by Clay, Verna
As it turned out he didn't have to wait long to meet the new homeowner. The next day, while on his morning walk, he wasn't surprised to round a bend and come face-to-face with Ms. Sundance. At first she looked startled, but then her expression became shuttered. Jason simply leaned against a boulder, crossed his arms, and calmly observed, "Well, well, looks like my worst nightmare has come true, the famous Sunny Sundance is my closest neighbor." He knew his words were terribly rude and she wasn't his worst nightmare, not by a long shot, but his frustration at having his property breeched again was irritating.
She merely pierced him with her shockingly blue eyes and replied, "Mr. Grant, you have no idea what a nightmare I can be. Before long, I'll own all the property surrounding you."
He straightened off the rock. "What are you talking about?"
She tilted her head and pushed her shoulder length black behind one shoulder. "My attorney has already contacted two of your neighbors with magnanimous offers."
Jason walked the short distance between them and put his face close to hers. "Lady, you can purchase the entire city for all I care, but you're not getting my property."
She merely kept her eyes fixated on his as he slowly rose to his full height. Softly she said, "Since we have the preliminaries out of the way, will you please take me to the site of my ancestors' cabin?"
Jason's eyes rounded. The woman had to be kidding. He whispered a curse and then turned on his heel, heading back in the direction he'd come.
Over the next week, he kept his mind occupied by working long hours designing the website for his newly formed architectural company and also preparing blueprints for a client. On his own home he repaired plumbing, replaced frayed electrical wires, tore out rotting wood, and even painted his bedroom. As for his morning walks, he changed the direction of his strolls to the opposite side of his property. Finally, he chastised himself for being so ridiculous. He would walk wherever he pleased and order Miss Prissy to stay off his property or face the authorities. He groaned because he knew he would do no such thing.
Again walking in his favorite direction, he met up with Sunny. She was sitting on a boulder with her face turned upward. The blazing sun was not kind to her face. She wore no makeup and looked older today. His internet research had revealed she was forty-two, five years older than him. In that unguarded moment she also appeared—he searched for the best word—vulnerable? Sad? Maybe both? He cleared his throat and she jerked her head toward him.
Her expression became guarded but she said pleasantly enough. "Good morning, Mr. Grant. It looks like we've been blessed with another lovely day." He studied her for so long she finally said, "What? I can't believe you're at a loss for recriminations."
He nodded in the direction he'd come from and said, "Follow me."
"Why? Are you going to murder me and hide my body?"
He snorted. "If you want to see the cabin, follow me."
8: Stepping into the Past
Sunny gasped. Jason Grant's invitation to accompany him to her family's homestead wasn't what she'd expected to hear. She jumped off her perch and ran to catch up with him. He was tall and lithe and had already disappeared around an outcropping of boulders. When she was directly behind him, she said, "Thank you."
His gait slowed for an instant before he resumed the fast pace. He said over his shoulder, "I figured you'd be a thorn in my flesh until I showed you that toppled ruin."
They walked for about twenty minutes following different trails and Sunny hoped she could remember the way. She intended to visit again, although she didn't tell Jason that. She suddenly realized that because of his sudden kindness in showing her the cabin, she was thinking of him as Jason and not the jerk, Mr. Grant. She called ahead to him, "You can call me Sunny. I'll call you Jason."
He stopped, turned around, and replied, "Sunny, please understand that nothing has changed between us. We are not butt buddies, friends, comrades, or even acquaintances. You are an irritation to me and I am merely showing you the cabin on my land because I don't want you wandering all over looking for it. In fact, after today, I don't want you trespassing on my property ever again. Do you understand?"
Sunny bobbed her head up and down and made a crossing motion over her heart. "I understand and cross my heart to obey."
They both knew she was lying.
Jason shook his head and Sunny thought she saw the hint of a smile. He quickly turned and continued along the path. A few minutes later he slowed his pace and she came alongside him. As she had expected they weren't far from the creek. Snippets of Dr. Matthew's journal popped into her mind. She knew the cabin was close to the creek, surrounded by trees, and was reached through a narrow entrance.
