Page 48 of True North

“Understand what?”

I am not sure where she’s going with this.

She points her cake knife to where Brad and Harry stand, talking. Harry’s arms are crossed, his body facing Brad, but his eyes are on me.

It’s as if he’s not taking in a word the accountant says.

“Ah, now she is starting to get it...” Mama holds a plate up to me. “For the new ranch owner.” She turns me with her hands, pushing me out of the stall. I can’t go over there with one plate and hand it to Harry. I’m supposed to be dating Brad.

Now, seeing them side by side, I wonder what the hell I was thinking.

I divert with the plate, deciding now is not the time to go choosing something I have no idea whether I can commit to. Hell, I don’t even know if I’m staying in Lewistown for the long term. Getting my life together was the plan. Finding some kind of normality was as far as I was thinking.

I wander toward the old homestead. The old trees flanking the house like dutiful soldiers grow on me immediately. Gosh, this place is something else. I run a hand through the green veil of the first willow I come to and let the ancient tree swallow me whole as the curtain falls behind me. I pad toward the trunk and turn, leaning on it.

I pluck the sweet morsel from the plate and take a bite.

Good lord, this is incredible.

All of Mama’s food is.

I close my eyes and imagine, for a minute, what my life would have been like if I hadn’t run when Harry dropped to his knee. And for the first time since that night so long ago, I let the daydream consume me completely, letting this facade of friendship I’ve been holding up crumble.

* * *

Brad takes my hand as we walk from the car to the old community hall. The music inside is loud and twangy. It brings back so many memories. Every single one... Harry is in. Guilt twists in my stomach as we approach the doors, where a man stands taking entrance fees. Brad drops my hand before anyone can notice and fishes money from his wallet.

“Have a great night,” the old man says with a nod to me.

Walking inside, Brad puts a little distance between us. I try not to take it personally. I know he doesn’t do public affection. And I find myself wondering why he dates at all. The crowd is lively. A bunch of men and women dancing to the two-step beat the good country folk of Montana love so dearly.

I spot the girls from work and lean over to Brad. “I’m going to say hello to Lisa and Cynthia.”

“Sure, I’ll grab us some drinks.”

I nod and smile, walking for the only two friends I have in this small town. They wave when they see me coming. I rush to their sides.

“Wow, things really do stay the same in this town.” I chuckle and look around.

Cynthia’s husband, Steve, leans over and wraps an arm around her middle. “Oh, I don’t know, I think the ways things are... they’re pretty good.” His blond hair is messed up like her hands have been traveling through it. They probably have.

Three kids zoom toward us, squealing and yelling. Lisa spins around toward the noise automatically.

“Now, y’all get outside. Stay out of the way of the cars. Michael, look after your brother or I’ll tan your hide!” They tug on the skirt of my dress, like it’s some sort of dare, and dart away, running through the crowd.

“Sorry, doll. They’re always a little dippy when we’re out. Hence, we barely leave the house.” She pulls a cigarette from her purse and lights it. She waves to her husband who is behind the band. He gives her a smile and waves back, then waves to me as he returns to his work.

“So, where’s sad Brad?” Lisa says with a smirk.

“Oy, be nice. He’s gettin’ the drinks.” I glance toward the bar. He stands there, ordering.

“I will never understand why you’re wastin’ your precious prime with Connors.” Lisa stumps her half-finished cigarette with her heel.

“Hey, sometimes it’s the quiet ones.” Steve winks at me.

Good lord.

I spin back and watch the crowd shimmy to one side, tapping their heels and then toes to the boards. From the corner of my eye, a cowboy hat catches my attention. Standing in the doorway, Harry looks around as he hands over his entry fee. Only yesterday I saw him at the auction, but it feels like a month has passed. He’s dressed in his good clothes. Dark jeans and a crisp white shirt. His good hat sits on his head, and a leather necklace I recognize from...

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