Part 5
Rick turned his head as Louisa drove past his house. “Hey! Did you forget you were supposed to take me home?” he asked.
The young woman frowned. “Yeah, guess I did,” she admitted, looking for a place to turn around. “Why don't you get your stuff and spend the night at the ranch? That way, you'll be able to see the look on Chet's face first hand?”
“Sounds good to me,” answered Dunkirk . “Come on in, I'm up on the second floor. Ignore the dude in the lobby. He hits everybody up for money.”
Louisa followed her friend up the stairs to his apartment. An amused grin flirted across her lips as she surveyed the small rooms. “Real nice, Ricky,” she teased. “Done in early dumpster, right?”
Rick chuckled ruefully. “It's not fancy like your house, but it's home,” he grinned. He threw some clothes and toiletries in a duffel bag and zipped it closed. “Are you sure Hank won't mind if I crash with you guys?”
“Nah, I'm always bringing strays home,” she joked playfully. “If you behave, I might even take you riding.”
“Can't wait,” sparred the guitarist. “They're fully trained not to buck, too, right, kid? I'd hate to end up in the bed next to Paulie.”
“Trust me, if my brothers can ride, so can you. What's the matter, Ricky? You scared of horses?”
“They don't bother me; it's your kids I'm worried about. If they take after their mother, I bet they're wild.”
“If you can handle a bunch of half-crazy firemen, you'll be just fine.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hank sat on the porch waiting for his wife to get home. Gage and Desoto had returned over an hour ago, telling everyone what had happened to Paul Roland. Chet's jaw dropped, his anger over Louisa's prank forgotten. “Wow!” he gasped. “I'm glad he's gonna be okay.”
“You and me both, Chet,” agreed Johnny. Brackett said he's got a hard road ahead of him, but in the long run, he'll be all right.”
Marco chuckled, remembering something Roy had said earlier. “Did my sister really say she would dig him up and kick his butt if he died?” he snickered, his mustache twitching.
The senior paramedic laughed. “She sure did! That kind of broke the tension and all three of them started giggling like a bunch of stoned teenagers. It was quite a sight.”
The Latino firefighter smiled. “They always did have a weird sense of humor,” he said. “I found a videotape of one of their monster movie parties. I'll play it for you when Lou gets home.”
Captain Stanley stood up as Louisa's car pulled into the driveway. His eyes widened when Rick climbed out the passenger door, smiling sheepishly. “Hi, everyone. We thought you would have all gone home by now.”
The young woman chuckled. “You still mad at me, Chester ?” she asked with a teasing smile. “Admit it, you bought the whole thing, hook, line, and sinker.”
The Irishman grinned. “Yeah, I did, but it was a good prank. I plan to retaliate, Mrs. Cap. How's Paul?”
“Doing all right. He'll be in the hospital for a couple more days, but Kel said he's out of danger. That is, unless I get my hands on him for scaring twenty years off my life!” joked Louisa.
“Good,” said Mike. “Now, I want to see that item you dug up, Marco. I'll go in and make some popcorn.”
Rick and Louisa shared a uncomfortable glance. “What are you talking about?” questioned Dunkirk .
Hank laughed. “He found a reel of film of you guys watching old monster movies,” he replied, hugging his wife.
The young woman groaned. “Oh, man, I think we're in trouble, Rick,” she said, biting her lip. “Our past is coming back to haunt us yet again.”
A short time later, they were gathered in the living room, watching the home movies and laughing. One particular comment struck Chet as hilarious and he howled, spilling his bowl of popcorn on his lap. “Good thing the kids aren't here,” he guffawed. “I've never heard Godzilla described in such, um, colorful language, Lou!”
Louisa giggled. “At least I don't watch movies about killer vegetables, Chester ,” she needled. “Or ones dealing with aliens eating people's brains.”
“What about Re-animator ?” snickered Rick. “I remember you being pretty interested in the alien sucking out that chick's brains through a straw.”
“Novel way of doing a lobotomy,” commented Roy , to much laughter. “Maybe we should ask Dr. Early about that method. It could revolutionize neurosurgery.”
Johnny threw an arm around Louisa's shoulder. “Maybe we should write a script about Dracu-mower,” he snorted. “Chet can star as the unsuspecting victim. Or should we change it to clueless?”
Rick raised an eyebrow at him. “Dracu-mower? What's that?”
