Wedding Belles (27 page)

Prudy gazed off in the distance, her eyes still brimming with tears. “Because I was the oldest, I had to care for my little brothers and sisters. Only…” She shook her head, tears now tumbling down her pink cheeks. “Only, I failed. And the one thing that scared me most—losing them—actually happened. They were taken to the children’s home, away from me, away from the only family they’d ever known.” She cried in earnest now.

Lottie tried to think of something to say but couldn’t. Oh, how her heart broke at this revelation. Finally, when Prudy’s sobs slowed, she knew just what to say. “Estes Park is a place of healing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you might not know this, but when Mr. Freelan Stanley, the man who owns the Stanley Hotel, came to town, he had consumption. The doctors didn’t give him much hope. After being in Estes Park for a short time, he recovered. The Lord healed him. He used the town to accomplish it. Well, the town and the mountains.” She gestured to the beautiful peaks nearby. “But this isn’t just a place for the healing of bodies. It’s a place for the healing of souls.”

“W–what do you mean?” Prudy swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.

“The kind of healing I’m talking about is spiritual in nature.”

A couple of the women shifted their position and looked elsewhere. Clearly they didn’t wish to discuss this. Oh, but she must forge ahead. Hadn’t the Lord opened the door for this conversation? Surely He had a plan.

“Please hear me out.” Lottie glanced from woman to woman. “I know the ladies at the church didn’t make the best first impression, but I hope you can put that behind you.”

“They left a bitter taste in my mouth, to be sure.” Prudy’s shoulders slumped forward.

“We need to forgive them and move on, for only in doing so will we all receive the kind of healing we seek.” Fanny rose and took Prudy by the hand. “I know it’s going to be hard, but I want you to come with me to the edge of the mountain and look down.”

“I—I can’t.”

“We won’t let anything happen to you,” Fanny said.

“That’s right.” Lottie nodded and extended her hand. “We just want you to see that you can let go of your fears. God can heal you of that. And as He does, He will show you things you’ve never witnessed before. Are you willing to give it a try?”

Prudy hesitated then said, “I’ll walk with you for a while and decide when we get close. Is that fair?”

“More than fair.”

Prudy took Lottie’s hand and rose. Lottie led the way along the familiar path to the edge of the peak. How many times she’d made this journey as a teen. What joy she’d found in the beautiful view. Today, she offered up a silent prayer that Prudy would find that same joy, that same sense of release.

They reached the outskirts of the overlook in less than thirty minutes. As they got closer to the edge, Prudy held back. When Lottie encouraged her to move forward, she shook her head. “I’m sorry, Lottie, but I just can’t.”

“I won’t make you, of course. But it makes me really sad, because the view is unlike anything you will ever see elsewhere. Truly.”

“Do I have to get right up to the edge?” Prudy asked.

“No. There’s a spot where we can stand, probably twenty yards or so from the edge. And trust me when I say that I’m not going right to the edge, either. Just close enough to get a good look at the view.”

“Maybe I could come a few feet closer.” Prudy slipped her arm through Lottie’s and took a few tentative steps. “Not too close.” She squeezed her eyes shut as they walked out onto the overlook.

“I promise we won’t get off the trail,” Lottie said. “Just to the point where you can see down. All right?”

Prudy nodded and kept walking. A few paces later, Lottie stopped. They were quite a ways from the edge, but even from here, the valley opened up in front of them in all of its beauty.

“Open your eyes, Prudy,” she whispered.

Prudy shook her head.

“When you’re ready, dear,” Fanny said. “Trust me, you don’t want to miss this.”

Prudy opened one eye and then the other. She closed them right away and looked as if she might be sick. Her face turned ashen and she trembled so badly that Lottie wondered if she might faint dead away. Little good that would do. In that moment, goose bumps covered Lottie’s arms. She felt the presence of the Lord as never before and, at His nudging, began to sing:

“I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining ev’ry day,

Still praying as I’m onward bound,

‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.’ ”

Prudy’s eyes opened. “Oh, I love that song. Must’ve heard it as a child or something.” She released a slow breath. Her eyes fluttered shut again. Lottie continued to sing.

