by John Mathews
ONE
The back and forth snake-like winding of the narrow road up the Colorado mountainside almost lulled Stephen into a trance as he drove. He kept the windshield wipers and defroster on high as cold wind gusts swirled with fluffy snowflakes against the glass. It was a lovely drive, he thought, seeing the surrounding pine trees with a sprinkle of snow on their tops. His beautiful young wife, Tammy, sat in back keeping company with his wide-eyed 10-year-old daughter. Maria had never seen but a trace of snow before in her entire life and kept her face pressed to the window as the snow covering became more dense with the increase in elevation.
Stephen kept his hands on the wheel and eyes focused straight ahead. “Honey, did you check the weather forecast for the weekend? The roads are tricky enough already and it looks like a pretty big storm is heading this way. Make sure that Maria is buckled up back there.”
Tammy placed her hand gently on his shoulder. “Ya baby, of course I did, and we’re gonna get a real snowfall this weekend. But what else would you expect for a mid-January trip to Fraser, Colorado? It’s one of the coldest places in the nation! That’s what makes this weekend both romantic and exciting.”
Stephen glanced into the rear view mirror. “I can only handle a certain level of excitement. But why Fraser, of all places? We could’ve been soaking in the thermal pool at Glenwood Springs, letting their top-notch staff pamper us, or even stayed at some luxury ski resort.”
Tammy chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Skiing – you? It might take us all morning to get you comfortably into the lift chair.”
“So sassy and such a biting wit. I was more thinking of Maria, but I guess it might be too dangerous…”
“It wouldn’t be too dangerous, dad!” Maria interrupted her father, leaning forward in the backseat, trying to catch Stephen’s eye in the rear view mirror. “I’ve already been in gymnastics for four years and did my first wilderness campout with Girl Scouts.”
Tammy waved her finger at Maria. “You can’t just go skiing for the first time without proper lessons from a qualified instructor. Neither one of you needs to break a leg on our anniversary celebration weekend. We’ll still have a fun weekend, guys, don’t worry.”
Maria crossed her arms and went back to observing the snow covered landscape outside.
Stephen looked into the rear view mirror again. “But we’re not even staying that close to the town center. You know that money is no object and we’re heading into the middle of nowhere.”
Tammy smiled at him and nodded emphatically. “That’s exactly why I chose this place. The location is secluded and mysterious. Don’t you want to be part of nature and American folklore for a few days? We’re staying at an old hunting cabin built in the 1800’s. They only rent it to very special clients. And don’t worry, honey, they’ve done fixed it all up and it should be real fancy inside.” Tammy had been planning this family trip with Stephen for months, and was really adamant about it being in the Colorado mountains.
“But you didn’t even let me see the brochures and you know that I’m not a big fan of surprises. I would prefer to have us being pampered rather than fending for ourselves out in the wilderness.”
Tammy chuckled. “We’re not out in the wilderness, honey. The best way to relax is to be surrounded by nature. Have you ever observed wildlife in their natural habitat before? It’s very calming. And it’s a also natural remedy for my depression and headache spells, which you know have a terrible effect on me and bring back awful memories.”
Stephen smiled, hiding his ambivalence. “Whatever makes you happy, dear. It’s our one year anniversary and I’m just happy that we’re all together.”
***
Stephen met Tammy Caldwell while on a 2-week vacation in Palm Springs. From Wilmington, North Carolina and just 22 years old, she was staying there on holiday at a hotel with her parents. When Stephen caught a glimpse of her sitting a few seats down from him at the Brazilian Bistro bar, he was immediately struck by her stunning face and glamorous attire. Then he heard her speak with a delicate Southern accent that would melt the hardest heart.
Stephen took a big gulp of his whiskey on the rocks, and threw some more looks her way. Her legs were long and slim, supporting a more voluptuous figure with full breasts and broad shoulders. Then she smiled. Perfect teeth glimmered pearly-white framed by full pink lips. The bartender politely told the young woman that a gentleman would like to replace her top-shelf Martini. Tammy glanced over at Stephen, and then whispered softly to the bartender. To Stephen’s shock, she graciously accepted his offer. A return glance and a smile later, and Stephen and Tammy were engrossed in conversation.
She was very outgoing and very inquisitive. She asked him briefly about his holiday in Palm Springs, but was more curious about his career and background. He briefly touched on his work history and told her about the number of new businesses needing venture capital that he had funded at their inception. Tammy seemed to be impressed and listened eagerly. Then she told him about her desire to move away from her family and start a new life of her own. She was working for a small travel agency in her home town, a job she had gotten right out of high school. She could not afford to attend a University and said that anyway the demands of a college curriculum really weren’t for her. She had only been to a big city once when she visited Atlanta, and was tired of the limitations of small town life. Stephen got an immediate sense that Tammy was caring and nurturing and could possibly be a great mother to now nine-year-old Maria.
Tammy was definitely a charmer, holding Stephen’s hand gently as they spoke, and telling him how much she adored a mature gentleman. After a couple more drinks, they were holding hands, laughing, and kissing. Then they went back to Stephen’s five-star hotel room where they shared an incredible night of romance and raw passion, a combination of senses that he would not have believed possible. Stephen was convinced that Tammy had totally seduced him, and felt really good about that.
