Wedding Belles (17 page)

All the joy of the morning fizzled out of Lottie as she stared into her mother’s angry eyes. Funny how one person could change her mood so drastically.

“I have to get my script, Mama.” She turned toward the stairs.

“Althea and I are meeting for breakfast at the Elkhorn, so I won’t be here when you come back down,” her mother said. “Her nephew is due to arrive later today, and we have a lot to discuss.”

“I see.”

Just two words, but they were all Lottie could muster.

She trudged up the stairs, her heart as heavy as lead. She felt the sting of tears but brushed them away. Nothing—not even Mama— could ruin a morning as lovely as this one.

Moments later, with script in hand, she headed back down the stairs. True to her word, Mama had disappeared. Not that Lottie minded. She didn’t have it in her to face another confrontation. When she saw her father on the front porch, she cringed. Would he scold her as well?

No, in his usual fashion, he swept her into his arms and planted a kiss in her curls. “Well, g’mornin’ Lottie-Lou. I thought you were working over at the lodge today.”

“I am. I’m headed back there now.” She held up her script. “Just had to come home to fetch this.”

“Ah. I see.” His eyebrows elevated in mock villainous style. “The infamous melodrama.” A chuckle followed. “Ironic, isn’t it?”

“What?”

“That you’re directing a melodrama for the stage while your mama and Althea Baker have decided to write a real-life one.”

“The mess with the Women’s League, you mean?”

“Is there anything else?” He grinned. “Don’t worry, sweet stuff. This will blow over. I feel sure of it.”

“Mama’s really gone overboard this time, Pa. Have you heard what she’s saying about the women staying at the lodge? She’s stirred up a lot of trouble, and none of it is true.”

“I’ve heard.” He squared his shoulders. “And trust me, I’ve done my part to convince her she’s wrong, but she won’t hear of it. You know how she is when she gets her mind made up. To her way of thinking, the whole thing smells of sin and corruption.”

Lottie shook her head. “How did it come to this? We just wanted to have a simple little theatrical to raise money for the lodge. Bringing in real actresses seemed like a magnificent idea at the time, and I have to say I’m more convinced now than ever. I wish you could’ve seen them at rehearsal last night, Pa. They’re amazing. So good that they almost make the fellas look like they can act too.” She gave a nervous laugh. “Almost. Anyway, we’re blessed to have them.”

“No doubt.” He turned to wave at Dave, the ranch’s foreman. “Though, I can’t believe they stayed after getting such a cold reception at church yesterday.”

“Not only have they decided to stay, they know about the Parkers’ financial woes and want to do all they can to help.” Lottie’s eyes misted over. “See what I mean? They’re such wonderful women, and they’re being unfairly judged.”

“Sounds like it,” he said. “But let’s go back to what you said about the Parkers’ financial woes.” He paused and gave her a penetrating gaze. “They’re really in trouble?”

“Yes, Pa. It’s been a struggle since Mr. Parker passed away. Keeping the lodge open, I mean.”

He headed toward Dave, who continued to wave from the east pasture. “It will kill Gilbert to have to shut that place down. It was his father’s dream for as long as I can remember.”

Lottie followed on her father’s heels. “Yes, I know. And that’s why I’ve been working so hard to help them come up with ways to bring in money. Don’t you see? When they hurt, I hurt.” She paused. “I hope you don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say, but I almost look at the Parkers as family. Now that Winifred is gone to Denver, I find myself more and more drawn to Gilbert’s family. I mean you and Mama no disrespect. Honest and true. But I enjoy—”

“Helping folks out.” Her father slipped his arm over her shoulders. “That’s such an admirable trait, Lottie-Lou. Have I told you how very proud I am?”

“Yes.” She smiled. “But would you mind telling Mama? She thinks I’m a—a…”

“A what?”

Lottie wanted to use the word
madame
but didn’t dare. “A person who brought unsavory women to town,” she said at last.
And if she knew I let Gilbert kiss me, she’d probably question my reputation even more.

Her father slowed his pace. “Honey, I’m sure the Lord will show us His true purpose for those women being in Estes Park. I feel pretty sure it has nothing to do with a play. If what Phineas and some of the other men have said is true, they’re here as potential brides. You know he’s been calling them
wedding belles
, don’t you?”

