by Beers, B. A.
Mark whistled in reaction to what he saw. He liked this place, knowing that if he owned a cabin such as this, he would not have waited all these years to get back to it. glancing to his right, he was drawn in the direction of the focal point of the living room – the huge fireplace. It wasn’t the fireplace that caught his attention, but the photographs that adorned the mantel. Knowing that Sami’s home in Phoenix was void of anything personal, he was highly curious to see what was captured in the photographs. Feeling pressure on his arm Mark turned his attention to Grandma Jo, who was pointing toward the outside door that was open in the kitchen area. Sami – where was she? he thought, as he moved to the open door, stepping around the stack of items at his feet. He would have to investigate the photos later.
Stepping out onto the landing, he was struck by a cold blast of wind. Pulling his jacket more securely around him, he scanned the area searching for Sami, but she was nowhere in sight. He called out her name over the roaring wind. Not receiving an answer, he quickly raced down the steps. The faint back porch light did little to help his efforts as he rounded the back corner of the house. Without the aid of light or even moonlight to guide his way, he found himself enveloped by the dark, cold night. He called out again, and this time he heard a slight tinkling sound. Molly’s tags on her collar, he hoped, as he reached down blindly to identify the source. Sure enough, his hand landed on Molly’s head. He patted her a couple of times. “Where’s Sami?” he asked the animal.
He heard a very weak cry for help coming from the direction of the trees to his left. Molly moved out from under his hand, and he followed her, guided by the tinkle of her tags. This is stupid, he thought. He should have brought a flashlight as he ran into the third tree.
“Mark?”
He turned his head toward the sound of her voice. Maybe ten feet in front of him, he saw a thin beam of light. “Sami?” he answered, closing the distance between them.
“I can’t get the door open,” she cried helplessly, her voice shaking. Seeing her T-shirt clad body, Mark removed his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Trying to activate the well,” she replied.
Mark’s eyes followed the beam of light and focused on the weather-beaten door she had been trying to open. Seeing the condition of the rusty hinges, he gave them a couple of quick, sharp kicks to loosen the never-sleeping rust. With a couple of hard yanks, the door finally swung open, and Sami reached in to activate the well’s pumps.
He was shaking now from the cold. Closing the door, he put his arm around Sami. They started back toward the cabin just as the first snowflakes began to fall. Walking back to the cabin was easier for him now that the beam of her flashlight aided him. As they passed the woodpile, he released Sami and grabbed an armful of wood. He wanted to help warm the cabin’s interior by starting a fire in the fireplace. He followed Sami back inside, noting that Grandma Jo was in the kitchen unloading their groceries. Mark moved to the fireplace and within minutes, a roaring fire came alive.
Satisfied with his efforts, he scanned the room. He noticed that the furniture was made of sturdy solid wood with cushions. Very suitable for this type of environment, he thought. He was surprised at the overall condition of the main room and the adjoining kitchen. He believed that it should have been a lot dirtier due to the non-use. Granted, there was a heavy layer of dust on almost everything, but there were no signs of rodents or other animal. There were some cobwebs in the corners, but that was nothing compared to what he had envisioned. The cabin’s construction must be real solid to stand up against environmental changes, he thought.
Mark was more taken with the cabin with each passing second. Turning, he saw Grandma Jo in the kitchen preparing a light supper. Not seeing Sami, he asked. “Where is she?”
Grandma Jo looked at him and motioned toward the hallway. “That way.”
Turning his head in the indicated direction, he saw that the hall light was now on. He could see four doorways off the hall. Grabbing the bags, near the door, he headed across the room.
Stopping at the first doorway on the right, he switched on the light of this bedroom. He entered and dropped off Grandma Jo’s things on the bed. Returning to the hall, he turned off the light, and hearing water running behind the closed door in front of him, he deduced that the bathroom lay beyond. Smiling, he was glad that she was able to handle herself now in that department.
Mark continued down the hall and placed his bags inside the doorway to his right and Sami’s things in the opposite one. Hearing the door behind him open, he turned and faced Sami. He updated her on where he had placed their bags, and she nodded her agreement before turning back to the kitchen. He followed her out to the living room and added more wood to the fire.
***
After dinner, with the dishes washed and put away, Mark settled Sami in the rocking chair in front of the fire. Wrapping her in the afghan, he signaled to Molly to lie down at her feet. Grandma Jo produced mugs of hot chocolate for them all. Before sitting, Mark extinguished most of the lights in the cabin, and opened the front curtains in order to watch the falling snowflakes that were swirling in the howling wind. Grandma Jo was right in her prediction, he thought. The snow was falling so heavily that he was unable to see the car, which was parked less than ten feet in front of the cabin.
He drew his attention from the hypnotic effect of the falling snow, and turned to the women, who were talking quietly by the fire. Seeing that Grandma Jo had already produced her ever-present knitting needles, he laughed. “Do you always carry those with you, Grandma Jo?’ he asked her. Both women peered at him.
