by Kinney Scott
Ben woke the next morning with a slight headache, but the aroma of the best coffee he could possibly imagine emerged from the kitchen of the tiny house. Natalie leaned against the counter, enjoying a cookie, some left over casserole, and a cup of dark roasted coffee. Ben staggered in mumbling, “coffee, please sis.” She handed him a large mug and he filled it to the brim. “Actually the casserole smells pretty damn good.”
“It has bacon in it. Everything is better with bacon.” She said scooping up another bite.
After devouring the salty cheesy leftovers, Ben began to recover, grabbed a bottled water and walked outside to look over the tiny house. “Why don’t we both shower, then we can get your home ready to roll.”
“Do you want to take a look at the check list Seth gave me? If we follow all the steps, we shouldn’t lose a window shade or awning while we roll down the road.”
“Give me ten minutes to shower, and maybe I’ll down another cup of coffee.”
While Ben cleaned up in the compact bathroom, Natalie received a text from Seth wishing her a good morning. The first day of the Boise event had been an amazing success. Natalie wished him another equally fantastic day, and went to work securing everything from the rooftop deck to the undercarriage storage.
Ben carefully referred to the checklist, and finally helped Natalie hitch the house to her truck. “Nate I would be happy to drive, but you may want to take the first leg. I have never pulled anything this big before. Dad had a boat and some jet skis, so I’m not a complete novice, but nothing like this.”
“Kent and Seth spent a lot of time making sure I was ready to drive this beast. Honestly, I’m only worried about pulling it up that dirt road to Osprey Lake. I hope we find room to park it on the lake property.” She said, circling the home one last time.
“When we visited the lake this summer I took a look at your access road. It appeared surprisingly well maintained. Grandpa Pete must have come up to the lake regularly. Maybe he paid somebody to care for the property. The more I learn about him, the more interesting he becomes. I wish I could have known Pete better.”
“You would have loved him. I’m so thankful you are here now,” hugging Ben, she hung on for a moment, before climbing up in the cab. Goodbyes had been taken care of the previous evening. Looking over the windswept landscape, she knew she wanted to return soon for a visit.
Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Bramble crouched low hunting in the tall grass. When she kicked on the motor of her rig, he glanced up for just a moment before pouncing on an unsuspecting rodent.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
By the time Natalie drove up the highway leading to Ashwood, long winter-shadows shrouded the road in low grey light. She would have to rush to get herself settled at the lake before dark. A light rain fell as she passed through Ashwood. Most residents hid indoors on this cold wet evening.
She looped past Northside Grill, the parking lot full at dinner hour. Her truck continued up the highway turning onto the narrow road that followed the contours of the lake.
A few low branches scraped on the roof of her home, as she slowly made her way, but the most challenging section of her journey lay just ahead. Before pulling onto her property, she tucked her truck and home close to the edge of the road and climbed out. As she walked the lane looking for hazards that might strike her house, she spoke to Ben. “This looks surprisingly clear. What do you think?”
“Fortunately, most of the leaves have fallen. Now, we can spot any heavy branches that might be a problem. I haven’t found any that look too concerning. What do you think? Should we try to park this without help from Seth or Kent?” Ben asked feeling confident.
“I was hoping to surprise them. Nobody knows I’m coming back, not even Seth or Kels.”
“If anyone saw you driving through town you won’t be able to keep it a secret.”
“True, but without cell service I will never know if someone is calling. I am game to move the house myself. Let’s give it a go.” Jogging back to her truck, she eased onto the long narrow drive.
Ben walked ahead glancing back to confirm that the home would clear low hanging branches. A light drizzle continued. Ben pulled a knit hat out of his pocket covering his dampening hair, while keeping his eyes on her progress.
As the lake came into view more light illuminated the widening road. Natalie stopped. “I need to scout out a place to park this, at least for one night.
“Why don’t I go back and grab my car while you take a closer look.” Ben ran down the road while Natalie scanned the grounds.
It appeared that her grandfather visited often in the past. She located a level parking area hidden beneath a layer of overgrown weeds and grass. As she tried to find the edges, she discovered a hook up for water, sewer and power concealed behind a large evergreen huckleberry shrub.
