by Ruby Forrest
Maria stood and followed the woman outside. She pointed out a little path that wound into the woods, “Just over there, Miss Brown. He’ll show you to your cabin.”
“Thank you.” Maria smiled and, with one last look back, she made her way to the path to wait for Jack- Dean.
She didn’t have to wait long. Maria didn’t hear any footsteps or rustling of leaves waring her of his arrival. He stepped out of the trees like he was part of the forest and gave Maria a look that let her know she most certainly wasn’t.
“Miss Brown.” He said curtly and Maria jumped.
He was a big man. He had broad shoulders and muscles that were clear down his arms. His short sleeve shirt didn’t seem appropriate for the cold weather and with his dark pants, he seemed to blend into the forest. He had shot brown hair and a trace of a bearded on his face. His eyes were blue as the sky above the forest, the cold blue of a winter’s morning.
His arms were folded and Maria was struck, again, at his size. He was a big man and he was imposing. Somehow, he looked like he belonged in this forest. He moved like he knew every tree, he stood like no one could remove him from this spot, and he blended in effortlessly.
He was gorgeous, dark and predatory with a strong-set jaw and broad hands. He seemed to stretch on forever, with broad shoulders and deep eyes that seemed to go on forever. He seemed like he could slip into the shadows and become nothing as effortlessly as if he was part of the shadows themselves and had been all his life. Her stomach tightened and she pushed the thought out of her mind.
“Oh, hello. You must be Jack- Dean.” Maria smiled as she found her voice, reaching out to shake his hand.
He looked her over for a moment, then turned into the forest, “We’ll need to get moving if you want to in your cabin before dark.” He glanced up at the sky, “I hope you can keep up.”
And then he was off, walking through the trees and leaving and stunned Maria to try and follow his trail.
Chapter 2
Jack- Dean was definitely not what Maria had expected. Part of her had expected some has been who sulked around the forest, talking a good game, but treating the animals poorly. Another part of her had expected a passionate and enthusiastic ranger who, despite not liking the fact that she was here, would still be eager to discuss everything and do whatever he could to help the animals.
Instead, she got a man who looked like he could have been in the military! With broad shoulders and tight muscles, he looked like he had seen combat. He walked in a confident and relaxed stride, so silent that he might as well not be a huge man at all. He made less noise than Maria did and she felt like he had to be at least twice her size. He was huge and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
For a second, just a brief and fleeting second, he reminded her of a bear, reminded her of the rugged edges and big build of a grizzly just as it reared up, about to kill. He was intimidating, he was big and she had a feeling, a strong feeling, that he wasn’t about to go shooting bears and that he was passionate about this forest and the animals in it. In fact, Maria had the sinking feeling that maybe, just maybe, he was more likely to shoot a human that wondered into his path, then an animal. She had a feeling that his desire to defend this land was strong, and that people were probably just in his way. She realized, sharply, why she had been warned against him and why he didn’t want her here.
He did want to help. But he wanted to do it his way. He didn’t see her as a help but as a distraction and hindrance. Maria felt anger simmer just beneath the surface. He was brusque and rude and it didn’t matter how passionate he was about this- he wasn’t the only one who could and would help and make a difference.
“Do you mind slowing down?” Keeping up with him was a challenge. With his large form and knowledge of the forest, he didn’t seem to be having a hard time moving through at a quick pace. Maria, on the other hand, didn’t thing she was making much progress, trying to follow him, not fall over and carry her backpack all at the same time.
He didn’t answer her and Maria felt frustration build, “Jack- Dean!”
He slowed and turned and Maria felt like she was caught in his gaze, like he had trapped her with nothing but a look, a long, piercing look that went straight through her. She cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders, “Look, Jack- Dean, I don’t know this path as well as you, so you need to give me a moment to catch up.”
“That’s not what I’m here for.”