“I don’t want to miss any opportunity,” she responded, staring at the needles. “Besides,” she added, smiling back at him, “it helps me relax.”
“Grandma Jo, you truly amaze me.” Mark said, shaking his head.
“I do wish that I had brought my paints,” Sami sighed softly, lowering her eyes to her lap.
Beaming, Mark smiled at Sami. This is a good sign, he thought. “I do believe that can be arranged,” Mark announced. “I’ll contact David to bring them with him.” Sami looked back at him, and he could see the eagerness in her face clearly in the firelight.
The firelight reminded him of the photographs that he had wanted to investigate earlier, and he moved to the mantel. “Sami, tell me about these photographs,” he said in a light tone.
Mark was answered by her light laughter. “I see you have found my mother’s true gift,” she responded, “her fascination with a camera. I believe there are hundreds of photos around here somewhere. Those displayed on the mantel were her favorites.”
Mark took down the first photograph to see it better in the firelight.
“I remember,” Sami continued in a merry tone, “that my father once accused her of having an affair with the guy at the local photo shop.”
Mark was extremely pleased by her attitude and openness. Hoping that this might break down the wall inside her to talk about her past, he took the photograph in his hand to her. Giving it to her, he began his treatment.
Hours flew by as Sami provided him information regarding each photograph. It was like opening a floodgate. He learned, not only about her immediate family and her extended family, but also about the history of the cabin itself. So much information was gathered that he didn’t know if he would remember it all. By the time they had reached the last photograph, Sami’s voice was hoarse and Mark felt exhausted.
After getting Sami ready for bed, Mark could barely keep his eyes open. In a haze, he fed Molly and opened the back door to let her outside in the still falling snow. Her reluctance to leave the protection of the porch made Mark laugh. Begging her to hurry did the trick as she set a record in performing her duty, and raced past him back to Sami’s side. Mark was still laughing at her antics as he headed to his assigned room.
***
FIFTEEN
Mark awoke the next morning to the smell of fresh-
brewed coffee. Rising to his feet, he shook off the remnants of his first deep sleep in quite awhile. He had forgotten until now just how much the altitude and mountain air could aid one in sleeping soundly. Moving back to the bed, he pulled the covers up, thinking that he would love to dive back into the soft, warm haven, but eager to continue Sami’s treatment, he dressed and hurried out of the room.
Stepping out into the hall, Mark noticed, through Sami’s open door, that she was still securely in bed and sound asleep. His movements did result in Molly poking her head up from the far side of the bed. Mark smiled at her, thinking that he had ruined this dog. Not only had she been introduced to the inside of the house, but also she had taken up residence on the bed. “There’s no turning back now,” he said softly to her as she lowered her head back on the bed.
The smell of the coffee lured him back in the direction of the kitchen. Stepping into the great room, he was assaulted with the glaring sunlight streaming in through the large bay window in the upper eaves of the room. Although the house was equipped with central heating, the openness of the room had a touch of a chill in it. He moved to the fireplace to prepare a fire with the wood from the box near it.
“Good morning,” he said in greeting to Grandma Jo, who was sitting with her back to him at the dining room table wrapped in her trusty blue jacket.
“I would have done that myself, but I didn’t want to set the place ablaze,” she confided merrily.
“Thank you for your honesty,” he laughed back.
“Coffee?” she asked.
“Yes, thanks. That would be great,” he responded as he removed the dead embers. He had just restarted the fire when he felt Grandma Jo behind him. Turning, he accepted the offered mug.
“It must have snowed at least two feet last night,” she said.
Walking to the front window, sipping his coffee, he pulled aside the curtains and squinted out over the thick blanket of snow. Not only was it on the ground, but covered the car and the tree branches, also. He stood transfixed as the top flakes danced to the beat of the wind. The sight humbled him for the serene beauty was breathtaking. He placed his hand on the window to wipe away the condensation left by his breath. The coldness of the glass left little doubt of the freezing temperature beyond.
“You’re right,” he said, turning to Grandma Jo. “I’d better call Stacy and postpone her arrival today. I don’t want to take the responsibility of anyone driving under this condition.”
“I’ll start breakfast while you call,” she said, walking back to the kitchen.
As Mark entered the hall on the way to his room to get the cell phone, Sami emerged from her bedroom. Seeing her puffy, sleep-filled face, he chirped a cheery “Hello.” The glare he received in return left no doubt that she was not a morning person. “Coffee is that way,” he pointed as he veered around the broken arm.
Once inside his room, he located his phone and turned it on. He was a little surprised by the strength of the signal for until now it hadn’t occurred to him that it might not work up here. Technology is amazing, he thought as he dialed the number.
