Wedding Belles (7 page)

The woman introduced herself as Hannah and then added, “This town is rather dirty. If there’s one thing I believe in, it’s good hygiene.” She gave Phineas a glance, her eyes narrowing to slits. “Yes, well, I will have my work cut out for me, won’t I?”

He stammered some sort of response then reached for her bag. She slapped his hand and insisted she would get it herself.

To Lottie’s right, Gil released a slow breath. She followed his gaze to see a young woman—truly a beauty—headed their way. The woman had a perfect face, with the prettiest green eyes. Her flowing brown curls draped her shoulders, spilling down onto the beautiful green-and-blue gown with white puffed sleeves. Store-bought. No doubt about it. The woman’s flawless alabaster skin put one in mind of a porcelain doll, and her pink cheeks glowed with excitement.

“She’s quite beautiful, isn’t she?” Gil whispered.

“She is,” Lottie agreed. “And she knows it. Look at the way she holds herself.”

“Is that a bad thing?” Gilbert continued to stare.

Lottie elbowed him. “Stop drooling, Gilbert Parker. Your mama taught you better than that.”

“I’m not drooling. I’m just—” He didn’t say anything else but took a few steps in the woman’s direction. “Can I help you with your bags, Miss…Miss…?”

“Cornelia Witherspoon,” the young woman responded and then flashed a lovely smile, one filled with innocence and wide-eyed wonder. “If this isn’t the prettiest place I’ve ever seen, I certainly don’t know what is.”

Three other women approached, all dressed in what the fellas liked to call “slim pickin’s” attire—low-cut gowns, in bright colors. They introduced themselves as Sharla, Patricia, and Cherry.

Lottie collected her thoughts and jumped into action, guiding the women, who now numbered nine, outside to the automobiles. Moments later, they and their belongings were piled inside, ready to begin the journey up the mountain. Still, one person appeared to be missing: a Miss Prudence Stillwater. What could have happened to her?

Lottie glanced across the street and noticed a young woman, one who appeared to be in her midthirties, seated on a bench in front of the general store, her gaze on the needlepoint in her hands. “I wonder if that’s her.” She started in the woman’s direction. “Pardon me.”

The woman looked up, fear in her eyes. “Y–yes?”

“Your name wouldn’t happen to be Prudence Stillwater, would it?”

“I–I’m Prudy Stillwater.” Her voice lowered. “Are you Miss Lottie Sanders of the Parker Lodge Theatrical Society?”

“I am. Happy to make your acquaintance.” Lottie extended her hand and Prudy took it, her touch light and fearful.

The poor woman looked scared to death. Still, they didn’t have any time to waste. Lottie led the way to the automobiles and watched as Prudence climbed into the car driven by Augie. Not that he seemed to notice. No, his gaze was still permanently affixed to Miss Margaret Linden, who had taken the seat next to him.

“I’ve never seen so many Levi’s in my life.” Margaret fanned herself. “It’s quite…rustic.”

“I’ve never seen so many men in need of shaving,” Hannah added from the backseat. “Is there no barber in Estes Park?”

“Sure, there’s a barber,” Augie piped up. “But the men don’t get over to see him much. Most are too busy working the land, taking care of their cattle and such.”

“Well, now, a woman could forgive a man a great many things if he took care of things like that.” Cherry giggled, but Hannah didn’t look amused.

Thank goodness Lottie didn’t have time to think about it. Gil’s voice rang out with a happy, “All aboard for Estes Park!” and Lottie sprinted toward her car.

Minutes later they pulled out of the Loveland depot in the three larger-than-life Steamers. They traveled in a row up the steep mountain road, pausing for deer and elk along the way.

“The view is simply breathtaking,” Fanny said from the seat behind Lottie. “We don’t get this kind of wildlife in the big city.” She leaned out the open window and drew in a deep breath. “Oh, but it’s worth whatever agonies we’ve suffered in making such a long journey to land in a place like this. That air! It’s so—so fresh!”

“Nearly as fresh as some of the fellas I’ve worked with in the theater,” Grace said and then giggled. The other ladies found her comment to be delightful, as was evidenced by their girlish laughter.

The happy caravan continued on through the foothills, pausing to look at the river portion of their drive. They met another vehicle on its way down the mountain from Estes. “Hold on, ladies,” Gilbert called out. “We’ve got to back into this turnaround to allow the truck safe passage. He has the right of way because he’s in the larger vehicle.”

