Yankton

Chapter 27

Chapter 27 The Flame Grows Brighter

We pushed for home the next day, arriving there around seven that evening, bringing the Moss's into the clinic, rather than the saloon which Mrs. Moss refused to go near or allow her husband to go near either. Melonie was overjoyed at Mark's return the two of them giving each other a big hug and a kiss. I introduced her to our guests, then excused myself to go next door to see Montana. Colin was playing and singing one of her favorite songs "Take me home Cathleen," and she was involved in a card game as well. When she saw Colin look at me standing by the door and smile, she excused herself from the game and rushed over to me. Now it was my turn for that big "welcome home!" kiss. I then filled her in on the Moss's, and Mr. Moss's establishing a blacksmith shop. This seemed to upset her but she wouldn't tell me why, the "welcome home," suddenly turned sour, and I couldn't figure out why. I didn't linger long on what was eating Montana; I had to get our guests set up in one of the tent cabins.

We had four tent cabins which were essentially four walls, a lockable door, and a canvas tent for the roof. These were nothing new, but I had added insulated plastic tarps used to insulate concrete from freezing underneath the regular canvas. Each cabin also had a brick pad on which a wood stove sat. The walls were also insulated with spray-in foam making them quite cozy even in the coldest cabin the Moss's would be staying in also was equipped with a sink and counter with a small hand pump which drew off the main water line, as well as a table and chairs as well as a "Hoosier cabinet," which I'll explain later, and a double bed. Our first priority was getting them set up and some of their belongings moved in. One of Colin's duties was checking on the various stoves and making sure they were burning properly, which is why the cabin was nice and warm.

Mark and I helped the Moss's get their clothing trunks inside, as well as a small dresser and a couple chairs.

Although the Moss's had briefly met Melonie, the formal introductions would have to wait until tomorrow; Mrs. Moss seemed like a very proper type, causing me a little concern about her reaction towards Montana. As things often do, I didn't need to wait for the opportunity, it came to me when Mrs. Moss said,

"I heard Melonie Bishop Mention a woman named Montana, who is she?" We happened to be moving some of their furniture into the cabin at the time, so I waited until we had set the small chest down before answering her. With a serious expression on my face, I replied,

"Mrs. Moss, her name is Montana Carter, and she, along with Mark, Melonie and I are partners in the business we call Purgatory. Yes it is a saloon, and yes, she has "girls," soiled doves, sporting women, or whatever term you wish to use. I know you come from a part of society that shuns and ostracizes such women, but I don't. As a matter of fact, I happen to love her, and perhaps we'll even get married sometime. I'm not asking you or your husband to invite her into your home, but try and put your prejudices aside, and just get to know her; after all, she is a human being too."

Mrs. Moss didn't say anything, but later, her husband came to me and said,

"Don't be too harsh with Jenny, sir, moving out here has been a terrifying experience for her. She's just now learning about the sort of people who populate this country."

Frazier went on to say,

"I think that in time, my wife will adjust, and warm to this Montana."

"Thank you Frazier," I replied,

"However you should know that she's not happy that a blacksmith will be setting up shop nearby." He gave me a puzzled look, then replied.

"Why would that be, I am no threat." I patted him on his shoulder, and said,

"I know your not, something is bothering her, and I intend to find out what it is. Colin and I will help you get your forge up and running, I will be glad to supply you with high quality steel as well, so don't worry." As we were finishing up with the Moss's, my sister came trudging up through the snow to offer her welcome as well. She had recently removed all her body jewelry at the insistence of both Montana and Melonie, but nothing was being made of that. Melinda had on a long coat with the hood pulled over her head. Spotting our guests, she went right up to them offering her gloved hand. Mark and I were in the back of our wagon finishing up, so I didn't hear all that was said, but Mrs. Moss was smiling, so I assumed my sister had scored on her diplomatic abilities.

Along with Mr. Moss, Mark and I then took the horses as well as Ruth over to our stable where we unhitched them watered, and fed them. When we returned, we discovered that everyone had gone down to the clinic including Montana who was talking with Mrs. Moss and Travis. The situation seemed a little "stiff," and awkward, even though my sister and Melonie were trying to keep things light. Montana didn't stay long but gave me a funny look before she left. At the first opportunity, I went over to the saloon where Montana was involved in a card game. The patrons were loud and boisterous, but not out of hand, Colin and I kept a close eye on them, but thankfully didn't have to knock any heads. While we were taking a break at the employee table, Jake Howland came in saw me, then acted like he wanted to talk. Waving him over, he nervously approached and in a low voice asked if he could talk to me.

"Sure Jake," I replied, "Take a seat, what's on your mind?" Clearly the guy was nervous about something, so I said,

"Come on Jake, I don't bite, you came to talk for a reason, now spit it out!"

"Um, sir…"

"Don't call me sir, Jake, I work for a living."

"Uh it's about your sister…"

"You didn't get her pregnant did you?" Jake recoiled at this statement, and acted deeply offended. While a comment like that wouldn't bother anyone in 2014, a man of the nineteenth century, especially someone like Jake would take great offence. I put my hand on his shoulder, and reassured him.

"Sorry Jake," I quickly replied, "I didn't mean to offend you, seriously though, what's the problem?"

"Well sir, I mean Brian. Your sister and I have taken a liking to each other, and I was just wondering…"

"Listen Jake, Melinda is a big girl," I replied, "And very emancipated, maybe a little too emancipated, but that's something you'll just have to deal with. Also be aware that she hasn't had a whole lot of luck with men, and I believe she has recently just walked out of a marriage, but that's nothing you need worry about. If you came here to ask for my blessing, you've got it, for whatever it's worth." Out of curiosity, I asked him,

"I don't mean to pry, but isn't Melinda a little "fast," for you?" Jake wasn't sure what that meant, so I was forced to explain, Jake simply replied.

