpie answered her. ‘We screened them too carefully, but it’s possible another person could be sent that would look and act innocent.”
Juanita huffed. “Well, if anyone can rest, I suggest we all retire for the night and try to get to sleep. Six o’clock seems awfully early when you haven’t had much sleep.”
Ginger turned to Aretha. “Do you have night clothes or do you need something to sleep in?”
“Thank you, but my suitcase is still in the car. I didn’t bring much because I thought I would only be here two or three days.”
Sharpie held out his hand and asked for her car keys. She quickly gave them to him and he left to get the suitcase. Ginger knew he wanted an opportunity to search the car. He came inside in a few minutes and carried the suitcase down the hall to the cramped storage room. Aretha obediently followed and quietly entered the room. She looked around and nodded.
“There’s a bathroom toward the front if you need to use it,” Sharpie explained to her.
Aretha quickly got a nightgown and slippers out of her suitcase with a toothbrush and toothpaste and hurried to the bathroom. Sharpie could hear water running and knew she was taking a shower. He waited until she had returned to the room and locked the door, keeping the key. He felt badly about locking her in but they didn’t know whether all this was part of an act.
Too, she needed to be protected in case someone was checking up on her.
Chapter Eleven
The next day there was still no report from the law officers in Texas. Ginger warned Aretha to stay in out of sight and cautioned Juanita and the Ming sisters to not talk about her to anyone else. They understood that she might be in danger of losing her life.
The second day James called to say one of the Amish farmers had some trouble with unknowns. The Yoders were awakened about one in the morning with gunfire. Bullets broke through windows on two sides of the house. The horses, in the barn, were screaming so loudly that Fisher got up and, even though his wife was frightened and protesting, he dressed and went out to see about the animals. He found his barn on fire.
Ginger was appalled. “That’s really going too far. They are such peaceful people and work at being good neighbors. Did he get help in time?”
“No. The barn burned, but he did get three horses and two cows out. They had no where to run but in the yard and he was afraid they would be so scared that they’d run away. Fortunately Mary and the children were up by then and could help him.”
“I pray no one was hurt.”
“Not really. Fisher sustained some minor burns on his face, neck and arms. Just painful; nothing serious.”
“What can we do to help?” Ginger was eager to go to them.
“I didn’t consult you about it, but when I was in the feed store this morning, and heard about Yoder’s troubles, I asked that the word be spread that anyone interested would meet at your house this afternoon. Of course we’ll all help him rebuild just as they did for Hank. They’re so good to pitch in where help is needed.”
“I’m glad you told me in time. Should I have Juanita prepare some refreshments?”
“Not necessarily, but it would be nice. Lemonade and cookies or rolls would be nice.”
“Fine. I’ll get right on it.” She hung up and called to Sharpie out the back door. He came running and she told him of the impromptu meeting. He ran back to the bunkhouse to tell some of the hands why they needed to attend.
Everyone was willing and eager to be at the meeting and to help the neighbors.
The Amish friends that Ginger had met were joined by Baron Mueller and his wife Elizabeth and Taylor Schmidt and his wife Mercy. Ginger’s hands had quickly brought out long tables and benches from a storage building on the back property. There were so many children running around that Ginger wasn’t sure who belonged to whom. She thought they were darling, the little girls in long dresses and bonnets and the boys in trousers and shirts.
Ginger quickly learned that the men stayed clean shaven until they married and then they grew a beard. Several had brought fruit from their orchards and a couple had brought sweet breads that they had made.
James came bringing his father in his wheelchair. Ginger took a good look at James for the first time. I didn’t realize how handsome James is. He is such a gentleman and so unassuming that I just never thought of his looks.
Amos Zook seemed to take charge along with Alan Barker. Amos first told the large gathering of the troubles at the Yoder farm. “I know there’ll be a good number out to help raise a new barn and put in new windows. Our neighbors have been facing cattle rustling, mustang stealing and even murder.” He turned to give a small nod to Ginger. “The Park Police and the County Police do not have enough personnel to cover a large territory and keep watch on our properties. We’re going to have to help each other.”
Alan Barker patted Fisher on the shoulder and assured him that he could count on help from all of those present. Women started calling out that they could give quilts, canned goods and household utensils. Men offered dressed beef and vegetables from their own gardens.
The meeting was profitable because some of the ranchers met the Amish for the first time. They all declared that they would be ready to come to anyone’s aid that needed help.
Ginger was amused to see Samuel Boratraeger’s thirteen year old daughter, Goodness, looking at James with sparkling eyes. Ginger knew this was an age that young girls were attracted to men, especially one as big, strong and handsome as James. Goodness was joined by Jacob Rittenhouse’s twelve year old daughter, Mercy. Everywhere that James went the two were not far behind him, giggling together and whispering.
As the meeting was drawing to a close, James came to the front of the group to report of seeing two cattle trucks going down the road that he didn’t recognize. He had thrown his hand up in greeting, as they all did, but the drivers and men with them, ignored him. The trucks were empty at the time and he just wanted everyone to be more alert and aware of what was going on around them.