“No, but you’re here to protect the forest and, if my father was right, to at least stop me from getting attacked and killed. I thought you actually had to be in a descent distance to manage that.” Her cheeks felt flushed but she didn’t know whether that was from anger, or the exertion of the walk itself. He looked at her for another long, piercing moment, seemingly weighing up his options, before he sighed and shook his head.
“Miss Brown, I have things to do. I have places to be. I’m letting you on this land because I am mandated to do so, since this is government property and you are from a government institution.” He narrowed his eyes, “I am making sure you don’t die because I owe your dad a favor and he’s paying me good money. That doesn’t mean you call the shots. That doesn’t mean you throw a fit because you can’t keep up with me through a damn park walk. That sure as hell doesn’t mean that I’m going to cater to your every need. I get you up there. You get your research done, and, at the end of the week, I get you back down in one piece, you understand me?” He never once raised his voice, or spoke in anything but cool, polite tones, and yet, Maria felt absolutely chilled by the intensity of his eyes, and the way he was staring through her.
“That’s all I’m here for. No more, no less. How I do that is up to me. How you deal with that is up to you. I suggest that you make peace with it, Miss Brown.” He narrowed his eyes again and Maria felt a shiver move through her, “The bears out here are dying. I have bigger fish to fry than you. While you’re doing your paper, I’m trying to save their lives, so let’s just get this over with so I can go back to doing my job.” There was a faint snarl in his voice, something low and rumbling that sent a flash of fear through Maria.
Again, she was reminded strongly and fiercely of the bear, rising up in anger, snarling in warning. She shivered. Still, his words has struck a number of cords within Maria, one being blinding anger at the sheer cheek of him, his assumptions and his arrogance.
“Excuse me? I’m not just sitting and doing some paper! I’m trying as hard as you to help the bears. In fact, I’m trying to gather proof, so that there can be more funding and protection. I don’t know what one ranger things he’s going to do all on his own!” She didn’t mean to snap, but she didn’t, frustration twisting in her chest, “I’m here to do the best job I can! I’m not here to be fobbed off because you can’t be bothered to do your job.” She took a deep breath, “Besides, if you were doing such a great job as ranger, they wouldn’t be dying in the first place- so how about you help me do my job.”
For a second, just a second, Maria was sure that she had seen hurt flashing in his eyes, seen pain at her words. But it clouded over with anger so quickly that Maria couldn’t be sure that she hadn’t just imagined it, hadn’t just been seeing things, seeing what she wanted to see, maybe. She couldn’t be sure that it wasn’t all just a wish, a hope, a fleeting idea.
Then he turned around and stormed off and Maria was left almost running trying to keep up. This time, when she called out, he didn’t even bother to turn around, or to do a damn thing about it. He didn’t answer her either and Maria was starting to feel like she had really and seriously touched a nerve. Still, he had seriously touched a nerve with her too, and all Maria had wanted was for him to wait up a little.
She shuddered and shook her head, swallowing hard as she shivered. She needed to get through this. She needed to focus on what was important and what her job and mission was here. She needed to remember why she was here in the first place and focus on that, really focus on it. Maria took a deep breath as she
hurried through, paying attention to the forest again.
The trees that grew around here were thick and lush and the pine smell was stronger now. She smiled, feeling an odd sense of peace in her heart. It settled her, just like it had on the bus, just like it had before. She felt calmer and more settled, felt an odd sense of contentment, despite the contention that was heavy in the air. It helped and Maria was grateful for that.
Maria was lucky and grateful for the fact that her accommodation wasn’t too far into the forest. It was a simple log cabin that was occasionally used by rangers or other officials. It wasn’t open to the public, but it was in a great location, central enough, but far away enough from the noise to really get a handle on nature, and understand what was going on.
It was perfect and it was a good post to start her observations from. She was hoping that this post could allow her to really start seeing changed in weather patterns, nature, other animals and more, that might be causing the activity that she was seeing in her previous readings.
