Blossoms of Love (15 page)

When they started to leave, Mrs. Ellman was in the front bedroom, which was her room, making the bed. She yelled, “Bring ten pounds of sugar back, we’re almost out.”

While Lamont and David were in town, Lamont had his hair and beard cut. It was afternoon before they got back to the ranch. Lamont helped David unload the truck at the stables. When they got to the house, Johnny, Ellen, and their children were there. Johnny and Ellen had bought them bicycles. Lamont and David had a ball helping them learn how to ride. It was nightfall before Lamont decided to call Natalie. The phone rang three times before anyone answered. It was Natalie. Just the sound of her voice made him feel happy. He said softly, “Hello baby.” There was silence except he thought he heard a sob or two. He asked, “Are you still mad at me?” Immediately she answered, “No. I was so afraid you wouldn’t call again. Oh Monty I’ve been so miserable. I thought I’d lost you. I picked up the receiver so many times to call you. I did call once and when your mother answered, I hung up. I don’t care what my mother wants we’ll get married any way you want to.” Her voice softened, “I just know I love you, that’s all.” Lamont said with a chuckle, “I called to tell you that we’ll have the big wedding. I think maybe I can survive through it.” With excitement in her voice, “Oh Monty! You’re the most wonderful man on earth. This is proof that you do love me a lot.” He cautioned, “Wait just a minute. There’s a condition with my decision.” Natalie asked quickly, “What’s that?” He said, “We’ll get married here, in our church. You family can come here better than my family can go there.” She said, “That’s fine with me. Mother won’t like it because she won’t be able to show off to her friends.” They both laughed. Lamont asked, “Then it’s settled?” She said, “Yes. I’ll tell them as soon as we hang up.” Lamont asked, “By the way, what’s the date of our wedding?” She suggested, “Christmas comes on Saturday. What about the eighteenth? That will be a week before Christmas day. You said we would have a week for our honeymoon.” Lamont said, “That’s fine with me. The eighteenth it’ll be.” Natalie giggled, “Mother will flip. That will only give her a few days to get ready for it.” Lamont asked, “When are you coming?” She answered, “This weekend. I want Ellen, Alice, and Ann to be bridesmaids. You remember Cindy Dallas? She’ll be my maid of honor. She was my best friend in school and still is. All of our dresses will have to be rented. There isn’t time to have them made, even mine. Who will be your best man?” Lamont said, “You know that will be Dave of course.” Natalie said lovingly, “I can hardly wait to see you darling. It’s been such a long time.” Lamont said in his soft, sweet voice he uses when he wants to be loving, “You hurry up and get here. I’m beginning to have wet dreams.” Natalie giggled, “Now don’t tell me you have really been true to me.” He teased, “You talk like you don’t believe I would.” “Well truthfully darling,” she replied, “I wasn’t expecting you to be. It would be wonderful to know you had.” Lamont said, “Goodnight my love. See you in three days.” “Goodnight darling.” She echoed.

After Lamont was in bed, he couldn’t keep his mind off Natalie. Mostly her lovely body. His sisters-in-law were thrilled to be asked to be bridesmaids for such an elaborate wedding. Natalie called Lamont and told him she wanted to drive her car to Montana. He said, “Don’t try it honey. I don’t want you driving three thousand miles alone.” She argued, “But Monty, I just bought the car last week.” Lamont asked, “When are your parents coming?” She answered, “Not until the day before we get married. They’re going to fly.” Lamont insisted, “Sell the car. You can buy another one here. Baby you just don’t realize how far it is driving.” She sighed, “Alright I’ll sell the car. There’s a plane that will put me there around eight tomorrow night.” He said, “I’ll be there.” She said, “Until then.”

The next morning Lamont rushed around getting all the work done. David said, “I’m not going to the airport with you. It’s been a little over six months since you’ve seen each other. I think you need to have some time alone.” Lamont grinned, “I agree old buddy.”

As Lamont and David walked to the house from the stables, the wind seemed to be colder. It looked like snow. Lamont said, “I’d never have believed a woman could get me so excited. I haven’t had anything on my mind but her since I got up.” David smiled as he remembered how he felt about Sharon, “That’s love my friend. There’s nothing more wonderful than being in love.” Lamont knew David was learning to live without Sharon but he could see the hurt and loneliness in his eyes. Lamont said, “I want you to stay on with Mom. After all, we’ll just be living a few feet from you. Paul will never live at home anymore and I doubt if Allen will. Mom really needs you. Remember we’ve got several hunting trips after Christmas.” David confessed, “Mom Ellman and I have already had a long talk. I plan to stay.” Lamont put his arm around David’s shoulder, “Good. I really wanted you to stay. I think this country is good for you.”

