by Muncy, Janet
“I would love to stay in one of those small cabin’s, with just a fire place or wood stove, being snow bound with just the perfect person and of course the perfect wine.” Steve laughed.
“Don’t forget the popcorn,” Mary teased. Grabbing BJ’s hand.
“Got to have that.” BJ laughed.
Mr. and Mrs. Richards interrupted the conversation, and they were all talking about something totally different. Hours had passed before she knew it. The drive back was a long one, and she needed to be getting started. Making her way toward the Richards to thank them for the dinner and pleasant evening she was stopped by Carl.
“January, could I speak to you for a moment?” Carl asked softly. She was surprised by the concern look on his face and the softness in his voice.
“Sure go ahead.” She said.
He took her arm and started to lead her toward the study. And she pulled back slightly.
“No need to leave this room,” she said. “Unless of course you want to bring Kathy with you? What is it you want to talk about?” She asked, turning around to look at him. He didn’t respond to her cold statement but took her arm gently.
She had never been in the study before, it was lined with large book shelves on two sides, a large over sized desk and chair in front of one of the book shelves. A architectural drawing board off to one side by the window. A sofa and matching chair with coffee table to accent the rustic decor.
“I’m really concerned for your safety up in those mountains. I think you should wait until the weather breaks or you need to take someone with you.”
“I appreciate your concern Carl, but I’ll be fine. I have people living not far from where I’ll be, a two way radio lots of food and heat. There shouldn’t be any problems, that I can’t handle.” She stated. She also realized he was not believing her as she tried not to look into his eyes.
“Look, maybe if your so determined to do this, I’ll take sometime and go up there with you.”
“No! I wouldn’t hear of it.” She said sharply.
“Do I disgust you that much January?” He asked, barely audible.
She had never knowingly hurt anyone’s feeling before and he seemed to be making her say and do things that was not of her character. “That’s not what I meant Carl.” She said, slightly turning away from him. She was very aware of the scent of his cologne and his over powering eyes. He slowly strolled toward her and put his hand on her shoulder.
“Look,” she said, backing away from him. “Before you start man handling me again, I think you should realize there are people in the other room. I have good lungs, and I would hate to ruin a good evening.”
Stopping, he stood looking at her for a moment. “I’m so sorry I ever made you scared of me, I’m so sorry you hate me so much. I wouldn’t hurt you January, I...I just feel the need to take care of you. I think you are making a big mistake. What if something happened to you. What if you fell or was knocked out, who would be there to help you?” Carl moved closer.
“Why should you care, you’re in love with Kathy?” She said, barely able to hear herself speak.
“January, I’m not in love with Kathy, I know it looks that way to some people, but I assure you Kathy and I aren’t in love with each other. I’m in love with....”
“There you two are! Are you having your own private party?” Kathy slurred, coming through the door without knocking.
“Not exactly. If you’ll excuse me.” January said, unable to control her temper any longer. She shut the door behind her as she tried to gain some control of herself. January said her good byes and started for home.
The alarm clock shrilled loudly. January reached for it, groaning. Was it morning already. She forced open one eye to double check the time. Seven thirty. She opened the other and stretched her soft limps. She needed to be at the airport before eleven.
She had unplugged her phone the night before. Because she knew Carl would most likely try to call her. But she needed now to call a cab to pick her up, and she plugged the phone back in. She had no sooner done that when it rang loudly. She jumped back, stunned by the noise. Slowly she picked up the receiver. “Hello.”
“January, where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you all night. I thought for sure I misunderstood, and you left on the plane last night. Look I know you’re upset with me but don’t leave until I get there I must talk to you.” Carl sounded urgent.
“Carl, there is nothing to talk about. Every thing was said last night. Just leave me alone, I don’t want to see you.” January said, tears running down her cheek.
“January please don’t leave, I need to talk to you, I need to see you...”
“Carl!” January interrupted him. “I’m going to hang up, I’ve got a plane to catch. Please just leave me alone. Go back to Kathy, and just leave me alone.”
Chapter 26
The fresh cool clear air touched January’s face as she climbed the few yards to the old log cabin. It stood proudly among the tall pine trees. Although she had never been there in the winter time it was even more beautiful than in the summer months. The light blue sky, was filtered with white fluffy clouds that looked like a painted picture against the snow capped mountains. She could see the crystal clear water flow down the mountain side, into a valley pond.
Inside the old structure was hard wood floors covered with braided rugs to protect the fine wood finish. The furniture was made from the trees that once stood in the very spot the cabin now stands. Still holding their own rugged beautiful finish. She touched the rough wood that made the arm of her aunt’s favorite rocking chair. She remembered when she was a small child and her aunt would tell them stories of when she was a young girl. January smiled remembering back.
A big gust of wind caught her attention as she turned to gather her bags and take them into the bed room. She must get some wood for the old wood stove before the sun sets. It looked like it might get colder.
