Some Rain Must Fall

Ben Mason dreaded the next few months. “I’d do almost anything for Em. She knows it and pushes me. One day, Bronc, she’ll shove me past my limit.” “Yah, right! You’re a big talker, but I’ll believe it when I see it. You’ll take whatever she dishes out to you and smile.” Bronco chuckled. Ben let his thoughts range back over the past few weeks. Em had a hold of a bone and in her own way she planned to chew it down as far as she could. As usual, when she took on a new passion, she sought company. He smiled when he realized how she had pulled him into her current obsession. She believed they needed to be ready for her long awaited visitor. Her niece, Ann, was driving out from Chicago to see the Longley homestead for the first time and Emily wanted everything to be perfect for her. “O.K. I’ll admit I won’t say no to her, but I don’t have to give in totally. Em expects me to baby-sit this woman and she sounds like just the kind I hate, college educated goody two shoes. A pain in the ass. I don’t plan to do much talking to her. I’ll not say one word more than I have to. If I do I’ll just get in hot water with Em. Easier if I just clam up.” “Maybe, but somehow I don’t think that’ll keep you clean either.” I’m finally here, thought Ann Harris with relief. It had been a long drive but she was thankful for the early June timing. Any later in the season, the heat of the drive would have been unbearable across the Dakotas without the air conditioning blasting. it was the fulfillmant of a life long dream coming to the place her Uncle Henry and Aunt Emily called The Homestead. M bar M, however, was the sign Aunt Emily told her to watch for. The sign looked old, with the words burned into a weathered wood plank. It hung from heavy chain off an arch made of huge logs that spanned the drive. To each side of the gateway, a wooden fence extended about twenty feet to the woods, then changed to barbed wire. Although too early for blooms, it appeared that the climbing roses on the fence would be spectacular later in the season. For now, there were a few late blossoming daffodils and a profusion of carefully tended primroses. To Ann the display felt like a personal welcome. It also demonstrated her aunt’s continuing love for this place. Just as beautiful were the wild flowers popping up in uncontrolled abundance. There were little yellow violets and a soft lavender variety with dainty foliage that she recognized as a kind of bleeding heart. Ann drove through the gates and up the long driveway, where massive overhanging big leaf maples near the entrance gave way to evergreen trees as large as any she had ever seen. The trees grew close to the sides of the drive, their branches spreading to completely enclose the roadway in an umbrella of greenery. At the top of the quarter mile drive, there was a road off to the right that led down to a large barn and several other outbuildings. They looked quite old but well cared for, but it was the house that drew her attention. It could have been off the set of an old Western movie. It was built of logs about a foot through. It’s aged but impressive mass was softened with a wide verandah and porch swing. The only modern touches were the large picture windows in the front, which had been blended into the home’s styling with wide wooden frames and sills. Peeking out of the right side of the roof was a large dormer. Ann climbed out of her car and walked to the porch. Before she could knock, Emily opened the door. “Oh, Ann, I’m so glad you’re here,” she burst out with a rush, accompanied by a big hug. “I hate to leave you but I have an important meeting with my attorney. I shouldn’t be more than a few hours. You’ll be using the loft bedroom. There’s tons of food, so help yourself if you need a snack. I should be back in plenty of time for dinner but I planned out a menu that’s on the fridge. If that doesn’t sound good we’ll change it. Linen is in the hall closet. Bathroom is over there, but just explore all you want. Make yourself totally at home. There is no TV, but lots of books. Got to run.” Another hug and she was gone. Ann realized she hadn’t even said Hello. Aunt Emily hadn’t slowed a bit in the years since she had last seen her. She was the same boisterous, energetic woman she had always been! Shaking her head, Ann went out to her car to begin unloading her bags. With her arms full she headed where Emily had indicated the loft to be. Looking at the steep stairs leading to the second floor, she put down a couple of bags leaving one hand free for the handrail. She regretted, for the first time, the size of her wardrobe.