As he turned to walk over to his dad and Hank the two little girls were behind him. He turned and grinned at Ginger. Chuckling he said, “Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me et cetera et cetera.” The girls looked astonished at Ginger’s hearty burst of laughter.
Five of the ranchers furnished lumber and others sent hands to help build the barn. In two days there was a bigger and better barn than the Yoders had before. There were ten stalls in the barn in addition to a feed and tack room. Across the top was storage space for about a thousand bales of hay. The Amish wives had furnished such good food that everyone wanted to sit and visit and eat more.
Finally the report came from Texas. Neither the sheriff nor the chief could identify the men involved. They had picked up one man that knew what had been planned, but he had no knowledge of bosses or who was in charge. He said when there was a job to be done, a phone call would be made to them and an envelope of money would be placed where they could locate it.
Sharpie was not happy with the news. “I’m more and more convinced that some big wig is heading this. Either a well-placed politician or some big business person. I can’t say man because I’ve had to arrest a few women who were on the wrong side of the law.”
Ginger was more concerned than ever. “Aretha, what kind of work were you doing in Texas?”
“I was a waitress in a posh restaurant and I had work
ed in a newspaper office setting up computer accounts for them. Why?”
“You need to work and I’m sorry, but I can’t use you here. Do you mind if I ask around for a position for you? I’m afraid for you to go back to Texas any time soon, and you need to be out of sight here in Montana.”
“I’d love to stay in this area and work, but what will I do about a resume or recommendations. If I ask friends in Texas the word will get out and the men will know where I am.”
“How do you feel about working at the court house or even in the sheriff’s office? I know they were trying to hire a couple of week ago.”
“If they’ll take me, I’ll gladly work. Ginger, I can’t tell you enough how sorry I am for my part in the harassment of you. When I was given instructions, I didn’t know you. Now I’m so ashamed that I even agreed to do their dirty work.” She grinned. “I still have most of the thousand that they gave me though.”
Ginger bit her lower lip. “I’m anxious to know who is involved so that I can find out why.”
“If you can think of anything I can do -- without exposing myself -- I’ll gladly do it. Forget exposing myself. I owe you that. I’ll do whatever is required to help you.”
“Let’s wait and talk it over with my foremen and maybe they’ll come up with a plan to help trap whomever this is. I’ll still like to know what their purpose is. They’ve murdered, committed arson, stole cattle and mustangs and created a threat in all directions. What do they plan on doing next? They’re keeping all the citizens on pins and needles wondering who will be next and what the danger will be.”
“I’m so sorry I was a part of this. I truly didn’t know.” She began to sob.
“Don’t feel badly, Aretha. They plainly used you. We’ll work together. In the meantime, I need to help you find a job. I’ll call Sheriff Mercer and see if he’s still trying to hire a computer savvy secretary.”
“He may not want me after I’ve been involved with these unpleasant people.”
“I’ll vouch for you. He knows me well.”
Ginger made the call and found that Sheriff Mercer would be glad to talk to Aretha. Ginger explained the situation to him and told him Aretha was an innocent person that had been manipulated by whomever this is. “They used her knowing she needed money and a job.”
“Send her on to me, Ginger. I’ll talk to her and maybe try her out for a month. At least she won’t be where they can find her unless they have unscrupulous people working with them in this area. If so, maybe this will smoke them out. I’ll do all within my power to protect her.”
“Thank you so much, Sheriff. I’ll send her to you first thing in the morning. She’ll give you all the particulars and cooperate. She’s really a decent person caught up in a bad situation.”
Much to everyone’s surprise Sheriff Mercer pulled into the ranch yard later that afternoon. “I thought I would like to talk to her here and get your thoughts, also,” he told Ginger. “Too, the fewer people in my office that know what I’m doing, the safer she’ll be.”
Ginger took the sheriff, Aretha and Sharpie to Hank’s house where Frank had gone previously to discuss ranch business. Aretha was embarrassed and shy around the men, but answered all questions as honestly as she could.
Hank cleared his throat. “I was hoping we could set a trap for them, but they seem to be using a lot of innocent people and protecting their own hides. I sure wouldn’t want to put Aretha in a dangerous situation because they’ll try to eliminate anyone who might give evidence against them. She can’t really identify a single soul, but they aren’t sure of that.”
Sheriff Mercer shook hands around and told Aretha she could have an extra day to get her things together and do whatever she had to do. “I talked to Belinda, my wife, and we’ve decided to allow Aretha to live in the apartment over our garage. As far as other people know, she’s the daughter of a friend of ours.”
Ginger was touched by his thoughtfulness. “I need to go to my hairdresser and get a cut tomorrow. Aretha can go with me and let them change her hair style, or even color it if she wants to do so.” Ginger looked expectantly at Aretha.
“I’d love to go with you. I’m naturally dark brown but I dyed my hair black to fit in with the people around me. Maybe I could have it lightened someway.”
“We’ll talk to my beautician and get her advice. You don’t have to tell her your personal history.”
