by Cindy Bell
Despite her friendly greeting, the figure remained silent. She glanced back at her grandfather who began to head in her direction.
“What is it, Kerri?”
“Not what, who.” Kerri took a step farther into the trees. “Excuse me?” Now she could see that the figure was a woman, with curly, silver hair cut at the base of her neck, and a tan backpack strapped on her shoulders. She gazed upward at the thick tree limbs that formed a canopy above her. Despite Kerri’s words, she didn’t move a muscle, or show any sign of acknowledging her. Hesitantly, Kerri placed her hand on the woman’s shoulder.
“Oh!” She screamed as she jumped out from beneath Kerri’s grasp and spun to face her.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Kerri took a few steps back and slammed right into her grandfather’s chest.
“Kerri, are you okay?” George wrapped a protective arm around her.
“You sure did scare me.” The woman pressed her hand against her chest as she pulled earbuds from her ears and let them dangle over her shoulders. “Last I checked, this campsite was empty. I must not have heard you come in. I do like to have my music loud.” She ran a hand across her forehead and took a deep breath. “Wow! I just about jumped out of my skin.”
“I’m sorry.” Kerri winced as she looked the woman over. She looked to be in her sixties, perhaps a bit older. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” She laughed and shook her head. “It’s silly of me to be so oblivious to my surroundings.”
“It certainly isn’t safe.” George frowned as he looked her over. “You’re lucky it was Kerri that surprised you, and not something or someone more dangerous.”
“You’re right.” She slid her hands into the pockets of her denim shorts. “I guess I’ve gotten used to being all alone out here. One of the owls I’ve been studying has gone missing, and I thought I had tracked him to this area, but it looks like I may have been wrong.”
“Owls?” Kerri glanced up at the sky. “Isn’t it a little early for them to be out?”
“If their surroundings are disturbed, then sometimes they will wander during the day.” She thrust a thin hand out to Kerri. “I’m Sylvia.”
“Kerri.” She smiled as she shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. This is my grandfather, George.” Kerri gestured to him as he stepped forward to shake Sylvia’s hand. “And, you’re right, we just arrived.”
“Ah, and I see you have a scrumptious little pooch with you.” Sylvia grinned as she stroked Cashew’s fur. “Friendly girl, isn’t she?”
“Quite.” Kerri’s smile spread even wider. “She’s also very curious.”
“Ah yes well, curious is a very good thing to be. That’s what got me started in my career as a conservationist. I was born curious, and it’s served me well.” Sylvia took a step back and glanced up at the thick branches again. “I guess I was wrong, though. I should really check on a few other places. Unfortunately, the loggers in the area are causing some grave destruction.”
“The loggers?” George locked his eyes to hers. “I looked into them when they came into the area. They’re licensed, and all of their paperwork is in order. What’s to be concerned about?”
“Yes, yes, they may look just fine on the surface. But they’re not actually following the rules. They’re not supposed to fell some of the trees, but they have. The protected trees are sprayed with paint, they’re not supposed to touch those trees. But I’ve seen quite a few on the ground. Not only that, but they are creeping closer to the protected area of the woods that belongs to the owls. I’ve been out here, doing my best to keep them safe, for over a month now.” Sylvia crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. “It’s ridiculous that grown men can’t follow simple rules.”
“That’s some dedication that you have there.” George gave her a slight nod. “You must really have a passion for these owls.”
“For the owls, and every other creature in the woods. This mountain belongs to them. They were here long before we ever were. I can’t understand why others don’t see it that way.” Sylvia sighed and let her hands fall back to her side. “It doesn’t matter really, all that matters is that it’s happening, and I need to do my best to stop it.”
“I can understand that.” Kerri set Cashew back down on the ground in front of her. “If there’s anything we can do to help, just let us know.”
“Just keep your eyes open. You never know when one of these scoundrels will decide to cause trouble under the cover of darkness.” Sylvia pursed her lips.
