by Robin Mahle
Redwood Violet
(Book One)
By Robin Mahle
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Copyright ©2013 by Robin Mahle
All rights reserved.
Cover design: LLPix Photography, www.llpix.com Laura Wright LaRoche
Editor: Hercules Editing and Consulting Services
Other Books by Robin Mahle
All the Shiny Things (Redwood Violet 2)
Beyond the Clearing
Long Journey Home – a short story
Landslide (coming July 2014)
1
KATIE REID made her way to the back of the plane through the pleasant smiles of flight attendants and chattering passengers. Lingering images of yet another unpleasant dream disrupted what had started out as a restful nap. When the metal cabinets in the galley rattled from mild turbulence, Katie instinctively gripped a handle to steady herself.
A flight attendant soon approached, displaying extraordinary balance, and placed a tray of clear plastic cups on the counter next to her. The water inside swished around in little waves. “Please, help yourself.”
A nagging thirst had taken hold and Katie found the relief she’d needed. After the third cup, her tongue no longer felt like cotton still clinging to its boll, but the water did little to quench the unnerving images that were still forefront in her mind. The dreams, more like nightmares, had been the cause of many sleepless nights lately.
Katie had returned to her assigned row and was now standing next to a man who blocked her approach. “Excuse me.” He shifted just enough to allow her to squeeze back into the tightly packed row of seats.
“Are you okay?” Spencer sat in the window seat and was roused by her return. He seemed to take notice of her haggard appearance.
“I’m okay; I just needed to get some water,” Katie replied.
“You had another dream, didn’t you? It was hardly a question that needed asking, but his concern hadn’t waned since they started nearly two months ago and seemed to only grow deeper.
The corner of her mouth tilted up, followed by a shrug of her shoulders. Katie’s post-nightmare routine—leaping out of bed, eyes, full of terror—was becoming something of a habit with which Spencer was growing accustomed. Nevertheless, its occurrence during a brief nap was something new. It seemed her fatigue was crossing into new levels of desperation.
Overhead, the familiar ding and illumination of the seatbelt indicator signaled the plane’s descent. The left wing tilted up towards the blue sky, high above the clouds to make the turn into Eureka. The jet engine groaned and a swift drop in elevation sent a shot of adrenalin through Katie’s body. Her tolerance for flight had lessened significantly over the past few years.
When they boarded in Sacramento this morning, there wasn’t a spare seat on the plane and that was after the sold-out flight from her hometown of San Diego. Traveling from southern to northern California could sometimes be as difficult as a cross-country flight and it wasn’t over yet. They still had the forty-five minute drive to the suburbs where they’d plan to stay with Sam and her fiancé.
Katie hadn’t traveled to these parts for the almost three years and it wasn’t something she relished. Sam’s wedding was the only reason that she found herself on this flight, dragging Spencer along. Her dearest friend had chosen to make her home very near where the two had grown up and had asked Katie to stand next to her at the altar.
“I’m glad your parents will be at the wedding. I know you weren’t happy when Sam invited them, but I think it’s important that you work to mend fences.” Spencer was all too familiar with their strained relationship.
Katie tightened her seatbelt and prepared for the landing, ignoring his comment.
Rio Dell was a small town and was even smaller when Katie and Sam were growing up. Everyone knew each other, and each other’s business. So, when Sam mentioned she had sent an invitation to Katie’s parents, it wasn’t a big surprise. Just her friend’s all too transparent plan to get the three of them in the same room. It could, however, be a plan she might regret.
The wheels made contact with the runway and the drag pulled it forward, bouncing the plane along in a rough manner. Relieved that she had touched ground, Katie opened her eyes and released the death grip she had on the arms of her seat.
“Come on, this’ll be fun!” Spencer could always be counted on to lighten Katie’s mood, even if his sardonic wit was a quality she only mildly appreciated.
“I’m looking forward to it.” She returned an equally ironic smile as they deplaned. Sam’s wedding was something Katie had been truly looking forward to, but coming back home, to this small town she’d been so desperate to leave, was at odds with that excitement.
In the baggage claim area, Katie spotted Sam in the distance and headed her way. Arms open and flashing her sparkling smile, Sam seemed thrilled at the sight of her old friend. Katie’s eyes brightened in response as she was both happy to see her friend and grateful the journey was over.
“Oh Katie, it’s so good to see you! How was your flight?”
“You know me, I’m not much for flying, but I’m glad we made it. It’s great to see you too.”
Spencer collected the bags from the conveyor and approached the two of them. “Hi, Sam, long time no see.” The ensuing kiss on the cheek seemed a little uncomfortable for him.
“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that both of you could come,” Sam replied.
“Are you kidding? I’m the Maid of Honor. I couldn’t exactly miss this now could I?” Katie looked around for Sam’s missing half. “Did Jerrod come with you?”
“Oh, he’s driving around the airport, waiting for us to go out on the curb. He didn’t want to pay for parking.” Sam took hold of Katie’s hand and pulled her towards the terminal exit.
