Chapter 2
A little R&R or not!
Savanna
Colt holds my hand as he drives. It’s the little things that seem to make my heart still patter. He knows when to put on the charm and remind me of all the reasons I fell in love with him. In a way, I’m just as giddy as I was the first time we kissed. He’s been there through it all, by my side with strength and compassion.
Over twenty years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about that exact day, the moment I looked into my doctor’s eyes and knew the news without having to hear her say it. Back then, Colt and I were trying to manage kids, the ranch, and our own relationship. We were young and naïve. We fought over things that weren’t important. Back then I shut him out, forsaking him of my own struggles so that he could focus on his son. Noah needed him, and as much as I did to, I knew there were others who’d step in and be the shoulder for me to cry on.
Sometimes I’ve regretted those decisions, but on other instances I’m grateful. There’s nothing like the relationships I’ve developed because of this family. Colt is my rock. Just like I knew he would, he stepped in when things got hard. He did what he had to, even if at times it broke his heart. I don’t know where I’d be without that man, but I also don’t know where I’d be without Ty and Miranda. They’ve been there since the beginning. As many times as I’d like to have rang Ty’s neck, he’s one of my oldest and best friends. I love him dearly. He’d do anything to protect me, and nothing is greater than knowing and seeing him grow into the man and father he’s become. He’s a devoted husband, and the closest thing Colt will ever have to a brother. The bond the four of us share, or make that six when I include Conner and Amy, is unbreakable. With the power of hope, faith and lots of prayers, I was able to beat the fight, yet so many have not. It’s been my deepest sorrow to know what this disease can take from a family. I’ve spent the past twenty years doing everything I can to raise awareness and funds for the cause. The fact that our family has joined in with me is undeniably gratifying, not to mention a testament of their devotion to all of us. We’re influential people, but we’re even more than that when we’re a joined congregation.
Last year my family raised one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for cancer research. This year we want to double that amount. I know we can do it. My daughter-in-law and niece-in-law know a lot of famous celebrities. They’re taking on a lot more of the project in hopes of bringing in some bigger donors. If I had one wish in my lifetime it would be to find a cure for cancer, not just of the breast, but all of it.
The group meeting was a shit-show, excuse my French. The men didn’t seem to want to compromise or listen to our ideas. To be honest, they’re better at manual labor, which we intend to take advantage of. When we’re done, the guys are going to wish they were the ones planning.
This is the first year where I won’t be on the forefront for planning. I’m leaving it to all the kids to manage. My nerves are already shot. We’ve set high standards in the past and the community only expects the best. With Shalan, my country music singer daughter-in-law, and Amber, my nephew’s actress/model wife, it’s bound to be over the top. The two have worked together for several projects, including music videos. I don’t doubt their capabilities. I doubt my ability to stay out of their way.
That being said, I’m looking forward to a few days away with my wonderful husband, and our cousins, Ty and Miranda. We’re going to the family cabin for some R&R, which usually means pranks and late nights of drinking games, and us coming home physically and mentally drained, but it’s fun and we appreciate the time we have together. We’re not getting any younger, and life keeps getting busier. With the kids, grandkids, and my current obligations to church and the community, I’m stretched thin. One day I’ll be able to finish the memoirs I started years ago. It’s still my life’s dream to write a book. I started one, but life gets in the way.
My hands are shaking as we start up the rocky road leading to the cabin. Colt grumbles in the driver’s seat next to me. “Damn groundskeepers. I told them to have this cleared last month.”
“Maybe it grew back?”
He stops at a fallen log, shakes his head and proceeds to lean it against the steering wheel he was just squeezing the life out of. “Shit!”
“Is that the same tree that Jake said fell last time?”
“Yep. They had to turn around because they didn’t have a chainsaw with them. They took the old service road instead and ended up getting stuck in the mud. I called about this several times.”
I reach over and rub his shoulder. Colt likes things his way. He’s old fashioned and wants things done right the first time. Most of all, he hates having to repeat himself. I know for a fact that we pay the groundskeepers good money to do their job. In this case, it looks as if they took advantage of us, which is something none of us will tolerate. “Let’s just take the old service road. It hasn’t been raining, so the ground will be hard. You and Ty can come down here and get this moved out of the way with the gator.” My only hope is that the off road vehicle has gas in it. The rule is to replace it when it’s used, but not everyone follows them.
“What should we do?”
“I reckon I’ll back up and go the other way. I’ve got a saw at the cabin. It’s nothing to make us ruin our time here, darlin’.” I can tell he’s saying it to appease me, but I offer a smile in return anyway. Colt would do anything to see me happy. Sometimes, it drives me crazy that he puts his own happiness behind mine. I suppose I do the same for him without even knowing it. Maybe that’s why our marriage works so well.
I no sooner reach my hand over to touch his when we hear a louder motor coming our way. Since we’re not expecting anyone, this comes as a shock.
All of a sudden we hear a horn raring behind us. Startled, I turn to see a shirtless man jumping out of his Super Duty Ram pick-up truck wearing a clown mask. He reaches in the back cab and pulls out a chainsaw that he immediately fires up. Before we can contemplate what’s going on, he’s revving it and running in our direction. With only one hundred yards separating us, I’m starting to really panic.
