by Vega Lizzie
“Seems really close, Mom.” Her voice dropped an octave, “What do you feel?”
“I don’t know,” Shannon answered, patting her horse’s neck, “But this guy is spooked. Maybe we walk up a ways and check out where those rocks rise up out of the ground.”
“Out of the ground,” Terra repeated, “so comforting.”
“It’s not that,” Shannon counseled, “We’re in the middle of nowhere. No trail for a mile or two, certainly no roads. Let’s take a look.”
Climbing down from their horses, Shannon was quick to take the lead. After a moment, her horse pulled back on the reigns, “Okay then,” she shrugged, “Dad, would you and Ollie stay here for a minute while I take a look.”
“I’m going with you,” Terra said firmly as she handed her leads to Harris, “Don’t argue with me.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing but that’s fine,” she said with a smile, trying to downplay what she was thinking.
Harris was quick to bend down and pick up a long-weathered branch from a dead tree, “Might want this,” he offered, “to stir up the grass a bit as you walk.” He glanced at Olivia, “Probably won’t need it, but better to not take chances.”
Olivia cleared her throat with a smirk, “Probably not.”
After a few minutes, Terra jumped ahead and reached down into the long grass. As she stood, she held a large multi-pointed deer antler over her head, “Look what I found,” she laughed, waving her the trophy over her head.
Shannon waved back at her, laughing, “Just make sure the owner doesn’t show up and want it back." She heard her father laugh, “Nice find. That’s from a big muley. Coulda been a thirty-incher.”
As Olivia bounded past him, headed over to inspect Terra’s find, she scrambled up an embankment and her eye caught something sticking out of the sage, “Dibs” she hollered and started to move quickly across the rock.
“Ollie,” Terra cried out, “Stop. Don’t come any further.” Olivia knew the tone instantly and skidded to a halt just before the rock formation she was running along, came to a jagged six-foot drop. Another step would have been disastrous. Clambering down more slowly, Olivia reached down into the brush to pluck out another antler. This time she held it aloft for them to see. “Mine’s more like a big stick,” she grinned and after another step, produced a second antler out of the grass and spun to face her mother and grandfather, “This is so cool.”
“Those are elk horns,” Harris observed casually, “depends on the time of year but there are always a herd or two around here.”
“Not really the cleanest thing you…” she paused as her daughter watched her mother’s expression darken, just as Olivia heard Terra’s energy pulsing begin. They turned to see blue plasma circling low around Terra’s calves as she circled around the cliff, “Just a precaution,” she called out, “I just got a bad feeling about this place. This is creepy.”
Using the deer antler as a pointer, she gestured to a steep depression in the landscape as if someone had scooped up a thirty-foot section of earth and pushed it to the sides of the adjacent cliff. The broken rock looked as though it had thrust itself out of the ground adding an air of violence the already uncomfortable landscape.
Shannon was quick to catch the resulting triangular result but when she looked down into the trench, she was unprepared for what she saw and took a step back, “My God, what is this?”
Antlers of all sizes as well as the bones of dozens of animals filled the pit from side to side. Some bleached white by the weather, others looked almost as if they had been petrified into stone. While parts of the trench were heavily overgrown with sage and thick mats of creeping juniper evergreens, the position of the bones and direction that the antler group faced all pointed to the flat face of the outcrop.
“This isn’t natural at all,” Terra said as she joined Shannon. “Harris,” she asked quietly, “are there any Reservations around here?”
When he didn’t answer right away, Shannon prodded him. He seemed transfixed by the sight as he surveyed the scene, “Dad?”
“Sorry. None. Flathead is Northwest of Missoula and we’re over a hundred miles from there. This does look like something…prehistoric.”
“I thought it might be a burial ground or something ritual based.” Terra quickly powered down, “Sorry, I got a little over-excited, but this…ewww. This is a graveyard for sure.”
“Mostly deer and but there are a lot of elk horns in there too. This is quite a find.” He smiled to himself for a moment, then saw Olivia making her way to the opposite side of the berm, “Please be careful, hun. One slip could be a bad thing.”
