Tuesday, August 30, 1910
Jake saw Lynn coming over the hill; she was headed towards the backyard. He ran downstairs to tell his Aunt Peggy, she laughed to herself and then whispered in his ear. Jake ran out the back door headed towards Lynn. She was covered in soot; black as midnight.
Jake ran up to her. "Lynn? Lynn? Come here."
Lynn was grumbling, "I used a broom to knock down a dead bat that was stuck in Mrs. Clegg's chimney. Sometimes, I am amazed by my own stupidity. Jake, whatever it is tell me after I’ve had a shower."
"No, no, no. Don't go in the house yet!"
He grabbed her by the wrist and led her behind the horse barn.
She was in no mood for his antics. "For Pete's sake Jake! What are you doing?"
He turned on a hose pipe. She started to run away.
"Septimus!" Jake said sharply.
Lynn stopped. She fained ignorance: "What does that mean?"
"I don't know! Aunt Peggy said that if you tried to run away then that word would make you stop and realize that what I am telling you to do is not my idea but hers. You need to go inside the horse barn and wash yourself with this hose."
She flabbergasted. "Are you nuts?"
Jake was insistent: "Lynn, please. Your mother is going to be here in a couple of minutes with a clean dress, towels and underwear for you."
He handed her the hose, still running water. He took off running towards the back door of the house. As he reached for the door, she could see her mother opening the door. She could see Jake expressing his predicament.
"Young lady! Go into the horse barn now and do what he told you."
"Why?"
"Now!"
Lynn shrugged and began to unbutton her blouse as she stepped into the horse barn.
Peggy sprinted across the lawn. She walked inside. Lynn was already running water on her head.
"I've got your pink lace Sunday dress, shoes, socks, bloomers and camisole." She put them on a shelf. "Here's some soap and two towels. You've got one minute." She hurriedly left.
"Wait, mother, aren't you interested in why I'm covered in soot?"
She paused. "Nah. I'm sure you've got a good reason." She shut the door and ran back to the house.
One minute later, Lynn walked back in the house.
"I'm presentable, mother. Now what's all of the commotion...?" She stopped dead in her tracks in the parlor. "Ok. This is certainly unexpected."
The family sat in the parlor for about an hour.
Lynn nodded. "Then our next stop is Clementine's Bakery."
They drove downtown.
The group went in to the storefront. Will and Jean just happened to be there at the same time.
A few minutes later, Emily came into the storefront. "Um...?" She shifted her eyes. "Hello."
An hour later, five cars pulled up in front of the Conrad's house.
Michael Conrad stepped on the porch. He did not know what to think about the surprise guests.
Paula, slightly irked and panicked, walked up behind him. "Michael? Why didn't you tell me you had clients coming over for... oh, dear."
Michael popped his lips. "Um... welcome to Eagle Creek. Would you care to step into the parlor?"
"We could," replied George Watson. "But, it's such a lovely day and you have plenty of seating on the porch, why don't we talk out here?"
Michael shrugged. "Alright." 
Paula was still in a daze when she asked, "Can I get anyone lemonade or coffee or water?"
There were a couple of requests for refreshment.
The group talked about forty-five minutes.
Sarafina found the visitors and their automobiles quite interesting. She jumped on the roof of the stately Packard and claimed it as her own.
"Here she comes," said Paula with all confidence.
The group turned around.
"I can tell by the way Sarafina is acting. Her favorite human is coming home from school."
Sarah was still beaming from her rendezvous with Pete.
Paula, Lynn and Emily ran up to her.
"Why are you so late coming home from school?"
Sarah shifted her eyes. "I was working on a special project."
Lynn replied, "We didn't have any projects today."
Sarah subtly stomped her foot. "Yes," she gritted her teeth. "Remember? The science project?"
Emily swished her mouth. "Hmmm? Nope that doesn't ring a bell. Lynn?"
Lynn shook her head. "Me neither."
Sarah snarled. "We diiiiiid have a science project to work on this afternoon." Sarah was hoping to convince her to just go along with the story.
Paula was getting suspicious.
"Oh! Of course, the science experiment!" Emily continued, "I remember now. Lynn: you and Alma were studying sociology. Judy Butler and I were doing the meteorological survey. That means Sarah and someone else was studying anatomy."
