“What can I say that I have not said before? So I'll say it again. The leaf has a song in it. Stone is the face of patience. Inside the river there is an unfinishable story and you are somewhere in it and it will never end until all ends. Take your busy heart to…the forest. The song you heard singing in the leaf when you were a child is singing still…” - Mary Oliver
“So,” Manuel said when we were back in our saddles heading home, “what was that all about?”
“About?” I said. My mind was far away, reliving each moment in the bank, feeling Evan’s body pressed against mine, working hard to make sense of what Atsina and Ama had said. I was also uncomfortably aware of how sore my inner legs, backside, and the small of my back were feeling.
“Earth to Madison,” Manuel said. “You’ve been far away since we left town.”
“Sorry about that,” I said. “Just a lot to process.”
“I gathered that from the liplock I saw with Evan,” Manuel teased.
“Don’t start with me,” I said with a frown. “It was as much of a surprise to me as it was to you.”
“Okay, then let’s talk about Atsina, shall we?”
“I’d rather not,” I said.
“Madison, I know,” Manuel said gently.
“What do you mean?”
“Remember I was Richard and D’s friend. And I’d like to think I’m Evan’s as well.”
“What did he tell you?”
“Evan? Nothing. I haven’t talked to him since you got to the Light House. But Nigel filled me in a bit.”
“I’m going to ring his neck,” I muttered.
“He was just worried and wasn’t sure what to do. He confided in me hoping I could help.”
“Things have definitely been weird,” I conceded. “He probably thought I was losing it.”
“It crossed his mind,” Manuel laughed. “But I told him no - that D used to talk about things happening on the property that he couldn’t explain.”
“D was one of the sanest, most rational people I knew. He never believed in anything he couldn’t prove,” I said.
“But things happened anyway. So he was forced to either question his own sanity or accept that there were things going on that he couldn’t explain yet.”
I laughed out loud. “Yet was one of D’s favorite words.”
“Yes,” Manuel agreed.
“So what did Richard make of these strange things that happened?
“He didn’t, or rather he didn’t think they were strange,” Manuel said. “He used to say that spirit and form were always working together to create balance.”
“You can’t have one without the other,” I said. “That fits with what Ama said.”
“Oh good. I was hoping she’d be able to help. So back to Atsina.”
“You’re not going to let this go are you?”
“No.”
“Okay fine,” I said. “She said I am Anitsaugchi.”
“Bear clan,” Manuel said.
“You know the word?”
“Oh yes. Richard talked about it all the time.”
“Is that why Evan has a giant bear tattooed on his chest?”
“I have no idea. You’ll have to ask him. But I do know that he and Richard were close.”
I nodded and was about to ask Manuel if he had any tattoos when Switchback suddenly threw up her head and danced sideways, nearly unseating me. We’d reached the final stretch of the trail that would take us through the wooded area at the edge of the easement. A glance over my shoulder showed me Ranger was upset too, rolling his eyes and refusing to move forward. “What’s going on?” I asked, hoping we weren’t about to meet one of the bears I’d seen the night before."
“Not sure,” Manuel said, sounding grim, “but maybe those two can tell us.”
“Two?” I said. Manuel gestured with his chin indicating I should turn around. When I did, I saw two familiar and unwelcome faces emerging on horseback from the trees. “I know those guys,” I said. “They’re the ones I saw at the cabin.”
“Just stay calm,” Manuel said. “Let’s see what they want.”
“Evening folks,” the rider in the lead said. I recognized him as Pisser - the moniker I’d given the first man I’d seen relieving himself off the balcony of the cabin. He was accompanied by the second man from the cabin whom I thought of as Buzz Cut. When we didn’t say anything, Pisser rode forward and said, “Seems they’ve misplaced their manners,” he said.
“We don’t need em to be polite,” Buzz Cut said . “Let’s just get what we came for and get out of here.”
“And what would that be?” Manuel asked.
“The little lady’s backpack,” said Buzz Cut. “Just toss it on the ground and then ride back a ways so we can pick it up.”
“What do you want with my backpack?” I asked.
“That’s none of your business,” Pisser said. “But if you wanna be difficult we can arrange for your horse to have an accident.” He patted the rifle scabbard hanging beneath his left knee.
“Just give it to them, Madison,” Manuel said.
“Fine,” I said, shrugging my arms out of the straps and lowering the pack down as close to the ground as I could before letting it drop. “But threatening to hurt a defenseless animal is pretty low, even for the likes of you two.”
“Fuck you, girlie,” Pisser said. “Shut up or I’ll show you how low I can go.”
“Let it be. She’s just messing with you,” said Buzz Cut. “Now I want you two to turn around and ride a hundred yards away in that direction.” He gestured back the way we had come.
