House of the Forest

by Diana Wallis Taylor

  Laura turned to her friend. “If you’re thinking Italian we’ll have to go out for dinner then. I don’t have anything like that on hand.”

  Beth looked smug. “We do in my car. I just happened to stop at the market before I started up here.”

  They put on their raincoats and Laura got her umbrella to hold over Beth’s head as she opened the trunk and grabbed two full bags of groceries. Laughing, they scurried through the rain to the house.

  Back in the kitchen, they unloaded the bags by candlelight and Laura found the fireplace igniter to light the oven.

  Beth shivered. “The house is feeling colder.”

  “Oh, beans, the forced air heating system is off. That’s electric. We’ll have to depend on the oven and the fireplace to stay warm. Let’s get out of these wet things and we can start dinner.”

  They closed off the rest of the house after Laura gathered some comforters and pillows so they could sleep on the living room couches. At least they could keep the heat in the main area of the house.

  Beth followed the directions on the package of eggplant parmesan and slid it into the oven to heat while they cut up ingredients for a salad.

  Later, sitting in front of the fire in warm sweatpants, they ate their dinner with cups of hot chamomile tea.

  “This house is so cozy, Laura. What a blessing your aunt has given you.” She wiggled her eyebrows like Groucho Marx. “Now that we’re all settled, tell me what’s happened.”

  And Laura did.

  When Laura had finished with all that had gone on since she’d arrived, Beth shook her head in amazement. “Wow. What a lot of nice people up here.” She was quiet a moment. “And Alan? How are things going with him?”

  Laura studied her hand with the glistening diamond, not trusting herself to speak. Then, finally, she looked up at her friend, her eyes misting, “Fine, I guess. He wanted me to come home by Sunday for the announcement.”

  Beth shook her head. “Laura, I like Alan, but for a minister, he lacks a touch of compassion. Sorry, that’s just the way I see it. Doesn’t he understand what your aunt meant to you and how hard it is to do what you’re doing?”

  “Oh, Beth, I suppose he means well, he did apologize for rushing me.”

  Beth was wearing her skeptical face.

  “Hey, girlfriend, if you’ll pardon me for playing devil’s advocate, are you sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is the guy for you?”

  Laura sighed heavily and began to twist the ring on her finger. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s just wedding jitters, but he wants me to quit my job because he has all these activities lined up for me in the church.”

  “And you’re feeling a little overwhelmed?”

  “Yes.”

  “What you do in the church should be between you and the Lord. What He’s leading you to do. Did Alan ask you what areas you’d be comfortable doing?”

  “No. He just suggested the ones he thought I’d be good at doing. He feels that since I’m so capable in my conference services job, I can do anything else.”

  Beth reached out and gave her friend a warm hug.

  They talked into the night and finally bowed their heads to thank the Lord for all He’d done, for getting Laura and Beth there safely, for His loving care in preparing the way for Laura at a difficult time and finally for wisdom for the future. .

  At last, weary from the long day, they blew out the candles and turning off the kerosene lantern, snuggled down under warm comforters. In spite of the lightning flashing and the thunder booming as if the storm were right over their heads, Laura felt they were safe and protected.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The phone rang about seven-thirty as Sam poured a cup of strong coffee, trying to wake up. The beer the night before took its toll.

  “Sam?”

  “Yeah, Dad, What’s up? I’ll be in the shop in a little while.”

  “I got a call last night from Laura Kingsley, Estelle DuPont’s niece. She’s up here settling her aunt’s estate. Seems the power went out on her after dark. With the rain coming down pretty hard I didn’t want her poking around anything electric. She said she and her friend were okay for the night, but I told her I’d send someone out this morning at 8:00. Check it out on your way in, will you?”

  Sam frowned. He didn’t ask who the friend was. Most young women today seemed to think it was okay to share a house with their boyfriends. This niece was probably no exception. He shook his head silently. Why didn’t she have her friend check the fuse box? He shook his head. Sam you’re getting too cynical these days. Maybe there’s a genuine problem.

