Wedding Belles (13 page)

Mrs. Parker joined them at that very moment, her face lit with a smile. “That singing does a body good. Those sweet girls are such a blessing, aren’t they? We’re just so tickled to have them here.”

Lottie’s mother grumbled something under her breath.

“As I said, I’ve found them to be pure delight.” Mrs. Parker’s grin spoke of her feelings on the matter. “I’ve had such a wonderful time, getting to know them. And how fun to see all of them in church. What better place to share the love of the Lord?” Her eyes misted over and she dabbed at them with the back of her hand. “Sorry about that. I’m getting to be so emotional in my old age. But isn’t it wonderful, seeing them seated together where they can hear the hymns and listen to a solid Bible lesson, one they’re sure to remember for the rest of their days? What a blessing.”

Althea shifted her position and placed her hands on her hips. “More like a curse.”

Mrs. Parker’s countenance changed at once. “Why, whatever do you mean?”

“You know perfectly well what I mean, Penelope. Those girls have been sent here by the enemy to stir up trouble, just like Bathsheba was sent by the enemy to tempt King David.”

“Actually, Bathsheba was minding her own business when David lusted after her,” Mrs. Parker said. “So she certainly can’t be blamed for his sin. And I can’t imagine you—a wonderful, godly woman—would believe that these ladies are anything but a gift to our little community. Why, they’re God’s response to our prayers to save the lodge.”

“You watch and see.” Althea’s eyes narrowed to slits. “They will bring division. The people will take sides for or against them.”

Mrs. Parker looked stunned. “What sort of person could possibly take sides against them? Whatever have they done to deserve that?”

“I’ll tell you what they’ve done.” Althea proceeded to give Mrs. Parker a lengthy list. Lottie did her best to ignore the sarcasm in her voice.

When she ended, Mrs. Parker walked away, speechless.

Lottie’s mother tugged on Lottie’s shirtsleeve. “Lottie-Lou, don’t dillydally. I’ve prepared lunch at home. I expect you to join us for a change.”

“I have to hang the cast list on the door, Mama,” she said. “We promised it would go up at noon, and it’s only eleven-fifty. I have to wait until noon to post it, so please go on without me.”

“Well, you do what you need to do. Althea and I have much to discuss before our meeting with the Women’s League tomorrow.”

“O–oh?”

“Yes.” Mama clucked her tongue as she watched Fanny and Jeb Otis talking. “Indeed. We local women will need to band together to accomplish our goal, I believe.” She muttered something under her breath then turned to resume her conversation with Althea.

With her nerves leading the way, Lottie walked toward the door of the church.

Mrs. Parker joined her in short order. “What in the world do you make of that?”

“They’re opposed to the women coming to church.” Lottie shook her head. “I can’t make sense of it, to be honest. I thought the local folks would be thrilled to see the women in church, but I guess I was wrong.”

“Well, if that doesn’t beat all.”

Seconds later, the women gathered around Lottie, most somber in appearance. She longed to say something encouraging but couldn’t think of the right words.

Cherry sighed. “Lottie, I know your heart was in the right place, inviting us to your church and all—”

“But I don’t believe any of us want to come back.” This comment came from Prudy, who stood nearby with tears in her eyes. “You won’t believe what a couple of the women said to me. And I was just trying to share the story of what happened to me up on the mountain yesterday.”

“And you should’ve seen the look the mayor’s wife gave me earlier.” Patricia shivered. “All because I dropped my fan.”

Lottie did her best not to sigh aloud. “I’m so sorry, ladies. I have no idea what happened here.”

“What happened is that a bunch of holier-than-thou women made some assumptions about me,” Patricia said. “About
us
. And they’re not going to rest until they’ve either remodeled us or driven us out of town on a rail.”

“Well, I certainly don’t think it’s that bad,” Lottie said. “Honestly, I’m sure it can all be ironed out.”

She tried to lace her words with confidence, but they came out shaky just the same. In fact, everything about today made her quiver. If this morning’s church service was any indication of things to come, she’d be better off staying in bed with the covers pulled over her head.

* * * * *

G
ILBERT LISTENED FROM A SAFE
distance as Lottie’s mother ranted and raved. He could hardly believe the venom she spewed. He’d just about worked up the courage to approach her when his mother came up beside him.

“It’s not worth it, son,” she whispered.

