Love on the Horizon (A Northern Woods Novel)

by Roberts, Charliann

  “He ended up committing suicide. I guess Mariah, Sarah and Natalie were good friends in high school. Anyway, they’ve come up with nothing more at this time. They strongly suspect that she drowned, after finding Carl’s suicide note. They don’t have much to go on, but it’s all been pointing to Carl as being the one who ran his wife off the road and over the cliff. With Carl gone, it’s going to be more difficult, but they have detectives on the case.

  “Now put your feet up, Jake. I expect you to be ready to work when you get back here, and that’s less than two weeks from now.

  “Okay, so long Nick.”

  Jake closed his cell phone and placed it on the table. He leaned his head on the back of the couch and stared up at the ceiling. He thought about everything that the bartender told him: covered with bruises, frightened. He said the names aloud. “Natalie – Nattie.”

  “Sam, tomorrow we’ll take another hike down to the fishing hole. We’ll pay our new friend a little visit.”

  Sam looked up, and Jake could swear he wore a smile on his face while he wagged his tail.

  Unfortunately, when morning arrived he woke to a downpour of rain, which lasted through the next five days of his vacation, though he didn’t mind. He and Sam were able to relax, be lazy, and become the best of friends.

  Nearly a week later Jake opened his eyes at dawn, as the sun slipped through the bedroom blinds. He looked down at the weight on his feet. There was Sam, who sat and stared at him, while his tail moved back and forth.

  “Okay, boy, it looks like a beautiful day. Let’s get up and enjoy it.” He threw off the covers and Sam jumped to the floor excitedly.

  Chapter Forty-one

  At six a.m., with the straps to his backpack over his shoulders and his fishing pole in his hand, Jake and Sam began the hike along the trail. Sam walked a few feet ahead and gave himself time to stop and sniff this and that while he waited for his master to catch up.

  When they arrived at the fishing hole, he looked around in disappointment. He hoped to see Natalie again. He wanted to find out what makes her so terribly frightened to associate with other people. She’s so lovely and delicate. He needed to learn one way or another, if she had actually lived in terror, and if she’s the woman from Pinewood Hills. Perhaps it was simply his own uneasiness, to have met such an attractive young woman, who lived alone so deep the woods.

  Thirty minutes later, he sat on a large boulder, his line in the water and Sam sprawled out on a flat rock alongside him. All of a sudden, Sam jumped up and looked carefully into the wooded area behind them. Jake turned around to see what had attracted his attention. He saw nothing and was about to turn back toward the pond, when a flash of yellow caught his eye. He placed his pole on the flat surface of the rock, and stood with his hand shading his eyes to help him see deeper into the trees and brush. Whatever it had been, it was gone now. He sat down on the boulder and turned to call Sam when he again spotted the fleck of yellow. Sam stood and wagged his tail while he kept his eyes on a large oak tree.

  “Hello?” Jake called out. Then he saw a fraction of material, as it blew gently in the light southwesterly breeze. “Please don’t be afraid. Sam and I would never hurt you.”

  He watched as she cautiously peeked around the trunk of the tree. Sam walked over to greet her. She looked beautiful. She wore a light yellow blouse with ivory ruffles, and a skirt the color of a daffodil that blew lightly in the wind, and barely touched the calves of her legs.

  “Are you alone?” She whispered so softly, he barely heard her.

  “Yes, and Sam, of course,” he added with a grin. “Come on over. We can talk.” His greeting was a husky whisper. “It’s okay, no one else is here.”

  She stepped quietly around the tree and avoided placing her feet on the dry leaves that would make a crunch beneath her shoes.

  Jake motioned for her to come closer and patted the flat surface next to him. He could see that she seemed determined not to reveal her joy at seeing him. He smiled when she sat as far away from him as possible without slipping into the pond. She drew a deep breath, and finally appeared to be comfortable next to him.