The paramedic grinned. “It's what we call Cap's blood thirsty lawnmower,” he said.
The guitarist smirked at Hank. “So that's why Lou mows the lawn,” he commented. “Tell me, little missy, does it bite everyone?
Louisa giggled softly. “No, it prays on firemen only,” she laughed. “But I think it would make an exception for you, Ricky.”
“Not me, baby. I never went in for yard work.” His eyes widened when he saw an image of himself on the film screen. “Oh, man. What was I thinking with that haircut?” he groaned.
“You?!? What about me ?!?” snickered Louisa. “If my hair was any bigger, it would have brushed the ceiling. At least I never used leopard print spandex pants as a fashion statement.”
Chet laughed loudly. “Yeah, the statement you made was ‘I have no taste in clothes',” he needled. “Uh, Lou, what is that thing around your neck?” he asked, squinting in an attempt to make it out.
“Believe it or not, amigo , it's a spiked dog collar,” put in Marco. “I found it in a box of my sister's old clothes.” He pulled it out of his pocket and tossed it to her. Louisa snapped it around her neck, preening like a fashion model.
“It's the latest trend in kennel wear. All the best dressed animals are wearing them this year,” she joked.
Buddy, the Stanley 's mixed breed dog lifted his head and barked. “What's the matter, pal?” grinned Hank. “You jealous? Give me that thing, honey.” He caught the collar and placed it around the dog's neck. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the world's first heavy metal hound.”
Mike ignored the banter, staring intently at the flickering image. He snorted in amusement as Toby, clad in black satin pants, cavorted across the screen, doing a passable imitation of Godzilla, complete with roars. The engineer winked at his sister and said, “What in the world were you guys drinking when you made this?”
Rick chuckled, raising an eyebrow at Louisa. “Tequila, wasn't it? Mixed with some choice Columbia Gold. What I remember most is the brain-shriveling hangover I woke up with the next morning. We all swore we would never drink again, but that only lasted about a week.”
“One thing's for sure, Gene used to make a mean margarita,” smiled the young woman. “I wonder if Mrs. Simpson ever found out what really killed her rose bushes. Seems to me that every time we needed to throw up, they were the chosen target.”
“I think the smell clued her in,” answered Dunkirk . “You guys ever seen five drunken fools try to dance the hokey pokey?” he asked, pointing at the screen. “Watch closely.”
Hank's jaw dropped as he tried to contain his laughter. “Are those roller skates on your feet?”
“Uh huh. It's a miracle we didn't get up close and personal with that big cactus in the front yard,” replied Louisa. “But we were smart enough to stay away from skateboards,” she went on, playfully elbowing Johnny in the ribs.
“Hey! I only did that once,” protested the paramedic.
“And it ended in disaster,” chuckled Roy . “How long did it take Brackett to remove all the needles from your butt, Junior?”
“Too long,” grinned Johnny.
The film ended and the men got up. “That was great, little sister,” said Mike, hugging her goodbye. “Marco, if you find any more of those, bring them to the station. We can charge admission and make a ton of money.”
The Latino fireman chuckled. “I already did, Mike,” he said. “There was a whole box of them.”
“Wonderful,” grumbled Louisa, pretending to be annoyed. “What else did you find, big brother?”
“I'm not saying,” smiled Marco, ruffling her hair affectionately. “All I'm gonna tell you is that your kids will love seeing it.” He leaned over and whispered in Hank's ear, making the Captain laugh hysterically.
After Rick and the rest of the fire crew had left, Louisa interrogated her husband. The lanky man refused to say a word, but told her that Chief McConikee would be very interested in the films.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
One Week Later
Louisa was sitting at the kitchen table, busy paying bills when the phone rang. She picked it up and frowned when she heard someone sobbing. “Hello? Who is this?” she questioned, a chill running down her spine.
“Louisa, it's Dorothy Johnson. I have some very bad news for you.” The woman paused to compose herself then took a deep breath. “Gray Eagle passed away last night, dear. Phillip was concerned when he didn't show up for breakfast. He must have gone while he was sleeping.”
The young woman gasped and started to cry. “Have you called Johnny yet?” she whispered.
“I haven't been to reach him,” replied Mrs. Johnson. “Do you know where he might be?”
