“Waddya mean, Mike?” asked Amanda.
Mike stood, took one long step and leaned forward. He reached out and slowly pointed to a spot on the map.
“It was right there.”
“But—”
He drifted back and returned to his seat at the table. “That’s where it was.”
Jack stood up again, cocked his head and studied the map.
“You mean, it was there before, and it’s not there now?”
“I was standing there two days ago,” he stated flatly. “But it looked just like it did that day. Nothing. Just tunnel.”
Amanda stepped away from map, sat down on the bed beside her brother.
“That day you and Grandma followed—”
“That’s right,” said Mike. “Nothing there. More tunnel. But that’s where it shoulda’ been.”
Jack stared at the map.
He studied every feature, every line, every tunnel and cavern.
Chapter Four
Jack and Amanda sat on the top step of the front porch. Out in the yard, near the car, their mom was saying good-bye to their dad.
Grandma came out onto the porch and stood behind the kids.
“A shame,” she said.
“We get it a lot,” said Jack, his chin resting in his hands.
“It’s his work,” said Amanda. “An emergency is an emergency.”
“Well, it is important,” said Jenny. “His foundation helps a lot of people.”
“We know,” said Amanda.
Tom looked over and called out to them.
“I’ll be back in a couple of days,” he said. “Three days, tops.”
“Don’t you worry, Tom,” Jenny called out. “You just do what needs doing and get back to us safe.” She spoke then to Jack and Amanda. “There you go, children. We’ll see your father again well before Christmas.”
Down in the yard, Olivia watched Tom drive off. Once the car was gone from sight, she turned and walked slowly over to the porch.
“Are you two all right?”
“It’s okay, Mom,” said Jack. “Really.”
“You know your father’s work.” She looked apologetically up at Jenny. “The foundation runs on a shoestring as it is. They can barely—”
“Don’t apologize, Olivia. The work is important. No one’s being deprived here.” She nudged Jack from behind. “Right?”
“Nothing we can’t handle,” said Jack with a grin.
“Right,” Jenny said firmly.
“Right,” agreed Amanda.
“Right,” sighed Olivia. “So, what are your plans for this afternoon?”
“Daniel is gonna show us his secret swimming spot,” said Jack.
“The Madsen boy?” asked Jenny.
“They met him this morning,” said Olivia.
“I heard he was coming home. I didn’t realize he was already back.”
“He said he lived here,” said Jack.
“He does. Or he did, up until, oh, about two years ago. Carl and Emma have really been looking forward to having him back home.”
“That’s right,” said Olivia. “The boy was ill, wasn’t he? I had completely forgotten about that. He certainly looked well yesterday. And they didn’t say a word.”
“I’m afraid he’s not well at all.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“What’s wrong with him?” asked Amanda. Daniel hadn’t looked sick to her, either.
“Leukemia, I’m afraid,” said Grandma.
“Leukemia?”
“Cancer, sweetie,” said Mom.
Jack turned about. “Is he gonna be all right?”
“There’s nothing more they can do for him, Jack. It was decided he should spend what time is left here on the mountain, long as he’s able.” She looked up, out at the surrounding mountains. “I am glad to hear he’s home.”
§
Jack, Amanda and Daniel peered over the top of the ridge. Mike’s cabin was visible in the clearing below. For the moment there was no movement, no sign of Mike.
Jack glanced sideways at Daniel. Other than being a bit pale, maybe a bit short of breath, Daniel didn’t appear all that sick.
“There he is,” said Daniel.
Jack turned back quickly and looked down at the cabin.
Mike stepped from the trail and into the clearing, wearing a knapsack and using a tall hiking staff. He walked around to the front of the cabin. He went inside.
“That’s the trail he left by this morning,” Daniel continued. “I’ll bet ya’ nickels to donuts it’ll take us right to the caves.”
Amanda frowned. “I told you, Daniel. We can’t go into the caves.”
“Why not?”