While hooking up to those tonight would be tempting, she decided to wait and have Seth check the connections. Who knows how long these had sat unused. Ben returned, parked his car, and wandered her direction. She pointed out the power and water, “look what I found, Ben. It looks like these are ready to use, but I want to have them looked at first.”
“Terrific, I hoped you would find something like that. Seth and I found a pump house for the well just past those trees when we came up here last summer. Have you selected a spot to park your house?”
“Yes, it looks like this area has already been graded, it’s nice and level. If you could just help me hit this target that would be great.” She drug a stick through the weeds to outline her landing spot.
“No problem. Roll down your windows, and I’ll guide you in.” Natalie hopped in the cab, and with help from Ben pulled into the spot. Another checklist led them through the process of levelling the home. “I can stay out here with you tonight, but on Sunday I need to return to Portland. Do you want to call Kelsey and stay at her place tomorrow night? Ben asked. “Or, are you ready to be out here on your own?”
“I’ll see how tonight goes, I’ve got my truck.” His look of worry made her laugh, “I can be at Kelsey’s in no time. Ben, don’t worry! I have water in the tank and a generator for power. This is set up to be self-contained.
“Fine, I’ll try not to imagine you out here surrounded by bears.”
“Now you’re intentionally trying to scare me into town.”
“Is it working?”
“Nope.”
Ben and Natalie decided on a dinner of chili from a can topped with cheese and onions, bread from the coast-bakery, with applesauce donuts for dessert. “Why does food eaten outside taste so much better?” Ben asked as they huddled around the campfire he lit, after the rain had stopped.
“I don’t know, but it always does.” Natalie yawned. Now that her stomach was full, she could barely keep her eyes open. “Ben do you mind if I clean up and turn in, I’m about to crash.”
“No problem, I think I’ll check out the trails by the lake and read for a bit.” Ben grabbed a flashlight to wander the property. Peace settled over him, for the first time in his life he realized the satisfaction of belonging. Natalie needed him, contentment settled deep.
Out in the forest an animal pushed through branches. He turned the beam of light toward the noise. Four green orbs reflected back. Ben could just make out the outline of a buck and doe in the undergrowth. Their frozen stares held, until he moved the light away. The large animals moved on, branches snapping as they pushed through the woods.
Early Sunday morning Natalie showered, using as little of the water in the tank as possible. Sun reflected off the lake, as the morning began cool and crisp. Ben must have stayed up late. He was still out as she pulled on her hiking boots to check out her property.
While she walked along the lake, geese lifted from the surface in large flocks. An Osprey plunged from above, disappeared for a moment in a splash near the shore then emerged with a large fish flopping from long sharp talons. In awe, Natalie took in nature’s battle, thankful to have witnessed the displ
ay. Off in the distance, a small boat skimmed the surface of the lake, heading in her direction. The sound of the motor increased and Ben emerged, a baseball hat pulled over his messy morning hair.
“Looks like someone knows we are here,” Ben observed.
“I’m sure the neighbors keep an eye out for new arrivals.” As the boat drew closer, she recognized the grey haired man, from the summer barbeque at Kelsey’s parent’s place.
He cut the motor and drifted forward toward the dock. “Natalie, hello again. I wondered when you would find your way here.”
“Ed, hello. Good to see you. This is my brother Ben.”
He tossed a rope Ben’s direction, “Here grab the line,” and then nimbly moved out of the boat, onto the dock.
“Little Benjamin, well didn’t you grow up! You do resemble Pete when he was young. Damn good to see you again son.”
Confused, Ben asked, “When did we meet?”
“Pete brought the two of you up here, when you were kids. I’m surprised you don’t remember it, Benjamin. Natalie might be too young to recall, but you were probably six or seven.” Pete couldn’t make a move without you glued to his side.”
Ben gazed out over the glassy surface of the lake, “Yeah, I remember a fishing pole, orange I think. The same color as that bulky life jacket I had to wear. Did we stay here?