“He's on duty today,” answered Louisa, wiping her wet cheek with a shaking hand. “I better drive to the station and tell him. He's going to be crushed.”
“Gray Eagle was such a good man. He's going to be missed around here. I'll let you go so that you can tell John. We'll wait until you get here before we make any arrangements.”
“Thanks for calling me, Dorothy,” answered Louisa, her voice filled with sadness. “I'll see you soon.” She hung up and leaned against the wall, her body shaking with sobs. “Good journey, my friend,” she said quietly. The young woman scooped up her purse and car keys and left the house.
As she drove, Louisa remembered her friend. A smile touched her lips when she recalled the first time she had laid eyes on the Native American man. Before she knew it, she reached Station 51 and pulled into the parking lot. Drawing a deep, calming breath, she got out of her car and went looking for Johnny.
Roy was checking the squad's oil when she walked in. The senior paramedic immediately noticed her reddened eyes and raw cheeks. “Louisa, what is it? What's wrong?”
“Where's Johnny?” questioned Louisa. “I need to talk to him right now. Can you have everyone gather in the dayroom? “You guys should hear this, too.”
“Sure,” replied Desoto. Five minutes later, the crew was seated around the table, waiting for Louisa to speak. The young man laid a hand on Gage's shoulder, squeezing gently. “Johnny, I got a phone call from Dorothy Johnson this morning. She tried to call you herself, but couldn't reach you.” She paused, steadying her voice, fresh tears sliding down her face. “Gray Eagle died in his sleep last night. Phil found him this morning.”
The junior paramedic's throat tightened and he was unable to speak. He stared at her in silence, not wanting to believe. Seeing the deep sorrow in her eyes, he realized that what Louisa was saying was true. He bent his head and wept, tears dropping onto the table top.
Hank laid a strong hand on his wife's shoulder. “Are you okay, honey? I know how much you loved him, too.”
Louisa nodded grimly. “It's just such a shock,” she whispered. “He was so healthy the last time I saw him.” She jumped when Johnny grabbed her hand, squeezing it with bone-crunching force. The young woman bent down to hug her friend, sharing his immense grief.
“Cap, I think Johnny better go home,” said Roy , deeply concerned for his partner and best friend. “Can you call Headquarters and get a replacement for him?”
“Of course,” answered the Captain gruffly. “John, I'm really sorry for your loss, pal. As of now, you're on leave. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.”
Johnny got to his feet, roughly dragging a hand across his face. “Thanks, Cap. I appreciate it. Did Mrs. Johnson say when the funeral will be held, Lou?”
“No, she told me that they would wait until we got to Montana before they made any decisions. Why don't you go change and I'll call the airport. Maybe we can get a flight this afternoon or tonight.”
Gage nodded and headed for the locker room, already unbuttoning his shirt. Chet followed, offering his support to his co-worker and friend. “I'll keep an eye on your place until you get back, man. Don't worry about a thing.”
Johnny flashed a dim version of his usually bright smile. “Thanks, Chet. If you need help, call Roy .”
Louisa went into the office and picked up the phone. “Yes, hello. When is the next flight to Billings , Montana ? That will be fine. Book two seats in business class for me, please. Louisa Stanley and John Gage. I understand. Thank you.” She met John in the engine bay and they walked out to their cars together. “I'll pack a few things and pick you up in an hour, okay?” She turned to smile at her husband. “I'll call you when we land, honey.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Both Johnny and Louisa were silent during the long flight from Los Angeles to Billings , too caught up in their own thoughts to make conversation. The paramedic stared down at his lap, ignoring the stewardess's attempt to flirt with him. Finally, he looked up and glared at the pretty blonde. “Please leave me alone!” he growled. “I'm not in the mood.”
Louisa's lips twitched in amusement. “Speak up, Johnny,” she teased softly. “I don't think the whole plane heard you.”
“Sorry,” muttered Gage. “I didn't mean to snap at you, miss. I just lost my grandfather and I'm not really up to talking right now.”
The stewardess nodded. “I understand, my condolences.” She strolled down the aisle, searching for another eligible bachelor to shower with her charms.
As soon as the plane landed in Billings , Johnny went to the baggage claim while Louisa rented a car. She chuckled softly as her friend joined her again. “That clerk was almost as forward as that girl on the plane,” she said. “Come on; I got us a Buick. You want to stop and get a bite to eat before we leave?”