Emily asked, "So, was your partner Tommy or Pete?"
Paula rolled her eyes. "Ok, enough of that, girls your guests are waiting."
They began walking to the crowded front porch.
Michael said, "And here is the guest of honor." He surrendered her seat to her.
Sarah was attempting to find a comfortable position in her chair.
Michael began the introductions. "Sarah, you already know Julius, Jean, Will, all the rest. This is Officers Stewart Beck, Chris Stigall, Stephen Gil and Kenneth Wall with the Montana State Police."
Sarah awkwardly smiled. "Pleased to meet you."
He continued, "Martin Swayze, the governor's press secretary and Dennis Murphy, photographer for the Helena Independent Record. And this is Secretary of State Elliot Aldridge."
Emily nodded towards him. "Karen's father."
Michael was proud to announce. "And this is Governor Edwin L. Norris and his wife Bette."
Sarah was overwhelmed. "Well, needless to say, I am pleased to meet everyone. I suppose I should now ask the obvious question, why is the governor of Montana on my front porch?"
Governor Norris spoke up, "I got that one. My wife and I are on a cultural tour of the state. This morning we were in River City. I made a speech last night… somewhere… to somebody."
Martin Swayze chuckled: "It was the River City Convention Center, Democratic fundraiser."
"Oh yeah, anyway, this morning, as I ate breakfast I read the Saturday Evening Post. Page 22 had an interesting article, let me show you."
He handed Sarah the magazine.
"I told my wife, 'I've just read the most amazing article about the small town of Eagle Creek.' She was looking at the Montana Sun."
Bette said defensively, "Research purposes only."
Peggy winked at her. 
"As I was saying, she showed me another article! This young lady was in two magazines!"
Sarah said to herself, "Wow!"
"Indeed. I asked Martin here to make a few phone calls. I wanted to meet her. This young lady, was able to do something in less than a month that I have had been struggling to do in my fourteen years of public service. Through sheer determination and extraordinary vision, Lynn Watson organized an entire community and got them to focus on achieving a goal of epic proportions. Any city in the country can put on a music festival but only one lady could make that event a cultural apex uniting people from all walks of life.
I discussed the matter with Jim Schrute down at the State Chamber of Commerce and he agreed with my opinion as well as that was my proposition."
Sarah shrugged. "What proposition?"
Lynn said excitedly, "Sarah, the governor wants me to travel the state and make a film about Montana culture."
Sarah gasped. "Seriously?"
"I'm serious. The state is making a series of films to promote tourism and industry. I would be travelling with a film-maker and his wife. We'll hit every small hamlet and bustling metropolis. It will be four films, each ten minutes in length."
Lynn bit her lip. "I told him I would do it on one condition, I wanted to bring a friend." She paused. "Mr. and Mrs. Clementine said Emily could go on one condition."
Sarah's face slowly fell. Her voice broke, "I'm going to have to work in the bakery in her stead?"
Lynn meekly nodded.
Sarah turned away.
Will said quietly, "Emily is too knowledgeable, we can't afford lose her at the bakery; unless of course, we replace her with someone as experienced."
Lynn whispered, "Sarah? Please! I have an unbelievable opportunity here."
Sarah was beside herself. "Why didn't you ask me?"
"Emily and I have been friends since my first day in town. You and I," she sighed. "We have a history."
Sarah looked to her parents.
Paula shook her head. "Your decision- not ours."
Sarah's lip was quivering. She meekly nodded. "Ok."
"Yes!" Emily was ecstatic as she and Lynn hugged.
Will and Jean and George and Peggy shared hugs as well.
Sarah sat there, motionless.
Bette Norris was concerned. "Sarah, if this is too much for you, then maybe...."
"Ma'am?" Paula said forcefully.
Bette backed away and conceded to the other mother that she had spoken out of turn.
Paula gave her half a smile to indicate she appreciated Bette's concern.
Lynn and Emily continued to revel in the excitement.
Emily said, "I've only been as far as Helena and now I'm going to get to see the entire state!"
The photographer began lining up the Clementines and Watsons with the Governor.