He turned to face her, his hands trembling. “You heard them.”

“Yes.” She put her hand on her chest. “And frankly, I’m stunned. I knew that some of the women would be put off by a couple of the ladies, mostly Sharla and Patricia. Their dresses are a little, well, you know. But I figured the women of Estes Park were kindhearted enough and would keep in mind the Bible story the reverend used in his sermon today.”

“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone,” Gilbert said through clenched teeth.

“In this case, it would be ‘Let
her
who is without sin,’ but that just proves the point, doesn’t it?” his mother said. “None of us is without sin. And I daresay, the anger we’re feeling right now could lead to sinfulness on our part if we’re not careful.”

“Right now I don’t want to be careful.” Gilbert released a sigh, and part of his anger went with it. “But I will be. It’s the right thing to do. Lord, help me guard my anger.”

“He will help you, son.” His mother patted his arm. “And in the meantime, you and Lottie have a lot to do. It’s noon, you know.”

“It is?” The church bells rang as if to answer his question, and he headed Lottie’s way, a smile plastered on his face. No point in letting her know how upset he was. Not when they had so much left to do.

Moments later the two of them posted the cast list on the door of the church. Dozens of folks gathered around to see who got which part. The women edged their way to the front, Fanny leading the pack.

“What a madhouse,” she hollered out above the crowd of would-be cast members.

A madhouse, indeed. Once the locals got involved, a group of nearly forty people pressed in to see the list. Some cheered, others just appeared a bit dazed. Gilbert looked on, a little overwhelmed.

“I’ve never even heard of half these character names, Lottie,” Cornelia said. “Flossie must’ve changed the script completely.”

Lottie’s confident smile lifted Gilbert’s spirits. “Yes, completely,” she said. “But trust me when I say that Flossie and I came up with the perfect plan, and you’re all in exactly the right parts.”

“Still…” Cornelia’s brow wrinkled. “I’m playing the part of Paige Turner?”

“And I’m Miss Bea Haven?” Cherry laughed. “Appropriate. All my life I’ve been accused of that very thing.”

Gilbert kept his mouth shut. In light of what Lottie’s mother had shared earlier, the folks in town saw Cherry as a loose woman. Perhaps giving her the part of Miss Bea Haven hadn’t been the best idea on Lottie’s part.

“I like my character’s name too,” Grace said. “And I’m so glad that you noted it’s a dancing role. I can hardly wait.”

“I can’t believe I got the part of Miss Information,” Hannah said and then laughed. “It’s going to be so much fun.”

“I think you’ll enjoy that part,” Lottie said. “Miss Information is always confused and passing on the incorrect information to people. It’s a comedic role.”

“I’m so glad you didn’t give me a funny part,” Prudy said, her voice low. “I prefer a small part like Shirley Knott.”

“Oh, it’s not a small part at all,” Lottie explained. “In fact, Shirley Knott holds the key to solving the mystery in the show, so you’ll play an important role.” She turned to face the group. “You all will. It’s going to be wonderful.”

“So, let’s see…” Margaret read the cast list aloud. “Grace is Jenna Rossity; Fanny is playing Alice Well. Jeb Otis is Abel N. Willin. I’m playing Penny Less. Sharla is Sarah Bellam, Patricia is Ellie Gant, Flossie is Sadie Word. Augie is Earl E. Bird, Chauncy is Hugh Dunnit, and Gilbert is Justin Credible.” She listed the other character names, including the parts to be played by several of the local children and their parents.

Gilbert nodded, though he argued internally over Lottie’s decision to put him in one of the larger roles. Still, what could he do about it now but play along?

And so, with the cast decided, there was only one thing left to do—get rehearsals under way and pray that the Women’s League didn’t butt their noses in where they didn’t belong. With his heart in his throat, Gilbert decided that forging ahead was really their only solution.

TEN

A S
ITUATION AT THE
S
TANLEY

Oscar Wilde once said that life imitates art. In an ironic twist of fate, we at Parker Lodge have witnessed this firsthand. Even as we prepare to dive into our first rehearsal, we’ve seen heroes and villains emerging, and not just the sort one might find on the stage. How will our story end? Well, stay tuned to find out! One thing is sure and certain— without a villain, the hero has nothing to overcome! And so we forge ahead, ready to prove that right overcomes might, David really does defeat Goliath, and a passel of females—out-of-towners, no less—truly have the interest of Estes Park at heart. Will you join us in our quest to right injustice, both onstage and off? —
Your friends at Parker Lodge

O
N
M
ONDAY MORNING
Lottie paced the lobby of Parker Lodge, her thoughts in a whirlwind. She turned to face Gilbert, her heart in her throat. “What can be done?”

