by J. D. Faver
A shiver ran down her neck and she had to clear her throat which had suddenly become husky. “I was in the right place at the right time.”
Buddy carried his wife to the Hummer. Rene brought the baby, handing her to Cindy. Buddy started the big vehicle and drove away. The doctor promised to look in on them shortly. Then she also drove away, leaving Rene standing in the street with Brett as the children looked on.
“It seems that I’m in need of a ride home,” he said.
“Happy to oblige,” she said, “but, you have to drive. My hands are still shaking.”
“Wait, you forgot your mail.” Mrs. Pindar waved at them from the opposite side of the street.
Brett loaded her packages in the back of the truck while Rene learned the combination to her new mailbox. She retrieved several pieces of mail marked “occupant” and a letter from Maddy, postmarked a week ago from Scotland.
Brett insisted on accompanying them to the cabin to unload the large boxes from the mail-order company. He came inside and unpacked the microwave and set it up for her. He plugged in her new telephone and opened the other boxes.
“I’ve ordered you a computer,” he said. “All of the households with school age children have them. On the coldest days, you can send and receive lessons and do whatever it is you do. I hope you ordered some equipment and supplies.”
“I called the eight-hundred number from the bakery Saturday after the clean-up. I ordered a new catalog and a few basic things. The school has an account.” Rene was surprised that he remembered. She thought his only concern was the mines. “Do you like the railing Ben made for the loft?” She pointed to the aspen branches used for rails and the sturdy ladder secured to the wall.
“It looks like it belongs here. I like the use of aspen.” He looked around with a pleased expression.
“I hope it will be warm enough this winter,” she said.
“These old cabins are solid. The logs are about two feet thick. That’s more insulation than most new houses have. There aren’t many windows, but they are double-hung glass. It keeps the drafts out. Between the propane heat and the fireplace, the cabin will be warm as toast.”
Brett drove them to his far more luxurious home. He got out and stood waving when Rene drove back toward the cabin.
After putting the children to bed, Rene took out Maddy’s precious letter. Carefully, she tore open the envelope addressed in care of General Delivery. Two small sheets of paper slid out onto the table. Her hands shook so badly she couldn’t read it. Rene took a deep breath and pressed the heels of her hands hard against her eyes for several seconds. She picked up the letter again and read.
Hi Honey,
I hope you arrived in your new home and have settled in. Paris was wet. Ted met us in Scotland and we tried to stay as low key as possible. We confined ourselves to quiet little inns in remote areas. Mark found us and confronted me at a castle. He put a damper on the trip but Ted hired a body guard. I wasn’t comfortable with this at first but he’s growing on me. The girls adore him. Ted insisted on getting a visa for him and he’s going to join us in Houston. When we were at the airport, Mark showed up. He was rabid! It was frightening. We have Ted and Terrence to take care of us so don’t worry. I’m worried for you. Take whatever precautions are needed to protect yourself. Get a gun and learn to use it. You have to be strong enough to do whatever it takes. If you decide the Alaska experience isn’t for you, come home. We’ll go to the police and hire lawyers to get you through this. Please be safe. Love to all.
Maddy
Rene gulped back her tears as she carefully folded the letter. Maddy was the brave one. How could she be so strong in the face of Mark’s rage? Rene was frightened for her sister and her family. Surely Ted wouldn’t let Mark get close to his “girls”, as he called his wife and daughters.
Rene felt guilty for involving them in her troubles. She sniffled into a tissue and realized she was letting her sister down. Maddy risked so much to protect her. Rene had to make sure their sacrifices weren’t in vain. She would be stronger than she ever thought possible. The woman she had been two weeks ago could never again be in charge of her life. She could never get by on fear and weakness. She had to be strong enough to protect herself and the children who looked to her for protection. Would she be strong enough to defy Mark. . .and survive?
~*~
Dawn brought a clear and sunny Saturday. Rene awoke with a new resolve.
She would survive. She would protect the children. And she would become the woman who could stand up to Mark.
