Summer on the Mountain

by Rosemarie Naramore

  “Brutus, move over!” Summer moaned, shoving at the two-ton mastiff currently occupying the biggest part of the queen-sized bed. Since arriving at the cabin several nights before, he had routinely claimed the mattress at bedtime, deciding to make himself very much at home.

  In frustration, Summer rose from the bed and moved to the end, tapping furiously with her hand. “Brutus, here!”

  The dog lifted his massive head—Summer was certain he smiled—and then lazily dropped his big, block head. He did do her the courtesy of thumping his tail a time or two, but he refused to budge. She couldn’t blame him. The bed was comfortable.

  She threw her hands in the air, chortling with disgust. She was exhausted, having slept fitfully since the attempted break-in several nights before. And now, when she suspected she could actually sleep due to her overwhelming fatigue, she didn’t have a bed to sleep in. With frustration, she tugged a pillow out from under Brutus’ front paw and headed for the couch.

  She tossed the pillow onto the end, punching it with an intensity that matched her mood. Finally, she dropped onto the couch. To her horror, Brutus joined her, stepping onto the cushions and over her, as if in slow motion. He wedged himself between her and the back of the couch. She heard the coil springs protest under their combined weights, just before she rolled off the couch and landed with a resounding thud on the hardwood floor.

  “Brutus, down!” she commanded.

  She awkwardly rose from the floor and grasped his collar, attempting to pull him to the floor. He watched her through heavily lidded eyes, but refused to move.

  “Move!” she said forcefully and shrilly, and to her relief, he finally complied and dropped onto the floor and assumed his position as body guard, lying parallel to her.

  Summer hurriedly lay down and dropped her hand to pat the dog’s head. Brutus dropped off to sleep faster than she, but finally, she too managed to drift off to sleep. Too soon she was awakened by a very wet and large tongue slathering her face with doggy drool.

  “Brutus,” she moaned. “Please!” The dog simply kissed her again for good measure and then trotted to the front door and began pawing at it. “Ah, Brutus, you’re killing me,” Summer groused, but got up to let him outside.

  She was pleased to see he remained close to the cabin. He never wandered off and she was grateful for that. When she set up her easel to paint each day, he simply dropped down beside her and lazed the day away. He also proved a conscientious walking companion, remaining by her side, twitching his nose in the air and barking if he sensed some threat. All in all, aside from the bed wars each night, Brutus proved a good and loyal companion. When Jarrod showed up out of the blue one day, he had to agree.

  Summer and Brutus were both standing knee deep in the mountain lake when he arrived. Summer had delighted to find the waters had warmed just enough to allow her to wade without her feet going numb.

  “Fetch, Brutus!” she commanded, tossing a stick. The mastiff delighted in fetching anything, so long as she didn’t throw it too far out into the water.

  “Good boy,” she crooned when he returned, but suddenly, he dropped the stick, and spun around, sloshing through the water and toward the bank, barking an alarm. Summer turned and saw Jarrod approaching.

  “Jarrod, hello!” she cried eagerly. “You’re home!”

  He watched Brutus with both curiosity, and then concern, when the dog planted himself between him and Summer, barring his teeth and barking ferociously.

  “Brutus,” he said in surprise. “What’s the deal? You know me.”

  “Brutus, come!” Summer called with authority and the dog bounded to her side, still barking at Jarrod.

  “Well, that was a heck of a welcome,” he said, smiling at Summer, and then shrugging his broad shoulders. “Darn dog!”

  From Summer’s side, the dog emitted a low growl, and Jarrod shook his head again. After warning Brutus to mind his manners, Summer hurriedly sloshed through the water toward Jarrod, glancing up eagerly into his tanned face when she reached him. She didn’t waste a second wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him soundly on the lips.

  When she pulled back, he smiled. “That’s more like the welcome I was hoping for. I’ve missed you.”

  Brutus, still beside Summer, apparently took her warm greeting as cue that all was well, and he stood to his full height, bracing his soggy, massive paws against Jarrod’s chest. A wet tongue slathered his alarmed face. “Brutus! Stop!” he commanded, laughing, and taking a staggering step backward, before regaining his balance.