As they moved up the hill, Maria was greeted by the sight of a small log cabin in a clearing. It was up high, higher than anywhere else Maria had climbed so far, but it was absolutely worth it. The cabin itself looked small and simple, but Maria knew that the view would be incredible. Not only would it be beautiful, but it would be, practically speaking, in a very good spot.
Some of the tension seemed to ease out of Jack- Dean’s shoulders as they approached and she had a strong and sudden feeling that he spent more time in this cabin than he did at home. That would explain how he knew the walk so exceptionally well and he seemed more at ease, at least in his gait.
She hoped that he would relax in other ways too, so that they could better communicate instead of just fighting. As they approached the top, Maria took a deep breath and turned around.
It was absolutely beautiful. The mountains stretched in the distance, showing off the curves of the heavens and the earth. The beautiful hue that settled over the mountain range was stunning and it seemed to light up the forest itself. All around them, there was nothing but nature. Maria couldn’t tell where it started and where it ended. She didn’t know where the main car park and station was, because from up here, you couldn’t even see them. They were hidden in the trees and that was exactly how Maria liked it.
It felt like she an Jack- Dean were the only ones around for absolute miles and miles, like they were alone in the world, and it was nothing but the, the cabin and the nature that stretched out forever. Maria let out a long, slow breath. She smiled, feeling an odd sense of peace in her heart.
She turned to Jack- Dean and caught his eye, just for a moment. There was an expression of peace on his face too, a quietness that seemed almost out of place. He looked better for it and, for a second, Maria could almost swear that she saw him smiling. Then the moment was gone and he turned away, “We should set up. Night falls fast.”
The spell was broken, but Maria knew what she saw, a glimpse into a man and another side that he held. She smiled, feeling warmth flood her system. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as everyone thought.
Chapter 3
The inside of the log cabin was gorgeous. When Maria stepped inside, she immediately felt warmer and more settled. She looked around and was greeted by the sight of warm, pine walls, and pine furniture, draped with animal skins and lush, knitted blankets. A fire place made it a fantastic place to keep warm and the layout was beautiful too. Jack- Dean glanced at the animals skins, as if just becoming aware of them.
He sighed, and threw her a look, “Don’t get hissy about those, by the way. The animals they came from were long dead when I found them.” Maria nodded and somehow found that she believed him. He might not be very nice to her, but she definitely couldn’t see him harming animals for no good reason.
She looked around and noticed, almost with a sense of relief, that there were no bear skin rugs around. That much she was grateful for. She didn’t know how she would have felt about that, whether they were dead upon finding or not. Jack- Dean didn’t waste any time. He started off by setting up the fire, working at it until he got it going, building into a warm, crackling roar that started to warm the cabin at once. He headed to the doors, latching them from the inside, and nodding in satisfaction.
He glanced around the room, “Sleep whoever you want. There’s couches, and a bed. Hell, there’s rugs in front of the fire.” He shrugged, “I’ve done it.” He turned and headed towards the small kitchen area.
Maria smiled, feeling more settled with a place to stay and the warmth of the fire seeping into the house. Jack- Dean seemed friendlier now too, and that was a comforting thought, “So, do you come here often?” Maria looked around the room.
Jack- Dean snorted quietly in what might have been a laugh, “A bit early for bad pickup lines, isn’t it?”
Maria blinked, not sure what he meant. Then it hit her and she went bright red, “Urgh. No. I meant, do you stay in this cabin a lot?”
He shrugged, stirring drinks, pouring boiling water at the counter, “Enough, I suppose.” He smiled faintly, “I’m more likely to be out here in the woods than anywhere else, if that’s what you mean.”
He glanced back at her, “Hard to be a ranger when you’re off living in some house ten miles away.”
Maria nodded, humming in thought. He really did seem to be dedicated to what he did, dedicated to the animals, the forest and his job in general. She could respect that part about him, even if he frustrated her in almost every other way. She sighed, shaking her head, feeling the warmth of the cabin start to lull her into a tired state. It had been a huge, long trip and she was still very much feeling from it.