  He looked over at her. Her blue eyes were full of life, pain, and a burning, faraway look. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, although she was actually trembling. He reached over and placed his free hand over hers. When he spoke, his voice was warm. “It’s okay, Sam and I would like to be your friend.” Her lips drew a faint smile.

  He turned his head to look at his fishing pole, and then reeled in the line.

  “I guess the fish aren’t biting today.”

  “You arrived too late. They’re active around six a.m.”

  “Oh, no wonder. I got up at six o’clock. I’m on vacation, so even that’s sleeping in for me. I’m usually at work by then. He smiled at her and again found a worried expression on her face.

  “I better go,” she muttered and stood.

  “No, wait. Please don’t go, Natalie.”

  The anxious look on her face when he called her Natalie told him what he’d already suspected. She is Natalie Larson.

  She paused and looked down at her feet, then into his eyes, while hers clouded with tears.

  “Don’t be afraid of me, Natalie, please. I won’t hurt you. No one sent me to find you. I didn’t even know who you were until I went on the KTSP News website. They placed a description of you along with an old photo. Your high school graduation picture was the only one available.

  “The police believe you’re dead. They thoroughly searched the area in Lake Superior when they discovered that your car had gone over the cliff and plunged into the water. How did you survive?”

  “Come with me,” she said and stepped down from the boulder. Without looking back, she continued to walk toward the path.

  “Let’s go, Sam,” Jake said, after he gathered their things. They followed close behind as she led them to her temporary home.

  * * *

  She didn’t say a word as she measured a scoop of coffee into an old-fashioned percolator, and set it on top of an ancient wood-burning stove. He sat at her kitchen table, and Sam sprawled out next to him; both observed her every movement. Finally, after pouring each of them a cup of coffee and a bowl of water for Sam, she pulled a chair away from the table and sat across from him. He patiently waited for her to speak.

  She folded her hands in front of her and stared down at them, as though she was praying. After a moment, she looked up and slowly began to tell him about the life she lived, until she had finally been able to escape from her abusive husband.

  “My parents had been in New York on a business trip on September 11, 2001. They were among those who died in the Twin Towers ten years ago.” Tears began to flow down her cheeks. “I was only eighteen when the terrorist attack took place. Carl knew my parents. He told me he’d take care of me and put me through college if I’d be his wife. We married in December, 2001.”

  She stood and reached for a box of Kleenex from the counter, then sat back down and began to sob into a hand filled with tissues.

  “He never allowed me to go to college.”

  Jake remained silent, and listened quietly as she continued.

  “He constantly abused me, physically and mentally. He wouldn’t let me leave the house without him until recently, when he finally allowed me go alone, to pick up his beer and groceries. He wouldn’t let me have any friends. If anyone came to the door and asked for me, he’d tell them I was sick, and they should never return.”

  “Why didn’t you ask someone to help you? Mariah and Sarah were excited to see you when you moved into the old Miller house. I heard that the three of you were best friends in high school. When they suspected he abused you, they wanted to help.”

  “He would have killed me.”

  “How did you get away from him?” Jake asked, and handed her another tissue. While she explained, he stood and poured another cup of coffee for each of them, then sat and took her hands in his.

&nbs
p; “I never told him that my grandfather had died and left me a bit of money in his will.” She explained how she’d emptied her money from her safe deposit box and hid it in her car. “The next day I told him I was going to the store to pick up his beer, but I never returned.

  “By the time I reached Lake Superior it was three a.m. and there wasn’t a soul in sight. No one saw me. I’d packed some food and a few clothes in a duffel bag that I placed at the edge of the woods, close to where the car would go down. I got into my vehicle and drove very slowly toward the cliff. When it was near the ledge, I quickly jumped from the open door, seconds before it plummeted.

  “I collected my bag from where I’d placed it and began to walk. I tread in the deep ditch along the highway so that I’d be able to crouch down low at the approach of a vehicle. I was exhausted and needed to rest, but I kept going, until I’d finally come to a motel where I was able to sleep for two days. I then hopped on a bus that made regular stops at the restaurant next door to the motel. I got off in Ely. From there I followed an overgrown dirt road that led deep into the woods. I came upon this cabin. It was rundown and abandoned. I figured I’d have a roof over my head, so I fixed it up the best I could and decided it would be a good place for me to stay.”