“Because our mom told us to stay out of ‘em.”
“Well,” said Jack, “It was more of a suggestion, really.”
“Jack…” Amanda frowned yet again.
“She didn’t actually order us not to go into the caves. She just doesn’t like the idea of the caves on general principal.”
“You know what she meant, Jack.”
“C’mon, Amanda. Let’s at least have a look.”
Amanda gave him a cool stare, then looked at Daniel. He had the hint of a soft smile, but didn’t look to be forcing her one way or the other.
“I don’t know,” she said.
“You guys do what you want,” Daniel said with a shrug. “I gotta do this.”
“I thought you didn’t believe in the Christmas Cave,” said Amanda.
“I’m willing to consider the possibility.”
Amanda figured Jack’s excitement over this had infected poor Daniel.
Jack’s gaze was almost pleading. She knew he wouldn’t go without her. If he got into trouble over this, better to have his little sister along to share the pain.
“Just a quick look,” said Jack.
Her resistance collapsed. They were both going to be grounded for a month over this.
“Maybe just a quick look around.” She glanced up at the sky. “But not today. We have to get home. I am not going to be late.”
“But we go first thing in the morning.”
“Yeah, all right,” Amanda grumbled.
Jack turned to Daniel. “We’ll meet you back here, get an early start. Right?”
“Right-O.”
“Okay, then.” He pointed a finger at Amanda. “And no backin’ out.”
“I said I’d go, didn’t I? Geez.” She lowered her head. “Oh, I just know I’m going to regret this.”
§
It was late afternoon before they made it back to the cabin. Jenny and Olivia were decorating the tree when they came in.
“There you are,” said Mom. “Did you have a good time?”
“Yeah,” Amanda shrugged.
“S’pose,” said Jack.
“Did Daniel show you his secret swimming hole?”
“Yeah.”
“So? How was it?”
“It was okay.”
Grandma looked the two of them over with an experienced eye.
“You didn’t go swimming?”
“Nah.”
“It was too cold for swimming,” said Amanda.
“Oh, that’s too bad,” said Mom.
“That’s all right,” said Jack. “We went exploring.”
Olivia and Jenny gave each other questioning looks as Jack and Amanda disappeared down the hall.
“I wonder what they’re up to?” asked Olivia.
“They’re up to being kids, I expect.” Jenny stiffened suddenly, pressed her fingers to her temple.
“Mom?” Olivia took a step toward Jenny. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, sweetie.” Jenny tried to shake it off. “Just a bit of a headache.”
“Maybe you should sit down.”
“No, I’m fine.” Jenny reached for a decoration. She had difficulty focusing, tried several times to get hold of the ornament before finally giving up.
Olivia took another st
ep nearer and held Jenny’s arm. “Jenny? Come on, Mom. Sit down.”
Jenny hesitated, finally gave a brief nod. “Maybe for just a minute, then.” She smiled warmly at Olivia as she sat down.
Olivia slowly sat in the chair beside her. “Mom?”
“Better.” Jenny waved a dismissive hand. “Nothing, really.”
“It doesn’t look like nothing to me.”
“I’m fine, now.” She took a long, deep breath, smiled reassuringly. Not nearly as bad as the spell I had this morning, she thought. Seems to be worse in the mornings.
“Maybe we shouldn’t wait. Let me call the doctor. We’ll move it up.”
“No, no, dear. It’ll pass. Always does. Let’s just enjoy the holiday. All right?”
“Mom…”
“I’m none the worse.”
Olivia wasn’t ready to let this go. It took her a few moments to respond. “I’m not going to let you take any chances, Jenny. If I think—”
“Of course, of course.”
Olivia doesn’t look at all convinced.
“Honestly, dear,” said Jenny, and she gave Olivia yet another comforting smile. “See? It’s passed. Now let’s get back to this tree.”
§
Jack sat on Amanda’s bed with his back against the headboard. Amanda was sitting in chair by the window, holding the curtain aside with one hand, looking casually outside.
