by Ritter Ames
“At all?” Sam asked.
Kate glared, and her daughters grinned at her then at each other. Like she’d thought, half the arguments were just habit. Time to rethink the way some things were handled when they returned home. She turned and introduced Tina and Meg. “Tina’s married to Gus, the guy behind the counter making my husband’s head swell. They own the store.”
“Daddy’s head looks normal to me,” Suze said, stretching on her toes to see over a display.
“It was a joke, honey,” Kate said. “Gus is talking hockey with your dad.”
“Oh, I get it now.”
“The boys are over there looking at fishing lures,” Meg said, pointing to the other wall. “Why don’t you go see what they’ve found.”
“Good idea.” The girls disappeared around an endcap and raced to the fishing display.
Tina smiled and chuckled. “They’re so cute. How old are the girls?”
“They’ll be in second grade when school starts in a few days,” Kate said, and she smiled at her blonde twins. “They’re both excited—but for entirely different reasons.”
“At least they’re looking forward to going back.” The left side of Meg’s mouth pulled down into a frown as her eyebrow raised. She trained a look at her older son who was currently holding a cap out of Ben’s reach.
“I guess boys are harder to get to settle down for the school year.” Tina touched Meg’s arm then pulled back.
“Oh, my youngest is happy about school coming soon,” Meg replied. “But while his brother may be older, he isn’t the best model for stellar scholarship.”
As they watched, Mark held the cap high over his head, and Samantha took a couple of fast steps and jumped onto his back, then plucked the hat and frisbeed it to Ben.
“Way to go, Sam!” Meg said, and all the women clapped as the kids laughed. Ben put his prize on his head and grinned. A second later, he took off the cap and replaced it on the shelf.
“I thought he wanted the cap,” Tina said, doing a kind of Vanna White movement with her hand.
“He did while Mark was keeping it from him.” Meg blew out a frustrated breath. “Now, Ben couldn’t care less.”
“Is Ben in first grade this year or is he a big kindergartner?” Tina asked.
“He’ll be in first. Mark starts fourth grade,” Meg replied.
“I love kids that age. All elementary grades.” She spread her arms and laughed. “What am I saying, I love kids at all ages.”
“Do you and Gus have any children?” Meg asked.
“Not so far. We’ve been married five years. It hasn’t happened, but we’re trying. We both had a lot of stress where we were before and moved here about a year ago,” Tina explained, hugging her arms around her torso again and pivoting back and forth on one heel as she talked. “We’re hoping the slower Vermont pace will help, but there’s a lot to do in keeping a store like this one going and all, so it’s probably a good thing nothing’s happened yet.”
“Stress does take its toll,” Meg said, then frowned as Paul Gaines headed their way. She leaned in close to Kate and whispered, “I hope that couple has to take Paul to court for repairs, and they call me to testify. I would look forward to testifying for them at the trial.”
“I think it’s just a hearing,” Kate whispered back. “Isn’t a trial only when the person can potentially go to jail?”
“Not sure, but a girl can dream, can’t she?” Meg crossed her arms and frowned in Paul’s direction.
Kate wanted to chuckle but knew Meg didn’t need egged on, so she grabbed a small handbasket at the end of the aisle. She waved the plastic carrier back and forth. “I’m going to hit the refrigerated case for the cold stuff.”
“Good idea.” Meg waved toward the kids. “I’ll go and herd the kids.”
Tina grinned. “I’ll go too. I have some more rhinestone trimmed hats in the next aisle the girls might like.” She sent Kate a glittery wave of her nails.
That kind of hat will be right up Suze’s alley, Kate thought. However, she also knew it would likely make Sam say something sarcastic and start another argument. She sighed as she neared the tall glass door of the first dairy case.
The basket filled up quickly with a large carton of milk for the kids and a smaller one of half-and-half for the adults’ coffee in the morning. She added butter and a package of cheese slices. Looking back at the others, she saw Tina lean closer to Suze and straighten a flashy sun hat with a pink brim and colored stones decorating the crown.