Bounding out of bed, she dressed quickly and started her coffeemaker. She had no pastries, due to the birth of Cindy’s baby, so she spread thick strips of smoked bacon on a baking sheet and set it in the oven.
She made a list of things needed to make the cabin more livable. A toaster, an alarm clock, a lamp for her night table, curtains for the windows, something to wear to church. She made a catalog order before the children arose. By the time the bacon was done, the children were stirring. She helped Sara down the ladder and Seth came right after.
While they dressed, Rene stripped beds and gathered dirty clothes. There must be a place in town to do laundry.
Rene made skillet toast and scrambled eggs. She poured milk and juice and her own fragrant coffee. The children seemed to sense her excitement.
“What are we going to do today, Mom?” Seth asked.
“We have to shop for groceries and wash clothes. And I thought we should visit Cindy and the new baby.”
Hearing footsteps on the back stairs, she peeked out.
“Hi, Ben.” She opened the door. “I thought you might drop over. I made extra bacon and eggs. Please join us.”
“That’s mighty kind, Miz Reeny.” Ben sat down at the table. “Is the railing okay? I made the gate so they won’t fall.”
“It’s perfect, Ben.” Rene set a heaping plate in front of him and returned to finish her coffee. “I have to wash clothes today. Where can I find a coin-operated laundry?”
“You don’t have to go to the laundermatic, Miz Reeny.”
“We’re out of clothes! Where do you wash your clothes, Ben?”
“At my house. You want to bring your clothes over?” He smiled at her shyly as his wandering eye inspected the rafters.
“I couldn’t do that, Ben.”
“Ain’t that what friends are for? To do each other favors ‘n such?”
“Yes, but...”
“But, ain’t you always inviting me to eat?”
“True, but...”
“I’m invitin’ you to come wash your clothes.” They both laughed at that.
“Okay,” she said, “and thanks. I’ve got a few errands to do this morning and then I’ll be over.”
“You can just drive over if ya want. Turn off to the right before you get to the main road.”
They agreed to meet after lunch and Ben left by the back door, walking down the brushy path.
Rene checked the pantry and completed her shopping list. She stuck a check in the envelope with her catalog order and put her last stamp on the outside.
A sudden pang of longing washed over her. She wanted to talk to Maddy or at least write her a letter. She wanted to let her sister know she was all right--so far. No, this was part of being strong. She must endure this feeling of isolation, although she was making new friends, like Ben and Cindy, to take the edge off her loneliness.
At the Post Office, she bought a book of stamps and checked her empty mailbox. At least she could receive mail. No one could interfere with the U.S. Mail she hoped.
“Hello, Rene,” the voice of Father Paul hailed her as she climbed into the truck.
“Hi, Father Paul.”
He wore casual clothing and looked more like someone’s kid brother than a priest.
“I’ve been meaning to drop by for a visit,” he said.
“I don’t have a social life, Father. Any time is fine.”
“If you don’t have a busy social
calendar, it’s your own fault. You have stirred a bit of interest in town.”
“I’m not interested in that kind of social life.”
“That’s too bad. I don’t think God meant for you to live without companionship.”
“Look who’s talking, Father,” Rene laughed.
“Touché!” He shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips. “Seriously, if you ever want to talk, just call me.” He dug a slightly wrinkled, but very warm card out of his pocket and handed it to her.
“Thanks,” Rene said. “I may just do that.”
Rene went to the pharmacy and selected a card and present for Cindy. Glen stepped behind the cash register to check her out.
“I can gift wrap that for you, Miss Nichols.”
“That’s wonderful, Glen. It’s for Mrs. McCorkill.”
“She had the baby?”
“Yesterday. A little girl,” Rene said. “I was there.”
“Oh, man!” Glen said. “Was it gross?”
“No,” Rene laughed. “Well, yes, I guess it was, a little. But it was beautiful, too.”
“Yuck!” He made a face.
