Bewildered in Billings (Yours Truly: The Lovelorn Book 17)

by Lynn Donovan

  “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.”

  Tatem choked.

  “Oh, George!” His mother swatted at his father. “That is not what we decided.”

  George laughed, quite pleased with his joke. Georgetta, however, frowned. Her eyes burned with anger as she glared at their father. Being the first born, but a girl, she always resented their father’s preference toward Tatem. There was nothing Tatem could do about their father’s attitude, however, he did his best to assure Georgetta that he would share any financial inheritance he might receive with her. It was only fair she receive half of the family business. Even if it had to come from Tatem and not their father.

  “Well, Hannah, it would be better for him in the long run if he had a partner in life when he becomes a partner in his career.”

  “Yes, dear, but that’s not what we decided and it’s not what you are supposed to be telling him now.” Hannah teased. “Go on… tell him.”

  Tatem waited patiently through his parents bickering to learn what this ‘partner in his career’ was about. His eyes darting from Momma to Dad. His sister’s seething displeasure didn’t go unnoticed by him or their mother.

  “Oh, all right.” George wiped his mouth with his linen napkin. “Your mother and I have decided it is time you became a partner in the George Miller Lumber Company.” He paused with a pouty smile. He was really pleased with himself. “And we will legally change the company name to include ‘and son.’”

  Georgetta threw down her napkin and shoved her chair back. “What am I, Daddy, an invisible ghost who happens to live under your roof? I have helped keep the books at the yard since I was old enough to understand accounting.” She glared at their mother. “Or at least you might consider planning for a future son-in-law to work at the lumber yard. Why not consider the name change to be, ‘and children’ or ‘George Miller Family Lumber’?”

  She grunted when their parents stared at her in confusion.

  Momma sputtered, “But—”

  Georgetta stomped from the table. Tatem watched her trot up the stairs. He would go talk to her once this conversation ended with his parents. He had his own decision to share with them.

  “Don’t worry about her.” Tatem turned back to his father. “I’ll go talk to her in a bit. But regarding your first comment. You thought you were joking, but actually, I had planned to ask you” —he slid his eyes to his mother— “if I could have Grandmama’s ring. There is someone I wish to ask to be my wife and I want to give her that ring when I do.”

  Both of his parents sat in stunned silence with wide eyes and gaping mouths.

  Tatem smiled. “And thank you for the promotion. I will gladly become your partner in the lumber company. But you really should consider making Georgetta a partner as well.”

  “Well…” George leaned forward and closed his mouth. “Very good, son. Who is this girl you wish to marry?”

  Tatem clinched his jaw. His last suggestion overlooked, like always.

  “Oh George!” Momma chastised Dad. “Surely she’s not a girl if our son is wanting to ask her hand in marriage.”

  “Well, Hannah! Can you blame me? I haven’t seen him with anybody, and I had no idea he had this in mind. The boy never talks about a female interest. How was I to know he was thinking about marriage?”

  Tatem chuckled. “No, she’s not a girl. She is an adult. And I haven’t asked her yet, so I’d like to keep it to myself until I do. I promise you both, once she says yes, I’ll bring her over and introduce you to her.”

  “But,” his mother stammered. “She does live here in Billings?”

  “Yes, Momma. She and her family live here. You know them. Now, please don’t meddle. I want to ask her in my own good time.”

  Hannah gasped. “Why, I… do not… meddle!” She clutched her pearls as if they were a lifeline.

  Tatem smiled as he patted her hand. “Yes, you do, Momma. So, please don’t.”

  She turned to his father. “I do not meddle… do I?”

  George’s brows darted up on his forehead and his lips tightened into a straight line. He wisely remained silent, as he turned to Tatem. “All right, son. We will keep this news under our hat and wait for you to announce your betrothal. But don’t take too long. A good woman in Billings won’t remain single for long. I’d hate for you to miss your chance when there are other eager men out there just waiting to grab a wife, especially if she’s from a prominent family.” His bushy eyebrows danced above his twinkling watery-blue eyes.

  Tatem glared at his father. “Don’t worry, Dad. I will do this in my own way and in my own time.”