Lottie gasped, horrified at what he’d heard. “Pa, it’s not really like that. I mean, it sort of is, but not really. The fellas thought maybe if they brought women to town, some of them might end up finding brides in the batch, but it’s not like these are arranged marriages or anything like that. I’m no marriage broker, trust me. If I were, I would’ve landed myself a husband by now.”

He chuckled. “Don’t go marrying yourself off. I’ve already lost one daughter to Denver. Don’t want to lose my last remaining child to a husband. Not just yet, anyway.”

He continued walking and Lottie trudged along behind him. “Pa, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.” He flung open the gate to the pasture and stepped inside. “What do you need to know?”

“Are you ashamed of me?”

“Ashamed?” He glanced her way, eyes wide. “Whatever makes you ask a question like that, Lottie?”

She stepped inside the gate and he closed it behind them. “I don’t know. I just wonder if you think I’m an embarrassment to the family in some way.”

“I could never be embarrassed by you. You’re my little girl. I’m proud of you.”

“Wish everyone felt that way,” she mumbled.

Her father grabbed his gloves from a nearby fence post then pressed them on and gestured to Dave, who worked just a few yards away, branding the cows. The stark smell of burning flesh permeated the air as, one by one, the hot brand hit the backside of each animal.

She remained rooted in place as her father joined Dave. “What do you think of the new brand, sweet stuff?” her father called out from the corral. He pointed to the brand on a cow’s rump. “We’re expanding the business, so we need a newer, more modern brand. Folks from here to Texas will know they’re eating Sanders’ beef.” A broad smile followed.

“That’s nice, Pa.” She sighed. Clearly, he didn’t get the point, or he wouldn’t be talking about cows right now.

Her gaze landed on a cow with a brown patch across its left side. Something about it gave her reason to pause. She squinted, trying to figure out why she suddenly felt ill at ease looking at it.

The cow let out a somber
moo,
and she reached over the side of the corral to pat her on the side. “Don’t worry, old girl. You’ll be in Texas soon, served up as a steak on some cowboy’s table. All of this will just be a distant memory.”

Another moo came from the cow.

“I know, I know. Well, look on the bright side—Texas is much warmer in the winter than Colorado. And who knows, maybe I’ll end up going with you.”

Yes, a trip to Texas sounded mighty good right about now. Mighty good. In Texas, no one suspected her of being a woman of ill repute. No, in Texas, folks were kind and courteous to strangers, unlike the ladies from the Estes Park Women’s League.

Then again, if she went to Texas, she wouldn’t be able to kiss Gilbert Parker. Well, that settled it. She would stay in Estes Park.

“Guess I’d better be going, Pa.”

“Keep a stiff upper lip, Lottie,” he said and then turned back to his work.

She gave the cow one last glance, a niggling fear setting in. Even in a field with dozens of cows milling about, something about this one tugged at her heart. After a moment of pondering, she realized why.

“Oh, no!” She turned to her father and pointed at the cow, horrified by her revelation. “Pa? Is that…?”

He nodded. “Yes, sweet stuff, it is. But I paid a fair price for her, and Jeb really sounded like he needed the money. I wanted to help him out.”

“Oh, Pa!” Lottie didn’t try to stop the flow of tears. With her heart in her throat, she ran all the way back to Parker Lodge.

THIRTEEN

F
OILED
A
GAIN

Folks, we decided to offer a primer on the melodrama, for those who are unfamiliar with its components. A good theatrical has a story line with several twists and turns meant to leave the audience members on the edges of their seats. As for the characters, you will find a strong hero—charming and handsome, of course, but slightly flawed. The story’s heroine will discover her strengths through the many trials she faces. And the villain? Well, like all villains, he/she threatens to destroy the hopes and dreams of the other characters. When does this villain appear? We’re learning that adversaries abound even before the curtain rises. To find out more, you will have to purchase a ticket. They will be available for purchase starting the first week in July.
—Your friends at Parker Lodge

W
HEN
L
OTTIE ARRIVED BACK
at Parker Lodge, she found the ladies finishing up their breakfast. Her heart skipped to her throat when she saw Gilbert seated next to Cornelia, who gushed over him as he shared the plan of action about the pie parlor. Cornelia, in typical fashion, hung on his every word, her eyelashes batting with abandon.