“Come on Switchback,” I said, clucking softly. I reined her in a half circle and rode away from the backpack. I could hear Manuel doing the same.
“That’s good. You can stop now,” Buzz Cut said. “Don’t turn around.”
“Whoa,” I said, bringing Switchback to a stop. I resisted the urge to glance over my shoulder but could hear the sound of a horse walking as one of them rode forward. When the hoofbeats stopped, I heard the creak of saddle leather as one of the men dismounted followed by the sound of the pack being picked up and unzipped.
“Got everything?” Buzz Cut asked.
“How the hell should I know?” Pisser said. “Looks like a bunch of old cassette tapes and books to me.”
“Okay, well zip it up and let’s get going. Slater will know what to do with it.” We heard the zipper closing and Pisser mounting. “Y’all have a nice evening,” Buzz Cut said. When we heard their horses turn and start walking back towards the forest Manuel and I turned our horses around. We were just in time to see four nearly invisible figures emerge from the shadows of the trees with bows and arrows drawn. What I’d remember most was the complete lack of expression on their faces and how quickly and quietly they moved. Within seconds, they’d fanned out and were standing in a half circle around the two men.
“What the hell?” Pisser said.
“Drop the pack,” Buzz Cut said.
“But…”
“Just do it unless you want an arrow through your chest,” Buzz Cut insisted. Reluctantly Pisser tossed the pack on the ground. “Let’s get out of here.” Buzz Cut said, jerking his horse’s head around and spurring him into a gallop. Pisser stayed a few seconds longer, his left hand twitching over the rifle scabbard, clearly wanting to draw his gun.
“Don’t be a fool,” Manuel said. “You’ll be dead before the rifle clears the scabbard.”
Pisser threw Manuel a look that left no doubt about who he’d like to shoot, but slowly withdrew his hand and held both his palms up in the air. “Okay, okay I’m going,” he said. Then he too turned his horse and headed for town. As he passed he gave me a suggestive leer, running his tongue over his lips and saying, “I’ll deal with you later, sweetheart.”
When Pisser and Buzz Cut were out of sight, Manuel dismounted and walked over to thank the four me who had saved us. “That was perfect timing,” he said as he shook the hands of each of the men.
“No problem,” said the tallest and oldest of the four. He wore his hair in a long gray braid down his back and moved slowly and deliberately. “We’d been keeping an eye on those two all day but didn’t want to interfere until they actually did something illegal. We go it all here on camera,” he added, patting a rectangular box strapped to his chest.
“Excellent,” Manuel said.
“We’ll make sure they stay off the property from now on,” he added. He walked forward, picked the pack up from the ground and returned it to me. “Ghigau (beloved woman),” he said with a respectful nod.
“Thank you,” I said, slipping my arms into the straps of the pack and adjusting the weight at the small of my back.
When the four bow hunters had disappeared back into the trees. Manuel turned to me and asked, “You okay?”
“I’m not sure,” I responded. “I think I might throw up.“ Dark spots were dancing in front of my eyes and I couldn’t seem to catch my breath. Manuel walked over to Switchback, put his hand on my knee, and squeezed hard. “It’s just shock, Madison,” he said. “Do you want to get down?”
“Yes, please,” I said, sliding sideways out of the saddle and into his arms. Much to my embarrassment I really needed his help to stand. My legs felt loose and disjointed and I was lightheaded. But Manuel didn’t seem to mind - just stood steady and calm as my body gradually recovered. “Why aren’t you feeling like this?” I asked when I felt better.
“ROTC training,” he said.
“Well, I’m relieved one of us could still function,” I said as he helped me back into the saddle. “What are we going to do about what just happened? That was scary.”
“First, get back to the Light House and check in with Hamilton and the security team. I’m hoping there’s something we can do to prevent those guys from coming back. If nothing else we’ll have a stronger case in court if we’ve reported what happened and have the video footage to prove it.”
“Okay, well I guess this is as good a time as any to tell you.”
“About?”
“The articles my paper plans to write about what’s been going on.”
“Articles?”
“Reported pieces, interviews, op-eds about the history of the Light House and the land it’s built on. We’ll use the fact that Faith is contesting the will and her claim that her brother was murdered as hooks to grab readers’ attention. My editor may be in touch to ask you a few questions and get some quotes.”
“That’s quite a bombshell you just dropped,” Manuel said as he remounted Ranger. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes, I’m tired of feeling unsafe and like I can’t get on with what D asked me to do because of Faith. And it’s not fair to Evan who’s done nothing wrong. I won’t feel good about myself until I get this straightened out.”
“Don’t poke the bear,” Manuel said, sounding amused.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just an expression is all. I wouldn’t want you pissed at me.”