Slowly, she surveyed the vicinity. They were approaching a break in the trees. Was this the entrance? In her mind's eye she envisioned Dr. Matthews and his daughter meeting the Healing Woman for the first time. His journal had described her as sitting in a rocker on the front porch.
Jason motioned Sunny ahead of him. Through the opening she saw a clearing free of trees, but overgrown with brush and grass. Her heart jumped into her throat and she blinked back tears when she saw the collapsed ruin. She had never felt such intense longing and something else—belonging. Happiness had once dwelt within this heap that was now owned by a cranky and unhappy man.
Sunny ran past Jason toward the ruin. Only one wall of logs remained upright, however most of the plank flooring was surprisingly intact. She carefully stepped onto the sagging porch and entered where the front door would have been. Again, a feeling of happiness assailed her and she closed her eyes, envisioning the room from Dr. Matthew's descriptions: table and six chairs, settee, small tables with flowers, freestanding cabinet holding elixirs, sink and cupboards, potbelly stove. She opened her eyes and stepped toward the one remaining wall still supporting a rusted sink and hand pump. Glancing upward, she spied the remains of a shelf. Dr. Matthews had been quite descriptive of Tana's coffee and she knew the precious beans had been kept on a shelf above the sink. She remembered a snippet journaling a conversation between him and Tana.
"Good morning, Mr. Matthews. I made coffee again because you don't seem the type to drink tea."
"And why do you think that?"
"I perceive you are a bold and outspoken man who finds my way of life quite unsettling."
Sunny reached upward and felt around the shelf. She gasped when her fingers touched a small object. Bringing her hand back down, she slowly opened it while holding her breath. A small coffee bean lay in her palm.
Jason stepped beside her and when she lifted incredulous eyes to his, he asked, "What? What did you find?"
She held her hand out so he could see the coffee bean. In a choked voice she said, "It's in the journal."
Sunny was thankful when he didn't deride her for getting teary-eyed over something as silly as a coffee bean. He merely gave her a curious look and said, "It appears there were two other rooms in the cabin on opposite sides of the main room."
Sunny tucked the coffee bean into her pocket to be treasured and pondered over later. "Yes, that's correct. The one over there," she pointed across the room, "was where Dr. Matthews and Amy stayed. Dr. Matthews brought his daughter here for healing. The other room," she pointed to the one off the kitchen, "was Tana's bedroom. However, it was originally Frannie's."
Jason asked, "Frannie?"
"Frannie was Tana's grandmother and she was the one whose dreams and visions led her family to the red rocks."
Although Jason remained silent, he cast a skeptical glance at Sunny. She lifted her hands and said, "Hey, I'm only repeating what's written in the journal."
Jason watched Sunny walk every inch of the cabin. As she did so, she described the home in detail. She knew where the furniture had been placed, she knew who the occupants of each bedroom had been, and she even knew the daily routine of the inhabitants. Soon, he felt caught up in the past with her. Her details were so rich that he now wished he'd read the journal himself.
He almost asked if he could, but stopped short of doing so. He didn't want to become friends with this woman. He didn't want to like her. She was rich, spoiled, and used to getting her way. And what she wanted was his land.
In Dr. Matthews' bedroom she twisted her hands and turned toward him. "It's hard to believe the doctor only wrote one journal. He was such a gifted writer. His words are poetically beautiful." She hesitated and lifted wistful eyes to his. "Maybe there are more journals you haven't come across. Will you search for them?"
Jason's heart tumbled. This famous woman was practically begging him. She wasn't spoiled or demanding in that moment. She was a hesitant girl asking for something she didn't think she would get. He replied softly, "I'll look again."
The smile she gave him was tremulous and for some reason the history of her family, long dead, was suddenly important to him, too.