  “All right, I’ll take care of it. Probably just a breaker switch.”

  “Thanks, son, see you at the shop.” Sam got a dial tone. Jake Matheson didn’t believe in long conversations on the phone.

  Sam knew he should eat something but after staring at the contents of his refrigerator a moment, he made a face, closed the door and poured his coffee in a thermal mug. He’d hit the drive-through for an egg and bacon sandwich on his way.

  The morning dawned with bright sunshine but water dripped off the eves of the house. As Laura flung back the comforter, Beth stirred from under the covers,

  “Mmmm, is it time to get up already?”

  “I don’t think we should be in our pajamas when the electrician comes.”

  Beth groaned. ‘Okay, I’m moving.”

  Laura started for the kitchen. “What do you want for breakfast?

  “What do you usually have?”

  “Hot oatmeal.”

  “Sounds okay to me, make a batch for two. Do you think there’s any hot water for a shower?”

  “Water heater’s been off all night. It’s probably lukewarm.”

  “Better just wash my face.”

  In a few minutes she stuck her head out the door of the bathroom. “Got any coffee?”

  Laura studied the kitchen. “There’s an electric coffeemaker here, but that won’t do us any good this morning with no power.” She considered the bag of coffee and got an idea. “No worries, I’ve got it figured out.”

  Beth, emerging a little later with clothes and make-up on, smelled the fresh coffee.

  “How did you do this?”

  Laura grinned. “Oh, just a little pioneering instinct, we Kingsley women are tough. I boiled the coffee and put it through a strainer.”

  “Ingenious. Just so I don’t have to milk a cow for cream.”

  They sipped coffee as Laura spooned oatmeal into bowls.

  Beth stared at the small dark things in the oatmeal. “Raisins?”

  “Hope you don’t mind.”

  “Never tried it, but hey, there’s a first time for everything.”

  By 7:55 they’d cleaned up the breakfast dishes, Laura dressed and stashed their bedding away in the storage closet.

  Beth glanced around the room. “Looks like we’re all set, and in record time too.”

  Promptly at 8:00, a truck pulled into the driveway and Laura went to the door to greet the electrician. As she reached for the doorknob and glanced out the window of the entry, she recognized her electrician. Matheson electric. The name hadn’t meant anything when she called. She’d spoken to Jake Matheson on the phone, but Jake didn’t come. He’d sent his son, Sam. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

  When Sam got to the DuPont house, he saw smoke curling up from the chimney. At least they could start a fire. He glanced up at the gray clouds moving in again over the valley. He’d have to work quickly. The rain could start up again at any time.

  A very attractive young woman with reddish auburn hair and impressive green eyes answered the door and Sam was taken aback when she smiled at him. She looked familiar but he couldn’t place her. She didn’t look like the average modern young woman. She looked wholesome and a word came to mind, vulnerable. In spite of his first reaction, he felt himself go into defense mode. Sam, old man, get the power on and get yourself out of here.

  “Good morning. I expected
an older man, the one I talked to last night.

  Was she disappointed?

  “He’s my father. I’m Sam Matheson.”

  “Laura Kingsley. Well, thank you for coming.”

  “I’ll take a look around and check your electric box to see what I can find.”

  He felt a twinge of guilt for his abruptness. He had no call to be short with her. She was a stranger, and Mrs. DuPont’s niece. No doubt she’d be gone following the memorial service.

  After a short search, he found the problem. A branch from one of the pine trees, cracking during the storm, struck the main wire to the house. Just as he finished moving the tree branch, George Morgan came around the corner of the house. George and his father had been friends since grade school.

  They were enjoying one of George’s corny jokes when out of the corner of his eye Sam saw a movement at the small window on the side of the house. Was she spying on him? The idea intrigued him for some reason.