Grace’s eyes grew wide. “This is rather frightening,” she said.

“Oh, you should see it in the wintertime,” Gilbert said with the wave of a hand. “You can’t even get through. And when it rains, watch out. These roads are so slick, you’re liable to go sliding off the edge.”

Lottie glared at him, but he didn’t appear to catch on. Hopefully he would stop sharing such frightening information before he scared the women.

“I just can’t get over how steep this road is.” Grace paled. “I had no idea what to expect, but now I know. It’s very…very hilly.”

Minutes later, several of the ladies were feeling poorly. The shy one—what was her name, again? Prudy?—had asked Augie to stop his car so she could calm her stomach. Lottie tended to her as best she could, but the woman looked terrified. By the time they reached Estes Park, most of the ladies were grumbling and complaining.

All but Fanny. She alone emerged from the Stanley with a broad smile on her face, one that gave Lottie a glimmer of hope that everything might turn out all right after all. Now, if only they could get through tonight’s auditions.

SIX

C
HAOS AT
C
ANYON
R
OAD

We at Parker Lodge are looking forward to the upcoming theatrical, and all the more now that the cast has arrived and auditions are set to begin. After witnessing the arrival of the famed actresses from the East, local resident Jeb Otis has suggested a new title for the Parker Lodge melodrama:
Chaos on Canyon Road.
According to Jeb, the sudden influx of nearly a dozen beautiful women, coupled with a somewhat precarious journey up the mountain, left him feeling somewhat discombobulated. So what about you, friends and neighbors? Ready for a show filled with more twists and turns than Canyon Road? Then get your advance tickets for the upcoming melodrama today!
—Your friends at Parker Lodge

G
ILBERT LEANED BACK
against a tree and sighed. “I can’t believe we still have to hold auditions tonight. What were we thinking?”

“I don’t know.” Lottie sat beside him and tugged at the collar on her dress for the umpteenth time. “I mean, have you ever—and I mean ever—heard or seen so many complaints? I thought my sister was difficult, but some of those ladies this afternoon were—were…” She paused, her eyes widening. “Well, anyway, they were.”

“They were, indeed. And I think the word you were looking for is
impossible
.”

“Yes, and that Flossie McAlister was the worst of them. Did you hear what she said to me when I told her the story idea for
Predicament at Parker Lodge
?”

“No.” But this certainly piqued his interest.

“She said it would never work, that there aren’t enough twists and turns.” Lottie sighed and straightened the portion of the skirt she was sitting on. “Do you think she’s right, Gil? I mean, honestly, I don’t know the first thing about putting together a real story. Not one folks pay to see, anyway.”

“Twists and turns are good.” He shrugged and leaned forward to place his hand on Lottie’s arm in an attempt to summon up the courage to speak his mind. “Lottie, listen…I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but if she’s willing to offer advice, maybe you’d better listen to her. She’s been in the theater for over thirty years, from what she told us today. She’s done dozens of shows, and many of them have been huge successes.”

“We don’t know that for sure. Could be she’s making the whole thing up.”

He shook his head, more determined than ever. “You and I both know that’s not the case. You can tell by looking at her, she’s been hardened by her life in the theater. But maybe God will round out those rough edges if we take the time to include her in the development of the show.”

“And what if I come across looking like a fool?” Horror crossed Lottie’s face. “Is that what you want? I’m already humbled enough, setting myself up as a director when I’ve never directed a show before.”

“I know, I know. But I still think it’s better to look a little foolish in front of one cranky woman than in front of a roomful of paying customers.”

“Humph.” Lottie leaned back against the tree and closed her eyes. “This discussion is over, Gil. I’ve had enough drama for one day. Well, until auditions this evening. Then the on-stage drama begins.”

He gave her a moment to calm down before sharing his thoughts on that matter. “I still don’t see why we couldn’t just assign the parts,” he said at last. “I mean, you know the script better than anyone. Why not just give each lady a part without going through the rigmarole of auditions?”

Her eyes popped open and she glared at him in her usual Lottielike way. “Because they’re real actresses, Gil. They’ll think this is some sort of sham if we don’t hold auditions. I’m already completely unnerved. No point in making things worse.”

“Well, for now, I’m glad the women are safely tucked in their rooms, with Mama looking out for them. She’ll have them all happy and well-fed in no time.”

