“That’s—amazing! This is great!” Rob said enthusiastically.
“The only thing putting us off schedule now, is the weather,” Erik agreed.
“I wondered what you were thinking, when you let Amber tag along. She can be impulsive. But wow. I can hardly believe she got the counters back!”
“She can be impulsive, but she’s also smart. She thinks of things I don’t. I’m glad she insisted on helping. I had reservations, but not anymore.”
“I’m amazed,” Rob said. “I guess I’m still thinking of her as Samantha’s obnoxious little sister.”
“She’s not obnoxious,” Erik frowned. “Outspoken, sure, but what she has to say, is worth saying. I like Amber. I always have. I wasn’t being benevolent when I hung out with her during your wedding reception, like everyone seemed to think.”
“You’re kidding,” Rob said in surprise.
“No, I’m not,” Erik replied, his frown deepening. It annoyed him that Rob didn’t seem to appreciate his young sister-in-law. “I would’ve been bored to death, if I didn’t have her to talk to. She’s funny, and she’s sharp. I had a great time today, too. A lot better than if I was on my own. I’m looking forward to seeing her tomorrow.”
Rob took a moment to stare at his phone in astonishment. He slowly held it to his ear again.
“Isn’t she kind of… immature?” Rob asked hesitantly. Wasn’t she kind of immature for Erik, is what he really wondered.
“Not by my definition,” Erik said in her defense. “I’m not saying she never makes a mistake, but she’s mature enough to admit when she does, and to learn from it. I admire that. A lot.”
“Wow. Okay. I’m still kind of surprised, but—I guess she’s older than she used to be.”
“That would be a safe assumption,” Erik retorted dryly. “Thanks to her, our counters are all accounted for, and safely and securely stowed. After tracking down and questioning Paolo’s cousin, we spoke with several other men. One said Conner Stevens made a bid on the Pine Mountain project. He really needed it, and was disappointed when he didn’t get it. But he admitted he didn’t think Connor would try and sabotage the winning bidder.”
“No, I can’t see him doing that either,” Rob said, brushing aside that ridiculous thought.
“Robert Sherman, is another story. He was overheard saying it would serve Mr. Henry right, if his development failed.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him to try and ensure that it does,” Rob said, as he considered that.
“He paid off an inspector to grant permits for work that wasn’t up to code,” Erik agreed. “Gas lines, no less. It’s not a huge leap to pay someone to sabotage another contractor’s work.”
“Either for spite, or because he believes he has something to gain from it,” Rob replied.
“It’s more likely that he’s responsible, than Conner, Burns, or Whitman. Although Burns might be in on it. Amber and I also spoke with a guy who works on the ski lift. They’ve had no interference, and are on schedule.”
“Hm. They probably don’t rely on local suppliers.”
“True. However, there’s been no tampering, either. The same for the road construction.”
“But they’re behind. By quite a bit,” Rob pointed out.
“They are, but it’s a case of the manager cutting corners, and not hiring enough guys for the job. We learned that tonight, too.”
“Then we’re the only ones who’ve been targeted,” Rob frowned, as he considered that.
“Right. I don’t suppose you have any enemies, do you?” Erik wondered.
“No,” Rob answered.
He might, after blocking Meredith and the rest of the people he once considered to be his friends, but that had nothing to do with this.
“If it’s not personal, then it’s economical,” Erik reasoned. “If another developer is expecting to take our place developing the subdivision, there’d be no benefit in interfering with the roads and ski lift.”
“If the other two contract holders ran into the same problems we have, there would be no doubt that the Pine Mountain development was being targeted. There would be an investigation. The person behind this, doesn’t want that.”
“Speaking of investigating, I’m not sure how much we’ll get done tomorrow, considering it’s the day before Thanksgiving. But we’ll do what we can.”
“What’s your plan to investigate Burns, Whitman, and Sherman?” Rob wondered. “If one of them is responsible, they’re bound to know who you are, even if you’ve never met before.”
“Amber said the same thing. I’m not sure what her plan is… but she probably has one. I may call and ask. She’s probably still up, I just got back from taking her home.”
“You were out late,” Rob said shortly. “But then again, why does that surprise me, considering where you were.”
“We were at the all-night pancake house, down the street from our place,” Erik informed him.
“Your investigation led you there?”
“No, hunger did.”
“So you went out to eat,” Rob stated.
“Yes. Unless you have anything else, I’m hanging up, so I can call Amber before she has a chance to fall asleep.”
“You’re serious, about this? About her?” Rob felt compelled to ask.
“It can wait until morning, I guess, but… what do you mean, am I serious about her?” Erik frowned.
“You really like her?”
Erik frowned more, and his eyebrows knit.
“Yes, I like her. I like her a lot. Why is that so hard for you to believe? I don’t know what kind of relationship you had with Samantha’s sister, but I’m starting to think you never got to know her. It’s too bad, because she’s really great.”
“I haven’t seen her in a couple of years, but I guess she’s still cute,” Rob replied.
“Yes, but—what does that have to do with anything?” Erik frowned again.
“I guess maybe nothing,” Rob considered. “So… what are you guys? You’re working together, and are you friends, or…?”