  He shot the dog a bewildered look. Summer couldn’t help chuckle as he ran a sleeve across his mouth. “Don’t imagine you’ll be kissing me again anytime soon,” he directed at her, smiling ruefully.

  “Don’t worry about it,” she said with a grin. “Brutus has shared more than one kiss with me over the last couple days.”

  Jarrod grimaced at the news, but then wrapped an arm around her waist. He eyed the dog curiously. “What’s Brutus doing here, by the way?”

  Summer relayed the details of the attempted break-in at the cabin, and concluded by explaining Rick Sanders had offered her Brutus for her protection. Jarrod watched her with concern.

  “Thank God the burglar didn’t get in,” he said, “and that law enforcement was nearby. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to protect you.”

  Summer smiled and placed a gentle hand on Brutus’ head. “When Rick suggested Brutus might be just the ticket to ward off intruders, and when he mentioned he needed a dog sitter, I agreed it was a good idea for him to stay with me.” Suddenly, her eyes widened and she winced. “I probably should have checked with your mom first.”

  Jarrod waved a dismissive hand and shook his head. “You did the right thing.” She noted his manner had sobered considerably and he raked a hand though his hair. “I can’t leave you up here alone,” he blurted. “What if the intruders come back?” Summer could see the turmoil in his eyes.

  “I’m fine,” she assured him, waving off his concern. The last thing she wanted was him worrying about her when he had a job to do—and a dangerous one at that. She would leave the mountaintop before she would put him in jeopardy.

  He sighed, pulling her against him. Summer felt the jolting power of their attraction the instant their bodies touched. It was a revelation. She couldn’t remember ever experiencing a similar response when she’d been close to her former boyfriends. She sighed with contentment as he brushed her cheek with his lips.

  When Brutus suddenly pushed his massive body between them, she nearly tumbled backward. Jarrod reached out to steady her, shooting the dog a look of daggers. “I think he’s jealous,” he muttered in an incredulous tone, watching the animal with chagrin. “When is Rick coming back, by the way?”

  “In a few days.”

  “You really think he’s coming back for this beast?” he asked, chuckling, and indicating Brutus with a mock-contemptuous nod.

  “Of course he’s coming back for him. Why…wouldn’t he?” She watched him speculatively, sensing he knew something she didn’t.

  “I happen to know Rick’s fiancée—now wife—is allergic to Brutus and he’s been unsuccessfully searching for a Patsy… er…”

  Summer gasped.

  “That came out wrong,” he said quickly, chuckling ruefully and raising a hand in surrender. “You had no way of knowing Rick might have ulterior motives in placing Brutus in your able care.”

  “Well, he did mention it would save him boarding fees, but…” She grimaced. “Oh, wow.”

  “You don’t want to keep him?” He smiled into her eyes.

  “It’s not that…” She turned to scrutinize the mastiff. “He’s as big as a horse,” she whispered, as if fearful she might offend the dog. “You wouldn’t believe how much he eats.”

  “Oh, I can imagine,” he said. “Speaking of food, do you have time for lunch?”

  “You mean, do I have time to fix you lunch?”

  “I’ll fix lunch, and be glad to do
it,” he said agreeably. “You don’t know how much I’ve missed the comforts of home. You don’t know how much I’ve missed … you.”

  Summer smiled into his eyes. “So you said.” He couldn’t possibly miss her more than she missed him. “How much longer until this stakeout is over?” she practically moaned, and he grinned.

  “You do miss me.”

  “More each day,” she told him, unashamed to admit it. “I’m lonely without you.”

  He smiled, reaching for her hand. “You do have Brutus,” he pointed out.

  “It just isn’t the same,” she said with a smile, shaking her head.

  They walked hand in hand to Jarrod’s cabin, Brutus trotting alongside. Inside, Jarrod excused himself momentarily. He returned carrying a handful of maps. Summer watched him with interest. “I remembered these yesterday,” he said. “I might be able to use them, since one in particular indicates a series of little known trails that lead all over the mountain. It was compiled by a long-time resident who knew this place like the back of his hand.”