“I can tell the truth and say I’m in hiding from a man that is possessed with marrying me and I want nothing to do with him. That’s the truth and I don’t have to say where I’m from. I can let her know I’m afraid of him.”
“Maybe you won’t have to tell anything. Let’s just play it by ear.”
Frank spoke. “And the less you tell, the less you have to remember what you told. You won’t get tripped up with lies then.”
Sheriff Mercer left to go home. Ginger, Aretha and Sharpie went on back to the main ranch house.
The next morning Ginger cautioned Juanita and the two sisters again to say nothing about Aretha being there. “I’m taking her into St. Ignatius to do some shopping and we’ll be gone most of the day.”
Aretha was impressed with the city. “Wow! I had no idea there would be a city this size here in cattle country. I think I’ve counted eight beauty salons, four lumber mills, a gas station, a car dealer, grocery store and the feed store had some beautiful paintings in one window.”
“The lady who owns the feed store is a professional artist. She does outstanding work,” Ginger explained.
Just as they were near the salon where Ginger wanted to go, she was shocked to see James walking toward her with a woman on his arm. What was more shocking the woman appeared to be too “big city” for this area.
She stood about five-nine and probably weighed one hundred twenty-five. She had curly strawberry blonde hair below her shoulder blades and sparkling green eyes. Her teeth were so straight and white they had to have come from good dental work. She was light complected and had deep dimples. She was looking up at James and laughing as she talked.
James looked startled when he met Ginger and Aretha. “Well, hi, neighbor. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I had some errands in town and brought my -- houseguest with me. This is Aretha Proudfoot, a cousin.” Ginger hated to lie but she didn’t know who might be listening.
“This is Victoria Kennedy, a friend of the family. Vicki, this is my next door neighbor, Ginger Proudfoot and you heard her introduce her cousin.”
“How do you do. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Have you always lived next to Jimmy?”
Jimmy! Where did that come from? “Yes, our families have owned bordering property all our lives.”
James excused himself. “Forgive me for a minute, ladies. I see someone across the street that I must speak to on business.” He ran across and started talking to a man.
Vicki raised her eyebrows and turned to Ginger with an expression that made Ginger feel like slapping her. She looked as if it hurt her to lower herself to speak to Ginger.
“You’ll have to excuse Jimmy. He’s so excited. When we’re married, I’m sure I’ll see more of you, but we won’t live on the ranch. My father has a large law firm in Billings and he will want Jimmy to work with him. Here he comes. It was nice meeting you.” She grabbed James’ arm and pulled him on down the street.
Ginger was too shocked to shut her mouth. James looked back at her quizzically but walked on. Ginger was numb. What am I thinking? He means nothing to me except as a friend. I wasn’t thinking about either one of us marrying, but I knew it would happen some day.
Ginger stumbled on to the salon in front of them and stopped suddenly.
“Wait,” she said aloud, “he can’t leave here. He came home to take care of his invalid father and help his mother with the ranch. He wouldn’t leave them and he sure wouldn’t dispose of the ranch. Would he?” She looked at Aretha.
“How should I know. I just met him.” Aretha wisely kept quiet but s
he recognized the Vicki character had shaken Ginger.
They entered the salon and Ginger introduced Aretha to Bernice. Ginger’s hair was styled and washed and Aretha was still being worked on. Ginger excused herself and ran out to a rugs and carpet store to look for carpets for a future project she had in mind.
Three hours later Aretha was beautiful and felt so good about herself. The black had been taken from her hair and the lovely natural medium brown had golden highlights. Her hair had been styled until it feathered about her pixie face. Ginger thanked Bernice for her excellent job and they left.
“I need shoes and some personal items,” Aretha told Ginger. “Is there somewhere I can get what I need without a lot of trouble?”
“There sure is, come on.” They purchased the items Aretha needed, and wanted. “We’ll just get home in time for dinner.” Ginger tiredly stated. “We’ve sure put in a long day -- but profitable. I love your new look.”
She smiled and hugged Aretha. Then her smile froze.
Across the street James and Victoria were walking, Victoria still clinging to his arm and looking into his face talking away. Ginger noted that James didn’t look too excited. He’s a quiet man, a gentleman, and I bet she won’t last long. He doesn’t appreciate clinging and talking. Or am I just hoping he’ll reject her. Shame on me. Get on home and forget it. I have no claim on him and don’t want any.
Chapter Twelve
Ginger awakened to voices, horses neighing and cattle lowing. She jumped up full of excitement. The men were down from the summer pasture with the cattle. How in the world had she slept so late? It must be seven o’clock.
Quickly dressing she ran down to the kitchen where Juanita and the sisters were cooking and preparing to feed a crowd of men. “Juanita, why did you let me oversleep? Why didn’t you check on me and wake me up?”
“Ginger, sweetie, you’ve slept so poorly for several nights, and were so upset over something yesterday, that I decided you needed the rest. Don’t you dare think of rushing out of here without eating a good breakfast and don’t gulp it down. Take time to eat in a healthy manner. Men and animals will still be out there.”