Looking around, she found a comfortable looking chair and curled up into it, kicking off her shoes. She was grateful for her comfortable jeans and shirt, as well as the snuggly jacket. She wasn’t here to impress anyone. She was here to work, stay warm and make a difference. Also, it made for easy enough sleepwear, if necessary. She settled back against the comfortable pillows and let out a deep breath.
A few minutes later, Jack- Dean was bringing her a cup of hot cholate, pressing it into her hands. Maria marveled at the change within this man, how he could go from harsh and cold, to warm and thoughtful in the space of an hour. She felt drawn to him, to know more about him, learn more about what made him tick. Maria sighed in though, reaching into her bag to grab a book. She heard a door shut and the shower turn on and assumed that Jack- Dean was getting ready to stay in for the night as much as she way.
She decided to do some reading before bed, something light enough. She’d tucked away poetry and fairytales amongst her research and heavier reading and she guessed now was a great time. She could feel the room warming up and the night outside starting to dim. The hot chocolate was comforting on itself, and Maria was happy to stay here and read, with warmth and the sound of the shower and the wind in the distance. She flicked open the book and began to read.
***
I know not whether Laws be correct, Or whether Laws not be right; All that we know who lie in gaol. Is that the divider is solid; And that every day resembles a year, A year whose days are long. Yet, this I know, that each Law That men have made for Man,Since first Man took his sibling's life, And the miserable world started, But straws the wheat and recoveries the refuse With a most malice fan. This too I know—and savvy it were If each could know the same—That each jail that men assemble Is worked with blocks of disgrace, And bound with bars or Christ should perceive How men their siblings injure.
With bars they obscure the benevolent moon, And visually impaired the goodly sun: And they do well to shroud their Hell, For in it things are done That Son of God nor child of Man Ever should view! The most contemptible deeds like toxic substance weeds Bloom well in jail air: It is just what is great in Man That squanders and shrinks there: Pale Anguish keeps the overwhelming door, And the Warder is Despair For they starve the little panicked tyke Till it sobs both night and day: And they scourge the frail, and
lash the trick, And scoff the old and dark, And some become frantic, and all develop awful, and none a word may state.
Also, with tears of blood he washed down the hand, The hand that held the steel: For no one but blood can wipe out blood, And no one but tears can mend: And the red stain that was of Cain Became Christ's snow-white seal. In Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of disgrace, And in it lies a pathetic man Eaten by teeth of fire, In consuming winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has no name.
What's more, there, till Christ call forward the dead, peacefully let him lie: No compelling reason to squander the stupid tear, Or hurl the breezy moan: The man had slaughtered the thing he adored, And so he needed to bite the dust. And all men murder the thing they cherish, By all let this be heard, Some do it with a severe look, Some with a complimenting word, The defeatist does it with a kiss, The overcome man with a sword!
Each tight cell in which we abide Is foul and dim latrine,And the offensive breath of living Death Chokes up each ground screen, And all, however Lust, is swung to clean In Humanity's machine. The saline water that we drink Creeps with a detestable sludge, And the unpleasant bread they say something scales Is brimming with chalk and lime, And Sleep won't rests, yet strolls Wild-peered toward and cries to Time.
In any case, however lean Hunger and green Thirst Like asp with viper battle, We have little care of jail passage, For what chills and kills through and through Is that each stone one lifts by day Becomes one's heart by night. With midnight dependably in one's heart, And sundown in one's cell, We turn the wrench, or tear the rope, Each in his different Hell, And the hush is more dreadful far Than the sound of a baldfaced chime.
Also, with tears of blood he washed down the hand, The hand that held the steel: For no one but blood can wipe out blood, And no one but tears can mend: And the red stain that was of Cain Became Christ's snow-white seal. In Reading gaol by Reading town There is a pit of disgrace, And in it lies a pathetic man Eaten by teeth of fire, In consuming winding-sheet he lies, And his grave has no name.