Paul Gaines spoke low to Gus at the counter, then glanced around the store. As his gaze met Meg’s stormy expression, he turned away quickly and checked out the selection of gum. He looked out the front windows several times, and Kate wondered if he was waiting to speak to Gil. Her neighbor was still outside with the couple that Paul hit and their crumpled car. The police car pulled away, as she watched Paul stare out at the others still in the parking lot. Paul looked over his shoulder again in Meg’s direction, but she was talking to Tina and didn’t notice.
Since Gus and Keith had stopped talking hockey, Kate moved that way with her purchases. Gus reminded Kate a little of Jess, the owner/storekeeper of the Hazleton County market. Both men naturally wore a welcoming look on their round faces, but their eyes were always watching their surroundings. Jess had told her once that shoplifters were a constant risk of small stores catering to tourists, as the thieves had no community ties and thought little of walking off with the day’s profits in a concentrated round of pilfering. Especially if they worked in teams. The profit margins in stores of this type were quite slim, despite the higher prices Gus charged, since his was the only store for several miles. Kate decided to buy a little more than necessary and wandered over to see what fruit was available.
By the time she had her overfilled basket ready for check out, her husband and Gus were bent over what looked like a trail map stretched out on the counter. Listening to Gus a little more, she asked, “Are you from around Chicago originally? I believe I hear traces of a Windy City accent.”
“You come from Chicago?” Gus asked, smiling broadly.
She shook her head. “No, never had the pleasure, but a lot of the guys Keith played with were from Illinois and Michigan. I got used to the way some of the words are spoken differently up there.”
Gus laughed and raised his hands in surrender. “You caught me. It’s been so long since I lived there, I figured I’d lost every bit of my accent by now.”
“Bet you haven’t lost your love for Chicago deep dish pizza,” Keith teased.
“Never gonna happen,” Gus replied. He folded up the map the men had been poring over and asked, “So, you want a copy of this?”
“Yeah, sure,” Keith said and took the map from the shopkeeper. “Add the cost to whatever Kate has there in the basket.”
“We have some more things to add before you check out too,” Meg called from the area where the kids were still picking up things and putting others back. Kate noticed Tina had disappeared from the grouping, and that Paul was standing near the cigarettes and trying to get Gus’s attention.
“Nah, sorry,” Gus called to Paul. “I didn’t get any new stock of those cigarillos you like. You can check back tomorrow and see if they come on the next truck.”
“Damn! I should have never stopped at all,” Paul cursed. “Just one cra—”
“Language, Paul,” Meg interrupted, the sharp edge of her voice adding strength to her words.
Paul’s face flushed and he spluttered a second, but his tone was conciliatory when he said, “Sorry. Wasn’t thinking.” He headed for the door and added, “I’ll check back tomorrow, Gus. Thanks.”
Gil came in the door Paul had just departed from, and Meg herded the kids back to the front of the store. As she neared her husband, she asked, “Did that poor couple, Mr. and Mrs. Salley, get all taken care of?”
“Yes, they were shaken up some, and Paul’s Jag did quite a lot of damage to their back bumper, what with it bei
ng the heavier car and all,” Gil said. “But the officer wrote up a report, and they can each go by the station later to pick up copies for their insurance companies.”
“I gave the Salleys my name and address in case they need to sue Paul,” Meg said.
“I know,” Gil frowned. “The officer was conscientious enough to add that information to his report too. You didn’t have to try to make Paul look bad.”
Meg crossed her arms and grinned broadly. “I didn’t have to try at all. He did a bang-up job all by himself.”
Gus laughed. “I’m guessing you’re no fan of Mr. Pulitzer.”
“Obviously, you’ve had to listen to the man prattle on about his talents and awards,” Meg replied. “And no. He’s my husband’s friend—not mine.”
