Incident At Elder Creek

by Anna Furtado

  “Wait ’til spring when the stagecoach starts running,” Tucker added. It’s going to be so great. People will be able to buy their tickets at the Wells Fargo office at the end of the block and ride the stage. I’ll let you in on a little secret. Once the stage is out of town, it will be stopped by robbers and they’ll put on a show the passengers won’t forget. It’s going to be very entertaining, I hear. Of course, no actual robbery will occur. From what I’m told, the passengers will merely be victims of the robbers’ charms.”

  They laughed at Tucker’s description. Leah leaned over and kissed Tucker on the cheek. Jackie raised her eyebrows, forcing Tucker to give her a stern look of warning. Leah looked from Tucker to Jackie, a puzzled look on her face, but said nothing.

  Jackie said, “So, Tucker, how long will it be before you’re no longer imposing on Leah by camping out at her house?”

  Tucker squinted at her across the table. She wouldn’t leave this alone, would she? Tucker attempted to deflect her by saying, “It’ll take the better part of a year to get the new house built, maybe a little longer. However, Leah has assured me I am not a burden to her.”

  Leah agreed.

  Jackie shook her head. “If you two say so. Far be it for me to suggest you two aren’t compatible.”

  Leah’s surprise registered. Tucker knew she recognized Jackie comprehended the full measure of their relationship. All three of them lifted their beers at the same time. Jackie thrust her glass in toward theirs. “To new beginnings,” she said. Jackie winked at them and they all swigged their beers.

  Eighteen months later...

  TUCKER AND LEAH sat on the wrap-around porch of the newly finished log cabin high atop Tenderfoot Hill. Tucker just finished putting together their new porch swing, and they were testing it out to make sure they placed it in the perfect spot to watch the sunset. With the house finished for only a few days and the newly surfaced driveway in place, the movers would deliver the furnishings they picked out together the following day.

  They faced west, watching the sun sink over the town of Elder Creek. The bright orange orb would eventually plunge into the ocean, hundreds of miles away, but here, within their sight, it would put on quite a show, painting purples and tangerines in streaks across the sky. The colors were already starting to materialize and tonight they promised to be spectacular.

  They sat admiring the view as the cool night air circulated around them, one of the things Tucker liked about this location. In the evening, even on the hottest days in the foothills, this place always caught a cool breeze as it blew off the mountain.

  Leah pulled something out of large tote bag she brought with her. Bushmills 16. When Tucker saw it, she broke into a wide smile and indicated the bottle in Leah’s hands.

  “I thought we finished that.”

  Leah's mouth drew up into a smile. “This is a new one. No past attached to it. New beginnings, new Bushmills.”

  The look on Tucker’s face changed to one of concern. “Kind of expensive on a teacher’s salary, isn’t it?”

  Leah’s smile warmed her.

  “You’re worth it.”

  The grin returned to Tucker’s face.

  Leah handed her the bottle to open while she pulled out two objects wrapped in kitchen towels. After removing the wrappings, she held out two crystal glasses for Tucker to fill.

  They toasted their new home, the settling of their lives, and the new beginning of the life they would start together in this house.

  Tucker’s thoughts drifted to the first bottle of Bushmills Leah once took from her cupboard in the house on Yankee Hill. “Can I ask you a question—about the other bottle?”

  Leah knew what she meant. “Yes, you may.”

  “She gave it to you, didn’t she? The woman you were trying to get away from.”

  “Yes.” The answer came in a whisper.

  “Why did you keep it?”

  “I didn’t, actually. When I decided to relocate, my friends helped me pack up. Someone else did the kitchen, not me. I didn’t remember about that bottle. It was pushed to the back of some cubbyhole so I wouldn’t have to look at it ever again. I knew it was good stuff. I just didn’t know how good. I felt it was awfully wasteful to throw it away, even if it did have unpleasant memories attached to it.

