White Dragon

by Regina A Hanel

  She rubbed the back of her neck and reprimanded herself for overreacting. She needed to regain control. She breathed several deep breaths and convinced herself that everything would be okay. If she'd tell herself those words often enough, eventually she assumed they'd have to take hold. She became so focused on calming herself that she didn't notice Jake had once again taken a large lead, or the branch dipped low across the road, and nearly walked into it, before even the branch startled her. Her nerves were raw. Wanting nothing more than to retreat to the safety of their home, Halie forced the negative thoughts from her mind, quickened her pace, and soon caught up with Jake again.

  HALIE WALKED INTO the gallery with as confident a demeanor as she could muster. She didn't want Susan to notice the insecurity she felt. Susan Weston was her first hire. "Hey Susan, morning."

  "Hey," Susan replied.

  Halie knew something was wrong by the flat tone of Susan's reply, and the fact she didn't ramble on about the weekend like she normally did on a Monday. "What's the matter?" Halie asked.

  "Oh nothing," Susan said. She placed her hands on the counter she stood behind.

  "It can't be nothing," Halie replied. She recognized the sigh of defeat in Susan's voice. She herself felt much the same way. "I know you better than that. Did you have a bad date last night? Is your ex pestering you again? Are the kids okay?"

  Susan was a divorced mother of two boys who moved from Casper, Wyoming back in with her mom. Her mom's small two story house in Kelly was near the center of town, nestled between two similar type homes.

  "You sure cover all the major bases, don't you?" Susan said.

  "I'm concerned about you."

  "Brian's acting out again. I think he's still mad at me that we had to move. We got into an argument last night and he stormed off out of the house for the second time this week. The thing is, I'm worried because God only knows where he goes. He doesn't tell me, but that's how the kids are these days. He says he hangs out with his friends, and it's not a big deal, and I shouldn't make a big deal out of it, but I can't help it. My mother tells me I should leave him be, but I'm afraid he's going to get hooked on alcohol or drugs or something."

  "Like his dad did?"

  "Exactly. I don't get it, because other times he's such a great kid. He's respectful and helps in the home, and he's always looking out for Tommy. He loves playing ball and doing other stuff with him. You know, doing things with his brother I'm not that good at. Things his dad should be doing with them both. He's even nice to his grandma." Susan let out another sigh. "I don't know what to do with him."

  Susan's oldest son Brian was sixteen, and her second, Tommy, was seven. If Tommy had been an unplanned pregnancy, no one would ever know it. Susan doted on both her boys as if they were the only two people in her life.

  "Have you tried sitting down with him when he's not angry and talking with him? Try to get a hint at what's bothering him?"

  "Not exactly. I don't know what to say to him that won't get him madder than he already gets. I mean, he's a pretty big guy for his age."

  "He wouldn't hit you, would he?" Halie said. She understood that Brian's father had been abusive and worried Brian might follow the same path.

  "No, I don't think he'd ever do that, but he does seem to be changing, and not for the better."

  "You think he might blame you for your husband leaving?" Halie asked.

  "I'm sure that has something to do with it. Tommy was too young when David left, so he doesn't remember anything, but I'm sure Brian remembers us fighting. He just doesn't know the real reason why. I didn't have the heart to tell him his dad was a creep and a looser."

  "How about trying therapy? Just for the two of you. It might give you a neutral and controlled space to be able to talk things out," Halie said, placing her right hand on Susan's to comfort her.

  "I thought about that too. I've been saving some money, and once I get a little more together, if he agrees, I think we'll do that, before things get out of control."

  Before Halie could answer and voice her agreement, the gallery door swung open and in strode a cocky Walter Pipp from the fish and tackle shop he owned next door. Halie had forgotten to lock the door when she entered. Walter's scowling dark eyes and a weathered and wrinkled forehead did nothing to improve his appeal. He dressed neatly enough, but nothing made up for his metallic personality. The smell of stale smoke emanated from his clothing.

  "Morning ladies," Walter said in a raspy tone. "Not interrupting anything, am I?"

  "You wish," Susan quipped.

  Halie peered at him with annoyance, removing her hand from Susan's. "What is it we can do for you this morning Walter, or are you just making your monthly rounds to see if we're still planning on opening in a few weeks?"

  "My, my, aren't we touchy this morning. Get up on the wrong side of the bed today, did we?" As he spoke, he wrapped the rolled up morning paper against his right leg and grinned. "Can't a neighbor stop by to see how you're all doing? The first year in business is going to be the toughest you know. Most businesses don't make it. I'm concerned is all."

  Halie wished she could push him right back out the door, but since she couldn't, she remained still. "Yes, I believe you've mentioned that already, several times, but lucky for us, we're looking forward to the challenge. If I were you, I wouldn't worry about us so much. Time will tell." Halie knew the real reason Walter visited. He'd bid on the empty store next to his, which was now her gallery, at the same time Sam and Halie placed their bid. His plan was to rip down the wall between the stores and expand his shop, but they managed to outbid him, and not by much.

  Walter Pipp stood motionless for a moment, lifted up the paper, glanced at it, and returned it to his side. "Well, okay then ladies. I'd leave you with "˜don't work too hard', but I can see you're already doing that. Take care and if you need anything, you know where I am."

