Blossoms of Love (24 page)

On their way back home Lamont said, “Next spring we’re building us a bigger house. I think I’ll just build to the one we have.” Natalie said, “I really like our little house. A big house means more housekeeping.” Lamont said, “I want a big house. We are getting in the chips now. You can have someone to come and help you clean up. I told you we would be in better shape. It just takes time and work.” Natalie said, “Money means more to you than it does to me.” He looked at her, “You say that but I’ve seen the disappointment on your face since we’ve been married when we couldn’t go somewhere or when you wanted to buy something and we didn’t have the money. I’ve always been poor. Mom and Dad did the best they could but with six boys and a broken down ranch and no money to start with, well you can’t get no headway. The best thing I ever did was join the Navy. That’s how I got my start.” Natalie said, “I just don’t see how you saved much money the way you and Dave drank and you sent money home to your parents. Besides that you helped Paul and Allen with their college.” Lamont said, “I didn’t help them much. I saved most of the money when I was over seas.”

Lamont put a log on the fire. He sat down in his favorite chair. He demanded, “Come here babe.” She said, “I was going to take a bath.” He motioned for her to sit on his lap, “You can take a bath later.” She sat down on his lap, “Would my husband by any chance have the hots?” He grinned that beautiful smile, “How’d you guess?”

They hadn’t made love in a little over a week because of her monthly period. Lamont told her when they first married he wouldn’t make love to her at that time. He knew some men that did. Natalie smiled, “Well, I’ll just have to take care of you.” He began unbuttoning her blouse, “You bet you will.” They undressed, went to the shower, soaped each other, and touched. That made them want each other even more.

Afterwards when their desires were fulfilled and she lay in his arms, Natalie almost fell asleep when Lamont woke her saying, “How would you like to leave tomorrow?” Natalie raised up on one elbow, “You mean to the lodge?” Lamont said, “Sure. I told you we would go.” Natalie said, “I’m ready now.”

Lamont got David to watch the ranch. They left the next day.

The next morning, Lamont had Natalie up bright and early to go skiing. When they got off the cable car, Natalie looked around. All she could see was snow, hills, and fur trees. She looked at her husband with much concern, “How do we get back?” He laughed and pointed to a slope, “See that slope? We start there and ski to the lodge.” She said, “Monty you’re kidding.” She looked around, “Can’t we ride the cable back down?” He laughed more, “Honey we rode the cable so we could ski back.” Natalie looked down where they would go. It wasn’t too steep but to her it looked scary and isolated. Lamont said, “You’ll do fine. Sit down here and let me get your skis on.” As he fastened the skis on she asked, “Monty you won’t go off and leave me will you?” Lamont answered, “Of course not. I’m going to teach you.”

At first Natalie got really discouraged. She’d fell so many times. Lamont said, “Honey you’ve got extra good balance. You’ll do fine when you get over being afraid.” Natalie grumbled, “How can I help being afraid. Every time I start down the slope, I fall.” Finally after so many tries, by late afternoon she didn’t fall going down the slope. She was really proud of herself. She yelled at Lamont coming toward her, “I made it.” Then she got over balanced just as he got to her and made him fall with her. They looked at each other and began laughing. Lamont said, “Tomorrow you’ll be okay.” She laughed, “Well there’s one thing I do know how to do. I can get up. I’ve done that enough today. How far are we from the lodge?” He answered, “About a half mile.” Natalie said, “The rate we’re going, it will be dark before we get there.” He said, “We’ll catch the cable over there.” She asked, “Where?” She looked in the direction he was pointing. He began to laugh. She put her hands on her hips, “Lamont Ellman. You let me think you couldn’t catch the cable anywhere but the top or bottom.” Lamont laughed, “I didn’t say that.” Natalie teased, “Just for that there will be no lovemaking tonight.” He unzipped her jacket and put his hands inside to her breasts. She said, “Monty here comes two people.” “So what! I’m just warming my hands,” he explained. She said, “They’re looking at us.” He said, “Let them.” She begged, “If you’ll move your hands, I’ll consider tonight.” “Nope. It’s got to be yes,” he said. The couple went by looking very hard at them. Natalie said, “They think we’re lovers.” He remarked, “Aren’t we?” She nodded her head. He explained, “Okay what’s so terrible then. I’ve got a piece of paper that gives me the right to put my hands on you wherever I please.” Another couple was coming towards them. She giggled, “Okay the answer is yes.” He took his hands from her jacket and zipped it up. She was still giggling, “You’re a devil.” He lifted her on the cable car, “You love this devil.” He got on the cable car with her. He continued to say, “Sure you love me. You can’t live without me.” She asked, “Oh my listen to him. What makes you so sure?” He answered, “I’m irresistible. I have an overpowering appeal. I’m a lady’s man, a lover. Mostly a lover. You can’t deny that.” She teased, “Well now if I’d had as much experience with males as you have with females, then I could judge your loving ability. Since I’ve just had one male lover, I hardly—“ He leaned over and kissed her, “Knock it off Mrs. Ellman. I’m your lover and don’t you forget it.”