  “Things aren’t going well up there?” she inquired.

  He shook his head. “I’m afraid not. We have law enforcement all over the mountain at this point, but the culprits apparently know we’re there. Half the time I’m up there, I’m sure the poachers are hunkered down out of sight, watching us and laughing their heads off.”

  “Have you found any recent evidence of poaching activities?”

  He nodded sadly.

  She sighed and he kissed her on top of the head. “How’s the painting coming along?” he said, swiftly changing the subject. She told him she seemed to find inspiration around every bend and he grinned widely. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were born to live on a mountaintop.”

  “Maybe I was,” she said, frowning slightly. “I might have even been born on a mountain.”

  Jarrod raised his eyebrows questioningly.

  “I was adopted,” she explained. “You never know, maybe I have alpine roots.”

  “Wouldn’t surprise me a bit,” he said, wrapping her in an embrace.

  “What time do you have to go?” Summer asked, bracing for his answer. She already missed him and he hadn’t left yet.

  “I have about forty-five minutes and then I’d better hit the trail. I’d better get busy fixing lunch.”

  “Let me,” she offered with a smile. Jarrod looked so tired.

  He reluctantly released her and followed her into the kitchen where she quickly assembled sandwiches. The twosome ate, enjoying one another’s company. Summer marveled at how comfortable she was with him, and he marveled at his ease of conversing with her, when he really was typically a man of few words. He grimaced when a glance at his watch confirmed it was time to go.

  He left her for a moment and returned with fresh clothing and then dashed into the kitchen for assorted nonperishable food items. “It looks like you’re packing for a long trip,” she observed, her heart sinking at the prospect.

  “There’s no telling how long I’ll be gone,” he admitted with a sigh. “I hate to leave you,” he said, punctuating the statement by pulling her into his arms and kissing her on the lips. When he pulled back, his eyes bore into hers. “Doggone it, Summer, I need to know you’re going to be safe up here alone.” He shook his head. “Do you think…?”

  “I should go home?” she said, finishing his sentence. “I’ve thought about it, but I don’t want to. Besides, I have Brutus now, so I’m not as worried. And too, Rick said that two deputies are stationed up here each night. One is parked just north of your place. If I get worried, I’ll call 911.”

  She didn’t mention that burglars had cut phone lines in a nearby cabin. If that were to happen here, she wouldn’t be able to call for help.

  Jarrod suddenly strode out of the room, returning a moment or two later with a small canister in his hand. “This is pepper spray,” he said. “Keep it with you at all times. It’s effective against both animals and humans. At minimum, it’ll buy you time to get away from either threat.”

  She studied the canister curiously as he explained how to deploy the fiery spray should she need it. “Looks easy enough,” she said. “Thank you.”

  ***

  Summer had hoped Jarrod and the other law enforcement officers would apprehend the poachers soon, but it wasn’t to be. Another week passed and she realized her stay at the cabin would probably have to end sooner than later. As she puttered around the kitchen tidying up, the phone rang.

  “How are you, dear?” Gwendolyn inquired, and she immediately heard the weariness in her boss’ voice.

  “I’m fine. Is everything all right?”

  “Oh, I’m feeling overwhelmed. Holly has gone off on vacation with her family for the remainder of the summer and I’m short staffed again.”

  “You need me.” It was a statement, not a question.

  “Well, of course, I need you. I can’t manage without you, frankly. Of course, Holly has been a tremendous help—her knowledge of the art world and this gallery is amazing considering her young age, but … she isn’t you.”

  “Well, thank you for the vote of confidence,” she said warmly, but fearing what her boss was about to say.

  “I’ve spent a couple days considering whether or not to hire someone on a temporary basis, but I’m not prepared to invest intensive training in a short-term employee,” Gwendolyn informed.

  “I understand.” She braced for the inevitable.

  “How’s Jarrod?”

  Summer was thrown off a bit by the swift shift in the conversation. “Oh, uh, he’s still on his stakeout.”

  Gwendolyn sighed heavily. “When will he return, do you think?”

