Blossoms of Love (13 page)

Natalie followed Ann up the stairs and walked down the long hall to the bathroom. The bathroom wasn’t very modern but it was nice and clean. Natalie asked, “Does Mrs. Ellman do all the housework in this big house?” Ann answered, “Yes, she’s a very good housekeeper.” Natalie said, “Everything looks so –homey.” Natalie looked in the bedrooms, “The whole house seems to welcome you.” Ann said, “I felt the same way the first time Leon brought me here. You will love Mom Ellman.”

Ann went into one of the bedrooms, “This is Monty’s room. You can change clothes here.” Natalie began undressing to take a bath. Natalie said, “Mrs. Ellman seems nice.” Ann said, “All of us, the in-laws, love her. We all loved Dad Ellman too. He liked being alone a lot. I guess that’s where Monty gets being a loner.” Natalie laughed, “With six boys, I don’t guess he was alone often.” Ann said, “No, I guess not, but he was a fine man. He loved every one of us.” Natalie was down to her bra and panties. Ann asked, “Do you want me to leave/” Some girls don’t like to undress in front of anyone.” Natalie said, “No don’t leave. It doesn’t bother me. When are you expecting?” Ann answered, “Anytime. In fact, I’m past due now. I just hope I don’t go into labor before the funeral tomorrow.” Natalie put a robe on over her nude body and went to the bathroom for a shower. Ann stayed in the bedroom, sat down on the window seat, and watched the people come and go. She thought of how nice Natalie was and what a gorgeous figure she had. Naturally Monty would pick a woman with a lovely body, and she was pretty too.”

It wasn’t long until Natalie came back into the bedroom, drying her hair. “I feel lots better now.” Ann watched her put on her panties, then her bra. Ann asked, “How long have you known Monty?” Natalie answered, “About six years. I was a senior in high school. He was in the Navy and came home with Dave one Christmas. I thought he was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen.” Ann laughed, “Monty beautiful? Somehow that doesn’t suit him. He’s too rugged and manly for that but I do say he’s a very handsome man.” Natalie put on a simple blue dress and brushed through her hair, which was naturally curly. Natalie said, “We’re going to live here when we get married. I think I’ll like it.” Ann smiled, “It will be nice to have another sister.” Natalie agreed, “Yes, I think so too.” Natalie looked in the mirror, “Let’s go. I want to find Monty.” Ann replied, Yes we must. We’ve been up here an hour. Leon will wonder about me. He worries anyway since I’ve been pregnant.” Natalie said, “Be glad. That’s one way of showing how much he cares.”

The house wasn’t as crowded as it had been. Some of the people just brought food by and then left. Allen saw them, “Monty is in the living room.” He looked at Anne, “Leon is looking for you.” Ann looked at Natalie smiling, “See what I mean?”

When Natalie got to the living room door, she was glad no one else was there. Her heart went out to Lamont. She saw the sadness on his face as he stood over the casket looking at his father’s body. Natalie was almost by his side when he noticed her. Without a word he reached out and pulled her to him. He hugged her close to him, “I’m sorry Monty.” He said quietly, I’ve lost a real friend, Nat. I never realized that until now.” He took a deep breath to hold back the tears. “When we’re young we don’t think about these things.” There wasn’t much for Natalie to say. She looked at Mr. Ellman. Lamont and Allen looked so much like him. Even in his older years, he was a very good looking man. Natalie said, “I wish I could say something of comfort to you.” He looked at her then kissed her on the forehead. He gave her a squeeze, “Just being here is all I need. Thank you baby for coming. I thought you had gone back over seas.” Natalie said, “In a few more hours I would have been on the plane.” Lamont suggested, “Let’s go out on the porch.” She took his hand as they went out on the porch. There were some men at the far end of the porch talking. Lamont led Natalie to the opposite end of the porch to the swing. After they sat down on the swing, he took her hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed it. Natalie leaned closer to him and whispered, “I love you Monty.”

By midnight most of the family had lain down for a nap. Tomorrow was going to be a very sad day.

At the funeral, as the family stood over the casket before it was lowered to the ground, Mrs. Ellman cried as if her heart were breaking. Lamont and Paul watched her closely while the preacher prayed. After the prayer, everyone began to leave. All the boys except Lamont walked with their mother to the car. Lamont stood looking down at the casket covered with flowers. David looked back and saw Lamont. He said to Natalie, “Go to him. He needs you.” Lamont looked so terribly alone. Natalie put her arm through his, “Come on darling. They’re waiting for us.” For a second she didn’t think he was going to leave, but then he turned and they slowly walked to one of the cars. When she looked at Lamont’s face, she saw tears in his eyes. Oh how that touched Natalie.