“No thanks; I'm not hungry. I'll drive,” replied Johnny, reaching for the keys.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Part 6
Dorothy and Phillip Johnson were sitting on the front porch of their home when Johnny pulled into the driveway. The gray-haired woman drew the paramedic into a warm hug the instant he climbed out of the car. “I'm so sorry, John,” she whispered. “Your grandfather was a wonderful man. We'll all miss him terribly.”
“Thanks, Dorothy,” replied Johnny, his voice rough with suppressed tears. “I know he considered all of you family.”
A few feet away, Phillip was hugging Louisa, holding her as she wept softly. She drew back, wiping her wet cheeks. “Where is he?” she asked.
“Still at the coroner's office, waiting for the next of kin to claim the body,” answered Mr. Johnson. “I'll drive you into town after you've both had a chance to get settled.” He stuck out a welcoming hand, greeting Johnny as he untangled himself from Dorothy. “Good to see you again, John. I wish the circumstances were better.”
After showering and eating lunch, Johnson drove them to the coroner's office. Vincent Bass, the County Coroner , rose from behind his desk when they entered. “Hey, Phil.”
“Hi, Vince. This is John Gage, Gray Eagle's grandson and I'm sure you remember Louisa.”
“Yes, yes, of course. Hello, Mr. Gage. I have the paperwork all ready for you. My deepest sympathies. I didn't know your grandfather well, but I really liked him.”
“Thank you, sir,” answered the paramedic. “I'd like the body released to the Blue Horse Funeral Home out on the reservation. They will be handling the service. Can we see him first, please?”
“Certainly. Follow me.” He led them to the morgue and unlocked a drawer. “I'll leave you alone.” He left, speaking softly to Phillip as they went back to the office. John pulled the drawer out and stared down at his grandfather's remains. Gray Eagle had a slight, peaceful smile on his lips. A beaded headband was tied around his forehead, the feather-tipped ends draped over his shoulder. Gage stroked the man's weathered cheek, his eyes moist. Louisa slid her arm around his waist and leaned against him. “He looks like he's asleep,” she whispered hoarsely.
“Yeah,” said Johnny. “Do you recognize this?” he asked, pointing to the headband. “He told me that you made it for him. It was his favorite. He loved you like a daughter, Lou.”
“I loved him, too. I never told anyone this, not even Hank, but my best memories of the ranch revolve around Gray Eagle. He never treated me like an outsider, like some of the other people here did. It was like he accepted me as a member of his family.”
The paramedic smiled. “To him, you were family. He told me once that you have the soul of a Lakota. That's why he took the time to tell you about our culture. He thought it was funny that you made such a fuss when that professor showed up to ask him about Custer. Did you really tell that guy that General Custer was a ‘low-down, snot-nosed, thrill seeker who had the manners of a jackass'?”
Louisa giggled, blushing crimson. “Yeah, I guess I did,” she admitted. “I wish I would've had a camera to capture the look on that guy's face. It was absolutely priceless!”
“He always said you were a little firebrand,” grinned Johnny. “Lou, would you be willing to share some of your memories at the service? Grandfather would have wanted you to.”
The young woman smiled. “I'd be honored. I have a few stories that you might be interested in. Like his reaction to me asking him about the Sun Dance ceremony.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Next Morning
Johnny inhaled deeply and opened the door to Gray Eagle's cabin. Louisa followed him inside, closing the wooden door behind her. She paused for a minute, her eyes traveling around the small home. She crossed to touch a large painting that took up most of one wall. “This picture fascinated me for some reason. It always seemed like it would come to life if I stared at it long enough.”
“I felt the same way.” He dropped to his knees in front of a large cedar chest and threw back the lid. He pulled out a sealed envelope and opened it. “Grandfather's will,” he commented. “Right where it always was.” He carefully emptied the chest, sorting the contents into neat piles. A brief smile flitted across his face as he unfurled a heavily-fringed buckskin shirt. “Legend has it that this belonged to Sitting Bull. Beautiful, isn't it?”
Louisa sat down on the floor next to her friend and took the shirt, admiring the quill work across the yoke. “It sure is,” she said. “What's this?” she asked, picking up a thick scrapbook. Her eyes widened as she flipped through the pages. “These are all clippings from the Los Angeles newspaper!” she gasped. “Here's my wedding picture and here are my children's birth announcements. I had no idea he saved these.”