The couple at the general store was genuinely concerned with her stay in the old cabin. “That old furnace won’t last long if at all.” They warned her. “Now that old wood stove might be okay, but you be real careful if you use it. I don’t know how long it’s been since that old thing has been cleaned out.” But January was determined to make it work, she needed to get away from the big city and this was just the place.
The nights were cold, from the northern winds whipping through the mountains the old wood stove caused the cabin to settle into a cozy warmth. As she sat down to write on her book, she had a hard time concentrating, for the only thoughts she had were of Carl.
It had been almost three weeks since she had left Houston. And still nothing seemed to get any better. She still couldn’t get Carl out of her mind. The nights were cold and lonely, and the days were just walking from one room to the next.
Not really able to get outside for very long for the weather had turned into another blistery winter storm. Without a telephone or television the only thing she had, was the two way radio and even it was almost to static to understand anything anyone said. She was getting more and more restless as the days passed. The only thing she seemed to get done were the letters and cards to her friends and family. But getting them in the mail was something else. It was almost two weeks before she could get to the general store and send them.
January called the club and Tonya answered the line. “Hi, how’s it going in Houston?” January said into the receiver.
“January!” Tonya’s surprised voice came on again. “How are you? Is everything okay?”
“Yes, of course. I just miss you all and thought I’d give you a call since I was in town picking up supplies.” January laughed. “How are things at the club? Any issues I need to know about?”
“No everything is fine here. When are you coming back home? We have all been worried about you.” Tonya said.
“Day after Christmas, I want to spend Christmas with my family, is every thing going okay?”
“Everything is wonderful here. P
hillip is officially vice president of Weaver Oil Company, and we are now engaged.” Tonya sounded happy.
“That is wonderful Tonya! Congratulations! I’m sure you’ll be happy. Phillip is a really nice guy.”
“Yes, he is, anyway Mary want’s to talk to you, hold on.” Tonya said.
“Hi, January, we’ve been real worried about you, you could have at least called and let us know you made it OK.” Mary said.
“I’m sorry, this is the first time I’ve been able to get into the general store. Anyway it sure is beautiful up here I wish you were all here with me.”
“And I wish you were here, like I said before you left, I don’t like the idea of you being up there alone.” Mary sighed. “By the way, did you hear about Kevin getting married. He’s marring a girl by the name of Cheryl. I think he said it was his nurse. Anyway they announced their engagement last night at the small gathering at the Richards. By the way, Kathy’s also getting married, we’re all real glad to hear that. But will it last? That is the question everyone is asking.” She laughed.
“So Kathy and Carl finally announced their engagement?” January nearly lost her balance and leaned against the wall where the phone was placed.
“No! Not Carl. She’s marrying Steve Carson, you remember him. The one you met at my party. Anyway I told you she was after him. Well she got him. The other night we were all congratulating Kevin and Steve starting asking too many questions about you and where you were. Steve wanted to go find you and make sure you were okay, and Carl told Steve that he would take care of finding you. Kathy got mad at Carl and they had a big fight. Anyway a couple of nights ago Kathy announced she was marring Steve.
“What...what about Carl? How is he taking it?” January stuttered.
“It doesn’t seem to bother him at all, he’s more relaxed now it seems. Although he sure does drive us crazy asking if we’ve heard from you. I think he’s really worried about you. Like everyone else is.”
“I’m not sure I understand what is going on, but I can hear more when I get home some time after Christmas.” January said. “You take care of your selves and if there is a problem you can leave a message here. You know the number. I’ll keep in touch.”
The walk back was going to be long and cold. For the weather had turned from a sunny day to an overcast day, with the threat of another winter storm. January had thanked the older couple for the use of their phone and started for the door.
“You should let me take you in the old jeep, the weather is starting to look a little rough for a long walk back up that hill little lady.” The old gentleman said moving toward his coat hanging on the coat rack by the door.
“No, thank you. I would really much rather walk. I need the exercise anyway.”
January thanked him. She then opened the door to a gust of wind, that nearly blew the sack of groceries out of her hand.
The streets were slick with ice, and it was hard for her to walk up the long road without sliding a few feet back with each step. The wind and snow was blowing in her face and her eyes, making it hard to see where she was going. The sack of groceries seemed to get heavier with each step she took. She heard the sound of a jeep drawing near. She moved over to the side of the road out of the line of traffic, so as not to get ran over by the vehicle. The road was just wide enough to get a car down without touching the snow drifts on the side. But she moved over as best she could to accommodate the jeep that seemed to be moving at a high rate of speed. Starting to panic from the sound of the approaching vehicle, she turned her head to see how close it was coming to her and she lost her footing. The sack of groceries went flying in one direction and she herself went flying in the other, landing on her back. The jeep that was also trying to avoid the girl lost control and landed in the large snow drift on the other side of the road.