  “There’s no way to know,” she told her, and Gwendolyn didn’t miss the wistful inflection in her friend’s voice.

  “You and Jarrod seem to have hit it off,” Gwendolyn commented, knowing full well the statement didn’t do justice to the couple’s feelings for one another. It was as clear as the sky above the mountaintop that they had fallen in love.

  “Oh, uh, yes.”

  “You know what,” Gwendolyn said suddenly. “Forget I called. It’d probably be a good idea for me to consider hiring someone,” she added too cheerfully. “I’ll be fine here until then.”

  She hung up before Summer could respond and she stared at the receiver, mouth agape. Gwendolyn had taken such a quick turn, it left her head spinning, but she viewed the conversation as a reprieve and felt grateful for it. She simply wasn’t ready to leave the mountain yet. And she wasn’t ready to leave Jarrod.

  She dropped into a chair. She realized with absolute certainty—she loved him. How had it happened?

  After spending time with him, she knew he was nothing like the person she had originally thought him to be. Maybe it would have been better if he had been. She could leave him then, without so much as a backwards glance. But now…

  She spent the remainder of her morning contemplating her feelings for him, wondering if he felt similarly for her. He seemed to—but she hadn’t proven particularly adept at reading the opposite sex in the past. She had thought she and her last boyfriend had been headed for some sort of permanence in their relationship, but he had seen things differently.

  Summer forced thoughts of her ex from her mind, focusing instead on Jarrod again. The mere thought of him caused a smile to spread across her face. She made a quick decision to forgo over-thinking their relationship—were they, indeed, in a relationship. Time would tell if the two had a future, though time wasn’t on their side presently.

  If only Jarrod was home, she would have the opportunity to spend more time with him getting to know him better, before she left her temporary mountain home behind.

  With a sigh, she rose, deciding to take a walk around the lake. She felt a quick pang, suddenly missing Brutus, too. Rick had returned from his honeymoon and reclaimed his dog, much to the chagrin of his new bride.

  Summer nearly chuckled aloud when she remembered the ha
ppy homecoming—at least Rick and the dog had been happy. Rick’s wife, Meg, had been another matter all together.

  Rick had asked Summer if she might be interested in keeping Brutus permanently, and she had been forced to decline his kind offer. Although his wife had clearly been disappointed, Rick had seemed downright pleased to have his big buddy back.

  She sincerely hoped the couple could manage to keep the dog, but knew she couldn’t have him. At home, she lived in a tiny condo with no yard to speak of. It just wouldn’t be fair to keep Brutus confined in a tight space, inside or outside, considering his immense size.

  Summer walked a good portion of the lake path and paused to allow a couple to pass. She was surprised when they stopped to visit with her. The man gestured back the way they’d come. “There’s a mother deer and her fawn ahead,” he told her, smiling.

  She glanced ahead, hoping the deer would still be there. She delighted in watching the wildlife on the mountain, since she had never seen wild animals in their natural habitat before this trip.

  “We’ve been putting salt licks out back of our property to attract the deer,” the woman volunteered. “It’s so much fun to see them—particularly the babies.”

  “Oh!” Summer said. “So salt will draw animals closer?”

  The man nodded. “We watch several deer every evening from our kitchen window. I’m Chris Benton, by the way. And this is my girlfriend, Heather.”

  Summer introduced herself, and then smiled. “Where do you find salt licks?”

  “There’s a place in town,” the man told her, giving her brief directions to the store. “You really should get some if you enjoy watching deer.”

  She bid goodbye to the couple and headed on her way. After she’d completed her walk, she decided to drive into town and purchase salt in hopes of drawing deer closer to the property. She eagerly anticipated viewing the animals from the cabin’s enclosed back porch.

  She purchased the salt in large blocks at the store in town. She drove home, eager to set them in place for the deer. Once done, she painted for several hours until evening fell, and then she went to bed. She woke the next morning, delighted to see several deer at the salt licks she had dispersed behind the cabin. She couldn’t believe her good fortune to see these beautiful animals so close, in their natural habitat.