“Well-fed?” Lottie groaned. “You know what she’s made for supper, right? Venison stew.”

“Ack.” Well, that was concerning. “Maybe they’ll overlook her poor cooking in favor of her personality.”

“One can hope.” Lottie’s eyes fluttered closed again and Gilbert spent a moment examining her face as she rested. The cute way her nose tipped up. The high cheekbones. The delicate lips. Yes, Lottie Sanders was all girl. And she looked mighty fine in that dress too. Maybe he could talk her into going along with the fellas on this idea of dolling up for the show. Folks would come from all over the county to see her dressed as a true lady.

He knew he would, anyway.

“What are you staring at?” Her voice rang out, but her eyes never opened.

“Staring at?” He played innocent but wondered why his heart skipped a beat.

“I can feel you looking at me.” Her eyes opened and she squinted as she turned his way. “What? Do I have dirt on my face or something?”

“Oh, I, um…” Gilbert reached to run his index finger along her cheek, feeling its softness. “There.” He pretended to brush something away. “All clean now.”

“Hmm.” She closed her eyes again and grew silent.

He was determined to stay focused on the matter at hand. No point in wondering what Lottie would be like as a full-fledged woman.

* * * * *

L
OTTIE AND
G
ILBERT HEADED BACK
up to the lodge to speak with his mother. They found her in the dining hall, sweeping the large area that had been converted into a stage.

“Well, hello you two.” She rested her broom against the wall. “Wondered where you’d gotten off to. At the river, no doubt.”

“Needed a few minutes to clear my head,” Lottie said. A yawn followed.

“Can’t say I blame you there. Those women are a piece of work, aren’t they? But you can rest easy, Lottie. They’re all settled into their rooms now.”

“Wonderful news,” Lottie said. “How did that process go?”

“Well, Flossie and Fanny are staying in the Knotty Pines room,” Mrs. Parker reported. “Ironic, since that cranky Flossie has about the naughtiest disposition I’ve ever seen.” She laughed. “Several of the younger women—Grace and a handful of others—are in the Cedar Lodge room. Margaret…” She snapped her fingers. “Linden. Yes, Margaret Linden of the Manhattan Lindens did not care for Cedar Lodge, so I’ve shifted her to the Chalet Suite, along with Hygiene Hannah.”

“Hygiene Hannah?” Gilbert quirked a brow.

Lottie gave Mrs. Parker a funny look. “Why do you call her that?”

“She’s scared of dirt, and that scares me. Never met a woman so afraid of her surroundings.”

“Ah. She did seem a bit particular in that way,” Lottie said.

“Particular?” Mrs. Parker let out an unladylike snort. “She had plenty to say about the condition of the Chalet Suite, and none of it good. I spent hours getting that room ready, but apparently it’s not clean enough to suit her.”

“Hmm.” Lottie found herself at a loss. “What can we do?”

“She’ll just have to get used to it. I daresay all of the women will acclimate in time.” Mrs. Parker put her hand to her heart. “Well, maybe not the trio with the low-cut gowns. What were their names again?”

“Sharla, Patricia, and Cherry.” Lottie sighed. “I have a feeling they’re going to be a handful.”

“More like an eyeful, if you ask me.” Gil laughed. “The fellas are already taking dibs on who will end up marrying them.”

“Can’t say as they seem like the marrying sort,” Mrs. Parker said. “Though it’s not my place to judge.”

“What about Cornelia…that really pretty girl with the gorgeous eyes?” Gilbert asked, appearing a little too interested. “Where did you put her?”

Lottie did her best not to groan aloud.

Mrs. Parker quirked a brow. “I put her in the River’s Edge room with that really timid gal. What’s her name again?”

“Prudy,” Lottie said. “Actually, Prudence, but she goes by Prudy.”

“Well, I think she and Cornelia will get along well, though they are opposites in most every respect. And I have a feeling Prudy will find the sound of the rushing water soothing as she tries to sleep.”

“Good,” Lottie said. “That poor girl doesn’t look like she’s slept well in ages.”

“She’ll sleep like a baby here. No doubt about it. And if the ladies really do stay on through the fall and winter, they can use the fireplaces to stay warm.” Mrs. Parker reached for her broom and began to sweep once again.

Before long Lottie headed to Gilbert’s office to gather the scripts for the night’s auditions. When she entered the dining hall just before dinner, she found Fanny and Flossie talking to Mrs. Parker and Gilbert.