With raised eyebrows, she turned to meet Spencer’s similar gaze and mouthed to him, “I told you he was cheap.”
* * *
The afternoon sun cast a murky shadow on Sam and Jarrod’s picturesque country-side home as they pulled into the drive. Huge oak trees flanked the sides and the raised porch was lined with pots of brightly colored perennials.
Even in the springtime, a cold and dreary day in Northern California wasn’t unusual and this Friday in mid-March was no exception. Katie pulled on her sweater, thinking how grateful she was for living in San Diego. She disliked the cold almost as much as she disliked flying.
“How about a glass of wine?” Sam asked immediately on entering.
The small home seemed perfectly suited to the couple. The walls were painted in subtle hues of yellow and the maple wood floors had been lovingly pulled together with paintings by Sam’s mother. Once a successful artist in New York, she had given it all up when her daughter was born.
“We’ve got a couple of hours before the rehearsal dinner, if you two need time to settle in and get cleaned up.”
Spencer pulled Katie aside, looking concerned. “Did you want to try and steal a nap?”
Having overheard the private comment, Sam jumped in, “The flight must have been exhausting. Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah, yeah; I’m fine. I just haven’t been sleeping well lately. Stress, work; you know how it is.” Katie was never one to allow people to make a fuss over her.
“Of course I do. Not to mention you having to help organize a wedding from seven hundred miles away. Go on and lie down for a bit. It’ll do you some good.”
“Well, maybe I’ll just close my eyes for half an hour.”
“Great. I’ll show you to your room.” Sam led the way upstairs, opening the guest room door to reveal the queen size
d bed that seemed entirely welcoming.
“I’ll be up to wake you in a bit.” Spencer followed Sam out of the room, closing the door on their way out.
Katie sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled off her shoes. She questioned her ability to find sleep, knowing that it would likely be a futile effort. With only a couple hours to prepare herself, mentally and physically, this rest was simply intended to recharge her batteries. It had been a long day and would be an even longer night, but she would not let Sam down. They had been as close as sisters since they were eight, after Sam’s family moved into town. Katie could hardly remember life before she had entered it.
* * *
The early hours of the morning arrived before the four of them returned to the betrothed couple’s home after the rehearsal dinner. A visit to the local bar afterwards seemed a good idea at the time. Katie was diligent in ensuring the bride-to-be hadn’t consume a regrettable amount of alcohol. However, the groomsmen failed on that particular responsibility and Spencer was among the overly-intoxicated. It was a rare occurrence and so she didn’t see a reason to make anything of it. He would be the one with the hangover standing next to Jarrod in the church in a few short hours.
“Are you going to be able to handle him tonight?” Katie asked Sam.
“Oh yeah; you should go on up to bed and get Spencer settled. We’ll be fine down here. You might want to take a couple of aspirin up with you. I’m going to give some to Jarrod before he falls asleep.”
Katie glanced over at the slumped figure on the couch. “I think you might be too late for that.”
“Awesome. My future husband, ladies and gentlemen.” Sam grinned as she wrapped her arms around Katie. “Thank you for being here; I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”
Katie was about to speak, but was pre-empted.
“I know it won’t be easy for you to see your folks. Please don’t be mad at me for inviting them. It’s just that, you know, they won’t be around forever. And with you living so far away; well, you’re stubborn as hell and you can’t hold a grudge forever. I know they weren’t always there for you, but they’re still your parents.”
“It’s fine and I’m not mad. I’m not holding any grudges either. We’re just not that close, you know that. Frankly, I’m surprised my dad agreed to come. Then again, Mom wouldn’t want anyone to think there might be some sort of a rift in the family. God forbid, anyone should see cracks in her otherwise perfect façade.”
The embrace that followed between the two of them said more than any further words could.
* * *
In the dressing room of the church, Katie watched the fluttering of people in and out as they assisted the bride on her big day. The other bride’s maids, most of them work colleagues, busily slipped on their shoes and touched up their hair.
“Katie, can you help me find my garter? I can’t see it anywhere.” Sam scurried around in search of the elusive item.
“Don’t worry. I think I remember seeing it in the back of the limo. I’ll go grab it.” Katie returned a few minutes later, blue lacy garter in hand.
“I knew there was a reason I chose you to be my Maid of Honor!” Sam said as she pulled the garter up to her thigh.
“In fairness, we have known each other for nearly twenty years. That could be part of the reason too. But, I can only hope you’ll be half as good as I am when it’s my turn.” Katie smiled and grasped Sam’s shoulders, turning her in the direction of the full-length mirror. “You look beautiful, my friend.”
“Thank you for always being there for me. I could not have asked for a better friend.”
Katie started to blot her eyes with her fingertips, careful not to smudge the makeup. “Stop it already. You’re going to have both of us blubbering like idiots in a minute.”
Sam’s mom entered the room, took one look at her daughter, and nearly burst into tears.
“Okay, Molly, we can’t have Sam messing up her beautiful face with tears,” Katie insisted.