9: Cowboy
Over the next week Sunny prayed that Jason would discover more journals. Every day she wanted to return to the cabin, but something held her back. Was it because he had been so kind in showing her the old homestead that she didn't want to trespass? Or was it something more—like hoping to change his opinion of her? Her threat about forcing him off his land made her into a bully and certainly wasn't one of her finer moments.
To take her mind off Jason and the cabin she invited Angelica to her new home. The lovely lady was thrilled and again asked her daughter to watch the motel while she was gone. At the house she marveled over Sunny's "acquisition," as she phrased it. Sunny thought about the term "acquisition" and decided it was accurate. It wasn't the kind of home one could easily turn into something warm and cozy. It was ultramodern to the point of austerity, which gave it an unlived in feeling.
Sunny laughed and said, "Angelica, I love that you're so candid." She then lowered her voice. "To be honest, I don't like it either."
Angelica looked confused, "Then why did you buy it?"
Sunny shrugged. "Because I had my eye on an adjacent home and land with the intent of making the owner so angry and uncomfortable he would sell it to me. In fact, my attorney is in the process of negotiating the price of additional properties surrounding the one I want. But I'm not sure I'll pursue them."
Angelica gave her a questioning look.
Sunny puffed a breath and admitted, "The land I covet belonged to my ancestors. But now I feel like a heel because the guy who owns the property is kind of…well…nice. Gruff, but nice."
A smile lit Angelica's face. "Do I detect a hint of romance?"
Sunny rocked back on her heels. "Goodness, no. The guy can't stand me. He's just gone through a nasty divorce and I'm sure romance is the last thing on his mind."
Angelica winked. "You know the old saying, 'the best laid plans…'"
"Believe me, Angelica, this guy would never think of me romantically. To be honest, he said I'm his worst nightmare." Remembering his words hurt, so she changed the subject. "So, what do you think I should do about this ultra modern monstrosity?"
Angelica glanced around the sparse room and said tongue-in-cheek, "Tear it down and start over?"
Sunny chuckled, "Believe me, I considered it. But I'm not one to spend money frivolously."
"Okay, then how about we clutter it up. I know some great antique and second-hand shops."
"Perfect. The gaudier the better."
The remainder of the day became a blur as Sunny and Angelica started shopping at the far end of the Village of Oak Creek and ended up at the far end of Sedona. Sunny's Lexis was so full of eclectic collectibles that nothing more would fit inside. By the time she and Angelica had unloaded the hatch and placed everything in the entryway, they were so exhausted they collapsed onto the couch in the great room.
Sunny caught her breath and asked, "What's your favorite item from today?"
Without hesitation, Angelica replied, "The cowboy lamp."
Sunny giggled, "Mine, too. Where should I put it?" She made a waving motion around the room.
Angelica pointed. "Next to that horrible fireplace."
Glancing at the fireplace, Sunny giggled. "It is horrible, isn't it? When you consider all the beautiful stones available in the area, why would anyone want a fireplace plastered as smooth as a baby's behind?"
She returned to the entryway to retrieve the floor lamp that was almost as tall as she, and whose lampshade was in the shape of a cowboy hat. Just as she picked the lamp up by the cowboy's wrought iron arm, her doorbell rang. She was surprised, because no one besides her real estate agent ever came to see her." Still holding the cowboy she walked to the door and opened it. She almost dropped the cowboy when she saw Jason Grant standing there.
Jason glanced from Sunny to the lamp and back again. "Are you going to introduce me to your friend?" Although he kept a poker face, his eyes twinkled.
Feeling flustered after her confession to Angelica, she stuttered, "H-hello. This is unexpected."
He almost smiled when he questioned, "The cowboy is unexpected or am I unexpected?"
Sunny's brain wouldn't function and she remained mute. Was he actually joking with her?
"May I come in?" he asked.
She suddenly felt stupid. Stepping aside, she mumbled, "Yes, of course."
Jason shifted his backpack on his shoulder and reached for the cowboy's free arm. Lifting it from Sunny's grasp, he asked, "Where would you like him?"
"Oh, I was just taking him to the great room."
