Lonely In Longtree by Jill Stengl Page A

lodges in the area. Members of the Lakeland Lodge staff must travel into town occasionally for supplies, mail, and news. Monte was a member of the staff. He probably ran errands for the lodge along with his guide duties. She could ask him for a ride and. . . Dreams of Monte’s attentive company blotted thoughts of the elusive Lucky from her head.
    In the hall outside her room, she stopped cold and clapped one hand over her face. No! I am here in search of Lucky in Lakeland, and I must not allow myself to be distracted. I am through forever with chasing after men or even thinking about chasing after men! If Monte Van Huysen wants to be with me, he will have to do the chasing.
    â§
    â€œMonte, have you got a minute?” Hardy Stowell burst into Monte’s office, nearly colliding with him in the doorway. His wispy hair stood on end like a wavering halo of gold around his head.
    â€œSure. What’s wrong? Sit down before you collapse.” Monte caught his friend by the shoulders and pushed him into a chair.
    â€œNothing is wrong! I wanted to tell you earlier, but your family was there. . . .” Hardy fanned his face with an envelope and rubbed his head. “She said she might walk with me after supper—Miss Obermeier did.” His electrified hair sprang back out as soon as his hand passed over it.
    â€œOh. Really.” Monte realized how flat his response sounded and tried again. “That’s nice.”
    Hardy gave a little laugh.
    â€œDon’t get your hopes up too high,” Monte warned in mild concern and a flash of jealousy.
    Hardy shook his head and stood up. “I know. A woman like her wouldn’t look twice at a fellow like me. I can’t help wondering why she’s never married. Bad disposition? Hard to believe with that angel face of hers. Domineering parents? Disappointment in her youth?”
    â€œHard to say,” Monte responded after an empty pause. “I suppose you could ask her.”
    Hardy smiled, and his pale eyes shimmered. “If I have the courage.”
    After his partner left the office, Monte flopped into his desk chair and glared at the opposite wall.
    â§
    Everyone gathered in the lodge dining room for supper that evening, a fish fry of walleye and bluegill. Marva sat at her parents’ table, enjoying her first quiet meal. George and Dorothy Hilbert, the newlyweds, joined them, chatting happily about their hiking excursion into the local woods. Above the murmur of conversation, Marva heard Trixie Van Huysen scream in garbled protest about something. She ate slightly faster in case Beulah might need her help.
    Sensing a presence at her elbow, she looked up to meet Mr. Stowell’s hopeful gaze. “Miss Obermeier?”
    While chewing and swallowing a mouthful of fish, she patted her lips with her napkin and laid it on her plate. “Yes, sir?”
    â€œI see you’re not yet finished. I trust you still have the time and inclination to honor me with your presence this evening? To take a walk?”
    â€œOh.” She glanced around at the Van Huysen table. Trixie perched on her uncle Monte’s knee, playing with his string tie. The children appeared to be cheerful and cooperative. “Yes, I believe so. That would be nice, Mr. Stowell.” Sensing his impatience, she decided to forgo dessert.
    â€œThere is no hurry. You may enjoy your meal while I visit other guests. Simply let me know when you’re ready.”
    â€œVery well.”
    Mr. Stowell shook her father’s hand and greeted her mother, then nodded to the Hilberts. The man had good manners; that was certain.
    When Marva rose and brushed off her skirt, Mr. Stowell hurried across the room to join her. Everyone at the lodge must know by now that she had agreed to walk with him. With one hand at the back of her waist, he escorted her from the dining room. As they passed the Van Huysens’ table, Beulah looked up and gave her a knowing smile.