“Why wouldn't he? You're family. Look here; this is a story about one of the rescues Roy and I went on.” He stopped, frowning when he spotted a story about Tom Parker's trial. He snapped the book closed and set it aside. He glanced up when the door creaked open. Richard Johnson stood there, smiling sheepishly. “I didn't mean to interrupt,” he apologized. “Mind if I come in?”
“Not at all,” grinned Johnny, getting to his feet. “We're almost finished anyway. How are you, sir?”
“Holding my own,” replied the old man with a shrug. “The funeral home called. I said I would have you return their call. Oh, and lunch is ready.”
“Thanks,” said Louisa, climbing to her feet and dusting off her jeans. They followed Johnson to the house.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Gray Eagle's Funeral
“Lou, can you give me a hand with this thing?” called Johnny, struggling with a beaded headband. “I kept getting my hair caught in the thong.” He whistled when the young woman appeared in the doorway. “You look pretty good in buckskin, Mrs. Cap,” he smiled.
“So do you, hose jockey,” she teased back. “Turn around and hold still.” She quickly tied the leather thongs. “There! Man, Johnny! You look like you stepped out of an old John Wayne movie.” She chuckled ruefully. “I hope I can get through my speech without losing my composure.”
“You'll do fine. Are you ready to go?”
Louisa nodded. They left the bedroom and walked down the stairs to join the Johnsons. As the mourners got into their cars, Buck came out of the bunkhouse. The foreman was dressed head to toe in black, carrying a rawhide pouch slung over his shoulder. He climbed into Phillip's truck next to Louisa, too overcome with grief to speak. The young woman slid a consoling arm around the man's strong shoulders and hugged him.
As soon as they reached the funeral home, Johnny disappeared in a crowd of people, all who expressed their sorrow at his loss. The paramedic smiled as he shared words with them, glancing at Louisa from time to time. He broke away from the group when the reservation medicine man entered the small hall, chanting quietly. Everyone took their seats, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Johnny took his place at the altar. “First of all, I'd like to thank you for coming as we say goodbye to my grandfather, Gray Eagle,” he said. “I am pleased to see so many familiar faces. It was Grandfather who taught me to respect nature and my Lakota heritage. He believed that death was not an ending, but the beginning of another way of living. I'm sure that he is looking down on us right now from his place among our ancestors and listening in as we remember his long life. Gray Eagle touched many lives during his time here on Earth, including someone I hold dear to my heart. Grandfather considered her a part of our family and took great joy in teaching her Lakota customs and stories. I've asked her to speak here today and share her memories of him. Louisa, will you join me, please?”
Louisa stood up and smoothed her ceremonial dress. She smiled at her friend and drew him into a warm hug. “Thank you, Johnny. Some of you may know me, but for those who don't, my name is Louisa Martin Lopez Stanley. I had the pleasure of meeting with Gray Eagle many years ago when I came to Montana to work for the Johnson family. He took me under his wing and helped me through those first difficult weeks. I had never worked on a ranch before and made some mistakes at first. I nursed a lot of sore muscles and bruises from breaking wild horses under his watchful eye. Some of my fondest memories are of spending time with Gray Eagle when people from local universities came to ask him about Lakota culture.” She chuckled softly, her eyes shining with mirth. “One of these visitors stands out very clearly in my mind.” As she shared the story of her encounter with the professor, muted laughter echoed throughout the small church. Several people nodded their heads, remembering the incident. One older man seated a few rows from the front shook with glee. As Louisa finished her tale, he rose to his feet and called, “I talked to the same guy! He was so angry I thought he was going to blow his top!”
Johnny's jaw dropped when he recognized the man. “Fred Running Bear!” he grinned. “I haven't seen you in ages! Will you share some of your memories of Grandfather with us?”
