CHAPTER 15
Snow had been teasing the mountains for days and this day was no different. The gang had gathered for their last big series of rounds through the woods community before heavier weather prevented their ventures into the deeper parts of the forest. Woods people chose to live off the grid without modern conveniences, it was all they really knew, but they did depend on some of the simple amenities they were afforded on these rounds – the things typical people took for granted. Medical attention and treatment, limited as it was in such an environment, was especially welcome.
Blake and Morgan stayed behind to keep an eye on hospital visitors, sending Logan and another officer as the official legal authority
in the event the group ran into squatters with something to hide. The regular population was fairly mild mannered, they just wanted to be left alone and didn’t draw attention to themselves and the group avoided those who were ill-tempered and didn’t want to be bothered.
The seclusion the thick expansive forests offered, however, tended to draw those above the law, or maybe it was below the law, types who did
have something to hide. Occasionally they came across illegal marijuana crops, drug manufacturing, or stolen goods. Even more rare were dog and cock fighting rings off the old forest service roads. Those were the people who didn’t belong in the woods any more than they belonged in the city and made the good work, the group did, a little tougher at times, requiring a few armed individuals to accompany them.
Everly was passionate about this community service, but being pregnant with unpredictable weather looming, she had to stay behind. Much of their day would be spent on horseback so it might be not only uncomfortable, but it could be unsafe, travelling the terrain leading into those woods, especially with the snow making everything slick and hiding loose rocks. Strong will made it quite the task for the gang to convince her to stay, but when Nurse Carly volunteered to fill in and give her a detailed run down, Everly folded.
Carly had become quite friendly with the group of friends and well liked, fitting right in as a new member of the community. She promised to pay extra attention to the one Everly was most concerned about, Clyde Burton. She hadn’t seen or heard from him since his mother, June’s, funeral and wanted to be sure he was doing okay all by himself.
Doc was the only attending doctor on this trip, and greatly needed since it was their final visit for several months. He was reluctant to leave Everly behind, however, since everyone else from their small group, including the O’Reilly brothers who were still visiting, were all going.
Before leaving with the team, Doc checked in with Blake one more time, knowing he’d be heading to the hospital for the day and hoping there would be an update overnight, but understanding there was little to no chance of that.
“Nothing from the old guy last night, huh?” Doc asked.
“No. I don’t expect him either. I think he saw me or knew I was coming, somehow, the night I saw him leaving.”
Hands in his pocket, Doc kicked around a random pinecone on the ground. “You’re not worried about this guy, are you?”
“I’m not. I want to know who
he is and why
he’s here, the late night shit is weird, but I don’t think he’s the one dropping by flowers at the house and
the hospital. Something is definitely off, but I don’t know if it’s the flowers, the old man, or someone else needs to be watched. I think we are still waiting for the other shoe to drop, Doc.”
Nodding his head with a deep sigh, Doc replied, “That’s what I was afraid you were going to say. I spent the morning looking for a note that may have fallen off the flowers and slipped under furniture or something before I even got here. You know, like from a friend who would
just let themselves in and leave them. Nothing.”
“Well, just keep your eyes open and let me know if you notice anything out of order. Logan has been assigned to Ev and Lou indefinitely and with discretion…today being the exception. I want to stay behind, see if anyone out of the norm stops by. Don’t want her to know she’s being watched over.”
“Good idea, she won’t go for that. Thanks man…for everything. You really have everyone’s back…we’re lucky to have you.” Doc tried to maintain his man card while offering sincerities the best he could.
“Well if you assholes would stay out of trouble, you wouldn’t need looking after, and if you hug me right now, I’ll deck ya.” A rare grin and slap to the shoulder as a thank you had the two laughing as they joined the rest of the group and headed out for their last full round in the woods before winter.
The two went their separate ways – Doc joined the team and they headed out. Their route took all day and consisted of traveling old Forest Service roads then hiking into parts of the forest, some required horses to get to because of the terrain and how far in they were tucked away. This trip was especially lengthy with the added winter supplies like blankets and socks as well as canned goods they were delivering for winter. It was good community service as well as an opportunity to hone their outdoors skills, which came in handy for Search and Rescue.
On the hike up, Doc was remembering back to when donations from the town’s people were the sole funding for these supplies. He shook his head with a smile, remembering when Dawson Tayler asked if he could help fund the project, giving the group access to more materials and medications than they would have had otherwise.