“We’ll do that.” George put one hand on Kerri’s shoulder. “You’re welcome to join us for a campfire later if you’d like.”
“Perhaps.” Sylvia eyed the campsite for a moment, then turned back towards the woods. “I don’t like to leave my babies alone at night. Enjoy your visit.” She waved to them as she walked off through the woods.
“A little strange, isn’t she?” George leaned close to Kerri.
“Strange? I thought she was amazing. I wish I had that kind of dedication. She seems willing to give up everything, just to keep animals safe. That is pretty admirable.” Kerri headed back towards her tent.
“Yes, it is.” George stepped to the side as Cashew bolted past him. “But hanging out in the trees with music so loud that she can’t hear anyone around her, that’s just asking for trouble.”
“And all she found was us.” Kerri caught his shoulder and turned him to face her. “Grandpa.” She looked into his eyes.
“Yes?” He gazed back, his brows slightly pinched.
“We are here to relax. Okay?” Kerri smiled and gave his shoulder a squeeze. “Can’t we just let our shields down for a few hours and enjoy this miracle that surrounds us?” She gestured to the towering trees and clear, late afternoon sky. “It’s all here for us to enjoy.”
“You’re right.” George drew a deep breath, then released it in a long, slow sigh. “I will try.”
“Good. Cashew and I are going to take a short walk to get to know our surroundings a bit.” Kerri started towards the trail that veered away from the campsite.
“Alone?” George straightened up. “Do you really think that’s wise?”
“Grandpa!” Kerri groaned. “Don’t you have a tent you need to put up?”
“Sure, sure, of course.” George frowned as he watched her head towards the trail. “Do you have your flashlight?”
“It’s not even dark yet, but I have one on my phone.” Kerri held up her phone and smiled. “Don’t worry, I have my guard dog with me.”
“Oh yes, some guard dog.” George chuckled as Cashew ran in circles around Kerri. “Don’t get lost.”
“I won’t.” Kerri rolled her eyes, then headed down the trail. As the trees closed in behind her, she hoped that her grandfather would find a way to relax. His belief in danger at every turn had set her nerves on edge. The sight of a small rabbit in their path brought a smile back to her lips. However, a second later, Cashew bolted after the rabbit.
“Cashew! Wait!” Kerri chased after the dog, but Cashew was much smaller and faster than she was. “Cashew, get back here!” Kerri pushed her way through branches and bushes as the dog continued to chase after the rabbit. She cursed herself for not putting Cashew’s leash on. Usually, she was very good at staying right beside her. But she hadn’t accounted for the rabbit. When she finally emerged onto another path, she caught sight of Cashew a few feet ahead. She’d stopped and sat down as she panted. Kerri caught up to her and scooped her up in her arms. “Don’t you ever do that again, you silly pup.” She sighed. “You’re never going to be faster than a rabbit. What were you going to do with it once you caught it?” She shook her head and gave the dog a kiss on the top of her head.
“She’s a cutie.” A male voice spoke up from her right side. She jumped and took a few steps away from him.
“Hi there.” Kerri assessed his expression quickly and deemed him friendly. He appeared to be in his late twenties or early thirties from the hin
t of lines on his skin, and the maturity of his features. The dirt-stained jeans and thick, long-sleeved shirt he wore made her think that he might be one of the loggers that worked in the woods. Even though he gave her a casual smile, she kept her guard up.
“Hi.” He crossed his arms as he studied her. “Are you lost?”
“No, I’m not lost.” Kerri glanced around the trees and easily figured out the direction she needed to go in to get back to the campsite. “Are you?” She grinned.
“No, I’ve gotten to know these woods so well, I don’t think I could ever get lost in them.” He pulled a work glove off one of his hands and stretched it out to her. “I’m Elm.”
“Elm?” She took his hand in a quick shake.