  His father wagged his finger at Tatem. “Mark my word—”

  “Oh, George!” Hannah swatted his father’s hand. “Leave the boy be. He said he will do this his way. His way is not your way. Be patient, for once.”

  George chuckled. “All right, Sweetheart. I’ll leave him be. But you need to give him your mother’s ring.”

  “Oh, yes!” Hannah leapt up and hurried upstairs. She soon returned, panting, and sat back in her chair. “Here you are. I hope she will love it.” She handed him a small, hand-carved wooden box.

  Tatem opened it and smiled. It was more beautiful than he had remembered. It had twelve lovely, round diamonds encircling a white pearl. There were two smaller diamonds along the side of the yellow gold band on both sides. It was so elegant looking and he knew it would look stunning on Ginger’s hand. “I’m sure she will, Momma. Thank you.”

  “Of course, dear. Mother wanted you to have it when the time came.” She choked on unshed tears. “I’m so happy for you.” With that, she dabbed her napkin at her eyes and rose from the chair. “Please, excuse me.” She rushed upstairs.

  “Well.” George lifted his glass of water. “Here’s to you, son. May you forever be happy and prosperous. George Miller and Son Lumber Company will provide you and your future bride a life of prosperity. Your love for each other will provide the happiness, and God will bless you both with a family to carry on the Miller legacy.” He touched his glass to Tatem’s. The glasses sounded with a chink, and they drank down the water.

  Now all Tatem had to do was muster the courage to ask Ginger Houndsman to be his bride.

  

  “Leticia, thank you for having Turtle Dove and I over for tea on such short notice.” Dorothy smiled, then sipped her tea.

  “It’s my pleasure.” Leticia handed Dotty a platter of crust-trimmed sandwiches.

  Ginger bounced in her chair. “I told them you were the Queen of social planning, Mother, and if they wanted good advice, YOU are the one to ask.”

  Leticia frowned at her daughter’s effervescent compliment. “Well, I don’t know about being a ‘Queen,’ but I’m happy to give you ladies advice. Now what is it you are planning?”

  “A barn dance!” Ginger blurted. “So us single women can find a man to court us!”

  Leticia slowly moved her eyes from her daughter to Dorothy. “I see. So a matchmaker’s dance?”

  “Well, yes and no.” Dorothy smiled a tolerant smile at Ginger. “Aidan and I want to celebrate with the people who came to help us rebuild the barn, and it only makes sense that a barn dance would be a fun way to celebrate and have fun, plus it will help bring the fellows and gals together for possible courtships to form.”

  Leticia smiled and sipped her tea. “When are you thinking of having this… barn dance?”

  Dorothy automatically cupped her palm over her baby bulge. “Soon, I hope. Otherwise I’ll be as big as the barn and not be able to get inside.”

  Ginger cackled a laugh while the others giggled.

  Leticia’s amusement faded into a more serious expression. “I understand you wanting to have this event soon, but most of the farmers are busy with summer crops, I suggest we wait until Fall, or even after harvest when things quiet down. It’s not uncommon for Billings’ townsfolk to have a co
mmunity-wide celebration after all the crops have been brought in. This year, we could plan it to be located at your place instead of in town. I don’t see any problem with that.”

  “Oh, good.” Dorothy swung her gaze to Turtle Dove. “Will that work for your family? When do they move to their southern camps?”

  Turtle Dove sipped her tea. “As long as it’s before first snow, they will be available to attend.”

  Leticia furrowed her brow. “So you are wanting to invite everybody?”

  “Yes, of course.” Dorothy stated flatly.

  “I see. Well, the more the merrier.” Leticia sipped her tea. “Let’s see. I would suggest you plan this in September. When do you expect your baby, dear?”

  Dorothy rubbed her hand over her bulge and smiled. “December.”

  “Well, you may be encumbered, but not too much so in September. I suppose it will be a doable date for you. Now, what else can I help you with?”

  Ginger poured more tea. “A theme! And what’s the best way to spread the word?”

  “Well.” Leticia put her cup back in the saucer. “I would draw out a lovely invitation stating the themed name, when and where and whether you expect women to bring food and drink for a potluck table, or will you” —her eyes shifted to Turtle Dove— “provide all the food. I do not recommend the latter and people are happy to bring dishes.” She tilted her head and closed her eyes to slits, glaring at the ceiling in thought. She tapped one finger on the table. “A theme…”

  They all sat in silence, thinking. Even Ginger stilled.