  “And no one discovered you here?” he asked.

  She told him about the owner, who allowed her to stay for as long as she felt the need. For the rest of her life, if she so desired. “I didn’t want anyone to know where I was. If he found me, he’d kill me, Jake.” She started to sob into her hands, and he stood, moved behind her chair, and began to massage her shoulders. She cried until there were no tears left to shed, and then he told her everything she needed to hear.

  “The police believe that you died, Natalie. That you went over the cliff in your car. They assume that Carl ran you off the road, but before they could prove it, he committed suicide.”

  She looked up at him, her lips parted in surprise. “I never heard. I have a small radio, but no television. This may sound strange…he was my husband and I don’t even feel one ounce of sadness that he’s gone. He was a horrible, evil man. When did this happen?”

  “It was about a month ago. The police will tell you all about it. You are coming back, aren’t you?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve come to like it here. It’s so peaceful, after all I’d been through in the past ten years.” She looked around the cabin. “I offered one hundred dollars to the owner, but he refused to take the money and told me the place was mine. He even signed it over to me. I own it Jake, and it makes me feel proud.”

  “Would you like me to drive you over to the office tomorrow to speak with him? If you’d be willing to ride back to Pinewood Hills with me in a couple of days, you can inform him that you’ll be away for a while, and would return soon.”

  She offered him a smile. “That would be nice. Thank you.”

  “You’ll need to let the police know you’re alive and safe. They’ll want to know everything that happened in detail. Then if all goes well, you can decide if you want to return and if so, I’ll bring you back.”

  “Okay, I believe I can handle anything, now that I don’t have to face Carl.”

  “They’ll tell you everything that’s happened since you’ve been gone. Will you be okay here tonight? If not, you’re welcome to stay at my cabin. I can sleep on the couch. Both Sam and I would enjoy that.”

  She giggled. “Enjoy what? Sleeping on the couch?”

  “Well that too,” he laughed. “But I meant we’d enjoy having a visitor.”

  “I’ll be fine. I feel much better now that I no longer need to be in seclusion.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure. I’m getting hungry, and I’m sure you are too. Would you like to ride over to the bar and grill for a bite to eat?”

  “How about if I cook the fish I caught this morning?” She snickered, and bit her lip to stifle her giggle.

  He was stunned, then pretended to pout. “No wonder there was none left for me.”

  They burst into laughter, and she handed him a match to go out and light the grill.

  “Tonight there’d be no shadows across my heart,” she whispered softly.

  He turned to look at her. “Did you say something?”

  She smiled and said, “Just talking to myself.”

  He walked out the door, and she smiled again as she began to prepare the fillets.

  Chapter Forty-two

  On Thursday morning, Jake had the truck packed and ready to hit the road. He opened the door for Sam, who wasn’t used to riding in the back seat, but seemed to be quite cooperative. When Natalie attempted to open the passenger door herself, Jake placed his hand over hers.

  “Here, let me help you in. This truck is awfully high for a little one like you.” She playfully punched his shoulder. “Ouch!” he laughed and pretended to be in pain. “How tall are you, if I may ask?”

  “I’m almost five feet and proud of it, big boy,” she said with a chuckle, and he lifted her into the passenger seat.

  They both rode in silence. Jake wondered how she’d handle the news about her house and Natalie felt relieved, now that she’d be able to live her life freely.

  “May I ask a favor of you?” she asked softly.

  “Sure thing, ask away.” He glanced over at her then brought his eyes back to the road.

  She looked up at him, and then watched out the side window as two deer fled into the forest when the truck approached too close to the area they’d been grazing.

  She then looked straight ahead, keeping her eyes on the road. “I’d appreciate it if you’d always use my nickname of Nattie. Carl didn’t care for it and insisted on Natalie.”