“Yup, short for Elmer. It’s old fashioned, I know. My mom was a little old fashioned.” He shrugged. “So, I go by Elm.”
“It suits you.” Kerri smiled. “I’m Kerri. I didn’t think there was any logging happening so close to the campsites.”
“There isn’t. I was just taking a stroll, exploring a little. In fact, I should get back.” Elm smiled as he met her eyes. “It was nice to meet you.”
“You too.” Kerri paused, then cleared her throat. “Is there any truth to the rumors that trees marked not to be cut, are still being taken down?”
“Yeah, I’ve heard about that, too.” Elm scratched his fingernails back through his short, blond hair and shrugged. “I can’t say that I’ve seen it happen. Everyone on my crew is very careful. But there are a lot of crews working out here. I suppose it’s possible. That’s what has all of these protesters out here. We had to shut down for a couple of hours today because a few of them chained themselves to trees. I thought that was something people only did in the movies.” He laughed and shook his head. “It was quite an eye-opening experience.”
“Some people are willing to do anything for what they believe in.” Kerri noted the spread of his shoulders and thrust of his chest, as well as the way he moved towards her as she spoke. “I’m glad that you’re being so careful, as these woods are loved by the people of Cascade Grove, and its visitors.”
“Ah, don’t tell me you’re one of the protestors?” He winced, then covered the expression with a smile. “I guess I’ve stepped in it if you are.”
“I’m not.” Cashew squirmed in her arms. Kerri stroked her fur in an attempt to settle her. “I’m just someone hoping for a relaxing weekend.”
“I hope you get just that.” He gazed into her eyes, then his attention wandered back to the trees around them. “I’d better get back. Stay safe, Kerri.” He gave her a brief nod, then headed off through the woods.
As Kerri watched him go, she wasn’t sure how to categorize him. His attitude and demeanor left her a little ruffled, however that didn’t make him a bad person, it just meant that their personalities didn’t mesh. She kept Cashew in her arms as she headed back towards the campsite. When she stepped off the trail, she found that George had already set up his tent. She noticed him bent over near the tree line, digging in the dirt.
“Grandpa? What are you doing?” She continued over to him as he straightened up.
“Oh, just making sure that I’ll know if anybody or anything gets too close to the tent.” He brushed some dirt from his hands and raised an eyebrow. “You look flushed, were you running?”
“I was. Cashew decided to go on a rabbit hunt.” Kerri set Cashew down on the ground. “No more of that, got it?” She gave the dog a warning look.
“She’s full of energy.” George grinned then walked back towards the tents. “I think everything’s secure now.”
“Grandpa, I really don’t think we have much to worry about. Although, I did just run into one of the loggers, a man named Elmer.” Kerri stretched as she walked through the campsite. Already, her body was sore and ready for a rest.
“A logger? Out here?” George sat down on a log beside a firepit. “I’ll get a fire going.”
“Yes, he said he was just exploring. He said as far as he knows no one is cutting down the wrong trees, but he has heard the rumor as well.” Kerri sat down on the log beside him. “I’m not sure I believe him, though. He didn’t seem like the trustworthy type.”
“What makes you say that?” George looked over at her.
“I don’t know, something about the way he spoke to me, his stance I guess. It was as if he wanted me to see him as dominant, and that never bodes well.” Kerri picked up a stick and began to poke at the embers that fell from the newspaper George used to spread the fire in the pit.
“Ah, well, times are different now. When I was your age, it was expected for a man to be masculine.” George tossed the newspaper into the fire. “And physical jobs tend to bring that out in a person, that feeling of strength and control.”
“Maybe.” Kerri brushed her hair back from her face and considered her grandfather’s words. Sometimes the difference between their generations surprised her. She’d grown up in a mostly modern environment and hearing his point of view reminded her that things were once quite different. Good in some ways, not in others.
