by Pamela Davis
"Well, yes, that's what I'm saying. I'm not up on all the latest new techniques in farming, of course, but then I don't expect some of those things would be much use anyway if our technology level is going to be lowered." She reached out and took one of his hands in hers. "I want to be useful here, John. And I think I can be. If you'll let me."
"Oh, my God. What will Rachel say?" John asked as he started to grin.
"You just leave Rachel to me, dear. She'll be all right." She let go of his hand and patted her hair. "Now today, of course, I'll have to go shopping for proper clothes. Heels and Chanel suits just won't do."
John stood up and grabbed her in a bear hug. "Thank you, Mother! I don't even believe this!"
"Oof! You're welcome, dear," she replied a bit breathlessly. "Now give me the keys to your car and I'll go to the mall in Branson and make a dent in my unreasonably large credit limit at American Express."
Chapter 11
On the plane to San Juan Islands, Washington
Maria sat quietly watching Margaret talk rapidly to Mayor Dubois. They'd only gotten the mayor and Alan Beakman on the plane by lying. Margaret was now trying to convince the mayor that she didn't have a city left, that Houston was, for all intents and purposes, gone. After watching the pair for a few minutes, Maria decided that Margaret was winning the argument, even though the mayor still looked dubious.
She glanced around behind her and spotted Zack sitting next to Phoebe, trying to engage her in conversation to distract her from the fact they were in an airplane. Maria didn't think that job was going very well by the look of sheer terror on Phoebe's face.
Zack. Zack last night. And her. With Zack. Oh, man, what have I gone and done now, she pondered. Last night had been...well, it had been great, okay, it had been fantastic, to tell the truth. But this morning...ah, now that was just plain awkward. Probably should have gone back to my room last night afterwards. (Or before, her conscience bugged her.) But it had been so wonderful to just lie in his arms and feel safe, to drop off to sleep all warm and cozy, and, she thought ruefully, I was too damn worn out to get up and leave! Zack was always such a solid presence, but last night he'd been an anchor while she'd been drowning in emotion. A very handsome anchor. His beard hadn't been scratchy like she'd thought it would. And he was in great shape, great muscles. A naturally tanned skin tone, not quite an olive tone, more a golden color. And those eyes. So changeable from blue to gray and everything in between. So filled with longing, anticipation, and later, satisfaction. And his voice, when he whispered in her ear, causing that delicious tingle up and down her spine to her toes and back again.
She realized her mouth was shaped into a soft, dreamy smile and Maria shook herself and sat up straighter. I have to get a handle on this, she demanded of herself. I'm not some teenager to go all moony and starry-eyed over a guy. I've been around Zack for years and we never even came close to--to--to--what we did last night, her more rational mind reminded her. It's not like we did anything wrong, she countered defensively. We're both adults, both single. But you don't know why you did it, said the little voice inside. Yeah, she thought glumly. That was the problem. Did she just turn to him because she was scared? Did I just use him, she wondered. Or could this be the beginning of something with them?
Of course, they'd been friends for so long, partners at work, knowing each other's moods. It wasn't like starting something with somebody new. But it was a change. A big change. She turned to stare out the windows of the plane. Watching fluffy clouds that looked like a mass of giant cotton balls beneath her, she realized that yes, she did have feelings for him. And not just feelings of friendship. Something more. Maybe those feelings had started growing as they ran from one disaster to another. From scenes of death and destruction unlike anything they'd faced before. And as she'd faced the fact she was now an orphan, feeling more alone in the world than ever before, she'd come to rely on his being there, supporting her...putting one of those big strong arms around her shoulders more, lately...cracking jokes with a straight face to cheer her up, then smiling in his eyes at her, those gray eyes all crinkled up with laughter...walking beside her always, with those long legs, which--
"Maria?"
She jumped. Zack was standing in the aisle next to her row. Blushing, she glared up at him. "Don't do that! You startled me!"
Zack looked at her quizzically. "Maria, I've said your name four times now. Didn't you hear me?"
"Oh. Sorry about that. I was daydr--um, I was thinking about work. Research. Whales. Islands. The San Juan Islands. In Washington. You know, thinking."