“Daniel seemed okay,” she said absently. “Kinda tired, maybe.”
She lowered the curtain and looked over at Jack.
“Didn’t he seem okay to you?”
“He seemed fine,” said Jack.
“Yeah. I thought so too. I don’t think he’s as bad off as they say. I mean… wouldn’t he have said something?”
Jack just shrugged in response.
Amanda turned back to the window, pulled aside the curtain. “Maybe we should have asked him about it. Maybe he was waiting for us to ask him about it.”
“It’s his personal business,” said Jack. “He wants to talk about it, he’ll talk about it.”
“Maybe.”
“They always make it out worse than it is.” Jack was way past ready to change the subject. “Waddya think we’ll find in the Christmas Cave?”
“I didn’t say I was going to go into the tunnels, much less that I’d go looking for the Christmas Cave.”
“Sure you’re going in.”
“I only said I’d take a look. Nothin’ about going inside.”
“Well, that doesn’t make any sense,” said Jack. “Ya’ gotta go in. What? You gonna stand outside and stare at it? Besides, it’s like, ya’ know, Daniel’s Last Wish.”
“Oh, don’t you go playin’ the guilt trip card on me, Jack.”
“I’m just sayin’.”
Amanda gave her brother a chilling glare. “That’s cold.”
Jack settled in more comfortably, stared up at the ceiling and grinned. His work was done.
“All right,” Amanda said firmly. “I’ll go to the caves with you, and we’ll have a look around inside. But I’m not promising anything.”
“Of course. We’ll just check it out. We’ll see what’s what.”
Mom’s voice came from down the hall.
“Kids! Come out here and help with the tree.”
Chapter Five
Jack, Amanda and Daniel walked stealthily past Mike’s old cabin in the early morning, started up the trail they had seen Mike come out of the day before. Each had a small knapsack on their back.
The trail wound through woods, meadow and open hillside, always upward. Misty fog rolled over grassy fields and through the trees. It would take the morning sun rising higher to burn it off.
An hour from Mike’s place and they stepped out into a clearing of bare ground at the base of a steep rock face. There was a crevice between two tall rocks that formed a dark opening four feet wide.
A worn path led directly to the opening.
“This must be it,” said Daniel.
“It doesn’t look like much,” said Jack, with a hint of disappointment.
“What’d ya’ expect?”
Amanda moved in closer to the cave opening. “Looks kinda’ menacing, if you ask me.”
Daniel shrugged out of his knapsack, set it at his feet and opened it. The others followed suit. Each brought out a flashlight.
“You sure about this?” asked Amanda, gripping her flashlight.
“I’m not makin’ you guys come with me,” said Daniel.
“It’ll be all right, Amanda,” said Jack. “If you feel uncomfortable, we’ll come back out.”
“I already feel uncomfortable.”
“Well ya’ gotta give it a chance,” said Jack. “We’ll just go in a ways, have a look around.”
“What if we get lost?”
“We won’t get lost.” He tapped at his temple. “I have Mike’s map right here. I’ll take us right to the Christmas Cave.”
“All right, then.” Daniel picked up his knapsack, flicked on his flashlight. “Let’s go.”
Amanda let out a sigh and gave a short nod. Jack grinned, picked up his knapsack and led the way to the entrance, turning on his flashlight as he stepped through the opening.
Inside, the opening to the outside world behind them was a bright glare, ahead of them the way narrowed quickly toward a dark tunnel.
“Okay,” Amanda whispered harshly. “We finished here?”
“Funny,” said Jack. “What say we give it just a little bit further?”
Daniel was a little more determined. “I’m taking this as far as it goes,” he said. “Wherever it takes me.”
“Don’t you worry, Amanda,” said Jack. “It’ll be fine. Home before dinner.”
“You promise me, Jack.”
“I promise. You say the word, we’ll go home.”
Amanda studied her brother’s face for a long time.
