Chapter 12

“Pour me something tall and strong, make it a hurricane before I go insane! It’s only half past twelve, but I don’t care. It’s five o-clock somewhere!”

Anne threw her head back and laughed with delight as Mickey led her across the dance floor to the lyrics of the Alan Jackson party song, her bright red hair flowing outward as she spun around. From where the others sat at a table, the Grant brothers and the ladies with them watched and laughed along.

“They really look great together!” Nichole smiled at Yzzy. “For years he was the quiet wallflower and now? He’s like a new man! I don’t know how you did it but the transformation is wonderful!”

“I didn’t do anything,” Yzzy looked out onto the dance floor at the couple. “All it took was the right two people to find each other. I can tell you that when I asked Anne to come out here to Choteau with me, I sure wasn’t planning to play match-maker! Just total blind luck!”

The VFW hall was decorated with hanging lights and decorations for the fall season. Montana had entered into the ‘ber’ season. October, November, December. The weather was turning cooler and in the mornings, frost kissed the ground, turning it silver. The sun was also setting earlier and as a result, it was easier to look up at the sky and see the stars shimmering overhead. Yzzy made it a point to often sit out in front of her bunk with a mug of tea or cocoa, and savor the the experience. Sweetpea was her constant companion, ever faithful and loving. Usually the dog was found relaxing on a large pet pillow at the office, always ready to greet anyone who came in with a friendly wag of the tail and a raised paw to ‘say howdy’ to anyone who entered. Yzzy actually felt guilty at times when she had to leave the dog at home when she went out. Tonight was one such night. The six of them sat together at a table. Cameron and Nichole, Mickey and Anne, and by default, Ryan and Yzzy. Word of the breakup between Ryan and Leona had spread quickly through the town and there was a lot of specualtion as to why. Ryan always answered that he and Leona had talked a great deal while he was recovering, and that while they did love each other, it wasn’t the type of love that could hold a marriage together. Growing up in Choteau where it was always assumed that there would be a marriage had forced them into a corner, so to speak, but after serious thought, they had realized it would be better to part ways romantically. Not once did he ever insinuate anything improper had happened or that Leona had done anything wrong. There were, however, a few ‘wagging tongues’ that speculated if the sudden appearance of an attractive, dusky skinned woman from California was a factor in the breakup. The three people in question were quick to say ‘no’ but some people prefered gossip over the truth. “Everyone will move on to other drama eventually,” Francine commented to Ryan.

“You two can hold the table,” Cameron grinned. “I feel the need to take my lady out on the floor!”

Yzzy watched them form up with a group of people to enjoy a line dance together. The disc jockey was focusing on playing slightly older ‘good time’ songs that kept people in a happy mood. “I don’t want to be a pest, but do you think I can coax a dance or two out of you tonight? Or should I borrow your brother or Mickey? I don’t think the girls will mind.”

“Oh I’m sure I can manage a few turns across the floor. I just have to pace myself. Maybe one fast song for every two or three slower ones?” Ryan sipped his ginger ale. He was still taking a low dose regimen of pain medications and alcohol was forbidden. Yzzy matched him with seltzer and lime.

“Okay. I’m ready when you are,” she giggled. Looking over at the dance area she saw Mickey instructing Anne on how to do a few simple steps for a line dance.

“Yeah! Heel-toe, dosie-doe, come on baby, let’s go boot scootin’ ... Oh! Cadillac, Black Jack! Baby meet me out back, we’re gonna boogie ... Oh! Get down, turn around, go to town, Boot Scootin’ Boogie!”

The pair were heard laughing over the bright and bouncy piano and fiddle music as Anne just kept getting her feet tangled up under herself. Mickey helped her by standing directly in front of her so they faced each other and she could mimic his steps. The Brooks & Dunn song was a favorite of the crowd and most of the people in the hall were dancing.

The set ended and people made their way back to their seats. As things were settling down, the mayor of Choteau took the microphone and called everyone to be quiet for a moment. “Okay everyone! You know that when you got here tonight, everyone was issued a raffle ticket! We’ll draw the first three tickets for prizes donated by the local business community. If you can all take a look at your tickets to verify numbers?” People shuffled and got their tickets out. “The first drawing will be for a nice pair of boots, size to be determined by the winner, donated by Joe’s Tack Shop!” A raffle ticket number was called out and from the back, a woman yelped with surprise. She came down and got the gift certificate for her prize. “Wonderful! The second drawing will be for $150 off vet care fees that is being donated by Dr. Dawson! The winning number is...”