“I want to scale the utmost height

And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,

‘Lord, lead me on to higher ground.’ ”

Fanny and Prudy added their voices to hers as she sang the chorus:

“Lord, lift me up and let me stand

By faith on heaven’s tableland;

A higher plane than I have found,

‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.’ ”

By the time they finished the chorus, Prudy’s eyes were fully open. She gazed at the magnificent scene before them.

“Oh my goodness!”

“Told you.” Lottie grinned. “It’s quite a view, isn’t it?”

“Yes! Oh my.” Prudy slipped her arm out of Lottie’s and put her hand over her mouth. “This is the most glorious thing I’ve ever seen.” She pointed off to the west. “And look! Is that a rainbow?”

“I think so.” Lottie squinted to get a better look. “Yes, that’s a rainbow. We see those a lot in the mountains. Really adds sparkle and shine to the whole portrait, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. Oh, yes.”

Lottie sighed. “You know, I was once jealous of all of you. You’ve traveled all over this big wide country of ours, and I’ve never left Colorado.”

“Aw, you sweet girl.” Prudy gave her a hug.

Lottie gazed out over the majestic scene God had painted before her, overcome with emotion. “But ladies, I’ve been to the tops of mountain peaks and I’ve waded in rapid rivers. I’ve fished for trout in a lake so beautiful that it made you dizzy. I’ve seen sunsets so brilliant that they make the most beautiful painting pale by comparison. I’ve watched an eagle swoop so low that I thought he would pick me up and fly me off to the skies. I’ve seen rainbows over canyons and fields of wildflowers. I have rarely left Estes Park—certainly got no farther than Loveland—and yet I feel I’ve had enough adventures to last a lifetime.”

“Well, my goodness.” Tears sprang to Prudy’s eyes. “Lottie, you should write all of that down and give it to Augie for the paper. Words like those would draw tourists in from all over.”

Lottie smiled. “Maybe I will.” She began to hum, and before long the words to the hymn flowed from several of the ladies, their voices almost angelic against the backdrop of the mountains.

“Lord, lift me up and let me stand

By faith on heaven’s tableland;

A higher plane than I have found,

‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.’ ”

With tears streaming, Lottie felt—literally felt—the Lord bringing healing, not just to Prudy, but several of the others as well. And, in that moment, as heaven kissed earth, she truly understood what it meant to speak to the mountains.

* * * * *

G
ILBERT WAITED AT THE PICNIC SITE
, wondering what in the world could be taking the women so long. Lottie had been so distant of late. Had she deliberately gone off away from him just to torment him? Being away from her proved to be exactly that—torment.

At one in the afternoon, the ladies came down off the mountain, singing a familiar hymn, one he’d loved since childhood.

Strange. They looked different from before. He’d never seen that many tear-filled eyes.

“What do we have here?” Gilbert rose from the quilt and took several hurried steps in their direction. “What happened up on that mountain?”

Prudy stopped singing and glanced his way. “Gilbert, we—we had church!” She erupted into tears but managed to smile through them.

“Had church?” He looked Lottie’s way and she nodded.

The women began to sing once more, and before long he joined in, praising God for planting his feet—and their feet—on higher ground.

Gilbert couldn’t be sure what had happened up on the mountain, but he had the strongest sense it would be the first step toward bringing the people of Estes Park together again.

TWENTY-ONE

L
OVELESS IN
L
OVELAND
T
IPS FOR COURTING

Fellas, if you plan to bring your gal to the melodrama, you might want to take a few tips in courting her proper-like, so that she arrives with a happy heart. When a cultured man courts a lady, he calls her sweet names and opens doors for her. He plays the part of a gentleman in every situation, public and private. Most of all, he lets her know—in any and every way possible—that he has feelings for her. No beating around the bush when you’re in love, fellas. Just get right to it. Tell her how you feel, then let the chips fall where they may. Once she’s accepted your gestures of love, she’ll link her arm through yours and come with you to see the show. We’re looking forward to seeing you there. —
Your friends at Parker Lodge

The women arrived back at Parker Lodge late in the afternoon, just as Jeb arrived to start dinner. Lottie couldn’t help but notice the expression on Fanny’s face as she laid eyes on him. For a moment, the woman seemed to come alive. His face lit up too. Just as quickly, their smiles faded. They parted ways—Fanny going to her cabin and Jeb to the kitchen.

