Chapter Four

Mountain Rose

Dark brown timber, white aspens, rivets of flowers of a million types surrounding blue and forested mountains. There were 77 ranges in these rocky mountains, of which many small towns existed. Helena had special feeling, it can be called an aura about it. The town was on its way to being built by the entrepreneurs of the west, as you can call it or by those that had made excellent cash on their existing ranches. The old barn, octagon house, and young couple of citizens of the town were unusual stories. Many to be known as true and others that held a mystery to it all.

If you can imagine Audrey and Jaime in the Shining big Star planning the future and what it could bring. It was friendship for many years and as time passed they were looked upon as being the only lovers in Helena, unless other love relationships hidden the shadows. Their lives weren't to cross as Audrey's less fortunate parents and Jaime's family of high stature were not in agreement. Both felt that they needed to get away from the town gossip. Jaime dwelled on his work. Audrey disappeared. Her parents had hired investigators and the state and local police were on it right away with dogs. Not a broken twig or piece of clothing could not be found. Jaimie's 4 vehicles were searched and he wore a surly face upon him when questioned.

The townspeople always questioned what they call the accident or disappearance of Audrey, but the stories grew less and less as time went on. The blue sky mountains and springs offered a tempestuous setting for weddings. It offered many amenities in planning the weddings which Jill was able to do with the gracious gifts given to her by the Sinclair family. Advertising for the wedding planning as well as ads in newspapers everywhere from Montana to New York, Jill hired help and also put her energy into financing a new and used book store on the corner of the now up and raised town. Many people visited or bought books and newspapers from various cities. Several mountain men who came to the shop looked at picture book or magazines, many could not read. The store grew and Jill ran ads for a larger storefront. The candle and scent shop began as a rather small expense but flourished with advertising at first in the immediate area and then the state. They put on special displays for various holidays and birthdays.

Audrey never came back to Helena. Everyone spoke of the wind that rustled sometimes sounded as someone was calling her name. Everyone knew that Audrey had significantly talke3d about various towns and cities in Arizona and had 2 catalogs which she constantly browsed through. She said that one of the cities had a pumpkin festival far beyond her dreams and an amazing red rock area where she wanted to paint and hike. Of course she had many dreams of areas to visit and scads of travel brochures. One thing she had told her mother was "the deserts don't grow Mountain roses" that is the way she used her vocabulary.

Audrey Rose
Where did you go?
You ran away
I suppose
You cry or mourn
Your infectious smile
How many miles
Did you roam
Our Mountain Rose

By Jo Ann Pellini


The phone rings, startling Audrey from a deep troubled sleep.
"Hello?" she says sleepily.
"Audrey, it's Jill! Did you forget that we were meeting with the Johnson bridal party at 2:00?" said Jill frantically.
"Jill, I'm so sorry. Wow, did I just have a crazy wild dream. Your not thinking about taking over my Best Place for Weddings business are you?"
"Audrey, that's not funny. I would never do that." Jill said.
"Just kidding, I'll have to tell you about it later. Can you stall the Johnsons until I can get there? Show them some of the floral catalogs."
"Your the boss! I'll brew up a pot of tea also." Jill said with relief.

Audrey shook her head, too many murder mystery novels lately. Although, she did sometimes yearn to get away and not tell anyone where she was going. But Jamie, her sweet, wonderful man, suspect of foul play? Not on your life! She liked the poem though and wrote it down in her journal for later.

by Gena P.