by Ellis, J. J.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2014 Jaimee Jenkins Ellis and Timothy Andrew Ellis
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
First Printing, 2014
Gimme Lots Publications
http://www.gimmelotspublications.com
[email protected]
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book is dedicated to our own Miranda – our daughter Isabella. She is our Asperger’s child and has given us so much joy through the years.
We would like to thank our kids Gwen, Bella Livy Trent and Lily
We would like to thank our parents Ann, Chuck, Alberta and John and our many siblings
Thank you KW for all of the advice, constructive criticism and time you have put into this book
Thanks to PIF for all of the encouragement and help. You guys are the best!
Thank you Kristin Wilson for giving us the name of our villainess Vivienne!
Thank you Gwen for helping me flesh out some of these characters initially!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
Russell’s Return
A Harper’s Rock Novel
JJ & TA Ellis
Home was the last place he wanted to be
Home was the only place she could truly breathe
Harper’s Rock, Wyoming is a fictional town that we have placed in the northern part of the state. If looking at a map you might think that it is somewhere near the town of Buffalo. Many small towns here in Wyoming are much like Harper’s Rock and we hope you enjoy your visit!
CHAPTER 1
Despite the late hour the sun was still shining on Harper’s Rock Wyoming. This was usually Russell Harper’s favorite time of day in late summer. All the colors of the world around him were rich and deep and tranquil. He should be feeling peaceful, at ease with himself and the world around him. But not today. Today he felt as if he were about to suffocate.
“Okay Miranda, what do you think? This is where your ol’ dad grew up.” Russell peeked at the rear view mirror into the perpetually sad brown eyes of his nine-year-old daughter as they made their way down the main drag of Harper’s Rock, Wyoming, population 6,114 at last count. Only one hundred more people than when Russell left town thirteen years ago.
If ever there was a picture perfect small western town, this was it. The cars that were parked along Main Street actually looked out of place; horses tied to the posts that lined the sidewalks would probably have looked more appropriate. Mom and Pop businesses, most with apartments above, dotted the streets throughout the oldest parts of town. Any newer structures were just outside of town, still on Main Street, but far enough away to not interfere with the aura of the perfect small western settlement.
“That’s the grocery store over there, the big brown building with the blue awning. The second story is an apartment where your Uncle Logan lives.” Russell made an attempt at a contented sigh to help emphasize the statement he was about to make. “That store has always had a fresh bakery that makes the most amazing donuts you’ve ever eaten, and I know you love donuts. We could probably even get a discount since Uncle Logan owns the store now.”
Complete silence enveloped them and another peek in the rear view told Russell that his beautiful, highly intelligent daughter was looking in the opposite direction, paying him and his ramblings absolutely no attention. Her favorite food and favorite uncle hadn’t worked to break the long silence of their two day trip from Las Vegas to Harper’s Rock. His shoulders sagged as he realized he would have to try something else. Something involving another of her favorite things maybe, but for the life of him he didn’t know… and then he saw it. “Over there is the hardware store. Grandma says they still have a toy section to rival any big city toy store. Maybe we could stop by later. What is it you’re into now, you know, those little talking critters? Didn’t they just come out with a new one?”
But not even the promise of a new toy got him a response from the back seat. So it was on to the next landmark. And he knew the perfect one. Just six buildings down from the hardware store was one of her favorite places on Earth. “Do you see the red brick building over there next to the feed store? That’s the library. I bet you’ll be spending a lot of time there, huh? Grandma even said she’ll take you to get a library card after school tomorrow!” If that didn’t get him a response, nothing would. His daughter absolutely loved libraries and books. She had two tall bookcases packed full, or at least she would again once they were unpacked. And her collection seemed to grow pretty quickly. His wallet was glad that the little town still didn’t have its own bookstore. He would have been in big trouble if they did. To make up for moving her here he probably would have had to buy out the entire kids’ section.
But the backseat remained quiet and he didn’t know of any other landmarks on Main Street that might catch her interest. They rode in silence for a while until he just couldn’t stand it anymore. “Sweetie please, you have to talk to me. Tell me what you really think of Harper’s Rock. It should be a nice place to live, right? Just look at the beautiful scenery, doesn’t it take your breath away? Plus we’ve got yummy donuts, lots of toys to choose from and a really nice library. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about your Grandma and your uncles.”
“I hate it and I hate you!” she wailed in a high pitched screech that sounded more like someone being murdered than an unhappy nine-year-old. When he glanced back at her she was rocking back and forth and sobbing even though there were no tears falling. Her long slim fingers twisted a strand of her hair into a ringlet.
Russell just sighed and kept driving. He figured these tantrums might get worse when he took her away from the only home she’d ever known, but he also hoped and prayed it wouldn’t be the case. He thought that maybe the city was just too busy and overwhelming for her and the small town atmosphere would be better. He really had held high hopes that they could have a fresh start. But his hopes were quickly fading.
