Storm on the Horizon
Page 17
Chapter 17
The fishing was great, the serenity and solitude exactly what Kate needed. She felt as if her entire being were breathing a long, continuous sigh of relief as brilliant sunshine warmed her, whispering winds soothed her, and the surrounding mountains enveloped her in their embrace. It had been the most peaceful two days she had experienced in a very long time.
Jason, of course, kept things lively—and anything but boring. More than once during their stay, Kate had teased him about being the local “activities director.” But she knew she wouldn’t want it any other way. Even now he was waiting outside for her to join him on a hike to look for more beaver dams. She had promised him she would do so as soon as she showered and changed into a clean blouse and shorts.
They had spent the morning out on the lake, even having a picnic breakfast in the boat, and then had come back to the cabin and cleaned their fish. Jason had seemed surprised when Kate suggested that he, too, change his clothes, but convinced her to let him wait until they returned from their hike.
As Kate tied her tennis shoes and headed toward the door, she smiled to herself. Only a six-year old would be surprised at a suggestion to change clothes simply because of a few fish scales. Stepping outside, she squinted against the mid-morning sun and looked around. Jason was nowhere in sight.
“Jason!” she called. “Jason, I’m ready to go. Where are you?”
The air was warm and still, not a breath of wind. The only sounds were the birds chirping in the trees overhead and the distant drone of boats on the lake below. Kate swallowed and tried again.
“Jason!” Her voice was louder this time, harsh and shrill as it invaded the surrounding tranquility. “Jason!” Her heart was hammering against her chest now, and a chill crawled up her back in spite of the blazing sunshine.
Dear God, she cried silently, her eyes darting frantically from one path to another, each leading away from the cabin in a different direction. Oh, dear God, where is he? Which way did he go?
As if in answer to her prayer, her heart skipped a beat...and she knew. Running faster than she ever believed she could, she struck out in the direction of Chester Greeley’s property.
“Jason!” she called breathlessly, stumbling along as low-hanging branches scraped her face and arms, and occasional vines and underbrush tripped her up, sending her sprawling to her knees. Not even taking time to brush off the dirt and gravel, Kate plunged ahead.
When Jason’s answering call finally pierced her consciousness, she was afraid it was only her imagination, her own wishful thinking trying to assure her that her son was alive and well. But seconds later he darted into view, running down the path toward her as fast as his short little legs would carry him.
“Mom,” he gasped, throwing his arms around her waist. “Oh, Mom, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to leave without you. I know you told me to stay away from there, but I didn’t mean to make Old Man Greeley mad, really. I just—”
“Mr. Greeley!” Kate cried, wrapping her arms around her son. “Oh, Jason!”
And then they heard the sound of someone crashing through the woods nearby. Before either of them could move, Chester Greeley stepped out onto the path directly in front of them, his rifle slung over his shoulder and a dark, menacing scowl covering his wrinkled, grisly face.
“I thought I told you two to stay off my property,” he growled. “I don’t need no city-folks nosin’ ’round my place, and I sure don’t have time to be baby-sittin’ no younguns.” He lowered his rifle, holding it threateningly in front of him. “Now, for the last time, go on. Git! And don’t let me catch neither of you ’round my cabin again, understand?”
Kate felt a tremor pass through Jason’s body as he clung to her. Unable to speak, she grabbed her son by the shoulders, pried him loose from her waist, and turned him in the direction of their cabin. Neither of them said a word as they hurried down the path. Kate was sure she could feel Chester Greeley’s angry, hateful eyes boring into her back.
They had just broken into the clearing and were heading toward the cabin door when they spotted Al and Millie Simons strolling along the path that wound its way past their sundeck. Apparently Al and Millie saw Kate and Jason at the same time because Millie waved shyly. “Hello, Jason,” she called out. “How are you?” Al didn’t acknowledge them at all, except to turn in their direction as his wife stopped, seemingly awaiting a response to her greeting.
Oh, no, Kate thought. Just what we need. But Jason seemed already to have forgotten their frightening run-in with Chester Greeley. In his childlike, impulsive manner, he grinned and headed toward the Simons. Kate had no choice but to follow.
The sun-etched lines on the woman’s face softened visibly as Jason and Kate approached. Kate even thought she saw a hint of tears glistening in the corners of her sad, brown eyes. “Hello, Jason,” Millie said again, reaching out to touch his face, then dropping her arm before making contact.
“Hi,” Jason said cheerily
Al nodded in response, but Millie hardly seemed aware of Kate’s presence, her gaze fixed firmly on Jason’s smiling face.
“We caught four fish this morning,” Jason announced. “We’re going to eat them for lunch after we go hunting for beaver dams.”
“That’s real nice,” Al said, his voice gruff. Millie only smiled.
“Do you have any kids?” Jason asked. “It sure would be nice to have some other kids to play with around here. I have a best buddy named Mikey, but he’s in Cedar City.”
The smile faded from Millie’s face, and this time Kate was sure she saw tears in her eyes. Al reached out and slipped his arm around his wife as her sun-tanned face paled.
“Our son died,” Al answered abruptly. “And we don’t have anymore kids.” He turned away quickly, pulling his grief-stricken wife along with him. Instinctively Kate reached out and drew Jason close. He didn’t resist.
Kate watched the childless couple disappear into the distance as she held her son protectively, the smells of fish and little-boy sweat filling her nostrils. Even the clean mountain air had never smelled so sweet.