  “I’m not sure if we want to emphasis that this dance is for the purpose of matchmaking between the single people, but what about, “Moonlight Match-Up Barn Dance? Or Billings Barn Ball? I do love alliterations.” Leticia giggled.

  “I like Moonlight in the theme,” Dorothy set her cup down. “It sounds romantic. Nobody is actually ‘matching up’ the couples, we’re more or less letting fate decide.”

  Ginger flapped her hands. “Oh, oh, I’ve got it. ‘Moonlight Fateful Dance and Potluck.’”

  “No!” All three ladies responded at once, then laughed.

  Turtle Dove put her finger to her lip. “Hmm. How about ‘Moonlight Harvest Barn Dance?’”

  Leticia’s eyes widened. “That’s good.”

  “I like it.” Ginger turned to Dorothy. “What do you think it?”

  “You know.” Dorothy smiled. “I do like that.”

  Leticia popped her palm on the table. “Then we have our theme name. ‘Moonlight Harvest Barn Dance.’”

  “Yay!” Ginger clapped. “Now, where all should be put up invitations, Mother?”

  Leticia smiled and sipped her tea as if she had just conquered the world. “Everywhere public. The general store, the train station, on the bulletin board at the diner… ask Missus Talulah if she is willing to post one in her dress shop. If that doesn’t spread the word, I don’t know what will.”

  Dorothy nodded. “Yes, and we thought we’d ask Pastor Woolridge to announce it after services.”

  “Excellent idea.” Leticia touched Dorothy’s hand. “And I’ll mention it to Hannah Miller.” Leticia’s voice softened as if she were sharing a secret. “Once she knows, everybody in Billings will know.” The women laughed quietly. “Oh, I shouldn’t have said that. Forgive me.”

  “So.” Turtle Dove dismissed Leticia’s remorse. “When are we doing this in September?”

  “Yes, let me get my calendar.” Leticia rose and left the kitchen. She soon returned with a leather-bound appointment calendar. “I suggest a Saturday, so the ladies have the whole day to get ready.”

  Dorothy smiled. “Yes. We want everybody to have time to get all fancied up, new dresses, pretty hair dos.” She leaned over the book. “How about here. She pointed at the second Saturday in September.”

  “Perfect.” Leticia pulled out a pencil and wrote Moonlight Harvest BD. “It’s set.” The women laughed.

  Dorothy turned to Ginger. “Let’s get to making those invitations. Turtle Dove, do you have time to help?”

  Turtle Dove grinned. “I’ll make time.”

  Chapter Five

  

  Ginger walked past the artfully scripted invitation as she entered the general store. She, Turtle Dove, and Dotty spend half a day meticulously penning them to announce the Moonlight Harvest Barn Dance in September. It turned out that Turtle Dove was quite the artist and drew a lovely scene of a moon shining down on an open-doored barn on each one, while Ginger and Dot carefully wrote the words.

  It made Ginger smile to see the advert prominently displayed on the front door. Marching straight to the sales counter, she purchased a St. Louis Gazette and immediately shuffled through the paper to find Lovelorn’s article. Finding it, she scanned the letters for her own. It had been weeks since she sent her letter to Lovelorn. Surely a reply would be in here by now.

  Her eyes spotted the words, Bewildered in Billings. She gasped, licked her lips, and folded the paper so she could read the response to her letter.

  Mrs. Rockford jerked, too. “What is it, hon?” She leaned over the counter to look at what in the paper had startled Ginger. She twisted away with an apologetic smile, so the merchant couldn’t see, then she scanned down to Lovelorn’s response.

  “Dear Bewildered in Billings,

  Good men are generally hard to come by, but if you live in a western town full of eager men, I am sure the right man is not far from your very nose. It is good to remain on guard for treasure hunters but attend social gatherings with expectancy. I feel confident your turn is coming sooner than you think.

  Yours truly: The Lovelorn”

  “Miss Ginger.” Tater Miller’s voice broke into her thoughts.

  She unfolded the paper and closed it as quickly as she could. “Tatem! Hi. What brings you in here today? Out running errands for your dad?”