He just looked at her steadily. She wondered if her cheeks could get any redder. Then he grinned at her and suddenly she didn't care if she was blushing or if the world was ending. That smile. Those lips. That--oh, my lord, she thought, disgusted at herself. I am totally hopeless! I am a twenty-six year-old moony, starry-eyed teenager! And I'm falling for this guy. With that decided, she patted the seat next to her, looked up at him and said, "Join me?"
"I thought you'd never ask," he replied in a deep soft voice that promised...everything.
She sighed happily.
Waterfall behind the Samuels' House
Sam was picking wildflowers while Harry rolled around on the grass with Ruby. The puppy already looked more filled out, and Clay had reassured Max earlier that his Irish Setter was going to be fine. Now Max sat on a ledge at the edge of the creek watching the water flow down the rocks.
"It's really beautiful, Sam," he said. "And it's so cool you can come look at it whenever you want."
"Well, you can come look at it whenever you want, too," she replied. "You live here now, just like me."
Max shook his head. "I don't know. The house is filled up with people. I don't think there's room for me here."
Sam giggled. "Max, they're not all gonna stay here!" He looked at her in surprise.
"No, silly, there's that farmhouse my Dad bought, and I think Janine will live there with some grown-ups. And more people are leaving town, so there will be plenty of places for everybody to stay. And--" she stiffened suddenly. "Oh no!" she murmured, closing her eyes for a second.
Then, opening them wide, she called out, "Harry! Go get Black! Now!"
Harry shot her one startled look. He'd never heard her use that tone of command before. Then he took off for the house.
"Come on, Max!" Sam shouted as she started running after the dog.
By the time they reached the patio at the back of the house, Black was outside and the great white owl was flying around in circles. Black was saying, "I don't quite get it--I mean, White doesn't get what you mean--" when Sam and Max came running up.
"Black," Sam began, and then stopped to stare at the owl. After a few seconds, the owl flew away, heading north.
"Hey! What did you tell her? Where did you send her? And how can you do that?" Black blurted out.
Jessica and Abby were coming out the back door. "Sam, what is it?" Jessica asked.
"It's Harmony," Sam told them. "Something's wrong. They're at the cabins. Mr. Johnson. We gotta go there now!"
"Wait a minute," Abby began.
Sam turned to Black and said, "You got a gun in your truck, right?" He nodded. "Okay, let's go."
"A gun!" Abby exclaimed.
Jessica looked from her daughter to Black to Harry, who was wriggling with excitement. "Okay," she said, picking up Sam, "Let's go. Mom, tell John we've gone to rescue Harmony. Max, go tell Mrs. Philpott and get her back over here."
Max nodded and walked quickly down the lane toward Mrs. Philpott's. Jessica followed Black to his truck. She could hear Abby in the distance, "Jessica! What do you think you're doing?"
She groaned. There was something to be said for having your mother live halfway across the country from you, she thought.
"Hurry up, Mom!" commanded Sam.
"Yes, honey," replied her very put-upon mother.
Mr. Johnson's Cabins-By-The-Lake
It had all been going so wel
l, Harmony thought ruefully. She'd come out here and paid the money to Mr. Johnson. He'd found the papers and signed them over to her. She didn't know if it was totally legal without a notary public and witnesses, but whatever. Like he said, the end was coming, so it probably didn't matter anyway if she had the deed to the property. Yes, it had all gone just fine--until he started staring at her and muttering under his breath. And just about the time she'd thought that maybe she should get out of there, he'd grabbed her in what felt like a vise-grip, pushed her into a chair and tied her up.
Harmony listened to him talking to himself as he loaded things into boxes and carried them outside to his pick-up truck. "It's the end, that's what it is. Nobody'll miss her. And I deserve to have a woman before the end comes. That's only right. Besides, I'll need someone to cook and clean. That's right. I can take good care of her, keep her safe from the evil that's coming."