They finished up and Gus sacked the purchases. As the kids scooped up the bags, Kate said, “We’d better put these bags in the backseat of the Camry. There should be plenty of room since Ben’s the only kid riding with us.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Gil said, and he and Keith hustled the kids out the door.
Kate touched Meg’s arm and quietly asked, “What happened to Tina? I was going to say goodbye to her.”
“Did you say Tink?” Gus asked. He jerked a thumb toward a door half hidden by shelves of merchandise. “She always takes off for the back when Paul comes around. She’s not much of a fan of his either.”
“A woman with taste.” Meg laughed, then waved. “Well, please tell her it was nice meeting her.”
“Will do,” Gus replied. “And feel free to stop by anytime.”
Kate slipped her credit card back into her purse and thought, I’m not sure we can afford to do that.
The sun was strong overhead, and bearing down on the parking lot, despite the screen of trees on three sides. Kate shaded her eyes with a hand and saw the kids were already in the vehicles, and Gil was closing the back door of the Camry for the side that housed the groceries and supplies. Before he and Keith climbed back into the Jeep, he asked Meg, “You have the map Paul drew, right?”
“Yep, over the visor,” Meg replied. “You guys want to follow us?”
“Lead on.” Keith waved a hand.
However, as they pulled out onto the road, they realized Paul Gaines tucked his Jaguar into line behind them, and the Salleys’ crushed coupe took its place right behind him. Keith’s Jeep was three cars back.
“You want to pull over so Paul and the Salleys can pass us?” Kate asked.
“Oh, it’s okay. We don’t have far to go, and Keith should be able to keep us in sight,” Meg said.
“It is true he has the height advantage over all of the cars in front.” Kate reached up to slip the map from the driver’s side visor. “Have you already memorized the route, or would you like me to play navigator.”
“I think I know where I’m going, but I always appreciate any help,” Meg replied.
They only had a couple of miles to drive before the Jaguar veered off to take a side road that looked little more than a goat trail.
“Wow, look at that cloud of dust,” Ben cried. “His car almost disappeared.”
“Yes, he certainly churned up the dirt and gravel,” Meg said, looking for a second to check out what had gotten Ben excited.
Kate shook her head in wonder. “I hope Paul takes it slower. I would hate to drive such a low slung car on a driveway that rough.”
“Well, he did say the caravan he was staying in was pretty rustic,” Meg replied, her eyes now focused on the road ahead. “Guess that rustic classification begins with the driveway to the place.”
After another couple of miles, and Kate pointed to a rural lane several steps up from the turn Paul had taken. “I think this is our access to the cabin.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right,” Meg said.
She negotiated the turn into the lane, then let the car idle until they saw Keith turn on his blinker. The Salleys shot past them and kept going. Kate asked, “Are the Salleys staying nearby, too, or were they simply passing through?”
“They’re vacationing at a place near the next crossroads,” Meg replied, moving the Camry forward again as the Jeep pulled up behind them.
CHAPTER FOUR
WHEN AN EMERGENCY LIGHT is Needed
An impromptu candle can be made from a crayon. The paraffin wax of the crayon burns just like candlewax, and the paper label around the outside acts as a wick. Just break off the exposed tip of the crayon and light the paper cover, and the wax will catch fire almost immediately. Burn time can naturally vary, but a new, regular sized crayon—the type used in elementary grades—will usually burn about twenty minutes.
THEY DROVE UP TO A small brown cabin with a dark green metal roof, sitting in a small clearing off the graveled lane. Sunlight played peekaboo among the thick leaves on the proud foliage that ringed the property. Meg parked the Camry onto the little crushed-rock apron. Keith pulled the Jeep up beside them, but nearer the front steps.
“Mom, are we here? Mom, are we here?” Ben chanted from the back seat.
“Yes, we’re here. This is the cabin,” Meg said, removing the car key from the ignition. “Grab your backpack and things, Ben, while Kate and I start unloading.”