“Yes, we’re friends! As hard as it is for you to believe, Amber and I are friends. And I’m hanging up now,” Erik replied. He had no idea what was wrong with his brother, or why he didn’t appreciate Amber, and it annoyed him.
“Okay, okay, talk to you tomorrow,” Rob managed to get in, before a soft tone indicated their call was ended.
He sat, puzzling over their conversation, as he watched the fire reduce the logs to red hot coals. The wind died down briefly, and he started to look at the radar app. Then, the wind began again.
Rob added the two largest logs to the coals, and the flames licked at them eagerly. Sap hissed, and sparked, and the fire crackled once again.
He looked at the bathroom door, which was still closed. Samantha was in there an awfully long time… if she didn’t come out in another ten minutes, he would knock. Falling asleep in hot water, and waking up in cold, wouldn’t improve her physical aches and pains.
Rob looked at the radar and weather forecast. If their predictions were correct… then early in the morning, there would be a lull in the storm.
As he considered the diminishing pile of logs, and calculated how much longer their food stores would last, his mind was made up. When the break in weather came, he would be ready.
The lock turned, and the bathroom door opened.
“I began to wonder if I’d ever see you again,” Rob smiled, as he stood, and began warming a blanket in front of the fire.
“I almost fell asleep,” Samantha said, glancing at him furtively. She was pretty sure she sounded normal… she must, because he didn’t look concerned. She was relieved. She needed time to think before having this talk, and another night’s sleep wouldn’t hurt, either. Her yawn didn’t take much effort. “I’m so tired, I think I’ll go to bed.”
“Okay,” Rob replied, hiding his disappointment. He frowned a little, as he watched the fire to ensure that no sparks touched the blanket he he
ld. “You can have the bed, and I’ll take the couch… if that’s what you want.”
He hoped that sounded unselfish, and not like he was hinting.
“I’m used to the couch,” she quickly replied, reclaiming her place there. “The bedroom is all yours, you should sleep there, you’ll be more comfortable.”
She sounded nervous. Rob kept his eyes on the fire, as he wondered why. He thought they were doing so well, but… he was wrong.
As his heart grew heavy, a memory surfaced. He was a kid, visiting his grandparents. He sat on the ground in the backyard, by the woodpile, perfectly still, as the feral cat cautiously approached. It wanted the tuna in the can beside him, but it was afraid. It took a week before the cat felt safe enough to eat near him, and he never hurt it. Not once.
But he did hurt his wife. That thought was attended by grief and guilt, but he didn’t try to push them aside or bury them. They stood between him and impatience. They kept him from hurting her, all over again.
It took the cat a week. He couldn’t expect Samantha to trust him again, after a single day. However long it took… he would be patient. He would be waiting, when she was ready.
“Are you feeling any better?” he asked gently, as he tucked the warm blanket around her.
“Some,” she answered, marveling at the compassion in his eyes. The annoyance and frustration she expected to see, wasn’t there.
“How about your back?” he wondered.
“It still hurts,” she admitted.
He picked up the extra pillow, and held it in front of the fire.
“You were right about the phone call. It was Erik.”
“Is everything alright?” she wondered, and Rob considered that.
“He and your sister found our misappropriated granite counters. They got several leads. Somehow, they ended up in a bar. And in a bar fight. Erik was almost stabbed, and I know you’re going to think this is crazy, but… my brother, likes your sister.”
“What?” Samantha snapped.
“I know, I’m still trying to grasp it. I’ve never heard him talk like this about a girl.”
“But—but—that’s crazy!” she spluttered.
“How old is your sister?” Rob wondered.
“Eighteen, and not very mature,” Samantha retorted. Rob missed the flash of irritation in her eyes.
“Well… Erik is twenty-three, and very mature. I didn’t see this coming either, but… he likes her. Does she still have a crush on him?”
“Yes,” she said shortly.
“Wouldn’t that be weird, if my brother, and your sister, ended up together.”
“It certainly would be,” she said with feeling.
If she was unable to reconcile with Rob, then it would be worse than weird! It would mean it wasn’t safe to do so, yet the door would be open for him to learn about Caleb! Samantha felt like wringing her little sister’s neck.
Rob felt the pillow, and deemed it comfortably warm. He turned and tucked it behind her.
“Can I get you anything? Something to drink, maybe?”
The kindness in his eyes, diluted her irritation with Amber. And Erik! What was he thinking!
“No… I think I’ll try and get some rest.”
As if she could, after having this bombshell dropped on her!
“Alright,” Rob said. He stood and picked up his Bible and notepad. “Call me if you need me.”
“I will, and… thank you,” she said.
“It’s no trouble. I’ll see you in the morning, if not before,” Rob replied. He reached the bedroom doorway, then paused. “But… if I’m not here when you wake up, don’t worry.”
“Why wouldn’t I worry?” Samantha asked in alarm.
“It looks like there’ll be a brief break in the storm, soon. Not enough for help to arrive, but probably enough to raid the other cabins, and stock up on supplies. We don’t know when the next break will be. I really need to do this, while I have the chance.”
Samantha looked back at him, her brown eyes anxious.
“Do you have to?”