“I’m okay,” she called back as she stopped on the top of the rock face and looked over the top of her family, “It’s hazy, but I can see all three peaks from here. This is the spot, Grampa. It feels right to me.” She looked down into the pit, “and really wrong, too.”
Shannon pulled out her phone and began to film the setting, “I’m not taking chances,” she said quietly to Terra, “no more surprises for us.”
Terra agreed, “There’s a vibe here. I felt weird coming up the rise, like a little nauseous.” She pointed down into the pit where a large curving bone fragment appeared to be covered with broken shale, “That’s not from a deer.’ She pulled out her phone and started to dial, “Hope I’ve got a decent signal.” She waved to Harris and Olivia, “Just had a thought about a case, just be a second.”
Speaking quietly, she smiled at first then seemed to ask a question, then grinned again. All during the brief phone conversation, Shannon was keeping a watchful eye on her. She shrugged to her father, “She does this. Her clients love her.”
“True enough,” Olivia seconded, then glared at her mother but put her hand over her stomach and made a face.
“Let’s get out of here,” Shannon said after correctly interpreting her daughter’s gesture. Terra seconded the idea as she walked back down the rise, pocketing her phone, “All good,” she said with a wink, “yeah, let’s go.”
Back on their horses, while Olivia and Harris once again took the lead, Shannon and Terra held back for a minute. Out of earshot, Shannon inquired about Terra’s odd phone moment. “You’ve been off the clock since we went wheels’ up in the cities. What did you just do?”
“Called Marcus,” Terra whispered, “I gave him a homework assignment.” She pointed up in the air, “He’s using my GPS and can pinpoint where we are. I saw that look on your face. You know what this is, don’t you?”
“God, you’re smart,” Shannon chuckled, “I think I know. But there’s never been a reference to a triangle. Let’s pinpoint the three markers I saw on the way over here. Can he map those out?” Terra frowned and Shannon grinned, “Of course he can.”
Walking her horse to the final triangular shaped rock formation, this time Shannon paid closer attention. “It looks natural but look.” Deep gouges in the relatively flat surfaces, while obscured by dirt and sage, indicated that one of the long slabs had been physically shifted at one end to point toward where they had seen the bone arrangement.
“Circle around a couple of times,” she asked Terra, “so we tag the spot and I’ll try to figure out a way to explain why we are doing at the other two locations as well. Those triangles are markers for something. Tells me we’ll be back here at some point.”
Thinking for a moment, Terra rolled her eyes, “Happy to oblige, ma’am.” Kicking her heels back into her horse’s sides, Terra took off in quick gallop and quickly circled the rock formation, leaning in toward the stone for balance, whooping and yelling and she pulled up short next to Shannon, “Let’s play.”
“Next rise to the left about a hundred yards away, follow me. You’re on.” Shannon whistled sharply and both horses lunged forward. Slowing to not spook the other horses as they passed the slower riders, Olivia was quick to scold them then laugh along with her mother at the fun both women were having. She turned to her grandfather, “Like I keep saying, they do that all the time.”
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That night at the restaurant, as Harris and his new hire Miller prepared a huge meal on the open-fire grill, Olivia recounted her fishing experience complete with a gripping rendition of baiting a hook for the first time. Maggie was laughing so hard she began to tear up. “You guys have to visit more often,” she snickered as her father set a steak in front of her, “this is so much fun.”
“And you need to come and visit us,” Shannon offered, “We’ll fly you out and see the big city.”
Maggie grinned, “I feel a vacation coming up,” then eyed her father for a reaction.
“A couple days,” he smirked, “then back to work. Customers will miss your charming disposition.” Martha laughed out loud and Maggie glared a second before joining in.
Terra’s eyes went wide as Miller set an equally large steak before her followed by a small plate with three thick-cut strips of bacon draped across it. Harris grinned at her as he finally sat down at the table with them, “It mighta come up in conversation once or twice. It’s got a little kick to it, so ease in slow.”