  George excused himself and began carrying boxes from the house out to his truck. it looked like the niece and Mrs. Morgan had been busy boxing up Mrs. DuPont’s things. Sam shook off the cloud that threatened to settle over his brow. Marcy’s mother had done that job. Sam couldn’t touch her things, and he waited almost six months before he’d let Mrs. Daniels touch them. He’d even left the house. When he came back three hours later, Mrs. Daniels was gone and so were all of Marcy’s clothes and jewelry. Their bedroom seemed so barren. He’d looked around the room, pulled open a few empty drawers and then sat down on his bed and bawled like a baby.

  He shook off the overwhelming thoughts and turned to do his job. After repairing the wiring, he knocked on the front door again. This time it wasn’t Laura Kingsley that opened it. Another girl with dark hair and deep brown eyes studied him appraisingly.

  “Hi, I’m Beth. Did you find the problem?”

  Was this the niece’s friend? Why was he relieved? Sam looked past her and saw a light on in the house.

  “Yes.” He briefly explained what the problem was. “I’ve repaired it and restored the service, but I’d better check the electric igniters on the stove and furnace.”

  She stepped aside, giving him an approving smile and waved a hand towards the house.

  “Help yourself.”

  He checked the igniter on the stove, forced air heating unit and the water heater in the laundry room.

  Laura let him pass quietly as he went to check the various fixtures to make sure they were working.

  “The family room is down those steps and through the hallway if you want to check the wall heater in there.” Her voice sounded tired.

  He glanced at her briefly. “I know where the family room is.”

  She crossed her arms, a protective gesture. “You do?”

  “I’ve been in the house quite a few times. Your aunt taught my Sunday school class years ago. She used to have her classes over for hot chocolate and cookies sometimes.”

  Now why on earth did you feel the need to share that? To hide his consternation, he hurried through the doorway and down the steps to the family room.

  The room looked just as he remembered it, a plaid hide-a-bed sofa, old-fashioned lamps, rustic tables. In his mind’s eye he saw himself as a boy sipping his hot chocolate with fluffy marshmallows on top and working a puzzle that Mrs. DuPont had started on the big table. He saw Mrs. DuPont set a large plate of her famous home-made chocolate chip cookies on the table. There were four other boys there, boys he knew in Sunday school and in his neighborhood.

  Jerry Atkins still lived in Big Bear, but the others left shortly after high school. He thought briefly of Bo Manning, killed in Afghanistan, Joe Dickson, a professor at some college back East. He didn’t know what happened to Marty Duran. No one had seen him in years. Sam stood quietly staring at the table. One more person had been there, Marcy, with her laughing eyes and shy smile. He’d made it a point to sit by her but ignored her as boys do, fearful that his feelings would show in his eyes and the others would tease him.

  They’d become a couple in junior high and on through high school. Everyone knew they’d be married one day, just a matter of time. He winced -- a matter of time. How could they know what little time they would have?

  Shaking off the scene, Sam forced himself to check the small electric wall heater and flipped on the light switches. He found all in order and turned off the lights as he hurried from the overwhelming shadows back to the living room.

  Laura Kingsley faced him and then raised her eyebrows in question. Did some of the emotion he felt in the other room show on his face? He didn’t want anyone’s sympathy. He’d had enough of that from friends and family over the months.

  “Was everything okay there?”

  A slight lift of his chin ended the moment and the girl’s face changed back to the polite smile. Sam, you’re an idiot. She wasn’t coming on to you. You had no reason to be defensive. He turned from her and opened his toolbox, occupying himself writing out a billing.

  “Everything looks okay now. You shouldn’t have any more problems with the power.” He frowned. “I saw you somewhere. Have you been up in this area recently?”

  “No, not for two years.” She thought a moment. “The deli.”

  “The deli?”

  “Yes, when I got here Monday I stopped for a sandwich and you were in line ahead of me.” She gave him a pointed look. “I think you were in a hurry.’

  He cringed mentally. He’d gotten his sandwich and turned so suddenly he almost ran her down.

  “I, ah, had to get back to work”. It wasn’t the best response.