Fred chuckled and walked to the altar. “I would be glad to, John. Gray Eagle and I grew up together,” he began. “We attended the same school here on the reservation. Back then, things were very different, let me tell you. The first day of classes, all of the boys had to line up for haircuts. Gray Eagle stood right up and told the principal there was no way in Creation they were going to cut his hair. We all backed him up and none of us ever did get haircuts that day. Anyway, Gray Eagle and I would sit in the back of the room and make comments about our teachers. It's a good thing none of them spoke Lakota or we would have been in big trouble!” He turned to smile at Louisa, who was still standing next to him. “I remember the day I met this young lady, too. First time I laid eyes on her, she and Buck were cleaning stalls. I'll never forget the look on that man's face when she almost dropped a bale of hay on his head. She claimed it was an accident, but I knew better. I think it was her grin that gave it away. She and that crazy cousin of hers were always cooking up some kind of mischief. I remember one time that Gray Eagle caught them putting a garter snake in Milo 's bed. Anyone who knew him knows all too well how much he hates snakes. I thought he would scold them, but not Gray Eagle. He went out and found more of those critters and helped them plant ‘em. I swear I heard Milo scream all the way out to my place. Gray Eagle more often than not instigated some of their best pranks. He was an eternal child, looking at all of the Great Spirit's creations with delight. I will miss you, my friend. I wish you a good journey to your final resting place.”
Several other people who had know Gray Eagle spoke, recalling the man they knew as a loyal friend. After the speeches were finished, the men chosen as pallbearers tenderly carried Gray Eagle's coffin to the reservation's burial ground. Winter Hawk, the medicine man, chanted over the Native American man's resting place and the coffin was lowered into the ground. The mourners passed by the grave, tossing handfuls of dirt and bundles of herbs into the hole, saying prayers as they bid their friend goodbye.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Three Days Later
“I don't understand, Johnny. Why do I have to be there?” asked Louisa.
“Because, according to Grandfather's lawyer, he left you something in his will,” replied Gage. “Considering how he felt about you, it doesn't surprise me at all.”
The young woman bit her lip. “All right, if you say so. What did you say this guy's name was?”
“Chandler White Horse,” answered the paramedic. He glanced at his watch. “We better hurry if we're gonna make it on time.”
After telling the receptionist their names, Johnny and Louisa took a seat in the attorney's outer office. The young woman stared at a painting on the wall, her eyes picking out every detail. She nudged her friend. “This was done by the same artist who did the picture on Gray Eagle's wall.”
Before Johnny could answer, Chandler White Horse appeared, a wide grin on his lined face. “John, my boy! Good to see you again! How's the fire business?” he boomed.
“Pretty hot,” joked Gage. “This is Louisa Stanley. Her husband is my Captain.”
White Horse thrust out a hand. “Pleased to meet you, ma'am. Come into the office so we can get started.” He sat behind his massive desk and unfolded a blue-backed document. He began to read, starting with the standard phrases about being of sound mind and body. Finally, he came to the part dealing with the distribution of gray Eagle's belongings. “To John Gage, my only surviving blood relative, I leave my collection of Lakota artifacts. I know he will treasure each item and display them proudly in his home. To Louisa Lopez Martin Stanley, whom I love like a granddaughter, I leave my portfolio of stock and bonds, as well as the painting on my living room wall. She was always drawn to it, and it is my wish that she share it with her family.”
Louisa and Johnny looked at each other and smiled. “If that's all, Mr. White Horse….” said the young woman, starting to get up.
“No, no, there's more,” said the lawyer, flipping back the page. “To John and Louisa, I leave my cabin and the property I acquired during my life. It is my wish that they share the property equally. The deed is in my attorney's possession. He will advise them as to its size and location.” Chandler folded the will and laid it on the desk. “I took the liberty of transferring the deed into your names,” he said, handing the paper across the desk. Johnny reached out to take it and unfolded it. His eyes widened when he read the document. “This can't be right!” he exclaimed. “It says here Grandfather owns fifty acres of land adjoining the Johnson's ranch! I had no idea he bought any land up here!”
Louisa's mouth hung open in shock. “Let me see that, Johnny.” A grin lit up her face as she realized where the acreage was located. “It covers the western edge of the property, including Victory Ridge,” she commented joyously. “Gray Eagle knew that section of the ranch holds fond memories for me!” She burst out laughing, hysterical tears streaming down her cheeks.
The paramedic stared at his friend for an instant, then laughed with her. “Maybe we can convert that old line shack into a luxury honeymoon suite!” he chuckled. “You know, rent it out to couples who want to experience the real West!”
White Horse smiled broadly. “You weren't the first to spend a night in that old dump, Mrs. Stanley. My wife and I also had to wait out a storm there many years ago.”
