That said any suggestions or comments on the plot would be seriously considered. I'm flexible and totally willing to chuck out my ideas if someone comes up with a better one-just write it in a review.
I study History so I have a fairly good grounding in the events of the time but I have never been to Montana and most of my knowledge comes from several viewings of Legends of the Fall so sorry if I get stuff wrong (we can just blame wikipedia).
Further Disclaimer: I also do not own the title; I stole it from a Nevile Shute book about Australia. Have you read it? It's really good; he's one of my favourite writers.
Chapter 2It was late evening when the men returned to the house from the fields, and although he would never admit it, Danny's back was hurting more than he ever thought was possible. He was determined to stick with this though as he needed a job.
They took their places once again around the well-scrubbed kitchen table and Danny was glad for the relief he felt once he sat down. He closed his eyes with the other occupants of the table to listen to Mr Monroe say grace. As he listened to the old man's strong baritone voice he heard door opening gently and anther person creeping into the room. Mr Monroe paused in his oration and cleared his throat. There the sound of scraping chairs and then he resumed his speech, although with a distinct tone of disapproval in his voice.
"Amen", they all chorused, and Danny opened his eyes to meet the newest occupant at the dinner table.
"Lindsay", Mr Monroe said, still with a hint of disapproval in his voice, "Have you just finished?"
"Sorry Pa, the calf was having a few problems, he seems alright now though", she explained, and her father seemed satisfied with this answer, giving her a small hint of a smile and a nod.
"You haven't met Daniel yet", he said gesturing towards Danny.
"Its nice to meet you" Lindsay said. They both rose from their seats a little so they could reach to shake hands. She was not tall he realised once they were on their feet, in fact she was positively petite, unlike the men in her family. She was good looking though with wavy brown hair that had the barest hint of auburn and a slim but curvy figure. It was her eyes though that left Danny momentarily speechless. Their chocolate brown depths were warm and inviting.
"The pleasure's all mine, Miss Monroe", he replied formally, earning him a snigger from some of the other men around the table. He ignored it silently cursing himself for making a fool out of himself.
"Don't mind Simon and Ian", Lindsay said, motioning towards the men, "you can't expect them to have any manners if no girls will go within twenty miles of them".
"Lindsay!" Mrs Monroe scolded, she looked like she wanted to say more but realised that it would only make the situation worse. Instead she settled on something else that she had noticed.
"Lord girl, what have you done to that dress!?" she exclaimed, and all eyes suddenly turned to look at what Lindsay was wearing. Sure enough the knee-length denim dress she was wearing was smeared with mud and hay.
"Yeah, one of the fouls got away from me", she said looking sheepish, "I can go and change if you want?"
"No, no, no", Anna Monroe sighed looking resigned, "this meal has been delayed enough as it is. Lets get started. Dig in everyone."
Danny took his cue to begin eating. He chanced another look at Lindsay and she caught his eye. They gave each other a slight grin before focusing on their meal.
It was later that evening when Danny saw Lindsay again. She had been upstairs and changed her dress whilst most of the men went outside and had a smoke. Danny did not smoke though, Cigarettes had been a luxury he could never really afford growing up, and besides, Mac disliked the habit and out of respect for his old mentor and employer he had simply never taken it up.
Mrs Monroe had charged Lindsay with showing Danny where the men's dormitory was and so they set off from the house into the darkness towards buildings surrounding the barn that were separate from the main house.
"So, you're from New York?" Lindsay asked to break the ice as they headed across the yard guided by the light in her hand.
"Yeah, well, I live in Staten Island." There was a pause and then and he adjusted the pack he was carrying on his back. He was a bit peeved about earlier. He didn't need a girl fighting his battles if he was ever going to earn any respect around here. "You know you didn't have to do that, back there. I can stand up for myself". It came out in a harsher tone than he had meant.
"I know", she stated looking a little put out, "I was only trying to help." Then she mumbled almost inaudibly, "Jeez, I won't even bother next time". She picked up the pace and Danny had to run for a few paces before catching up with her.
"All I meant was, it was just a little ribbing between men. If they have a problem with me, its probably best if I deal with it."
"Fine", she said yanking the door open to a long wooden hut, which contained only one of the older workers lying down smoking a cigarette. She looked him in the eye with a clenched jaw and a glare in her eyes. "Here's the Dormitory, your bed is in the corner, breakfast is at five, have a good night". And with that she turned on her heel and stalked back across the yard to the house as quickly as she had left. Danny stood there with a cringe on his face, realising he may have put his foot in it a bit. He should go to bed though, there was nothing he could do tonight and it had been a long day. Slowly turning and lugging his pack into the room, he located his empty bed in the corner and started work on unpacking his belongings before falling exhausted into bed and immediately falling asleep.