“Hopefully, he’s being honest and they’re not cutting down the protected trees. I honestly see no benefit to them doing so. But then, I’m not in their boots.” George winked at her then sat back as the fire began to grow. “You were right, Kerri, this is very relaxing.”
“Now that you’ve set up an impenetrable perimeter?” Kerri grinned as she leaned her shoulder into his. “You can relax?”
“Joke all you want, sweetheart, but when you’ve seen the things I have, you will always take the extra precautions.” George paused as he stared into the flames. When he spoke again his voice was heavier. “No, you’ll never have to see the things I have. I’ll make sure of that.”
“I wish you would talk with me more, about some of those things.” Kerri looped her arm around his and studied him in the flicker of the firelight. “It might help.”
“What helps is getting these moments with you.” George offered her a warm smile, then looked up at the sky. “And those stars, and this place. Thanks to you, I get to experience it all.”
“I’m glad to be of service.” Kerri rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Finally, she began to relax and enjoy the setting around her.
Chapter 4
After the fire was extinguished, and Cashew had one last run around the campsite, Kerri headed into her tent for a good night’s sleep. She’d always found sleeping outside to be more natural and it gave her the most restful sleep. It wasn’t often that she did it, but when she did, she tended to sleep soundly. As she crawled into her sleeping bag, her thoughts returned briefly to the shop. Natalie would open it up in the morning, had she told her everything she needed to know? Was there anything she’d left out? The possibility kept her awake for a few minutes, but before long she drifted off to sleep.
A few hours later, she jolted awake, her skin beneath the thick sleeping bag was coated in sweat. Her heart pounded, though she had no idea why. Cashew slept soundly on a pillow beside her. Frozen by fear, she listened to the sounds that surrounded her. Frogs, crickets, and even a distant owl, summoned her attention. None of those sounds had woken her, she was certain. She could barely take a breath, her chest tightened with terror. She jumped at the sound of a sharp crack. There it was, that was it!
As Kerri wriggled in her sleeping bag in an attempt to escape it as quickly as possible her mind tried to make sense of what she’d heard. It wasn’t right outside, but it wasn’t far either. It didn’t belong. The tent around her whipped in the wind. She took a sharp breath and wondered if she should call out for her grandfather. Was it worth waking him when likely a branch had simply broken somewhere nearby? She bit into her bottom lip and slowly unzipped the tent door. One glance back at her precious pup revealed she still slumbered peacefully.
Kerri slipped out of the tent, then zipped the door closed again. She didn’t want to risk Cashew getting into the middle of whatever was happening outside. As
she straightened up, she was struck again by icy terror. There in the darkness, a figure stood, only a few feet away from her. His back was to her, but she could tell from his broad frame that he was strong and more than capable of subduing her. She held her breath, hoping that he hadn’t noticed her there.
“Kerri?” The figure turned towards her. “Did you hear that?”
A rush of relief caused her muscles to relax as she realized that it was her grandfather that stood in the shadows.
“Yes. What was it?” Kerri inched her way closer to him. “I can’t figure it out.”
“I’m not sure, but it came from over there.” George pointed through the trees in the direction of a narrow trail. “I heard it twice, a crack, almost like a tree falling.”
“Do you think so?” Kerri shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. The warm air gave her no explanation for the chill that coursed along her spine. “I woke up terrified. I don’t know why that would scare me.”
“Because it isn’t right. There’s not enough wind to knock down a tree.” George held his hand up in the air. “Something is strange about it.”
“Should we go have a look?” Kerri glanced over at him and found some comfort in his presence. Despite her determination to always be bold, there were moments that real fear crept through her senses, and she was grateful to have someone else, especially someone as experienced and skilled as her grandfather, beside her.
“Perhaps.” George scanned the campsite, then looked out over the tree line. “I doubt either of us will be able to get back to sleep, so we might as well.” He pulled a flashlight from his pocket and flicked it on. Despite its small size it illuminated the woods before them like a floodlight. “Stay close to me.”