The other ladies left too, most heading to their various rooms.

“What are you going to do between now and suppertime, Lottie?” Grace asked. “Go back home for a couple of hours?”

“I still have some chores to tend to.” She yawned. “Wish I had time for a nap.”

Grace yawned as well. “Now see what you’ve got me doing?” She giggled. “I’m tired too. Why don’t you come to my room and sleep for a few minutes before doing your chores? I’m sure Mrs. Parker won’t mind. The pie parlor has been closed for hours, so she’s not on double-duty or anything.”

“True.” Lottie looked at the Closed sign on the pie parlor door. “I’ll rest for a while.” She followed Grace and a few others to their cabin and climbed into an empty bed. But instead of sleeping, the ladies told funny stories and made Lottie laugh until her cheeks hurt.

A knock sounded at the door, and Fanny popped her head inside.

“What are you ladies up to in here? We can hear you laughing all the way in our cabin.” She stepped inside with Flossie behind her. “What are we missing?”

“Come and join us.” Lottie patted the edge of her bed. “We’re telling stories.”

“Good ones, it sounds like.” Fanny quirked a brow. “You talking about the men or something?”

This got another laugh out of the women.

“No,” Lottie said. “But I could, if you like. What would you like to know?” She felt her cheeks grow hot. “Not—not that I know a lot about men, of course.”

This got another laugh.

“Tell us about Phineas and Jeb and the other fellas,” Flossie said. “What were they like before we got here? What are their stories?”

“Ah.” Lottie paused. “Well, all the men were different back then. Phineas used to be a little grumpy. Well, actually, a lot grumpy. And bossy too. I think it’s because he had no one else to talk to. Guess that’s what happens when you live alone on a cattle ranch. You get used to bossing the animals around.”

“Speaking of cattle, what’s the situation with Jeb and that cow of his?” Fanny asked. “I’ve never seen a man so heartbroken over losing an animal before. You would’ve thought he’d lost his pet dog or something.”

Lottie sighed. “Loneliness, I suppose. I guess you ladies don’t really know this, but there was a time—not so long ago, I might add—when Jeb threatened to jump off Longs Peak because the Widow Baker wouldn’t give him the time of day.”

“Althea Baker?” Fanny snorted and smacked the bed with her hand. “That’s so funny. Why, they’re total opposites.”

“I told him that many a time,” Lottie said. “But he wouldn’t hear it. Back then, he only had eyes for Althea.”

“And now?” A smile turned up the edges of Fanny’s lips.

“Now he’s quite happy he didn’t jump off Longs Peak.” Lottie reached to give Fanny a warm hug.

“I’m glad he didn’t.” Fanny giggled. “I’ve got to tell you, when he takes to playing ‘Swanee River,’ my heart just goes to pitter-pattering. Nothing touches me right here”—she pointed to her heart—“like that man’s saw.” A lingering sigh followed, along with the fluttering of eyelashes.

Lottie fought to hold back the laughter.

“Before you ladies came to town, the men were sour most of the time,” she said. “They didn’t have a lot to laugh about. Now they’re behaving like total strangers. I’m telling you, I don’t recognize them half the time, and it isn’t just their clothes and hair. Their manners are different. Everything is different.”

“A good woman will do that to a man,” Grace said and then sighed. “Not that any of us women have spoken more than a word to the men in weeks.” A pause followed. “Still, Chauncy’s been awfully sweet to me, in spite of my coldness. I don’t know how much longer I can go on being rough on him.” She glanced around the room at the other women. “What about the rest of you?”

Fanny’s gaze shifted to the window, and Flossie shrugged.

“Don’t rightly know,” Flossie said. “Guess everything has to work according to God’s plan. I’m not going to fight it, but I’m not going to force things, either. We’ll just rest easy and see what He’s got up His sleeve.”

A rap sounded on the door and Fanny hollered out, “C’mon in and join the party.”

Margaret stepped inside, looking half-asleep but fully frazzled. This certainly got everyone’s attention.

“Anyone seen Prudy?” Her words were strained.

“Prudy?” The women spoke in unison.

“I figured she’d be hidden away in her room till supper, reading a book or something,” Lottie said. “Why?”