Jason's eyes wandered over the other treasures scattered across the marble entry. "Do you need help with the rest of this stuff?"
"No. no. My friend and I just went on a shopping spree. Tomorrow I'll sort everything out. As for the lamp, I was going to set it beside the fireplace." She motioned Jason forward. "Come meet Angelica. She works at the Bell Rock Motel."
Sunny led Jason to the great room and said, "Angelica, this is my neighbor Jason Grant. Jason, Angelica…" She realized she didn't know her friend's last name.
Angelica said, "Please just call me Angelica."
"And call me Jason." He set his backpack beside the couch and said, "Excuse me a moment," while he walked to the fireplace. "Is this where you want the lamp?"
"Yes, that's fine," said Sunny.
He then returned to the couch and bent slightly forward, offering Angelica his hand. "It's a pleasure meeting you, Angelica."
The elderly woman returned his shake and smiled widely. "And you, too," she replied.
Jason glanced around the room. "This is…" he paused and finished with, "a large room."
Sunny grinned. "There's no need to be polite. Angelica and I were just agreeing on how horrible it is."
Jason returned her grin and offered, "It's only a little horrible."
Sunny hated that she felt so flustered by Jason's presence. But the man had the most gorgeous smile and dark chocolate eyes she'd ever seen. When he was brooding he was still handsome, but when he was affable, he was irresistible.
Jason moved his attention to the lamp. "He's exactly what this room needs."
His remark made Sunny laugh. "Angelica and I were just saying the house should be gutted or torn down. I must admit I'm not into sleek and streamlined."
Jason stared at her. Softly, he replied, "Except when it puts you closer to your goal of buying me out."
Sunny's eyes widened and although the comment was rude, she couldn't bring herself to answer with a retort.
He held her gaze a moment longer and then motioned toward the backpack he'd set beside the couch. He said, "I have something for you."
Sunny was still reeling from his previous remark and didn't reply. He knelt beside the backpack and unzipped it. Removing a wooden box from inside, he set it on the sleek, black lacquered coffee table, another eyesore, and slipped the latch open. He lifted the cover and said, "You asked me to search for more journals and–"
Sunny squealed and rushed forward. "Oh, my God!" She knelt beside the coffee table and peered into the box. Inside she could see several leather jour
nals, frayed and faded with age. Glancing up at Jason she felt the sting of tears and whispered, "You don't know how much this means to me.
10: Good Deed
After giving Sunny the cache of journals he'd found in his attic, Jason marveled at her reaction. It was as though the journals were her lifeline. Considering her amazing poverty to riches story, not to mention her incredible talent, it was hard to imagine faded journals having such an impact. But then again, having lost her mother at an early age, perhaps her reaction wasn't so unbelievable. From the online research he'd done, he knew that she'd been raised in foster care, and that made him to do something he'd cautioned himself not to do; something that would make her even more grateful to him. He'd gone in search of more artifacts and found the box of journals under a mound of old drapes and bedspreads.
Now, three days after surprising Sunny with the journals he again found himself knocking on her door. He heard footfalls and when she cracked the door and saw him, she flung it open and exclaimed, "I've been reading the journals and I'm simply astounded by them! They're written so well that I feel like I'm living in the cabin with my ancestors."
Although she didn't ask, he knew a request to revisit the cabin was on the tip of her tongue. He said, "It's a little chilly this morning. Grab your sweater; I want to take you somewhere."
Her eyes widened as she motioned him inside. "Come in while I get it." He followed her into the great room and did a double take. The room had been transformed. Comfortable, overstuffed furniture the color of sunshine had replaced the cold black leather of the previous sofa and chairs. Alternating pale blue pillows and lime green ones were scattered across the yellow couch. Numerous antiques and quirky finds were strategically placed throughout the room. The cowboy lamp was still beside the fireplace that had been painted a darker shade of yellow than the furniture. Large and colorful throw rugs, every shade of the rainbow, covered much of the white carpet. Jason's own sense of design recognized Sunny's innate talent for composition.
