The Dance

Chapter 94 The Dance Part 2

This chapter is dedicated to TammerBammer and when she reads it, she will know why.-polaris1401

Bam barked out orders to the brothers that the boat was leaving promptly during the morning tide in order that they have enough time to dock, do some shopping in town and prep for the dance. Lila gave last minute instructions to Bird and Rain about Jace and Lily's schedule as she raced around the cabin trying to remember to pack her dress, shoes and unmentionables. She couldn't tell if Bam was more excited about the dance or the prospect of revisiting room 307. The brothers would stay on the boat after the dance and Bam and Lila would have the privacy of a hotel room something they both looked forward to with great anticipation.

"Woman, if you don't hurry, I'm leaving without you and finding a new girl at the dance." Bam slung his pack over his shoulder as he kissed Jace and Lily goodbye. He gave his final instructions to Rain and Bird and they imitated him before he could get the words out. "We know Bam, respect the danger."

Bam laughed. "I see you have been paying attention." Rain pushed Lila and Bam out the cabin door where they found Matt, Bear, Gabe and Noah waited patiently in the clearing. Lila mused to herself that one girl with all these brothers reminded her of an old movie called "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." She wasn't sure if the guys would get the reference but it tickled her to think that she was going to try and find them all wives. Matt would be her first project. She had hoped her frankness with him didn't hurt his feelings. After all, she wanted nothing more than for him to find the piece that was missing from his life. He just needed a little direction and he needed to steer clear of what she called "women with questionable pasts."

The Integrity was off and everyone settled into their respective places as Bam steered the boat to Hoonah. Bear and Gabe eagerly looked forward to going to town. They hoped to find dates for the dance serving as each others wingman while Matt placed his fate in Lila's hands. Noah had exchanged letters with a girl from Juneau that he planned to meet at the dance if she could rearrange her work schedule. Bush Goth, Lila's nickname for him, didn't like the idea of a fix up. He preferred to trap his own fly in the web he liked to spin of impeccable manners, boyish good looks and a style uniquely his own.

Bam had cautioned Lila about interfering in his brothers' love lives but it was the only way she could vet out the girls that were inappropriate or not cut out for bush living.

Once in Hoonah, the family dispersed in their separate directions. Bear and Gabe headed straight for the pizza parlor to scout out local girls. Noah disappeared to the library to return a stack of books and Bam headed for the lodge to check into their room and grab a nap but not before giving Matt careful instructions to keep a watchful eye over his wife. Matt and Lila decided to venture into town. Lila had a few errands to run and recruited Matt to be the package holder. He obliged willingly as he had a couple of things to do as well.

Coming to town was always an adventure. Tourists from the occasional cruise ship walked the streets popping in and out of the local stores. It was fun to people watch and take in the sights. Today, Matt wanted to visit a new consignment shop that specialized in selling local artists' goods. He considered himself an artist when it came to sterling as he had perfected the art of converting discarded pieces of silverware into spoon rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces. From time to time, he would even sell a piece or two for pocket money and today he had hoped to do the same. He and Lila found the shop. The store was welcoming and as soon as they entered, they were greeted by a pixie of a woman with short dark hair and green eyes. Her shirt was covered in paint. She looked a bit like the Alice character from Twilight but Matt didn't get the reference. Movies  references were wasted on her family. She often forgot that they had not been exposed to much pop culture over the years.

"Nice shop you have here." Lila perused the hand stitched beaver gloves and the thick hand woven sweaters. She recognized some of the local handiwork of area artisans. Matt approached the counter and pulled out his jewelry from his pack.

The pixie moved to where Matt stood and examined his jewelry closer. "These are nice." She fingered the rings and slipped one on her hand. "So are you selling or consigning? I can get you more money if you consign."

Matt glanced at Lila and she spoke up to say they would like to consign the pieces. "Great. I pay every two weeks and will keep your items as long as you want. Most of our customers are  tourists and everything we sell was crafted by someone in our community."

Matt busily filled out the paperwork that the woman handed him. For once, Lila felt he must have gone blind, deaf and dumb as he hardly noticed the pretty woman that stood before him. Lila extended her hand and introduced herself. "I'm Lila Brown and this is Matthew Brown." Lila nudged Matt who tipped his hat and continued to scribble his contact info on the consignment sheet.

"Please to meet you both. I'm Jillian Heather. Jill, for short."

"You're shop is great. It's new to town isn't it?" Lila asked trying to engage her in more conversation.

"I opened the store about a month ago. Been a dream of mine for awhile.   I love art especially whenever it can provide an income to my neighbors and friends." Jill bounced back behind the counter to arrange the display of Matt's jewelry. "I think these will do well since the tourists like anything small enough they can pack in a suitcase."

"Jill, what about photography? Any demand for that?"

Jill pointed to some of the landscapes on the walls and a large poster style display stand featuring a number of prints of familiar Alaskan spots. "I can also do the matting and framing in the back."

Lila smiled peeking into her backroom.  "My husband and I are both photographers. Next time we're in town, we'll bring some prints by and consign them with you."

Jill handed her a card with her contact information it. "Please do. I love featuring new artists in the window each week."

Lila and Matt waved goodbye and exited the store. Jill thought they were a cute couple and couldn't wait to see their photography.

"Matthew Jeremiah Brown, are you dead?" Lila asked sarcastically. "Did you not see that cute woman in there? You know, the one not wearing a wedding band and mentioned she was new to town."

"I'm practicing restraint just like you said." Matt scratched his head. He thought to himself that he would never understand women.

"It's going to be a long night with you, isn't it?" Lila sighed as she dragged him to the drugstore to pick up some necessities for later.