“All right,” she said at last, and with that Jack led the way.
They were immediately engulfed in the darkness. Light beams from their flashlights danced like sabers, stabbing into the dark, reaching feebly into the black, creating shadows of the three of them on the tunnel walls.
§
Olivia stood at the side table in the living room on which the phone sat, the only phone in Jenny’s cabin. She had the receiver to her ear.
“Okay Tom, I’m glad to hear it,” she said, then listened. “Okay. Okay, we’ll be waiting for you. See you soon… I love you, too.”
She hung up the phone, looked across the room at Jenny.
“He’s on his way back,” she told her. “He should be here tonight.”
Jenny walked toward the dining table, cup of tea in hand.
“That’s wonderful, dear.” She sat at the table.
Olivia walked over and sat beside her. “How are you feeling, Mom?”
“All the better for the good news.” She indicated her cup. “The water’s hot. Would you like me to fix you some tea?”
“That’s all right.” Olivia stood and gave a light pat on Jenny’s arm. “I’ll get it.”
Jack continued to lead the way through the tunnels, Amanda and Daniel following behind.
“Not to worry,” Jack said over his shoulder. “This is the way.”
“Uh-huh,” Amanda mumbled.
Jack tapped again at his temple. “It’s all in here. Like a photograph.”
“Jack, I’ve been lost before, and this is pretty much what it looks like.”
“No, no. No worries. No worries.”
Daniel, bringing up the rear, was more optimistic than Amanda.
“Hey, being lost is a good sign,” he said. “I’ll bet you can’t find the Christmas Cave without being lost.”
Not the support that Jack was looking for.
“We are not lost,” he insisted.
“Jack?”
“Amanda?”
“Jack, this is where I feel uncomfortable and we head back.”
“I’m telling you,
Amanda, this is the way. It’s all good. All good.”
§
Jenny and Olivia headed outside after an early lunch. Olivia went to one of the outbuildings and brought out the ladder while Jenny untangled the string of Christmas lights.
They had been working at hanging them along the rain gutter for half an hour, Olivia up on the ladder and Jenny standing below, when a car came into the yard. The Madsen parents got out.
Jenny left the foot of the ladder and started toward them as Olivia stepped down.
Carl Madsen was thirty nine years old, medium build, hair beginning to thin. He dressed warm, ready for mountain weather. His wife Emma was a year older, thin and tired looking. She dressed as if she was from the city and only here on a visit. This, despite the fact that she had lived on the mountain most of her adult life, ever since her wedding day.
“Sorry to bother you, Jenny,” said Carl.
“Don’t be silly, Carl. You know you’re welcome anytime.”
Olivia stepped up next to Jenny. “Carl, Emma. Good to see you both again. Is there a problem?”
“Hello, Olivia,” said Emma. “I don’t suppose Daniel is here? Don’t suppose you’ve seen him?”
“I believe he’s with Jack and Amanda. They were going up to see Mike, then heading up the creek to some meadow or other.”
“I’m sure he’s all right, Emma,” said Jenny. “They’re just exploring.”
Olivia could see very real concern on Emma’s face.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” said Carl.
“He didn’t take his medicine with him,” said Emma. “He’s been gone all morning.”
“Oh, my,” said Olivia. “We expect them to be gone all day. They took sack lunches with them.”
Jenny reached out and placed a hand on Carl’s arm. “Would you like us to go looking for them?”
“No, it’s all right. Just being overly protective. He’s skipped his medicine before.”
“Are you sure?” asked Olivia. “Really, we can—”
“No need. We do tend to smother him these days. And he hates the way the medicine makes him feel.”
Emma smiled guiltily. “And we are constantly after him to take his medicine. It’s probably why he spends so much time out there.”
“Oh, I doubt the boy needs any encouragement in that regard,” said Jenny. “You know I’m right, Carl. You remember these mountains when you were his age. Drawn to ‘em like a magnet, you were.”
The Christmas Cave Page 3