When they got back to the house, the neighbors had coffee brewing and sandwiches made. They began to gather to eat. David noticed Lamont going outside. He followed him. On the front porch, David immediately put his arm around Lamont, “I know you’re hurting real bad. I wish there was some way I could help you.” Lamont choked back the tears, “I’ll be alright. I just need to be alone for a while.” David said, “I understand.”

Lamont went down the steps and walked toward the stables. David knew he was going there to cry. Natalie came out on the porch. When she saw Lamont she said, “I’ve got to go after him.” David grabbed her arm, “No, he needs to be alone.”

Everyone had finished eating and the kitchen was all cleaned up when Lamont came back into the house. Natalie asked, “Do you want something to eat?” Lamont answered, “I’m not hungry. I’ll eat later.” He looked at the pretty girl who would be his wife, “How long can you stay?” She said, “I have to leave tomorrow. I don’t want to but I have to.” Lamont asked, “What about Dave?” She replied, “Oh he came to stay. Our doctor is sending his records here as soon as he finds a doctor here. He said a doctor here could take the cast off.” Lamont said, “I was hoping you would be here longer so I could show you around to see if you’ll like it here.” Natalie smiled, “I already like it Monty. I like the scenery and I love the people.” Lamont squeezed her hand, “Good. You see honey, I have to stay on here now. Mom can’t live here alone and she certainly can’t run this ranch alone. Johnny, Berry, and Leon have their own homes. Paul and Allen have to get back to school. That leaves me. Of course, I’d planned to live here anyway but I was going to buy a ranch. I want to talk to Mom and the boys. If they agree, I’ll buy their part of the ranch and Mom and I can be partners. We could build a house a little ways from Mom and still be close enough if she needed us.” Natalie said, “Whatever you decide is alright with me.” He leaned over and kissed her gently.

That evening as they sat around the living room, Lamont asked his brothers about buying their part of the ranch. They all agreed. Allen said, “I can use the money when I get out of school. I really don’t need it now since I’m on a scholarship but I can put the money in the bank and it will draw interest.” Paul said, “Well I sure can use the money now.” Johnny said, “So can I since we’re building a house.” Leon said, “Yes, we can too since we’re having a baby.” Berry said, “We can use the money for our baby. We’ll put it in the bank for a trust fund.”

Lamont looked at his Mother, “What about you Mom?” She answered, “That’s fine with me but I just don’t see how you’re gonna run this ranch all by yourself.” Lamont said, “I won’t be. Dave is gonna help me.” They all looked at David. Lamont continued, “Dave is making his home here now. I’ll teach him all I know about ranching.” Mrs. Ellman said, “I’m so glad Dave. You can have any room upstairs you want.” David said, “I know I don’t know the first thing about a ranch, but I can learn.” Johnny said, “Well I think it’s great.” Berry said, “So do I.” Leon said, I’m warming you Dave, Monty is a slave driver. He used to boss me.” Lamont said, “You were just lazy.” They all had a little laugh over that.

Natalie got to know Ellen, Alice, and Ann better that evening. She liked them all but she really favored Ann. As everyone talked, Natalie noticed every time she looked at Lamont he was looking at her. After a while Lamont took Natalie’s hand, “Excuse us. We’re going for a walk.”

As they walked down the path toward the stables, they held hands and didn’t talk.. The summer night was perfect. A slight cool breeze, millions of stars twinkled in the sky, and there was a full moon. They stopped at the fence. Lamont lifted her up on the railing. He put his arms around her waist, “Honey I want you to be sure you can be happy here. Life will be completely different. No excitement, no night clubs, not even a house like your parents live in. I doubt if I could ever afford one.” Natalie put her fingers on his lips, “Those are all material things. I don’t really need all of that to be happy. All I need is this beautiful, blond male standing in front of me. I’ll be happy as long as you love me.” He reached up and very gently took her off the fence and gathered her in his arms. Without another word his mouth went down on hers. Then he held her close, “Nat, we’re going to have a good life. We’ll have a few kids to complete our life.” He looked down at her, “You do want kids don’t you?” She answered, “Yes. At least four. Three boys and a girl.” Lamont smiled, “Okay, three boys and a girl. Why three boys?” Natalie said, “I figure it will take three to really help you on the ranch. The girl can help me in the house and keep me company too.” Lamont hugged her to him again, “I wish we could get married now and start our life together.” She brushed his unruly hair from his forehead with her hand, “So do I darling. I have to go back.”