January was still spitting snow out of her mouth when the driver came running over to see if she’d been hurt. She was trying to explain her panic when she looked up to see Carl standing there smiling down at her.
“You!” She spat. “I should have known it would be you. You always have a way of causing me embarrassment or causing me to land on my back side.” January spat.
Clinging to the driver of the jeep, she tried to stand up. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“Looking for you, I was worried about you, but it looks like you aren’t having any trouble surviving. Or at least not health wise.” Carl smiled and shook his head in a manner January hated.
The driver of the jeep, was picking up the groceries, and was trying to stuff them back into the wet sack as January and Carl stood glaring at each other.
“How far do you have to go?” The driver asked. A little embarrassed at having to interrupt them.
“Just up the hill,” January said taking the groceries out of his hands and turning toward Carl.
“We can handle it from here.” Carl said, shaking the man’s hand and turning toward her and taking the groceries from her arms..
“What do you mean, we can handle it? I don’t need your help.” January stated, taking the sack back.
The look of hurt that suddenly surfaced in his eyes tore at her heart as he stood staring at her. She wanted him to kiss her and yet she didn’t want him around at all. Why did she ever have to meet him in the first place. Why did he have to come up here and just confuse her more. January turned and headed up the steep incline to the cabin. Carl followed close behind.
The warmth of the small cabin stung her face as she removed her scarf and gloves and held onto the wall to remove her boots. Her feet were numb and if hadn’t been for the fur lining it would be hard to even walk on them at this point. Carl had entered behind her stomping his boots on the wooden porch and setting the wet sack down on the wooden table which was used as the dinning room table.
“Hum...this feels good.” He remarked as he also took off his gloves.
Unbuttoning her coat slowly she studied his face as he looked around the small cabin. Carl’s attention turned toward the large picture window, and the snow storm that was beginning to build outside.
“Looks like we’re in for another good storm, is there any more wood that I could bring in?” He looked around at her.
“Yes,” January said, quickly turning toward the kitchen, there is a shed full out in back.
“I’ll get some more, do you have anything hot to drink around her?” He smiled at her again.
“I’ll make some coffee.” January said not turning around but instead reaching for the kettle to full with water.
Chapter 27
A few minutes later January was putting the brownie mix into the old oven to bake when she heard the knock on the door.
“Come in,” she shouted tensely, as she burned her finger on the hot rack. But the knock came again harder this time. January strolled over to the large wooden door and opened it. Carl was standing there with his arms loaded down with wood. He also had snow all over him and his hair was dripping with water as he stood there looking at her.
“What on earth happened to you?” She started to smile, but then noticed his irritation.
“The roof on the shed busted. I’m afraid the snow was too much for it.”
“Well come in I’m freezing to death standing here.” She urged him in. Carl came through the door and started across the room toward the fire place.
“Wait, you need to take your boots off you’ll track up the floor.” January stopped him.
He slowly turned toward her the look of disbelief on his face. “Then I suggest you take this wood because as you can see my hands are full.” He started toward her.
“No, that’s okay, I forgot, go ahead,” January said, backing away. “What did you do roll in the snow, you have it all over you?”
“No, like I said, the roof caved in. I’ll clean up this mess as soon as I can get this wood down. Do you have any dry clothes around here I could put on? I’m afraid I left mine at the general store.” Carl grunted as he put the wood in the
bend.
“Oh, I don’t know if there are any clothes in the big chest or not.” January said turning toward the bed room. She opened up a chest pulling out several blankets and some fishing gear. Finally she found a pair of jeans. Although they looked a little worn at the knees, she thought they just might fit.
By the time she had gotten back to the living room and noticed Carl, he had removed his coat and the fire was going full force. “This is all I could find.” She handed him the pants. He held them up for inspection and started laughing.
“Surely you don’t expect me to get into these? They look like they belong to some little boy.” He laughed.
“Look, I’m sorry, but that’s all I could find. I have several blankets, you could wrap around you.”
“Well that probably would be better than these.” He smiled.
January returned to the bedroom, pulling out the blankets and turning toward the living room again. But Carl was standing behind her taking off his shirt.
“Hugh...Here are the blankets.” She said, laying them down on the bed and starting to leave the room. But Carl stopped her.
“Are you still mad at me?”
“Mad?” She repeated, “I don’t know what our talking about.” January was trying not to notice his almost naked state. Her breath caught at the sight of his chest. “I’m sorry I don’t have any dry clothes to offer you.” She apologized, trying to change the subject.
“That’s okay, these blankets are fine, I’ll need a towel.”
“Oh, there’s one in the bathroom.” January said, moving around him and going toward the bathroom to get the towel. When she returned he was taking down his pants and didn’t seem to be at all embarrassed at his naked state. January stood frozen to the spot watching him undress. His muscular body tormenting her unmercifully. He turned toward her holding out his hand for the towel, all the time realizing what he was doing. A soft smile across his face told her he was doing that on purpose.