Rene drove to the McCorkill’s neat frame house. It sat on a road facing the river where it curved at the neck of the Sad Horse. The music of the river rushing over the rocks poured in through the open windows of the truck. Several red vehicles were parked in front of Cindy’s house. The children waited in the truck. The dark red door stood open with a glass storm door protecting the inhabitants from the cool breeze. Before Rene could knock, a slender woman in her fifties opened the door. She had Cindy’s brilliant blue eyes and a fluff of silvered chestnut hair wreathing her face.
“I’m just dropping this present off,” Rene said. “I’ll come to visit when there aren’t so many people here.”
“Don’t be silly,” the woman said. “We always have a house full. I’m Cindy’s mother, Celia Ryan. Come on in.”
“I left the children in the truck,” Rene said. She heard Cindy calling to her from inside. “Let me get them.”
“Isn’t that Old Lucky LeCroix’s truck?”
“It’s Brett LeCroix’s. He lent it to me.”
“You must rate highly in Mr. Brett’s eyes.”
“Why do you say that?”
“His grandfather nearly died in that truck. He keeps it as a shrine. Babies it something awful.” The woman gave her a speculative look.
Rene flushed. “Nearly died?”
“Truck went into a snow bank. Almost completely covered by snow. If it hadn’t been painted red they couldn’t have seen the part left sticking out.”
“There seem to be a lot of red trucks here,” Rene said, gesturing to the fleet of red vehicles parked in front.
“That’s Old Lucky’s legacy. Folks around here think it’s safer and we’re a little superstitious too.”
Rene waved the children inside. Celia insisted on taking them to watch television with the young McCorkills.
Cindy patted the space beside her on the sofa. She had her feet propped up while the baby slept in a cradle nearby. Rene nodded to Angel Culver who sat across the room in a delicate Queen Anne chair. A heavyset middle-aged woman sat close to Angel in a wing chair.
“Rene, you know Angel and this is Bessie Hightower. Her husband, Jake, is the sheriff.”
“I’m glad to know we have a sheriff,” Rene said.
“You planning on having some trouble?” Cindy asked.
“One never knows,” Rene said. “I do feel pretty isolated back in the woods.”
“You’re more likely to be bullied by a moose or a bear than bothered by any of the citizens of Sad Horse,” Bessie pronounced, her shoulders shaking with silent mirth.
“You’re kidding about the moose and bear, aren’t you?” Rene asked, suddenly apprehensive.
“No, she’s not,” Cindy said. “There are wild animals all around us. I never let the children play unsupervised.”
“Don’t worry,” Angel said. “Just use common sense. The bears are hungry this time of year. They’ve been hibernating and they have to eat a lot now to store up for next winter.”
“And absolutely do not go near a mother bear with cubs,” Bessie said. “They will rip you to pieces to protect their babies.”
Rene shivered.
“Many animals are mating now, so stay away from all of them,” Angel said. “You can be charged by a moose or elk when they’re looking for companionship. They’re huge!”
“And,” Cindy said, “Stay out of the woods during your period. If the bears smell blood, you’ll be an appetizer.”
“Mostly, bears will run away. They try to avoid humans, but if they’re hungry and you leave your garbage around, all kinds of animals will come up to the house.”
Rene swallowed hard. “Ben burns the garbage in a pit between our houses.”
“I think you’ve scared her enough.” Celia Ryan came back after checking on the children. “She’ll be packing her bags and checking the airline schedules.”
“No she won’t,” Cindy insisted. “Rene’s tough. She just needs to learn about this strange state she’s come to.”
Rene smiled. “Yes, I’m tough! Bring on your hungry bears and love-starved mooses.” Straightening her shoulders a little, she felt more confident than she had in years. “I’ve got a bunch of errands to do. I wanted to see you and the baby and bring you this little gift.” She handed Cindy the neatly wrapped present.
Cindy opened the package and found cologne and lotion for herself and receiving blankets for the baby. “Oh, this is great!” She unfolded the blankets. “And I love fragrance.” She sprayed on the cologne. “Oooh, sexy!”