And on it went, just more of the same. Harmony tried to work at the ropes around her wrists, but they wouldn't budge. This guy knew how to tie someone up, she thought indignantly. And all this time, all these years she'd known him, seen him around town, he'd always been so nice and pleasant. What in the world was going on with him?
He walked back into the room, looking for any last items to load. "Well, young lady, I think we're about done here. Now do you think you can behave if I untie you?" He started toward her, only to find himself under attack by a large white owl that flew in through the front door.
"White! Thank God!" Harmony cried.
As Mr. Johnson turned for his shotgun, Harmony watched the bird fly back out the door. Oh dear, she thought. If I end up getting that owl killed--but then she heard a racing engine and gravel flying as someone pulled up outside.
Mr. Johnson stepped out the door with his shotgun in his hands to be met by Black shoving a very large pistol in his face.
"I'll take that," Black said firmly, yanking the gun out of the other man's hands.
"Yoo-hoo! I'm in here!" Harmony called from inside the cabin.
The Samuels' House
"What do you mean? Jessica just took Sam and went with Black? To help Harmony?" John was asking for the third time in a half an hour. "Harmony was in danger?"
"I know it sounds crazy, but she said to tell you they were rescuing Harmony!" Abby replied, wringing her hands. "Which one was Harmony? And, John, I don't understand all this about animals talking to people and my daughter just running off with little Samantha. I don't understand at all."
John was pacing across the den. "Didn't they say where they were going?"
"No, they took off. I think Sam sent that owl somewhere. At least that's what Mr. Black was saying when we came out the door. And they mentioned a gun that Mr. Black had."
"Black, Abby, just call him Black," John said, distractedly. "I can't believe Jess would just--"
Mrs. Philpott marched through the back door. "Are they okay?" she asked.
"How do you--"
"Max came and got me. Jessica sent him. Then Perceval tuned in--"
John stopped pacing to stare at Mrs. Philpott. "Is this why she wasn't at the meeting this morning?"
"I'm not sure, John," Mrs. Philpott said in a frustrated voice.
John took a deep breath and tried to quell the shaking he felt inside. "Okay, okay. Abby, would you make us some tea? I'm sure they'll be back soon and we'll find out all the details."
Waiting until the other woman left the room, he motioned Mrs. Philpott to a chair. "She seems to be having trouble with all this new stuff. I think it's best to just keep her busy."
Mrs. Philpott nodded. "Yes, Perceval mentioned it to me. That of all the new people, Jessica's mother seems to be the most disturbed by it. Which, when you think of it, is pretty amazing. All these disasters, all the deaths, then to hear about people and animals communicating, dreams that foretell the future...we're really lucky everyone seems to be adjusting so quickly." She paused. "Which makes me wonder if something else isn't at work at here, helping us to adjust, and if so--"
John interrupted. "Mrs. P! Focus! Harmony? Do you have any other information?"
She shook her head.
John said, "Okay, I'm telling you right now, so you can help me make sure the others know, that we're having a meeting tonight of everyone, animals and people. We've got to come up with some basic common sense rules for the near future about how to protect ourselves. And Jessica and I need to have a major talk about how to protect Samantha."
On the road back to the Samuels' House
"John is probably going to kill me," Jessica said to Harmony. She looked out the window and saw dogwoods in bloom and daffodils in a riot of bright yellow along the edge of someone's yard as they drove by. Sam was humming in the backseat with Harry curled up next to her.
"Why would he want to kill you?" Harmony asked. "You guys saved me from that crazy Mr. Johnson. You didn't do anything wrong."
"That's not how John is going to look at it," Jessica replied. "And I won't be able to blame him for how he feels because he'll be right! It was just happening so fast, and--I really can't explain it, even to myself!"
Harmony glanced over at her and turned back to the road. "Look on the bright side. We got the papers signed by Mr. Johnson, which means we have five whole cabins to use for people to live in right now. Black is following Mr. Johnson out of town to be sure he's really going, but like I told you guys before, there's really no need because there's no way Mr. Johnson wants to stay in Cape Fair." She paused, and then said in bewilderment, "I just don't get it, Jessica. Why did he get so crazy? He said he was having the dreams, but for him it meant that the world was going to end and that evil people would come here! That's just nuts!"