“Pete bought this property later. Back then, he rented a cabin. That place is gone now, the darn thing burned one spring, and the fire department couldn’t get up here fast enough to do anything about it. Too much snow on the ground. That was quite a blaze.”
“Did that cabin have a loft, a ladder going up to it with bunks built in?” Natalie asked.
“You know, I think it did, kind of a dark cabin, pretty rustic as I recall. Pete wasn’t picky about things like that. After he bought this land, he was just as happy to stay in a tent. The RV hook up went in about five years ago, when his friends started complaining about the cold hard ground and their arthritis.
Well I am glad you have a warm place to stay here on your land. Welcome to the lake Natalie. We watch out for each other up here. Don’t be surprised if you get a steady trickle of looky-loo’s stopping in to say hello. By the way, I’ve got Pete’s fishing boat docked at my place, when you are ready I’ll bring it over.”
“A boat, I had no idea.” Tears welled up in Natalie’s eyes. Suddenly overwhelmed, she felt her past and present becoming too much to take in.
“Ah now, little girl, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” Ed said, uncomfortable, until Ben took care of his sister. Ben pulled Natalie close, his strong arm wrapped around her shoulder.
She waved her hand in front of her face and laughed a little. “Happy tears, I’m fine. I just feel so thankful and at the same time I miss grandpa so much.”
“We all miss him. Pete was one of the finest men I had the honor of knowing.”
Ed got back in his boat with a promise to stop by in a few days for coffee. He said he had a few things at his place that Pete kept around, and would be glad to bring them to her soon.
“I can’t stay too long today. I’ve got a project to wrap up before work on Monday,” Ben said after taking a quick shower. “Is there anything you need help with before I take off?”
“You know, I think I may run all the way into Hood River. At the very least, I need a weed-eater and some other basics from the hardware store. If I could follow you in, we could grab breakfast, and you can move on to Portland from there.”
“Great, let me grab my duffle. I’ll get us some breakfast at that little pancake house on the river.”
Both vehicles moved quickly along the gravel road, pointed back down the wide flanks of Mt Adams. As soon as her phone caught a signal, it lit up with multiple messages. Ben had already pulled ahead, so she found a spot on the side of the road to send Seth a message. Sorry I missed your call, Seth. Ben and I were in an area without a signal. Hope your last day in Boise is great. Call me if you have time later. I look forward to hearing your voice.
A text immediately shot back: Tried to call last night, but went straight to voicemail. Busy now. Miss you, talk to you soon.
Ben left for Portland after they chose a weed eater, large clippers and a small chainsaw. On her own, she picked up rakes and a wheelbarrow. Looking at her truck filled with these tools, she knew she had chosen the right path. A sense of permanence settled in. It just felt right.
Killing time in town until Seth called; she picked up rain gear and work boots. Her phone finally rang, “Hey Seth, sorry I missed your call yesterday.”
“No problem, is Ben still around?”
“He left for Portland a few hours ago. I’ve been doing some shopping, and picked up rain gear. I’ll be prepared to go outside, rain or shine. Are you finished up in Boise?”
“Yeah, almost packed up. Everyone wants to get home. We plan to drive all night, and get back to Ashwood around two in the morning. Maybe sooner if we make good time.”
“Be careful, drink coffee.”
“Already got it covered. It looks like we are going to hit the road. Gotta go sweetness. I can’t wait to see you soon. Next weekend right?”
She hesitated, should I tell him? No, I will see him soon enough. “I look forward to holding you close. I miss you, drive safe.”
Her phone beeped, as Seth ended the call. Time to begin the hour-long trek back to the lake. Darkness surrounded her home as she pulled in. Using the headlights from her truck, she jumped out to turn on her battery-powered lanterns, and was surprised to find frost coating the ground. In some areas out in the open, the grass already had a crunch to it. Worry swept briefly over her. I hope the roads don’t ice up too much.
Natalie fired up the generator. The heat kicked on, warming her home quickly. Finding her favorite music list, she danced while preparing a terrific salad topped with chicken. Settled in later, with a book, Natalie loved how her cozy home wrapped around her here on Osprey Lake.