  “Then that’s the way it’ll always be. I like Nattie better, so…glad to meet you, Nattie. My name is Jake. Jake Morrison.” He looked down at her and smiled. “We’re about one hour away from Huntington. Would you like to stop for a bite to eat up ahead?”

  “Yes, I’d love to have lunch. You must have heard my stomach growling.”

  “Nope, that was mine.” Together they laughed.

  He parked near the window of the café where they’d be able to keep an eye on Sam. He opened the windows slightly then told Nattie to wait for him, and he’d help her down from the truck. She smiled, nodded, and watched as he hurried around to the passenger side.

  They grabbed a table in front of the window where they could see Sam, and he was able to keep a close watch on them also. When Sam saw them sit down, he decided to stretch out and take a nap.

  “He’s a beautiful dog. How long have you had him?”

  Jake laughed. “Almost two weeks; I picked him up from “Adopt a Pet” the day after I arrived at the resort.”

  When the waitress appeared at their table, they both ordered a club sandwich with chips and a Pepsi. She returned with their drinks and told them their meal would be with them shortly.

  Jake and Nattie found one another quite compatible as they spoke of the approach of winter and the many upcoming events in Huntington. They had a lot in common, and they enjoyed each other’s company.

  When they finished their lunch, the waitress came by their table and asked if they’d like anything else.

  Jake looked over at Nattie and raised his eyebrows. “How about you, would you like dessert?”

  “No thank you. I’ve had more than enough already.”

  The waitress thanked them and placed their check alongside Jake’s plate.

  “Will you excuse me for a moment?” Nattie asked.

  He nodded, and she stood and walked toward the back of the restaurant where the restrooms were located.

  Jake smiled and rose from the table when she returned. “Are you ready to leave?”

  She responded instantly. “Yes, very ready. Would it be a problem if we make a stop at the Colburn Stables Ranch before going to the police department? Mariah and Sarah tried so hard to help me. I think they have a right to know I’m still alive before hearing it on the evening news.”r />
  “We can do that. We don’t have to be there at any certain time. The police don’t even know that you’ve been found.” He placed a tip on the table, and paid their check at the register on their way out. They said goodbye to the waitress and Jake held his hand on Nattie’s back to guide her out the door.

  Before they took off, Jake poured some water for Sam and took him to the edge of the parking lot to take care of business. When they returned to the truck, he gave him a dog cookie. “I guess we’re ready to go,” he said, and with that, Sam gave him a “woof'” and Jake pulled out of the lot and onto the highway.

  * * *

  At two p.m. Jake pulled up to Nick and Mariah’s house.

  “Nick is most likely in the stable, or in the other barn working with the rescue team. Wait right here. I think it would be best if I went in, to let Mariah know you’re back. It’d be a bit of a shock for her if you walked through her door with no notice.”

  She nodded, “I understand.”

  He reached over and touched her hand gently. “I’ll be right back.”

  He parked his truck out of view. He wanted this to be a surprise. He stepped up on the deck and walked over to the door, knocked lightly and looked through the kitchen window. Apparently, no one was home.

  He returned to the truck. “No answer. Mariah and Bess must be out with the twins somewhere. I think it best if we head to the police station and get that over and done with, sweetheart.” Oh my God, did I just call her sweetheart?

  He glanced at her. She looked at him and nodded, then gazed out the windshield and smiled as they passed the beautiful wildflowers that filled the gutter adjoining the gravel drive.

  “The Colburn Stables Ranch has such picture-perfect views in every direction. I even enjoy this ride down their driveway. I’m not looking forward to visiting my own place. It was horrible, both indoors and out. I’d clean it, and he’d get angry and mess it up again. He threw everything, even food, across the floor in every room.”

  “Things will be better now, Nattie. He’s gone, and you can live your own life, any way you please.” He reached over and gently squeezed her shoulder. “The sooner we get done with the visit to the police station, the better. We’ll come back here to see Nick and Mariah afterward. We’ll also stop over at your house, if that’s what you’d like to do.”