  "Yeah, we do," Susan said, "and how lucky we are to have you so close. Thanks, Walter, but I think we can manage fine on our own."

  They watched him walk out. His pants, baggy at the butt, swished back and forth. They both cracked up after the door shut behind him. This time Halie locked it once he left. Afterword, they went back to work, Susan no longer appearing upset.

  SAM KNOCKED ON the hardwood portion of the glass paned front door to Halie's photo gallery. She held a cardboard tray holding three fresh brewed cups of coffee she'd purchased from The Brew Master a couple of stores down.

  Sam recognized earlier that Halie wasn't herself that morning. She'd guessed she wanted Jake with her on her jog more for her own protection than for his health, which was understandable given the circumstances. She wished she could have prevented the incident from happening, but she recognized the event was outside her control. She hoped her visit would express support and help ease Halie's apprehension in a positive way.

  When Sam knocked on the door, Susan let her in. Sam loved the ambiance of the gallery. The coloring and choice of lighting was fresh and bright and clean. The hardwood floors were immaculate and the few select photos that already hung from the walls breathed the life Halie put into them. To Sam, walking into the gallery already felt like walking alongside Halie on a sun filled afternoon. She couldn't wait to see the end product.

  "Hi Susan," Sam said. "Thanks for getting the door."

  "Sure thing, Sugar."

  When Sam met Susan for the first time, she'd guessed her to be about six years older than her, somewhere around thirty-four, or maybe even a tad older. She was straight as straight could be, and a real knockout with a slim, curvy-in-all-the-right-places figure, and a welcoming smile. Sam was glad she was straight, or she knew she'd probably be jealous as hell since she worked with Halie, even though she knew she could trust Halie.

  "It's good to see you again," Susan replied. "Don't be such a stranger. Just because you finished all your handy work in here, doesn't mean you can't stop in just to say hello."

  "Yeah, I know. I've been kind of busy though," Sam said
as she grabbed Susan's coffee. "Here you go, black no sugar, right?"

  "You got it. I could use it too--had kind of a rough evening, but things are going better now."

  "That's good, seems like rough evenings are going around."

  "Yeah, Halie finally told me about your incident at the house. I'm sorry Sam. Some people can be real jerks. Believe me I know."

  "Thanks. We're trying to deal with it as best we can. I think I'm more okay with it than Halie is, but at least the last couple of days have been quiet."

  "Thank the good Lord for that. I would hope whatever happened was a one-time deal. I read your comments in the paper," Susan said. She walked over to the counter and grabbed the local paper. She opened to the article to which she referred, flipped the pages over and folded them back, so Sam could read it. "Here take it. It's a good article. I like what you said."

  "Oh, thanks. I can hardly remember myself. I'll read it in a minute. So where's my honey-pie?"

  "She's in the back room. I think she's setting up the books, though I'm not sure how successful she's being. I heard a few curse words coming from in there. I'm so glad I don't have to do that stuff."

  "Me too," Sam said. "I'll see you later Susan. Make sure you give those kids of yours a big hug and kiss from me, will ya?"

  "Sure thing, Sugar."

  Sam went into the back and tapped on Halie's halfway opened office door. "May I come in? Coffee delivery gal at your service."

  "Sure, come on in." Halie stood up and stretched her back. The smell of hazelnut coffee filled the space between them.

  Halie's office was small, but elegant and modern. Two comfortable red fabric chairs faced her shiny wooden desk, the top clear except for one folder, her computer, keyboard, wide flat-screen monitor, and a picture of her and Sam. Two of her favorite photographs, matted in white and framed with thin black frames, adorned the walls.

  Halie's eyes met Sam's. "You must be new, because I would have remembered someone as smoking hot as you. I think my partner back home would get mad at me if she knew what I was thinking right now, but I'll say it anyway. I want to ravage your body right here and now," Halie teased.

  "Sounds like that walk did you a lot of good this morning--you seem different."

  "I'm trying. That's about all I can say for now."

  "That's about all you can do. Hey, are you serious about the ravaging part?"

  Halie walked over to Sam and gave her a kiss that would linger with her the remainder of the day. Then she took her coffee and sat behind her desk. "I know I've been a little distant the past couple of days, but I'm sure this will pass."

  "I'm sure it will. Besides, you know I'm always here to protect you." Sam stood in front of Halie's desk.

  Halie inclined her head. "I know. Thanks for the afternoon coffee. What brings you by? This is a nice surprise."

  "I missed you. That and April called me this morning and said I could bring Coco and Sugar by today. The owner has open stalls and said he'd love to help out. I've got them in the trailer, so I can't stay long."

  "That's great. I hope they'll be okay at that place, though. They won't know anyone."

  "They have each other and they'll make new friends. Plus, we'll still visit and ride them, and the arrangement's only temporary. How's it going with the books?"

  "Okay, I guess. I want to make sure I don't lose track of anything. I set up a budget and I'll monitor expenses against it monthly. I can't wait to open and start making some money to help pay for all the expenses I've already accumulated."

  "Are you nervous--about the opening?"