  “Thank you, Mr. Matheson. I appreciate your help.” Polite, formal. She took the bill and wrote him a check to cover the amount. That’s when he noticed the ring. To his chagrin he wasn’t sure if he was relieved or disappointed.

  Beth stood with her arms behind her back, watching their exchange, then suddenly beamed at him as he left. “Sorry to meet under these circumstances, Sam. Thanks for helping out my friend.”

  He tipped his fingers to his head in acknowledgement. “Glad I could help.” He glanced back to see Laura with her arms folded and an unreadable expression on her face.

  He hurried out to his truck and as he drove away he realized he was going to the memorial services for Mrs. DuPont on Saturday after all.

  And thank you for your helpful friendly service. Laura stepped back into the house and resisted the urge to slam the front door.

  Beth had that look on her face. “Is something wrong?” she asked sweetly.

  “Sam Matheson is about as friendly as an old bear.

  Beth raised her eyebrows. “And you want him to be friendly?

  “Don’t get any ideas. It’s just that I was being polite and his comments were barely cordial.”

  “Does he have anything against women being polite?”

  Laura waved a hand. “Oh, he’s probably got a string of women chasing him. A waitress at the deli says he’s a widower. His ego seems a bit large.”

  Beth smirked. “If I lived up here I think I’d join the line.”

  “And touchy as a porcupine!”

  “Maybe he’s been the recipient of unrequited love and just wary.”

  Laura headed for the kitchen. What an irritating man. The girls might be interested, but one date and I’ll bet they’ve had enough of Mr. Personality.

  Beth followed her. “He’s one good-looking guy. I wonder if he ever smiles.”

  “Not that I’ve noticed.”

  Beth crossed her arms and regarded Laura for a moment. “So how come he’s getting under your skin?”

  “He’s not. I’m just not used to people being so, so belligerent, that’s all.”

  “Right.”

  Laura thought back to the moment she peered out the small bedroom window at him. To her embarrassment she saw him glance toward the window. How did he know she was there? Had he seen her?

  He and George Morgan were in earnest conversation, and then George must have s
aid something funny because Sam laughed. They shook hands and George came to load the boxes filled with Aunt Estelle’s things.

  Beth turned to pour herself another cup of coffee and Laura gazed out the window a moment as the thought struck her. Sam did have a nice smile.

  Chapter Fourteen

  They sat down at the kitchen table with fresh cups of coffee and Beth glanced at her with an amused expression. “You must admit it was interesting.”

  “What?”

  “Watching you and Sam Matheson, you looked like two porcupines getting acquainted.”

  “Oh Beth, don’t make something out of this. He came, he fixed the problem, he left. Let’s leave it at that.”

  “Sure. I wonder if he’ll be coming to the services on Saturday?”

  “Why would he come?”

  “Well, didn’t he say he knew your aunt, from Sunday school?”

  “Yes, years ago.”

  Beth had that supercilious look that drove Laura crazy. “Bet you ten bucks he’s at the church Saturday.”

  “I don’t take bets.” Laura began to straighten pillows on the couch. “Honestly, Beth, I’m not interested.”

  “He is.”

  Laura whirled around and put her fists on her hips. “Beth, you’re a hopeless romantic. He is not. Besides, have you forgotten I’m engaged to be married?”

  Beth fluffed up a pillow. “Oh yes, you and the ambitious Alan.”

  Laura almost ground her teeth. Beth could be so irritating sometimes. She needed to change the subject.

  “How about going into the Village with me? There are some really cute shops. There’s a wonderful bistro where we can have lunch.”

  Beth brightened. “Shopping? Now you are talking my language.”

  The girls grabbed their coats and hurried out the door. As she locked the front door, Laura wondered if she should have turned on the alarm system. Oh well, with her car out front it would appear as though someone was home.. They climbed in Beth’s SUV and Laura directed her to the Village.

  As Beth drove, Laura shared what the girl in the deli had said about Sam.

  “Well, maybe he and his latest girlfriend had a fight. That would make him edgy.”