Louisa brushed a hand across her damp face. “That explains the dried flowers Hank and I found,” she giggled. “Looks like we're people of property now, Mr. Gage,” she teased. “Question is, what do we do with it?”
Johnny grinned. “Beats me,” he answered. “We can talk about it when we get home. Thank you so much, Chandler . I'll give you my address in Los Angeles so you can send me your bill.”
“It's all been taken care of, John,” said the attorney. “Your grandfather set aside money to cover his final legal expenses.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
One Week Later
Rather than fly home as they had originally planned, Johnny talked Louisa into renting a car and driving back to Los Angeles . On their last night in Montana , the Johnson hosted a farewell dinner for them. Most of Johnny's old friends showed up, as well as Andy Daniels, the local sheriff, and Clem and Stacey Rogers. The deputy and his wife were expecting their third child. Louisa and Stacey huddled in a corner of the living room, gossiping and giggling. “Believe me, honey,” said Louisa, “labor is a lot easier the second time. Hannah was born so fast, I almost didn't have time to call Hank every name in the book.” The girls laughed, drawing attention from several of the guests.
“I'm sorry you didn't stay on with the Department, Clem,” Johnny said to Rogers . “You were practically the only guy who could stand working with Craig Brice.”
Clem smiled and took a swig from his can of beer. “Let me tell you a secret, Gage: the guy drove me nuts. I just never let it show. There were days I wanted to stuff him on one of the side compartments and leave him there for a couple hours.”
“Just a couple hours? I would have done it for the entire shift!” admitted the paramedic. “You ever thought about coming down to visit? I'm sure Cap would be glad to see you.”
“Stacey and I talked about it, but with her new job, there doesn't seem to be any time. Maybe we can get some time off around the holidays. I got a few evil pranks to play on a certain fireman you're acquainted with.”
Johnny laughed. “Did I tell you about the joke Lou and I played on him a while back?” He told the deputy about the prank, making Clem howl. “Best part is, Kelly bought it hook, line, and sinker! He even called Cap to tell him we were fooling around behind his back!”
Rogers shook his head. “Lou always did have a wild streak. It doesn't surprise me a bit she's still pulling pranks.”
The party lasted until well after midnight. As the last car drove away, Johnny walked towards his grandfather's last home. He gestured for Louisa to follow, his face somber.
“I can't believe he left this to us, Johnny,” whispered the young woman. “I almost expect him to walk in the door and ask us what we're up to in here.”
The paramedic smiled, a chuckle rising in his throat. “I experienced that first hand once,” he grinned. “About a year before I moved to California , I was here visiting and Grandfather caught me in here with a girl. All we were doing was talking, but he scared the living heck out of us!”
“Since when does the John Gage I know just ‘talk' with a girl, huh?” giggled the young woman. “I think there was more to it than that, buster.”
Johnny laughed. “Okay, okay, we were kissing. Satisfied? I swear, you should have been a lawyer instead of a lab technician. Anyway, the reason I wanted you to come in here is I wanted to know if you wanted help crating up that painting.”
Before Louisa could reply, a loud yawn escaped from her mouth. “No offense, but can we get some sleep first? I'm wiped out. Why don't we leave it on the wall for now? We can come back and get it later. In case you've forgotten, hose jockey, we're driving home tomorrow. Or should I say, this morning?” she amended, glancing at her wristwatch.
“Point taken. You can have the bed; I'll take the couch. If you get lonely, just call,” he joked, slipping off his shirt and settling onto the sofa.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Next Morning
“Don't worry about a thing, you two,” said Phillip, as John and Louisa got into the car they had rented. “We'll keep an eye on the property for you. Call us when you stop for the night.”
“Thanks for everything, Phil,” called Louisa as the car started to move. “Bye!” She buckled her seatbelt. “Home, Jeeves,” she joked playfully.
“Yes, ma'am,” shot back Johnny. “Did you call Cap before we left?”
“Uh huh. Woke him up, too. I forgot how crabby he is before he gets a pot of coffee in his stomach. He cheered up when he heard that we were on our way home, though. How about you? Did you call Roy ?”
“Are you kidding? And interrupt his marital bliss?” grinned the paramedic slyly. “He'd never forgive me if I did that!”
“Joanne told me they were trying to have another baby. And speaking of babies, you'll never guess what I found out the other day! Someone very close to us is going to be a mommy in about seven months or so.”
