Chapter 2
The next morning dawned bright and clear. Despite her interrupted sleep, Amber awoke feeling rested and content for the first time in a long while. After breakfast she worked for a few hours at her computer before deciding to head into town to grab some lunch and stock up on supplies. As she made her way to the Jeep she saw Jesse walking towards the jetty with his fishing gear and she gave him a half-hearted wave. He waved back, but much to Amber’s relief, he did not make any attempt to come up for a chat. She was a bit annoyed to see him there after she had made it clear she wanted to be left alone, but it was true she had told him he was welcome to use the jetty whenever he liked. If he stayed out of her way and minded his own business she was sure they would get along just fine.
The trip into town was mostly on dirt roads and she had to slow down a few times for animals to scurry across in front of the car. The town of Fernvale was much prettier than she remembered when she had visited with Dominic a year or so earlier. On that visit they had only stepped out of the car for a few minutes to buy milk and a newspaper. He had made fun of the people on the street and mocked the local stores, proclaiming they were in ‘deliverance country.’ To her shame, Amber had joined in and made a few jokes too, even though she saw nothing wrong with the town or its people.
It was only now she was starting to see how much she had changed herself to suit Dominic, mirroring his opinions and saying what she thought he wanted to hear. The sight of the charming main street with its old fashioned store fronts reminded her that she was now seeing the world through fresh eyes, and she no longer had to be so cynical about everything.
Her pleasant impressions of the town were strengthened when she walked into the local bakery. It was bright and cheerful, and she was immediately enveloped in the delicious aroma of freshly baking bread and pastries. A friendly looking middle-aged woman behind the counter greeted her with a smile.
“Good morning. That’s a face I haven’t seen around these parts before. You must be passing through. Please, allow me to spoil you with some of our local hospitality.”
“Thank you, I’d appreciate a little spoiling, but I’m not just passing through. My friends own a cabin on the lake and I’m staying out there for a while. You might see a bit more of me, especially if your food is as delicious as it smells.” The woman wiped her hands on her apron and stepped out from behind the counter, offering her hand to Amber. She was plump with short reddish-coloured hair.
“In that case, I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Sharon Crow and my husband and I run this bakery café. We love to see new people in town. How long are you on holidays for?”
“I’m not really on holidays. I’m an author and I have a deadline to meet. I thought coming out here might give me the push I needed to get my book finished.”
“I can’t say that I know much about writing, but it certainly is peaceful around here. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of work done on your book. What does your husband plan to do while you’re writing?”
“Oh, my husband isn’t with me.” She noticed Sharon looking at her wedding band, and she self-consciously put her hand into her pocket. It was the second time in two days she’d been caught out, and Amber realized it was time for her to take the plunge and get rid of it. The ring had fitted perfectly on her finger when she married Dominic five years ago, but since then she’d put on a few extra kilos. When her marriage ended she had told everyone the ring was too tight to remove, which was true, but it was also true that she had not been ready to take it off. It would be the final admission it was, over and that was something she just had not been able to face until now.
“So who are you staying with out at the lake?”
“Nobody. I’m by myself. I’ll get more work done that way. Am I too early for lunch?” she asked in an attempt to change the subject.
“You’re by yourself?” She saw a shadow pass across Sharon’s face. “Is that wise do you think?"
“I’m fine. And I’m not completely alone out there. I met my neighbour Jesse yesterday. His cabin is not too far away if I need anything.” Sharon did not say anything for a moment but handed Amber a menu and guided her towards a table overlooking the main street. Amber got the distinct impression she had a lot more to say but she was holding her tongue.
Finally she spoke. “Yes, Jesse Davidson, he’s an interesting character alright.”
“He seems a little unusual, but he’s friendly enough.” This time Sharon changed the subject as she began telling Amber a little about the town’s history. She and her husband, Bob, had lived in Fernvale for over thirty years and whatever they did not know about the town was not worth knowing. They chatted amicably for a while before Sharon went into the kitchen to prepare her lunch. The pie was delicious, and Amber couldn’t resist staying on for dessert and coffee. A few people came into the store while she was there, and after they’d left Sharon filled her in on their life stories. The gossip was surprisingly juicy for such a small town, and Amber found she was thoroughly enjoying herself. After she’d paid for her lunch and was about to leave, Sharon put a hand on her arm.
“It must be awfully lonely out at that cabin on your own. Why don’t you come into town and have dinner with us later in the week? It will give you a chance to meet Bob, and we can get to know each other a bit more.”
“I’d really like that,” said Amber truthfully, relishing the thought of some more of Sharon’s cooking and great stories. For one split second she imagined what Dominic would have to say about a simple, homely woman like Sharon who had spent her whole adult life in this small town, but she quickly pushed the thought from her mind. Sharon was so warm and welcoming, she was exactly the kind of person Amber needed to be around right now.
“Okay then, it’s settled.” Sharon looked pleased. “Thursday night, around six. I’ll send Bob over to pick you up because we don’t want you driving through the woods in the dark.” Even though she thought this was overly cautious, Amber already knew enough about Sharon to realize it would be pointless to disagree with her, and she was touched by her concern.