When his ex-wife left them without a word two years ago, Russell tried his hardest to give Miranda everything she needed; but because she was such a difficult child, his patience and abilities were worn dangerously thin. He soon realized he just couldn’t do it alone anymore. He knew he should be extremely grateful to his mother for inviting him home, but that would take time. And so here they were, Russell and Miranda Harper, starting their new lives. And it seemed nothing was going to change. No matter how much he prayed it would.
Whatever happened though, Russell couldn’t start regretting his decisions now. What’s done was done, and he really needed his mother’s help with Miranda. If that meant uprooting and moving them back to where his family was, years after leaving to get away from this stifling small town, then that’s what he would do. For Miranda.
“Sweetie, please just give it a chance. You can start fresh here and make some friends. The peo
ple here are so nice…”
“Don’t talk to me,” she cut him off. Her teeth were clenched and she rocked back and forth even faster now.
“Randi,” Russell sighed again. Maybe she would respond better to her nickname. But he knew when to give up. The stress wasn’t worth it for either of them. Pouting, screeching, rocking back and forth, getting frustrated - it had become a way of life. But that didn’t mean it got any easier to deal with. Besides, she was very intuitive and she probably sensed that he wasn’t too thrilled about being in Harper’s Rock either.
Father and daughter continued on in the familiar uneasy silence that always followed one of Miranda’s tantrums, driving past various other businesses, houses and apartment buildings to pull into the parking lot of Movie and a Pizza Place. The movie theater/pizza restaurant had belonged to his family for over forty years and now he would run it so his mother could retire. He would have to endure the fate he’d always fought - joining the family business.
Russell pulled to a stop in front of the newly remodeled, more modern building and turned off his SUV. Newly resurfaced and painted with all new doors and fixtures, the theater looked worlds above the rest of the buildings in this newer part of town and so much more modern than the stores in old town. He looked up and down Main Street and realized with dismay, that aside from the theater, the town hadn’t changed much since he’d last been here eight years ago. Old town had the same old-fashioned false-fronted buildings, this newer section looked rundown, with the same old family-owned and operated businesses. No new paint jobs, business names or progress anywhere. He’d always joked that the word ‘progress’ was against the law in Harper’s Rock. Oh man, it seemed his feelings of suffocation grew by leaps and bounds with every passing minute.
Russell remembered his ex-wife Vivienne’s reaction to Harper’s Rock. She, designer jeans, four hundred dollar boots and all, had hated the little town more than he had. He’d always loved the scenery if nothing else. He always felt so free hiking in the nearby mountains with only animals and beauty to keep him company. A picnic in one of the rolling valleys on a day off from work gave him that same sense of freedom. And all of that was nothing compared to the freedom and serenity surrounding the rushing rivers and quiet lakes that dotted and striped the landscape near Harper’s Rock. Vivienne, who on the other hand only felt free in a shopping mall or a five star resort, hated anything that had to do with nature. And to her, nature and Wyoming were synonymous. From the minute they drove out of town after their weeklong visit, his family had to come to Nevada if they wanted to see Miranda. Luckily they had been able to do so quite often. Russell knew he should have put his foot down and made sure he brought Miranda home to Wyoming to visit too, but like many things involving his ex-wife, he’d been way too selfish. Now it was time to start making amends.
“Okay sweetie, we’re here.” They both stepped out onto the pavement at the same time. Russell paused and took a deep, cleansing breath. One thing he had always missed about Wyoming was the great fresh air. Weeklong camping and hunting trips in the nearby Big Horn Mountains, with his brothers and his father, always brought him home refreshed and rejuvenated. For a brief moment, he actually missed those days - the handful of days every year when he hadn’t felt suffocated. “Why don’t you dig through our stuff in the back and get your present for Grandma so we can take it in to her.”
“No, no, no, no, no, no,” she screeched at the top of her lungs. “I can’t. I won’t. I can’t.”
“Miranda please, you’re making a scene. You need to calm down.” Russell ran a shaking hand along his jaw. He never knew what to do in these situations. Should he stand his ground, give in, or what?
“No, no, no, no, no! Daddy there’s too much stuff back there,” she screeched again as she stomped her feet on the pavement.
“Miranda, stop it right now.” His strong jaw was clenched so tight he thought his teeth might break. “Just get Grandma’s present so we can go see her.”
“No, no, no, no, no,” she screeched again. Her arms were wrapped around her midsection, her chin was tucked into her chest, and she twisted her upper body to and fro.