  “The friend who packed up the kitchen didn’t know that bottle carried so much baggage. They put it in a box labeled ‘miscellaneous.’ My friends all know I’m a lightweight drinker, so I guess they thought I wouldn’t need it any time soon. I didn’t discover the box until after I settled in Elder Creek and I found it in the garage where I shoved it in a corner and forgot all about it. When I discovered the box, I wondered if it even belonged to me. I thought it might be a box you left stored there, but then I realized the writing looked familiar, so I decided I’d better open it. When I pulled the bottle out, it no longer evoked the strong emotions it once did. Maybe enough time passed, or maybe it was the hundreds of miles I put between the bottle and its source. I laughed at the irony of it making the trip all the way from LA and decided I must be really meant to have it, so I took it into the kitchen and put it in the cupboard.”

  Tucker chuckled. “It certainly saved me that day.”

  “Yes, and that morning, when I pulled it out of the cupboard, worried about you, what happened to you, I never gave a thought to all those unpleasant memories with more important things to think about.

  “By the way, I heard from one of my old LA friends the other day. She told me she heard Kaz moved to Florida a few months ago. She’s been in therapy. She’s changed a lot, my friend said. That brought the final feeling of closure for me. All that old history is behind me. It’s done.”

  “I’m glad, Leah.”

  Leah sighed and leaned against Tucker. As they continued to savor their drinks, Tucker set the swing rocking gently by pushing off with one foot. Her hand went to Leah’s and their fingers intertwined.

  “The mayor is talking about reviving plans for opening the mine for tours again,” Tucker said. “He asked me if I’d lead the

  effort.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “I told him I’d think about it, but only after I told him my concerns about whether or not there was enough time, you know, since the incident.”

  “Well, I guess you have to consider the majority of the people who’ll come for the tour probably have no history with the mine. It’ll only be the locals who know what’s happened there recently.”

  “Yes, but people from Elder Creek will have to take them in for the tours, and what happened there over a year ago will still be pretty fresh in their minds.”

  “You’re right, but you’ll know when it’s right.”

  Tucker continued the gentle swaying of the swing. The nervousness she managed to keep at bay since they arrived at the house started to rise to the surface. She knew why.

  Leah broke through her thoughts. “Do you miss them?”

  Tucker furrowed her brow, confused. “Miss who?”

  “Olivia. Lily Hart.”

  Tucker chuckled. “No. Not at all. Besides, I see Lily every day.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Leah. “I see plenty of her.”

  Leah blushed. She didn’t mind being so closely linked to Lily. She came to understand Lily as part of her.

  Tucker added, “And I see Olivia most days, too.”

  Leah smiled, understanding she meant Jackie.

  Tucker fidgeted. She let go of Leah’s hand.

  “Tucker, are you okay? You’re kind of antsy all of a sudden. Is anything wrong?”

  Tucker looked into Leah’s eyes, saw her concern. She didn’t want Leah to ever have to worry about anything ever again. She knew her thought unrealistic, but she still couldn’t help but wish it.

  “No, nothing’s wrong. Everything’s great. What could be wrong? We’re all packed up for the move. The new furniture and appliances will be delivered tomorrow. We’re as organized as we can be. Everything should go like clockw
ork. I’m glad it all worked out so this happens during your summer vacation, too. With my book finished and you off from work, we’ll both have plenty of time to settle in, get everything in place and be able to enjoy this place before we get busy again.” She couldn’t help it—the babbling. It happened when she felt nervous. She knew she needed to stop.

  “Well, I’ve got a surprise for you,” Leah said.

  Her statement made Tucker more nervous. She hoped it didn’t impact her own plans. She pursed her lips. When she spoke, she tried to keep her voice calm. “What surprise is that, Leah?”

  “I signed my contract with the school yesterday. I told you they were looking for ways to cut back due to budget cuts. We’ve come to a mutual agreement. I’ll only work four days a week next term. They jumped at the idea. I’ll train some of the seniors to do checkouts and check-ins on Fridays, and I get three day weekends when I go back to school in the fall. I’ll only have to commute four days a week, and it’ll give me more time to work in the garden we plan to plant and maybe do some other things I never have the time for.”