That night they went to see a contest of ice skating. Lamont and Natalie didn’t have time to go eat so Lamont went to the popcorn stand and bought six bags of popcorn. Natalie laughed, “We’ll never eat all of this.” Lamont said, “Sure we will if you’re as hungry as I am.”

Natalie had never seen such excellent skating. Even young boys and girls were very good. Along the end of the show a gorgeous young woman gave a stunning performance. She won the contest. Lamont was spellbound by her gracefulness as she glided over the ice. Lamont said, “She’s great. She’s really great.” Natalie remarked, “She’s very beautiful.” Lamont agree, “You can say that again. That gorgeous beauty will go places. I’ve never seen a better skater.”

Natalie put her arm through his as they walked back to the lodge, “Hey remember me? Your wife?” Lamont laughed, “Jealous?” She answered, “Yes.” He said, “Come on babe. Let’s go get us a steak.” Natalie asked, “How can you eat a steak after eating five bags of popcorn?”

They enjoyed their meal. They talked with Ben for a while then went to their room. Their three day vacation did them good.

When they got back, of course, Lamont and David went hunting. Natalie hated for Lamont to go. Carolyn was still working days at the hospital so she didn’t mind David hunting so much.

After a few weeks of snow, cold wind, and gloomy days, Natalie began to spend more and more time with Mrs. Ellman. After lunch one day near Thanksgiving as they drank their second cup of coffee, Natalie asked, “How do you do it Mom Ellman? Stay here day in and day out and look at nothing but snow and listen to the wind howl around the corner of the house?” Mrs. Ellman said, “I keep busy dear. There’s always someone coming in through the day. Natalie dear, this is my home. It’s the place my husband and I decided to live. What is there other places? It’s all about the same. Everyone is searching for love and happiness. That’s what I have here. The memories of my husband, the love of my children around here, and the peacefulness around here. What more could I want?” She looked at Natalie’s troubled face. She asked, “What are you searching for Natalie?” Natalie said, “I don’t know. When Monty is with me, I’m content and happy.” Mrs. Ellman put her coffee cup down, “I know you’re lonely. Monty does to the extreme when it comes to hunting, but let me tell you something about him that perhaps you haven’t learned yet. He has always been a restless person. He can’t be closed in. You can’t keep too tight reins on him or you’ll loose him. Monty is a good person basically. He’s honest, he’s a hard worker, and he is in love with you. But like I said, if you start closing in on him, he’ll get out.” Natalie’s eyes widened, “You mean leave me?” Mrs. Ellman answered, “Maybe.” Natalie asked, “Even though he loves me?” Mrs. Ellman explained, “Yes Monty is a loner. He’s always been moody. Even when all the boys were home, sometimes Monty would get on his horse and ride off. Maybe he would be gone a day or two.” Natalie asked, “Didn’t you worry?” Mrs. Ellman smiled, “The first time he did that, he was fourteen. We were all worried. His father and Johnny went looking for him. When they found him, he was cooking a fish he had caught. He told them he just wanted to be alone for a while. I’ll never forget when John told me when he and Johnny came back without Monty. He said we have to respect his privacy. He’ll be alright. He will come home when he’s tired of being alone. He has his gun and bow so he won’t get hungry. He knows where the shelter is.” Natalie asked, “How long was he gone?” Mrs. Ellman said, “Two days.” Natalie asked, “Mom Ellman, why is he this way? The other boys aren’t.” Mrs. Ellman explained, “Well maybe not as much. Paul is a loner. Allen is more moody than a loner. They get this from their father. I had to learn to respect his moods.” Natalie gave a long sigh, “I’m trying but I’m a person that hates to be alone.” Mrs. Ellman suggested, “Why don’t you get a job?” She looked at her mother-in-law, “Yes, that would be the answer. Carolyn is working, maybe she could help me get a job at the hospital. I’ll ask her.” Mrs. Ellman said, ‘I’m going to talk to Monty. I want you and help to be happy. I know you both love each other. It would destroy both of you if you can’t make this marriage work.”

That evening when Natalie knew Carolyn was home, she called her. “Carolyn I hope you can help me. Do you know if there is a job I could get at the hospital?” Carolyn said, “In what field?” Natalie said, “Anything. I just want a job.” Carolyn said, “Dr. Moss needs a receptionist in his office on the main floor. That’s all I know.” Natalie said, “Good. I’ll see about it tomorrow.” Carolyn was surprised, “You mean you want to work?” Natalie answered, “Yes, I’ve got to do something. These winters are too long and lonely.”