“I am pissed - not at you of course. I’m beginning to see why D was so upset about the way his family obtained this land. Why do people with money feel they’re entitled to take whatever they want, even when it means displacing and hurting others?”
“I’m not sure,” Manuel replied. “That’s a big question, but you can be sure that Faith is not alone in opposing D’s plans.”
“Well they’re not going to get away with it if I can help it,” I said as I urged Switchback forward.
“Like I said,” Manuel smiled. “Don’t poke the bear.”
The sun was heading towards the horizon by the time we reached the horse pasture, and we still had a good 15 to 20-minute walk on foot to the Light House. “Been a long day,” Manuel said as we unsaddled the horses, fed them some treats, and took a few minutes to say thank you. Then we walked them to the edge of the pasture and watched as they trotted back to their herd. “Can you imagine what they’re telling their buddies about their day?” I said as we watched the others greet them with soft nickers and booty scratches.
“It’s bound to be one for the equine record books,” Manuel said. “Let’s get going. I’m not wild about being out in the woods after dark.”
I was tempted to say something snarky like, “Tell me about it, but knowing Manuel he’d want an explanation. There are definitely pluses and minuses to having friends who know you well. “Give me that pack,” he insisted as we left the tack shed.
“Thanks,” I said, and seeing the concern in his eyes added, “I’ll be fine once I’ve had some food and a bath.”
“I’m sure,” he said, shouldering the packing and taking me by the arm. I didn’t bother to protest. It felt good to have his support.
The walk back to the Light House was made in companionable silence. After all the strange and emotionally charged conversations I’d had that day it was a relief to let the words go and focus instead on the sounds of the night creatures - crickets, katydids, tree frogs, and even a pair of barred owls calling back and forth to one another. As the light faded, the heat dropped and the now familiar scents of star jasmine, pine, and honeysuckle drifted past in waves. I found myself taking deep breaths and thinking of the life D and Richard had built for themselves here. “Penny for your thoughts,” Manuel said.
“No thoughts,” I replied. “I’m just doing my best to soak everything in. This place kind of grows on you, doesn’t it?”
“It does indeed,” Manuel agreed. We walked on in silence and were about to enter the last stand of trees that separated the land around the Light House from the larger forest when we heard the rhythmic thud of hooves on dirt behind us.
“Please tell me they’re not back,” I said, tightening my hold on Manuel’s arm as we turned to look back into the deepening shadows.
“Doubtful,” he said. “Running Brook’s security team would have intercepted them. Besides,” he added after listening for a few more moments, “it’s only one horse.”
“Then what…” I started to say, but was stopped by the appearance of a pale gray and white horse walking out of the trees. She was walking with her ears pricked, head held low and swinging slightly from side to side as she sauntered along at a leisurely, almost plodding pace. There was nothing even remotely threatening or alarming about the mare’s appearance but goosebumps rose all along my arms and my heartbeat quickened.
“That’s Appalachia,” I whispered.
“Yes,” Manuel agreed.
“I thought you said she’s been unfriendly since Richard died.”
“I did and she has been,” Manuel agreed. “But I suggest we don’t make a big deal out of this. Besides, we have to keep going if we want to get to the Light House before dark.”
“I suppose you’re right,” I said, but I couldn’t stop myself from glancing back every now and then to check to see if Appalachia was still with us.
We saw the Light House long before we actually arrived. Electric lights shone in every room and through every window making the whole building seem to glow. Strings of twinkle lights had been hung in the trees beside the back porch and we could see the silhouettes of people moving back and forth within the house.
“Probably just the security people,” Manuel said. “But it looks like Hamilton got the electricity turned on in record time.”
“I wonder how the cats are handling all this,” I said. “They’re probably scared to death. I hope Nigel remembered to feed them.”
“I’m sure he did,” Manuel said. You can check on them when we get there.”
I was about to ask him where he thought the cats might be hiding when we saw and heard Bentley launch himself from the porch and come hurtling full speed in our direction. “Brace yourself,” Manuel said.
Nigel, having been alerted by Bentley’s barking, was not far behind. “There you are,” he called. “What took you so long? I was beginning to worry. How do you like the lights? It turns out Evan had already done most of the work. It was just a matter of…” When he was finally close enough to see us clearly one look at my face told him now was not the time for updates. “Oh my,” he said, giving me a long hug. “Someone’s had a hard day.”
“Very,” Manuel said. “She needs food, a bath, and sleep.”
“Right this way my battle weary elf bard,” Nigel said, referring to the character I often played in D&D. “The house is looking pretty good and dinner is on the grill. I’ll finish it up while you’re taking a bath.”
“Sounds good,” I said.
“By the way,” he added looking back in the direction we’d just come, who‘s your pretty equine friend? Will she be staying for dinner?”