Sarah stewed in her own thoughts.
Paula whispered, "Sarah? Please?"
Sarah looked to her father. "Why didn't you ask me to direct the music festival?"
Michael answered forthrightly, "Because I knew Lynn would do a better job."
Sarah pointed to her heart and replied sharply, "But I deserve...!" She caught herself and straightened up in her chair.
As she sat there, void of emotions, she could hear the others speaking. There voices seemed like distant incoherent mumblings in a foreign language.
"You have no idea what this means for Will and I. We couldn't live with ourselves if we'd denied Emily this opportunity."
"Ok, and now one with the Watsons. Smiles all around. One, two, three."
"Well, if you ever do come to Helena, Paula, call Edward's personal secretary, Linda Bevins. I know all the best places to shop."
"As far as I'm concerned, Lynn can do anything. When she stepped up on that stage that first night, George and I were overwhelmed with pride."
"Before I worked for the state I was the constable for a town called Marysville. It's about the same size of Eagle Creek, here. I fired my gun five times… to start the sack race at the Fourth of July picnic from 1901 to 1905, so, yeah, I know what you mean by excitement."
"Karen's going to be delighted to have you girls in town. I know you'll be a good influence on her."
"Thursday. Use these vouchers. Buy tickets for the Eastern Star up in River City, it's an express to Helena. I'll have Secretary Duncan meet you at the depot.
You'll use an apartment downtown, a few blocks from Jennings and the State Capitol. Two bedrooms, bath, I'll even stock the fridge for you so you can relax that first day."
"Ha! No, Will, I don't care if you vote Republican. I still think Emily will do a fine job."
Sarah's eyes welled with tears.
Paula was beginning to get angry with her. "Sarah?"
No response.
She said more forcefully, "Sarah?"
Sarah woefully looked up.
"Be happy for your friends."
"But I'm...."
"Young lady, I am not asking you I am telling you."
She whispered, "Yes, ma'am."
Sarah stood up. She gave hugs to her friends and their families.
The governor pulled out a watch from his suit pocket. "Folks, I am enjoying this visit but I've got a big contributor in River City; we’re staying with him tonight."
Governor Norris turned to Sarah. He shook her hand. "Young lady, you are making a tremendous contribution to this state. Thank you for your sacrifice. I am proud our state produces women of such a high caliber."
"Thank you, sir. I hope you have a pleasant evening."
The governor's wife hugged Sarah. "You're a fine girl."
Sarah was grateful for the compliment. "Thank you, ma'am."
The cars began to pull away. Everyone waved.
Julius got into his car. "George? Peggy? Lynn? I'll take you home."
George huffed. "No meat-loaf tonight! We're going to Casey's!"
The families cheered.
Michael spoke up. "Jean? Will? Emily? I'll take you in my car that way Julius won't have to make two trips."
Julius pulled away.
Michael sprinted around the house to get the car.
Jean and Will stepped up to the house to wash up.
Only Emily and Sarah remained in the yard.
Emily brushed some hair from her forehead. "So?"
Sarah sighed. "So? Congratulations."
Emily hugged her once more. "I don't know what I'll do without you around."
Sarah giggled, "Oh, you'll manage somehow."
Emily said coyly, "If Lynn and I are out of town that means...."
Sarah replied nonchalantly, "What?"
"Sarah? Think about it!"
Sarah's eyes bulged.
Emily nodded. "Your competition is going to be four hundred miles away."
Sarah wore a big smile.
"Which one will it be?"
Sarah cringed.
Emily chuckled, "Ok, so Lynn and I aren't the only ones headed to the wild frontier."
The Conrads' car pulled up.
Emily asked, "Do you want to join us?"
Sarah shook her head, no. "It's your night and hers; not mine."
Emily smiled and stepped into the car.
Jean put a hand on Sarah's shoulder. "You have all of your credits for graduation, right?"
"I do."
"Then you can probably skip the last two periods of school?"
Sarah reluctantly whispered, "Yes, ma'am."
"Thanks dear."
Will and Jean stepped into the car. They drove off.
Sarah stood there alone in the yard and watched the car disappear down the street. She was in the most familiar place in the world. But at that moment, she was utterly lost.