"I don't know, really, I was just sitting over there at one of them tables, thinking about something, when she just came over and asked if I would like to sit at this table and just talk, so that's what we did. We musta talked most of the evening, but in the end, she asked me to walk her back to her cabin." Jake again looked uneasy and nervous.

"Jake…"

He cast his eyes to the table and mumbled,

"I ain't never had a woman kiss me like that!" I chuckled,

"I'm surprised she didn't invite you in," I mused.

"Well sir, she did but I just shook my head," he then looked straight at me,

"I…is your sister a…?" I sighed, and then moved a little closer to him.

"Jake old buddy, I don't know what you've heard or what she's told you about us, but by the standards of 1876, I'll have to say yes, but by the standards of 2014...no, it's the norm. Now, like I said before, if you have taken a liking to her, just treat her with respect and kindness, you're a "can-do," guy, where she comes from men like you are hard to find, she may be looking for someone like you to fill a personal need, so just treat her right."

I wasn't sure what to make of this, maybe Jake wanted to take a little walk on the "wild" side, maybe there was true affection there, obviously I was going to have to talk with Melinda, I needed her focused on the task at hand, not fooling around with some love struck guy like Jake.

Right now the more important task was finding out why Montana objected to the Moss's building a blacksmith shop. I let myself into her bedroom and waited. I must have dozed off as I woke to,

"This is certainly a pleasant surprise!" I woke with a start as she was standing in front of her mirror, letting her hair down.

"Montana," I began, "We have to talk, I need to know why you object to a blacksmith shop being built, I'm not leaving here until I get some answers.

She said nothing, just plopping down in her chair not looking at me, replying with a weak,

"Not now, maybe some other time," I knew what would stir the "pot."

"Abbie!, I want answers now, I've told you all bout me, it's time to do some "sharing" of your own." More silence, then a deep sigh.

"I've already told you about my late husband being a blacksmith," I nodded and said,

"So what's the problem? Look Montana, you need to work this thing out, if this is about pain from the past, I'll understand, believe me I will." Again, she said no more, but continued to undress, until she stood before me completely naked.

"Just hold me," was all she would say, as she pointed to her bed. I then stripped, moved over to her, and embraced her. We then slipped into her bed where we kissed and embraced, she then insisted on making love until our sweaty bodies were pressed close together.

"Seth and I shared a wonderful relationship at first," began Montana.

"We had nothing, but I was happy for the fact that he had swept me from the drudgery on my home life, he was my "prince." Both of us kept looking for that rainbow, oh you should have seen him, my Seth. He was an excellent smith, he really was, but the opportunities just never came our way, he got so discouraged, then as so many do started drinking."

As she lay there, I played with her hair and slowly ran my hand over her figure,

"Did he beat you?" I asked. Shaking her head, Montana replied,

"No, he never struck me, then…" I waited for the admission, but was surprised when she said,

"When our Nora took sick and died, he just fell apart." Turning her face to me, she added,

"The doctor told me I can't have any more children, God took my lovely little Nora from me I've finally come to accept it, but Seth never did. One day we had an especially bad fight, calling each other terribly hurtful things, later He came to me to apologize, I sent him away, but later, I didn't hear him at his anvil, going out to check, I found him dead…kicked by the horse he had been trying to shoe." I didn't know what to say, what words of comfort to offer.

"So now you know Mr. Yankton why a forge would upset me, it would be a constant reminder of a life cut short, an unfulfilled life with the man I loved, and words never uttered."

I was still determined to have that "smithy" around so I replied.

"We need that blacksmith shop Montana, I'll see that Moss builds it down at the end of our property, behind the trees, Mr. Moss will be far enough away so you shouldn't hear him much, and his forge will be concealed behind the cottonwoods, and hopefully, you'll be able to eventually overcome your past."

"Perhaps," was all that she'd say, the building project would go forward.

Montana was opening up, so I took a chance.

"Are we on track?" I asked.

"I'm not sure what you mean?" she asked.

"I mean, are you satisfied as to where this partnership is going?" I added.

"Fishing for compliments?" she asked,

"Not really, are you satisfied as to what we've accomplished so far, is there something I should be doing, is there something you think we ought to be doing?" Montana thought for a moment,

"I don't really know, I never would have thought my own town would become a reality, or that I would actually be in charge of my own place."

"Well we're not done yet," I replied, just as soon as funds permit, I want to see improvements in the clinic and convenience store, a boarding house and possibly a single men's barracks, along with a meeting house we can use for a church and school."

Montana seemed to be reflecting, when she asked me,

"Now that we've got our saloon, is it necessary to work for O'Rourke anymore?"

"Are you having problems with that?" I asked.

"Actually…yes," she replied, "both Melonie and I worry about you and Mark." She then sat up and looked me in the eye.

"I thought I would never love again, but you've stepped into my life and changed all that Brian, Melonie feels the same, I think she's even more frightened than I, we sat down and had a long talk while you two were gone, she's fallen deeply in love with Mark, and worries that she might loose him."

"And how do you feel Montana?" I asked. She put her head down and sniffed,

"I feel that God has offered me a second chance, you and Mark are unlike any men I have ever known, I simply can't afford to loose you, I don't think I could take heartbreak."

"Are you hinting for Mark and I to quit? Because if you are, just say the word, but remember, what we make goes directly to you and Melonie, it's your only outside source of income."

Montana said nothing, instead she reached over and embraced me as another round of lovemaking began, but when we were finished, I said,

"I can't promise you anything, but once we get the saloon fully up and running, and the other buildings bringing in income, then we'll speak of this again OK?"

"Yes," came the reply.