Natalie began cooking supper. It was getting later and she knew Lamont would be home soon. She was making the salad when she saw David and Lamont go into the stables. She was trying to figure out a way to tell Lamont she wanted to work. She knew he didn’t want her to work. She set the table, put candles on it, and put a few romantic records on the record player. She thought that would get him in a romantic mood. She changed into the black velvet lounging pajamas that zipped down the front. She thought, “This will be easy for him to get into.” She had just gotten back to the kitchen when he opened the back door. When he saw how sexy she looked and smelled the steaks, he knew she was up to something. He asked, “What’s the occasion?” She smiled, “I just felt like it.” He looked at her, “You look wonderful.” She smiled, “I hope so. I bought this just for you.” He leaned over and kissed her, “We’ll see about this later. Do I have time to shower before supper is ready?” She said, “Yes, the steaks aren’t ready.”

As he shaved and showered he wondered what she wanted. In almost three years of their married life, when she wanted something or wanted him to agree with her she would go to extra trouble preparing a meal and try to get him in a romantic mood. He grinned to himself thinking, “Most of the time it worked too.”

As they ate, Lamont talked about the house they would build this spring. He said, “There will be one room that will be mind. It will have a big fireplace, a desk so I can do my books, a built-in gun rack with glass doors that will cover one wall.” Natalie asked, “What color will you want the carpet?” He remarked, “Hell I don’t care. I want the walls paneled.” He took a bite of his steak and said, “I may put a bed in the room.” She looked at him, “A bed? Why? We’ll have four bedrooms.” He explained, “Like I said, this room will be my private haven. When I get in the doghouse I’ll have somewhere to sleep.” Natalie asked, “Doghouse?” He looked at her, “Yea, like I’m about to get into now.” Natalie said, “You’re not making any sense. Monty what are you talking about?” He put his cup down, leaned back in his chair, and said, “I’m waiting for you to spring something on me. There’s no doubt you’ve got something you want me to agree on.” She said, “Monty you’re impossible. I fix you a good meal by candle light and music playing--.” He said, “And you look sexy as hell. How long are you gonna keep me waiting?” She got up, went over to him, got his hands, ‘Let’s go in the den where we can be comfortable.” Without a word, he went with her. She said, “Here, sit in your favorite chair.” Lamont sat down and she sat on his lap. She kissed him and ran her hand under his tee-shirt. Lamont said, “Let’s don’t get our lovemaking involved with this secret of yours so you might as well tell me now.” Natalie sighed, “Okay, I want a job. I think I can go to work at the hospital. I’d be working from seven to three thirty. I can be home in time to have your supper cooked. You’re gone all day and we can use the extra money. I’m lonely Monty. I really do need this job. I promise if I ever get pregnant, I’ll quit the day I find out.” He asked, “Have you finished?” She sighed, “Yes, I said all I wanted to say.” He grinned, “I don’t see how one little girl can talk so long and so much. You should have been a lawyer.” She said, “I was just trying to get you to see how much I need a job. I’d rather have a baby but for some reason I can’t get pregnant. I need something to keep me busy. I hate sewing. I don’t think I could sit day in and day out knitting. The job is my only salvation. I don’t you don’t like to see married women work but please see it my way. Try to understand how I feel.” The expression on his face told her no. He said, “You’re right. I’m old fashioned. When a woman gets married, her place is at home. If the husband can’t make enough money to support her, he shouldn’t have married.” She looked so disappointed as he continued, “I understand how lonely it is here for you. I could stay home more but hunting is a s much a part of my life as breathing or eating is. So if this job means so much to you, okay, get the job.” She looked at her husband, “You mean it. You don’t care/” He said, “Let’s put it this way, I don’t want to be contrary. Get the job if you want it.” She asked, “You’re not angry?” He chucked, ‘No I’m not angry. Tell me, did you and Mom have a talk today?” Natalie answered, “Why yes, why do you ask?” Lamont said, “I stopped in to see how Mom was today. She gave me a real tongue lashing.” Natalie asked, “About what?” He answered, “Oh things in general. She made me see one important thing. I’ve really ignored your interests. I’ve not been too considerate about your loneliness. I’m sorry. Maybe I’m a little self centered. You are the most important person in my life.” Natalie kissed him and with tears in her eyes, “I thank God for my mother-in-law.” Lamont asked, “What about loving your old man for a while?” She ran her hand over his hairy chest, “I’ll be happy to Mr. Ellman.”