"I don't know why," Jessica said. "Maybe the dreams are just too much for some people. Maybe it sends them over the edge. You're lucky we got there in time."
"Yeah!" Harmony agreed. "Hey, thanks for rescuing me!"
Sam spoke up from the back seat. "That's okay, Harmony. I like you. But you have to thank Max. It's really 'cause of him I knew you were in trouble."
"What?" Jessica said in surprise.
"Yeah, Mom, I wouldn't have even known about it 'cept Max was talkin' 'bout how he didn't know if there would be room for him at our house. And I was talking to him about all the different places in town people were going to live--and then I knew about the cabins and where Harmony was and she was in trouble, so yeah, Max is why I knew."
"So if you'd thought of Harmony on your own, you would have known, too, right?" Jessica asked.
"Yeah, I guess so."
Hmmm, thought Jessica, I wonder if I even know the right questions to ask her to understand how she is doing this. She pulled up her shoulder-length, golden-blonde hair and twisted it into a knot at the back of her head. She found the pencil she'd stuck behind her ear earlier at the house and used it to anchor the makeshift bun. I'm fiddling with my hair just like when I was a kid, she thought. Nervous about what John is going to say--and oh god, what my mother is going to say! Mom can be a bit of a worrier at times. The thing is I don't know why I brought Sam! It just doesn't make sense, if I'm trying to guard and protect her, why bring her into a situation like this? Sighing again she watched people come spilling out of the house as they pulled into the driveway. Well, here goes nothing.
The Diner, Cape Fair
"At least we found a place to eat where Waldo could stay with us," Andy said to Nathan as they seated themselves at a picnic table outside the diner. It was a rather dilapidated picnic table, but the waitress in the diner had told them to feel free to use it. Andy removed two hamburger patties from their buns and tossed one to Waldo.
"Look at him!" Nathan said, laughing. "I don't think he even chewed that--just swallowed it whole."
"Yeah," Andy said grinning. "He inhales food."
"So you can talk to him, or hear him?" Nathan began, pouring ketchup over his fries.
Andy nodded, chewing on a big bite of his chicken fried steak sandwich. After a
gulp of coke, he said, "I'm still not very good at it. I have to really concentrate. Lisanne says I have to 'open my mind,' which I wouldn't even pay attention to, except that Merlin says the same thing!"
"Lisanne--what's her story? You guys didn't know each other before, right?" Nathan asked, throwing a French fry to Waldo.
Andy shook his head vehemently. "No! We didn't know each other. Before, well, before I probably wouldn't have had the nerve to approach her! She's definitely not like any of the women I'd go out with."
"But you guys seem like a couple, you know?"
Andy grimaced. "I know! It's the weirdest damn thing. I don't know what's going on with us to tell you the truth. She drives me crazy. Makes me mad. She's the most aggravating woman I've ever met."
"But..." Nathan said encouragingly, waving his tuna melt sandwich at Andy, motioning for him to continue.
"But I can't imagine not being with her at this point. If I ever get two minutes alone with her again, I'm going to see just where things stand with us."
"She's avoiding you?" Nathan asked.
"Well, it's been kind of hectic. And it was so intense getting here. Not knowing what we were running to or running from. But there was a moment, in the motel, before we got here...."
"Ah ha!" said Nathan, grinning.
"Oh, nothing happened, but she was in this unbelievably sexy, black silky thing and, well, let's just say that if we ever get to that point, we're going to have to figure out what to do about the animals first."
Nathan just stared at him for a moment and then started to guffaw, bent over laughing. "The animals? No, you mean, they'll know what you did, even if they aren't in the room?"
"How should I know?" Andy said, his tone frustrated, but with mischievous eyes. "Those two--Lisanne and Merlin--are way more connected than Waldo and me. I don't know just how much either animal would know, but I'm for damned sure going to find out about it before I even think seriously about sex with Lisanne!"
Nathan chortled.
Andy said curiously, "What about you and Alex?"
"Alex?" replied Nathan, surprised.