At the first bite, Terra was in heaven. “Cayenne and…” she tilted an eyebrow, “Brown sugar?” Harris put his fingertip to his nose, then jumped back up and headed back to the kitchen.
“Thank you,” Terra sang out after him only to have Shannon complain, “Hey, there’s more for all of us, right?”
Olivia was quiet for a minute of two, then resumed her story. Again, while they were laughing and chewing happily, she seemed to be drawing out the story, “Of course everything was really fun until the cops showed up.”
Shannon swallowed wrong and began to cough, “What? The cops? Dad?”
He only nodded, making it worse and Olivia started to laugh, “Chill, mom. One of Grampa’s friends stopped by.”
“Todd McCormick, he saw the pickup.” Harris said carefully, “I’m sure you remember him, Shannon?” He exchanged a quick glance with his wife and Maggie then settled back to see what his daughter would say.
Shannon cleared her throat and seemed to sink a bit down in her chair. A definitive stab at her next bite of steak made Terra laugh, “Ha, you’ve seen the backseat of his car, have you?” She paused a second, “oh wait, that didn’t come out right.”
Maggie erupted in laughter as did her mother. Her father held it in for as long as he could and began to laugh in a rich baritone. Shannon sat there chewing, waiting for the laughter to die down, then she turned to Terra, “He’s Dad’s age…it was only three bottles of beer at the park,” she sniffed, “and I got a firm scolding from him.” She sighed, “Oh crap.”
Maggie covered her mouth as she laughed, and Terra’s eye lid began to twitch as the corners of her mouth turned up. She started to shake silently as she snorted and shared a look with Shannon’s sister. Olivia had missed the inference but laughed along anyway.
“Yeah, I get it,” Shannon smirked and took the last piece of bacon from Terra’s plate. As Terra’s lower lip rolled out in a giggling mock pout, Harris stood and picked up Terra’s plate, “Kids, these days. Outta control, I tell ya. I’ll fix this.”
A platter emerged from the kitchen and Maggie got excited, “He’s been dreaming this up since you got here.” She clapped her hands as he put the serving tray on the table. Along with an assortment of cheesecake and sauces, another plate of bacon had been added. “If I ever figure out a way to make bacon cheesecake,” he grinned at Terra, “You get first bite.” Shannon looked back to the kitchen only to see Miller shaking his head with a grin.
That night after a quick dip in the hotel pool and showers, Olivia sat on the bed as Shannon brushed out her long hair, “Braid in the morning?”
“Annika braid?” Olivia asked only to have Shannon smile, “Sure, an Annie braid. That’s easy.”
“Mom?” Olivia asked as the brushing continued, “Something else sorta happened when the sheriff was talking with Grampa. I didn’t want to say anything at dinner.”
Having already climbed into the other king size bed, Terra propped her head on her elbow, “It’s been a big day. Tell us what happened.”
“Well he was really nice to me and to Grampa, but he pulled Grampa away as I was fishing. I don’t think they knew I could still hear. I kinda pretended that I wasn’t listening. He warned Grampa about something,” Olivia remembered, “his words sounded kind, like they were friends, but I kept listening. He said that there were stories floating around about Grampa and that Gramma would be hurt.”
“Hurt,” Shannon repeated sharply, with a quick look to Terra, “In what way, hun. Did he say anything else?”
“Only that they go way back, and he didn’t want to…how did he say it? Think poorly of Grampa. What do you think he meant?”
Shannon sighed, “No idea, but the sheriff is a good guy. It’s hard to say.” Another look to Terra caught her biting her lip and wincing. Shannon went back to her brushing, “we can’t just show up after so many years away and expect everything to be perfect. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
When the hair brushing was complete, Olivia climbed into the other king size bed and put her headphones in for some relaxing music. Shannon climbed in next to Terra. Propping her head up again, Terra looked over at Olivia, “She’ll sleep like a rock. It was a fun day.”