“I don’t know.” Gil stopped his work of fixing the broken windowsill and faced her. “Are you absolutely sure you heard right? There’s no doubt in your mind?”

“Oh, I heard right. Mama said the Women’s League would be meeting at the restaurant in the Stanley Hotel at noon today to put an end to our theatrical once and for all.” She took a strand of hair between her fingers and began to wind it around until it caused pain.

“But why? I just don’t understand.”

She could hardly stand the thought of sharing what she’d heard through Mama, but she had no choice. “Gil, brace yourself. I dread telling you what folks are saying, but you must know.”

“I can take it. Just tell me.”

“They’re saying…” She squeezed her eyes shut and swallowed hard. “They’re saying that Parker Lodge has turned into a—a…” She couldn’t say the word.

“A theater?” He shifted the hammer from one hand to the other.

“No.”

“A force to be reckoned with?”

“No.”

“A pie parlor?” This time his voice cracked.

“N–no.” She finally managed the rest. “A—a brothel.”

“A what?” He stormed across the lobby, his face now red. “A—a…what?”

“You heard me, Gil. They think we’ve brought the women here for…well, for other purposes. Theatrics, yes, but not the kind on a stage.” Speaking the words made her feel sick, inside and out.

“Tell me you’re making that up.” The hammer slipped out of his hand and landed with a crash on the wooden floor. “Tell me it’s some sort of a line from the play or something.”

“I–it’s not.” Her mother’s words replayed in her mind. She couldn’t stop them, no matter how hard she tried.

Gilbert swooped down and picked up the hammer, which he placed on the newly built windowsill. For a moment he said nothing.

“Are—are you all right?” she asked.

He turned to face her. “Of course I’m not all right. You’re telling me that folks are calling my family’s lodge a house of—of—”

“Ill repute.” She shivered as her mother’s words resurfaced.

“And how, pray tell, did they come to this conclusion?”

Lottie wanted to comfort him, wanted to throw her arms around his neck and whisper, “It’s going to be all right” in his ear. Instead, she blew out a long breath and tried to still her racing heart. “Who knows what goes on in their minds? Mama said it was the only thing that made sense. I guess she got wind of the fact that some of the fellas are actually paying for the women’s keep.”

“The women’s
keep
? Is that what she called it? The men are just chipping in for food and such. Nothing more.”

“Well, of course,” Lottie said. “You know that and I know that, but Mama and Althea Baker don’t. I mean, I tried to explain it, but my words came out all jumbled. They had me so addlepated, I could hardly explain things in a sensible fashion.”

“Lottie.” He took her hand, looking her straight in the eye. “Are you sure you heard them say the word ‘brothel’? Maybe you misunderstood. Maybe they said ‘hostel.’ ”

Lottie shook her head. “I wouldn’t make up something like this, Gil. Apparently yesterday morning after church, Althea Baker heard Jeb say something about how he’s paying a heavy price to keep the women here. That’s what got this rumor started.”

Gilbert groaned and dropped her hand. “It’s not like that.”

“I know. I heard him say that he’s selling Katie Sue to help out with the women’s financial upkeep, and I understood what he meant, of course. But you’ll never convince my mother or Althea. You know how they are. They believe what they want to believe, and I’m afraid it’s too late to change their thinking now.”

“Do you think Jeb caught on to their suspicions?”

“I’m sure he’s oblivious, and that’s a good thing. If he knew the Women’s League suspected his…behavior…I think it would really hurt him.”

Gilbert flinched. “Well, of course it would. Any of the fellas would be shaken by this. I can’t even imagine what Phineas will do if he gets wind of it.”

“I’m praying he doesn’t.”

“So, about the Women’s League, what’s their plan of action? What are they going to do with these suspicions of theirs?”

Oh, how she hated to share this next bit of news with him. And yet she must. “I heard Mama mention Althea’s nephew, Thad. He’s a highfalutin lawyer now, you know. Lives in Loveland.”