***
Making great time, the miles ticked by, Baker City, La Grande, The Dalles, each city came into view, to fade away in the rear view mirror. Seth searched the radio stations finding country his only choice. Most others played static. When they pulled in, thirty miles north of Ashwood, Wade’s driveway was gripped in a thick sheet of ice, “damn the roads are slick,” Wade kicked at the icy gravel with the edge of his heavy boots.
“We got lucky, considering our speed,” Seth commented as Wade stretched, trying to work out the kinks in his back. Seth started up his truck, letting the vehicle warm to melt the ice from the windshield.
Wade hadn’t been too worried, he always kept his vehicles well maintained. “God, I’m beat. Let’s leave all this gear in the trailers tonight.”
“You won’t get an argument from me. I’m gonna head home, and crash.” Seth said as he moved painfully into the cab.
For the past hundred miles, Wade considered his options, but wanted his cousin’s opinion. “I’d like to get together tomorrow afternoon, if you have time, to go over some things that came up in Boise. Do you mind if I pick your brain?”
“Just give me a call. I would be happy to get together. But not before ten, or I may not pick up.”
“Thanks for helping out on the trip Seth, see you tomorrow.”
Seth drove home, on deserted roads. His head hit the pillow at 2:45 AM. He was dead out in less than five minutes.
***
Sunlight streamed in his bedroom window. Seth stretched in bed. I might as well get moving. Standing in his boxers, looking over the valley, a thick white frost covered every tree. Sunlight sparkling off every ice-glazed surface, with the lake dark blue in contrast to the glistening silver veneer.
Mornings like this made up for the grey rainy days, when the valley lay cloaked in a thick blanket of dense fog. As he took in every detail, something new caught his eye. Tucked in trees close by the lake, he spotted a glimpse of a dark roof. If the white frost had not created such a contrast, he may not have notice
d the barely discernable structure under the evergreen canopy.
Was someone on Natalie’s property? He knew the boundaries of her land. This was definitely on her place. He pulled on jeans, and dashed downstairs to locate his binoculars. Seth needed a closer look. Before going out on the deck, he slipped on his leather boots and grabbed a sweatshirt from a peg near the door.
The frigid cold chased the air from his lungs. It could not be more than twenty degrees outside. At first, his binoculars fogged from the change in temperature. Frustrated by the delay, he used his sweatshirt to clear the lens.
Aiming the binoculars, he brought the strange object into focus. Wait. I know that roof. I built that roof. Natalie!
Scanning the area, he saw the glint of her red truck peeking from between some trees. Phone, where is my phone. He found it, quickly sent a text. Damn, she doesn’t have service at the lake. That’s why I couldn’t reach her yesterday. Natalie came home. Home.
Seth had never showered so fast. Hair still wet, his truck barreled down the narrow, seldom used back road that wound from his place to the lake. Skidding under the canopy of frost-covered evergreens, he flew onto her property.
Just rinsing the shampoo from her hair, Natalie heard rapid knocking on her front door. “Natalie, it’s me Seth! Let me in!”
“Just a second Seth. I’m in the shower!” she yelled at the top of her voice. He paced the frozen grass outside her home, happy she had locked her door, but annoyed that he couldn’t get to her sooner.
Less than a minute passed. She opened her door wrapped in a towel, a second towel twisted in her hair. Drops of water clung to her eyelashes. Her face still flushed from the warm water, she had never looked more beautiful.
Natalie shivered as frosty air hit damp skin. Seth stepped in, kicked her door closed and grabbed her to his body. In one movement, he secured her in place while claiming her with a devouring kiss, never planning to let her go.
Intending to let Seth sleep in before knocking on his door, she never expected to see him this early. His body and clothes, still chilled from the morning air, carried in the scent of the woods. Wrapped in her thin towel, her breasts flattened against his hard body as he claimed her. As her lips parted, he teased his tongue across the seam. He reached down, lifting her by her bare ass. She gripped him with her thighs, her warm center pressed to his jeans.