Returning to the kitchen after speaking with Stacy’s daughter, he refilled his empty coffee mug. Leaning back against the counter, he announced to both women that were watching him from the table, “I was too late. They are on their way here.”
Grandma Jo nodded in response at the same time Sami asked him, “Who?”
“Bill and Stacy Clark,” he answered.
“Who did you say? What, where and how?” Sami fired at him.
“You heard me,” he said as he walked to the table. Sitting down next to her, he provided Sami with the answers to all her questions starting with the return address on the package to the conversation he had just had with the Clark’s daughter.
Sami remained silent during Mark’s explanation, but her face told another story. Confusion, apprehension, and yet an understanding played across her features. By the end of his tale, however, Sami’s expression was peaceful. Not knowing how she would take this news, Mark waited for her to speak.
“It will be nice to see them again,” she spoke quietly.
Somehow, Mark had expected her to say more, but watching her take a sip of coffee and reach for a roll, he knew that the subject was closed. Frustrated, he stared out the window behind her wondering just how the visit would go. Grabbing a roll, he listened to the women discuss the weather and the day’s menu as he began to doubt his judgment in contacting the Clarks.
After breakfast, he carried his plate and utensils to the kitchen, where he noticed Molly standing next to the outside door. “Oh great,” he said. Putting his things into the kitchen sink, he grabbed his jacket and opened the door, thinking he needed to clear his thoughts anyhow. The landing was now deep in snow and Molly hesitated, eyeing him. Putting on his jacket, Mark laughed at her reluctance. Stepping in front of her, he walked out into the snow pushing it off the landing as he went. Molly followed in his wake as he cleared the snow from the steps. At the bottom, he stopped and motioned her to continue. She held back and whimpered softly. Mark shook his head. “Do I have to show you this also?” he asked her.
What the heck, he thought as he viewed the smooth layer of almost knee-deep snow. He began to trudge through the snow, and after several yards, turned back to see Molly still on the steps. She looked at him and then back to his footprints in the snow. He knew it would take her a minute or two to adjust to the idea, but he also knew that the curiosity would bring her to him.
Mark scanned the area and noted that the depth of the snow was considerably less under the trees than where he stood, so he walked in that direction. He was halfway to the trees when he heard the tinkle of her tags behind him. She was trying with all her might to get to him. When he reached the base of the tree, he turned and saw her following the path that he had cut in the snow as a guide.
The wind now carried the sound of laughter and he spotted Sami standing on the front porch with the afghan around her shoulders.
“Sure, go ahead and laugh,” he called out to her. “I’m freezing.”
“I’ll bet she adjusts to it better than you,” she called back.
Mark eyed Molly, who was finding it better in the area under the tree, and by now was growing accustomed to the snow. At her mistress’ voice, she charged through the snow in Sami’s direction. This time, he followed her path back to the house.
By the time he reached the top of the front steps, he heard an engine behind him. Turning in that direction, he saw a large truck, equipped with a removable snowplow, coming around the bend into the clearing. The Clarks, Mark surmised, waving in their direction as the plow cut a path up to the house. Even before the truck had come to a complete stop, the passenger door flew open and a rather large, stocky woman hopped down into the deep snow. Under her white stocking cap, her cherub face glowed with pure happiness.
Mark walked back down the snow-covered steps, and watched this woman expertly maneuver through the deep snow. She didn’t stop when she reached him, but at least called out her name in greeting as she mounted the steps and went directly into the outstretched arm of Sami on the porch. Mark watched as the women embraced with neither of them speaking, while Molly did doughnut circles around them, barking excitedly.
“Bill Clark.”
Mark jumped at the sound of the deep voice coming from behind him. Turning quickly, Mark lost his footing and was caught by the arm before he landed in the snow. Glancing up, he viewed a giant of a man. Reaching out his hand, Mark returned the greeting. “Mark Stevens.”
Bill caught Mark’s hand and pumped it hard several times. “Nice to meet you,” Bill piped back. “Couldn’t let the little lady come all this way by herself,” he continued, explaining his appearance.
“No, of course not,” Mark answered releasing his hand, and quickly turning, looked at the two still embraced on the porch. The sight thrilled him. Stacy was the first person Sami had openly accepted into her arms.
“Poor littl
e thing,” Mark heard Bill comment. “We feel plumb bad about causing her any heartache.”
"You had no way of knowing,” Mark said, trying to assure the man. “By the way, I tried to call you to postpone your trip down due to the weather, but your daughter said you had already left.”
“There was no way I could have stopped her from coming down today,” Bill began. “Ever since you called, she has talked about nothing else. This little storm was not even considered a stopping point. I had to talk her out of coming last night, telling her to let you all get settled in first.”
Smiling, Mark realized that his instinct was right again. These people were a cut above the rest. Noticing that Molly’s barking had ceased, Mark turned back to the porch. It was now empty. The women had entered the cabin.