  “Actually, I’m a partner, now.” He paused. “But I still run errands.” He smiled a half smile. “Something urgent in that newspaper?”

  “Yeah, I mean.” Ginger faltered. “I, uh, I just wanted to read an article… I mean, I’m not in a hurry to go home, and so I thought I’d waste some time by hanging out here. Missus Rockford don’t mind if I do.” She glanced a guilty look toward the woman. “But now that you mention it, I should be on my way. The store’s no place to stand and read a newspaper.” She rushed toward the door. Her frantic eyes spotted the invitation on the door and she turned to Tatem. “You coming to the Moonlight Harvest Barn Dance?”

  Tatem stared at her as if he wanted to say something but nodded instead. Finally, he opened his mouth, but closed it, only to open it again. “Are you?”

  “Of course!” Ginger blurted. “It was planned for— I mean, I helped plan it. Me and Turtle Dove Two-Rivers, Mother, and Dotty Orchid, we got together and planned it. It was Dotty’s idea. She wanted to celebrate their new barn and… Mother mentioned that Billings always celebrates after harvest with a potluck get together, so…” She pointed at the invitation and shrugged.

  Tatem nodded. “So… see you there?”

  “Yeah, sure” —she shrugged— “if you come. I’ll be there. Why not? Maybe we can have a dance.” Ginger wanted to slap her hand over her mouth. Why had she said that? “I mean, if my dance card has room.” She rushed out of the store and scurried home as quickly as she could without violating decorum, but broke into a full-tilt-run when she reached her parent’s staircase.

  Ginger threw herself on her bed and hugged the newspaper to her chest. At least Lovelorn didn’t say, “You should attend a barn dance where you will meet your true love.”

  Or did she?

  Her words were baffling. Not far from her nose, indeed! What could that possibly mean? Ginger wished she could go see Dotty, right now. Maybe Brilliant-In-Boston could make sense of Lovelorn’s cryptic reply. What good was it to write Lovelorn? Ginger was more confused than ever and just as alone. The most likely thing to happen at that barn dance was that Ginger would stand al
l by herself and carry on a conversation with a cow or barn cat.

  She was destined to be a lonely, spinster old maid. She rolled over and cried herself to sleep.

  

  Ginger sat sideways in the pew, despite Mother’s glaring look, watching for the minute the Orchid’s arrived at church. This week had dragged by like molasses in the dead of winter. Only it was no longer winter. The barn dance was a few months away, and according the The Lovelorn, Ginger’s true love was right in front of her nose! She crossed her eyes and tried to see the tip of her nose. A blurred figure entered the church.

  “There she is!” Ginger leapt to her feet and scurried to Dotty who was distracted with corralling Aidan’s four children into the chapel. Ginger shook her head. They were Dotty’s children now, too.

  And one on the way.

  Ginger smiled at Dotty. “Can we talk after church?”

  Dorothy looked up from giving the youngest, Jackson, that same look Ginger’s mother gave her. “Oh, Ginger! How nice to see you.” She paused as if just realizing Ginger had asked a question. “Uh, yes. I think so.” She glanced at Aidan. He shrugged. “Of course. We’ll meet you outside.” Dotty leaned closer to Ginger’s ear. “Did you get a reply from you-know-who?”

  Ginger grinned like an opossum eating cactus and nodded vigorously.

  Dotty returned her smile. “I can’t wait to discuss it with you.” She touched the shoulder of their third son, Cole, to steer him in with the other children and continued down the aisle. Ginger hurried back to her parents, while the Orchids slid into the pew behind them.

  Ginger could hardly sit still during the service. She was dying to turn around and tell Dotty all about the Lovelorn’s response and her troubled, anxious mind. Mother would probably full-out slap Ginger if she did such a rude thing in church, so Ginger squirmed in the pew next to her parents instead. She did manage to glance with bulging eyes toward Dotty and grimace a smile when the congregants stood to sing. Bless Pastor Woolridge’s heart, Ginger retained nothing from his sermon. As soon as he dismissed everyone, she leapt to her feet and shuffled along with the other congregants, like a stockade full of cattle moving to the examining chutes, but lost sight of her friend in the crowded exodus.