After supper Lamont showered and shaved. As he came down the stairs, tying his tie, he asked his mother, “Is Natalie’s room ready?” Mrs. Ellman laughed, “Well if it wasn’t ready there wouldn’t be time to get it ready. Yes dear, it’s been ready for several days.” Lamont kissed her, “Mom you’re a doll.”

David looked up from the paper he was reading, “You wearing a tie? That sister of mine sure has you under her thumb.” Lamont laughed, “She didn’t tell me to wear a tie. I just thought I’d dress up for a change.” David teased, “Sure you did.” Lamont reached over and ruffled his hair with his hand. Mrs. Ellman said, “Your hair doesn’t look combed.” “I know Mom, it never does.” He explained, “When I was small and we were going to church, Dad always stopped me at the door and combed my hair. By the time we got to church, it looked like it had never been combed. So Dad would comb it again.” David said, “It’s only seven.” Lamont replied, “I know. It will take about twenty minutes to get to the airport. I don’t want to be late.” He got his coat, “I’ll see you two later.”

As he drove to the airport, it began to snow. He started to worry, if it got very bad the plane couldn’t land. At the airport he asked about the flight. The young woman behind the information stand told him, “The plane is delayed sir.” Lamont asked, “For how long?” She answered, “We’re not sure sir. That flight had to land at the airport in Kansas.” She could see how disturbed he was, “Don’t worry, the passengers are well taken care of. They’ll stay at a hotel at our expense.” Lamont asked, “Do you think there’s a chance the plane will come in, say in two or three hours?” The young woman said, “There’s a snow blizzard coming this way. I would say it will be several hours before any plane can land here.” Lamont thanked her and walked towards the front door. He could see it was snowing very hard. Then the PA system called his name, “Mr. Lamont Ellman, please come to the information desk.” Lamont went back to the information desk. He said to the young woman, “I’m Lamont Ellman.” The young woman said, “Mr. Ellman, you’re to call this number.” He thanked her and went to the phone booth. He dialed the number given to him. It was a hotel in Kansas. They connected him to a room number. Natalie said, “Hello.” Lamont asked, “Nat, is it really you?” She answered, “I’m stuck here in Kansas.” Lamont said, “Sorry baby. It’s snowing like hell here.” Natalie sighed, “Well, there’s nothing we can do but wait. Of course, I’ve seen several attractive men around here and I’ve got a nice hotel room. The only thing is I don’t have the room to myself.” Lamont teased, “Hey hold it right there. I’m the guy you’re going to be married to.” She giggled, “Like I said darling, I have a roommate and she is female. We’re not the only ones stranded here. I just wanted to call you and let you know I’m okay. Don’t try to meet me again. When I get there I’ll get a taxi. “ Suddenly her voice was very serious, “Darling if I ever get to you, I’ll never be away from you again.” Lamont said, “You can bet on that sweetheart.” She asked softly, “Monty you still love me don’t you?” That irritated him, “You know damn well I do. Why do you have to be reassured all the time?” She said, “Monty you’re angry.” Lamont said, “No but honey you know I love you. I sure as hell wouldn’t be out in this damn blizzard if I didn’t.” She said, “You just don’t understand women. They like to hear their man tell them often that they love them. Goodnight darling. Be careful going home.” He said, “I will. Goodnight my love.”

It took Lamont over an hour to drive home. It was snowing so hard he could hardly see anything and the roads had snow and ice on them. The weather prediction was right. It didn’t stop snowing until the next afternoon. The blizzard dumped three to four feet of snow in drifts. Lamont and David saddled their horses, they had to try to get to the canyon to see if the herd was alright. Mrs. Ellman warned Lamont and David to be careful. She said, “You know Monty how tricky it is when you’re going into the canyon with snow on the ground.” Lamont said, “I know Mom. Don’t worry. If it looks too bad we just won’t try to go any farther.”