  "I'm not, really. You and Susan have been a great help, and if anything, I'm ahead of schedule. I have another person to interview tomorrow whose photographs look promising. If his portfolio looks as good as the couple of the photos of his I've seen, we'll be lucky to have him show his work here."

  "Your work and the work of the artists you selected so far is amazing. You're going to do fine, I know it."

  "Thanks sweetie, that's nice of you to say. But how about you come on over here and give me one of those kisses only you can give."

  "I'd rather you come over here," Sam said in a sultry tone.

  The corners of Halie's mouth rose as she rounded her desk. "Is that so," she said in a seductive tone. She placed her left hand on Sam's chest and backed her up against the desk as her lips found Sam's. Her kiss was intense and nearly buckled Sam's knees. Sam felt the heat rise within her and wished they were home instead of in Halie's office.

  With a knock on the door, the two quickly separated.

  Susan stuck her head in the door. "Sorry to bother you, but UPS is here with a delivery that needs your signature."

  "Thanks Susan, I'm coming."

  Once UPS left, Halie escorted Sam to the front door. As Sam was in the middle of saying her good-byes, she stopped midway, an anxious expression evident on her face.

  "What's the matter?" Halie asked.

  "Didn't you feel that?" Sam said.

  "Feel what?"

  "The ground move."

  "Shoot. I wish one of my boyfriends would tell me the ground moved when they got near me," Susan said.

  "No, I'm serious you two. Tell the truth. Didn't you feel it?"

  Susan and Halie both looked at one another and signaled no.

  "Are you sure?"

  "I'm sure," Halie said, "but while I've still got you here, I want to show you something."

  Sam surrendered, certain she'd felt the ground shake. "Okay, but only another minute."

  "Great." Halie led Sam by the elbow to the other side of the gallery.

  "By the way," Halie said, "Our friend Walter Pipp stopped by again today to see how we're doing."

  "How kind of him. It's nice to see he's still so interested in seeing us do well."

  "Isn't it though? What's that you're holding?" Halie asked.

  "Oh, the local paper. Susan gave it to me. I wanted to read the article in it about us. She said they did a good job with it."

  "Great. Don't throw it away. When you're done with it, I'd like to read it too. I've got a funny suspicion that's what Walter was gloating about earlier. He carried a paper rolled up in his hand when he walked in. He strutted in all smug and smiles, but didn't say anything."

  "I wouldn't be surprised in the least."

  Halie pulled open the drapes that covered a second storage area, which was mostly empty except for a few supplies stacked along the left-hand wall.

  "Wow, you did a great job cleaning up in here. What are you going to do with all that extra room now?" Once Sam got the words out and took stock of Halie, she knew she shouldn't have asked the question.

  "That's where you come in," Halie said, a smirk-like smile covering her face.

  "Is that so? How did I know you were going to say that?"

  "Because you know me so well and love me so much," Halie said.

  "All true. What have you got planned?"

  "I was thinking about putting a frame shop back here."

  "You sure you want to take that on right from the get-go?" Sam asked.

  "I'm still mulling it over, but I wanted your input."

  "I don't know. I think you'd do fine without it, but I'll support you either way," Sam said.

  "Susan worked part time in a frame shop. It might work out. It would save us money in the long run. The room needs to be painted though and I thought ceramic tile on the floor would add a nice touch."

  "I see. Well, it sounds like you've already made up your mind."

  Halie's facial expression gave Sam the answer she needed.

  "I should have known. That's fine, but I'm not sure when I'll be able to get to it. Depends how my shoulder feels. It may be after the opening. I better let you get back to work. Plus, I've got horses to relocate." Then, before walking out the door she yelled over her shoulder, "See ya Susan. Behave."

  Before the door shut behind her, Sam heard the words "See ya, Sugar--not likely," which made her grin.

&nb
sp; Chapter Five

  A FEW MINUTES before the end of her workday, April made her rounds through the recently renovated barn to make sure all the stalls were properly cleaned and fresh bedding was put down.

  "See ya April."

  "Have a good night Jason, and thanks again for helping out earlier when Mr. Peterman arrived," April said as she petted one of the horses already in his stall for the night. She strode through the center concrete aisle. The stable held fourteen horses, seven on a side in twelve foot by twelve foot stalls. She stopped to give extra attention to Coco and Sugar, who hadn't settled in to their temporary housing situation yet, before continuing on. Outside the second to last stall on April's right sat a wheelbarrow facing away from the stall, filled with soiled hay. The sound of a shovel scraping concrete followed. As she got closer April noticed Cali was still cleaning the stall.

  Cali Brooks was a mere twenty-three. Her petite, fragile appearance belied her strength. Her brown hair hung in a ponytail out the back of her baseball cap, swaying back and forth as she shoveled hay.

  "Hey Cali, what's going on?"

  "Oh, hey, April," Cali said. She kept working and would not meet April's gaze. "I'm running a little behind today."

  "How come?" April asked. She could tell something was up.

  "I found out this morning that my roommate--my best friend and the whole reason I moved out here--decided to toss me from the apartment. Apparently, he wants to live there with his girlfriend, who doesn't like me."