“That’s Appalachia,” Richard’s horse,” Manuel said. “She showed up about 15 minutes ago and has been tagging along ever since.”
“Appalachia,” Nigel repeated. “What a gorgeous name for a gorgeous horse. I’ll see if I can find you a carrot or two,” he said.
To my weary eyes, the inside of the Light House looked like Grand Central Station. There were people setting up and testing equipment in the living room, kitchen, and den. I also heard static-filled conversations about a malfunctioning camera going on between two people via walkie-talkies. The idea of trying to take a bath with only an unlocked door between me and all these people was not appealing. “Change of plans,” I said. “Can we eat first?”
“Sure thing,” Nigel said, leading the way back outside and onto the front porch overlooking the lake. There he’d set up a small wooden table, placed some tealights in the center, and laid out three place settings.
“Oh, this is really nice, Nigel,” I said. “Thank you so much. I’m starving.”
“You’re welcome,” he said. “Have a seat. In addition to electricity, Hamilton had a boatload of supplies delivered. Tonight’s menu includes Teriyaki chicken kabobs, baked baby potatoes, and fresh green beans from our garden…”
“We have a garden?” I asked.
“Yes we do. I’ll show you tomorrow. But the pièce de résistance is raspberry sorbet in honor of our new refrigerator-freezer.”
“We have a freezer?”
“Well it hasn’t been delivered yet, but Hamilton had the sorbet packed in dry ice.”
“Wow, you weren’t kidding about the supplies,” Manuel said.
“Nope, and there’s lots to catch you up on, but let’s eat first.”
By the time we were done eating I could barely keep my eyes open. “Guys, I know it’s only a little after 8:00 but I need to sleep.”
“Yes you do,” Nigel agreed.
“The question is where am I going to sleep?” I said, glancing back at the house.
“How about the loft?” Nigel suggested. “We can kick the security people out until tomorrow.”
“Absolutely not,” I said, remembering who had slept and died in that bed.
“There’s fold out bed in the couch in the den,” Manuel said.
“I have a better idea,” I said. “ When I was over at D’s writing cabin the other day I saw a bed upstairs.”
“That’s true,” Manuel acknowledged. “D used to take naps up there during the day. And there’s a half-bath there too.”
“But isn’t that a 10 or 15-minute walk from he?” Nigel asked. “And what about security? I don’t know if they have the cameras set up there yet.”
“Let me have a chat with the guys inside,” Manuel said, getting to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”
When he was gone, Nigel scooted his chair closer to mine, took my two hands in his and squeezed. “You okay?”
“Honestly, I don’t know,” I said, leaning forward and putting my forehead on his shoulder. “So much has happened and keeps on happening. Ask me again tomorrow when I can think straight again.”
“Will do,” Nigel agreed. “Just tell me if you saw Evan and if he’s safe.”
“Yes I did,” I replied. “And yes he’s safe.”
“Okay, that’s all I wanted to know. The rest can wait.”
When Manuel returned he was accompanied by a slender, middle-aged man whom I recognized as one of the bow hunters from our encounter with Pisser and Buzz Cut. “This is Gatlin,” Manuel said. “He’s been assigned to protect you and has agreed to keep watch at the cabin tonight.”
“Thank you, Gatlin,” I said.
“It is my pleasure, Ghigau,” he said. “But we should leave now before the light is completely gone.”
“Right,” I said, getting to my feet. “Just let me get a change of clothes and we can go. Manuel, will you make sure the backpack stays safe.”
“Of course,” he said. “But don’t think for a minute that you’ll be going to the cabin alone.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine with Gatlin watching over me,” I said.
“Manuel is right,” Nigel chimed in. “We’re going with you.”
For one long moment I glowered at my two friends until I realized how ridiculously vulnerable and exhausted I must look and sound. Who was I kidding after all? I needed all the help and protection I could get.
“Fine then,” I said with an exasperated sigh. “Grab your sleeping bags but I’m warning you right now that if either one of you snores, you’ll be sleeping outside.”
Copyright 2024 by Jena Ball. All Rights Reserved.
Links to the 19 previous chapters
Intense. Curious where it's going, and assuming there will be a good ending, because, well, this is fiction, where things can go right for the good people. -
The story has just enough of the surreal, and is building it slowly, that I buy it.
I suppose, I am starting to see this as a "growing up" story for Maddy, spiritually, as well as in self-confidence, where I hope she willl become the actor instead of needing her friends (and mostly men) to be her protectors.
It's a fascinating story and I am looking forward to the other half of it.
Ohhhh, I love that the horses told Appalachia about Madison. She knows she can and should trust and protect Madison.
And holy cow, Faith and her pals certainly are desperate to control the narrative...bullying to get their way.
Can't wait for more. ☺️