Although Mary had made her promise that she wasn't to come into town before noon on the day of the dance, Gemma was awake and restless since dawn. She'd been turning to-dos and extreme scenarios in her head for what felt like the entire night. Nothing worked until she decided that she was going to make the best out of whatever comes her way, until she repeated that everyone wanted to have a good time and that there were many hands to help with whatever need be.
She heard the world go to sleep and wake. The final coo of nocturnal creatures gave way to tweeting of birds and buzzing of insects at dawn. Then, the daytime predators began to stir, she thought as she heard rustling within the house. Jason was moving from his room to the East of the house where Senior slept. They had a disturbing dependency on one another that was only apparent if you saw them go about their private lives. Sometimes it seemed to Gemma that Jason was actually the master and Montgomery Senior the servant.
Such thoughts made her skin crawl so her mind turned to her husband instead. The married couple hadn't spoken nor really seen each other since the patriarch appeared in their little haven. The three men had been spending the days in the hotel office with only Jason coming out to demand food or refreshments. This demand on Monty disgusted Gemma, but Monty happily deflected his father's attetions from her. Montgomery Senior didn't care for Gemma and his son was worried what that might lead to if his dismissal turned to complete disproval.
If the married couple ever fought, it was over the strong fist of his father. An absolutism that Monty yearned to escape, but couldn't gather the courage to do so. Had it not been for Gemma's loyal companionship, Montogomery Junior would never have dared to buy and run a hotel in the middle of nowhere, 5 days ride away from his father. Only Gemma understood that this was its main appeal.
But today it was easy to put away the thoughts of things she didn't care about and she turned her mind to Monty once more. It made a smile appear on her face and she rose to speak to him before he left for the day. Gemma snuck into her husband's room and jumped on the bed.
"Watcha doing?"
Monty smiled sleepily but his face was paler than usual.
"Good morning, Mrs Monterrey," he greeted.
"Oh, so your father hasn't taken away that title from me yet?" she teased.
"Don't joke about that," Monty said with more concern in his voice than usual.
"Is everything OK?" Gemma asked with care. He really did seem worn out.
"Just… Finance."
It was enough for Gemma to understand. She patted his arm.
"I..." Montgomery Junior hesitated. He was too scared to say 'no' to his father, but that didn't mean that this was going to be a piece of cake.
"Gemma, dearest. I won't be able to come with you today."
Gemma smiled kindly. "You don't have to worry, Monty. We'll manage with the final preparations without you."
"I… That's not what I mean."
Montgomery Junior looked down at his hands. He was so like a little boy sometimes, but Gemma wasn't in the compassionate mood now.
"That's unacceptable," she spoke sternly.
Montgomery made a grimace. He didn't like it when he was caught between his father and his wife. He liked it even less when Gemma made him feel like he was doing something wrong.
"My darling..." he started.
"He's doing this on purpose," Gemma seethed.
"He wants to know that the hotel is profitable or he won't let us stay."
Gemma froze at those words. She realised that her anger had to be contained and let go. Montgomery Senior terrified her and the prospect of taking away the one thing that kept her and Monty away from him loomed over them now.
"Is it?" Gemma asked instead, focusing on priorities.
"We're doing great," Montgomery Junior said as he pecked her cheek.
"He should be gone soon," he added.
"How soon?" Gemma asked with a sigh.
"Soon," Monty said.
Gemma really tried to contain her nerves, but by 10 o'clock she was through and through done with keeping up any sort of pretences. She saddled her own horse and galloped into town not stopping until she found herself in front of The Clarion. She was about to walk in, head held proud, and inform Mary that she was here and that she's beginning with the preparations and that was all there was to it when she saw the newswoman spring up from her office.
"Thank God you're here!" the blonde woman sounded relieved.
Gemma smiled equally so.
"I couldn't wait another minute," she admitted.
"The wind last night pulled off one of the tent wings."
Gemma stopped breathing for a moment.
"Josiah and Nathan are putting it back on," Mary finished.
"Mrs Davies, Dawson and Thompson are already a the site arranging tables and chairs. So are their sons."
"All 12 of them?" Gemma was amused.
"And some cousins I think. Mrs Potter is baking backups."
"A what?"
"Let's just say that the ladies who volunteered their baking expertise in order to impress their beaus..."
"Failed?" Gemma finished with disbelief in her eyes. This was too good to be true.
"Mrs Potter is also preparing some icing too to save what can be saved."
The two women shared amused smiles. They fed on responsibility and problem solving.
"This is going to be fun," Gemma voiced her suspicion.
"I think you're right, Mrs Montogomerry."