After being married for just a year to this Southern beauty with model-looks and a special kind of savvy, Stephen felt both fulfilled and excited about their relationship. After all, he was twice her age, and had never been too great with women. Tammy had told Stephen about some troubles that she had faced since she was little and how unfair life had been to her. He believed that Tammy had not grown up in the healthiest home environment, and wanted to bring stability and balance to her life. She also told him about the terrible, paralyzing headaches that she got when under a great deal of stress. Stephen was high strung but always tried to be calmer around Tammy and wanted to make her as happy as he could and fulfill her every desire.
***
Maria poked her freckled, fair-skinned face in between the two front seats to attract her father’s attention. “Dad, are we almost there yet? I’m getting hungry.”
Stephen drove along slowly as the car approached some sharp turns in the winding road. “Yes, sweetheart, it’s just a few more miles up the road. There’s the sign for the local hotel and restaurant coming up. That’s where we’re eating dinner. It’s supposed to be a really elegant place with the best food around. What time is our reservation, Tammy? Do we have some time to unwind before dinner?”
“It’s at 8 pm. Ya, of course, it’s just past 7 now – we’ve got plenty of time.”
“Ok, great. Where do I go from here?”
Tammy pointed to the right. “Just after the hotel there’s a smaller gravel road on the right. Turn there and follow it for a mile and a half into the forest and up near the top of the cliff.”
Stephen turned onto the gravel road which was quickly covering over with snow and put the car in second gear as th
e slope became quite steep. The surrounding canopy of pine trees got denser as the road wound right through the forest. It reminded him of his determination in his own life to charge ahead, moving past challenges and struggles, and never looking back with regret. “This is sure away from any form of civilization. I hope the heat is working well in that cabin and the fridge is fully stocked.”
“Oh, I’m sure it is.” Several minutes later, Tammy tapped Stephen on the shoulder, and pointed her finger out the side window again. “Stop, there it is! Turn there.”
They approached the cabin on the right from the winding gravel road. It was made from Western White Pine logs, with a front porch sitting atop a stone foundation. On the porch was an antique rocking chair and a pile of logs. The surrounding area was the dense pine tree forest.
Stephen parked the car, stretched his neck forward, and looked out the front window. “Well, at least it looks quite cozy, doesn’t it? And I see that they must’ve put on a new roof and made those steps to the porch handicapped accessible. Oh and look, on the right side of the cabin, further back – that’s where they added on a room when they remodeled it. Right, honey?”
Tammy put her arm around Maria and looked excitedly towards Stephen. “That’s right, baby, the brochure that I read online said that they added on a den and extra half bathroom after remodeling the rest of the cabin. And just wait until we see the inside, it’s gonna look fantastic.” She paused for a moment and saw a manila envelope on the rocking chair. “Now listen, guys, here’s what we’re gonna do. They done left the key in an envelope on the porch. I’ll get that and then we can grab our bags and take a little peek inside. Let’s just leave the car here and walk back down to the restaurant. A brisk walk in the cold Colorado mountain air will allow us all to wake up and stretch our legs. And it’s also a great way to take in the scenery. We can drop our bags off and get unpacked after dinner.”
“Walk all the way back down to the restaurant?” Stephen turned around to face her with a doubtful look on his face. “It’s cold out and snow is falling. I really don’t think that…”
“Listen dear,” Tammy interrupted, “we’re not gonna go anywhere in the car this weekend. We’re here to live out in the woods just like the hunters did. My mother always said that being one with nature was cleansing to the soul.”
Stephen smirked. “I remember – it was your father that was cruel and heartless. Are you sure that you’re even cut out for that kind of exercise, honey? I never knew that pretty girls could…”
Tammy reached over and patted her husband on the belly. “Very funny. You need the exercise as much as I do. Now c’mon you two, let’s get out and stretch our legs.”
Stephen turned his head and glanced towards Maria. “Whatever your stepmother says, huh princess?”
They got out of the car, Tammy took the key from inside the envelope, and opened the front door to the cabin. Once inside, Stephen’s eyes opened wide at the sight of an elegant sofa and loveseat, wood burning fireplace, and lavish antique furnishings. “Wow! It’s even more elegant than I’d imagined. I was afraid that it would be too rustic, but it’s so cozy and comfortable inside. And the ceiling is so high. We’re going to sip some dry sherry while listening to the cracking sound of burning firewood. And I can’t wait to find that Jacuzzi.”
Tammy gestured vaguely towards Stephen “After dinner, baby. Let’s just leave our bags right here to keep them nice and warm and leave for dinner.”
“Should I get my handgun from the car and keep it somewhere inside the cabin?”
Tammy waved her finger. “We’re on a vacation. The last thing we need is that damn gun inside, anywhere near Maria. This cabin is safer than any five-star hotel you could have chosen.”