“No, but… if I wait until I have to, I may not be able to.”
She tried to still the panic that filled her, as she imagined him lost in the storm.
“Then—be careful. Please, be careful,” she pleaded. She wasn’t sure she was willing to trust him again… but she was certain she didn’t want to lose him, and have that choice taken from her.
“I will,” he said softly. “I promise, I’ll come back to you.”
Samantha nodded in acknowledgement, and forced herself to remain on the couch. What she really wanted, was to hug him hard and not let go, but…
She gripped the blanket, and stayed where she was.
Chapter 12
ROB left the warmth of the cabin behind, and entered a world where there was none.
Moonbeams filtered through the clouds, touching the frozen landscape with an unearthly light. Snow drifts, twisted and misshapen by the wind, rendered the dim terrain unrecognizable. Rob’s breath froze, and his lungs burned, as he readjusted his coat collar and tried to get his bearings.
He knew where he was. On the steps of cabin number seven. He knew where the dirt road was, in relation to those steps, but only because he traveled it many times during the construction of the lodge and cabins. Blanketed by a heavy layer of snow, there was no visible sign that there was ever a road at all.
Rob adjusted his collar again, and cautiously took the first step out into the snow.
He promptly sank.
As he floundered through the deep drifts that surrounded the cabin, he longed for snowshoes. Or the skis that were in the back of his SUV. Those would be very useful, right about now. But, they would’ve been useful only as an encumbrance during their hike through the forest. He didn’t regret leaving them behind.
He could do this. It was hard work, but he was used to that. He could do this. But could he keep his bearings, and locate the invisible road? That was the real question. Even if the clouds withdrew, and the crescent moon lit the snow bright as day, the landscape would remain unfamiliar.
Rob made a blind, educated guess, and turning right, he blazed a trail toward cabin six. Either that, or he was blazing a trail toward the middle of nowhere. It suddenly occurred to him that he should pray.
He felt a little awkward. Maybe he should’ve talked to Erik about this, and gotten some instructions. But… Rob prayed before, when he was desperate to get Samantha back to the cabin. He read prayers Jesus prayed, in the book of John. He was no longer completely uneducated. And, he needed help. So, he prayed.
His prayer was clumsy at first, but the more he talked, the easier it was.
He had more to say than he realized. He had more concerns than he realized, too. He also had a lot to be thankful for. He felt fairly confident he would win Samantha back in the end, but he prayed for success anyway.
Rob paused to readjust his scarf and collar, and looked over his shoulder.
As long as the wind was kept at bay, he would find his way back without any problem. That thought both reassured, and hurried his steps.
The cabins were luxury, and on the one hand, that wasn’t in their favor. Run-of-the-mill cabins would be much closer together. But, they wouldn’t be stocked with food and firewood.
He decided to be thankful. Especially when number six came into view.
Rob felt a burst of excitement and renewed energy, and plowed toward it. He pulled off his glove and fumbled for the keys in his coat pocket, as his fingers rapidly grew numb. He sorted through the ring, and located the key to cabin six as he reached the door. It inserted with difficulty, and turning it wasn’t any easier. But turn it did, and he was inside.
The comparative warmth was a pleasant relief to his face and hands, but he didn’t take the time to enjoy it. He went straight to the kitchen portion of the cabin, and threw open the cabinet. The sight of the stocked shelves filled him with a sense of satisfaction. Rob removed the backpack from his sho
ulders, and loaded it with the food stores contained there. He did the same with the bathroom toiletries.
Rob looked out the backdoor, and was gratified to see the pile of snow heaped at one end of the porch. Underneath, there was bound to be firewood. He retrieved a blanket, then locked the door behind him, and spread it out on the snow. After piling it with wood, he grasped one end, and pulled. Logs shifted, and tumbled. Rob frowned. It didn’t make much of a sled, after all.
It was a good thing the luxury cabins had luxury king size beds, and equally luxurious king size blankets. Not that luxury had anything to do with it, but Rob was grateful to find that the blanket was large enough to hold the pile of wood, even after all four corners were knotted together. He took hold, and dragged.
The heavy load dug into the snow, making progress difficult. After several feet, Rob stopped and reconsidered. He looked up at the sullen, brooding clouds, then at the radar app on his phone.
He left the logs where they were, and proceeded to the next cabin.
SAMANTHA woke to the scent of burning juniper. As she lay there, it suddenly dawned on her that the soft crackle of flames was the only sound.
Her eyes shot open. She sat up abruptly, her aching muscles causing her to wince. She looked all around her, but there was no sign of Rob. All she sensed was that stillness that came from being the only living thing in the cabin.
Samantha stood slowly, giving her muscles greater consideration this time, then took the few steps to the front window. As she opened the blinds, dim light crept in between the slats. The night was gone, and in its place was the gloom of early morning.
Samantha studied the outside world. There was nothing but snow, as far as the eye could see. Clouds hung heavy in the sky, promising there was more where that came from, and threatening to prove it. She shivered as she hugged herself, and looked out at the deep path that led away from the cabin. She followed it with her eyes, until it disappeared around a drift.
Disengaged (Terms of Engagement Book 3) Page 20