She watched them ride off. She felt uneasy about them going but she knew they had to see about the horses in the canyon. With this amount of snow they could be trapped and die. Just after Dorothy finished her lunch, a taxi drop up in front of the house. Dorothy saw Natalie get out of the car. She met Natalie at the door. The taxi driver carried Natalie’s bags inside. Natalie paid the driver. He shut the door behind him. Mrs. Ellman said, “I’m so happy to see you.” Natalie kissed her future mother-in-law, “It’s been a long time Mom Ellman but I finally made it.” Natalie took her coat off, “I’ve never seen so much snow in my life.” Mrs. Ellman said, “We have lots of snow but this is a little more than we usually have at this time of year. Our biggest snows are in January and February. Come dear, there’s a nice fire in the den.” Natalie said, “I couldn’t believe they could get the runways cleared so fast.” Mrs. Ellman asked, “Would you like a cup of coffee? I think it will help both of us.” Natalie said, “Yes, I’d love a cup. Where’s Monty and Dave?” Mrs. Ellman poured their coffee, “They’ve gone to the canyon to see about some horses.” Natalie looked surprised, “How do they get there with all this snow?” “On horseback,” Mrs. Ellman replied. “It could be dangerous but Monty knows his way. He knows this land like the back of his hand but I don’t mind telling you I do feel a big uneasy. I’ll feel much better when I see them coming back.”

Mrs. Ellman sat down at the table with Natalie. She looked more worried than she was letting Natalie know. Mrs. Ellman said, “This is still rugged country. It will take you a while to get used to it.” Natalie said, “Yes I know, but I do like it here.” Mrs. Ellman asked, “Natalie can I talk to you real serious for a minute?” Natalie answered, “Why yes, of course you can.” Mrs. Ellman sipped her coffee, “My dear I don’t want you to think I don’t approve of you marrying Monty. I think you’re the only woman he’s ever been in love with. I know he does love you. What I’m about to say means I want you to know what you’re up against. Like I said, this is rugged country—really a mans country. There are times when you’ll be alone for weeks or more. Certain times of the year, sometimes they have to be on the range. If they are several miles out, they don’t come in. They’ll eat and sleep out there. Most of the time it’s when they’re branding the cattle and horses. Now there’s one more thing. Monty is the only child I have that can’t be tied completely down or be to possessive of. John and I learned that when he was in high school. He has a dreadful temper and he’s very moody at times. A ranchers’ wife has a hard life. I had two children without a doctor because he couldn’t get here on account of the snow. Or course, the roads are better now. I’m telling you this because I know you’ve always had a sheltered life. I don’t mean to scare you. I just thought you should know that living here is different from what you’re used to.” Natalie asked, “You don’t think I could get use to this kind of life?” Mrs. Ellman smiled, “I hope you can honey. I want you both to be happy.” Natalie asked, “Was it hard for Ann, Alice, and Ellen to get use to?” Mrs. Ellman explained, “You see dear. They were all born here. I grew up in Florida. I met John when he cam there. He came with his father to get some kind of material for new stables. John’s father got the material for nothing just for coming to get it. This company with the material wanted to know if it would stand up under the weather here. I sure didn’t know what it would be like. It was real hard on me. I hated it here because it was September and I’d only been here three weeks when the first big snow fell. I’d only been married three months when I learned I was pregnant with Johnny. I hated the winter but I loved John. So I made up my mind I’d stay with it if it killed me. After Monty was born I was beginning to like it. This country grows on you. Now I wouldn’t live anywhere else. I even like the snows.” Natalie said, “I’ll have to do like you. I’ll make myself like it. I love Monty and I know he wouldn’t live anywhere else. I do love him Mom Ellman. I love him so very much.” Mrs. Ellman said, “You know I think you will do just that.” Natalie said, “I know right now I’m no kind of housekeeper and I’m certainly no cook but I’m willing to learn. I’m counting on you to teach me. I want to cook all of Monty’s favorite meals.” Mrs. Ellman said, “Or course I’ll teach you. I’ll help you all I can.” Natalie smiled, “You know Mom Ellman, I think you and I are going to be real pals.”

Mrs. Ellman looked at the kitchen clock. Natalie could see she was uneasy. Natalie asked, “Should they be back by now?” The elderly lady answered, “Yes, they have been gone a long time.” Natalie went to the window and looked out, “It’s getting cloudy again.” Mrs. Ellman said, “Yes, I know. It will be snowing again by morning.” Natalie asked, “Isn’t there someone you could send after them?” “Yes,” Mrs. Ellman sighed, “I could send Johnny but I’ll wait another hour. I would hate to send Johnny out in that snow and cold wind alone.” Natalie was beginning to worry.

Over an hour passed. It was almost three in the afternoon. Mrs. Ellman looked out the window. She didn’t see them. She said, “I’ll call Johnny.” Mrs. Ellman looked in the phone book to find the number where Johnny worked. When she found it and picked up the receiver to dial, Natalie said, “You won’t have to call, here they come. They’re both on one horse.”