“I know, I know.” Molly swatted at the air as if to brush away her emotions. “You’ve always been the sensible one, Katie. Never letting your emotions get the best of you. It’s we Fields women that can’t keep it under control.”
Molly was right. Keeping her emotions in check was something Katie learned from an early age. Her father had been an expert.
“Well, I’d better check on your dad to make sure he hasn’t frightened poor Jarrod away with talk of what would happen if his little girl’s heart gets broken. You know how he can get, Sam.”
Molly left the room and Katie was once again alone with Sam. She wanted to tell her about the dreams; ask her for advice, but this was not the right time. It was Sam’s day and she didn’t want her to worry.
“You’re very lucky to have such amazing parents. I’ve always thought that.” Katie fidgeted with the long flowing train of Sam’s gown. “I always felt like they were my parents too.”
“Speaking of parents, you are going to talk to them today, correct?”
“I’m sure the opportunity will present itself.” Her glib reply suggested otherwise.
The wedding planner burst through the door of the dressing room. “It’s time, ladies. I’ve gathered the other bridesmaids. Let’s get you down that aisle, Sam.”
The beautiful bride took a deep breath, waiting for assurance from her childhood friend.
“Everything will be fine,” Katie whispered.
* * *
Spencer met Katie in the vestibule and linked his arm around hers. The slow, rehearsed steps inside the church felt a little unnatural. Katie soon wished Sam had chosen a bride’s maid dress that offered a little more protection from the chilly air. The marble floor, enormous picture windows, and high ceilings must have made the church a difficult place to heat. Although no one else appeared to be cold, she noticed, glancing sideways in an effort to spot her parents in one of the pews.
They arrived at the steps of the altar and parted ways; Katie took her place next to Sam, while Spencer stood next to Jarrod.
The nondenominational ceremony began and so there were only readings from passages in the Bible that were broad and non-specific; no hymns, but words on the importance of commitment and trust for the long journey the couple was about to begin.
It was in those words that Katie began to search for meaning and the path of her own future.
Spencer was pre-law and she had been studying social sciences when they met. Since then, they’ve been practically inseparable. That was nearly seven years ago. After college, they moved in together and here they were now, two years later. Katie thought she would be the one in the white dress at this moment, but Spencer’s work as an intern at the law firm and studying for his bar exam seemed to consume most of his time. Katie didn’t object. She supported him completely and had her own budding career at the Foundation that kept her occupied. Nevertheless, she looked forward to the day when Spencer would pass the bar and start his career as a trial lawyer. Maybe then, she thought, they would get married and start a family.
“Um, Katie?” Sam looked over her shoulder with wide eyes. “It’s your turn.” Her voice sounded just short of panicked.
Katie returned to the moment. “Right. Sorry about that.” She approached the podium and unfolded the sheet of paper that had been neatly tucked away in the sash of her strapless champagne-colored gown.
As she proceeded to read Sam’s favorite poem, Katie looked out among the guests and there they were: her mother, elegantly dressed, perfectly coifed hair, slender—a vision for a woman in her late fifties; her father, slightly plump, balding, a heavily lined, but gentle face, lacking the sophistication evident in his wife.
Her eyes and her mother’s locked for a moment as a smile vaguely appeared on her mother’s face. The moment vanished and Katie continued, unmoved and her expression, unchanged.
* * *
With the reception in full swing, Spencer leaned in and whispered in Katie’s ear as they sat at the
head table. “You know, you’re not supposed to look more beautiful than the bride.”
She pulled away and lightly slapped his shoulder. “What are you talking about? Sam looks amazing. You shouldn’t say that.”
“Yeah, she does. But you’re the only one worth looking at to me.”
“Boy, someone’s hoping to get lucky tonight,” Katie replied. Spencer’s crooked smile and raised eyebrows made her laugh.
“Maybe you will, but we do have an early flight and I will need my rest.” Spencer held out his hand as the band began to play. “Care to dance?”
“Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?” Katie replied, placing her hand in his.
A few brief turns on the floor and Spencer seemed to have his fill. “You want something to drink?”
“Sure.” He immediately heading towards the open bar and Katie took a seat at one of the tables. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a billowy white dress floating towards her. Sam dropped down in the seat next to her.
“My feet are killing me!” She slipped off one of her shoes and began rubbing her toes. “If I have to dance with another crazy uncle or distant cousin twice removed, I’m going to shoot myself! Honestly, I don’t know why my mother invited so many people.”
“I have to say, this was a beautiful wedding. I’m so glad you had it here. Remember when we’d drive home for Christmas break and pass this place?”
“I sure do. I’ve never forgotten about it. There’s something so majestic about the way this old hotel stands alongside the Redwoods. It’s like it was always meant to be here.” She put her shoe back on. “I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow. It feels like you just got here.”
“I know. But you’re going off on your honeymoon so there’s no point in me staying. Besides, Spencer and I are really busy right now.”
“But you’re happy, right?” Sam asked.