Dawson had a ridiculously large bank account that he didn’t want. It was dirty, old, family money that came with bad memories and a life he chose not to acknowledge. For him, the money was better used helping others…mostly because that would appall the family he inherited it from. Beck McCain was a major backer as well, with more money than God, he was able to add mobile medical equipment and supplies that made life easier for Doc and the nurses.
Their last stop was the Burton place at the top of a ridge that was anything but easy to get to and only had one way up, which was an old service road that started on the opposite side of the ridge from their destination. Carly hadn’t been as prepared for the living conditions she encountered as she thought she would be. In her mind, it was going to be like large scale camping. Some of the conditions they came across, though, made camping look glamorous. The Burton place was one of those places.
Clyde was on the roof, nailing old boards together and securing a large tarp, apparently weather proofing the best he could, given the conditions. Several windows had cracked or broken panes, which explained why some had been boarded over, clearly another attempt to keep the elements out. The cabin itself was nothing more than a large shack that looked as though it wouldn’t stand up to a brisk breeze, much less a heavy winter snow. While they waited for him to climb down the ramshackle of a ladder, Carly took a minute to take in the grounds without his watchful eye.
There were rows and rows of firewood stacked around the house that must’ve taken months to collect and chop. It was stacked like a barrier around the perimeter of the cabin, perhaps as a barrier and extra protection from the elements. Clever and resourceful, Carly thought.
Not far from the wood pile barrier was a three-sided structure with a rickety roof and dead deer hanging from the center that made her cringe. Food for the winter, she presumed. The dilapidated structure had a small enclosed space no bigger than a coat closet attached, making up one of its three sides, with only a door and metal chimney on top with a slow smoldering of smoke swirling out. It had to be something of a smoke house to preserve the meats for the winter. Then there was the outhouse in the distance that made her shudder – she couldn’t ever imagine using it, especially in the dead of winter or middle of the night.
“Hey there, miss,” Clyde said, offering a friendly handshake and smile.
Carly looked around, realizing she was the only one standing there as the others already had a routine and were unloading supplies while she was snooping from where she stood.
“H-Hi.” She forced a weak nervous smile, intimidated by his height and overwhelming presence. “I’m Carly. I’m, uh, new.”
Clyde tossed a wave to Doc and the others, looking for one in particular, “Where’s Everly?”
No nice to meet you,
or how are you doing
…just where’s Everly. His demeanor wasn’t necessarily unkind, but it wasn’t pleasant either, he was genuinely disappointed that she wasn’t there.
“Oh. Uh, Everly couldn’t make it out being pregnant and all. She did ask me to tell you hello and see how you’re doing? She’s been worried about you since your mama died. Oh! Please accept my condolences, I’m very sorry for your loss, Clyde.”
“You knew my mama?”
“Well, no, but…I’ve heard great things about her and know she is missed by a lot of people.”
“Oh, yeah, thanks.” He nodded as he spoke and never lost eye contact with her.
Carly began to feel a bit uncomfortable in their awkward stand-off, trying to decide if there was any real menace behind the intimidating vibe or if he was just socially awkward. She guessed the latter of the two since Everly and the others were fond of him and continued to check in on him every month or so. She noted he could even be handsome under his shaggy hair, unkempt facial hair – a little hygiene could go a long way for this guy, she thought.
“She’s pregnant?” he asked, pulling her from her thoughts.
“Oh…yes, she is. Very exciting.”
“Huh. She will be a good mom.” His gaze wandered to wear Doc stood and he squinted to a near glare before returning his attention to Carly. “Tell her I said congratulations.”
Shifting from one foot to the other, ready to move on to where the others were, she said, “I will, I’m sure she’ll be happy to hear that from you.”
“Sure. Um, Everly is pregnant – is Doc Charles…” he tossed a thumb over his shoulder in the direction Doc had been standing, letting his words trail off and her to fill in the awkward blanks. He wanted to know if Doc was the baby’s father – odd.
Carly offered a simple nod and kind smile before walking off to join the others, crossing Doc’s path as she did.
“Hey, Clyde. How are things going. You doing okay?”
“Uh, sure Doc. It’s a little quieter, but I’m doing alright. Winter is comin’, we had a few flurries so I’m getting ready.”
“Yeah, none of it stuck around long so that’s good. You need any help getting the place together while we’re out here? We have the O’Reilly brothers with us today…we can knock some stuff out pretty quick.”