“I’m looking forward to it.” They exchanged phone numbers before Amber remembered her lack of cell phone reception. “You might not be able to get hold of me because the phone reception is a bit unreliable, but I will definitely be waiting.”
“People have been complaining about that for years. They built a higher tower, but it hasn’t made much difference. Let’s make it definite then. I’ll see you on Thursday.” When she stepped back out onto the street, Amber felt light-hearted for the first time in ages. She had just made a new friend, and now she had a dinner date to look forward to in a few days. Spending that time with Sharon over lunch had made her realize that maybe total solitude wasn’t what she needed after all. Being around new people might be even better for her than being alone.
Chapter 3
After her enjoyable chat with Sharon, Amber didn’t feel like going back to the cabin and she spent the next hour wandering up and down the main street. In one store she picked up a beautiful handmade quilt, and just as she was about to head back to the car, she noticed a shop right at the end of the street she’d almost missed. As she drew closer she saw it sold Native American jewellery and knick-knacks. One piece in particular caught her eye as soon as she stepped into the store. It was a silver pendant in the shape of a sun. When she took it to the counter to pay, the attractive woman behind the counter told her that in Native American mythology the sun represents healing and peace.
“That’s good because I could use a bit of help in those areas.”
“Well, I hope this brings you some of what you need. Have a safe journey.”
“Actually, I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying at a cabin on the lake for a few weeks.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth she mentally kicked herself for yet again displaying the openness with strangers her mother had scolded her for repeatedly when she was growing up.
“In that case I
hope you and your husband enjoy your time here, and maybe we’ll see you again.” What was it with the people in this town? Amber thought with irritation. Every person she had met so far had reminded her painfully of the fact that she was no longer part of a couple. She was going to leave the store without saying another word, but she suddenly felt an overwhelming need to make a stand against this discrimination.
“I’m divorced,” she said a little defiantly. “Well, almost. It will be finalized in the next couple of months. And I’m staying at the cabin by myself. And no, I’m not frightened to be on my own, in case you’re wondering. I’m perfectly fine. I really thought we’d moved past the days when women were expected to have a man around at all times to protect them.” The woman looked startled by her outburst, and she smoothed her long dark hair down as she spoke.
“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean anything by it. I noticed your wedding band when you were trying on rings, that’s all. Most of our visitors around here are couples who come to the mountains for a romantic getaway.”
“No, I’m sorry.” Amber instantly regretted taking out her frustration on this well-meaning shopkeeper. “I’m still a bit raw, as you can tell, but I’m hoping a little time in the mountains will help me to get over it.”
“I hear you. I’ve just been through a bad break-up myself. The mountains are very good for mending broken hearts.” Despite her words, Amber noticed that she wore a look of concern on her face that reminded her of Sharon’s expression when she found out she was alone. “I’m sure you’ll be fine, but please be careful. We’ve had some problems lately with wolves in the area killing pets and livestock. They even broke into a house on the other side of the lake one night by throwing themselves against a window and smashing it. The owner scared them off with a gun. It’s a worry, though. I’ve never known them to be so brazen before.”
“Thanks for the warning” replied Amber, thinking about the howling she had heard in the early hours of the morning. She had found the cries soothing then, but now, to her regret, she would never be able to gain comfort from them again. She was about to step out the door when the woman called out to her.
“Please, wait a minute.” She rummaged around behind the counter for a moment and then joined Amber in the doorway, pressing something into her hand.
“I noticed your lovely charm bracelet. Please take this to add to it.” Amber pulled apart the tissue paper to find a charm with an arrow painted on it.
“Thank you, it’s very nice, but I’d like to pay for it.”
“No.” She shook her head as she backed towards the counter. “It’s my gift to you. The arrow symbolizes protection. My name is Bonita, by the way. Please call in again before you leave for a chat. It’s very quiet around here, and I could use the company. ”
“I’m Amber. Thanks, I’ll do that. I might even buy those matching earrings.” As she carried her purchases to the car, she looked at the charm, and felt a bit alarmed by Bonita’s warning about the wolves in the area. If they really were as bad as she said they were then Amber had no business being at the cabin alone. She could suddenly understand why people seemed concerned for her, but she just couldn’t believe that wolves had broken through a glass window. Who had ever heard of such a thing! She probably just exaggerated so I would be careful, Amber reassured herself, and if I hadn’t shared so much personal information with her I could have remained blissfully ignorant. It seemed she was never going to learn to keep her mouth shut.
Dominic had told her not long after they got married that it was her trust and naïveté that had first piqued his interest. She could still remember so clearly the day he made his first move on her. She had been sitting in a café following one of his lectures on eighteenth century literature when he spotted her alone and invited himself to join her. She felt extremely flattered by the attention. To be singled out by a lecturer was a great honour, and she prattled on so nervously that within twenty minutes he knew that she still lived with her mother and had never had a serious relationship. He also knew she was and only child, that her father had died when she was very young, and she’d led a very sheltered life.