Russell was bone tired from the long drive and he could feel the people in the parking lot staring at them. He wanted to scream and yell and cry himself, but knew it wouldn’t do anyone any good so he took a deep breath to refocus himself. And then he counted to ten very slowly. He decided that this really wasn’t how he wanted his homecoming going down so he didn’t argue anymore, he just went to get the present himself. Why this all frustrated Miranda so much, he wished he knew.
************
Emily Zane stepped out of the building into the warm, late summer evening and lifted her long, red hair off of her neck. She really didn’t mind the warm evening, all too soon the snow would be flying and temperatures would be dipping below zero. Besides, she had been inside of an air conditioned building all day, and the heat actually felt really nice on the back of her neck. She had really enjoyed her last day of freedom before starting a new job as the counselor at Harper’s Rock Elementary School - total student population 198. It was hard to believe her six month sabbatical was finally over. And a movie, some pizza, and some good company had been the best possible way to spend her last free day.
“So Em, did you enjoy our mother-daughter day out?” Margaret Zane had her arm around her youngest daughter’s shoulder as they left Movie and a Pizza Place. She always had been, and still was, oblivious to the fact that her daughter hated being called Em. By the time she turned twelve, Emily had given up trying to discourage her.
“Ha! You read my mind Mom. I’ve had a fabulous time today.” She paused to kick a pebble off the sidewalk. “And I can’t wait to start my new job tomorrow!” Stopping suddenly, she pulled the older woman into a warm, comfort-seeking hug. “I’m so happy I was finally able to come home for good. I’ve got my family close and a great new job.”
“And we are so happy to have you back, darling,” she murmured as their hug lingered. “You were gone way too long my dear, and after what happened...”
“I know Mom,” Emily interrupted. She didn’t want to think about what had happened. Visions of six months ago danced before her eyes and she realized she wasn’t breathing… and someone was screaming. “Oh God, what now?” she cried, afraid that Seattle was happening all over again.
“Oh no Emily, I think someone’s hurt,” Margaret gasped. The women pulled apart and looked around the parking lot to find out where the screaming was coming from. Their eyes settled on a very tall, young girl with long curly auburn hair and freckles who was yelling at a man in his thirties. “Do you think she’s okay,” Margaret whispered. She had her cell phone opened and her finger was poised to dial 911.
Emily’s heart started beating normally again as she assessed the situation, her professional demeanor taking over. “I heard her call him Daddy and he isn’t trying to physically harm her. She seems to be throwing a tantrum,” Emily whispered back.
“Isn’t she a little old for a tantrum?” Margaret asked skeptically.
“Not necessarily, Mom. There could be a lot of different reasons behind her behavior.” At thirty, Emily still wanted to throw tantrums now and then but knew it wasn’t appropriate.
“Well I guess that’s true. You are the professional, aren’t you?”
Emily turned her mother around and pulled her away from the scene. “I think they probably don’t want to be stared at anymore Ma.”
The women walked arm in arm about ten feet before they stopped again, and with the crisis seeming to be over and everyone going back to what they were doing, Margaret kissed her daughter’s cheek and headed toward her car. “Call me and let me know how your first day went,” she called over her shoulder.
“Okay Ma, I’ll see you later.” Then Emily remembered where she’d parked her car. With a deep breath, she turned and walked back across the black top toward the screeching girl and her father who were standing right next to her sma
ll blue car.
Emily headed straight to the driver side door and climbed in. She really didn’t want to interrupt them but she really didn’t want to wait until they were done to leave either. She tossed her purse on the passenger seat and fastened her seat belt. The ancient car started on the first try for once and Emily looked over her shoulder to make sure her path was clear. It appeared to be so she hit the gas, but just as suddenly, she hit her brakes when she heard a loud series of expletives. The man had opened his tailgate and his belongings had tumbled out of the dark blue SUV right onto his feet.
Emily didn’t know whether it was more her professional curiosity about the girl’s tantrums or the fact that her past dictated that she help people whenever she could, but she just had to stop to see if they needed help. Something tugged at her mind about how the little girl was acting and it would be nice to be able to observe her a bit and see if she could figure out what it was.
Re-parking her car she jumped out. “Are you okay…” she asked quickly. And when his deep brown eyes met her soft green ones, she found it hard to look away. He was a big man, probably over six feet and well-muscled. And he had the most wonderful, perpetually messy dark brown hair that just begged to have fingers run through it. Emily thought she’d seen him before, but she couldn’t quite place his handsome face.
“Umm…yeah, I think we just re-packed the back too quickly at the hotel last night,” he said, smiling sheepishly. Again, she found it hard to look away, this time because of the mesmerizing smile that lit up his whole gorgeous face. He wasn’t classically handsome, but somehow his features all worked together to make him very pleasant to look at. And again, she couldn’t help but think he looked familiar.
Emily’s mind went blank and it took her a few shaky seconds to remember what she was doing. “Can umm… can I help you pick this stuff up?”