  No, it wouldn’t impact her plans. Tucker smiled at Leah, relieved. “Terrific news. I’m glad your idea worked out, about cutting back, I mean.”

  “Well, you’re the one who helped me figure out the proposal. I think the idea of having students work on Fridays so the library remains open clinched the deal. The school is satisfied with the new arrangement. The seniors will be happy. They’ll be able to get out of class for two hours at a time.”

  Tucker kept up the gentle motion of the swing, trying to suppress the urge to fidget again. If she did, she knew Leah would get concerned. Now was the time. She put her empty glass next to her on the porch.

  Looking out into the hills, trying to keep her voice steady, Tucker said, “You know, before I get involved in the town project again, there’s something we still need to do.”

  “Sounds like you’ve already decided about the project, then.”

  Tucker smiled. She looked down at her hands clasped tightly in her lap, trying to keep them still. “Yeah, I guess I have.”

  Leah said, “So what is it we still need to do?”

  “We need to go to Hawaii. Remember that conversation?”

  “Yes, I do. We never finished it, did we?”

  Tucker stretched her long legs out in front of her and shifted on the seat as she plunged her hand into the side pocket of her jeans. The look on Leah’s face changed from curiosity to wariness. Tucker knew she shouldn’t delay any longer. She took a deep breath and shoved aside her nervousness.

  She fished something out of her pocket, closing it in her fist with a firm grip. Then she took Leah’s hand in her empty one, looked into the blue reminder of warm tropical waters and said, “Here’s the completion of our conversation, not the way I would have finished it then, but how I want to finish it now.” She took in another deep, calming breath, and knew what she planned to say felt so right.

  “Leah Hudson,” she opened her hand to reveal a diamond ring. “Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

  Leah gasped. Her hand flew to her cheek, her eyes filled with tears, making the blue look even more like a tropical sea. She struggled to find her voice, but finally whispered, “Yes. I will marry you.”

  They sat gazing into each other’s eyes. Tucker continued to hold out the ring in the palm of her hand.

  “Tucker?”

  “Yes, Leah?”

  “Can I have my ring, now?”

  “Oh.” Tucker twitched. The ring bounced in her hand. She caught it, enclosing it in her fist again and breathed out a sigh, relieved it didn’t drop. She opened her hand again, picked up the ring and slid it onto the ring finger of Leah’s offered hand.

  “I love you, Leah Hudson. You make me feel free, sane, and so very happy. And you make me feel a little crazy, but it’s a good crazy, you know, like we can have fun and enjoy life, enjoy this.” She waved out toward the scenery before them. Nervous energy coursed through her again. She felt like a runaway truck. “I want to spend my life with you. You’ve made me so happy these past mon—”

  Leah stopped her by placing a finger over Tucker’s lips. With a sharp edge to her voice, she said, “Tucker.”

  Tucker sat up straighter.

  Leah softened. “Shut up and kiss me.”

  The grin appeared slowly, lighting up Tucker’s face. Her body relaxed. Then she pulled Leah to her and kissed her—hard—thrusting her tongue into her mouth with the urgency she felt. Leah matched her enthusiasm, allowing her in, capturing her, claiming her. Their chests rose and fell, their breathing increased as passion coursed through them.

  Leah pulled away. Panting between her words, she said, “Let’s go inside.”

  Tucker mumbled around her next kiss, “We don’t have a bed.”

  “Let’s. Go. Inside.”

  “Why? We’re in the middle of nowhere up here.” Tucker wore a teasing smile.

  “That may be true, Tucker Stevens, but you know, there are bears around here. I’d hate to be caught with my pants down.”

  Tucker stood and pulled Leah from the swing. “You say the most romantic things, Leah Hudson.”

  Leah laughed. The butterflies fluttered down to Tucker’s center, the feeling so powerful, she worried her legs wouldn’t hold her. She felt an irrepressible need to get inside—to get Leah inside. Now.