They laughed in unison.
"Come on. Let's see if they need anything at the site," Marry took her friend under her arm and the ladies breezed down the street towards the open field.
It took a few hours of tiny adjustments and final decisions until the lake area at the edge of the town looked like a summer holiday village in Europe. The three tents ensured ample seating and dining space for anyone who wasn't dancing and if worse came to worst a shelter from the autumn rain. Colourful stripes and flags criss-crossed the top of the dance area and various benches were placed next to the lake edge for relaxation and privacy.
Inez brought the drinks up at 1 o'clock and promised to be back no later than 5p.m. - when the dance officially started - with the ice. The more perseverant cake and bread was brought at 2 and the men started the barbecue fire at 3. This is when Mary ordered Gemma to go back to town to put on her dress. Gemma would not have been swayed had Mary not made her feel guilty saying that Lilianna cannot start to get ready until her job was done. In the end Gemma only half relented.
"Only if you're coming with me," she said.
"Oh, I'm just going to wear this. I don't need to change," Mary said dismissively.
Gemma just looked at her: "No."
"You'll understand one day. I'm past the frivolous entertainment."
"Mary Travis," Gemma said gravely. "If you do not come with me to Mrs Potter's shop and pick out a dress right now I will sit here in the middle of the field until December."
"Don't be silly," Mary smiled.
Gemma wasn't being silly. She sat down in the middle of the field and crossed her arms in protest.
"Miss Connelly," Mary let out. She didn't mean to say her former name, but seeing her so impetuous reminded her of the girl who used to roam the town with the seven men.
Gemma understood the mistake but pouted harder. She lay down on the ground completely now and closed her eyes. Mary approached her.
"No!" she said.
"Gemma," Mary pleaded.
"No!" she held in her smile. "No," she repeated with less force, but the battle was already won.
"Fine, just get off the ground," Mary pleaded. Several people were looking at the two women with worried faces.
Gemma opened her eyes brightly.
"And I get to pick your dress," she pushed.
"Gemma, I..."
She crossed her arms again and was back on her back in no time.
"Let's just go or we'll be late," Mary conceded.
The young woman jumped up like a cat and was already taking long strided to the vagon they had taken in with the decorations. This was going to be fun, she was now sure.
"Now isn't that something!" Gemma exclaimed at the sight.
"You look remarkable," Mary countered stunned.
The ladies giggled at their appreciation of each other.
"No wonder it takes an hour to put it on," Mary said. "That's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"We should have put it on there," Lilianna fussed.
"It's going to get soiled sooner or later," Gemma dismissed her concerns. She loved the dress and felt that she didn't want to be out of it ever again. She looked at Mary now. After a lot of fuss, Mary allowed herself to try the crimson number with no petticoat. Although Gemma pushed for one, she finally agreed the dress might suit her better as it was. The red brought out a shine in her face and Mary looked more radiant than ever.
"I'm sure there's a certain cowboy who'll owe me a favour when he sees you like this," Gemma teased.
Mary couldn't help but blush at Gemma's openness both to her and in front of Lilianne.
"Gemma," Mary admonished. "I'm going on business."
"You look like you mean business, alright," Gemma grinned.
"Gemma!" Mary was warning her now, but the younger woman was supportive.
"You look wonderful," she finished.
"We better get moving if we want to be there for the greet. Otherwise Josiah might take charge," Gemma said gravely.
The two other women gasped then laughed on cue.
"Shall we help you close up?" Mary turned to their wardrobe assistant.
"Oh!" Lilianne breathed heavily. "Oh no, I'm not going tonight."
"Not going!" Gemma sounded like she'd never heard anything more surprising.
"Of course you are," Mary agreed.
Lilianne just smiled sadly. She was new in town and kept mostly to herself. Her room was above Mrs Potter's shop so she was a rare sight as it was. She seemed timid and embarrassed now. The two ladies looked at each other. Either she had no one to go with or didn't dare. Either way they weren't leaving her alone in Four Corners while the whole town was at the party.
"We couldn't possibly do without your help once we arrive," Mary said.
"I won't hear of it," Gemma ordered.
Fear painted the young woman's face.
"Oh, I didn't mean… Of course, I will help with your garments," she apologised.
"And when you've finished, you'll stay," Mary concluded.
"I mean we need all the extra hands we can get," Gemma added.
The seamstress smiled lightly.
"Of course, whatever I can do."
"And you know the most important task you need to perform?" Mary grinned at her.
"What's that?"
"Have all the fun there is," Gemma whispered.
The three women laughed gayly before they helped Lilianne into a more appropriate dress and closed up the shop.