“Don’t worry about being sexy with four children,” Celia said. “You should spray on some bug spray instead.”
“Wouldn’t drive Buddy away. Face it, Mom, I’m irresistible.” Cindy grinned at her mother, mischief written on her face.
Rene took her leave and drove to the grocery store. She found the brothers sharing a coffee break with Pinky. Three sets of eyes lit up as she entered the store. She was warmly greeted as each man tucked in his shirt, brushed his hair back and seemed to stand a little taller.
“Hello, gentlemen.” She chose a cart and made her selections quickly, then took them to the cash register.
“Getting settled in?” Pinky asked.
“Yes, thank you.”
“I just wondered if you needed anything,” Pinky said. “I mean, do you need a man? I mean,” he blushed as only a redhead can, “to do things--around the cabin?”
“Actually,” she said in a conspiratorial tone, “I have a man. You know, to do things around the cabin.” All three men looked incredulous.
“Who--?” Hank asked.
“Ben Franklin,” Rene said in a silky voice. “I just love a man who can--do things.”
Pinky looked uncomfortable while Bernie and Hank laughed out loud.
Rene left the store feeling strangely empowered. “I’m so tough,” she told her children. Starting the motor, she revved it a few times before heading to Ben’s.
~*~
CHAPTER TEN
The road ended abruptly. A cabin, larger and much newer than theirs, nestled under the tall pines. The trees grew much closer to this cabin and the shade looked cool and inviting. Rene and the children stared at the dwelling. A satellite dish and solar panels were affixed to the roof.
“This must be the wrong place,” she said aloud.
“No, Mommy! There’s Mr. Ben.” Sara bounced on the seat, pointing to the house.
“Come on in,” Ben called from the screened porch. He held the door open while Rene took the laundry inside.
“Ben, this is lovely,” she said. Comfortable chairs arranged on the porch faced the grassy area under the trees.
“I like to watch the animals. Sometimes the moose and elk come right up to the house. I’ve got a feeder for the birds and the red squirrels. Winter, I put food out for snowshoe hares. They turn white then an
d it’s real hard to see ‘em.”
“That’s nice, Ben. I’m sure they appreciate it.”
“Oh, I don’t know ‘bout that, but it’s nice to watch ‘em eat. Real peaceful-like.”
“I’m sure it is. Your cabin looks peaceful.”
“Thank you, Miz Reeny,” he said. “Let’s go on in and get started on the laundry. We can talk while it’s runnin’.”
Rene stepped inside the main room of the cabin, surprised by the neat, attractive interior. Not what she expected from this usually unkempt bachelor.
She filled the washer with sheets and towels and returned to find Ben showing the children a large telescope.
“I was just showin’ Sara and Seth how to see the stars at night,” Ben said.
“The stars are beautiful and the sky is so colorful. It’s nice to be far away from city lights and pollution.”
“Yes’m, Miz Reeny. That’s a fact.”
“Ben, are those solar panels on the roof?”
“Yes’m.” Ben looked pleased that she had noticed his handiwork. “I done some readin’ up on solar power, ‘n I decided to give it a try. It works pretty good.”
“You figured it out all by yourself?” Rene was amazed.
“Yes’m. It wasn’t hard and it keeps the place real warm in the winter.”
“I’m impressed!” Rene said. “I noticed you have a satellite dish up on your roof too.”
“Yes’m. I get all kind of programs.”
“How can I get one?” Rene asked. “The children would love it, I’m sure.”
“I’ll get the number for you, Miz Reeny.” Ben opened the top of his big roll-top desk, and located the information.
“That’s a lovely desk, Ben. It looks very old.” Rene ran her hand over the highly polished surface.
“Yes’m, it belonged to Mr. Pindar. Mrs. Pindar wanted me to have it. I miss him somethin’ awful. He was my friend.”
“He was like your father?” she asked.
“Oh no, Miz Reeny.” Ben’s face clouded over. “No one else was ever like my daddy.”