“Oh really?” questioned Gage. “All right, Mrs. Stanley. Spill your guts. Be a nice girl and tell me who it is and I might let you drive a little bit.”
Louisa shook her head. “No way, pal. That doesn't work for Marco and it won't work for you either. Besides, I promised to keep my mouth shut.”
“Spoilsport. All right, I won't say another word.” He covered his mouth, using broad gestures. “I won't ask again,” he said, his words muffled by his fingers.
They stopped for lunch at a roadside diner. As they got out of the car, a beefy man clad in jeans and a greased-stained flannel shirt paused to stare at them. “What you doing with a white gal, redskin?” he growled in a threatening tone, his hands clenching into ham-sized fists.
Louisa jaw tightened and she glared. “Watch your mouth, redneck, or I'll be forced to teach you some manners!” she retorted. Johnny looked down at the ground, biting his lip to keep from laughing.
The man gaped at the young woman, grinning unpleasantly. “Oh, I bet you could teach me a few things, missy,” he said, smacking his greasy lips. “Come on over here and show old Lester what you can do, sweetie.”
Louisa flashed a charming smile and sashayed up to him. Winking at Johnny, she slid her hands up Lester's shoulders, cooing softly. “What big muscles you have, darling,” she purred. “I bet you're really strong, too, huh?”
“You better believe it, honey,” answered the man, reaching for her breasts. Before he could touch her, however, Louisa lifted her leg, kneeing him hard in the groin. Lester let out a raspy scream and backed off, clutching his crotch. “You crazy bitch! What the Hell did you do that for?”
“Keep your filthy hands to yourself, creep,” growled the young woman angrily. “I'm a married woman. Be glad I didn't punch your fat face.” She dusted herself off and stalked into the diner, an evil chuckle drifting over her shoulder. Johnny followed, a wide grin on his face. A cheer erupted from the other patrons as they entered the small eatery. “Good going, miss,” shouted a tall, lanky man. “He tries that on every chick he sees. Not all of them are smart enough to fight back!” He walked out the door, hooting with laughter.
A waitress approached the travelers, smiling broadly. “Welcome to Gerry's!” she said. “I'm Gerry and this is my place. Whatever you two want, it's on the house for taking care of that slime ball.”
“Consider it my good deed for the day,” giggled the young woman, sliding into a booth. “I'll have a cheeseburger, medium rare, with a side of fries and a Coke. How about you, Johnny?”
“The same, but make mine well done. And I'll have a glass of milk, too.” He waited until Gerry had gone before leaning over the table, his eyes sparkling with glee. “Can't I take you anywhere without you getting into trouble, young lady?” he teased.
“Guess not,” grinned Louisa. “Speaking of trouble, don't look now, but our friend is having words with one of the local boys in blue.” She pointed out the window to where Lester was shouting at a uniformed police officer. The patrolman nodded, then followed the man into the diner.
“Excuse me, folks, but Lester here claims you assaulted him,” he rumbled in a deep voice. “Is that true?”
“Yes, sir, it is,” replied Louisa. “But he made a rude comment to my friend first. Where I come from, we don't tolerate racial discrimination.” The paramedic covered a laugh by clearing his throat and suddenly found the table top very interesting.
“I see,” answered the officer, trying in vain to suppress a smile. “Knowing Lester as well as I do, that doesn't surprise me a bit. Let's try to behave ourselves, shall we?” he joked. “If you can do that, I'll let you off with just a warning this time.”
Lester's face turned crimson. “Is that all you're gonna do, Dexter?” he blustered.
The patrolman frowned. “No, Lester, it's not. I'm gonna stick around and make sure you don't bother these folks no more. Weren't you on your way out?”
“Fine,” grumbled Lester. “Just watch yourself, little lady. That nasty streak is gonna get you in a heap of trouble someday.” He stomped out of the diner and roared off in his 18-wheeler.
Dexter chuckled softly and hooked his thumbs in his belt. “Where are you folks from?” he asked, cocking a hip against the side of the booth.
“ Los Angeles ,” answered Johnny, looking up. “We're on our way home from a funeral. I'm sorry we caused trouble for you.”
The officer grinned. “Not a problem,” he replied. “Lester's bark is worse than his bite. From what I heard, your lady friend here didn't have no difficulty at all putting him in his place.” He touched two fingers to his cap and saluted. “Have a safe trip back.”