“No. I just have to finish boarding windows up.”
“Wow, that makes it awfully dark and closed in. Make sure you get outside, even in the cold a little, alright? I left a well package for you. Just some vitamins and basic things like Tylenol and throat lozenges to get you through. I don’t see your truck, you still able to get into town if you need to?”
“Oh, when the snow starts, I leave it down the ridge so it doesn’t get stuck. We get a lot more up here than you guys do below. I’ll be fine, Doc.”
“Okay, good. Looks like you got a big one.” Doc gestured to the deer hanging that was likely being readied for butchering.
“Yeah. Everly’s pregnant.” The curiosity in Clyde’s voice had a hint of anxiety that had Doc feeling a bit wary. He reminded himself that Clyde wasn’t necessarily tactful and struggled in social situations, chalking his odd behavior up to that. Clyde had always been partial to Everly, it made sense he would be concerned for her.
“Yes. She is. We’re very excited.”
Clyde watched his feet with his hands deep in his pockets, his posture rigid and stiff, “Are you marrying her? Because the baby and stuff…ya know? You should marry her, Doc.”
Doc chuckled, laying a hand on Clyde’s shoulder giving it a pat. “I am. Not just because of the baby, but because I love her. Look, I know Ev would like you there so when the time comes, we’ll let you know, okay? As soon as Lou gets better, we’re tying the knot.”
“Oh. Yes, of course. Everly and Lou have always been good to me and mama. Well, to me. I will be there. After the winter passes I’m thinking of moving closer to town, maybe getting a regular job out there. Mama loved it here so I stayed to take care of her, but with just me now…well, it might get a little too lonely and I think I’d rather be…closer to people.”
“That’s great, Clyde. You know if there is any way we can help…we will. All of us.”
Clyde nodded his head and walked off.
Early that morning, while the gang was headed out for rounds in the woods, Everly was headed to the hospital. She hadn’t slept well the night before, knowing something was less than right in their world and Granny Lou had a mysterious visitor stopping in every now and again. The flowers, of all things, really had her senses spooked. Knowing Blake and Jessie had both been with her overnight helped ease her nerves, but not entirely.
Jessie was heading out early with the team, so early to the hospital it was. The doctors were slowly weaning Gran from her meds, hoping she would wake soon. Given her fragile state and all she had endured thus far, slow and easy was the plan. Everly wanted to be there when she woke, wanted to see and hear first-hand what the heart attack and stroke had left her with.
She was disappointed that she had to miss rounds with the gang. She rather enjoyed it, felt like she was doing something profoundly important and helpful along with those closest to her. Her family
. She stared at the ring Doc had sealed their future with as she sat by the window waiting for the sunrise that marked a new day. A new day and a new life – she was about to become Mrs. Mason Charles and was growing their family by not one, but two. Doc was already well loved by their family-like friends, but this made it official, as did the baby, and she couldn’t be happier.
Thinking of the baby seemed to provoke the less desirable states of her current condition when her stomach began to roll and that donut from Baker’s wasn’t willing to settle. Morning sickness – it hadn’t passed despite being as far as she was in the pregnancy. As much as she enjoyed being pregnant, this was one detail she wouldn’t miss at all.
Cool water on her face only instigated another round of illness before she could leave the space. Finally feeling settled and able to regain her seat next to Gran, she left the bathroom and walked right into the very fear she had been trying to tamp down all night and morning. Despite the early morning hour, still dark outside in fact, there was a visitor sitting in the chair she had quickly abandoned when she rushed to the restroom.
A man sat in her chair, holding Gran’s limp hand, with his back to her. He was large, filling the seat beyond its means with his long legs and generous height, dressed in old worn denim from head to toe and a tattered black cowboy hat. She noted his silver hair peeking out the bottom of his hat, peppered with some black yet to turn and surrender to age. He was talking in a low deep voice, though she couldn’t make out the words, she felt a warmth in his lightly twangy tone…kindness and something sweet perhaps.
Her gasp erupted from being startled by his unexpected, larger than life presence causing the man to turn, slowly. She was met by a lightly pruned, sunbaked face that told a story of a life lived hard, but a pleasantry about him that suggested it was a good life. His smile friendly, his nod welcoming, it was his all too familiar eyes looking back at her that caught her breath.
With a tip of his hat, and charming wink he said, “Hello, Everly Louise…”