“Oh my God! What is happening?” I ask my wondering husband.
His hand goes to the handle. I reach over and swat it away. “Are you crazy? Lock the doors.”
“I’m not scared of some idiot trying to make a scene. It’s probably a bunch of hillbilly teens with nothing better to do. There’s a rifle in the backseat.” He reaches over and pulls it in front of him, checking the chamber for ammunition. I know it’s illegal to drive with a loaded weapon, but for now I refrain from the reminder. When he’s made sure there’s bullets, he goes back to opening the door again. “I’ll be right back. Stay put.”
“Just stay here. I’ll call the police.” Colt already knows I’m uncomfortable about this. While I scramble for my cell phone, finding no service available, he’s reassuring me.
“It’s fine.”
I know this may come as a surprise, but clowns are the scariest things I’ve ever seen. I’ll never forget when Noah dressed as one for Halloween. I cringed the whole time I had to walk him around. The next week I accidentally stepped on the squeaking nose and just about came out of my skin.
Clowns are evil.
I’m losing it.
Colt’s voice startles me more. It’s loud and serious. “This road is private. I’d advice you to go home before I need to take matters in my own hands. You’re trespassing.”
The chainsaw revs again. My hand goes to my mouth, but I’m too chicken to peek out the window.
By this point I’m really freaking out. I’ve lowered my whole body into a ball, my pulse races, and beads of sweat are rolling down my forehead. I feel like I’m the victim of a horror movie, which I never happened to like. To top it off, I can’t stand knowing my husband is out there trying to threaten with a gun. This could go terribly wrong. I’m terrified and Colt knows it. He catches my attention through the window and looks me in the eyes. “Don’t you worry. Everything will be fine. I’m going to just scare the kid a little and send him on his way.”
“Please be careful, Colt.” I’m not even sure if he’s listening to me.
Silently I’m cursing the fallen tree. If we’d been able to get to the cabin maybe this wouldn’t have happened. I wonder how long the person was following us. Did they see us stop for gas and think we were easy targets?
Then it’s silent. Too quiet. I’m worried. I know I have to look, but I’m afraid what I’ll find. What if these people have hurt Colt? What if they’re coming for me next?
That’s when something slams against the passenger window. I scream at the top of my lungs only to hear laughing coming from both directions.
My eyes fleet open and I spot Ty standing there with his face smashed against the glass. He kisses it and shakes his head as he says something to someone else before addressing me. “You’re so gullible, Van.”
Colt opens the door as I’m sitting back up, my heart still beating out of my chest. “That asshole had me going. He bought a new truck that ain’t lettered yet. I had no idea it was them.”
I’m not amused. This means war and I think everyone knows it. Ty knows more than anyone not to mess with clown stuff around me. He’s in for it this weekend.
I meet Miranda on the passenger side of their vehicle. Her arms are already crossed when I get to where she’s standing. “Ty figured it would be a hoot. We were trying to beat you all here so Colt wouldn’t be pissed about the tree. He bought the mask at a gas station a way back.”
“I hate him right now.”
“Tried to talk him out of it, but you know how he is when he gets that little mind of his going.”
“Yeah, I know. Still hate him.” To change the subject I point to the tree limb. “What’s up with this?”
“Apparently the guy broke his arm last month and hasn’t been able to work. He called Ty when it happened.”
“Colt said he paid for the job.”
Miranda wraps her arms around me with a hug. “It’s good to see you, Van. You look great.” She sighs. “I think the groundskeeper gets a salary, if I’m not mistaken. All I know is that Ty said if he couldn’t get to the road before our next visit he’d handle it himself.”
While the saw idols, Ty makes his presence known. “Stand back amateurs. I’m about to show Paul Bunyan how it’s done.”
I flip him the bird. He’s lucky I don’t put my little size seven foot up his smart ass.
The chainsaw digs into the old oak tree, while we stand around in the crisp breeze hoping it won’t take long. I’d assumed they’d be a few hours behind us, but thankfully they had other plans.
With the guys consumed in their newfound project, Miranda and I decide to carry the coolers the rest of the way up the private road and open up the cabin to air out. It’s a pretty long haul, but between the two of us we’ll manage.
Once we’re far enough away from the loudness of the machine, we’re able to talk freely. “How’s everything at home?”
“Nothing has changed since last night, if that’s what you’re asking,” Miranda explains.
“I’ve got so much going on with this event.”
“You mean, so little? I know the girls are doing most of the work so far.”
I nod. “Yeah. It’s hard not being front and center. I want to be there, helping as much as I can.”
“Van, you do enough. You’re like superwoman. The girls want to do this, all of them, not just Shalan and Amber. All of the kids have a part in this, and I think it’s fantastic. We’ve been doing this for years, and for the first time, it’s not your responsibility. On the way here Ty was saying how he thinks you do to much.”
“When has Ty’s opinion ever been right?”
She stops walking and flashes me an accusatory glare. “He means well.”
“That he does.”
“So, how are you going to get him back for this? Need my help?”
I smirk. “We’ll discuss it at the spa.”
“Sounds like a plan.”