The next day Lamont and Dave took Natalie to the airport. When her plane arrived Dave said, “Tell everyone at home it’s going to work out for me.” Natalie asked, “Is it really Dave?” He answered, “I think it will.” He kissed his sister, “Bye Nat. Take care of yourself.” He left so Natalie and Lamont could say their good-byes alone. Lamont’s arms tightened around her. She said, “Hold me darling—No more good-byes after this.” He repeated, “No more. There’s already been too many.” They clung to each other for a second then he kissed her.

As the plane taxied around to the runway, she could see Lamont watching the plane. She’d never seen such loneliness and sadness on his face before. She wanted to yell for them to stop the plane and let her off but she couldn’t. She had to go back to France. She breathed to herself, “Damn that contract.”

As the plane sped up, she could still see him. She thought, “Oh my beautiful, golden haired lover. Six months before I’ll feel his lips on mine. Six months before I can feel his strong arms around me.” She cried to herself as the plane left the ground. When Lamont got to the car David said, “I wish she could have stayed.” Lamont started the car, “When she gets back, I’ll never let her go again. We’ve said our last good-byes.”

As the days passed, Lamont buried himself in work. Two weeks later David had his cast removed. He began helping Lamont on the ranch. It was about a month when Lamont got a letter from Natalie.

Lamont smiled when he read the letter. Instead of writing to her, he decided to call. She was so surprised when she heard his voice she cried. Lamont said, “Did I call just to hear you cry?” Natalie said, “Monty is it really you?” He chuckled, “All six foot of me.” She said, “I didn’t dream you would call. It costs so much.” He said, “You know I don’t write letters. When I read bout those French men, I decided I better check this out.” She could hear him laughing, “Don’t worry darling, these guys don’t have a thing you don’t have.” Lamont said, “Oh I’m sure they don’t, but I’m here and you’re there. Love me?” She answered, “You bet I do. How is everyone?” Lamont said, “Mom is adjusting well. Dave’s getting to be a real ranch hand. She asked, “And you?” “Horny as hell.” She giggled. The she said, “I tried to break my contract but no luck. Instead, I got a raise. My boss doesn’t believe I’m getting married. She asked me why on earth I want to get married making the money I do? I told her she just didn’t know who I had waiting for me. When I showed her your picture, she said she didn’t blame me.” Lamont said, “Nat, I’m building us a house. Just down the hill from Mom.” Natalie sounded excited, “A house! Oh that’s great.” Lamont said, “It won’t be very large.” Natalie said, “Just so it has a kitchen, bath, and a bedroom. Can I decorate it?” He said, “You sure can. That is your job. I guess I better hang up.” Natalie said, “Yes, I know it’s costing a fortune. It’s wonderful to hear your voice Monty.” Lamont said, “I love you.” Natalie said, “I love you too. Bye.”

With every spare moment, Lamont and Dave worked on the house. On weekends, Lamont’s brothers would help. September came. The foundation and framing was up. By the last of the month, they had the roof on the house. Lamont said, “Winter is close. I think we got that roof on in a good time. Feel that cold wind? It’s out of the north. We’ll have a snow within twenty-four hours.” Lamont had let his hair, mustache, and beard grow. Dave asked, “Is that why you’re growing all that on your face?” Lamont laughed, “That’s one reason. The wind gets damn cold out on the range.” David asked, “The other reason?” Lamont laughed, “I’m just too damn lazy to cut it off.” David chuckled, “I wish Nat could see you now. She wouldn’t think her golden boy was so handsome.” Lamont teased, “The hell she wouldn’t. Do you think she’ll like the house? It looks awfully small Dave.” David assured him, “She’ll like it. There’s no reason why she wouldn’t. This is a nice house. It’s not so damn small either. You don’t need a house as big as our parents until you start having a lot of kids then you can always build onto it.” Lamont said, “Okay bud you’ve convinced me.” David said, “Monty, I really feel sorry for you. Nat can’t cook. In fact, she can’t do anything.” Lamont grinned, “Hell Dave, your wrong about that. Maybe she can’t cook or clean but she’s terrific in bed. The first twenty-four hours of our married life is gonna be in bed. All we’re going to do is eat, sleep, and make love.” David laughed, “You’ll never make it that long bud. You’re just horn right now.” He looked at Lamont and smiled, “Right?” Lamont rubbed his bearded face, “I’m horny as hell.” David said, “So am I. This is Saturday evening, why don’t we go into town and maybe take care of the problem?” Lamont put his arm around David’s shoulder, “You know David Agar, sometimes you’re a smart man.”