When he set out to sweep her off her feet shortly after this, she was powerless to resist. He went all out with expensive dinners, champagne and whispered French poetry. Even her mother was charmed and gave the relationship her blessing despite the significant gap in their ages. He told Amber he was going through a messy divorce at the time of their courtship, and it was only much later she learned he was still with his wife while he was wooing her. For several months she had been the ‘other’ woman without even realizing it, and she was not the first student he’d had an affair with either. By the time she discovered this they were already engaged, and Dominic seemed completely taken with her. She had pushed any doubts to the back of her mind, and told her herself how lucky she was that a man like Dominic wanted to marry her.
“None of them hold a candle to you my darling,” he told her. “You’re my innocent, trusting little girl. No one will ever replace you in my heart.” He was especially thrilled by the fact that Amber was a virgin when they met, and she wondered how he managed to deal with Tiffany’s long line of sexual conquests. It was ironic that he had ended up with a woman like her, because in a sense the hunter had become the hunted.
Just before she reached the Jeep, Amber noticed a poster stuck to a pole. One corner had come lose and it was flapping in the breeze so she could not read it properly. As she drew closer she saw the word ‘missing’ printed in large lettering at the top. Underneath was a picture of a young Native American girl.. According to the poster her name Tehya Gordon, and she was sixteen years old. She had disappeared in the early hours of the morning six months earlier on the way home from a party.
The girl was very pretty with delicate features and long dark hair, but there was something haunted in her eyes, almost as if she could see the fate that lay ahead of her. Her expression made Amber uncomfortable, and she had to look away.
She looked back down the attractive main street, but suddenly the town of Fernvale did not seem so charming to her anymore. Her good mood began to fade. It was a town that had its secrets, just like any other, and it was possibly harbouring a murderer. Was that another reason people seemed surprised she was staying at the cabin on her own? Amber couldn’t help brooding over the mystery of the missing girl as she drove back through the woods to the cabin. Teenagers ran away from home all the time it was true, but six months was a long time not to make contact with anyone. Each day she was gone only increased the likelihood she had met with foul play, and someone in Fernvale must know what happened to her.
The morning sunshine had disappeared behind clouds, and the sky had turned leaden by the time she pulled up at the cabin. It began to sprinkle just as she got out of the car and hurried towards the house with her shopping. The last person Amber wanted to see at this moment was Jesse Davidson, especially after Sharon’s ambiguous comments that morning, but to her dismay he was standing on the porch waiting for her. She tried to smile as she got closer.
“Hi. Don’t worry I’m not stalking you. I caught some fish today and I thought you might like a couple. I was just going to leave them with a note.” He opened the package in his hands so she could admire his catch.
“Thanks, that’s really thoughtful of you.” She tried not to shudder at the sight of the fish’s blank dead eye staring up at her.
“I’ve already gutted them, so all you have to do is cook them. You won’t taste any better, I promise.”
“I’ll do my best, but I’m not much of a cook.” She took the package gingerly from his hand.
“Why don’t I come over and cook them for you?” He seemed very keen to make dinner for her until he caught sight of her face. “Unless you have other plans, I mean, well I, I, I know your busy,” he stammered. “Just forget I asked.”
“No,” said Amber, trying to think of a polite way to extricate herself from this embarrassing situation without hurting his
feelings. “I’d love to, but I have this deadline to meet, and I really don’t have time right now. I’ll have to take a raincheck. I’m sure the fish will be just lovely though.”
“Okay, maybe some other time,” he said walking down the steps. “Cook them for about seven minutes on each side. They fry up really nicely with lemon.”
“I’ll remember that. Thanks again.” She watched him disappear into the woods before stepping into the cabin and turning on the light. She wrapped the fish he had given her in a plastic bag and dropped them into the trash can on the porch. She had a squeamish stomach and could not bring herself to cook and eat anything that still had its eyes attached. She wasn’t too keen on accepting gifts from Jesse Davidson either. If he offered her anything else she would turn him down politely but firmly and hope he finally took the hint and left her alone.
Chapter 4
Sometimes Amber had to wonder if she was the victim of a cosmic joke when it came to her career. She had just scored the contract to write a book called Say Yes to a Happy Marriage, when she discovered Dominic was cheating with Tiffany, and the foundations of her life crumbled to dust beneath her. Over the past few days at the cabin she had managed to write two chapters almost on autopilot, but now she was up to the third chapter titled Truth and Trust: The Essential Ingredients, and all she could think about was how stupid she had been to believe in Dominic.
Picking up a copy of one of her previous books she turned it over and examined the happy, smiling woman on the back cover. She barely recognised herself. She had been so sure she knew everything about love and marriage when that photo was taken at the ripe old age of twenty-four. Her life with Dominic was secure and happy, and in her innocence she assumed it would always be this way. Financially they were very well off, and they’d recently started talking about a family. Dominic had seemed as eager as she was to have children, and they’d even looked at a bigger house. Their sex life had been fine as far as Amber was concerned, although she’d never really understood what all the fuss was about. She still did not know why Dominic had gone and destroyed it all by falling straight into Tiffany’s trap. She was slowly accepting that she probably never would.
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