Kate took a second to look around as she opened the back door to help Ben move through the obstacle course on the backseat. The kids had all ended up with new caps and a fishing lure of their own before they left the store. Ben happily had his cap on his head with the bill pointing backward and almost covering his neck, leaving the words Been Camping barely visible as he scrambled out of the seat with his overloaded backpack, hurrying to catch up with the other kids. Meg grinned at Kate and shook her head, bending down to pick up the shiny lure her young son had dropped as he hurried away. Then she tossed Gil the key to the front door so that he could let everyone inside. Finally, Meg reached down to pull the latch to open the trunk.
The bucolic setting was hugged by a kind of gentle quiet coming from a forest of trees. While pines were in the majority, Kate picked out some hemlocks and maples, taking in the ordered wall of brown trunks and green leaves.
“Hey, the colors of the cabin are the same colors as the trees,” Sam said, giving voice to the thought that had been in Kate’s mine.
“Yeah, it all matches,” Ben said. “The cabin is brown like the trunks and the roof is green like the leaves.”
“Of course it matches, doofus, it’s wood and trees,” Mark said. “What did you expect?”
Ben’s face reddened, “But—”
“Stop arguing, boys,” Meg warned, standing tall and giving the look over the open lid of the trunk.
“Sure, no problem,” Mark replied and nudged his brother to move him along toward the cabin.
Ben blustered a little. “Okay, Mom, but I really wasn’t.”
“I know, son. I know.”
Kate smiled at the exchange, as she reached into the back door of the car and grabbed the bags of perishables they’d purchased at the store, then she rounded the car to see if she could add anything from the trunk. It was going to take a couple of trips, and their arms were full when they headed into the cabin with the first load.
“I hope this place has all the amenities Gil’s boss promised,” Meg said, as they climbed the steps. Everyone else was already inside.
“From what Paul said last night, he seemed to think it has everything we needed,” Kate replied. When Meg snorted, Kate laughed. She caught the handle of the screen door with her little finger; then the women used elbows to catch and hold it open while they entered.
“Hey, we could use some help, you know,” Meg called out.
“Sorry, Mom.” Mark raced toward them and grabbed one of the sleeping bags Meg was carrying. Suze was on his heels and grabbed one of the bags in Kate’s arms.
Though the screened-in front porch was open and airy, the interior of the structure was small and relatively dark once they entered the cabin itself. An old sofa, upholstered in a faded floral pattern that had once
been predominately red and gold, sat along the wall under the side window. Sitting perpendicular to the sofa was a lime green recliner covered in a nubby fabric. The furniture shared a lamp table, and on the wall opposite the recliner was a small television attached to the wall. The other half of the room was filled with a good-sized dinette set, with a table that looked like it came out of the 1960s, and seven mismatched chairs.
Gil walked toward them, spreading his arms expansively. “See, honey, all the comforts of home.” He pointed over his shoulder with a thumb. “The stove works, and the refrigerator is already cold. Paul left everything exactly the way we needed it.”
The redhead arched one critical eyebrow. “I suppose,” she said. “But don’t get attached to the ambiance of this décor. I don’t think I could possibly recreate it in all its glory for our home.”
Everyone laughed, and the women piled their load onto the table, where Mark and Suze had already dropped theirs. Meg pointed at a door in the back of the cabin, and asked, “Is that the bedroom? Or the bathroom?”
“Both, I think,” Gil said.
Keith was closer, so he opened the door and stepped inside. A second later, he was back and reported, “Yes, there’s a small bathroom in there, located behind the kitchen wall.”
“Make sense,” Kate said. “Though kind of unhandy for anyone sleeping in the room. Is that the only bedroom?”
“Yes.” Gil nodded. “But never fear. The lovely couch pulls out to make a queen-sized bed.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Meg reminded. “You guys have two tents to set up outside because the kids want to sleep outside, and the two of you get to join them. Remember?”
Gil sighed, and Keith grinned, but Kate wondered how long everyone would truly stay in the tents once darkness fell. She started mentally figuring out how to get the kids’ four sleeping bags situated later in what little open space was in the room.