Chapter Six Montana Rose

Chapter Six

Psa. 32:8 (NIV) “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you.”

Diary entry 5 January 1899

“It has been years since I left my home in Montana. I was so young then and I am so lonely now. Now that's the truth, or my name isn't Abigail McAllister. I'll never forget dear Mama's face when I told her I was leaving. Even though Papa made the arrangements for me to come live with Aunt Tessa, I could tell how sad he was to see me go. What was I thinking? I was their only child. I always had these huge dreams of traveling and seeing the world – finding excitement and adventure – with Bradley at my side, of course. Now I have lived for almost nine years in the middle of Minnesota with an aunt that has no imagination whatsoever and I'm dying of boredom. I can't even describe all that has happened to me here, but I know that I miss my home and my mountains. I know I vowed never to go back to Montana but I miss Mama and Papa. I'm sure I can find a teaching job there also and (don't tell anyone, dear diary) I have been thinking about Marcus and how kind and gentle he was. So much more stable than the dashing and devious Bradley, I'm thinking. I feel like I have grown up in these years. My dreams have changed and I think going back to Helena is my dream now. Didn't I also say I would never get married? That seems like so much foolish talk now. There is nothing I would rather have than a true love and a family of my own. The men here all seem so shallow. I'm afraid Marcus has found someone after all this time – oh dear – I have been gone a long time, but I can't stop thinking about him. He has written me a few letters over the years. Somehow I just feel like the Lord has more for me than this humdrum existence.”

Audrey jumped as the front door banged shut. “Jamie, you scared me. Where have you been all evening?” “I've been working on that old tool shed out by the barn, but it finally got so dark I couldn't see any more. Think I'll hit the hay. Tomorrow is a big day. What is that book that has you so engrossed?” “Oh, it is the diary of Abigail McAllister that I found in the attic the other day,” Audrey replied. “Now that Alicia explained some of the history of this house and the McAllister family to me it is hard to put the diary down. I'll read just a little more before I turn in for the night.” Audrey curled up again in her favorite chair and tucked the afghan that her mother had made for her many years ago over her legs. “Oh, mom,” she thought in a moment of nostalgia, “I do miss you. I hope some day we can be close again.” As she opened the diary again, she also hoped that in those pages she would also find the reconciliation between Abigail and her parents.

Diary entry 14 December 1901

“Would you believe it? I went to the Wellington Christmas Social tonight with Marcus. Oh, believe me, coming home to Montana again was the right thing for me. Looking back on what all happened in Minnesota, how could I have ever thought otherwise? The school where I teach now is challenging – we don't always have all the supplies we need, but the children are so dear and I love it. I have so enjoyed spending time again with Mama and Papa. Papa says I'm still the apple of his eye, even though I am a grown woman. And Marcus – (can you believe this, dear diary) he says he has never forgotten me since that day he rescued me when Bradley hurt me so much at the Christmas social. I don't know why I thought he was so unexciting (is that a word?) then. Guess I was just a foolish young girl with stars in her eyes and no sense in her head. Now I think he is so good, so loving and kind – I do believe I am falling in love with him. Where is Bradley, you ask? I really don't know. He left home sometime in August and would you believe, he left Alicia high and dry after all those years together. I feel so sorry for her. I'm going to be extra nice to her from now on. Just think, it could have been me. I do think my grown up dreams are coming true.”

“Well,” thought Audrey as she closed the diary for the night. “That explains how Abigail got back to Montana and fell in love with Marcus.” She was tempted to read further, but reluctantly put the book on the table. “I have so much planning to do for Bridget's wedding that I can't afford to get sidetracked now,” she mused. As she turned out the lights and glanced out the window at the bright Montana moon hovering over the nearest mountains, she thought once again, “This really is the last best place – it was for Abigail and it is for me, too.”

The next morning Audrey woke early, and although she had an appointment with Bridget and Aunt Maggie at 10:00, her mind went back to the diary. She decided to take her coffee out to the lounge chair on the “morning” side of the porch and read just a few more excerpts before starting her day. The sun was just coming up over the eastern mountains and Audrey's heart did a little hand spring at seeing the beauty of a fresh morning in her little corner of the world. She opened the diary and started reading.

Diary entry 10 June 1903

“I've been neglecting you, dear diary, but my heart is full this morning and I just have to get my thoughts on paper. I'm sitting on the porch of the beautiful Wellington home – my home now – watching the sun rise over the mountains. It is so beautiful. My dear husband, Marcus, is still in bed. He works so hard here on the family ranch and his father has handed over the entire management of the ranch to him. My Marcus is so smart, so dependable, so dear and I love him with all my heart. The good Lord has given me so much and now I am with child. I have never been more happy.”

Audrey glanced at her watch and saw that she would never get everything done before her meeting unless she stopped reading, so she reluctantly closed the diary. Many questions flooded her mind as she fixed breakfast for Jamie and herself. Was the baby she just read about the one that died? Was that picture in the locket of that baby or the brother that came along later? How did Abigail and Alicia Conrad become such good friends that Abigail and Marcus named their firstborn for her? Then Audrey realized she needed to think about the pressing activities of the day. How had Bridget ended up in Montana when she had grown up in Minnesota? Who is she marrying and is he from Helena? Do I know his family? I am so happy to reconnect with my aunt and cousin – how can I make this wedding the most beautiful experience for Bridget?

by Rita Bleyeler

Lynn Austin

Lynn Austin

The Wander List

I've added a blog list because I wanted you all to see my daughter's blog. She and her husband moved to NYC this year and she has created a blog. It's a view of the big city through the eyes of a journalist raised in Phoenix, Arizona. We can live vicariously through her. Needless to say I'm proud of her! See the link to the right or go to www.thewanderlist.com

Lit n Latte Book Club May 4th

I'm noticing a small reply to the upcoming meeting. Hope everyone is well and perhaps this is a busy time with summer almost here. How many think that Time Lottery would make a good TV series? I can even picture certain actors playing the parts. See the link for Lynne Austin, author of the May book selection.

It's time for another meeting and we will be discussing: “Time Lottery” by Nancy Moser.
The new choice for May, “Until We Reach Home” by Lynne Austin, is available for purchase now. Look on the shelf in the Christian book section and there are some on one of the center aisle tables marked Christian reading.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all. Let me know if you are enjoying the book this month.