Stephen nodded. All bundled up in thick winter clothing, the three of them started the walk back down the mountain road, which was quickly becoming covered with snow. Stephen wanted to hold his wife’s hand but instead kept his hands warm inside his coat pockets. He walked carefully knowing that he had yet not unpacked his snow boots. Maria looked all around her out of curiosity as she walked. About thirty minutes later they arrived in time for their 8 pm reservation at the four-star restaurant.
TWO
The main dining room was small and quaint, clearly designed for intimacy and romance. Tables were spaced apart evenly around the circumference of the room, separated by hardwood partitions. Elegant bone-colored satin curtains were partially drawn at each table, giving dinner guests more privacy. Two tall, long-burning candles were placed at each setting, with old rippled wax still clinging to the bottom.
It still seemed surreal to Stephen to be celebrating the best year of his life together with both his lovely young wife and daughter. He was a lucky man indeed and after working so hard for most of his life, he deserved this well-earned romantic weekend. He held up his glass of Bordeaux and proposed a toast. “Darling, here is to a great year spent together and much more wonderful time to come. This getaway weekend is all for you.”
Tammy smiled as she adjusted the hand-embroidered pillow against her back. “You’re just an amazing man and inspiration to me baby and I am so happy that we have each other. I’ve been such a happy girl since I’ve been married to you.” She spoke in a soft and delicate voice, with the sweet Southern accent that just made Stephen melt. Her golden-colored hair glistened in the flickering of the candles. He easily got lost just gazing into those blue eyes with their long black lashes.
He set his glass back down on the white tablecloth as his usually pale cheeks turned rosy with embarrassment. “I couldn’t have become who I am at this point in my life without you. I really thought I had everything that I needed in my life for so long, but I was entirely wrong. I’m so glad that now I have a loving wife for me and great young role model for Maria.” He reached over and put his arm around his daughter’s shoulders and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.
***
Stephen Worthington had grown up in an affluent family from Washington State, but his wealth and success were entirely due to his own hard work and commitment to excellence. His father had a long-term position as the CFO of a large international finance corporation, and had invested wisely. Despite his parents’ affluence and living in an upper class neighborhood, Stephen had worked as a server at a local restaurant in his last year of high school, and then part-time in retail management while going to college. He kept a close relationship with both of his parents after moving out at age eighteen.
Following his degree in Business Finance, he got a job with a local bank handling small business loans. He quickly learned the ins and outs of private loans and investing. A few years later, with some money saved, he was able to open his own small private capital lending company in Los Angeles. He just had a shrewd knack for getting in and out of business endeavors at the right time and before his 40th birthday was worth more than 20 million dollars.
At the age of thirty-five and with his businesses well established, Stephen had more free time for fun and dating. He wasn’t blessed with handsome looks and had never been one for exercise or physical fitness. His squatty face, receding hairline, and big brown eyes made him someone that people looked at primarily for business advice. He had already spent his fair share of time with high class call girls and escorts. Stephen did meet a pleasant woman who took an interest in him at a local hangout, and the two dated for a short period of time. Although then soon parted ways, Stephen would later find out that she had become pregnant and he was indeed the father. Not being much of the nurturing type and rather self-centered, the mother gave full custody of the child to Stephen for an undisclosed financial settlement. He embraced being a father right away and then spent most of his free time with his daughter, Maria. She was an exceptionally bright young girl and had a strong bond with her father.
***
Tammy twinkled from ear to ear while enjoying a sip of the fine blood-red Bordeaux. She loved getting compliments, and having a man treat her like a princess for a
full year had been delightful. She put a hand gently on Stephen’s knee. “Of course baby. Everyone needs to know what they want in life and go get it. I’m totally dedicated to both you and Maria. I love you both so much and nothing can ever change that.” The little girl smiled at her. “And you’ve also been real understanding about how unfair life has been to me and the bad things that I’ve had to overcome. I don’t think I could have ever been happy without you.”
Stephen put his hand up hesitantly. “It wasn’t all me. You are strong and would have made it in life regardless. I don’t think that you needed a man to fulfill…”
“But I needed you!” Tammy interrupted. “I done told you about all of the bad things that had happened to me before and how I dealt with them. Don’t you remember talking about all that stuff just after we met, and everything that I had been through?”
“Of course I remember. You told me that you got falsely accused of credit card fraud when you were still in high school. You received a suspended prison sentence, probation, and took anger management therapy. And do you remember what my response was?”
“Ya. You told me to accept myself, take responsibility for who I am, and move on with everything. And that’s what I did! You made me feel good about myself again like nobody ever had before. Even my family had done turned against me. All I did was use mom’s credit card to buy some damn clothes at the mall! To report that to the police and turn in your own daughter is just sick. Who would ever do that!” She spoke indignantly.
“Just remember what I told you, honey. You can’t fix everyone else around you, but you can fix yourself. Life isn’t always fair, and sometimes you have to fight for what you think is right.”
Tammy snickered, leaning back in her seat. “Even when your own damn family can’t accept you for who you are? I accepted them and never complained to my parents growing up!”
“Everyone can’t be as open-minded and understanding as you can. You won’t ever need to sneak around to buy clothes again, that’s for sure! And what else did I tell you to do, honey?”