Shannon turned her head to look at her daughter, then back to Terra, “Kiss me. Just a little one. I need to relax.”
“I voted for separate rooms, you know,” Terra whispered, “Airplanes and hotel rooms…seems it’s a thing.”
She leaned down and pecked Shannon gently on the lips. Soft and warm, she quickly returned with a deep kiss, then pulled Shannon closer, “That better?” she whispered.
“Much,” Shannon sighed, “I’m really worked up.”
Terra brushed her hand softly over Shannon’s chest, “I can tell. And normally, I can help with that, but you’ve got something else on your mind, don’t you?”
“Dad is way too casual about this magic stuff. It’s like he’s enjoying it when he should be way more careful.”
“Did he give you that list of names you asked for?”
“Yeah, that’s part of the problem. It’s kinda short. I was hoping for something more well thought out, but it’s a start.” She sighed softly as Terra continued to touch her, “Sheriff’s on the list.”
Stopping her playful massage, Terra looked over at Olivia again, “Marcus texted. My little idea can be plotted on a map. What do you think that place was?”
“I would have said a bone circle for sure but it’s certainly not round, in the least. The three other triangles….no idea but in conjunction with the cliff peaks, it’s not natural.” She sighed again, “Eliza will have more, I’m sure. This doesn’t end, does it?”
“It’s our lives now, Shan. we make the best of it. The loud moments,” she smiled softly before leaning in to kiss her again, “and the quiet, best moments. We’ll figure it out.”
“He’s gonna hurt Mom?” Shannon said, repeating her daughter’s words, “I so went there.”
“Yeah, me too.” Terra sighed, Your dad’s a handsome man. Catching a woman’s eye isn’t difficult for him. He’s at an age where he might want to prove something to himself.”
“At my mother’s expense…but innocent until proven guilty, right?” Shannon offered quietly.
“Yep, I want that for all of you,” Terra answered, then tugged on Shannon’s t-shirt, “Roll over, I’ll rub your back until you fall asleep. Flight’s not til three, we can sleep in til checkout and then head out to the house.”
Shannon sat up and smiled at her sleeping daughter as soft little snores were coming from the opposite bed. She pulled off her t-shirt and turned to lay flat on the mattress.
“I love you,” she whispered, her shoulders relaxing under Terra’s loving caress, ‘Thank you for being here with me.”
Terra leaned over, “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I love you too. Go to sleep, Love.” With another soft kiss to Shannon’s shoulder, a heavy sigh follow
ed, and she was asleep in seconds.
Chapter 8
At the airport the next afternoon, Shannon was quick to promise a quick return visit and repeated her request for Maggie and her mother to visit them in Minnesota. Olivia took the invitation a little further and challenged her grandfather to a fishing contest.
“There’s a kind of fish in our lakes,” she held her arms wide apart, “They’re huge with big teeth. I saw it online. I bet I catch the first one. Course, I’ve never caught one, but how hard can it be?”
Harris smiled slyly, “That’s a muskie you’re talking about. Big sharp teeth. They’re so big they fight back.”
Oliva went pale, “Wait, what?”
Her grandfather nodded, “I’m serious. But I accept your challenge.” He held out his arms and she hugged him tight, “So cool to meet you, Grampa.”
Terra stood off to the side waiting to see what he would do and wasn’t disappointed. “Hey, barrel racer,” he beckoned softly, surprising Shannon. He opened his arms then held Terra close, “I think my daughter has met her match. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
Terra glanced at Shannon as she stepped back from him, “I won’t. That’s for sure.” With a grin to Maggie and Martha, she started to corral Olivia through the security checkpoint. Shannon watched as they loaded the plastic bins with shoes and belts, then tugged on her father’s arm, “A minute, please?” she asked quietly, tilting her head toward a small café lounge, “before we board.”
Hoisting her carryon bag over her shoulder, she hugged her mother and sister one last time and grabbed her father for a quick final conversation. “Dad, uh the list you gave me,” she began haltingly, “It’s complete, right?”