  She pulled the thick fabric-covered cushions from the swing, stuffing them under one arm. She pulled Leah along with her free hand. If she didn’t make love to this wonderful woman, she would burst—this woman who would soon be her wife—the love of her life.

  Leah opened the door to their new home and they stepped into the empty living room. The muffled sound echoed off the walls as Tucker threw the cushions onto the floor. They knelt on them, facing each other, caressing each other, learning each other all over again in light of their newly established commitment, in their new home.

  “They’re calling what happened at the mine the incident at Elder Creek,” Leah said between kisses and gulps for air.

  “Oh?” Tucker said, barely catching her own breath.

  Leah touched Tucker’s nipple through her clothes and felt it pucker in her hand. She shivered in response.

  Tucker pressed her palm to Leah’s stomach. Her breathing quickened. Tucker slowly glided her hand down between Leah’s legs. They were still fully clothed, making the touches all the more sensual, titillating.

  “I’ve got an idea,” Tucker said between labored breaths.

  Leah put her hand over Tuckers and increased the pressure. She moaned.

  “What?” Leah breathed the word like a sigh.

  “Let’s make this another incident—a better incident—at Elder Creek.” Tucker stroked Leah again.

  “Oh, yes!” Leah shouted.

  Not a comment on Tucker’s statement, she knew.

  Tucker smiled against Leah’s lips. “Oh, yes, indeed,” she whispered.

  About the Author

  Anna Furtado lives in the San Franscisco Bay Area with her wife, where she travels from this home base, writes, and enjoys retirement from the corporate world. Incident at Elder Creek is her fourth book. Contact Anna at wordweaver47@yahoo.com.

  More Books from Anna Furtado

  The Heart's Desire

  Book One of the Briarcrest Chronicles

  Travel back in time to the early Renaissance town of Willowglen Township. Catherine Hawkins, a spice merchant and healer, prepares for the autumn faire when she is captivated by a woman with the most beautiful eyes. Join Catherine as she struggles to come to grips with her feelings for a mysterious noblewoman and against those who mean to keep the two women from their ’heart’s desire.’ Can they overcome these obstacles? Find out in Book One of the Briarcrest Chronicles: The Heart’s Desire

  ISBN: 1-932300-32-5

  eISBN: 978-1-935053-81-1

  Available From these e-tailers:

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  The Heart's Strength

  Book Two of the Briarcrest Chronicles

  Travel back in time to the early Renaissance and revisit Catherine and Lydia as their story continues...

  Lydia and Catherine have become the caretakers of Briarcrest. When a letter arrives from Catherine’s old friend and former assistant, Sarah Pritchard, Catherine sets out on a journey that is both dangerous and embroiled in conflict.

  Catherine encounters an old friend in Willowglen and forges a friendship with his daughter, Fiona. The tall, blue-eyed, raven-haired beauty becomes an important ally when two churchmen from Spain set the town in turmoil claiming the authority of the Inquisition.

  Suddenly, friends and neighbors are under suspicion. Lydia joins Catherine, and the two women find that they and all whom they love are at the center of a terrible struggle. One of the priests, the Dark Monk, has long harbored a wicked secret and possesses ulterior motives. Catherine and Lydia are beset by danger at every turn. Each must dig deeply to find strength of heart in the battle against the injustices they encounter. But with religion and society at odds, will they all survive the ordeal?

  ISBN: 978-1-932300-93-2

  eISBN: 978-1-935053-82-8

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  The Heart's Longing

  Book Three of the Briarcrest Chronicles

  Trinn Wells is an award-winning chef in one of the finest hotel restaurants in Boston. She should be content, but she’s not. She hates her boss, her ex-girlfriend has left her in debt, she finds it impossible to meet her mother’s expectations, and she’s having strange dreams that disturb her sleep.

  Sidney Wycombe is a prestigious London solicitor driven to preserve the memory of a place that no longer exists. When she tries to convince Trinn to help her in her efforts, Trinn hesitates, but finally arrives in London looking forward to an all-expenses paid holiday, a respite from her troubles.