Lottie tried to get Gil’s attention. She wanted to talk with him about Jeb and Katie Sue, but clearly now was not the time. Maybe she could catch him later in the day.

Flossie approached with a let’s-get-down-to-business expression on her face. “Lottie, we’ve sent Grace to town to shop for fabrics for costumes. She should be back in an hour or so, and I’d like to take advantage of the time to show you some sketches she’s done. Costume sketches, I mean. She’s quite good, and we’re lucky to have her.”

“Costumes? Already?”

“Well, of course. I’ve learned the hard way that waiting until the last minute for costumes is always a bad idea. The actors and actresses need to become familiar with their props and costumes long before opening night. Doing so will make them more comfortable. So, I figured we might as well get a start on the sewing.”

Lottie’s mouth gaped. “But the money…I mean, we don’t have a budget for costumes just yet.”

“Never you mind that.” Flossie waved her hand. “I took out a line of credit at the general store. Figured we’d have the money to pay for the fabrics and other essentials by the time the bill came due.”

A wave of nausea passed over Lottie. She pinched her eyes shut and counted to three. When she opened them, Flossie still stared at her.

“So what do you say? How are your sewing skills?”

“Oh, you know…” She fought to find the words.
Terrible. The worst in the county.
She said nothing, of course. No point in alarming Flossie any more than necessary.

And so, with Gil and Cornelia chatting merrily about the pie parlor, Lottie shifted her attentions to costumes. In fact, as Cornelia’s giggles resonated across the room, she thanked the good Lord above that she had something else to think about.

“What do you think of this costume for Justin Credible?” Fanny laid a sketch in front of Lottie.

“I think it’s amazing.” She picked up the paper and stared at the costume. “Do you really think we can make this?”

“Of course. We’ve learned quite a few tricks of the trade over the years, so I feel sure we can pull it off.” Flossie shuffled through the pages until she came up with one that featured a gorgeous green gown. “And what about this one? We envision this to be the dress Patricia wears in a scene near the beginning of the show. Do you like it?”

Lottie gasped. “Oh, it’s the prettiest dress I’ve ever seen.” Her heart quickened as she stared at the picture.
What would it feel like, to wear a dress like that?

Grace arrived in short order, loaded down with fabrics wrapped in paper and tied up with string. One by one she revealed the colorful pieces, giggling the whole time. She held up a piece of dark blue fabric and smiled. “I thought this color would look good on Chauncy.” Her cheeks turned pink. “I think he’ll make a nice dance partner for the square-dancing scene. He’s not the most graceful fella I’ve ever met, but he’s quite handsome, if you think about it.”

“Honey, if you have to think about it, he’s not handsome.” Fanny chuckled. “But I think I see what you mean.”

Lottie got a kick out of that one. Her thoughts traveled back to Gil, of course. Wasn’t he the handsomest man in Estes Park? And didn’t he have the softest lips? She did her best not to giggle as she relived the morning’s kiss once again.

“With some of these men, you have to look past a few things— whiskery faces, hair in need of trimming, rugged clothes and boots. But I think I’m learning that some things are worth looking past.” Grace smiled. “Does that make sense?”

“Yes, of course. Sounds like that’s just a fancy way of saying you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.” Fanny winked. “Sometimes the story inside is really lovely, if you take the time to read it.”

“Oh, I’m taking the time to read it.” Grace’s hand went to her mouth as if to cover up the words she’d just spoken. A giggle followed as she pulled her hand away. “Well, you know what I mean. And I can honestly say that the cover is looking more and more handsome with each passing day, as well.”

Lottie reached over to pat her on the arm. “I suspected as much.”

“I’ve asked him to come early so that we can rehearse that big dance number. It’s been giving him a little trouble.” Her cheeks turned the prettiest crimson color. “He seemed happy to oblige.”

“No doubt.” Lottie wanted to say so much more. She wanted to tell Grace that love was grand, that heroes really did exist, whiskery faces or not. Every time she started to open her mouth to share her thoughts, however, she remembered the expression in Gil’s eyes when he gazed at Cornelia. That stopped her cold.

Flossie headed off to the kitchen to fix a cup of tea, and Fanny gave the ladies a concerned look. “I do wonder if all this talk about love is bothering my sister.”